retired_provrb7

Top Of The League, 'aving A Laugh

Even thou Pompey are relegation candidates it doesn't mean you can go down there and play total football, they have quite a good mix of muscle and brain in the team but I knew we stood a chance of bringing all three points back to Liverpool. Steven Gerrard was looking a bit tired after the Soton' game so I decided to put Biscan in the achor role and bump Hamann up to centre midfield. Sami Hyypia is back in centre defense and Pellegrino is on the bench.

Saturday 21st August, 15.00. Fratton Park, Portsmouth
Premiership
Portsmouth 0
Liverpool 1, Cisse 5
MOM - Kewell
Att: 20281

Portsmouth (4-4-1-1); Hislop; Griffin, Anderson, Stefanovic, Mares; Stone, O'Neil, Mezague, Taylor; Berger; Yakubu

Liverpool (4-1-4-1); Dudek; Finnan, Carra, Hyypia, Riise; Garcia, Hamann, Alonso, Kewell; Cisse

1st Half
4 minutes into the game and Pompey had their first chance, Yakubu got the ball outside the area and went for a pile driver and it was very close to 1-0. Goal! Instead it went the other way, Riise passed down the line to Kewell, he passed into Hamann and Hamann put Cisse through on goal, Cisse finished off calmly through the legs of Hislop and Liverpool get off to a cracking start, 1-0! 15 min - Berger gets a freekick outside the box but puts it high and wide. 26 min - Steve Stone passed Yakubu up front and he put through an overlapping Berger, he got tackled by Carra and the ball fell to Yakubu who almost had an open goal but he put it over. 31 min - Liverpool cornor gets cleared and Riise and Finnan are both sleeping whilst Stone collects the ball behind them, he's clear on goal but a fabulous save from Dudek keeps Pompey out. 2 minutes later Carra is caught out by Berger who passes centrally to O'Neil who drives one from range but it's wide. 35 min - Liverpool attack through Kewell who finds Cisse who's made a run out wide left, he dribbles inwards and finds Garcia who has moved in a bit from his position, he tries a long shot which Hislop can't hold but it's cleared by Griffin. 43 min - Cisse get's a similiar opportunity as the one when Yakubu had an open goal when Kewell got tackled and he collected the loose ball but he too balloned it over the bar. Just before half time Pompey get a cornor, it's hit centrally by Berger and Mezangue is free in the box but a great save by Dudek denies him and Hamann clears. Knight blows for half time shortly afterwards. Most Pompey fans would be aggreived of the scoreline at halftime because they've had great chances to get in this.

2nd half
Just after Knight had blown for the second half a cross from Mares found Yakubu and he scored :eek: BUT it was correctly ruled out for offside. The "Referee's a w***er" chant didn't go a miss but the decision was correct. 61 min - Hamann, on the halfway line, passes forward ro Alonso who sets up Garcia centrally, you know what's coming, a long shot but clean over the bar. 70th minute subs are Kewell, Alonso, Cisse off and Partridge, Welsh and Sinama on. 83 min - Counter attack by Portsmouth down the right, Duffy found Lua Lua infront of the area and he sets up Berger in the box but he rushes the shot over the bar. 86 min - a 2nd chance for Berger with a free kick but he puts it wide, again. We manage to hold them off for the rest of the game and I count myself happy for a 1-0 result.

retired_provrb7

Cheers :thup:

retired_provrb7

Champions League Here We Come

Hamann's been injured in training this week but I was going to field a rather B-sided squad anyway. Kirkland, Josemi, Pellegrino, Traore, Biscan, Patridge, Foy, Welsh and Sinama are all set to start the match this evening.

PRE MATCH INTERVIEW

You've selected quite a reserve sided team, that confident you'll win?
Yeah I think the second string are good enough to build on the last result and with the support of the fans they should only build in confidence.

Hamann got injured in training this week, long term ?
No he should only be out for a week or so, might miss the game against Manchester City towards the weekend.

