Showing posts with label Sport. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sport. Show all posts

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Can Carroll and Suarez mimic Toshack and Keegan?


Liverpool Football Club broke their club record for the amount paid for a player twice in quick succession late on during this past January 2011 transfer window.

First it was the purchase of Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez from Ajax, for a then club record £22.8m and then very shortly after that, this record was well and truly smashed. The acquisition of England's hottest new striking prospect, Andy Carroll from Newcastle United for a whooping £35m lifted the bar to staggering heights.

So Liverpool Football Club have a new attacking partnership that really makes the mouth water at it's potential.

Anfield has seen some thrilling strike partnership in its illustrious past, none more potent and acclaimed than their own 'Batman and Robin', in the form of John Toshack and Kevin Keegan.

Toshack and Keegan were the epitome of the perfect dynamic duo, the 'big man - small man' act and their potency was a demonstration of their relationship.

There was even a shocking photo of the two of them kitted out in the famous 'Batman and Robin' outfits that should never be again be put on public display! (Can be seen in the John Toshack Tribute video!)

Such was the rapport struck up by Toshack and Keegan that many thought it was almost a telepathic understanding that the two had. There was the now famous 'Telepathic Test' that Granada TV set up to put this to the test.

The two sat opposite each other and one would hold up a card with a symbol on it that the other could not see. Shockingly, they were able to telepathically send a message to the other and he identified the symbol correctly each time.

So telepathy proved; well not quite, as it was an elaborate and hilarious hoax done with cleverly placed mirrors! But this did nothing to dampen the idea that Toshack and Keegan were somehow in tune to each other's thoughts on the football pitch. (Can be seen in the John Toshack Tribute video)


John Toshack was signed by Bill Shankly in late 1970 from Cardiff City for a massive £110,000. Already a full Welsh international, Toshack was by no means a giant, standing at 185cm (or just over 6'1) but his aerial ability was second to none.

Kevin Keegan was signed just under a year later from Scunthorpe United for a fraction of what Shankly forked out for Toshack earlier; at £35,000 it was less than a third of Toshack's fee.

Fans and supporters were left open mouthed and agast at the price Liverpool paid for Toshack. But he was to cement himself as an Kop hero with his first goal for the Reds in his second game. It came in an epic Merseyside derby at Anfield; with the Reds trailing 0-2, Steve Heighway pulled one back to make it 1-2. But it was Toshack's equaliser that energised and revitalised the Reds and they went on to grab the winner with the big Welshman being credited for turning the game around.

The fans' initial shock at Toshack's transfer fee was quickly forgotten with just his first goal for the club. Fans have made similar noises at the signing of another 'big man' in Andy Carroll, but if he can get an early goal then his record transfer fee will no longer be what everyone talks about too.

Keegan was originally bought as a midfielder but Shankly soon saw the partnership forging between the big Welshman and the comparatively smaller Englishman.

Toshack was phenomenal in the air and Keegan just seemed to know where the knock downs were going, or was it that Toshack knew where Keegan would run to? Their classic 'little and large' act is one of the most famous in football history and the template for future similar acts.

Toshack, himself was also more than simply a provider; he himself scored a highly commendable 96 goals in his 246 appearances for the Reds.

Keegan scored exactly 100 goals in his 230 Liverpool appearances before moving on to Hamburg and a vast majority of these were thanks to his strike partner's aerial prowess.

The shorter Englishman was blessed with a dogged determination to get on to knock downs, but also had amazing levels of fitness. His knack of knowing where the goal was, is something that all great strikers have.

Keegan was also surprisingly a good dribbler with the ball and header himself, but it was in and around the box that he came into his own. Additionally, he was a great leader and inspiration to his fellow team mates with an infectious enthusiasm, a huge heart and massive personality.

He stood for all that his manager, Shankly, stood for. It was almost as if Shankly could have cloned a player that embodied his ethos on how the game should be played, then Keegan would have been the result.

Toshack and Keegan led Liverpool's front line scoring a combined 196 goals and winning three League Championships, two UEFA Cups, one FA Cup and one European Cup.

A fantastic record that the new Liverpool strike partnership, that is being compared to Toshack and Keegan, have to live up to and exceed.

Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll are Liverpool's latest 'little and large' double act. Certainly, Suarez and Carroll rolls off the tongue almost as easily and smoothly as Toshack and Keegan, but do these two rookies have what it takes to surpass this great Liverpool dynamic duo of yester years.

To achieve this feat, Suarez and Carroll will need to win over the Kop and this will be done by a combination of hard work, willingness to fight and most importantly for strikers; goals.

Carroll is as formidable in the air as Toshack ever was, however, the one thing that the Welshman had going for him during his playing days, was the referees. In Toshack's playing days a big man could really throw himself about without the referees blowing for fouls every other minute.

However, Carroll seems to be able to frighten the life out of defenders even without the aid of a lenient referee. The Englishman has raw power and his physical all action style of play has won him an army of those that admire him and as many, if not more, that fear him.

