Liverpool 0 -1 Blackburn

Liverpool went down against a Blackburn side anxiously dangling close to the relegation zone. Fresh from a 6 -2 thrashing to Arsenal, Rovers had something to prove, and something to play for.
Liverpool came out in full flow and full of purpose.
Playing in a 4-3-3 formation they looked the sharper side.
With my fellow South African Benni McCarthy back in the Rovers lineup after serving a match suspension, he seemed the one player capable of getting something for Blackburn, and yes, he most certainly did !
Having scored at the Anfield clash earlier in the season, the player who was linked in some media reports a few seasons back with a possible move to Anfield, scored again.
He took the one clear cut opportunity that came his way, and made it count.
Liverpool's skipper Gerrard's sometimes seemingly pessimistic away match temperament, saw him looking to the sky in agony everytime a move broke down, which would have done nothing but add to the tension of his team mates.Credit to the Reds, they kept persevering and came close on numerous occasions, Xabi alonso's stinging shot was admirably saved by Brad Friedel, who seemed to be on a mission to show up his old club , and he rightly succeeded in doing so.
The old adage that when Gerrard plays bad, Liverpool does bad, once again reigned true.The usually tenacious skipper lacked the fighting edge normally associated with his style and game play. All in all, Liverpool did create enough chances, just failed to make them count. With Chelsea dropping points to Reading, this would have been another chance to edge close the Blues, as we are unlikely to see them slipping up too often this season.


Lucas Neill should've given his future team mates a chance, as he effectively spoiled his own chances of moving up the table when becomes a Red in January !


Jokes aside, I guess it's safe to say Liverpool were dealt a knock out blow on Boxing Day, and hopefully this defeat will Spur them on to victory at White Hart Lane on Saturday.
As Rafa would say, consistency, is the key.

Ejaz Khan
ejaz@ciinetwork.net

Liverpool 2 - 0 Watford


Liverpool eased past Watford at Anfield on Saturday without much fuss. But it could have went a different way had Watford taking the chances they were so lucky to be handed to them.
Bangura's effort was easier to score than miss, and Ashley Youngs' header was as close as Watford were going to get.
Craig Bellamy maintaining his fine form, scored the opener for liverpool two minutes into the second half. It was smooth sailing therafter, with livewire Mark Gonzalez coming on for Jermaine Pennant. It was a quiet game for Pennant, and with his 1st two touches, Gonzalez started and nearly finished a move, linking up well with Craig Bellamy.
Hardworking Dirk Kuyt had nothing to show for his efforts, though liverpool are so much more potent with him alongside Bellamy.
Spare a thought for Peter Crouch, who when he was eventually brought on, reminded the Anfield faithful just why he is such an important member of the squad.
He hit the bar with a brilliant strike, and was involved in most of the action till the end of the game.


Xabi alonso's brilliant late strike capped of another succesful day at the Anfield office .Once again Dirk Kuyt doing all the ground work, and his hard word will not go unnoticed by Benitez.
All in all, christmas came early to Anfield, as it had last year as well.









Ejaz Khan
ejaz@ciinetwork.net

"Merseyless: Reds finally in Full Flow"
Ejaz Khan
Wed 20 -12 -2006

Wigan 0-4 Liverpool
Liverpool 4 - 0 Fulham
Charlton Athletic 0 - 3 Liverpool

The last three score lines suggest that Liverpool are well and truly in the groove of winning, and winning well. But it hasn't always been smooth sailing.

Even before Liverpool kick-started their Premiership campaign the global media,especially in England, had decided that this was Liverpools' year to take the Premiership title. Without kicking a ball ,pressure was already exerted on a team in the process of remodeling having recently acquired Craig Bellamy, Dirk Kuyt, Jermaine Pennant , Fabio Aurelio and the much hyped Mark Gonzalez. The new players were not even given a chance to acclimatize and integrate into their new surroundings and more importantly, working with a new coach and understanding his style of play.
Also, having been a World Cup year, almost every international red returned with a huge hangover and general fatigue, which statistics showed that almost all world cup stars experienced a dip in form following a World Cup.

The Reds' Captain was no exception the rule. Steven Gerrard's slump in form was blamed on Benitez playing him on the right, even though last season he gathered his best tally of goals in a season cutting in from the right,23 goals in 53 games.

Xabi Alonso took a long time getting over the world cup too . His wonderful strike against Newcastle aside, he wasn't playing as pivotal a role as the Reds would want him to. His defense-splitting passes are a real asset to the Benitez way, and its a blessing that he and others from the Liverpools' World Cup contingent have come good in time for the Christmas rush. With four fixtures in the space of 10 days, they'll need to be at their best, as this part of the season is crucial in deciding effectively how good the season will end.

Craig Bellamy has had his share of problems as well, more off the field then on. But with the assault case laid to rest, he was able to focus on what he does best: beating the defence and scoring with power and authority.



