One almighty step backward!

We never saw this coming did we?

We start positively, we have chances, we don’t capitalize on them, then we are punished and we struggle to pick ourselves up. How many times have we seen this happen this season, and last for that matter?

Skrtel was his usual self getting booked on his first clumsy challenge, then was wondering the the six-yard box marking no one when Demba Ba came in a struck goal number 2. Reina conceded a very soft goal off Scotty Parker, Wilson was too casual on the ball to my liking and then Kelly came off and we had to reshape the team.

Gerrard, Meirelles, Kuyjt and Suarez were meaningless in the first half. We were never inventive and always high predictable. We never really threatened and we quite frankly looked like taking an afternoon off. As usual, Jamie Carragher was perhaps the only one putting some passion into it. Cole came on late in the first half, but had barely any effect on the game. Our second half attempt to get back into the game was sporadic, disorganized and frankly unconvincing.

Through the confusion, Suarez invented some tricks and fired a shot across goal which Johnson pushed into the net with 7 minutes of regular time to go. Then another soft goal let in by Reina.

This is not the way to get to Champions League football. This is one almighty step backward! This seems like a déjà-vu from last season, we had the numbers to make it, but did not because we dropped too many points on the home stretch!

Yes this is all frustration, and I had to let off some steam. What a setback!

Liverpool lineup vs West Ham

Both Stevie G and Luis Suarez start against the Hammers.

Starting XI : Reina, Johnson, Kelly, Carragher, Skrtel, Wilson, Lucas, Gerrard, Meireles, Kuyt, Suarez
Subs : Gulacsi, Kyrgiakos, Cole, Poulsen, Spearing, Maxi, Ngog.

On Twitter @empireofthekop

The Daily Antoine: 27th Feb 2011 – Liverpool F.C. News update

Kick off is at 1:30PM GMT today, come on Reds.

Lucas talks on how Suarez can burst the Hammer bubble more…
(Agree)

Kuyt is also relishing partnering with Suarez more…
(Excellent)

And Stevie also believes that the Gunslinger will shine more…
(YNWA)

The U18 beat Crewe 2-1 more…
(Great stuff)

Borrell hails the win more…
(YNWA)

Martin claims that Martin can become one of the best players in England more…
(No he is not praising himself, Skrtel praising Kelly ;-) )

Kenny is delighted to have Joe Cole back more…
(Hopefully we can finally see his potential again)

Pepe Reina is loving life under Kenny more…
(We are all loving life under Kenny, LOL)

The club’s official Twitter has now over 200,000 followers more…
(Awesome, congrats)

John W Henry has dropped a hint that Kenny might stay more…
(YNWA)

Tommy Smith talks about how Stevie’s class is impossible to replace more…
(Agree)

Moussa Sissoko would be delighted to join a big English Club more…
(Hummm)

Here is a great wallpaper of the U18 Squad
(YNWA)

Condolences go out to the family and friends former Wolves and Spurs defender Dean Richards of who passed away yesterday more…
(YNWA)

And finally Aquilani is injured again more…
(Does any still want him back)

On Twitter @empireofthekop

Battle No.1……West Ham vs Liverpool!

In a previous article I had written how the Reds need to go to war and fight the enemy in eleven epic battles that will decide whether Liverpool will be playing Champions League, Europa League, or simply Premier League football come next season.

There are 33 points at stake, all of which are up for grabs and all of which are achievable by the Reds. The first battle theatre will be at East London more precisely at Upton Park, home of struggling West Ham United.

Let’s follow the Reds through the final home stretch and see, game by game, how many of the points at stake we will be able to obtain to reach our goal. They will all be hard fought matches, because each team we play against will have their own agenda, and also because it is always prestigious to beat Liverpool Football Club.

With Sunderland loosing at Everton, and Bolton ending the encounter with Newcastle in a draw, our 6th place remains intact. We need to get closer to Chelsea and Spurs in the hope that they suffer setbacks and drop points in the final part of the season.

Good Luck Reds!

Are we going to see our golden boy?

A game is coming up tomorrow, against a West Ham, currently in a 19^th place in the league. As important as it is for them (I could not care less), I find it more important for us. For us, to be able to reach that magic 4^th plact we could kill for, it is important not to lose against clubs like West Ham. We simply can not afford it.

Rumors says, that Andy Carroll can make his debut tomorrow. I can’t say I speak for all of us, but tomorrow when I’m standing at the pub, watching the game with enthusiams as I always do, I will be wishing to see Carroll.

Liverpool’s number nine.

How do I think he will manage on the pitch?

Let’s take it from the beginning, shall we?

I’ll have to admit, I did not think that Carroll would keep his form he had in the championschip, with 17 goals. I thought that that was it, he could not keep up with the high press in Premiership.

Guess I was wrong. I hate it when I am wrong. But I’ll admit it. Seeing him in Newcastle this season was a real eye opener. From the first game that season, against Aston Villa, he scored an impressive 11 times. He scored against us, Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea. Basically against all big clubs.

Except Manchester United. But I have a feeling he will do that too, this season.

I think, as we all said the minute the deal with Carroll was done, that he and Suarez will be one of Premier Leagues best partnerships. Suarez, a fast and sneeky kind of player, would serve delicious passes to long and natural scorer Carroll, or do brilliant crosses to a Carroll with a speed we’ve never seen before and a height most defenders only can dream about.

The partnership would be a fact, and those £50 millions we’d spent on them would be nothing compared to what they do to the club. Because quite honestly, I don’t care about the pricetag on players, just as long as they score/defend as well as they are supposed to do, playing in a club like Liverpool.

As some of you may know, we already have established a good link between Carroll and another player in our squad. Our capten, Gerrard. The two of them played together in the game agianst France, and they did it well.

The obvious question now, is how we should play, with both Carroll and Suarez in the squad. I would want to have a 4-3-3 line up, with Kuyt up front with Suarez and Carroll. Or why not a 5-3-2, or a 4-3-2-1?

I can’t decide, and thank god we have a much better trainer then me! What do you think?

So, last thing, what do everyone think of the “Sweet Carroll Nine” song? I mean, I think it is catchy!

And for the game tomorrow, I would put my money on 0-3 !

Follow me on Twitter @Nezik_Keshto

Predict the score and win an “Anfield is my church” shirt

Thanks to Sam Dodds (the people behind the EOTK Shop),
I am able to announce another contest here today.

You can win an “Anfield is my church” Shirt:
Try to guess the final score of Sunday’s game (West Ham vs Liverpool), last goal scorer and minute of the goal. Sam Dodds is offering a free Anfield is my Church shirt to the winner from the EOTK Shop. To enter simply enter your predictions in the comments below. Predictions must be entered before kickoff.

The winner of the last contest was Brad Loxley from South Africa.

Good luck.
YNWA

 

-Antoine
On Twitter @empireofthekop