The Daily EOTK : 22nd April 2012 – Liverpool F.C. and football news updates

Kick off today is at 4PM, Come on Reds

The U18s lost their last game of the season more…
(YNWA) 

God praises Suarez more…
(YNWA)

Kenny believes that the kids are our future more…
(The Greatest Love of All) 

Carroll talks on how he has always had confidence more…
(YNWA)

Jay Spearing admits that he was star struck when we first met Gerrard more…
(YNWA)

We are the club which got the most yellows for diving more…
(That is because the referees pick on us) 

Here are some great pictures of the Reds training
(I like the wee goal post)

Great to see that the Hillsborough to Anfield runners collected £15,000 more…
(JFT96)

And finally Shevchenko says that Torres can still be a success at Chelsea more…
(Shevchenko knows best he was a tremendous success at Chelsea)

On Twitter @empireofthekop

The Daily EOTK : 21st April 2012 – Liverpool F.C. and football news updates

The club has received 7,000 fewer tickets for the Cup Final than the Semi-Final more…
(Ridiculous)

However extra tickets are available for the Fulham game more…
(Consolation?)

50 years ago today we were promoted from the old 2nd division more…
(50 years in the top flight)

Kenny praises Rafa’s Academy work more…
(It has been a long time since a manager praised a former manager, nicely done Kenny)

The King doesn’t fear the sack more…
(YNWA) 

Macca and God are in Brunei more…
(Nice) 

Suarez claims that Carroll makes it easy for him more…
(Happy to hear and see the partnership developing)

Roy expects a hostile reception at Anfield more…
(Stop being neurotic Roy)

Paul Ince says that Downing has been a disappointment more…
(I have to agree, Ste needs to step it up)

Glen Johnson wants to focus on the league form more…
(Good)

Molby believes that Carroll should be starting every game more…
(Agree)

Jan also mentions the fightback from Saturday more…
(YNWA)

Of course Molby also talks about Roy more…
(Let’s not bring up the Poulsen thing)

Kenny plays down the visit by John  W Henry more…
(The media is trying to make a big deal about it)

Kenny “The final won’t distract us”  more…
(YNWA)

The FA Cup trophy will be presented by Jimmy Armfield more…
(Let’s win it)

The man charged with the racist gestures has pleaded not guilty more…
(But we saw the picture)

Hamburg really want Dirk Kuyt more…
(Hands off)

A little giant  girl walked around Liverpool yesterday more…
(So cool) 

And finally more stuff to make us proud to be Reds more…
(YNWA) 

On Twitter @empireofthekop

Kenny, Comolli and the future.

Whilst the departure of Damien Comolli came as a shock, it was inevitable that there was going to be a reaction to our poor league form this season. Reports that the owners had flown in early ahead of the semi-final against Everton should have given us a hint that something was about to happen. They took the decision that he wasn’t the right man for the job and it’s hard to argue. Whether you think the likes of Carroll, Downing, Henderson and Adam will come good or not, it’s fair to say none of those players have consistently played at a level required at a club like Liverpool. Even the form of Enrique and Suarez could be called into question. This may sound harsh but if we have ambitions of getting back into the top four and challenging for trophies that’s the pressure that the players have to cope with. Unfortunately too many of the players I’ve mentioned have struggled with this pressure and haven’t stepped up to the plate since leaving so called smaller clubs.

I know Kenny took responsibility for bringing in the players, but this is just a sign of the man and his loyalty to those around him. He wasn’t even hired when Suarez and Carroll were bought There’s no way the owners would have entrusted £57m to a temporary manager.

For the owners, getting rid of Kenny is an impossible task. Although some supporters have questioned his position, many still remember all he has done for the club in the past and have faith that he is the right man to lead us to more glory in the future. John W Henry and Tom Werner are no fools. They know if they were to get rid of Kenny and appoint someone else only for it to not work out they would alienate the fans. Furthermore, they have rejuvenated a massive club in America and understand the importance of stability. Replacing a manager every twelve months doesn’t lead to success.

That said, the sacking of Comolli demonstrates the owners are prepared to make big decisions if they feel it’s the right time. The pressure is now on Kenny. What I like about Werner’s interview is that he was very emphatic when he said we will be better next season and we can compete with other clubs for the top players. Another season of underachievement in the league won’t be tolerated. We can expect a busy summer in the transfer window where first and foremost we will undoubtedly look to add a quality goal scorer. Despite our poor results in the league, we have played some great football this season and if we had someone like a young Robbie Fowler who gets in the right positions and puts the ball in the net we would surely be looking forward to playing in the Champions League next year.

For us, this season is now all about adding the FA Cup to the Carling Cup. Two trophies and European football would be an impressive start to Kenny’s second coming. First we have to overcome an in-form Everton. I think we will and I’m heading to Wembley with confidence.

Come on Red Men!

