With Luis Suarez passing the medical examination and
agreeing of the personal term with Liverpool, the deal
is almost completed and it should be done on Monday.
But the Torres saga continues...
Chelsea made a audacious bid for Torres and I was
expecting it to be just a desperate move by Chelsea
to strengthen the squad for the final push for the league.
My heart and mind told me that Torres will not leave
the Anfield faithful at this time. I have long told many
friends that Torres will never end his career in Liverpool
and he will move on to other pasture very soon. It will
be just wishful thinking to expect him to play for the
club for long, especially when there is nothing impressive
to show in his 4 years' service. I certainly won't blame
him if he leaves in the summer but....
Torres handled in a transfer request and wanted a move
to London and into the hand of Chelsea in January.
I was rather disappointed although expected with his
action and it seems that he had lost confidence with
the club and no longer has the ambition and hunger to
achieve greater height with King Kenny. Torres look
set to move to Chelsea before the transfer window closes
and if that is the case, then Liverpool must be fully paid
for with the sale of a player of his caliber.
No player is above the club and not even Torres so sell
the unhappy player and get all that can be from the sale
proceed. He is expected to be sold for a transfer fee of
no less than 50 millions with either Drogba or Anelka or
Sturridge included in the deal too. Cash in on Torres and
the money can really be put into greater usage.
With 50 million in hand, Liverpool can sign Charlie Adam,
Ashley Young with ease and use the money to make
a bid for highflying Andy Caroll with a tempting 25 millions
bid to Newcastle. The balance will even be enough to buy
Eden Hazard, Juan Mata, Steven Defour and/or Marko Marim.
Torres will remain as a great player who played for the
Reds with plenty of goals to show, and I thanks him for
his services and wish him good luck in his future club.
But now for a very important but sensitive question,
Why if the deal don't go through this month and Torres
will still be with the club for another 3-4 months?
How will Kenny deal with a player who heart had already
change side, and will he continue to play him knowing
that he will not put in 100% effort?
The best case scenario will be there are still enough time
to sell Torres for 50 million plus a striker from Chelsea,
and using the money to pry Adam and maybe even
Charles N'Zogbia into the club before the window closed
for the next 4 months. Crossing my finger in the final
countdown to the transfer window....
You Will Never Walk Alone!
Wolves VS Liverpool: Match Review
Finally the first victory for King Kenny back as
Liverpool's manager, and never mind it was against
a team like Wolves. The fact that this is an away
match made the victory sweeter and enjoyable.
Let continue the style of playing and form in this
Wednesday home game against Fulham.
Another 3-0 victory will do fine in regaining the
positive sign in our goal difference column which
stands at -1 currently.
Raul Meireles was the man-of-the-match in this away
game as he set-up Torres for the simple tap-in with the
first goal, and delivered a wonderfully taken first-timer
dipper to score the 2nd goal. Kuyt setup Torres in the
dying minutes for the 3 goal with a blast up the opponent's
net. Actually, the match should have been wrapped up
in the first half if the finishing from players like Max,
Kuyt and Meireles were better. Like what we saw from
the Everton match, the Reds were much better in the
attack and really need to polish up the scoring opportunities
and kill off the opponent ruthlessly in the 1st half so that
Kenny can put in the reserves to have a feel of the match
in the 2nd half.
Torres looks to be back in his old self with good positioning
and predatory instinct and scored at the right place and
right time. But he need to watch his temper as he had been
piling up yellow cards for the last few matches and this is
not an favourable outcome when he will be suspended when
he hit the "quota". It is good that he is competitive and aggressive
in the match, but he should refrain from putting in the so-called
striker-tackle and leave no choice for the referee but to show
the yellow card.
This Wednesday match against Fulham will also see the return
of Gerrard, back from his 3-match suspension, and this will
leave a headache to Kenny as to where should he play the
Captain. Meireles had been commanding in the midfield and
should continue to play in this free-move role. Gerrard can
sit in the midfield with Lucas, and Kuyt and Maxi will run
the wings. This should be the optimal way to play.
The January transfer window will officially closed next Monday,
and although the Reds have been linked with multiple players,
there have not been any concrete deal to show yet. Luis Suarez
is the main focus this month, and I will be very glad to see him
wearing the Reds jersey come next week or maybe even this
few days. He is definitely worth his price and will be a marvelous
and attractive player to watch. A great asset to the team for sure.
Bring the cheque book out and sign him at a reasonable price
but don't ever miss out in signing a great player.
Blackpool's Charlie Adam is said to be very interesting in moving
to Anfield this month and may even force his way out, according
to various reports. He will be a good addition in the squad as an
utility player in the midfield commander role should Gerrard or
Meireles was unavailable. Sign him up.
