Kings Of Europe

Infernal Affairs

2008-03-06T15:02:00.000-08:00

I first watched this Hong Kong movie called Infernal Affairs a few years ago. For those who don't really know the story, here's a very short spoiler of what happened: Two young officer cadets go to the same police school. Andy Lau plays a protege to one of the most-wanted criminals in Hong Kong, who is installed as a mole in the Police Force, where he rises to detective. Tony Leung is dispatched to become a spy in that very gang that Andy Lau's loyalties lie. As both sides struggle to find who is the traitor, there is a classic rooftop scene in which both moles face off.

Leung: I am a cop. (Points gun at Andy Lau)

Lau: Who knows that?

It is a tragic movie about divided personalities, and is a movie that has so many twists that in the end you'll be spinning in your seat catching your breath.

I am talking about this movie because it seems so similar to the strange dark cloud that has settled over Anfield's board room this season. Coincidentally, acclaimed American director Martin Scorcese thought that he could make a Yank version of the movie, too. He called it The Departed.

Martin Scorcese won an Oscar for this, which is pretty surprising, because I felt he took off the class from the original and made it chock-full of the violence that you'd expect from his movies.

In any case, the movies made me think of the two leading roles at Anfield right now - Tom Hicks and George Gillett, Jr. We have constantly been made to believe, by the media, that the guy to hate, lock, stock and barrel, to be the Texan guy who said he was impressed by Jurgen Klinsmann.

But where has ol' George been all this time, eh? The 'quiet American' went into the buyout of our beloved club after snagging the guy with the purse, Tom Hicks. For a moment it seemed that he was the one with the passion for the club - until he suddenly disappeared sometime after November and never re-emerged.

In the meantime, poor Tom Hicks - probably never that good with words - mentioned that George and himself had been looking for an insurance policy. NOT John Hancock, NOT AIG, NOT even Prudential, but a German guy who used to dive for Tottenham Hotspur.

So in the meantime we got to our business of defending Rafa, thinking that Hicks is the bad guy, when he's actually the one who raised his hands after his partner shot the golden goose. In recent reports, Rafa has kissed and made up with Tom Hicks, and it seems ever clearer that the man in the sidelines might have been the one up to mischief.

When he finally let loose one final objection - that 'my partner cannot sell without my approval' - it made me realise something. This was the guy who was pulled in to purchase the club last minute - but he's the guy who least wants to leave. At least, that's how it looks like from my perspective. This was the rooftop scene, all over again. The last stab of justice, before the inevitable starts to happen.

Tony Leung's character will die at the end of the movie, without a proper identity, killed by a traitor in the Police Force. Tom Hicks will leave at the end of the season, probably hated eternally by most Liverpool fans, because he tried to do the impossible by holding the club together even after the breakdown of a fragile business partnership.

Somehow, I don't think that Tom Hicks is holding out just for profit. A niggling feeling tells me that we have maligned this innocent Texan. While I awaited eagerly for George Gillett to come out to make his stand, he has failed to do so - and a present screw-up, in my opinion (in the case of Hicks) is still much better than an absent one.

No matter what happens at the end of the season - and I strongly believe that Hicks will be gone by then as well as Gillett - I know that he has been the lesser of the two evils in this Axis power era. He made the effort to design (and redesign) the stadium, and was still the main man in the purchase of Fernando Torres. And coming out to tell everyone that they wanted Klinsmann as a 'replacement', 'insurance', or whatever you call it was a darned stupid thing, although on the other side it was a brave admission of error - typical perhaps of the Texas way (being brave, I mean).

George Gillett? Like a snake, he has slithered out of the trouble that brewed at Anfield. Foster, his son, one of the directors at Liverpool, has disappeared for weeks now in the boardroom, and if Dubai do successfully purchase the club in the months to come, all I will remember about him is that he was part of the shorter side of Merseyside in more ways than one.

Some people will ask why doesn't Tom Hicks hold on to his stake if George Gillett sells. Yet we must understand the stark differences in management styles of the DIC and the Americans. This puts Hicks in a thorough dilemma. I doubt he will want to let his dormant partner hold on to a valuable 50% stake and do nothing for the club, yet he's not exactly enthusiastic to look at DIC representatives eye to eye during board meetings.

Having said that, all I want as a fan will be stability for next season, and not all these Infernal Affairs-like drama occurring behind the scenes. For now, I turn my attention to the return of the prodigal son, Michael Owen, to Anfield, as we face off Newcastle United.

I just want Torres to warm the bench occasionally, that's all.

2008-02-24T18:17:00.000-08:00

So says Rafa Benitez, after that man scored a hat-trick in his previous game.

This does not bode well for any Liverpool player who wishes to score a hat-trick, because he normally finds himself on the bench in the next game. Yossi Benayoun got that kind of treatment (not once, but twice); Peter Crouch has been subjected to similar circumstances, although some of his performances this season have been outstanding. Dirk Kuyt has found the net only occasionally - and occasionally is putting it mildly - yet he finds himself starting almost every game, as though he is a star striker.

Ladies and gentlemen, this is the strange habit that seems to have become a tradition at Liverpool here. Surely we bought Torres to be the replacement for our prodigal son, Michael Owen? Or did we buy him to be a squad player and spend half the amount on Dirk Kuyt for him to become our star player? It doesn't quite seem to make sense from my perspective. Then again, it's not my perspective that really matters.

People will say "leave Kuyt alone", and I would - if he took the place of Torres more regularly. This sums up the frustration of the Liverpool fan that has seen his team go from the top of the table at the beginning of the season till right now, struggling against the likes of Everton and Aston Villa for the coveted Champions League spot.

Speaking of which, Ryan Babel was once again outstanding against Middlesbrough, and to be honest I haven't seen him play badly in any of the games that he has played so far. To be fair, perhaps he's just a wee bit fresher than the rest because he hasn't played that many games (and not for that long in every game either), so that might be the reason why I'd say he's the best player of our season so far.

Babel's movement and intelligence on the pitch seems so similar to the good old-fashioned wingers that we'd seen in the past with our Liverpool team (in John Barnes) and another youngster now in the Manchester United colours, Cristiano Ronaldo. He takes on defenders. I mean, he brings the ball in front of them, and wrong-foots them with a clever turn, or a dummy, or something like that. The only difference between Babel and wingers like Pennant is that Pennant prefers to avoid the action, and Kuyt just totally fails to be a winger. Babel loves the action, and he gets away from them victorious too. That is why it is so enjoyable watching him play.

Talking about watching someone play, let me go back to the topic: Fernando Torres' first goal against Boro was simply brilliant. Granted, a poor header from Julio Arca found its way to El Nino, but the kid's run - and subsequent slide-in - made the tears come to my eyes. At last, we have found a saviour to our goalscoring. The last time somebody did this - and I swear this is how I feel - was probably Michael Owen when he was still a Red. And that was a bloody long time ago.

Would you bench Michael Owen in 2002 as England manager? I doubt Eriksson even considered that. So would you consider dropping Fernando Torres as Liverpool manager? Well, Rafa's absolutely going to. So forgive this poor fan for sounding sentimental, but I am at a loss for words why poor Nando is going to be given this great responsibility of warming the bench for Liverpool.

Mincing my words

2008-02-20T19:39:00.000-08:00

Well, once again I've been made to mince my words.

So our 2-0 win over Inter Milan means that we look to be going towards the impossible dream once more - to get 6th European Cup.

Dirk Kuyt has now scored for two consecutive games, Steven Gerrard looks like he's firing on all cylinders, and we've managed to keep a clean sheet against a team that hadn't lost for five months before they met us.

And for the next game, Rafa looks like he's going to make five or six changes, and we might just draw with Middlesbrough. Right? I certainly don't hope so, though.

For now, I just want to rejoice about one of the sweetest victories I have tasted as a Liverpool fan this season.

Before I launch into the recent discussion about what is the "best XI", let me just say where we have done well this season.