As with Toshack, Carroll has more strings to his bow than just being a big target man; as Toshack did, Carroll has speed, quick feet and a rocket shot (as Liverpool found out when he scored a screamer in their previous meeting). But Toshack's goals are there for all to see and Carroll will need to be at his best to get past the 96 the Welshman knocked in.

However, Carroll talent is growing and if he progresses as hoped and with the attributes he possesses, it could well be that he goes on to match or even better the Liverpool legend he is being compared to.

Luis Suarez is without doubt one of the most skillful and exciting talents to be brought into Liverpool Football Club since John Barnes. Such are the skills that this exciting player has in his locker, that we could be on the verge of seeing a new No.7 Liverpool legend.

As Keegan had, Suarez also has a deft touch, magical skills, can pick a pass, a superb shot, great dribbling ability and supreme confidence. Having scored on his debut, the Uruguayan has become an instant hit.

Suarez is not short on confidence as his first Liverpool goal illustrated. Not not just a simple tap in but taking on and rounding the goalkeeper in a one on one. Anyway, the Uruguayan scoring record is one that would be hard pushed to be better by anyone, so he has every reason to be comfortable and poised in front of goal.

Suarez has so many traits similar to those of Keegan.

Suarez and Carroll have all the potential to be Liverpool's new Toshack and Keegan. The two strike partnership have a remarkable resemblance to each other.

Carroll has everything Toshack had and Suarez play bears a uncanny similarity to Keegan's. This would suggest that Suarez and Carroll have every chance of becoming another lethal Liverpool strike partnership akin in more ways than one to Toshack and Keegan.

Whether Suarez and Carroll go on to become Liverpool's new Toshack and Keegan, one thing is for certain, if they do then the glory days at Anfield will certainly be back and back with a bang.

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Mesut Özil Statistic till 25 Nov 2010


Since the World Cup 2010, Mesut Özil was one of my favorite rising football star.







































































































2010/11 Statistics
TEAMCompetitionGSSBGASHSGFCFSYCRC
Werder BremenDFB Pokal1001000100
GermanyInternational Friendly3000760500
GermanyWorld Cup70131153810
Real MadridUEFA Champions League41139631000
Real MadridSpanish Primera División1113511471300
Season Totals2625123821133710


This year is going to be Real Madrid year as Mourinho blend all the stars in a perfect way.











































































2009/10 Statistics
TEAMCompetitionGSSBGASHSGFCFSYCRC
Werder BremenGerman Bundesliga2929126731234420
GermanyInternational Friendly0100000000
Werder BremenDFB Pokal50021200600
Season Totals3439147931235020














































































2008/09 Statistics
TEAMCompetitionGSSBGASHSGFCFSYCRC
Werder BremenDFB Pokal3010633600
Werder BremenGerman Bundesliga2083124214242911
Werder BremenUEFA Champions League60031884510
Season Totals2984156625314021

All the best Mesut Özil. Really admire your skills especially when giving the English and Argentine a football lesson.











































































2007/08 Statistics
TEAMCompetitionGSSBGASHSGFCFSYCRC
Schalke 04UEFA Champions League3100545310
Werder BremenGerman Bundesliga661115891300
Schalke 04German Bundesliga6504746900
Season Totals1512152716202510





































2006/07 Statistics
TEAMCompetitionGSSBGASHSGFCFSYCRC
Schalke 04German Bundesliga7120116512010










Glossary
GS: Games Started, SB: Used as Substitute, G: Goals, A: Assists, SH: Shots, SG: Shots on goal, YC: Yellow Cards, RC: Red Cards, FC: Fouls Committed, FS: Fouls Suffered, SV: Saves, OF: Offsides, W: Wins, D: Draws, L: Losses

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Chelsea New Kit 2010/2011 Season


Seems like there's a glimpse of Reds in the collars. May the Reds be with you Chelsea.

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Manchester United 1-4 Liverpool

What a night at Theatre of Dreams....Spanking the home team was an unexpected event as Liverpool bounce back from Ronaldo's the diver penalty. Thanks to Vidic who is the home team culprit let the ball bounce. Torres rob the ball from him and beat Van der Sar.

Torres again set up Gerrard but the skipper brought down by Evra in the penalty box and referee points to the spot. The Red Devil are behind for the first half..The second half prove Liverpool giving a hard time for the EPL leader. Pressure is mounting, Red Devil put Scholes,Giggs and Berbatov on. It doesnt matter as Vidic again bring down Gerrard just about 4 metres from penalty box who was about to make a thunderbolt from the ball. Vidic red carded..Seems Gerrard to take the free kick but Aurelio swing the ball pass the wall and goal keeper..1-3 it is!!!..Liverpool is in wonderland!!..

Finally Reina's goal kick found Dossena and he lob the ball over Van der Sar and makes it 4-1!!..Liverpool in the driving seat!!!.. Liverpool won one of the most important battle in a war..

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Where's Liverpool local lads?!

Liverpool may have won the FA Youth Cup in 2006 and 2007, but Benitez's transfer dealings don't suggest the next Steven Gerrard is going to be unearthed any time soon.