Other players linked with the Reds include Young and Downing
of Villa. Given that Villa had just spend a foolish 24 million in
signing Bent, I think they might need to sell some players to balance
the book, and this will be a good opportunity to raid the team of
some quality signings.
I am actually looking forward to this Wednesday match against
Fulham with great expectation and enthusiasm, as I see the team
now full of energy, ambition, zeal and aggression to challenge to
finish in a Top 4 position. We are still able to win the league
mathematically and I won't admit defeat until it is realistically
impossible to be crown the champion.
Come on Reds, another 3-0 or better against Fulham will be
wonderful this Wednesday!
You Will Never Walk Alone!
Blackpool VS Liverpool : Match Review
2 defeats in a row for the new Reds manager King Kenny.
For those who expect Kenny to come in and instantly
transform the team from day one with his magic wand,
it is not possible and realistic. He is still dealing with the
same team that Hodgson left, which is down on confidence
and form. Kenny can only turn around this dreadful circumstance
with spending from Fenway Sports Group, and he need
to do so in this critical transfer period.
To me, only 5 players deserve to wear the Liverpool jersey
and they are Gerrard, Carragher, Reina, Torres and Kuyt.
The rest of the players are simply either too overrated or
lack the ability and quality that is required by them by the club.
I was rather surprised to see Johnson playing as the left-back
which is obviously not his natural position, and Poulsen
getting a chance to chance is a shocker to me. One would
expect he was already wrapped up and ready to be shipped
out to whatever club that wants him. Jovanovic got the call
from Kenny to play as the controlling midfieder role but
he clearly disappoints with his performance tonight.
Poulsen is always slow in the match and he was constantly
letting player breeze past him and chasing shadows behind.
This is a player who maybe more suitable in the Serie A,
Spanish League but in the fast-paced Premier League.
Jovanovic really want to show the new manager what he
is capable of, but in the much smaller pitch at Blackpool,
he seems out of sort and his positioning and passing were
woeful at times.
Torres gave the team a great start with an marvelously taken
shot from an acute angle with a through pass from Kelly.
This is the type of shot and goal that Torres is capable of when
he is on the right gear and form. If he continues to play in this
manner, I think he can score more and enable to team to
move up the table standing. When Torres scored in the 2nd
minutes, I was thinking that the goal may have came too
soon, and unfortunately I was proven right when Blackpool
equalised in the 12th minutes with a compound of errors
from Torres, Meireles and Agger "contributed" to Taylor-Fletcher's
goal. It was a soft goal to give away and that is just
what Liverpool got to stop doing so.
The match was played in a pacy fashion and both teams
have equal chances to score but the first half ended in 1-1.
I don't know what Kenny told the players in the dressing
room but nothing has been changed to how Liverpool
played in the match. And in the 69th minute, Blackpool
scored again through DJ Campbell when he headed in
a goal from an unmarked position in what was a very
pathetic defending by the Reds after clearing a corner
seconds before.
Liverpool fight on to regain the lost ground and Ngog and
Shelev was substituted in to help in the attack but the
damage has already been done. Blackpool did a double
against Liverpool in what was only done previously
during 1946-1947 season.
There have been talks that Liverpool is interested in
Blackpool's captain Charlie Adam whom contract with the
team ends in this summer. Judging from his performance
tonight and from what was quoted as a 4 million transfer
fee, he will be a good signing. He will definitely perform
better than Poulsen who I think is another dead man walking
at Anfield and playing on a borrowed time.
Liverpool really need to sign some quality and recognised
players in this month's transfer period to stop the rot and
the repair the very poor start. Henry need to see this
situation and pump in the necessary cash to rebuild and
recharge the team up from to bottom. The team is currently
standing at 13th position and only a mere 4-5 points from
the relegation zone, something got to be done fast, if not....
This Sunday derby match against Everton will be Kenny's
first home match and I hope that the players will be fired-up
for the game. The only consolation that I can see from the
coming derby is Tim Cahill is not in the squad as he is playing
for his country in the Asian Cup in Qatar. Give enough passes
and crosses to Torres, and he will deliver, so this should be
the game plan for now.
The team is facing a crisis at the moment and the fans will
be unrealistically hoping for a drastic change in form.
Give the King some time to establish himself again and I think
he will give the fans a better result at the end of the season.
Liverpool don't deserved to be in the current position and
shouldn't be fighting for any relegation battle whatever.
The team can still finish in a favourable position in the league
with a good run of winners and 3 points, but we really
need some quality players to come into the team NOW!
Form is temporary and Class is forever!
You Will Never Walk Alone!
For those who expect Kenny to come in and instantly
transform the team from day one with his magic wand,
it is not possible and realistic. He is still dealing with the
same team that Hodgson left, which is down on confidence
and form. Kenny can only turn around this dreadful circumstance
with spending from Fenway Sports Group, and he need
to do so in this critical transfer period.
