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For our trip to QPR, we are at full strength with only 2 positional changes. Pongolle takes up position next to Nando with Crouch warming the bench and D' Allesandro takes over in the AMC position. It was maybe 2 changes to many as QPR condemn Liverpool to only their 3 defeat of the season and totally against the run of play. 2-1 was the score with a disallowed goal and 11 shots on target. One of those games where you should never lose after dominating like that, but its called life...and footy.

On a happy note, we welcome back Reina, Garcia and Cisse after long term injuries. They will all slowly work for places in the side and get much needed fitness and game time.

The Blades make the trip to NA with determination after a string of good results that see them 2nd in the table only 7 pts behind Liverpool. A victory either way can close it to 4 or stretch it to 10, these are the make or break games that determine a season. Reina gets a start after injury. Hofland comes in for the injured Agger and Garcia is suspended for getting a red in the reserve game. 16 goal Cisse also comes into the side to carry on his good work although it may take him tome to settle after a long lay off. Pongolle also replaces D' Allesandro in the starting line up.

Back to winning ways for the table toppers with a 2-0 win thanks to goals from Pongolle and Nando. Both Reina and Cisse came through unscathed and it look as though their injury woes are behind them. We just need to test Garcia and make sure we back to full strength.

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Young defender Borrowdale from Palace is my main target and is a player who will do well at the Reds in time to come. With Hyypia already 33, we need an able replacement and Borrowdale will be the one to fill his boots. With over 10 u/21 caps and a few goals, he belongs to come to the PL with Liverpool. Offers of 500k, 750k, 1 million, 1 million with a 20% sell on clause have all been rejected and we now await a 1.5 million bid. With over 5 million in the kitty, he will be a Liverpool player sooner rather than later.

With Blackpool in 17th position, there were few people who expected any other result in the game and that all the pts should stay with the home side Liverpool. The defense needed a reshuffle with injuries. Riise and Finnan took the flanks and Hyypia was joined by Carra in the middle. Garcia also got a start after injury and suspension.

In another sorid twist to the must win games, Nando scores a late equaliser to rescue a point and help the Reds draw for the first time this season.

All in all, not a great month with only 4 pts from 9 and the biggest test of the season v Chelski still to come.

Chelski come to NA for the first time. In the past at old Anfield there were always battles. With Chelski now been run by the Roman mafia, they had the money and dominated. Liverpool played a full strength side in a comp they so need to do well in to get revenue for the club who has steadily lost income due to big wages and running costs and are sitting on a palty 450k in the bank which will soon be gobbled up. Never mind to mention that the Chelski squad boasted Drogba, SWP, Robbem, Essien, Terry, Gallas, Cole, Eidur, Chivu and Cech.

Things really started to look ominous for the home side when Drogba scored after just 4 minutes. And then as suddenly as they were under pressure, they rose abve it all and turned the game around with a brace from Cisse and Garcia to take the score to 3-1 at the break. In the 2nd half, Chelski tried all they could and it was that man that all fans were waiting to fire on all cylinders again Cisse who for the hat-trick and the game ball and the path into the next round. a convincing 4-1 win v Chelski. The fans in the terraces were singing 'You will never walk alone' and then broke out into 'We did it again to the mafia, so sorry to Jose and Roman'.

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Not surprisingly, at the end of the short month, no players or management had any chance of recognition for good work. The worst month since we had been in the C. Our only consolation was that we thrashed Chelski, there would still be lots to do though with Gooners and ManUre still in the LC. Lucky, if that, we drew Vill away in the 1/4 finals and will have a tough job to make the semi finals.

December was going to be make or break for the squad, and a squad is what would have to be used. 8 games in the month including the away game to Villa and the December games and top of the table clashes to boot.

Although Coventry were lowly in the table, with out Gerrard suspended and Kewell injured, it would always be a tough task to go to get all 3 pts. And a tough task it was and still coming home empty handed. Liverpool twice rallied back into contention only to lose 4-3 to the Sky Blues. It becoming evident that the January transfer will bring a 1 or 2 new faces and see a couple go. There needs to be a shake up if Liverpool want to win the league and go home to the PL.

Liverpool will also face a tough away task to Leicester of the C.

Palace seem to be holding out to keep unhappy Borrowdale with a 2 million bid rejected. Palace eventually accept a 2.5 million bid for the player and with personal terms a formality, Borrowdale will be coming to NA in January.

With a home game v bottom side Doncaster, the Reds have put out all the squad players to get a run and give a much needed rest to the main players in the side. Pongolle who was subbed in the Coventry game for bad performance makes up for it with a first half brace. After the break, Cisse on for the injured Zenden makes it 3-0 and thats how it stays. Back to winning ways for the table toppers.