We have been fantastic in goalkeeping, and it's all thanks to our colossus of Spain, Jose Reina, who looks set to establish himself as one of the legends at Liverpool.

We have done very well in defensive midfield, where Javier Mascherano has been nothing short of magnificent in cleaning up those attacks that may have threatened us this season. He more than deserves that 17 million pounds we may - or may not - pay for him, and even if George and Tom don't know the difference between a good coach and a bad one (no disrespect to Jurgen K), they should know that letting Masch go will be the second biggest mistake of their lives. (The biggest, of course, was buying Liverpool).

However, we strongly need reinforcements now in left midfield. Since we bought Ryan Babel to let him sit on the bench, we need someone better than Harry Kewell to play on the left. Reiterating the frustration of every Liverpool fan, that Dutchman should play every 90 minutes whenever fit. He's 20, but Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo played to no problems at the age of 17 and 18 respectively, and I sincerely suspect that Babel belongs in the league of the wunderkinds. Set him loose, set him free, and watch the lion go. Otherwise, it's time to go shopping for someone more experienced on the wings.

Right midfield is also a worry. Jermaine Pennant has improved in the past few games, but class and form are by far two different things. Unfortunately, he isn't going to quite set Anfield alight, so it might be time to kiss and say goodbye. But he's still the most suitable player for the right wing that we've got, so we should play him while we've got no choice.

Striking is a massive problem. We used to produce homegrown strikers from our academy but because of the drought in the last decade we haven't had the talent that we could have had. So we need to look carefully for talent. Dirk Kuyt was a free-scoring Robbie Fowler-like striker in the Dutch league, but the comparison with our former God has ironically caused the words to become flesh. Kuyt, for all the running, can't seem to score when it's critical - but I was made to mince my words against Inter.

Then again, you can't always count on deflections to score, unless you're Frank Lampard. But to be honest, if he scores a deflected goal every game, he will be loved by everyone in the Kop.

So Rafa, left midfield and striker, go get them! (That's what I would do if I were you, but because you are still the man who won the European Cup, please do what you deem fit.)

My best XI:

Jose Reina, Alvaro Arbeloa, John Arne Riise (but he needs to step up a couple of gears with his performances), Jamie Carragher, Daniel Agger, Jermaine Pennant, Ryan Babel*** (VIP - Very important player), Steven Gerrard, Javier Mascherano, Yossi Benayoun, Fernando Torres

We've got 39 points left for contention in the League for us - so let us make it the best fight we possibly can.

Bellamy's golf swing and more

2007-02-23T08:20:00.000-08:00

Craig Bellamy might as well become a Marvel comic superhero.

He wrote himself into the Liverpool history books for all the wrong reasons, having swung a golf club at team-mate John Arne Riise in the now-infamous training camp incident in Portugal. Apparently Riise didn't want to sing - a typical karaoke ill-habit (even in Singapore) - and Bellamy decided to take matters into his own hands.

The first sign of a Ghost Rider: a troubled anti-hero.

While the other side of the world was handing out red packets, Rafa Benitez handed out fines as though he was a Santa Claus - 15 in all, and including goalkeeper hero-to-zero Jerzy Dudek.

Then, there was the small matter of facing an unsettled Barcelona at the Nou Camp. In front of 95,000 fans, something had to give. Liverpool were the first to succumb to the pressure, Luca Zambrotta crossing perfectly for the unmarked pint-sized Deco to head the simplest of headers into goal.

Just as we thought that Liverpool were going to buckle under the intense atmosphere, Craig Bellamy's almost-superhuman movement (coupled with the poor Barca defending) found him unmarked near the left-hand post. His header, however, was comfortably smothered by Victor Valdes.

And then, Bellamy's Ghost Rider abilities became apparent. A cross from defence found him unmarked once again, and he ghosted in to head past the goal-line, even though Victor Valdes tried to parry it away. Spinning to the corner flag, Bellamy teed off with a golf swing that Nick Faldo might have approved to (albeit without the club).

In the face of mounting pressure, Liverpool's defence stood firm and Bellamy turned from scorer to provider, passing exquisitely to an unmarked (how many times must I say this?) John Arne Riise - did I hear that right? - who converted easily with his right foot. That's right (no pun intended). Victor Valdes and Carles Puyol, atypically in no-man's land: it must have been the Ghost Rider at work.

What made the game even more incredible for me was the fact that Reina's performance was a shambles in goal: he was catching thin air for most of the last ten minutes, yet after Saviola missed from a couple of yards and Deco hit the bar, I thought to myself: It must have been divine intervention.

Or perhaps, as Ghost Rider would put it, maybe it's something else.

Living Liverpool the American way

2007-02-06T03:10:00.000-08:00

The facts: George Gillett and Tom Hicks, two American billionaires who probably have so much money that they've decided to do some charity for sports, is on the brink of purchasing Liverpool Football Club for some small change of £470million.

And for us Liverpool fans, who have absolutely no say in the matter save for owner-for-now David Moores, it is time to accept this takeover as part of a wave that has splashed on English Premiership football.

Hicks and Gillett are not alone; Randy Lerner has already doled the cash for Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill, who splurged £9.65m for Watford winger Ashley Young. And of course, the "evil" Malcolm Glazer as proclaimed by Manchester United faithfuls the day the club was bought is suddenly turning out to be a hero, with the Red Devils sitting pretty at the top of the table.

Surely an American presence - or more importantly, a financial one - will be more than beneficial for a club like Liverpool. The money gained from this sale will provide the Reds with the extra edge to push for players they formerly had difficulty in signing. Dani Alves, the Brazilian right-sided player who destroyed Middlesbrough in the UEFA Cup final, was a player who wanted to don the legendary Red jersey - but failed to arrive when Liverpool sought a cheaper alternative.

Of course, it was not too long ago when we thought it might have been the a certain Dubai International Capital financing Liverpool moves for our transfer targets. Unfortunately, when Liverpool chairman Rick Parry asked for more time to take a look at the shopping window to see what's available, Sheikh Al-Maktoum decided he didn't get the response he wanted, got into a tantrum and left.

Gillett, however, impressed the board with the speed at which he completed his due diligence - which is the compulsory checks on accounts for potential buyers - finishing the job in just a couple of weeks while DIC took months. He also proved to be quick to modify his terms to suit Liverpool's demands. Even for equivalent terms, Parry (and the board) probably decided that Gillett's consortium had better customer service.

So for now we wait once more with bated breath, as David Moores decides how he might spend that £88m fortune he stands to gain with that signature on the takeover contract.

The Big Four is now the big four

2006-12-19T00:55:00.000-08:00

Let's talk about the Big Four. No, I mean, seriously, since Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal have all managed to squeeze into the pecking order of first to fourth positions respectively in the Premiership.

Of course, this weekend's results have been the talk of the town, with Man Utd losing 1-0 away to Alan Curbishley's rejuvenated West Ham side, and Chelsea relying only on the brilliance of three of their Untouchables to secure a come-from-behind win against Everton. Arsenal, meanwhile, stumbled with a capital S against another Russian side (Portsmouth) at the Emirates Stadium, drawing 2-2 when it seemed for a while that a 2-0 away win might have been the more probable result.

Only Liverpool managed to keep themselves unscathed, but not without missing almost ten good opportunities to win comfortably at Charlton - they did, however, score twice towards the end to make it 3-0.

So currently, Man Utd have Chelsea breathing two points behind their necks, while Liverpool and Arsenal are just a tiny point away from each other, with at least five sides capable of usurping their seats if they slip up.

Yet will Man Utd buckle under pressure? More interestingly, who is the best side at the moment?

Opta statistics don't lie.

Barclays Premiership Table
1 Man Utd
2 Chelsea
3 Liverpool
4 Arsenal
5 Bolton

Best 5 Defences
1 Man Utd (10)
2 Chelsea (11)
3 Arsenal (15)
4 Bolton (15)
5 Liverpool (15)

Best 5 Attacks
1 Man Utd (38)
2 Chelsea (30)
3 Arsenal (29)
4 Liverpool (26)
5 Portsmouth (25)

Any trends, gentlemen? Yes, there is one very obvious one - you must be both proficient in attack and defence to be part of the Top Four. Portsmouth and Bolton appear in one, and not both of the tables and hence, they are out.