To me, only 5 players deserve to wear the Liverpool jersey
and they are Gerrard, Carragher, Reina, Torres and Kuyt.
The rest of the players are simply either too overrated or
lack the ability and quality that is required by them by the club.
I was rather surprised to see Johnson playing as the left-back
which is obviously not his natural position, and Poulsen
getting a chance to chance is a shocker to me. One would
expect he was already wrapped up and ready to be shipped
out to whatever club that wants him. Jovanovic got the call
from Kenny to play as the controlling midfieder role but
he clearly disappoints with his performance tonight.
Poulsen is always slow in the match and he was constantly
letting player breeze past him and chasing shadows behind.
This is a player who maybe more suitable in the Serie A,
Spanish League but in the fast-paced Premier League.
Jovanovic really want to show the new manager what he
is capable of, but in the much smaller pitch at Blackpool,
he seems out of sort and his positioning and passing were
woeful at times.
Torres gave the team a great start with an marvelously taken
shot from an acute angle with a through pass from Kelly.
This is the type of shot and goal that Torres is capable of when
he is on the right gear and form. If he continues to play in this
manner, I think he can score more and enable to team to
move up the table standing. When Torres scored in the 2nd
minutes, I was thinking that the goal may have came too
soon, and unfortunately I was proven right when Blackpool
equalised in the 12th minutes with a compound of errors
from Torres, Meireles and Agger "contributed" to Taylor-Fletcher's
goal. It was a soft goal to give away and that is just
what Liverpool got to stop doing so.
The match was played in a pacy fashion and both teams
have equal chances to score but the first half ended in 1-1.
I don't know what Kenny told the players in the dressing
room but nothing has been changed to how Liverpool
played in the match. And in the 69th minute, Blackpool
scored again through DJ Campbell when he headed in
a goal from an unmarked position in what was a very
pathetic defending by the Reds after clearing a corner
seconds before.
Liverpool fight on to regain the lost ground and Ngog and
Shelev was substituted in to help in the attack but the
damage has already been done. Blackpool did a double
against Liverpool in what was only done previously
during 1946-1947 season.
There have been talks that Liverpool is interested in
Blackpool's captain Charlie Adam whom contract with the
team ends in this summer. Judging from his performance
tonight and from what was quoted as a 4 million transfer
fee, he will be a good signing. He will definitely perform
better than Poulsen who I think is another dead man walking
at Anfield and playing on a borrowed time.
Liverpool really need to sign some quality and recognised
players in this month's transfer period to stop the rot and
the repair the very poor start. Henry need to see this
situation and pump in the necessary cash to rebuild and
recharge the team up from to bottom. The team is currently
standing at 13th position and only a mere 4-5 points from
the relegation zone, something got to be done fast, if not....
This Sunday derby match against Everton will be Kenny's
first home match and I hope that the players will be fired-up
for the game. The only consolation that I can see from the
coming derby is Tim Cahill is not in the squad as he is playing
for his country in the Asian Cup in Qatar. Give enough passes
and crosses to Torres, and he will deliver, so this should be
the game plan for now.
The team is facing a crisis at the moment and the fans will
be unrealistically hoping for a drastic change in form.
Give the King some time to establish himself again and I think
he will give the fans a better result at the end of the season.
Liverpool don't deserved to be in the current position and
shouldn't be fighting for any relegation battle whatever.
The team can still finish in a favourable position in the league
with a good run of winners and 3 points, but we really
need some quality players to come into the team NOW!
Form is temporary and Class is forever!
You Will Never Walk Alone!
Blackburn VS Liverpool: Match Review
Embarrassing, Disgraceful and Humiliating defeat at Blackburn!
I was actually expecting Hodgson to be sacked the latest by last
night which was why I keep delaying posting a Match Review.
But it seems like Henry is going to give the Dead Man another
chance to atone himself again in the FA Cup crash against
Arch-Enemy Man Utd.
Liverpool is so "gracious and kind" to award the new manager of
the opposing team with 3 points. Newcastles's Alan Pardew got his
first home match victory against Liverpool weeks ago, and on Wednesday
Steve Kean got his first home victory too. I really hope to see Hodgson
getting sacked today or max tomorrow and not be leading the team in the
FA Cup match on Sunday. He is merely just a mid-low table manager
which should never have been assigned as the Reds manger and his
away-game jinx is so "powerful". Liverpool only got 5 points from 10
away matches with a total of 30 points. Imagine where we will be if we
can get another 10 points from the away losses.
