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Bye, Bye, Bye - Sissoko

I wish him all the best but Momo Sissoko isn’t a player I’m going to miss at Liverpool

He arrived in a torrent of praise at Anfield, played well for the club when he had the chance but he’s nowhere near the level of Gerrard, Alonso and Mascherano.

When he was injured, I didn’t miss him.

When he wasn’t getting picked this season, I didn’t miss him.

Now that he’s off to Juventus, I still won’t miss him. But he’s young, just younger than I am, and at least he got to score for the club before he left (remember the Sunderland goal?).

Somewhere in the region of 8.2 million the Italians have paid for his services so that’s not too bad - more cash to splash on getting Mascherano to the club full time. Hopefully, for his sake, he sees more action in Serie A than he did in the Premier League this season.

His move also represents a near 3 million pound profit. Perhaps through the Champions League he’ll cross paths with Liverpool once again.

Popularity: 19% [?]

Liverpool Team vs Havant And Waterlooville

Just about the head to kickoff against Havant in the 4th round of the FA cup and here’s the Liverpool team for the day.

Itandje, Finnan, Riise, Hyypia, Skrtel, Mascherano, Lucas, Benayoun, Pennant, Crouch, Babel.

Rafa must be feeling confident ahead of the game - Carragher, Crouch, Kuyt and Gerrard all resting on the bench alongside David Martin.

Martin Skrtel makes his full Liverpool debut while Ryan Babel and Peter Crouch will lead the attack, for the first half at least.

Popularity: 6% [?]

Finnan Announces International Retirement

At 31 years old, Steve Finnan has announced he is to retire from the Irish national scene.

Given that the only major tournament we’ve featured in in recent years is the World Cup in 2002, I can’t really blame him. Ireland failed to make the grade for Germany 2006 and under Steve Staunton failed to make the cut for Euro 2008.

Steve will be 34 come the World Cup in 2010 and he reckons that now is the right time to step down, even if Ireland make it through their tough qualifying group for 2010. Finnan has picked up 50 caps while playing for Ireland.

In an interview this morning, Finnan leaves the Irish fold with heavy criticism of former Irish manager Brian Kerr who he says preferred Steven Carr to himself in right back and if there was a game on he was usually played out of position or not at all, not giving him a fair crack of the whip under the Kerr regime.

It means more of a concentration on his role at Anfield, which will hopefully go on for some time.

Popularity: 12% [?]

Liverpool Vs Aston Villa (Team)

Liverpool are just about to kick off against Aston Villa and here’s the team for tonight.

Reina, Arbeloa, Aurelio, Hyypia, Carragher, Mascherano, Gerrard, Benayoun and Harry Kewell while Fernando Torres and Dirk Kuyt start up front.

On the bench are Itandje, Alonso, Crouch, Babel and Martin Skrtel who will make his Liverpool debut if he comes on.

There was a protest march before the game against the American owners handling of club affairs while there are some fairly targeted chants going up around the stadium and the Kop end.

All adds up for a great game atmosphere though.

For live updates during the game, keep an eye on the homepage or see the ‘Game Day‘ section of the site.

Popularity: 8% [?]

Liverpool Vs Aston Villa Tonight

It was one thing to see Man City ahead of Liverpool in the table but after last night it is Everton AND Manchester City who sit atop Liverpool in the Premier League.

So we’re currently in sixth spot, a win tonight would have us back to fourth, still with a game in hand over the rest of the top four and it’s Aston Villa who provide the opposition.

A win for Villa though would propel them up the table and leave Liverpool seventh with only a game in hand and we’re 15 points off the top of the table as it is.

Negativity aside there is a bright point or two in the game. Martin Skrtel is looking set to get his Liverpool debut though this hasn’t been confirmed. He’s been doing well on the training ground, spending time before the weekend training alongside Jamie Carragher - could he start in place of Sami Hyypia? Would be nice to have him make an appearance, but at this stage of proceedings it’s more important to get the job done right don’t you think?

Mind you, we’re without Daniel Agger until the middle of February, or so it seems, so maybe some fresh legs in the heart of the defence will do the trick at this point of the season.

Since he’s currently on loan at Villa, Scott Carson won’t have to face the wrath of Torres, Kuyt & co. due to his loan contract so Stuart Taylor is going to deputise in his place. Villa’s only injury doubt for the game looks to be skipper Gareth Barry though he’s likely to pull through a bruised pelvis to take to the pitch tonight.

Going into tonight’s game, Villa are on the back of 3 straight wins in the league while Liverpool take three straight draws with them, disappointing when you think the difference that those six extra points could be making ahead of tonight’s game, at least providing more of cushion for a start.

But we’re not about sitting back and resting are we? Fighting tooth and nail for a top four finish is more like it so I’m expecting a Liverpool win. Torres and Crouch to start would be a decent move, perhaps bringing on both Kuyt and Voronin during the game, get a bit of pace and variety in there.

Above all else it’s vital to take three points. A fourth draw would be a waste of one of the two games we have in hand, a single point doing nothing for Liverpool in the short term, leaving us tied with Villa.

Give us the three points, give us back fourth place and let’s go unbeaten for the remainder of the season, with wins please - no draws).

Popularity: 22% [?]

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: 48% [?]

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: 41% [?]

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: 56% [?]

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: 38% [?]

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: 51% [?]

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