Last but not least, I heard it was your birthday yesterday, hoping for a nice prezzie today ?
I hope the players can give me a nice present, yes

Wednesday 25th August, 19.45. Anfield, Liverpool
Champions League 3rd Qual. 2nd Leg
Liverpool 1, Gerrard 38
Banik Ostrava 0
MOM - Gerrard
Att: 40087

Liverpool (4-1-4-1); Kirkland; Josemi, Pellegrino, Hyypia, Traore; Biscan; Partridge, Gerrard, Welsh, Foy; Sinama

Banik Ostrava (4-4-2); Pospisill; Pospech, Kovar, Klimpi, Postulka; Lukes, Bystron, Novotny, Cizek; Magera, Papadopoulos

1st Half
Min 3 - Freekick to Banik Ostrava, Cizek plays it sideways across the box to Bystron who ballons the ball over the bar.
Min 6 - Sinama is played through down the right wing by Partridge, he crosses to the near post where Gerrard has run into the box but his header is wide of the post.
Min 16 - Ostrava attack down the right through Lukes, he passes to Magera who's found some space infront of Hyypia and lets one fly.. over the bar.
Min 32 - Kirkland kicks the ball to Sinama, he dribbles towards the area but lays the ball off to Gerrard before the defender closes him down, Gerrard takes a shot but it deflects off Kovar but the Ostrava goalkeeper, somehow, manages to grab the ball before it rolls over the line.
Min 34 - Papadopulos gathers up the ball and passes out wide to Cizek who bombards down the left, he cuts back and and passes to Novotny outside the area, he shoots but a touch wide.
Min 35 - Novotny repays the favour to Papadopoulos by playing him through but he decides to shoot rather then proceed forward, shot was wide.
Goal! - In the 38th minute Steven Gerrard shows his class, he takes a free kick short to Foy down the wing, Foy passes back and receives the ball again, Foy feints a cross and passes to Gerrard just outside the area, Gerrard then bends it past the keeper from 25 yards, brilliant goal, 1-0!

2nd Half
Min 48 - Same situation with Gerrard and Foy again but this time he opts to shot it towards the near post rather then curv it to the far post but this time the Ostrava keeper is equal to it.
Min 70 - I sub Welsh, Sinama and Foy for Alonso, Cisse and Kewell. Not bad subs eh ?
Min 73 - Cizek has the ball on the wing and plays it centrally to Svoboda, he is immediatly surrounded by 3 Liverpool but manages to get a shot off, quite poor shot thou.

Final Whistle Is Blown And Liverpool Are Through To The Next Round

POST MATCH INTERVIEW

First of all Daniel, congratulations, are you happy?
Thank you and yes I am very happy and looking forward to Friday to see who we get in our group.

Any opponents your looking for or not lokoing for ?
I don't really care, sooner or later you have to meet whoever is good whether it's in the group or knockout.

What can you say about Steven Gerrard ?
I think he summed up what he's all about on the pitch today. Drive, ambition, determination and world class are just some of the words to describe him.

You learn anything new about the second string players?
Not really. I know what they are about and that they are capable of putting in performances like this.

retired_provrb7

UEFA Champions League 2004/05 Groups
*hope this works*

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">| Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1st | | Valencia | | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 2nd | | Inter | | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 3rd | | PSV | | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 4th | | Olympiakos | | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1st | | R. Madrid | | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 2nd | | M. Haifa | | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 3rd | | Werder Bremen | | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 4th | | Fenerbahçe | | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1st | | Porto | | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 2nd | | Liverpool | | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 3rd | | Paris | | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 4th | | Rosenborg | | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1st | | Deportivo | | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 2nd | | Roma | | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 3rd | | Chelsea | | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 4th | | Club Brugge | | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1st | | Arsenal | | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 2nd | | Juventus | | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 3rd | | Celtic | | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 4th | | APOEL | | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1st | | Man Utd | | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 2nd | | Panathinaikos | | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 3rd | | Ajax | | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 4th | | Dinamo Kiev | | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1st | | Barcelona | | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 2nd | | FC Bayern | | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 3rd | | Hajduk | | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 4th | | Anderlecht | | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1st | | Milan | | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 2nd | | Lyon | | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 3rd | | Leverkusen | | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 4th | | Benfica | | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| </pre>

retired_provrb7

*phew*
Taylor Very Happy With Draw

I feel that we are very lucky to get a group we got. We have former winners Porto who I feel are not as good when Mourinho was there. We have Rosenborg who have never gotten past the group stage but all credit that they are there. And then we have Paris who can be an outsider I guess but we'll make sure they're put out into the UEFA Cup. I'd have to say that Chelsea have a harder group then us but I'm going to focus on this and hopefully we can finish top.

retired_blacko

I like the interview style. Might be stealing that

retired_provrb7

Cheers Supa playa

Keegan Hails Taylor As Good Manager

Alot of first teamers are fit and well for this fixture and only Hamann is missing. Morientes is back in training but is a tad unfit.