The players actually played quite OK this morning except for Johnson,
The players actually played quite OK this morning except for Johnson,
Ngog, Maxi and Kyrgiakos. If Gerrard scored the penalty in the 85th
minute, we might even see a repeat of 2005 Istanbul reversal, but it is
only a big IF. King Kenny can step in to be the interim manager while
looking for the next qualified young manager. King Kenny can and will be
a real motivation factor to the team right now, so hand Hodgson the pink
slip and give Kenny the job.
There is a conspiracy theory that Gerrard purposely missed the penalty
There is a conspiracy theory that Gerrard purposely missed the penalty
so as to get Hodgson sacked with his unusually terribly taken kick.
I don't bite on this idea but if the penalty miss can get the job done, so be it.
I am feeling rather uneasy right now about the timing to face Man Utd at
such a difficult time when everything is going from bad to worse for the
Reds. This Sunday's FA Cup match at Old Trafford will still be a competitive
one and we don't need any charity or mercy from Old Fool Ferguson in
fielding a weaker team. Even if we lose the match, we will do so with dignity
and head high up in the sky. But even if the Reds won the match, I think
Hodgson will still be sacked in January as he is practically living on a borrowed
time at Anfield. I am still and always will be behind the team!
You Will Never Walk Alone!
Liverpool VS Bolton : Match Review
Dead man walking....We have a dead man walking at Anfield!
Hodgson first signing of his regin at Liverpool, Joe Cole, seems to have
scored a lifeline in the injury time to save Hodgson from being sacked
on the day. This look like a great beginning to the new year with a
hard-fought victory but the fact remains that the crisis and the storm
is not over in Anfield, in fact, it is far from it.
I am actually quite sympathise with Hodgson's situation but when he was
appointed as the manager at the club, he should know what was to be
expected from the most decorated club in Britain. He don't have the
experience, knowledge and vigour to lead a big team to glories and
trophies. He simply has too high a mountain to overcome and too big a
hat to wear, and he is staying at Anfield on a borrowed-time now.
I don't think he will still be the manager on 1st February.
The only possible reason to save him from being sacked will be to win the
home and away premier league matches for the month of January and the
all-important FA Cup crash at Old Trafford on 8 January this Saturday
and the derby match at home against Everton on 16 January.
But I still don't see the above scenario will materialised so I am
looking forward to King Kenny being assigned as the interim manager
for the time being till the season ends before settling for the next
younger manager as wanted by John Henry.
During the home victory against Bolton, the Reds played like
men on a mission and like a possessed man, chasing after every
lose balls and pressing hard at the Bolton players. If only the team
the re-produce such a attuitude and drive in every match played.
Torres took responsibilities on his shoulder and try to create as
many scoring opportunities for himself, but he may have done too much
by himself. He is not really a good dribbler and should leave the
responsibility to other Reds like Maxi. Nevertheless he scored
a pretty first-timer with assist from Gerrald.
I don't have a good impression of Joe Cole as I feel that he is
a over-rated player who Chelsea forsake and Hodgson hoped that
he can make him good again. He was very lucky that his goal was
given as at other occasions, he maybe ruled offside and the
controversial goal will be disallowed. I still feel that that he did
not play to his full potential but he don't have too many years to
prove so. He is not suitable to play as a left-wing as what Hodgson
deems to be, and should be play in the mid-field or even a supporting
striker. I hope to see him excel and be featured in future matches.
With the January transfer window opened, Liverpool need to
bring in quality players who can be immediately put to use to
allow the team to finish at a more respectable placing in the league.
If the articles are to be true, we are being linked to Hamburg's Dutch
winger and striker Eljero Elia as a partner for Torres.I have done
some research on the player obviously from Youtube and some other
football sites, the price tag of 13 million is a good deal. He is young but
well-experienced at 24 and although he may over-dribbled at times but he
will be a great addition and asset to the team and can be the next Nani,
Valencia or even Ronaldo if he can mature at Anfield. The confirmation
of this deal may mean the end of Babel time at Anfield but if this is what
the club needs, then it is the route that we got to take.
We are also linked with Werder's German international defender
Mertesacker, and I feel that this is a no-brainer if we can get hold with
such experienced and skilled player for a mere 10 million. He is still young
for a defender at 26 and have at least 5 more years to contribute to the
team. I say just bring the cash out and get the German in!
Other quality players that Liverpool are link with include CSKA's Keisuke
Honda, Ajax's out-of-favour striker Luis Suarez, Wigan's Charles
N'Zogbia, and others like Eden Hazard, Antoine Griezmann....
I do hope that Liverpool can sign at least 3 players in January and
I expect to see Jovanovic and Poulsen, out of the team.
Liverpool next match will be away at Blackburn on Wednesday (Thursday
morning 4am in Singapore) and if Hodgson really want to get rid
of his away-game jinx, then this is another good chance to prove otherwise.
If the team play like the Bolton match, then expect the Reds to come
home with the 2nd victory of year 2011.