The Liverpool youth set-up, which became the Anfield Academy in 1999, used to be a production line of top class players. Gerrard, Jamie Carragher, Robbie Fowler, Michael Owen and Steve McManaman all learned their trade in Liverpool’s youth teams.

They were nurtured by former Reds winger Steve Heighway and learned exactly what it means to be a Liverpool player.

‘The Liverpool Way’ – a ‘holistic’, ‘player-centred approach’ – is still, apparently, the way of life on Merseyside, but where is the next generation of home-grown talent?

Since Liverpool won the 1996 FA Youth Cup with a team including Carragher, David Thompson and Michael Owen, which young Scousers have graduated to become Anfield legends? None.

What went wrong?

Heighway retired from his role as academy director in May 2007 after 19 years of coaching at the club.

The man who won four league titles, two European Cups, two UEFA Cups and an FA Cup during an 11-year playing career at Anfield walked away with some parting verbal shots at Rafa Benitez, particularly with regard to the manager’s attitude towards the youth set-up.

Reserve football was ‘meaningless’; managers are under too much pressure to try young players at first-team level and Heighway, the self-confessed ‘best coach of 17- and 18-year-old players in this club’, should be left to do his job.

But the rot had set in long before Heighway’s departure. Fowler and McManaman were followed by the golden generation of Owen, Carragher and Gerrard, as well as players such as Thompson, Joey Barton, and Dominic Matteo. But after that, well, what did happen to Anfield’s great hopes? Sportsmail looks at the shining lights who couldn’t cut it at Liverpool.



The Sheffield-born striker and son of former Manchester City player Ian Mellor progressed through the ranks at Liverpool, scoring goals aplenty for the Under 19 and reserve sides before getting his chance in the first team.

In August 2003 Gerard Houllier sent the promising centre forward to West Ham for a year-long loan, but injuries undermined Mellor’s spell in London. He returned to Anfield, where Champions League football and a long-range winner against Arsenal in front of the Kop followed. A knee operation to cure tendonitis saw the striker spend most of 2005 on the sidelines.

A loan spell at Wigan Athletic followed, before Mellor moved to Preston North End in 2006. Injuries have restricted the appearances of the centre forward, now 28, at Preston and he has been most effective as a substitute.



Liverpool picked up Guthrie when he was 16, after the player had been released by Manchester United. He made just three first team appearances for Liverpool, all as a substitute, and was sent on loan to Southampton in March 2007.

A season’s loan at Bolton Wanderers followed and Guthrie showed he was a Premier League player by making 27 appearances for Bolton in the top flight. He then joined Newcastle United in July 2008, apparently at the bequest of Kevin Keegan (unusual in Newcastle’s transfer dealings), and has established himself as a first-team regular at St James’ Park.

Guthrie’s rash challenge on Hull City’s Craig Fagan in September, which broke the player’s leg, was a low point, but the midfielder has proved to be a useful signing for Newcastle.



The Ormskirk-born defender was a promising graduate of the Liverpool Academy and was called up to train with the first team squad in 2001.

Loan spells at Bradford City and Coventry City, where he picked the supporters’ player of the season award in 2004, followed, and Warnock was rewarded with a first-team debut in Liverpool’s Champions League qualifier against Sturm Graz in August 2004.

Warnock then became a useful member of Benitez’s squad, making 20 Premier League appearances in 2005-06, for example, but joined Blackburn Rovers in January 2007.

The defender has become a first team regular at Ewood Park and won his first England cap against Trinidad & Tobago in June 2008.

Those are three of many who "failed" to be Liverpool regular. Well..Hope that if Rafa extend his contract, he will give the youngster a chance to prove themselves.

source: www.dailymail.co.uk

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

MU's Ronaldo have hearts on Real Madrid

Finally Christiano Ronaldo admit that he sees long term future in Spain not England to his closest friend in Portugal. Manchester United fans will go outrage i thinks as most MU fans really admire him a lot. I admire his skills but not his act of play in the fields and attitude of making friends. He also makes face gesture(Drogba like face gesture) that i really hate when scoring a goal.


ronaldoreal.jpg





Last but not least..You will never walk alone!!!

Friday, April 25, 2008

Liverpool's New Home Kit


Gerrard & Reina


Just found out the new new Liverpool's new Home kit for next season. The transfer rumours:

Barry, Aston Villa £15m
There was a concern about his lack of pace but, at 27, he remains a key man for England and Villa, where he is captain.

Valencia, Wigan Athletic £8m
Ecuadorian who can play on either wing, and is also an option in the centre. The 22-year-old is on loan at Wigan from Villarreal.

Amorebieta, Athletic Bilbao £5m
Tough-tackling central defender, 22, with poor disciplinary record. Tipped as a future Spain international. If his side defeat Birmingham tomorrow, Rafa Benitez will become the Liverpool manager with the second-highest number of wins from his first 150 League games

Degen, Dortmund £0m
Swiss international, 25, available on a free. Favours right-back, but can play on the left or further up-field.