The Daily EOTK : 13th April 2012 – Liverpool F.C. and football news updates

Comolli is gone more…
(Wonder why?)

Kenny talks about Comolli’s departure more…
(Humm)

Kenny insists that he decides the transfers more…
(I think he is being nice)

Werner talks about Comolli’s departure more…
(Interesting)

And that Kenny’s job is safe more…
(Hope so)

Peter Brukner is gone too more…
(He was brought on by Purslow) 

Johan Cruyff is being linked to replace Comolli more…
(Wow) 

Gerrard tells his teammates to make themselves heroes more…
(YNWA)

Stevie says that everyone is at fault for LFC’s league failings more…
(YNWA)

The skipper also talks about the Hillsborough anniversary more…
(JFT96)

And Kenny also shares the same sentiments more…
(YNWA)

The Hillsborough to Anfield run enters day 2 today more…
(Good luck)

Rushie believes that Andy Carroll will get a boost more…
(Boost it up Andy) 

Stevie G is ready for the Semi more…
(Bring them on)

SOS has released some travel info ahead of the Semi more…
(Good luck) 

The club appealed Doni’s red card more…
(Should have done it for Reina)

However it was rejected more…
(Damn)

Great read this by David Conn about the South Yorkshire Police
(Hopefully the truth will come out soon) 

This weekend marks another tragedy that affected the City of Liverpool more…
(There were over 139 people who were born in Liverpool on the Titanic, RIP)

Former Red Nicolas Anelka has a coaching position in Shanghai more…
(Good luck)

Craig Johnston talks about his rise to the top and the derbies more…
(YNWA)

The club is doing more stuff to make us proud more…
(YNWA) 

And Rupert Murdoch’s News Corporation is being sued in the US over phone hacking more…
(That is excellent news)

Man Utd confirm that they are after Hazard more…
(No) 

And finally the Manchester United keeper who saved his fellow team mates from the Munich plane wreck defends the pilot more…
(Wonder why he spoke now) 

On Twitter @empireofthekop

The Daily EOTK : 10th April 2012 – Liverpool F.C. and football news updates

Kick off is at 8PM Tonight, come on REDS

Linesman Dave Bryan has been dropped from tonight’s game more…
(Drop them all)

Kenny will leave it late for the team selection more…
(YNWA) 

Don’t forget to donate to the Hillsborough to Anfield run more…
(Come on Reds)

Fans in the Phillipines will also be doing a run on Saturday morning to remember the 96 more…
(#JFT96)

And TV funnyman Alan Davies has blasted us for not wanting to play on the Hillsborough Anniversary more…
(What a clown, disgusting) 

Kenny might be in trouble after blasting the referees more…
(LEAVE KENNY ALONE) 

And there is talk that Kenny will meet with the owners this weekend more…
(Duh! if they come to the game of course they will meet with Kenny)

The Met Police have released a list of LFC friendly pubs in London more…
(What about families split Red/Blue?) 

Daniel Agger has urged his team mates to play their way out of the slump more…
(YES Welcome back Danny)

Suarez was voted MOTM for the Villa Game more…
(Come on Luis let’s do it again tonight) 

There is more talk of Andy Carroll leaving more…
(Don’t buy this)

And we are being linked with young Nick Powell more…
(Great news) 

Unfortunately the Ladies have lost their season opener more…
(YNWA) 

On Twitter @empireofthekop

Why Does Andy Carroll Keep Getting Dropped?

Liverpool are a much more effective team with Andy Carroll than they are without him. That is not an opinion, it is a fact. With Carroll starting, Liverpool’s record is W13 D4 L4 – a 62% win percentage. When he hasn’t started, it drops to W8, D6, L7 – a 38% win percentage.

This is not a coincidence. The work he does off the ball, dragging defenders out of position and generally being a nuisance, creates the space for the likes of Suarez and Gerrard to exploit. In the 3-0 win against Everton he was a constant menace, jumping for just about every ball that went up in the air and not allowing either of the central defenders any time to settle.

In their first start together, Suarez, Carroll and Gerrard showed that together they could offer Liverpool a formidable attacking threat. It is therefore very surprising that Carroll has not started a game in the league since. Less surprising, given the stats above, is the fact that we lost the subsequent games without him.

So, if it is not his performances on the pitch that are getting him dropped, what is it?

Carroll has yet to start more than four consecutive games for Liverpool. For a young player trying to find his way into a new team, these stuttering appearances cannot be helping his development as a player. When you consider that he is getting dropped even when he plays very well, it is bound to also be affecting his mentality.

He has had well publicised off the field issues since he started his career and it could well be that there are things happening off the field that are stopping Kenny from giving him a good run of games.

I would be interested to know your views on why Carroll isn’t a regular starter, because it is a mystery to me.

Follow me on Twitter : www.twitter.com/joescouse_lfc