Okay, so let's keep track of Man Utd against Chelsea here. Obviously, on goal difference, it's Man Utd 1 Chelsea 0.

Now let's look at the Premiership top scorers.

Didier Drogba 10
Nwankwo Kanu 9
Kevin Doyle 8
Wayne Rooney 8
Louis Saha 8
Darren Bent 7
Gareth Barry 6
Henri Camara 6
Thierry Henry 6
Andy Johnson 6

Once again, we look at the number of goalscorers that Manchester United and the Blues have in the top 10. More players, more avenues for matchwinners - and Man Utd once again take the lead. It's 2-0 to Man U.

Man Utd also are also tops in terms of shot conversion rate (a whopping 16% - one in six shots!), while Chelsea lose out with a significantly lower 11% (one in nine shots). Man Utd 3-0 Chelsea.

Chelsea, however, have better authority on the game. Opta Stats mention that they have a 78% chance of winning a tackle, while Man Utd have a 75% chance. So a scrappy goal for Chelsea, but the scoreline still reads Man Utd 3-1 Chelsea.

So Man Utd all the way? I won't be behind Chelsea, definitely, but I hope Liverpool stand a much better chance to push their way to second position.

Liverpool: Selling their souls?

2006-12-08T06:46:00.000-08:00

This month may well mark the legendary Liverpool Football Club sell their ownership to a certain Dubai sheikh.

Apart from losing the privilege as a Liverpool fan to gloat that our 18 League championships have been won without any of this so-called "foreign investment" and that we are still part of the Big Four in the Premiership without an Abramovich (or a Glazer, for that matter), I just don't feel right imagining a Dubai sheikh standing beside the statue of Bill Shankly.

How much will the emirs interfere in our blueprint for the future? Will Stanley Park be renamed the Emirates Stadium II? Are they going to force us to buy Nawaf Al-Temyat? Are we going to have an expandable transfer kitty or a contractable one? These are questions that are yet to be answered.

One thing appears to be for certain - it seems that the sheikhs are not going to turn up to watch the Liverpool games. They want to be pulling the strings, albeit from the background, so thank God for that.

In any case I await, like any other fan, with bated breath.

The Bet

2006-11-05T19:56:00.000-08:00

It was Kelvin Nai, a die-hard Manchester United fan (hereby known as "Mancunian"), against Owen Tan, a die-hard Liverpool fan (hereby known as "Liverpudlian").

The bet: That their respective team would win the fixture at Old Trafford on the 22nd October.

The stakes: That the loser would have to wear the other team's jersey.

**

Obviously, everyone should know by now that I lost.

Okay. I never did contemplate wearing a tablecloth of a Man U jersey, but to keep my promise to the Mancunian (who happened to bring in a Chelsea fan into the room as well), I slipped on that bloody black.

It was a dark, dark day. As dark as the colour of the shirt that I wore, as the Mancunian stood behind in triumph and glory.

To add insult to injury, a footballing neutral stepped into the room and started to pose for the cameras.

I'll never forgive you, Michael.

Just kidding, of course. It was all in the spirit of fun and friendship.

But then, the Liverpudlian might just be the one posing with the Mancunian in the Liverpool jersey the next time round. Stop laughing, Eng Shing, you bloody Chelsea fan.

Manchester United 2-0 Liverpool: What happened to the Kings of Europe?

2006-10-23T17:24:00.000-07:00

Liverpool defeat dismays Benitez - BBC Sport; YOU STINK, BENITEZ - The New Paper;

Is it too early to be criticising the man who brought us the 2005 European Cup, and the 2006 FA Cup just because the results aren't going our way?

But admit it, Rafa - if something went wrong, it collapsed in front of the visiting fans at Old Trafford on Sunday. When you pictured a first XI including a central midfield of Momo Sissoko, Xabi Alonso and Steven Gerrard, you would probably have imagined tackles flying all around, spraying passes all across the pitch at pinpoint accuracy, and rampaging runs from deep.

None of that happened, save for Sissoko's enthusiasm landing him a yellow card.

That compounded Dirk Kuyt to a quiet, quiet game - he could almost have brewed some Dutch milk for his Manchester United marker Rio Ferdinand. Ironically, Ferdinand showed the striker how to convert a chance that came his way, scoring the second goal with a left-footed top-corner strike.

The 4-5-1 formation to drown out Man U's midfield never did work according to Rafa's plans. The central midfield, as originally discussed, didn't turn up to play. Alonso was replaced by Pennant in the second half - but in a bizarre turn of tactics, Rafa decided to play him on the left flank instead of the right where he excelled for the Birmingham.

Gerrard - where in the world was Gerrard? Being given a free role by Benitez to do what he does best, forward runs and long shots galore, he looked more a forlorn figure who didn't know what to do. Too much time on the flanks, perhaps?

It left the Liverpool fans watching with absolutely nothing else to say - except to watch and mumble despondently as the Man United fans had their day. Ryan Giggs tormented the volatile defence of Sami Hyypia and Jamie Carragher. Paul Scholes went in unmarked to steal the first goal, and Rio Ferdinand capitalised on a Carragher miskick to make it 2-0 Man United.

Conclusion: Squad rotation is okay, but we do not rotate systems so randomly and haphazardly. There's no need for system rotation if the players don't even understand how to play it.

Conclusion: There was no hero on the pitch that night at Old Trafford. Stevie G has to stand up - or someone else.

Conclusion: Dirk Kuyt's no Thierry Henry - give him a partner, for God's sake!

Conclusion: The Reds fans deserve much more than pathetic passing and a lack of passion.

Liverpool v Blackburn Preview

2006-10-13T06:31:00.000-07:00

Liverpool (from): Reina, Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Riise, Aurelio, Luis Garcia, Gerrard, Alonso, Pennant, Zenden, Crouch, Bellamy, Gonzalez, Warnock, Dudek, Paletta, Agger.
- BBC Sport

Liverpool's squad looks strangely thinner than usual against an in-form Blackburn Rovers. Craig Bellamy is among the list of strikers and will most likely feature against his former club tomorrow. Peter Crouch, who failed to score in both international games for England, will probably be in contention for a starting place this season.

No Dirk Kuyt - Liverpool fans might feel troubled that their hardworking striker is out with an ankle injury during his international call-up with Holland - but for me, I think the thinning of the squad might just prove to be a blessing in disguise for the Reds. After all, Benitez has been too generous with his rotation policy, and this might actually be a good time to see whether his strikers are better left un-rotated.

Bellamy, of course, scored in the Wales game against Cyprus, and his form will prove crucial against a tricky Blackburn side boasting their very own version of Luis Garcia, Morten Gamst Pedersen. His magical left foot have punctured the Manchester United goal-net more than a couple of occasions the last season, and this shows that apart from the "rugby" that Arsene Wenger has accused Mark Hughes' team of playing, they do know their footballing skills.

Will Reina play? The instability of his form has rocked Liverpool's defence hard, and I believe his lack of communication skills can prove to be the weakest link when it comes to set pieces. Carragher, who didn't have the best of games for England, will likely partner Sami Hyypia in defence, though the ageing Finn must be aware of the threats of pacy strikers Shabani Nonda and Jason Roberts.

This home game is also crucial for several Liverpool players to prove their worth, if they play:

Fabio Aurelio - So the Brazilian is actually pretty good at free-kicks, but is he going to prove himself to be in the league of Ashley Cole or just another Gregory Vignal?

Jermaine Pennant - Stop overhitting the crosses and actually get the ball to a decent player! The 7m-winger has so far found himself more often on the bench than on the pitch this season, and has hardly impressed when he came on. It might be time to look at Dani Alves once more.

Boudewijn Zenden - A natural left winger on the bench, but Benitez bizarrely prefers to place his talisman, Steven Gerrard, right (no pun intended) over there. Give this guy a game on the left, and see if he lights up the pitch.

