Owen Signs for LOSER Toon Army

Bad Career Move, once again

Silverware Early this Season

Liverpool - Proud European Win Against CSKA Moscow

What a scare Liverpool gave me.
The early goal from CSKA Moscow at 28th min almost caused me a heart attack.

Let's not talk about the match in detail, I wanna savour the win first.


Carra with the trophy !!!!

This weekend just got better!

Liverpool vs CSKA Moscow


Super Cup Action at Monaca

Liverpool are in European Super Cup action tonight when they take on UEFA Cup holders CSKA Moscow in Monaco.

Carra should be captaining the side, it would be great to see the Anfield legend lift the Super Cup trophy. Gerrard is out from the match due to an injury picked up during the last home game against Sunderland. Benitez is expected to field his best 11 to secure silverware early in the season.

The match would be shown on tv later at 2:30am in Singapore, you bet I would be watching. I'm sure many Liverpool fans in the blogsphere would too.

YOU NEVER WALK ALONE

Gerrard Wins UEFA Award

Steven Gerrard - Europe's Most Valuable Player

Gerrard was named Europe's most valuable player by UEFA following Liverpool's Champions League run last season.

The Liverpool midfielder picked up his award at a gala ceremony in Monaco this afternoon where the Reds are preparing for tomorrow night's Super Cup final against CSKA Moscow.

After lifting the award Gerrard was quick to pay tribute to his Anfield team-mates after their unforgettable European adventure last year. He told Liverpoolfc.tv: "It's a great honour to receive this award and I feel really proud. "I need to thank the club, the coaching staff and my team-mates for helping me to win this award. "It was a real team effort last season.

Full report.

Reds Draw Chelsea, Anderlecht and Betis

Group G - Liverpool / Chelsea / Anderlecht / Real Betis

Liverpool will play Chelsea, Anderlecht and Real Betis in the group phase of this season's Champions League. The draw took place at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco this afternoon and it placed the Reds in Group G.

Anderlecht last visited Merseyside for a European Cup tie in 1964 - an occasion remembered for being the first time Liverpool wore their now famous all-Red strip. Goals from Ian St John, Roger Hunt and Ron Yeats secured a 3-0 win back, while a solitary Hunt strike in the return completed a 4-0 aggregate success. Liverpool have never before met last season's Spanish Cup winners Real Betis in continental competition.

--------------Updated--------------

Liverpool's Group G Champions League games

Tuesday, September 13th - Real Betis v Liverpool.
Wednesday, September 28th - Liverpool v Chelsea.
Wednesday, October 19th - Anderlecht v Liverpool.
Tuesday, November 1st - Liverpool v Anderlecht.
Wednesday, November 23rd - Liverpool v Real Betis.
Tuesday, December 6th - Chelsea v Liverpool.

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I don't believe this. We are in the same group with Chelsea this early during the Champions League. Hah, maybe Chelsea will have less games to play this season; with its exit outta Champions League during the group stages.

Full report.

Liverpool 0 - 1 CSKA Sofia


Impressive Pair - Momo Sissoko & Stephen Warnock

Pool qualified for the Champions League group stages, despite a loss to a valiant CSKA Sofia at Anfield. CSKA Sofia scored a goal against Pool, but the aggregate of 3 -2 was in favour of the Anfield club.

Benitez rested quite a few key players in preparation of the Super Cup against CSKA Moscow this Friday. Gerrard missed the match due to injury & is seriously doubtful for the Super Cup game tomorrow. Xabi Alonso was rested too, Momo Sissoko had a great game; he's certainly looking good for Pool's future.



Baros' sale to Villa was finally completed for a fee of £6.5 million. We could finally use that money to get the centre half we need.

As for Owen, it's highly possible that we won't see him back at Anfield this season; judging by Benitez's comments to the media. It would be great to see Owen back at Anfield, but I believe there's still plenty of good with Cisse/Nando.

Villa, Lyon & Spurs Chasing Baros

Milan Baros

More interested parties are setting their eyes on the Czech striker, the latest addition to the list is Spurs. They have expressed interest for Baros to fill the void left by Fredi Kanoute. There are already bids from Villa (£6.5m) and Lyon (£8.5m). The money from the sale of Baros could be spent on a centre back, which could provide cover for Carra & Hyypia.