One player of the new crew still to show the liverpool faithfull his full ability is Jermaine Pennant. He seems to be trying too hard, but I, as many other Red suporters , do sense he will come good sooner, rather than later.


Another key area where liverpool were looking rather ominous at the beginning of the season, was between their own poles. Pepe Reina , having not been high on the pecking order in the Aragones WC Squad ( He was the 3rd choice keeper), seems to have contributed heavily to the dent in his confidence coming into the first came of the premiership. He has since washed the butter of his gloves and is back to his usually wall-like self.

Dirk Kuyt is one of the few players able to constantly play well in every game that he's been involved in, and seems a brilliant buy.He might just be the hardest working striker in England, and like Martin Jol said; " He is a 20 -20 player - he scores 20,creates 20 !


The others have to be Daniel Agger, Jamie Carragher,John arne Riise and the most consistent defender/right wing back in the EPL, Steve Finnan. He hardly ever puts a foot wrong and is always part of any build up play coming forward from the right. Daniel Agger seems destined to be Kop Hero, while Jamie Carragher is the rock and provides the stability and assurance that gives Finnan and Agger the confidence to get forward. Sami Hyppia , though not as quick as Carragher and Agger, is the perfect mentor to Agger and his defence partner Gabriel Paletta.




The main reason for the Reds blues this season it seems, is the difficult fixtures layout at the start of the season,compared to a relatively easy fixture list for Manchester united. But it suits the liverpool way of finishing strong, as opposed to united who seem to suffer from Spurs syndrome,i.e fizzing out when it matters most.

This time last year, Liverpool were enjoying a great run, and the signs are there that this year will wield similar results.
As Steven Gerrard alluded to earlier this year, that some teams are going to be on the wrong side of a hiding when playing Liverpool, it goes without saying that good things come to those that wait,and Reds supporters have waited long enough. Go Liverpool !


Ejaz khan
ejaz@ciinetwork.net

All downhill for the Reds as Liverpool win 3-0 at the Valley












Liverpool played away to Charlton and once again came away with victory and maintained both their clean sheet and great scoring run, now having scored 11 goals in their last 3 games and none against. Liverpool came out of the blocks firing from all cylinders and it was evident, from the onset, that it was going to be an uphill climb for Charlton at the Valley !

Djimi Traore, having made the switch from Anfield was playing his first game against his old side, And as Murphy's law would have it, Liverpool's first goal came with his help.
The bambi-on-ice lookalike lifted his leg higher than a gymnast and it came crashing down on Jermaine Pennant, the referee showed no hestitation in pointing to the spot. Xabi Alonso converted with a smartly taken drive straight down the middle. Cheeky, but effective nonetheless.

Liverpool looked like scoring a second soon thereafter and Charlton were peppered with attack after attack, but they failed to score the second goal until the second half.

Bellamy was quick, Kuyt was tough and they seem to be building an understanding that could prove very lucrative for Liverpool in front of goal as the season wears on.
I must say I am slightly worried that Peter Crouch doesn't seem to be getting much pitch action, but I am sure he features in the plans of Benitez, more importantly it also shows the depth of the liverpool squad now up front, it's now only in the middle of the park that Liverpool are worn thin with Zenden and Mohamed Sissoko out for lenghty periods respectively. Hyppia returned in place of Daniel Agger, who no doubt will feature against Arsenal on Tuesday Night.


Gerrard's goal was the icing on the cake, and the Captain finished in spectacular style, his habit it seems, leaving the Addicks keeper standing.
The Reds performances recently have re-ignited Title taking talks, But as Benitez says, "Lets just worry about the next game"

Ejaz Khan
ejaz@ciinetwork.net

Reds looking fourward as Liverpool Thrash Fulham Yes, you guessed it 4- 0










Liverpool thrashed Fulham 4 - 0 this weekend and proved once again they're a force to be reckoned with. Carragher's first goal since January 1999 showed the guile and intuition of a well balanced striker !








Mark Gonzalez's free kick was perfectly weighted and placed as if there wasn't a goalkeeper between the post. Well, he was there and didn't stand a chance anyway !



Garcia, his sometimes frustratingly careless antics and tendency to give away the ball at crucial moments aside, did what he does best....scoring an absolute stunner with his head that gave every red the power to forget and he remains in the heart of the Kop! He always seems to redeem himself in spectacular fashion !


Steven Gerrard's botched penalty fell back in his path and the follow up shot found the net which got the ball rolling (excuse the pun)







But the moment that shaped the outcome of the game might have went fairly unnoticed by both critics and fans alike.
The first half save from Pepe Reina to deny Mcbride which even Carragher had thought was going in was surely the defining moment of the match.
1-0 at half time and this story could have had a different end ...