Craig Bellamy - Has been flattering to deceive since his decent cross to Peter Crouch for the winning goal in the Community Shield against Chelsea. Can the goalscorer Bellamy please stand up?

I am optimistic of their chances, but Liverpool know that they need to start producing the invincible form that moved them to within nine points of the Blues last season - or face relegation from the title race once again.

Liverpool 3-0 Tottenham: Clicking into gear

2006-09-23T07:30:00.000-07:00

What a scoreline it looks for Liverpool, but for fans who watched the game, they'd have known that things really went down to the wire.

Mark Gonzalez ensured that Craig Bellamy didn't have to be the one crying over spilled milk as his attempt to convert from Stevie Gerrard's cross ended up on the right upright, but later finished in style by the Chilean.

Yet only 38 seconds ago things might have been a different story - Edgar "Bulldog" Davids went on a simmering run down the left flank in a brilliant Tottenham Hotspur attack that Jermaine Jenas incredibly missed from two yards, and an empty net.

Despite the number of wonderful counter-attacking penetrating passes that Spurs managed to put out with ex-Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy in the centre of the action, the visitors never managed to properly stamp their authority on the game.

Such was the domination that Liverpool enjoyed an amazing 64% of possession in the first half.

Yet things only truly got going in the second half - right after the whistle was blown Liverpool went on a relentless assault on the Spurs goal. Gonzalez's goal was followed by a Dirk Kuyt finish, and towards the end John Arne Riise added another gem to his collection of long shots.

For the Liverpool fan like me, I can say that I am happy at least for one thing - that all the luck that we seem to be missing the past few games has finally returned. I am not saying that teams should wait for Lady Luck to smile on them before they win the title, but tell me when any team without a bit of luck has managed to become Premiership champions?

Manchester United, for all their dominance in the 90s, were probably one of the luckiest teams in the world. Even when Arsenal went on the devilish unbeaten rampage, they had the luck to do so. Now, Chelsea managed to beat us by a whisker, but imagine if Kuyt's powerful finish had been just two inches lower on Petr Cech's goal - things might have turned out much differently.

To be fair, Liverpool did create the lion's share of chances and possession, but that was not much different from their previous few games. This time, however, the fortune that we have been sorely lacking is back.

And this time, I think we have reason to be optimistic.

Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool: Liverpool Dreaming 2

2006-09-17T07:40:00.000-07:00

Have you watched the latest movie in town, Liverpool Dreaming? At least, over on any major sports channel, I did. It was a one-night only showcase of what every Liverpool FC fan wanted to see that wasn't on.

Five Cs of Liverpool FC:

1) Consistency
2) Creativity
3) Crossing accurately
4) Cutting out idiocies
5) Conversion of chances

No Cs were on in Liverpool Dreaming, and it was by far the poorest show I'd ever watched. I even remembered feeling heartbroken for the protagonists because they were absolutely abysmal.

So I bet you watched the sequel (which I'd hoped would never have come out, but it did), Liverpool Dreaming 2: Same Old Story. It explores the Five Cs of Liverpool FC, but talks about the weaknesses that they've had the previous season.

Like a married man who is haunted by that girl they had a one-night stand with, Chelsea returned to haunt the dreams of Liverpool fans, and highlighted a very important point to Rafael Benitez: We still can't score goals for nuts. For peanuts. Not even those that cost $600,000. That's approximately three weeks' Ashley Cole's salary.

Did we have 20 shots? I think so, judging from the rate Chelsea were totally helpless the second half, except on those rare counter-attacks. 20 shots, spreading them out amongst Craig Bellamy, Peter Crouch, Dirk Kuyt, Stevie G and Xabi Alonso. You would have expected any one of them just to nick one goal.

But no, once again we get to watch Liverpool flunk where it matters most - the final third. On a day when class prevailed, I am deeply saddened to concede that Liverpool aren't going to win the title this season. At least, not with this performance.

From Chelsea's victory, I believe they have what it takes to win the championship, for several reasons:

a) They have class. Come on, did you even think for a nanosecond that our dear Robbie 'God' Fowler could do that? That half-volley on the turn that caught Jose Reina flat-footed? Then again, it doesn't take much to get Reina flat-footed, but let us continue.

b) They have luck. Admit it, Chelski/CSKA London fans. They say Russians have the best luck - after all, they grew up with Russian Roulette. 20 shots, and not one of them being able to puncture a hole in Petr Cech's net? Something must be right.

c) They dive. Perhaps in lesser frequency now, but Arjen Robben did show some promise when he came on.

Why am I even fouling my breath speaking of the Rouble Brigade? It is now high time to analyse the mistakes that Liverpool made in this game.

1) Consistency: What was Rafa talking about at the beginning of the season? I barely figure. I think it was something about getting off on a good start because we 'cannot afford' to do it slow to win the title. Right? So tell me, how about one win, one draw and two losses? Four points in four games. I am no footballing genius but I seriously doubt that form is going to win us the title.

2) Creativity: Okay, so wingers do supply crosses. Jermaine Pennant, Mark Gonzalez, Fabio Aurelio were all bought in to provide Liverpool with the width they desperately need. But so far, it's been just those high crosses from one flank to another. Short of making Liverpool fans look like fools trying to follow the trajectory of those fast Nike balls, I believe crossing needs to be done purposefully. And creatively.

3) Crossing accurately: I believe wingers were purchased for a purpose. I mean, good wingers. If we needed normal wingers, we should have kept El Hadji Diouf so that he could spit at Chelsea fans. But no, crossing accurately is important. Pennant over-hit too many crosses the past game - perhaps he had Peter Crouch in mind, but he wasn't on the pitch till around 75 minutes.

4) Cutting out idiocies: Not so many in this game, but probably one warning for Mohamed Sissoko: Please, please remember to keep the studs on the ground when there's a 90% chance that you are going to break someone's leg. Reina remembered that he had fingers, so all credit to him. He did more catches than I could remember against Everton.

5) Conversion of chances: A very important point. Fowler couldn't score, Crouch isn't a potent goalscorer (except for England), and Kuyt certainly looks like he needs more time to settle down. But let's not blame the strikers - where Benitez used to have an excuse that his midfielders do provide goals, this season Gerrard and Alonso have dried up. So where are we going to get goals? The sky?

No more excuses, Liverpool. It's time to SCORE. SCORE. SCORE. Give a whole day to shooting and scoring, if need be - but please, conversion is essential to winning games, as the eternal cliche goes.

Lucas Neill, Stevie G and the troublesome right flank

2006-09-04T04:48:00.000-07:00

Did anyone who watched the England-Andorra game think of it as a flamboyant second consecutive victory for Steve McClaren and that the team is destined for greater glory?

You must have, right? After all, McClaren claimed that two-goal scorer Peter Crouch was "phenomenal".

Then again, Crouch was only doing what he should do as a striker - to put the ball into the net when the opportunity presented itself. And boy, did the opportunities present themselves so many times in the Andorra game that there was absolutely no reason for them not to score at least five goals.

Crouch (seen on the left celebrating after scoring against the European minnows) made Michael Owen's absence a forgettable one with a clinical left-foot shot that required as much instinct as it did skill. The second goal was more a matter of hapless Andorran defending: completely unable to be marked because of his height, he barely had to jump to nod the ball into the left-hand corner of the net.

Let's not take the credit off the Liverpool striker, but more so, let us give credit to another Anfield man where credit is due.
Steven Gerrard played with such tenacity and ability down the right wing that you would almost have forgotten that he is more a star down the centre.

The rampaging midfielder provided two magnificent crosses for Defoe and Crouch respectively, before getting into the penalty box to nick a goal for himself.

Rafael Benitez must be pleased with his skipper's form, and will be hoping that he will at least be carrying it through till January.

The right flank has seemed a problem for Liverpool for the past two seasons, and with only Jermaine Pennant holding a natural role for that position, I feel Stevie G might need to produce a couple more performances like that one for Liverpool as well.

