The Daily LFC: 5th February 2012 – Liverpool F.C. News update

Kenny “We have learnt from Lane loss” more…
(Yes we have)

Stevie is favourite to become England captain more…
(Good luck Stevie but I really want you to focus on L.F.C.)

Dirk Kuyt reveals his top goal more…
(All great)

Stevie believes that Luis can steer us to Europe more…
(Yes he can)

On Twitter @empireofthekop

Transfers? What transfers

At last the January transfer window has closed and Liverpool supporters can now stop all the gossip, rumour spreading and putting up with so called “in the know” lunatics.

What did you really expect from this transfer window? Defoe? Bent? Cavani? Or any of the other strikers on the planet? No it was never going to happen.

FSG may have a pound in there pocket but recklessness is not one thing you would associate with them, also there was a need to decide if we could cope with or without Suarez who was serving his eight match ban.

Well the answer to that dilemma was yes we can, Liverpool qualified for the Carling Cup Final and knocked United out of the FA Cup without our little Uruguayan magician, but if we would have failed to get to Wembley and get past Manchester United am sure that a new striker would have been considered by FSG but not necessarily brought in.

Kenny Dalglish would have evaluated the squad and looked at the performances since Suarez was on suspension, what he would have found is that apart from the match against Bolton is that we have not been bad at all, so why the need to buy anyone at all with the knowledge that Suarez is coming back.

There is an argument that we haven’t got an out and out goalscorer or that we haven’t got that cutting edge, but we have it just needed a team that had confidence and strikers who believed in themselves, after the successes against both Manchester teams we now have that, and Wolves where on the receiving end of the new found belief.

Andy Carroll looks like a new signed striker and so do the signings from the summer, so why buy when you have a team that can finish off games and can challenge the top teams at any level without Luis Suarez.

The return of Suarez is like a new signing ready to mark his first appearance in front of the Anfield faithful, we have missed Luis there is no argument on that or what he brings to the team, am sure his return will only give the squad greater confidence and better performances.

Charlie Adam, Henderson, Enrique and Downing have now started to fit in and the more the season carries on the better understanding they will gain plus now that Steven Gerrard is back Liverpool Football Club will progress and develop.

Many fans saw this transfer window as a failure but I saw it as a success, the reason being is that we have not paid over the odds on a striker we didn’t need or a winger that is no better than what we already have.

The problem with the transfer window is that we can get carried away with what we want but in reality its not what we need at all, any player who comes to LFC needs to fit into our playing system not because the player is a big name, many a big name player comes to a new club and doesn’t offer value for money or enhances the squad in any way, just look at £50m Fernando Torres move to Chelsea, in fact I would put more money on seeing Lord Lucan winning the derby on Shergar than I would seeing Torres becoming a success at Chelsea.

Liverpool’s season has been a predictable one, we where never going to challenge for the title this season or even be close, but what has gone to plan is the development and progress we have made.

Kenny Dalglish’s team is a new one and no one really expected this squad to win the title but we have reached a cup final and fighting for the 4^th Champions League spot, so in some ways we have maybe overachieved this season, Liverpool is a work in progress and we must not lose sight of that.

When Dalglish puts together a squad he feels can offer a real challenge for the title all of this seasons achievements would be considered as a poor one but right now its progress and one that’s travelling in the right direction and with pace.

But lets be all honest here when Kenny took charge even if we knew that we are way too far off to make a challenge at present we all secretly hoped we would by some miracle be up there with City and United going for the title.

Liverpool will undoubtedly sign players during the summer and not only will they be players who can adapt to Dalglish’s way of playing and fit into the squad but most importantly be fairly priced as well.

It was interesting to see so many fans reacting to Liverpool’s virtually non-existent transfer market dealings with a very mixed response, some where in agreement with the lack of activity and then some where less than happy.

The hysteria about signing a new striker was really not needed as we had just beat Manchester City over two legs and looking forward to the clubs first trip to Wembley followed by beating Man United in the FA Cup and looking like a team that was brimming with confidence.

So when I hear fans saying or complaining about not signing anyone all I say to them is “Transfers? What transfers”.