Friday, March 14, 2008

Red Color

Hello there..want to know why i love Liverpool FC club?!..If you see red,what will first come up from you mind?..Yup.aggression and dominant.hehe..

i am back


Scientists believe the color can confer an advantage in competitive sports because opponents subconsciously associate it with aggression and dominance. What are the connection between RED color and football?!..Here are the fact :-
Teams with red strips were found to have won the league 60 per cent of the time, compared with 20 per cent for those in blue, despite more wearing blue.

gained an average of 1.84 points per home game, compared with around 1.79 for blue and white teams and 1.75 for those playing in orange or yellow.

Merseyside provides all the evidence needed that red brings more glory than blue, though trends in Manchester and north London also support the findings

Sheffield United were the only team with a red home kit who did worse than their non-red rivalsSheffield Wednesday.

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Petition Against Hicks

Get Tom Hicks out of Liverpool Football Club


The petition which all Liverpool FC fan signed agreeing on kicking out Hicks from the KOP. Instead of bringing more money to the club, those f**king American tycoon bring more debt to KOP account.

The petition that i sign just now are now over 3000 signatures. To those Liverpool FC supporters that want to kicks the hell out of Hicks from Liverpool FC please sign this signature of support.Thanks.

Here to sign 


Liverpool FC

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Liverpool FC 2-0 Inter Milan

gerrard After a disappointed performance in EPL. Lost to Barnleys in FA Cup. The Reds are definitely don't want their UCL slip through their hands too. Playing at HOME against Inter who have a defense like a wall of China.Kuyt

The Reds start the game in a high tempo in the first half and controlled the game forcing Materazzi getting two yellow cards and off he goes. I don't like Materazzi's style as he plays football to hurt others. He deserved it.UCL is not like SERIE A. The referee are more stricter than their league.

Although Liverpool dominated the first half but they failed to take advantage of Materazzi's sending off. Later Crouch was introduce in the second half for the ineffective Lucas.Crouch need more crosses and he need Pennant which come replacing Babel. It was until the final minutes where Kuyt meet Pennant cross and half volleyed the ball which beat Julio Cesar.


Then its was Gerrard who shoot a superb strike from outside corner of the penalty area which again beat Julio Cesar in his right bottom corner. I am really disappointed with Liverpool performance in EPL. Benitez should stop rotating for-god-sake.

Friday, February 15, 2008

Before and After

New


This picture above is how my rare Mizuno but looks when it come out from the box. Pretty nice huh?!..After all it was 50% off as the actual price is RM300. It fits me really really well and i feel really so comfortable when playing football with it. Although i start to play football when i was 10 years old which really late for me to play football. Now i am satisfied with my performance when playing football as all my skills such as controlling and shooting.hehe..

Old


Achieving some progress in my football really come with a price. The picture above is how my but looks in present day!!..although it look pretty torn apart but still i feel really comfortable with it. My next target on buying but is Nike Laser just like Fernando Torres wore=)

Thursday, September 20, 2007

Alonso and Agger Out For Six Weeks!!!!!!!

Double metatarsal blow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Liverpool were left reeling from a double injury setback last night when it was revealed that midfielder Xabi Alonso and defender Daniel Agger had both fractured metatasals and will be out of action for up to six weeks.

Alonso reported the injury during training yesterday following Liverpol's return from their Champions League clash away to Porto on Tuesday night. Agger had been thought to be struggling with a bruised toe, but that has now been diagnosed as a fracture.

These are the latest big-name players to have sustained a metatarsal injury. Wayne Rooney has only just returned to duty for Manchester United after fracturing his foot and Wigan and England striker Emile Heskey has been sidelined with the same injury. Only yesterday, Everton manager David Moyes questioned whether modern football boots had become too lightweight.

Monday, September 17, 2007

Top 100 Best Footballer



As defined by the always excellent 4-4-2 magazine. Liverpool players in bold. As it should be:

100. Shunsuke Nakamura (Celtic)
99. Alexandre Pato (AC Milan)
98. Maicon (Inter Milan)
97. Jamie Carragher (Liverpool)
96. Sergio Aguero (Atletico Madrid)
95. Nery Castillo (Shakhtar Donetsk)
94. Javier Macherano (Liverpool)
93. Adrian Mutu (Fiorentina)
92. Kim Kallstrom (Lyon)
91. Filippo Inzaghi (AC Milan)
90. Javier Zanetti (Inter Milan)
89. Eduardo Da Silva (Arsenal)
88. Fabio Quagliarelli (Udinese)
87. Diego Milito (Real Zaragoza)
86. Gabriel Milito (Barcelona)
85. Gary Neville (Manchester United)
84. Juninho Pernambucano (Lyon)
83. Rafael van der Vaart (Hamburg)
82. Robin Van Persie (Arsenal)
81. Samir Nasri (Marseille)
80. Ricardo Quaresma (Porto)