And speaking still on the subject of the right flank, it seems that Lucas Neill is touted as a possible replacement for Jan Kromkamp, who cut short his Anfield career to move back home to PSV. Blackburn Rovers manager Mark Hughes decided against accepting Liverpool's 2-million pound offer, and Rafa too decided that he wouldn't be held to ransom, not pursuing Neill before the deadline passed.

I am a huge fan of Hughes and how he has made the club progress - but to be honest, holding out for a contract renewal for a player who wants out is definitely not a smart move. A 2m pound offer for a player that can leave on a Bosman in July is more than worth it. He'll probably leave in the summer - and when that time comes, Liverpool - or any other club - will be able to get him for nothing.

Yet, can Liverpool hold out till January with only one solid right-back in Steve Finnan? I hope so. Jamie Carragher is ultimately godly in the centre but more squad-ly down the right, where his crosses are often too high and too wide.

Let us hope we fix the troublesome right flank.

Liverpool 2-1 West Ham: Old problems?

2006-08-28T08:00:00.000-07:00

I believe that there has already been mention of a certain Pepe Reina who has flattered to deceive so far in his Liverpool career this season. More about this topic later - but first of all, it is a great relief for Pool fans to see their team come from behind to beat West Ham once again, after the emphatic FA Cup final victory against them only in May.

West Ham were, as usual, at the top of their fluid attacking game, but it took a huge slice of luck for a certain Bobby Zamora to score through a cross, thanks to Pepe "I-can't-catch-balls-but-I-can-punch-them-into-my-own-net" Reina.

Remember Calamity James, anyone? For more recent history, Pool fans should remember that the Liverpool goalkeeper had been at some disastrous catching against a Birmingham side we should have comfortably defeated at St Andrew's Park. Yes, I believe the time is ripe for Benitez to drop his "dependable" shot-stopper for a more reliable one. Even Chris Kirkland might just do a better job, if he is somewhat unspectacular.

Old problems - literally

Speaking of players who should be dropped, one Liverpool defender comes to mind - Sami Hyypia.

He is tall, he is still composed, but he is no longer quick enough, unfortunately, to remain the first names to be picked in the starting XI. Against Arsenal last season, Liverpool were completely outpaced by Thierry Henry. Now, I'm not saying that there are many more players who can outpace Henry, but the way the French maestro surged past the Finn suggests that he is indeed past his prime.

Of course, he was part of the outstanding 22-clean sheet defence last season that protected Pepe Reina so much that he could even afford to do his gaffes against Birmingham and allow us a comfortable third position in the league.

But let the guns start firing at Anfield

Daniel Agger proved on Saturday that not only is he capable of becoming a top-class defender, he might just provide us with odd goals that can be contenders for goal of the season.

What a scorcher. And considering he is a 21-year-old who should still be Hyypia's understudy, this player may just be the gem of Liverpool's season.

Dirk Kuyt, the latest move in the Rafalution, looked lively and seems certain to be a very potent player in the Premiership. Though he didn't get off the mark as widely hoped by the Kopites on the Kop's 100th anniversary, he strung up a couple of key moves, most memorable being a one-touch through pass that almost beat the offside trap.

So the good and bad turned up on Saturday. Obviously, Benitez is no tactical idiot, and I think he has the ability to analyse his mistakes and get on with the next game. It is important that he does so, because the fantastic start that Manchester United have made gives us no time for panting. The marathon has begun.

Sheffield United 1-1 Liverpool: Early days?

2006-08-19T19:04:00.000-07:00

The first game of the season did little to erase the doubts of critics who thought it immature to call Liverpool the true title contenders. Sheffield United piled on the pressure in the first half, while in the second they got hold of a great goal from Rob Hulse due to some very slack defending from Fabio Aurelio.

Gerrard rescued the Reds from the blushes afterwards, with a controversial penalty claim awarded and subsequently converted by the ageing Robbie Fowler - sadly, I am confident enough to back up this claim with his poor showing in this game.

It was a game that Reds fans were looking forward to, with new purchase Craig Bellamy partnering 'God' in the striking positions, but Liverpool never really settled into the game as widely predicted by the pundits.

Hyypia looked nervous and the fans were made to endure even more with the injuries to John Arne Riise and Jamie Carragher, part of the magnificent 22-clean sheet defence last season. Drafting in Fabio Aurelio, a Brazilian recently signed from Valencia as a replacement for Riise was probably the practical solution, but he did little to solve Liverpool's atypical defensive absence in the early part of the game.

Daniel Agger, the young Danish centre-back asked to fill the boots of Carragher, did all right, but probably is still unfamiliar with the English game, even if he was signed in January.

The peculiarity of Rafael Benitez's selection for this game baffled even the 'Keep in mind next week's Champs League game' crowd: Gerrard on the right has always been a controversial decision, but what about Boudewijn Zenden, a player who barely featured (to be fair, he was injured) last season, playing as a centre midfielder? Even the master tactician made a mistake there, I felt.

The strikers did not have the dominating presence unlike against Chelsea, but it was probably because of a lack of support from the midfield itself that was the main problem. Zenden played more defensively than any fan would have liked - probably even Rafa - when Sissoko was supposed to be the wipe-up man, tackling and intercepting instead. This led to Hyypia and Agger doing hopeful long balls and long-range shots respectively - none of that going well with the Liverpool fans, all too familiar with the 'long-ball' Houllier era.

Kromkamp looked unstable against Danny Webber, and somehow he does not look as sharp as he did the previous season. He needs to shape up, or ship out.

Fowler, for all his goals and magic (in the past), looked a jaded figure up front. A poor first touch led to a brilliant build-up with Craig Bellamy being lapped up by the onrushing Paddy Kenny of Sheffield United. I can only imagine that Dirk Kuyt will be playing more football this season.

Stand up to be counted, Liverpool, or it's going to be chase-for-the-title against the Blues once more.

FA Community Shield: Liverpool 2-1 Chelsea

2006-08-14T06:47:00.000-07:00

Will be back later with more post-match comments from Decipher. Top: First-half formation against Chelsea, bottom: second-half formation against Chelsea.

Germany is Liverpudlian

2006-07-01T21:28:00.000-07:00

And who said that the World Cup wasn't romantic anymore? If anything, the Germany v Argentina game highlighted several very important points in football: Take the pedal off your attack against a skilled, determined team in their home turf and you will get into big trouble.

To be fair to Argentina, they were not much worse off than their opponents. Roberto Ayala took advantage of some slack German defending (which was apparent throughout the entire game, unfortunately), and gave his team the lead at the beginning of the second half. This was when everyone thought that the game was over, Maradona would do his usual wild celebrations at the grandstand after the end of the game, and coach Jose Pekerman would raise his right fist in triumph.

Pekerman's decision to take off the Juan Roman Riquelme for Esteban Cambiasso - the wizard for the defender - made his game plan for the rest of the match obvious for all. He thought his defence was good enough to keep a clean sheet and bring them to the semi-final.

It would come back to haunt him - Miroslav Klose would sneak in to score his fifth goal of the tournament after almost half an hour of neverending pressure from the Germans.

As the game slowed and Michael Ballack was seemed like he was only half-there physically, limping throughout the entire period of extra time - and as the penalty shootout approached, Jurgen Klinsmann was seen naming his penalty takers to his assistant manager. And I did catch the word "Ballack" forming from his mouth, believe it or not, and I was surprised at the decision.

But as I saw every single penalty so brilliantly taken by the Germans, roared on by their rapturous home support which have been so critical of them in the past, and Jens Lehmann making destiny happen by blocking Cambiasso's deciding penalty - yes, it seemed so familiar. All so familiar.

Going back to May 2005, when a team in Red not too far from Germany, to a stadium in Istanbul - Liverpool won the European Cup for the fifth time in their history, also roared on by a brilliant support pushed on by blind faith, for their team was 3-0 down at half-time... Who would have imagined that they would have masterminded a return?

