Everton vs Liverpool (Sunday)

On Sunday we face our arch-rivals Everton in the 212th Merseyside Derby.

The injury situation seems to have improved, Ryan Babel is the only player to be confirmed out due to injury however Fernando Torres & Albert Riera are doubtful, Phillipe Degen is still suspended.

As regards to the Toffees Anichebe, Arteta, Jagielka, Neville & Vaughan are injured while Saha, Osman & Rodwell are doubtful.

Kick off is at 1:30 PM (UK Time)

A Florida football team to watch

No, I am not talking about the Miami Dolphins or Tampa Bay Buccaneers but it is a real football team (soccer).

The team I am talking about are the Tampa Bay Rowdies, it is a new franchise in the US USL soccer league. Paul Dalglish (Son of King Kenny) was recently appointed head coach of the Rowdies, the full story can be found here…

In December, Paul will bring his scouts down to the L.F.C.  Academy, so if you know anyone who might be interested in playing football in the Florida sun, check this out…

Tampa Bay is only about one hour drive from Orlando, if you are planning a visit to Central Florida next Spring or Summer then pay them a visit, here is more info about the club…

Y.N.W.A. to our new Rowdies friends

-Antoine

antoine@empireofthekop.com

Sat 28th Nov 2009 Liverpool News, Rumours and Rants

Dubai is in crisis more…
(Maybe it is a blessing that they did not buy us, we could have been worse off than we already are. However it might still effect us as Standard Charter is one of the major banks exposed.)

Speaking of money, check this out…
(No Comment)

Guillem Balague explains why Torres will not be sold more…
(Agree, there is no team other than Atletico that Torres would play for)

Rafa explains why is reluctant to play Aquilani more…
(That is exactly what I thought)

Lucas reveals how Masch has helped him more…
(Y.N.W.A. this is what we are all about)

Fabergas has his favourite midfield player more…
(Great choice :-) )

Great video about the history of our club more…
(Available to e-Season ticket holders, it shows the six men responsible for the founding of LFC & EFC and the common bond that Liverpool & Everton share.)

Dirk Kuyt is fired up over the derby more…
(Come on Dirk, You are the Merseyside “Working Class Hero”)

And finally, here is a great article about Daniel Pacheco more…
(I am very excited about the Kwality of our youngsters)

Rafa doesn’t deserve personal abuse

This season many aspects of our club have come under scrutiny, from the players all the way up to the boardroom questions have been asked by loyal supporters wondering what’s going wrong. No one has faced as much criticism as manger Rafael Benitez. Whilst this is expected personal abuse is one step too far.

Names like ‘fat Spanish waiter’ were formerly confined to un-amusing chants from opposition supporters, now they seem to be used by elements of our own fanbase, something which is simply not acceptable in any way, shape or form.

This football clubs supporters have a proud history of backing the manager through thick and thin, some may not like the tactics and may criticize them, but one thing our support never did was abuse the manger. whether they liked them or not.

Think what you may of Rafa’s tactics, his decisions and his spending on players but one thing this man has in abundance is a love for this club, its fans and the city which it’s based in. Regardless of whether you thing Rafael Benitez is doing a good job or not one thing that cannot be disputed is his passion for all things Liverpool Football Club and it hurts to see our own fans calling him all the names under the sun and giving him verbal abuse. It’s just not the Liverpool way.

Feel free to complain about his tactics, everyone has a right to do that, just never go down that slippery road of personal abuse, it’s not big, it’s not clever and it’s not the Liverpool way to attack someone who loves this club as much as anyone before him ever has.

M. Owen

michael@empireofthekop.com

VIDEO : Torres goals and skill 2008/09

VIDEO FUNNY : Wenger, Henry, Mourinho & Rafa impressions