79. Carlos Puyol (Barcelona)
78. Nemanja Vidic (Manchester United)
77. Maxi Rodriguez (Atletico Madrid)
76. Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich)
75. Gianluca Zambrotta (Barcelona)
74. Torsten Frings (Werder Bremen)
73. Pavel Nedved (Juventus)
72. Fredi Kanoute (Sevilla)
71. Kolo Toure (Arsenal)
70. Vicente (Valencia)
69. Diego Forlan (Atletico Madrid)
68. Michael Owen (Newcastle United)
67. William Gallas (Arsenal)
66. Ze Roberto (Bayern Munich)
65. Frank Ribery (Bayern Munich)
64. Andriy Shevchenko (Chelsea)
63. Patrick Viera (Inter Milan)
62. Diego (Werder Bremen)
61. Simao Sabrosa (Atletico Madrid)
60. Arjen Robben (Chelsea)
59. Robinho (Real Madrid)
58. Joe Cole (Chelsea)
57. Miroslav Klose (Bayern Munich)
56. Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid)
55. Luca Toni (Bayern Munich)
54. Alex (Chelsea)
53. Hernan Crespo (Inter Milan)
52. Owen Hargreaves (Manchester United)
51. Wesley Sneijder (Real Madrid)
50. Ronaldo (AC Milan)
49. David Silva (Valencia)
48. Andres Iniesta (Barcelona)
47. Dejan Stankovic (Inter Milan)
46. Clarence Seedorf (AC Milan)
45. Florent Malouda (Chelsea)
44. Carlos Tevez (Manchester United)
43. David Beckham (Los Angeles Galaxy)
42. Daniele De Rossi (AS Roma)
41. Michael Ballack (Chelsea)
40. Lucio (Bayern Munich)

39. David Suazo (Inter Milan)
38. Dimitar Berbatov (Tottenham Hotspur)
37. David Albelda (Valencia)
36. Alessandro Nesta (AC Milan)
35. Ricardo Carvalho (Chelsea)
34. Fernando Torres (Liverpool)
33. Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal)
32. Xavi Hernandes (Barcelona)
31. Juan Roman Riquelme (Villareal)
30. Iker Casillas (Real Madrid)
29. Ryan Giggs (Manchester United)
28. Paolo Maldini (AC Milan)
27. Ashley Cole (Chelsea)
26. Gino Gattuso (AC Milan)
25. Frank Lampard (Chelsea)
24. Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United)
23. Deco (Barcelona)
22. John Terry (Chelsea)
21. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Inter Milan)
20. Michael Essien (Chelsea)
19. David Villa (David Villa)
18. Francesco Totti (Roma)
17. Paul Scholes (Manchester United)
16. Roberto Ayala (Real Zaragoza)
15. Ruud van Nistelrooy (Real Madrid)
14. Andrea Pirlo (AC Milan)
13. Didier Drogba (Chelsea)
12. Daniel Alves (Sevilla)
11. Petr Cech (Chelsea)
10. Fabio Cannavaro (Real Madrid)
9. Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus)
8. Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)
7. Samuel Eto’o (Barcelona)
6. Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)
5. Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
4. Thierry Henry (Barcelona)
3. Ronaldinho (Barcelona)
2. Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)
1. Kaka (AC Milan)



I’m surprised to see there’s space for Nakamura and Da Silva but no room for Alonso. Similarly, room for Gary “Well Past my Prime” Neville and no room for Steve “Fighting Irish” Finnan.

Anyway - feel free to discuss the appearance of twice the amount of Manure players than Liverpool players in the comments. Given how Chelsea is basically a Championship Manager (now Football Manager) team who can buy whoever the hell they like, let’s not discuss them.

My two cents worth - I saw a lot of Sergio Aguero in the U20 World Cup here in Canada and he looked like the absolute bee’s knees. Watch for him to rise significantly over the next few years.

Monday, August 20, 2007

Lets Fantasy Football

I start playing fantasy football since i finished school.After furthering my study, i found out that many of my colleague also played that kind of fantasy thing.

We played for pride of our club that we support.I am a KOP fan..Last night my team were held to 1-1 draw with Chelsea after the ref gave the unforgiving+idiot+controversial penalty which saw my fantasy player Lampard score from the spot.Some bring joy but many not.

The rule of the game is simple.Choose your player to score point.Each striker score will earn them at least 6 point.If the defender scored, that gonna be hell of a point there.

During the season, the fantasy football players will be allocated a point score after each game, based on their performances in the matches. Only official Barclays Premier League games are included.

The Points will be calculated using data provided to us by the Press Association. Neither we nor the Press Association will enter into any correspondence relating to the allocation of points to players. We accept no responsibility for the accuracy of this data.
Action Points
playing in a game 1
playing at least 60 minutes in a game (includes playing points mentioned above) 2
each goal scored by your goalkeeper or defenders 6
each goal scored by your midfielders 5
each goal scored by your forwards 4
each goal assist 3
your goalkeeper/defender conceding 0 goals (must play at least 60 minutes) 4
your midfielder conceding 0 goals (must also play at least 60 minutes) 1
every 3 shot saves made by your goalkeeper 1
every penalty save 5
every penalty miss -2
Bonus points for the best players in a match 1-3
every 2 goals conceded by your goalkeeper or defenders -1
every yellow card -1
every red card (includes any yellow card points) -3

If a player receives a red card, they will continue to be penalised for goals conceded by their team.
Assists

These are awarded to the player from the goal scoring team who makes the last pass before a goal is scored.