Liverpool half marathon for the 23 foundation

CALLING ALL RUNNERS!
Join the ‘Team of Carraghers’ and run the Liverpool Half Marathon for the 23 Foundation on
Sunday 18th March 2012
Founded by Liverpool FC’s number 23 – Jamie Carragher, the 23 Foundation seeks to encourage the youth of Merseyside to make a difference in society by giving them the opportunity to achieve their dreams through football and sport.	The discounted Hlaf Marathon places cost £20 instead of £30, and are available to anyone on the understanding that all sponsorship raised goes to the 23 Foundation. The suggested amount to raise is £250. Community Foundation for Merseyside will also provide tips and ideas on how to raise sponsorship money to the individuals that take part.
We are looking to recruit people to participate in the 2012 Liverpool Half Marathon im March, to help rasie money for the 23 Foundation. A number of discounted spaces are available for the race which takes place on Sumday March 18th 2012, and there are a number of limited 23 Foundation running vests available free of charge to those who sign up.	To register for the discounted race places or find out more, please contact Sarah Lee at Foundation for Merseyside on or on 0151 232 2417 Or e-mail 23Foundation@cfmerseyside.org.uk The 23 Foundation is administered by the Community Foundation for Merseyside. Registered Charity Number 1068887

 

 

 

Who Drops Out For Suarez ?

website at www.anfieldnews.com

Who Drops Out For Suarez ?

Time flies by and I can’t believe the eight match ban on Luis Suarez is up. I feared Liverpool would suffer because of his ban with so many important matches played during that period. But it just shows you that no player is bigger than the club and life goes on with or without certain players. I am not saying that Suarez wasn’t missed, any team losing a player of his calibre is going to be poorer because of his absence. But Liverpool came through this run of difficult fixtures very well, highlighted by earning a trip to Wembley in the Carling Cup Final and also knocking out Manchester United in the FA Cup.

But Liverpool will welcome Suarez back into the team as he is such an exceptional player and gives the team such an attacking threat. Suarez will be raring to go and be desperate to get back into action for Liverpool. But I’m sure the break will have done him good and gave him a good rest, but at the same time made him hungry to get back.

The team has been playing really well without Suarez, and Kenny Dalglish will have to decide who he is going to leave out of the team. The likes of Craig Bellamy have really stepped up to the plate and more recently Dirk Kuyt and Andy Carroll have found some good form. Craig Bellamy in particular has been superb and has weighed in with some very important goals. Andy Carroll has looked a much better player in the last two matches against Manchester United and Wolves respectively. Dirk Kuyt has found his scoring touch in the last two games. So it will be very unlucky for the player that gives way to Suarez.

In some of the tougher fixtures this season Dalglish has opted to just play the one striker and you would think he would play Suarez if this was the case, so there could be some disappointed strikers. But this highlights the strength of Liverpool’s squad now and shows the competition for places which is great for the team, it also shows why Dalglish wasn’t active in the January transfer window.

I do think that in most of the games Dalglish will play with two strikers, so who will he play alongside Suarez ?

Craig Bellamy can play wide and up front, but his knees restrict his game time, so I’m afraid he won’t play as often as he has in recent weeks and will probably come off the bench more with his pace being a danger for opposing teams in the latter stages of games.

Dirk Kuyt has not featured much this season and I think he will struggle to get a game again with Suarez returning. Kuyt also plays a lot down the right side of midfield and I think he does a very effective job here, but with the number of midfielders in the squad he has struggled to get many games there too, with the likes of Jordan Henderson playing there quite a lot when he is not in the middle.

Andy Carroll looks the best bet to partner Suarez when Dalglish plays two up front, Dalglish has shown patience with the big man and in recent games it seems like his patience is being rewarded by his performances. Carroll has looked much sharper and stronger and has being holding the ball up far better and linking up with team mates far better. I like the way he has started to win more balls in the air and using his strength to outmuscle defenders. Not so long ago he looked to go down far too easily under a challenge and would then berate the referee when a fouls wasn’t given, but recently he has looked less frustrated and just got on with the game. Suarez and Carroll have played together before quite a few times , but the partnership is still young and it will look a whole lot better with a confident Carroll complimenting the lively Suarez.

Suarez will have to repay Dalglish and the supporters with his performances and his behaviour on the park as everybody at the club have shown great support towards him in this difficult time. It has been an awkward time for the striker and the club and everybody connected will be glad to put it behind them. But Suarez will have to watch his conduct on the field as his every move will be scrutinised by the vultures we call the media in this country. Suarez has been a constant victim since his arrival in this country from being a “diver” to being a “racist” and he has to learn that he can’t give the media anything to thrive on. But I’m sure everyone at Liverpool will have been giving him great advice to help him.