All in all, a brilliant all round performance from the Reds which sees them climbing up though still a fair way behind the top two.
But 8 Goals for the Reds and none conceded against in their last two games, Liverpool should be looking to build on this momentum and work up an unbeaten run emulating last seasons unbeaten run, and bettering it.
One things for sure, the goal reservoir is filled and past anxiety of a goal drought seem long forgotten.

Ejaz Khan
Johannnesburg, South Africa
ejaz@ciinetwork.net

My letter written for Liverpools official website, hope they publish it !!!




Liverpool supporter on the tip of Africa – Living South but looking Up !




South Africa has a huge following of Liverpool FC, and I'm proud to say I'm one the biggest fans of Rafa’s Red Men.I have visited neighbours I haven’t spoken to before and greeted strangers in the street when I see the Liverpool badge on their clothing! Liverpool Football club has become synonymous with spirited defiance, disassociating itself from the norms of this pulsating sport. 3-0 will never again mean “game over” following The Reds antics in Istanbul. Liverpool have redefined the definition of determination, I am actually contemplating putting in a request for the Oxford dictionary to replace their meaning of the term Determination with a picture of Steven Gerrard lifting the Champions League Trophy aloft, and see Liverpool inserted next to the picture !






Apart from the huge Liverpool support in South Africa we boast some of the wittiest around as well. Once in Woolworths (Yes we have them here as well) I had the pleasure of being in a queue with 3 Liverpool supporters and one Manc supporter, and one of Our guys, quite an elderly gentleman sporting the "Crown Paints" Classic, turns to us with our Latest version replica’s, winks at us, looks at the Manc supporter and quips : "What’s the difference between a Liverpool Supporter in South africa and a Manc One hey?" when he replied in the negative the old man says with a grin :"Liverpool supporters put their Shirts on BEFORE the match ! We laughed the Manc supporter out of the queue.. I instinctively shouted as he tried to save face ..."Queue.. never walk alone", my new friends found it funny but I think they were just being polite !It was one of those "you had to be there” moments !

Lets move on to that fateful night in May shall we...!!
As my proudest night as a South african Liverpool Supporter begins, I pull out my Sizeable Liverpool Glass, fill it with my favorite Cola, pull out a huge Packet of Lays, grab a thick slab of Cadbury Chocs and jump on to my faithful couch to savor Liverpool’s deserved appearance in the Champions League Final. I just open the Packet of Crisps and ...Goal!!! One nil!!! My cell phone buzzes with miscalls from all over Johannesburg as every United, Arsenal & Chelsea supporter I have the displeasure of knowing give me miscalls on my Cell phone. Goal Again!! 2 - 0 then just before half time 3 - 0, my phone rings and rings and yes, rings again... I think of throwing it out the window but wisely choose not to. It would later come to my assistance, I fool myself into thinking. Now in hindsight its very funny but at that time my wits and patience were wearing as thin as Crouchy’s frame.
The half time whistle blows and I drag myself out for a smoke.
3 - 0 ? At Half time? Somebody smack me awake please! It had all gone a bit pear
shaped really !I walk back to the Lounge, Lift the TV remote and for a second contemplate switching the television off, but to my better judgment I tell myself "ITS NOT OVER TILL ITS OVER" which for me is sort of a "second slogan" describing the Reds that season and Definitely for all time !And boy have those words EVER rung true.
Liverpool 3 - AC Milan 3 as six of the greatest minutes as a Liverpool supporter fly past I sit with my cell phone returning the favor of "Disunited" and chelski supporters who earlier had relished wickedly the thought of the Reds getting the worst thrashing in Europe. So sorry to burst your bubbles boys, ITS OUR TIME NOW, AND THATS THE BOTTOM LINE. My new liverpool Wall clock given to me as a gift by a friend who went to Anfield for the first time confirms this !






Another wonderful experience as a Reds fan was driving around on Holiday in Durban on South Africa's east coast trying to find a decent place to watch Liverpool versus Newcastle, my brother in law and I drove around a town we didn't know, asking the locals for help locating a sports Bar or anywhere we could watch the reds annihilate Newcastle. A dodgy character agreed to assist us and gave us directions to a certain Sports Bar in Verulam, a town not far from Durban. Lo' and behold, in this sleepy town we Locate a cozy sports bar sporting a HUGE Cinema screen with surround sound good enough to make us feel as if we were part of the kop! We could not believe our luck. I couldn't hear when we left but I could never forget either. Needless to say we were back to the same venue a few days later when Liverpool took on Everton and then West Brom. We won all three and it was a good week.
There's never a dull moment as a Reds Supporter in South Africa ! We've got the
Right man as our Captain (he plays there too nowadays) and the perfect man holding it all together in Rafa Benitez !
Its about time we REDiscover our glory days of yesteryear…
Do it for the fans across the globe, Boys
Really, really exciting times ahead watching all the way from the Tip of Africa
YNWA


Ejaz Khan
Johannesburg, South Africa
ejaz@ciinetwork.net