If during this pass, an opposing player significantly alters the speed or direction of the ball, then no assist is given except if this intervention directly results in an own goal.

If a goalkeeper does not have control of the ball and parries a shot or drops a cross or the ball rebounds off the woodwork, the attacking player shooting or crossing the ball receives the assist if a goal directly ensues.

In the event of a penalty, the player earning the penalty gets an assist if it is successfully scored, but not if he takes it himself in which case no assist is given. No assist is given for a player who earns a free kick that subsequently results in a goal.

All assists are reviewed within 24 hours of the game finishing.
Bonus points

The three best performing players in each match will receive additional bonus points. Three points will be awarded to the best player, two to the second best and a single point to the third.

Player performance is assessed by Press Association analysts, all of whom are ex-professional footballers, who attend each match. This assessment takes into account the quality of a player's overall performance and their contribution to the match result.

Bonus points are awarded within 1 hour of the last match of the day finishing.
Player values

Player prices vary during the season dependent on the popularity of the player in the transfer market. Player values will not change until the season starts.

If you sell a player for a higher price than you paid, then a sell-on fee of 50% (rounded up to the nearest 0.1 million) will be applied on the profits. For example, if you buy a player for 4.2 million and when you transfer him his value is 4.5 million then you will only receive 4.3 million.

Sunday, August 19, 2007

Interview with Chelsea fan

Ahead of Liverpool's Premiership clash with Chelsea tomorrow, I exchanged a few questions with Vital Chelsea editor Gary Bacchus aka Merlin.

1. Last season you won both domestic cups but lost the title to the mancs and once again we knocked you out of the Champions League at the semi-final stage, what was your assessment of the season overall?
After the highs of the previous two seasons whereby we won back-to-back Premiership titles, it would appear, on the surface, to have been a slightly disappointing season. That is until I pinch myself and recall the days when we won nothing for twenty-six long years and then I realise that we didn't do too bad. If we'd have avoided having so many injuries to so many key players the league would have been slightly different. As for the Champions League, well let's not go there for the time being.

2. Jose has been a bit more frugal then usual in the transfer market so far, but what do you think of the players he's brought in and what are your thoughts on Alves?
Let's deal with Alves first. Firstly, I think the proposed fee of £25 million is absolutely absurb. Once again we're being held to ransom by a club realising the financial clout we have. In all honesty it wouldn't bother me if the deal never happened.
As for being frugal, I think it makes common sense. Our squad is already one of the best around and only injuries exposed a weakness. Therefore, there was never any need to go out and spend big time. Ben Haim, Pizarro and Sidwell are all competent top level performers who will provide the depth we lacked last season. Also, with the African Nations Cup set to eat into our squad, it's fairly certain they'll all be given a fair chance.

3. Rafa has had a bit more money to spend this time, what do you think of the signings he's made?
Torres is by far the most important to Liverpool. His signing and the subsequent fee has signalled your intent to step up another level and try to close the gap down on the big two. The lad Vorinin is perhaps in the same category as Pizarro but he'll do a job when needed. I get the feeling the pressure is on Rafa to do well this season considering the money that has been put in and your proposed move to Stanley Park.

4. During the close season John Terry finally agreed to sign a new contract for a mere £135,000 a week, what did you make of this and what do you think of the Frank Lampard situation?
To be honest the thought of paying that much money appals me! The game, in general, has gone money mad and moved away from the working classes like me.
As for Lampard, I've no doubt he'll stay but it would have been nice to wrap his contract up, now we'll get the same crap form the media all next summer.

5. Two wins from two games is a great start to the season for you guys, but you have been conceding goals and had to come from behind on both occasions, what have you made of your performances so far?
The media have heralded it as a new and adventurous style for Chelsea. The fact that we've gone a goal behind in both games and still won shows there is heart in the side. At Reading, in the second half, we played four up front and killed off the home side with some attacking play. Incidentally, last season we only won after falling a goal behind once all season, we've doubled that already this season. Whether we'll be so adventurous on Sunday is doubtful, it could be a grinding performance.

6. Liverpool's squad is a lot stronger then last time, do you think we will make a serious challenge for the title this season?
My heart tells me no! But my head tells me yes! I think you need to get off to a good start, there is no time to play catch up anymore. The Champions League qualifiers tend to complicate matters but I believe there will not be such a big gap between the top three this year.

7. There's been a few injuries in your squad but I've lost track of who's in and who's out, can you give us an update?
Definitely out are Ballack and Bridge, doubtful are Carvalho and Essien but Terry definitely returns.

8. Although it's still very early in the season, how important is it to get a result in Sunday's game?
I'd say it's more important for the home side. It'd be no disgrace to lose to Liverpool but if we were to win you'd be six points behind us and playing that dreaded catch up again.

9. Given a choice, which three of our players would you rather not see in our starting eleven at Anfield?
Easy this one - Gerrard, Torres and Reina!

10. How do you see the game going and what will be the result?
I'm going to be brave and predict a Chelsea win 2-1. It'll be a tight affair with a few crunching tackles, you'll probably take the lead but we'll come back to win it.