Danish centre-half Daniel Agger

Benitez has set his eyes on Daniel Agger, the 20 year old from Denmark. Agger was impressive against England, whom were humilated 4 - 1 during the friendly match. Benitez believed that Agger is the right person to groom for the future. However, Agger's current club; Brondby is asking £6m for the Danish international. Pool definitely need to sell Baros to finance the transfer.


Abdoulaye Meite in possible exchange deal for Cisse

On the other hand, Marseille are said to be interested in Cisse & would be ready to strike a deal with the Anfield club once the "hands-off" status is lifted off Cisse. Benitez had already said he doesn't want to sell Cisse. However, Marseille has offered Abdoulaye Meite in exchange as well; that could change things.

If we sell both Baros & Cisse, that could limit our strikers options. We would only be left with Crouch & Nando. However, if we sell them both; we could finance the transfer of Owen from Real & Agger from Brondby. Also, the possibility of having Meite from Cisse's deal with Marseille. Things could work out fine for Pool. However, I believe Cisse is our man. He will only get better with more games. It would be a pity to let him go now, he has yet to prove his worth in the red shirt.


Michael Owen

As for Owen, he has expressed his interest to come back to Anfield. He's a proven striker & Real is willing to let him go, if the price is right. Owen is said to have confided in both Carra & Gerrard his desire to come back to Liverpool; when the lads met for the friendly match against Denmark.
I'm sure the majority of Liverpool fans would love to see Owen don the red jersey again. But the jigsaw pieces must fall nicely before we could maybe see his return to Anfield.

Liverpool 1 - 0 Sunderland


Magnificent free-kick from Alonso Sinks Sunderland

A brilliant first half free-kick from Xabi Alonso was enough to give Liverpool the 3 points much needed for their first home game at Anfield against Sunderland. Alonso's free-kick came in the 24th minute, after Zenden was brought down by Sunderland.


Calf Injury Troubles Steven Gerrard

Benitez made one change to the starting line-up since last week away game against Boro. Cisse started for the side, replacing Luis Garcia. It was a must win for Liverpool, we dropped 2 points last week at Riverside Stadium & we must grab all 3 points at Anfield.

Liverpool created many chances & Cisse missed the majority of those. Zenden sent in a perfect cross in the 18th min that needed only a tap from Cisse, was misplaced. Gerrard was forced to go off the pitch in the second half, due to a calf injury. Sunderland had Welsh sent off in the 75th min & were made to battle it out with Pool with 10 men. We created a couple more chances after we brought on Riise, but the scoreline of 1 - 0 remained till the final whistle.

Overall, not an easy win we would have expected from Pool. But, we did win & got the 3 points; that's what mattered. Sissoko & Warnock was again impressive. Bad news though, Gerrard gonna miss the return leg at Anfield against CSKA Sofia.

Milan Baros set to Leave for Villa

Milan Baros set to leave Anfield

Milan Baros is ready to leave Liverpool with a move to Aston Villa looking more likely now.

Baros is looking to pair up with fellow Czech player, Patrik Berger if the move to Villa materializes. He has phoned Berger to check on the move to Villa Park. Baros has also been linked with moves to Lyon and Valencia but he had mixed views on the two destinations, insisting he had no intention of linking up with former Anfield boss Gerard Houllier at the Stade Gerland while admitting he would have joined Valencia had the move not broken down.

I hate to see Milan go, but hopefully the cash for his sale could see Pool securing the services of a good central defender, which we need badly.

Middlesbrough 0 - 0 Liverpool


Utter Frustration for Captain Gerrard

Saturdays meant something more now, the Barclays Premiership started this weekend. Liverpool kicked off their campaign away at Riverside Stadium against Boro.

The starting formation of 4-5-1 was a little strange. Lone striker Nando was lacking the much needed support of another striking partner. Our defence needs much improvement indeed, the likes of Carragher, Hyppia, Finnan & Warnock were adequate for this match, but there were moments of shock when Boro found loopholes in the defence. Stephen Warnock was impressive & somewhat surprised me.