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With bad news that Zenden and Kewell are out for a month each, it is made lighter that Borrowdale has agreed to personal terms and will debut for Liverpool in January. Hamann also returns to the squad after a lay off.

Our next challenge is Palace away and a game v Borrowdale before he joins the Reds. Palace are 6 pts behind in 2nd and have gone 5 games unbeaten. This game will can once again be a 3 pts swing for the winners and a pressure game of note.

Garcia strikes early to give Liverpool a 1-0 lead and on 13 minutes Cisse scores but is adjugded to be off side. However only 3 minutes later Pedersen scores and own goal to make it 2-0 but makes amends and get one for Palace on the beak to take it to 2-1 Reds. Borrowdale stand up to be counted and let us know why we paid 2.5 million for him as he stops every attacked and sets up the equaliser and shortly after celebrates with his soon to be ex team mates as Pedersen scores from the spot to win the game and close the gap to 3 pts.

Sunderland make the trip to NA for the clash with out fo form Liverpool. D' Allesandro and Hofland come in for injured Kewell and out of form Hyypia. Goals from Cisse, Nando and sub Crouch make it 3-0 before 2 very late goals give the score some respecability to Sunderland. With Palace drawing away, the gap stretches ever so slightly.

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With 15 days till the transfer window opens, suddenly the market is a buzz with offers and queries for and from all sides. Riise is once again the subject of a quick return to the PL but 4.8 million will not do the trick from the Gooners. I will accept a swap deal for a player in the same position if the player is worthy.

We visit Villa in midweek for the LC 1/4 and play at a PL venue for the first time this season. The villians lived up to their nickname and stole the show with a resounding 3-1 over the Reds and let them know why they were playing the C instead of the PL.

10th place Hull host us at the Circle and Kewell is a major boost after injury and slots in at LM. Garcia in his usual AMC role gets the score ticking before Morias dives in the box and converts the controversial penalty. Kewell back to form then sets up Nando before Hull equalise again only to fall to 2 more late goals from Nando as he takes the match ball and the pts for the away side.

Elland Road lies in wait for boxing day footy against 6th placed Leeds, who incidentally are one of a handful of sides to take 3 pts from NA earlier in the season. With Cisse suspended, Crouch partners Nando and the shock in selection is Riise playing LM to rest Kewell who is still trying to get fitness and Traore slotting into LB.

Nando get the lead for the Reds before it all gos wrong before the half, Traore get a red card and leaves him team mates to battle it out for the 2nd half. Just after the break, Nando comes off for D'Allesandro and Alonso, Gerrard and Riise pull back and leave Crouch alone. Liverpool ground out a win and a very good win under the circumstances and more importantly a win.

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Nando takes player of the month and Sissoko get in the young player nominations for a few good performances.

Borrowdale joins the club officially and makes his first mistake at the press conference by saying it will be hard to live upto the inflated price tag put on him.

January wont be any easier for the Reds with 5 games and an FA cup tie. Ipswich and probably the hardest currently in 4th in the table.

Reds travel to Portman Road to face 4th place Ipswich and give a run on debut to Borrowdale at the expense of Riise who get a bench place and is ready in the wings should the debut prove to be to much for the u/21 England international. MOM Kewell inspires as Cisse nets a brace but the story is the debut of Borrowdale who got stuck in and played out of his boots. He played the full 90 minutes and is good cover for Riise which could see Traore ousted from the club.

Reading come to NA and face a Reds side with Riise back in the line up and Crouch getting a rare start in front of Nando. Hofalnd is the rock in defense as Liverpool came back from a goal down to win 3-1 at home. Crouch setting up Cisse just before the break. Nando and D' Allesandro replaced Crouch and Kewell at the break and it was D' Allesandro that assisted in Nando's first and then Cisse for Nando's second.

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With all the dealing in the transfer market, I didnt even notice the FA Cup tie v Leicester creep up on us. A away tie at the Walkers stadium. With Cisse 1st half goaling taking the sides into teh break at 1-1 I asked the players for one more goal. Stevie G lead from the front and got that goal only to be copied by both Nando and Garcia to make it a comfy 4-1 away win and book a place in the next round.

The Monday draw sees Liverpool once again travel, this time to Huddersfield.

Wednesday come to NA to avenge defeat earlier in the season. Borrowdale once gets the nod in front of sought after Riise who is attracting bids in excess of 5 million and Crouch also starts. Reina is the star for Liverpool and keeps a clean sheet and Crouch sets up Alonso in the first have only for Alonso to return the favour in the 2nd half for a comfy 2-0 win and with other teams slipping, Liverpool open up a 10 point lead once again.

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Kenilworth Road hosted league leaders Liverpool and with a Luton side playing with relegation, if would be a hard job to keep off a full strength Liverpool side. Not even a Cisse haeder could inspire a lack lustre Liverpool to get all the points in a drab 1-1 draw. The gap is still 10 pts as the other clubs fail to capitalise on the away draw.