PRE MATCH INTERVIEW

Keegan has said you are a good manager and you are destined for great things at Liverpool, your reaction?
Well I have to thank Kevin for the nice words and I think that if there's one manager to keep Citeh up it's Kevin. I wish him all the best in his season.

The bookies are unanimous, this one is in the bag. What do you say?
I say it's not as easy as they predict. There is a "small" matter of the 90 minutes but the players are fit and raring to go today.

Hamann still injured, big blow today?
Well Hamann plays so well in the anchor role but I feel Biscan has done enough to impress me as anchor so far. I definatly think he can handle it.

It's been quiet during the transfer market for you personally, no good players out there?
Well Rafa bought players before me but I'm not one to critise, they are good players and I feel the current squad is good enough to win the Premiership.

Saturday 28th August, 12.45. City of Manchester Stadium, Manchester.
Premiership
Manchester City 0
Liverpool 2, Cisse 26 69
MOM - Cisse
Att: 47884

Manchester City (4-4-2); James; Jihai, Dunne, Distin, Thatcher; Wright-Phillips, McManaman, Reyna, Sinclair; Sibierski, Fowler

Liverpool (4-1-4-1); Dudek; Finnan, Carra, Hyypia, Riise; Biscan; Garcia, Gerrard, Alonso, Kewell; Cisse

1st Half
Min 3 - Training ground exercised throw in, Riise throws long to Garcia who heads the ball to Alonso who sets up Carra outside the box but his shot is well wide.
Goal! - In the 26th minute Carragher wins a header inside his own box against Fowler, he heads to Garcia who dribbles past Thatcher, he then lays off to Cisse who is instantly closed down by Distan, he plays a 1-2 and is free down the right, he closes in on James and strikes it low past the keeper's left, 1-0!
Min 30 - Cornor by Reyna is headed out but Distin gathers up and shoots from outside the box, hits the sidenetting!
Min 31 - Alonso gets the ball from Biscan and hits a lovely ball over the top of the City defenders for Cisse to run on, he gathers the ball and shots again low and to the keepers left but James saves it this time and Distin clears.
Min 33 - Biscan wins a header against Wright-Phillips and heads it to Kewell down the wing, he centres it to Cisse who passes to his left to Garcia who takes a shot but it curves just over.

2nd Half
Min 54 - City pass the ball about quite well and Fowler gets it just to the left outside the area, he tries and shot and Dudek spills but Carra is there to clear it.
Min 56 - Counter attack by Liverpool after a City free kick, Finnan is ahead of everyone else on the right wing, he centres it to Cisse who takes the ball into the area by himself, the City defenders are nowhere near him and James has to save it to keep City in this match.
Min 59 - Riise wins the ball against Wright Phillips, he plays it to Kewell who dribbles down the wing, he passes centrally to Alonso who tees up Gerrard, Gerrard bends it towards goal and it's so so close for the skipper.
Min 60 - Musampa wins a header against Finnan and heads it down to Fowler, Fowler shots on the volley and again Dudek spills it but manages to dive on loose ball.
Min 63 - Cisse wins the ball off Dunne, 1-2's with Kewell and he's free down the left, he dribbles inwards, shoots! But it's deflected off Distin for a cornor. The cornor is played in, it goes past everyone but Gerrard who smashes it hard! But Jihai is there to clear off the line.
Min 67 - Cisse with the ball, passes right to Garcia and his turn lays it off to a centrally positioned Alonso who takes 2 touches on the ball before wacking it towards goal, so close!
Goal! - In the 69th minute, Hyypia wins a header without competition, he heads it down to Alonso, he passes forward to Cisse, he has both Distin and Dunne on his back, he goes inbetween them, shoots and scores! James was on it but it was way too hard to keep out, 2-0, Cisse's 5th of the season!
Min 70 - Kewell, Gerrard and Cisse off, Partridge, Pellegrino and Sinama on.
Min 86 - Sinama has the ball on the left wing, Riise has taken Sinama's position as striker, he passes Riise, he's tackled but the loose ball is picked up by Alonso who aim's for the top left cornor, but it's just shaven the bar.
Final Whistle

POST MATCH INTERVIEW

Great result Daniel and Cisse looks as if he's coming into some form?
Yeah it was a great result from the lads today, we were stable at the back and going forward we were very creative.

What can you say about Cisse after a performance like that?
Well so far he's played 5 games and returned 5 goals so I'm very happy for him but I still think he misses some easy opportunities sometimes.

