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Hicks Quick To Calm Sales Talk At Liverpool

The January sales, in soccer terms, are supposed to be about players - not clubs. So it’s amazing to read this evening that there’s reports flying around about Tom Hicks looking to sell his 50% stake in Liverpool, likely to DIC (Dubai) who had failed in an attempted purchase of the club this time last year.

So what’s the story then?

First off it looked like the fans (excluding myself from this one) were turning on Rafa after a string of mediocre results; then the fans back Rafa and tell the Americans to have faith; then the fans turn on the Americans and ask DIC to come in?

It’s also now understood that the American tycoons between them are refinancing the loan they used to buy Liverpool FC last year - maybe a step too far for them as it was known they would have to combine forces at the very least if they were going to buy out the club.

I can understand the fan’s frustration too, myself included in this one. I’ve no doubt that Rafa Benitez is the right man for the job at Anfield, none whatsoever. Ever since taking over from Gerard Houiller I think he’s been nothing short of magnificent. Some players have fully adapted to his ways, some still adapting, others he lets get on with the job.

Rafa can’t solely be blamed for the recent results which caused Hicks and Gillette to “explore” managerial options; you have to take everything into account, especially the media circus surrounding Rafa and the club’s owners and the impact it’s having on the team. Then again, last week we had the revealing of Hicks’ contract offer to Klinsmann before he took the Bayern post, “just in case” being the American’s paraphrased response.

DIC won’t deny they’re looking to make a bid for Hicks’ share, but they won’t confirm it either. For tonight, he’s adamant (or so says the spokesperson for the club’s owners) that there’s no sale whatsoever.

It would be pretty disastrous if there was.

Why can’t they just left Rafa and the team get along? You invest in the club, you invest in the squad, and now you want to go mucking it up by firing one of the most successful Liverpool managers in recent times mid season?

I still hope that the investment in the club was made for the good of the Liverpool. Liverpool Football Club isn’t something that can be passed around like a token or a dodgy pack of Merlin stickers. Andy Harvey makes a great post as well on Liverpool being in the wrong hands…

What do you reckon?

Popularity: 40% [?]

Liverpool Romp To Win Over Luton

If you’re going to be forced into a replay on home soil against a League One side, then you better give them a Premier League reception. That, last night, is exactly what Liverpool did as they romped their way to a 5-0 victory over Luton.

After a disappointing draw at the weekend against ‘Boro, a win was vital here to keep the FA Cup chances alive, likely setting up a 4th round clash with Swansea if they can get back non-league side Havant & Waterlooville.

There was no fear of “more of the same”, Liverpool pressing forward when the chances presented themselves, all the way to the brink of half time before Ryan Babel opened the scoring in extra time in the first half with a sweet strike from the right of the box. (Video here while available)

After that it was one way traffic.

Seven minutes into the second half, Peter Crouch directed a great header from the far post back into the centre of the box to the on-rushing Gerrard who had no problem powering a header of his own into the back of the net. Five minutes later and after two attempts with crosses from Gerrard to Hyypia’s head, the big Finn got under Gerrard’s corner from the left to slice the ball into the back of the net and make it 3-0.

While Jamie Carragher was making his 500th Liverpool appearance, the remainder of the half would belong to Steven Gerrard, the skipper grabbing his second and Liverpool’s fourth when a strike by Fernando Torres rebounded into the path of Gerrard, no problem lashing home from inside the edge of the box. (Video here while available).

The fifth was trademark Gerrard - 25 yards out and you could see the goal before it even left his foot. 3 goals in 19 minutes for Stevie (video) and the first Liverpool hat trick in the FA Cup since 1996.

Roll on round four.

Popularity: 36% [?]

Swansea Or Havant For Liverpool In FA Cup

I’m expecting Liverpool to beat Luton on Tuesday week at Anfield, therefore I’m expecting that the fourth round tie will see Liverpool play Swansea at Anfield on the last weekend in January.

Swansea, top of League One, drew with non-league side Havant & Waterlooville at the weekend and have to take the Blue Square South side on again next week, a fixture I reckon they’ll make sure of second time around. As will Liverpool.

The Swansea draw at the weekend was marred by violent scenes on the pitch, Havant’s Brett Poate and Swansea captain Alan Tate both seeing red cards. Andy Robinson’s free kick gave Swansea the lead on the 73rd minute before Havant pulled back a late goal thanks to Rocky Baptiste.

Highlights of the fourth round include a potential clash between Arsenal and Newcastle while Man United will face the winners of Spurs vs Reading. The draw in full looks as follows -

• Arsenal v Stoke City/Newcastle
• Coventry v Walsall/Millwall
• Oldham v Huddersfield Town
• Swindon/Barnet v Fulham/Bristol Rovers
• Wigan v Chelsea
• Luton/Liverpool v Swansea/Havant & Waterlooville
• Southend v Barnsley
• Southampton v Norwich/Bury
• Man Utd v Tottenham/Reading
• Portsmouth v Plymouth
• Derby/Sheff Wed v Preston
• Watford vWolves
• Peterborough v Charlton/West Brom
• Sheff Utd v West Ham/Man City
• Mansfield v Middlesbrough
• Tranmere/Hereford v Cardiff

Popularity: 47% [?]

Agger Is Danish Player Of The Year

He might not have played for Liverpool for almost four months, or kicked a football for that matter, but Daniel Agger has been named as Denmark’s Footballer of the Year for 2007.

Christian Poulsen (Seville) was the main opposition but having taken the majority of his countrymen’s votes, including players and coaches from the top two Danish divisions and Danish players plying their trade abroad, this award should be a big boost for Liverpool man set to come back as he’s most needed.