Sissoko showed the aggressiveness the English game entails & was too impressive in midfield, alongside Gerrard, Alonso, Garcia & Zenden. As expected, Zenden was booed by the home crowd whenever he got the ball. He had an early chance to put Liverpool in front, but was let down by finishing. Reina was a little shaky, came off the line too often for half chances & my heart was certainly in my mouth.

We played a better game when disappointing Garcia was replaced by Cisse, we made more chances from the flanks & was certainly rewarded; but for the unlucky Gerrard missing the goals. Baros then came on for Nando, this must have been his first competitive match for Pool since last season as he was not played during the CL qualifiers. We created more chances & was almost certainly going to score with Gerrard. But he was brought down just at the edge of the box by Ugo Ehiogu in the 74th min. A clever flick from Baros earlier set Gerrard free to go for goal, before Gerrard was brought down.

Although we didn't win the match, we did well to contain Boro & created many chances. It was plain unlucky of Gerrard to not even put one in the net. We must certainly win the next home game against Sunderland at Anfield.

Boro VS Liverpool

Liverpool's first away game of the 05/06 season is gonna start in 3 hours time in Singapore.
My prediction -- Boro 1 - 2 Pool

Nando & Gerrard would score, hopefully I'm right.

CSKA Sofia 1 - 3 Liverpool


Impressive Trio - Cisse, Gerrard & Nando

We are again moving 1 step closer to the group stages of the Champions League. The team did well to beat CSKA Sofia 3 - 1 at Bulgaria last night.

The away win paved the way for another win for the return leg at Anfield in 2 weeks time. I guess the return leg at Anfield would only be a formality now, we are surely going through to the group stages. We deserved to be there, we are the elite in Europe!

A goal from Cisse in the first half & one goal in each half for Nando sealed the victory for Liverpool. Pool scored first after 24 minutes when Cisse raced onto a Gerrard through-ball to slot his low shot through the legs of goalkeeper Evgheni Hmaruc. Nando doubled the lead after 30 minutes. A defensive laspe saw Pool conceded a goal, Velizar Dimitrov grabbed a headed goal right on the stroke of half-time. Nando then grabbed his second goal of the match & rightfully put the match beyond Sofia's reach. Rafael Benitez gave Spanish 17-year-old Antonio Barragan his debut with 11 minutes remaining.


Milan Baros - Set to Go

Milan Baros travelled with the squad to Bulgaria & was on the subs bench. However, Rafael Benitez didn't risk him; hoping to fetch a better price for the Czech striker. I like Milan, though he can be selfish at times. However, he has the speed that neither Crouch nor Nando has.

Liverpool 2 - 0 FBK Kaunas


Djibril Cisse was in sensational form

We are through to the next round of qualifers in the Champions League. Liverpool pulled off another win against FBK Kaunas, giving us the edge of 5 -1 over the two games of qualifier.

The team did well to overcome Kaunas, whom were just as determined to win the game. In the end, a goal apiece from Cisse & Gerrard settle the match.


Midfield Marshals - Sissoko & Gerrard

It was also great to see Sissoko in action, that young chap is impressive so far. Hopefully, he can partner well on the field with Alonso & Gerrard in the League as well.

Nunez Going back to Spain

Antonio Nunez is heading to Celta Vigo

Nunez is set to move to Celta Vigo this week after only 1 season at Liverpool.
The right winger was told my Rafael Benitez earlier that he wouldn't be included in his plans this coming season in August.

Nonetheless, let's wish Nunez all the best.

Scary

I know i haven't been blogging lately. I'm sorry to the visitors of my blog (if there's any).
I haven't been well lately, emotionally. But it's definitely affecting me physically.

I have been having scary thoughts that's very worrying. I keep seeing myself jumping off a building. I had the worst nightmare ever this Friday morning. I dreamt that I was knocked down by a vehicle just outside my office building. I still remember the dream vividly till now. I remembered seeing my "soul" leaving my body & was eventually looking over the bloody "me". I was startled by the dream at almost 230am on Friday morning, wide awake after I composed myself & told myself that it's only a dream. After that, I wasn't able to get to sleep.