Similarly, a German team that few would have believed before the tournament to have made it past the group stages, have exceeded all expectations and knocked out Argentina, a team that has taken the World Cup by storm with a 6-0 victory over Serbia and Montenegro.

Germany, a team led by player legend but unfashioned coach Jurgen Klinsmann, have made it through to the semi-final, and who is to say that football is not romantic? A team made up of youngsters, and having a coach criticised for never being physically at their training sessions, a team who self-destructed with a 4-1 loss to the Italians in a friendly, are going to meet them for real in the semi-final this time, once again.

Germany must be Liverpudlian.

The Next Round Of Predictions

2006-06-26T06:04:00.000-07:00

Unfortunately, Decipher now has to admit that his predictions have not gone as smoothly as he did think it would have been. Portugal have stormed through to the quarter-finals, England continue to stutter through, Ivory Coast failed to qualify for the round of 16, Iran disappointed instead of dazzled, and South Korea and Japan never did manage to show the World that they are no one-hit wonders.

But at least, Germany are through - as predicted - as well as the powerful Argentina, who unfortunately made hard work out of Mexico until Maxi Rodriguez decided to show what he was truly capable of, making a goal out of absolutely nothing at all - making him a legend.

Decipher maintains that he should at least get one prediction correct, however; tonight's game puts one of the pre-tournament favourites Italy against footballing minnows (relatively to their opponents, of course) Australia, champions every single time in Oceania, and I strongly believe (all right, enough of the third-party treatment of myself - "I" is much easier to use than "Decipher" anyway) that an upset is on the cards.

Predicted scoreline: Australia 2-1 Italy (Kewell, Cahill, Toni)

Harry Kewell, who is in the form of his life, will probably torture the defence featuring the ageing Gianluca Zambrotta down the left flank.

And as usual, the suspect Australian defence will resort to strongarm tactics against the technically-superior Italians - Luca Toni and Alberto Gilardino, the powerful strikers of Italy, are likely to find the going much tougher than they thought, but I still fancy one of them piercing Mark Schwarzer's hopes for a clean sheet apart.

But with a midfield supremo like Kewell and Tim Cahill being the goal-poacher, it is highly likely that they will outscore an opponent who is distracted with the league scandals back home that involves almost all the clubs in the highest echelon of Italian football.

Tim Cahill, especially, is enjoying the lightness of the new adidas +Teamgeist ball, and is likely to seize maximum advantage of this. The Italians may boast the best defence in the world in Nesta and Fabio Cannavaro, but they will find it difficult as they will continually be pulled out of position by the omnipotent Kewell and the wily Cahill - he'll soon find long-range shots in the game a blast, so to speak.

OTHER PREDICTED RESULTS:

Switzerland 1-1 Ukraine (Swiss to win on penalties)
Brazil 2-0 Ghana
Spain 3-1 France

QUARTERFINALS:

Germany 3-2 Argentina (after extra-time)
England 1-0 Portugal

More on my predictions later.

How the hell should England play?

2006-06-18T21:49:00.000-07:00

One of the most frustrating and overrated teams of this World Cup must be the from the country who invented football - England.

A rich array of talent from the penalty box to the centre circle does not seem to be able to play effectively as a unit, as we have seen from the previous two games that England have played in; Paraguay controlled the second half while England were so dominant in the first, and Trinidad were truly unlucky not to have anything to show for after the second game.

Gerry Armstrong, Northern Ireland's assistant manager and also a good friend (not fan, I suppose) of England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson, says that England are underperforming because of some bizarre tactical decisions that the Swede has made in the two games.

Let's face it - Eriksson was never a gambler and will probably never be, let alone be a good gambler. Theo Walcott, whom he sacrificed a priceless slot in his squad of 23 for, has not played a game even though he claims that he "knows what he is doing". The obscenely strange decision to continue playing Owen Hargreaves, his idea of a "utility player", truly leaves the football pundit scratching his head with both hands, when I would like to point out that he had a grand total of one touch against Paraguay.

Armstrong recommends that England play a 3-4-3, leaving out the tenacious Frank Lampard together with the fading Michael Owen in the first eleven, and including the speedy Aaron Lennon with Wayne Rooney in the forward line instead.

Not too bad an idea; but is Wayne Rooney totally fit? But doubters might like to consider another question to put this one into perspective: Is Michael Owen really fit?

Alan Hansen, a Liverpool legend in his time, thought Eriksson to have lost his marbles when he took off England's currently most-prolific goalscorer, but I thought it wasn't a wrong decision - he didn't really make a significant contribution to the game.

A better decision, of course, would have been to take him off even before the game started; why waste Theo Walcott or Aaron Lennon, two players who add an extra dimension to England's play on the bench?

I still think Gerrard and Lampard can play for England in the same first XI, though detractors are making some noise following their unconvincing form in the previous two games. But I am going to go a little more Liverpudlian in my team selection: I'd include Jamie Carragher.

No Michael Owen, but he's not fully fit anyway, so I'd rather just use Peter Crouch to the maximum.

1. Paul Robinson: Safe goalkeeper, two clean sheets, no real calamities in between the posts. Verdict: Keep him.

2. Gary Neville: He has truly matured from his goof-prone self. Some good crossing ability as well; should provide Peter Crouch with good service from the right.

3. Ashley Cole: His dribbling abilities make him one of the best left-backs in the world, and together with his namesake Joe, they should wreak havoc down the left flank.

5. Rio Ferdinand and 6. John Terry: These two should be rocks in defence as long as Rio Ferdinand doesn't go back to his error-prone ways as we have seen at Manchester United.

7. David Beckham (captain): The right winger is still exceptional in terms of his crossing ability, though many believe he is overrated. He may be, but there is no doubt he is a matchwinner where set pieces and crossing are concerned.

11. Joe Cole: A right footer on the left wing? Seems to be able to do the job just as well. He has magnificent dribbling ability, good movement off the ball, but must remember to learn to pass. Is prone to "Robbenism" - ball-hogging. He is unpredictable, which spells trouble for the opposition defenders; he can either cut in to the middle or cross through the byline.

15. Jamie Carragher: Why him? The Liverpudlian has shown that he is not afraid to get into the thick of defensive action. His defensive skill should stabilise the entire England backline, which is why I believe he should play further upfield.

4. Steven Gerrard: World-class midfielder who has yet to hit top form in the competition. He needs a role of his own. He can cover for Carragher's weakness in passing by being the link between attack and defence. This means extra responsibility, but I believe Gerrard performs even better under pressure.

8. Frank Lampard: Fox in the box. He should play just behind Peter Crouch, where his range of shooting will trouble any opposition defence. He is the replacement for Paul Scholes for England, hiding behind the striker.

21. Peter Crouch: "Robo-Crouch" has played himself into the England team, but his finishing is still suspect. This is where his teamwork will come useful - a few passes to Frank Lampard will prove deadly against the opposition.

Of course Eriksson won't read my blog, but this is what I recommend to him - just a few slight modifications to make the midfield playing to its strengths. I am confident England will win the World Cup with this formation.

Wait, isn't that what Eriksson said?

Technorati Tags: world cup, liverpool, soccer, england, eriksson

World Cup 'Preport' - The Round of 16 Onwards

2006-06-08T07:58:00.000-07:00

ROUND OF 16

( 1 ) GERMANY 2-0 PARAGUAY: I am betting on the home team to go
through with relative ease.

( 2 ) COSTA RICA 1-2 ENGLAND: Just edging it out as usual are England,
who will probably still be without the very important Wayne Rooney.

( 3 ) IVORY COAST 1-0 MEXICO: A hard-fought game between two very
tough sides, but once again I take the brilliance of the individual striker to
settle the scores.

( 4 ) ARGENTINA 2-0 IRAN: No more fairytale ride for the Asians as
they fall to the might of the youthful talented squad.

( 5 ) ITALY 2-0 JAPAN: Japan power? Probably not. Italy will most
likely see them off.