11. I normally just ask 10 questions in these interviews but I hope you'll indulge me with just one more, because I've asked this question to some of my Chelsea supporting mates and I'm curious to know your answer. We all know the order of priority our clubs place on the various trophies on offer this season. However, as a lifelong Blue and from a purely personal point of view, if you could only choose one, which of these would give you the greatest satisfaction at the end of the season, reclaiming your title from the mancs or having the experience of witnessing Chelsea win the Champions League for the first time?
Normally, I'd plump for the Premier League. It's 38 games and to win it shows you're the best in the land. However, the sentimental side of me yearns for a Champions League, especially this year. The final is in Moscow and what a delight for Abramovich if we could win it in his homeland.

Saturday, August 18, 2007

Worse start for Man U...



Bolton, Reading and Derby all lost in the Premiership last night but it was Manchester United's second consecutive stalemate in the league that has got everybody talking.

United have been shown none of the respect that champions are accustomed to as they have failed to beat both Reading and Portsmouth in games they would be expected to win.

The Red Devils have lost two vital players in the process, Wayne Rooney who was injured in the Reading fixture last Sunday and Christiano Ronaldo, who was dramatically sent off in the final stages of the league clash with Portsmouth last night.

The two results mean that United have just two points from two games and must get their season going again in the Manchester derby against Man City this Sunday.

However, Alex Ferguson will be fully aware that a result against City and the knowledge that Liverpool play Chelsea later that they will mean that one of those or even both teams, will drop points.

This will elevate United back into the fold again and a fixture against Chelsea in mid September is a chance to put this bad start right.

Elsewhere, Chelsea showed some early stutters away to Reading but eventually goals from Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba showed Chelsea's superior quality up front if not in the back four.

Man City made it two wins from two when they beat Derby by a solitary goal at the City of Manchester stadium.

Sunderland got a last grasp equalizer to salvage a 2-2 draw away to Birmingham while Fulham got their first points of the season by consigning Bolton to two defeats form two games at Craven Cottage.

The results in the league leave Everton, Man City and Chelsea in charge at the top with Liverpool, Arsenal and Newcastle still to play their second league clash while Spurs and Bolton already look shipwrecked at the bottom of the league.

Sunderland have mustered a decent start with a win and a draw while Derby will need improvement soon because there is always one promoted side that goes straight back down.

First silverware for KOP in 21st century

Just four days after dramatically snatching the FA Cup from Arsenal's grasp in Cardiff, and with the Worthington Cup already safely tucked away in the Anfield trophy cabinet, Liverpool's class of 2001 completed an unprecedented cup treble on the never-to-be-forgotten night of Wednesday 16 May.

The Spanish minnows of Alaves were the Reds victims as an exciting UEFA Cup campaign that included memorable victories over Roma, Porto and Barcelona, reached a sensational climax at Borussia Dortmund's impressive Westfalenstadion…

Gerard Houllier (LFC manager 1998-2004): I think the players played for history, played for immortality really because I don’t think any club ANYWHERE, not only in England, had managed to win three cups in one year.

Liverpudlians converged on Dortmund in their thousands, vastly outnumbering those who made the trip from Spain. The flags and banners were again out in force and an estimated 30,000 travelling Kopites gave the Reds a tremendous welcome as Sami Hyypia led the team out on to the pitch. But no one could have foreseen the thrilling, nail-biting spectacle that was to unfold.

Phil Thompson (LFC assistant manager 1998-2004): Again, the pundits were labelling us as boring and that it was going to be a 0-0 game, with it going to penalties or whatever. As it happens we gave one of the best European finals since a certain 7-3 game involving Real Madrid in the sixties.
Liverpool got off to a dream start when Markus Babbel headed home after just three minutes. The Reds were awarded a free kick close to the right hand touchline following a foul on Heskey. McAllister delivered the set piece and Babbel, back in his homeland, nodded past Herrera in the Alaves goal.

It was to get even better on 15 minutes when Steven Gerrard increased the lead. Michael Owen slid an inch perfect pass through to Gerrard, who found himself unmarked after exploiting a gaping hole in the Alaves defence. He only had the keeper to beat and he made no mistake, rifling his shot past Herrera with the minimum of fuss from inside the area.

Gary McAllister (LFC player 2000-02): It was a game in which we started off very comfortably and it was a case of how many were we going to score in those early stages. But all credit to Alaves, they came storming back.

The joyous mood in the Liverpool camp changed slightly when substitute Ivan Alonso pulled a goal back for Alaves in the 26th minutes. From a Cosmin Contra cross on the right Alonso rose highest and placed his header beyond Westerveld to reduce the deficit.

Phil Thompson: It was unbelievable because we started so well and everyone thought that it was going to be great. Then they made a change, which meant they had to come out after us, and they showed what great qualities they have in their team.

LFC fan: Well, when it was 2-0, I thought they looked very poor, because they were losing the ball and that. But as soon as they got into the game I began to worry because I could see the signs creeping in there and I had to go out of the ground, I had to go to the toilet, I had to make an excuse to get out of the ground for a little bit.