Taking no chances, Liverpool play a full strength side v Huddersfiels away in the FA Cup 4th round with the winners having the right to take on QPR away in the 5th. The game ended 5-1 to the visitors with Nando getting 1st half brace and Cisse a brace in the 2nd half with sub Crouch getting the 5th for the Reds.

Although another awardless month for the Reds, Alonso was in with the goals of the month and myself in the nominee for manager of the month.

The transfers window has closed and it was not all to good for the Reds. Borrowdale was bought in and no other players were looked at. I felt we are dominating and not worth spending needless money for players not yet needed.

On the other hand some players signed elsewhere and are leaving at the end of the season.

I bid a fond farwell to Hamann to Rostock for 425k and at 33 with only 3 starts, I wish him luck in his career back in Germany. In the end, he was battling for a place with both Alonso and Sissoko and I went for the youth.

30 year old Finnan signs for Blackburn on a free when his contract expires and will be good to lose that wage for a player who has only made 9 appearances this season.

After 1 game, Carson leaves for 800k to Norwich but I will still pay 5k per week to get rid of him.

The USA defender Whitebread also left for 250k to Forest where he will get first team opportunities. Although a good player, there was to much class in the Reds defense for him to stake a claim in the side.

Traore Idmzaj were supposed to go for 2 million and 775k but the windon ran out and thats close to 3 million i lost in transfer money that could help the club clear the 4.6 million debt they currently in.

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February will have a lot of games shoves into a short space of time. Most notably Derby, Leciester and Wolves as well as QPR in the FA Cup.

With an injury crisis in defense, Hofland and Borrowdale start in for injured Agger and Hyypia. Kewell is also out replaces by D' Allesandro for the visit to the Walkers Stadium. Garcia, Nando and Cisse give the Reds a 3-0 in the break with the defense holding out as solidly as the regulars. The side consolidates in the second half and keep the ball to record yet another clean sheet and all the spoils and points.

Forest came to NA with ex Reds players Whitebread and Abel Xavier the drug taking Porra. Also in the side is Bothroyd on load from PL outfit Charlton. A late goal from Cisse saved the Reds blushes with a disappointing 1-1 draw at home.

A trip to 15th place Plymouth would be a harder task than originally though due to the side announcing they would play an ultra defensive pattern v the champs elect. Clearly this did not effect the Liverpool players who tore into the defense and held a 4-0 half time lead. Carra (Yes, Jamie Carragher) got on the sheet as well as a brace from Nando. Garcia also got in on the act but failed to get a brace when he had his penalty that led to the red card of Jarvis saved well by the Plymouth keeper. Nnado got his 3rd and the match ball and Morris ensured the home side would end the game with only 9 players.

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QPR awaited us in the 5th round of the FA Cup and Pongolle made it 1-1 and thats how it ended. Crouch took the blame for the draw and rematch at NA with a missed peanut in the 85th minute of the game.

If Liverpool can win the reply, they will face either Man City or Brentford in the 6th round of the cup.

PNE came to NA with little hope after a bad result for the Reds in the cup tie v QPR. Captain Stevie G lead from the front and headed in a free kick before the break to give the Reds a valuble 1-0 lead. With PNE getting an undeserved leveller, it was that man Nando that saved blushed and hit a sweet volley to take all the points and leave PNE looking every bit like a L1 team as the PL sides had done to the Reds the season before.

Derby were to face and unchanged 11 at NA. Liverpool were back on form and apart from the QPR draw in the cup, there we on course to take the title. Stevie G was looking goal shy at one stage once again tool charge and put the Reds into the lead. Stevie G scored the winner in the first half and although Derby applied loads of pressure late in the game, Johnsons red card killed off any chance of saving a point as they had to go all defensive in order not to concede another.

After 35 games, the Reds were 10 pts clear with a game in hand and ever seemingly looking like the side to win the league and get promotion back to the PL at the first try of asking.

The replay v QPR would be a risky affair by playing the squad players and resting the main team. We would prefer to wrap up the title earlier than later and we looking good to do so. Once we had done that we would give valuble game time to the squad players to gear them up for the season ahead. With no score in normal time, it all got exciting when sub Nando scored in the 116th minute and look to give the home side the win, but in the 188th minute QPR struck a goal to take the tie in a dreaded penalty shoot out. Cisse and Nando got scored while Dudek kept out 2 with awesome saves. Captain Stevie G missed to ensure the tension but after Carra scored it was down to QPR to keep themselves in it and failed to do so by hitting the penalty wide of the target and causing scenes similar to those of Turkey what now seems all that time ago and into the 6th round to face Man City.