( 6 ) BRAZIL 2-1 GHANA: The rocks of Ghana might just put off the
Brazilians, but the extra time might still give Brazil the edge to the next
round.

( 7 ) FRANCE 3-1 UKRAINE: Yes, France is going to go much further than
the first round, where they stumbled in the 2002 World Cup.

( 8 ) SOUTH KOREA 0-1 SPAIN: The Spanish team is going to avenge their
loss to the same team in the 2002 World Cup semi-finals. And they are going to
succeed.

QUARTER-FINALS

( A ) GERMANY 2-0 IVORY COAST: The might of the Germans, especially on
their home soil, must not be underestimated. This is a tough game for the
Ivorians, who should feel grateful that they have done so well on their debut.

( B ) ENGLAND 1-0 ARGENTINA: This might be where Theo Walcott becomes
the wildcard for the English team.

( C ) ITALY 0-1 FRANCE: No easy ride to pair up these two teams, but I
predict France to have the quality (and the strength and unity) to take charge
and knock Italy out of the World Cup and back to their scandal investigations.

( D ) BRAZIL 2-2 SPAIN (Spain to go through on penalties): A tough
game? Definitely. An entertaining one as well - let me be daring and say that
Spain are going to take control of this game instead of the five-time World
champions. It is going to be Spain through, but only by a whisker in the
penalty shootout.

SEMI-FINALS

GERMANY 0-0 ENGLAND (Germany to go through on penalties): It is going
to be no classic. Expect rough tackles from both sides, stray passes and a
boring aerial game, after which the extra time is going to be about whether
Michael Ballack is more fit than Steven Gerrard - but home support should give
the Germans the edge in this penalty-shootout.

FRANCE 2-1 SPAIN: Thierry Henry will provide the magical spark to take
away the chance of a first World Cup for the Spaniards. It is going to be a
close game, and I predict Spain to score first, but France will probably seize
the advantage late in the game. Zizou will conjure up his usual routine of
playmaker tricks that will dazzle even the least of France fans.

FINAL

GERMANY 1-0 FRANCE (Golden Goal):

What a way to end the World Cup.
This game will send Michael Ballack into tears, and he will probably eat his
words at the press conference later about Germany "not having enough
talent". France will feel hard done by, but they already have a World Cup,
right?

World Cup 'Preport'

2006-06-08T05:08:00.000-07:00

The World Cup 2006 Results According to Decipher

GROUP A (Germany, Costa Rica, Poland, Ecuador)

PREDICTED POSITIONS

Germany
Costa Rica
Ecuador
Poland

Germany 4-2 Costa Rica: Paulo Wanchope and his brigade will certainly
catch the German defence flat-footed, but Ballack and the resilient Germans will
find a way.

Poland 0-0 Ecuador: No Emmanuel Olisadebe, probably nothing much to
expect from this game for Poland. Ecuador don't look good enough to score
either, especially against a defence that contains the capable Thomas Kusczcak.

Germany 2-0 Poland: This will probably be a game where the Germans
will become more familiar with their defence and midfield. Probably goals from
Lukas Podolski and Ballack will seal this.

Ecuador 1-2 Costa Rica: A tough game to predict, but it might be Ivan
Kaviedes to break the goal duck for Ecuador, but Costa Rica getting the upper
hand afterwards with their technically capable squad.

Ecuador 1-3 Germany: Should be no problem for the Germans on home
soil, with the Ecuador team still suffering from the defeat against Costa Rica.

Costa Rica 3-2 Poland: Probably an interesting game to watch for
second place, but I believe the Costa Ricans will get it.

GROUP B (England, Paraguay, Trinidad and Tobago, Sweden)

PREDICTED POSITIONS

England
Paraguay
Sweden
Trinidad

England 1-0 Paraguay: Looks set to be a difficult game that can only
be settled either from a David Beckham free-kick or a Frank Lampard penalty.

Trinidad 1-1 Sweden: Zlatan Ibrahimovic should lead an above-average
Sweden team to a draw against unfancied Trinidad, where Dwight Yorke looks good
for a goal.

England 3-0 Trinidad: A rout in Nuremberg looks highly possible in
this game, where England should step up a gear and see off their opponents.

Sweden 2-2 Paraguay: The speed of Paraguay looks to be their biggest
advantage against a Sweden team that looks a little off the pace.

Paraguay 3-2 Trinidad: This looks set to be the most interesting game
of the group, where both teams focus much more on their attacking capability
rather than a defensive, balanced approach.

Sweden 0-0 England: Boring, boring showdown, but it should be just
enough to see England through to the next round.

GROUP C (Argentina, Ivory Coast, Serbia and Montenegro, Holland)

PREDICTED POSITIONS

Ivory Coast
Argentina
Holland
Serbia

Argentina 2-2 Ivory Coast: Didier Drogba will match up for every
single Argentina player, and every scorer for Argentina as well.

Serbia 1-2 Holland: Surely, this is the time for the Dutch players to
stand up and be counted. I believe Dirk Kuyt will be one player to watch in this
tournament.

Argentina 1-0 Serbia: Serbia will find it difficult trying to break
down a defence led by the superb Roberto Ayala, but on the other side it is
going to be Hernan Crespo or Andres D'Alessandro to do the damage.

Holland 1-2 Ivory Coast: It is a tough decision to make - but the
Ivory Coast look good for a place for the Round of 16, and this is where it all
starts - by beating Holland.

Holland 2-2 Argentina: I believe that this game is going to be a
classic - a battle of total football. Dirk Kuyt and Ruud van Nistelrooy for the
Oranje, but definitely with more than enough firepower, Argentina are going to
bounce back from the goals by the powerful strikers.

Ivory Coast 1-0 Serbia: Is it going to be Didier Drogba? I believe so,
yes, yes, yes.

GROUP D (Mexico, Iran, Angola, Portugal)

PREDICTED POSITIONS

Iran
Mexico
Portugal
Angola

Mexico 0-1 Iran: Rafael Marquez will not be happy about my prediction,
but I predict that the Asian qualifiers, who have only appeared in the World Cup
twice, that this will be only their second victory in the World Cup.

Angola 0-3 Portugal: Angola is going to go home happy knowing that
they've only been thrashed 3-0 against their neighbours.

Mexico 3-0 Angola: Mexico will recover strongly from their defeat
against Iran with this win against minnows Angola.

Portugal 1-1 Iran: Ali Daei will probably get a goal in this encounter
against the Portugese, who should pull a goal back through their strong forward
line.

Portugal 1-2 Mexico: This should be a game that seals Portugal's fate
- an early return back to the land of egg tarts.

Iran 4-0 Angola: This will be a show of what I believe will be Asia's
best-performing team at the World Cup.

GROUP E (USA, Czech Republic, Italy, Ghana)

PREDICTED POSITIONS

Italy
Ghana
Czech
USA

USA 2-2 Czech Republic: Landon Donovan? No problem, it seems that the
Americans have forgotten about the legendary status of the Czech midfield - one
member we know of is named Pavel Nedved.

Italy 2-2 Ghana: The first round will probably end without a
conclusion with the Ghanaians matching the Italians for strength in midfield as
well as technical ability.

Italy 2-1 USA: Thanks to goalkeeping heroics of the brilliant Brad
Friedel, the Americans won't lose by a heavy scoreline.

Czech Republic 0-1 Ghana: The Czech Republic is almost certainly going
to be outpaced by a young and athletic Ghana, with the midfield spearheaded by
the tenacious Michael Essien.

Czech Republic 1-1 Italy: Doesn't seem that there's going to be
anything out of this one, except for a share of the spoils.

Ghana 0-0 USA: The very probable scenario is the failure to break
through the well-organised midfield that holds the midfield general Michael
Essien.

GROUP F (Australia, Japan, Brazil, Croatia)

PREDICTED POSITIONS

Brazil
Japan
Croatia
Australia

Australia 1-1 Japan: Zico's team should be able to hold the
Australians, who play a unique style of "football" that seems more
similar to rugby, with strong tackling and hard muscle play.