Agger follows in the footsteps of the likes of the Laudrup brothers and Peter Schmeichel. To pick the award up at this age is a great mark for a solid defender who will hopefully be wearing a Liverpool jersey for many years to come.

Popularity: 35% [?]

Liverpool Draw With Luton, Replay On The Cards

Just shy of a two years ago today, Liverpool beat Luton Town 5-3 in the same fixture. When the final whistle went, you’d wonder what the presence of Steven Gerrard, Pepe Reina and Fernando Torres would have done for Liverpool today, the Reds tying 1-1 with Luton Town in the FA Cup.

The result is perfect for cash-strapped Luton who will be totting up potential gate receipts from an Anfield FA Cup clash that is likely to feature a stronger Liverpool side.

When it comes to the FA Cup, you can never discount the smaller sides - in some cases there’s no such thing as a “smaller side”. For 90 minutes on a particular day, each team takes on a new persona, such is the way with the premier domestic trophy in the UK. While on paper it should have been a clear win for Liverpool, it wasn’t the case on the pitch.

The first half presented several chances for both sides and could have easily seen Luton going into the half with the lead but for Charles Itandje. The second half would yield more of the same until shortly after the 70 minute mark when Peter Crouch found himself facing an empty net, no hesitation in slotting the ball home.

1-0 to Liverpool and with 13 minutes remaining in the game, everything looked rosy. Andriy Voronin had come on to the pitch, been involved in the setup for the first goal but the joy was shortlived, John Arne Riise helping the ball into the back of the Liverpool net to tie the game with those 13 minutes remaining. Dave Edwards will likely take the credit for the goal that set up the replay but Riise certainly helped in it.

The replay is set for Tuesday week, January 15th, 8pm at Anfield.

Popularity: 41% [?]

Live: Luton 1 - 1 Liverpool (Riise OG, 77)

Looks like a John Arne Riise own goal, Luton back in the game only 4 minutes after Peter Crouch opened the scoring for Liverpool. Some disaster.

The pressure was on and Riise shunted the ball into the Liverpool goal. With the teams neck and neck to this point we could be looking at a replay at Anfield unless Liverpool step it up a few gears.

Popularity: 21% [?]

Live: Luton 0 - 1 Liverpool (Crouch 73)

Peter Crouch has opened the scoring for Liverpool with just over a quarter of an hour left to play at Kenilworth Road. Brill had pulled off a stop from Andriy Voronin and Crouch was there to fire into an empty net.

Popularity: 6% [?]

No Score At Half Time Against Luton

They might be in League One but Luton are holding their own against Liverpool this evening, the score currently goalless at Kenilworth Road.

Liverpool will do well not to let frustration set in and get complacent in the second half. Both sides have had their chances but both have also failed to break the deadlock. So far, Xabi Alonso is the only booking, coming just before the half time whistle.

Dave Edwards almost made it 1-0 to Luton but for Itandje maintaining good composure. Introducing Voronin in the second half may not be a bad idea at all, get a bit of pace up front and spice up the attack.

Hopefully the second half will be that bit brighter.

Popularity: 16% [?]

Liverpool Team Vs Luton (FA Cup)

January brings with it new beginnings, and Liverpool start their FA Cup run today. Anything short of a convincing win by the Reds over Luton would be disappointing.

The last time the sides clashed there were goals everywhere - for both teams. Hopefully Charles Itandje can stop Luton getting past him this afternoon.

Rafa has again rang in the big changes, a lot coming in the form of injuries to Steven Gerrard, Alvaro Arbeloa and Fabio Aurelio. Alvaro’s absence sees Sami Hyypia return from injury, joining skipper for the day, Jaime Carragher in the back. Lucas Leiva joins Xabi Alonso in the heart of midfield while Dirk Kuyt starts up front alongside Peter Crouch. Pepe Reina and Fernando Torres enjoy the day off.

The team in full looks like this -

Charles Itandje, Steve Finnan, John Arne Riise, Jamie Carragher, Sami Hyypia, Lucas, Xabi Alonso, Yossi Benayoun, Ryan Babel, Peter Crouch and Dirk Kuyt. On the bench are David Martin, Jack Hobbs, Javier Mascherano, El Zhar and Andriy Voronin.

Popularity: 7% [?]

Blogging Returns, Wigan Take A Point

I’m back after an internetless Christmas break (almost two weeks) in which Liverpool have disappointed a bit and let their hold on league leaders Arsenal slip further away.

Tonight, Liverpool had the task of hosting Wigan in a late kick off and it’s finished a 1-1, Torres opening the scoring early in the second half with the help of Stevens’ Finnan and Gerrard before Titus Bramble bagged a leveller for Steve Bruce’s side with ten minutes to go.

The win is the first time that Wigan have taken a point against Liverpool and any one of the top four Premier League sides and leaves us 12 points off the lead with just a single game in hand.

Poor defending gifted Bramble the opportunity to level the scores late in the game with Sami Hyypia again missing from the defence, along with Daniel Agger whose return at this stage can’t come quick enough.

The first half of the game was reasonable enough, a few chances for both sides but nothing major and the break of the game welcome on arrival. Whatever was said at half time did the trick in the opening minutes of the second half, Torres laying off to Gerrard who hooked up with Steve Finnan, returning the ball for Torres to fire home for his 16th of the season. Next thing you know, it’s the 80 minute mark and Titus Bramble is free on the edge of the box to rifle home Steven Gerrard’s clearance. Disaster.

The introduction of Kuyt and / or Crouch should have come earlier in the game than it did, preferably straight after the first goal with a chance to move on for a second but in the end there wasn’t enough time to get any chance together to redeem the game.

So much for a bright start to the New Year.

Popularity: 39% [?]

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