I am just looking forward to seeing Suarez back in the Liverpool team and terrorising defences again. I think his return will also be a timely reminder of the attacking threat he poses and his return alongside Gerrard’s recent return could spur Liverpool on to a successful end the season.

The Daily LFC: 4th February 2012 – Liverpool F.C. News update

Downing will not face assault charges more…
(Excellent news)

Stevie is available for the Spurs clash more…
(Excellent news)

Check out the training pictures
(Kenny should play, he still has it) 

And Kenny is excited about Suarez returning too more…
(YES) 

The King is not getting carried away more…
(Agree) 

The youngsters have been reinstated in the NextGen series more…
(Spurs cheated but credit to them for coming up and admitting it)

The club has signed a Sports Charter to tackle Homophobia more…
(Excellent news)

Damian Comolli is excited about Joao Carlos Teixeira’s capture more…
(Future looks bright) 

Stevie talks on how Didi Hamann helped him more…
(YNWA)

The skipper welcomes Luis back more…
(Just can’t get enough)

Carra is looking forward to the Spurs game more…
(Bring them on) 

The Daily F***king Mail claims that Juventus want Suarez more…
(Disgrace? The Daily Mail is a disgrace)

Defoe and Lennon are doubtful for Monday more…
(That is good news I guess)

Molby “Spearo is becoming a key man for LFC” more…
(Yes he is) 

The Molbymeister also talks on how Suarez should start against Spurs more…
(Yes he should)

Mark Clattenburg will be the referee for the Carling Cup Final more…
(Humm) 

Joe Cole wants to participate in the Olympics more…
(Olympic Joe)

Darren Bent laughs off the rumours that he was being linked with Liverpool more…
(Wonder why he didn’t say anything while the window was open?)

The transfer window is barely shut and there is more talk on Isla more…
(Humm) 

And the club has teamed up with Tesco more…
(Eat your heart out Everton)

And Fergie is still going at it with Alan Hansen more…
(Get him back Alan) 

However he wants Suarez and Evra to shake hands more…
(Why doesn’t he start by making peace with Hansen)

And finally a Man Utd fan has been accused of  racial abuse more…
(Oh wait, how can that be?)

On Twitter @empireofthekop

Off the pitch Skrtel is a very modest and kind person (former team mate)

This interview has been reproduced from lfcinrussia.com submitted by Eziz Allamov

Vyacheslav Malafeev is a goalkeeper who plays for Zenit St. Petersburg and Russian national team. He answered several questions about his ex-teammate Martin Skrtel.

[I] = the interviewer; [VM] = Vyacheslav Malafeev.
——————————————————————————————————–
[I] How easy was it to find a common language with Martin on the training ground?

[VM] Very easy. He is a professional and knows exactly what needs to be done on the football pitch! You can it not only during a match, but also during training sessions. This attitude makes him a top-class defender.

[I] How long did it take him to learn Russian?

[VM] I think it took him a week or two to be able to communicate with the rest of the team in Russian since it is similar to his native language [Slovakian].

[I] Is his character different on the pitch from the one off the pitch?

[VM] Yes. On the pitch he is hard – but not aggressive, whereas off the pitch he is a very modest and kind person.

[I] Do you remember your first meeting with Martin?

[VM] Yes, it was at Udelnyy Park [Zenit’s training ground]. Just as usual – first I spotted him in the hall – and then he was introduced to the team by the gaffer before a training session.

[I] Have you managed to talk to him during Euro-2012 Qualifiers?

[VM] Yes – just a little bit, exchanged a few words.

[I] Who were his best friends at Zenit?

[VM] Kamil Kamil Čontofalský and Radek Šírl. I think it’s because they were from former Czecho-Slovakia.

[I] What was team’s reaction when they heard that Liverpool FC were interested to sign Martin?

[VM] We were all delighted for him since it constituted a big step forwards in the career. And also, Zenit was a different team at that time [not as successful as it is now].

[I] Can you recall the funniest moment, related to Martin, during his time at Zenit?

[VM] No, not really. Not only because it was a long time ago, but also because he used to make fun of others rather than vice versa.

[I] Do you still keep in touch with Martin after his move to England?

[VM] Unfortunately, no. But I always watch his games when I have time.