Brazil 2-1 Croatia: A difficult game for Brazil to start, but
certainly they have the ability to finish off the European side.

Japan 1-0 Croatia: It is a possible scenario: Japan winning this
critical game that can tip the group either way.

Brazil 2-0 Australia: My prediction: One penalty, one free kick. It
will be the result of the reckless challenges by Australia's Lucas Neill, who is
renowned for his breaking Milan Baros' leg as well as injuring Jamie Carragher.

Japan 0-3 Brazil: The real stuff to be played by Brazil to teach Asia
a lesson in football.

Croatia 1-0 Australia: This might be a hard-fought victory that will
send both teams packing up for home.

GROUP G (South Korea, Togo, France, Switzerland)

PREDICTED POSITIONS

France
South Korea
Switzerland
Togo

South Korea 2-0 Togo: This should be a professional victory against
the debutants Togo.

France 1-0 Switzerland: It's going to be difficult against a resilient
Switzerland side, but I predict the 1998 World Cup winners to win it
convincingly, even though it is not by the scoreline.

France 1-0 South Korea: This is going to be a more difficult game than
they had against the Swiss, but I predict once again that the French have just
enough to edge out Dick Advocaat's side.

Togo 1-1 Switzerland: Togo should have enough quality to get
themselves their first point in the World Cup, while Switzerland will be left
ruing at their missed opportunity to catch up with the leaders.

Switzerland 1-3 South Korea: No miracle on the last day as South Korea
should be able to see off the Swiss in some style.

Togo 0-3 France: This is going to be the game where France finally
shows their power after Djibril Cisse's unfortunate last-minute withdrawal from
the competition with a broken leg.

GROUP H (Spain, Ukraine, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia)

PREDICTED POSITIONS

Spain
Ukraine
Tunisia
Saudi Arabia

Spain 2-1 Ukraine: Andriy Shevchenko's team will dent the shields of
the Spanish defence but the talented squad should have more than enough to make
up for the consolation goal scored by the Ukraine.

Tunisia 2-0 Saudi Arabia: The Tunisians with their previous Cup
experience should have enough quality to see off a Saudi Arabian side that
hasn't seen much improvement.

Saudi Arabia 1-3 Ukraine: Ukraine should come back strongly in this
game after succumbing to Spain.

Spain 1-0 Tunisia: Raul will make this game a memorable one.

Ukraine 1-0 Tunisia: The unfortunate Tunisians will be unable to
resurrect themselves here as Ukraine should go through with ease.

Saudi Arabia 0-2 Spain: If all goes well tactically (which I predict
it will), Spain will get themselves the winner's spot in Group H.

Keep What Is Needed!

2006-06-04T06:52:00.000-07:00

So the week ends with Rafael Benitez signing a new contract that lasts for the next four years - what better news for the Liverpool fan?

At least, after the second season when Benitez has taken the reins, we have seen visible improvement in our standard of football, as well as our silverware - it didn't come all at once, contrary to the Gerard Houllier era - but nor is it drying up.

If you can compare Benitez's system to an animal, it has to be a tortoise - the same one that won the race against the hare. (I like to say that there is a Big Blue Hare in the English Premiership that everyone would like to catch up on, but Benitez's Tortoise looks set to do its steady pace next season.) He loves to speak of consistency; "the next game" is always what he quotes, what he thinks of. One cup a season is better than five in one, then nothing else to show for the rest of his charge. Right?

In the meantime Djibril Cisse (above) seems unsettled at Merseyside - he has even pleaded ex-manager and the actual person who initiated the transfer, Gerard Houllier (who seems to have done whatever he couldn't do with Liverpool at Olympique Lyon), to save him from his scuttling ship at the Liverpool harbour.

Apparently, Benitez doesn't want anything to do with a striker who thinks of nothing but himself and not the team.

Granted, Cisse does have some ability, but he has so far been unable to justify his record-signing status. We might as well have spent the money on cheaper alternatives. A Spanish forward that cost us slightly more than one-third of Cisse's transfer fee has scored double the goals that Cisse has done - his name is Luis Garcia.

Cisse the complainer as well, I hear - doesn't like being on the bench, doesn't like the right wing, doesn't like Benitez - who the hell does he like, then?

Sell him and get us a more talented player, which isn't too difficult, given Rafa's scouting credentials.

Peter Crouch looks in goalscoring form at last! Alas, it is not for the Reds, but for the Three Lions - he hit a hat-trick yesterday against a forlorn-looking Jamaica.

He displayed his awfully weird goal celebration (which involves a decent bit of twisting and turning a la Robocop) that hit even Joe Cole with bemusement.

For the Liverpool fan, there will be no problem having to stomach the embarrassing celebrations. As long as he keeps scoring, I wouldn't mind seeing it day and night!

I take back my words.

Liverpool 1-0 Blackburn: We need a striker

2005-10-15T23:41:00.000-07:00

Does Rafa have a real, true-Red goalscorer in his squad?

If Djibril Cisse is a striker, then how did he miss almost ten goalscoring opportunities before finally landing himself the only goal in the game?

If Fernando Morientes is a striker, how did he miss those golden chances? A time not so long ago, he was part of a Real Madrid team that scored goals for fun.

And the big question that looms large across Anfield is: Is Peter Crouch a striker or a support man? He did have some nice touches in the first half but even for his two-metre frame, disappeared into the wilderness before he was substituted for Morientes later.

We need to learn to score goals, fast.

I agree with Steve Darby, guest analyst and himself a Liverpudlian, that Liverpool dominated the game in terms of possession and chances created - but finishing wise they were as wasteful as ever.

Djimi Traore, seemingly unable to forget the nightmare of the Chelsea game, did not look particularly stable playing as a centre-back.

The only bright spark was probably the enthusiasm of Boudewijn Zenden - the left-winger showed his class with a brilliant curling free-kick that hit the post.

Who says we don't need Joaquin? Our right-wing lacked ideas and width yesterday - Steve Finnan, himself a natural right-back, is not a permanent solution. Luis Garcia, for all his goals, cannot conjure consistency down the flank because of his weakness in keeping possession.

Like Xabi Alonso, whom I thought played too defensively for my liking yesterday, I hope that Rafa brings in players that bring in width - and skill - to the squad. But the immediate goal definitely has to be GOALS.

Please stand up to be counted, whether you're Djibril, Nando, Florent, Peter or even, STEVEN.

Liverpool 1-4 Chelsea: What the hell?

2005-10-05T04:02:00.000-07:00

Baffled fans will want to ask for somebody's head as Liverpool crashed to a 4-1 defeat against Premiership champions Chelsea.

As a Pool fan myself I was horrified by what had seemed an impregnable defence against other teams just breaking apart with the Didier Drogba moves that threw Jamie Carragher and Sami Hyypia into wretched disarray.

The penalty conceded, of course, was definitely the mistakes of a man who is becoming so synonymous with a Liverpool defeat: Djimi Traore. The left-back scored a magnificent own-goal that gifted Burnley the win in the FA Cup third round, and this time he showed that being older than Warnock meant that he was anywhere better (or near) his standard. He first missed a glaring header from the opposition which resulted in an attempted clearance that only hit a Chelsea player, ending his disastrous misadventure with a poorly-timed tackle in the penalty box.

Jose 'Pepe' Reina was unfortunate with the resulting penalty which he almost saved, but that did not discount the Liverpool defence from doing a poor job.

Steven Gerrard paved the way for Liverpool to win the game with a nicely-slotted equaliser in the middle of the first half, but sloppy defending allowed Damien Duff to dribble through to the penalty area and score from a miskick to the bottom corner.

Liverpool fans were treated to high-tempo football, a show of great strength - but unfortunately, not from the team they support, but from the Blues of Russian Oil, who continued to torment our holed defence and score two more goals.

There was no determination in our play - and Chelsea had that.

There was no creativity in our play - and Chelsea, as much as I hate to admit, had that.

There was no finishing in our play - and Chelsea had that.

Are you listening, Rafael Benitez?