Currently battling with Chelsea for first place, how do think their season has gone so far?
Too early to draw conclusions but yes their start has been good but we'll bring them down to earth when they come to Anfield

Next up, Newcastle, 3 points in the bag ?
Yes. Noone comes to Anfield and grabs any points off us.

retired_provrb7

No problems. There is no single rights, is there?

retired_trainer

Fantastic read and well layed out. Good luck against Newcastle.

:thup:

retired_provrb7

No No No No, Let Carra Take It!

A full team to choose from but I decided to rest Hamann who'd just gotten back from injury and since Biscan was doing a very good job in the anchor role he deserved another match. In other news, Kewell was runner up to player of the month (behind Giggs) which I found a bit odd because Cisse was banging them in left, right and centre. Jose Mourinho won manager of the month and I was runner up..

Wednesday 1st September, 19.30. Anfield, Liverpool.
Premiership
Liverpool 2, Garcia 53, Carra pen 87
Newcastle 0
MOM - Boumsong
Att: 45318

Liverpool (4-1-4-1); Dudek; Finnan, Carra, Hyypia, Riise; Biscan; Garcia; Gerrard, Alonso, Kewell; Cisse

Newcastle (4-4-2); Given; Carr, Hughes, Boumsong, Simunic; Dyer, Jenas, Butt, Robert; Shearer, Kluivert

1st Half
Min 13 - A long ball from Simunic over the top of our defence finds Kluivert a takes the ball down superbly, dribbles into the area, Carra tackles him, the ball finds it way to Robert who shoots, deflects off Carra for a cornor.
Min 31 - Finnan intercepts a pass to Kluivert on the right, finds Gerrard on the half way line, he holds off Butt, throughs it to Cisse who feints right but goes to the right of Boumsong, shoots! But way over the bar! Terrible effort.
Min 34 - Riise finds no options forward, he plays back to Hyypia who finds Kewell on the left, the ball is played too high but Kewell manages to head it down to Cisse who dribbles past Hughes, he shoots, but wide of the left post.
Half-Time!

I had a right go at Cisse in the locker room. He'd had two easy chances to stick away the ball and with his record so far in the premiership, he should have. I told him that he has 15 minutes to show me more or else he's off.

2nd Half
Goal! - In the 53rd minute, we are awarded a cornor, Alonso takes it, it's clear by Hughes but Gerrard gathers it up outside the area, he lays it out to the cornor-taker Alonso who centres it to the half-circle, Garcia on the volley, GOAL! The whole Liverpool bench gets up and cheers, the fans go wild! 1-0 to the Reds, great goal!
Min 54 - Another Garcia chances, he's on a high! Gerrard finds him on the right wing, feints to cross with his right foot and lays it to his left and takes a shot, it goes inches wide of the left post and Given didn't move.
Min 72 - Subs: Kewell, Alonso and Cisse off and Pellegrino, Partridge and Morientes comes on, the fans stand up to welcome Morientes to Anfield.
Min 81 - Garcia, who's playing centrally in midfield, finds his partner Gerrard to his right, Gerrard looks for Morientes but his pass is cut out by Dyer, Dyer passes back to Given who goes to belt it, but it hits Morientes! But Given manages to rush back before it goes into the back of the net.
Min 84 - Foul by Finnan, he's booked and starts to run back to his position, Simunic hits the ball at him by mistake and Liverpool counter, Finnan passes to Morientes who holds the ball well and passes to an overlapping Gerrard who bears down on Given, shoots! But Given saves!
Goal! - Newcastle have free kick outside the Liverpool area in the 87th minute, Riise intercepts the pass to Kluivert, he bombards down the left holding off both Hughes and Simunic wonderfully, he crosses the ball in hope that someone is in the area, it goes past the penalty spot and it becomes a race between Given and Partridge, Given goes in two footed and catches Partridge, surely a red card! But no, only yellow but a penalty is awarded, obviously. Luis Garcia goes up to take it but at this point I get up and yell "NO!! Carra to take it!!", I thought Carra's performance deserved a chance to score. Garcia looked more pleased then disappionted to give the ball to Carra. Carra, with the KOP infront of him puts the ball on the spot, the referee is still having words with Given, Partridge is receiving treatment on the sidelines for that malicious tackle. Carra has raw determination in his eyes, he runs up, strikes it left, Given dives to the left, but the penalty is too good and 2-0!! The crowd go wild and Carra runs out with his arms in the air towards the KOP.
Messias blows for full time

What a way to end the game, a true Liverpoodlian ends the game with his first goal in 7 years. A true kodak moment!