A Gary Mac penalty, after Michael Owen had been brought down in the box, restored Liverpool's two-goal advantage five minutes before the interval but two minutes after the restart another Alaves goal, this time by Moreno, set Liverpudlian hearts fluttering again.

An LFC fan: I thought then that perhaps we were not going to win it

Gary McAllister: It was just one of those games where I didn’t want it to end because it was so enjoyable to play in. It was attack versus attack. Big flowing attacks from both sides.

Liverpool fans breathed a huge sigh of relief when the dangerous Moreno was surprisingly taken off in the 64th minute and at the same time Robbie Fowler was summonsed from the bench. It was to prove an inspired switch. McAllister, driving forward from midfield, supplied Fowler, who took the ball on a few yards before picking his spot and placing the ball into the bottom corner to restore the lead once again.

LFC fan: I remember when Robbie scored, I was very, very happy. It was excellent.

Robbie Fowler (LFC player 1993-2001): To get on in a UEFA Cup final and score a goal like that, for me, it was unbelievable.

But Liverpool were just two minutes from glory when the game took an other dramatic twist. Pablo took a corner from the right and Red hearts sank when Jordi Cruyff sensationally headed home to make it 4-4.
Robbie Fowler: I think everyone thought, including me, that my goal would turn out to be the winner. I think it was about 5 seconds before the whistle had gone they actually scored.

LFC fan: When it went to 4-4 I thought we were going to tire out.
What was left of normal time saw Alaves pressing forward in search of a winning goal and Liverpool were relieved to hear the whistle sound. Tension gripped the stadium as extra time got underway. Alonso had the ball in the back of Liverpool’s net shortly afterwards but was clearly offside and in the 98th minute Alaves were reduced to ten men Magno received his second yellow card for a late and reckless lunge on Babbel. The first half of extra time ended with Fowler having a goal disallowed, also for offside.

Gerard Houllier: If you look at what happened after the equaliser, which came about two minutes before the end of the game, you could have thought we would have collapsed. We could have, but we didn’t. We stood up and as soon as the extra-time started we got back into the job and tried to score a goal.

Gary McAllister: When they went down to ten men you could see that they were flagging a little bit and we were pressing and pressing and pressing.

Alaves suffered a further blow when Karmona became their second player to receive his marching orders, following a foul on Smicer.

LFC fan: When they had the two men sent off, I thought perhaps we are going to get it, all I was worried about was if they’d have enough men left to take the penalties. I thought we’d probably win it on penalties.

Seconds later their world was to collapse when Geli turned McAllister’s free kick into his own net and handed the cup to Liverpool, courtesy of the golden goal rule.
Gary McAllister: The free kick was awarded after a good run by Vladimir Smicer, who was cutting in towards the goal and my initial thoughts were, as usual with a free-kick in that sort of area, to get the ball into the danger zone and hope that one of our players get a touch. Unfortunately for Alaves it was one of their players who got a touch. It went in at the far post and it was all smiles from us.

LFC fan: The best part of that was I wasn’t aware that it was golden goal. I thought if we get that goal, well at least we’ll get to penalties, but when I saw them all running on the pitch I was ecstatic.

Gary McAllister: My initial feeling was just to go and hug all the other players coming towards me and then getting to the fans and I still to this day think that there were maybe two or three of our players didn’t realise it was golden goal. I know they won't admit it, but I think there were two or three of our guys who didn’t really know that the game was over and that we had won.

Jamie Carragher (LFC player 1996-present): After what had gone on through the game, I think we were getting a bit tired. We’d played 60-odd games then I think and the last couple of games showed that. I think we made Alaves look a very good team. They were a good team, but they shouldn’t have really been competing with us, but in the end we ground it out.

The goal sparked wild celebrations and this thrilling final was over. The delight and relief was overwhelming. Liverpool fans danced in the stands and the entire squad, including backroom staff, danced in a huddle on the pitch.
Phil Thompson: I don’t think anyone could have predicted the outcome of that game. To win it on a golden goal was unbelievable. And the jubilant on-the-field scenes after the game, were so special. The celebrations with the fans, with the players and with the staff, it was wonderful.

Rick Parry (LFC Chief Executive): The singing of You’ll Never Walk Alone and everybody joining in epitomised Liverpool for me really. That's what this club is all about. It was obviously special and it was obviously something that will live in people’s memories forever, and nobody will ever forget being there, ever. And again, to me it was absolutely fantastic because this bond with the supporters is really what separates us from other clubs. You couldn’t imagine that happening readily with too many other clubs in quite the same way.

Phil Thompson: It’s things that just come about so spontaneously that happens and gathering the players together to sing together was unbelievable.

Amid the wild celebrations Robbie Fowler and Sami Hyypia found time to hoist the giant silver vase aloft before a victorious lap of honour began. Liverpool teams of recent years had been forced to live under the shadow of the club’s rich and illustrious past but on this never-to-be-forgotten night in the Westfalenstadion the ghost of past glories was well and truly exorcised.