I spoke to my pychologist friend about the dream. He said that I want to die sub-conciously, that's why I kept seeing such images and having that terrible dream. He mentioned that we don't usually remember our dreams that clearly. We might have been able to recall some details, but definitely not all of it. It's quite unusual that I remembered everything. The possible diagnosis he came up with was, either I am very stressed about my life or I'm really tired of living & want to end my life.

I don't know what to think now.

3 - 1 Victory over Kaunas

Zenden, Gerrard & scorer Carra


The Wonder Goal by Carra

There are so many things to cheer about this morning. Liverpool won the first leg tie against Kaunas, after suffering an early scare by the home side. We came back from a goal down & finally put 3 goals past the opposing keeper.

It was a convincing win by the Reds. Goals from Cisse, Carra (surprise surprise!) and a penalty from Gerrard sealed victory for Pool & they are virtually sure of being in the final qualifying round, we deserved to be in the group stages, definitely.


Crouch in the Liverpool jersey

Debutant Crouch was again rather impressive on field. Just look at those limbs, they looked like they would break at the slightest bend. But no, he has performed well during pre-season & is certainly worthy of the Liverpool jersey. Nope, i'm not singing his praises now. There's still much to be seen when the league starts.


Snagged this off Dirty Dan's blog (www.evild.blogspot.com)

Funny.

4 - 3 victory over Olympiacos

Lethal Strike Force - Baros, Morientes, Garcia, Crouch, Cisse

The newly assembled strike force of Liverpool is slowly taking shape & proving its worth.

The 4 - 3 win over Olympiacos last evening featured all of Rafa'a strike force, with Crouch coming close to scoring on 2 occasions & setting up Garcia's goal in the 1st half. Baros was all over the pitch in the 2nd half, setting up Morientes' goal.

The Czech striker was rumoured to be leaving the Anfield club after Crouch signed for Liverpool. However, he seems to be thinking otherwise. I would like to see Baros stay though, as i felt that he still had much to offer.

With the strike force nicely assembled, Rafael Benitez should start worrying about his defence. The defence wasn't very well organised, as we can see evidently from the 5 friendly matches we have played so far.

Peter Crouch

Goodbye Kiss to Saints

I know this entry is a lil' late. But I have been tied up with many things this week.

So, Rafael Benitez has confirmed the services of the ex-Southampton striker. The transfer fee was 7 million, the happiest party in this deal would have to be Crouch himself. He got away from a relegated side & was suddenly part of the European champions' squad, Liverpool.

It took a long while for this to sink in, I still can't seem to visualise Crouch wearing the Liverpool's jersey. It just seems so 'wrong'. Not that I have any doubts over his capability, but we haven't seen him in the European campaigns; which would form a large part of Liverpool's season. In short, un-tested.

I don't know about you, but I'm having serious doubts about this summer signing of Rafa.

6 - 0 Aggregate over TNS

Cisse Scores Again

Liverpool are through to the second round of the Champions League qualifers with an 3 - 0 win once again against TNS at Wrexham.

TNS' defence performed well to deny the Reds an goal feast. Carra captained the side with Gerrard on the bench for the 1st half. Cisse scored the opening goal in the 26th minute. The TNS keeper, Gerard Doherty was magnificent between the posts. If not for his great saves throughout the game, we might have won by a greater scoreline.

Gerrard only came off the bench in the 2nd half to score twice in the dying minutes to add to his hat-trick from the first leg after Djibril Cisse's opener, but even then it could not take away the glory from the Welsh champions who played their hearts out.

Good work from the lads once again, let's march on.

Owen - In or Out??

Goodbye Real & 'Back' to Liverpool?

Is Owen coming back to Anfield?
So, media reports says Owen is desperate to come back to Pool.

OWEN : I WANT TO COME HOME

Rafael Benitez already has plans to buy Peter Crouch & might not have enough cash to spare for Owen. Real has already set Owen's price at £18m, that would be too much for Liverpool; whom has already secured services of Boudewijn Zenden, Jose Reina, Mark Gonzalez, Momo Sissoko and Antonio Barragan. Figo is finally heading to Anfield too, for free.

I figured Owen could be heading to Manchester United after all.