Euro glory can relieve Liverpool's pain in the Arsenal


After being dumped out of both domestic cup competitions, and with the Premiership title out of range, Rafael Benitez has one last throw of the dice in the Champions League. Can he pull off a miracle? As déjà vu sets in and Liverpool fall to Arsenal twice in four days and for the third time this season, one has to ponder on the mindset of Rafael Benitez. Has the French professor [Arsene Wenger] got the measure of him?

The wisdom in fielding a lightweight squad going into one of Liverpool's last few opportunities of silverware this season has to be questioned. The most startling inclusion has to be Jerzy Dudek, who, Istanbul heroics aside, has somehow forgotten the art of saving goals. Today, if he decided to end his misery by diving in front of a bus, I’m pretty sure even the bus would slip though his fingers.Benitez is a man of his word, and he promised Dudek he’d play him in the domestic Cups. Very expensive promises they turned out to be as the keeper flapped his way out of the hearts of the Kop. I think it is safe to say that Liverpool need a new, improved second-choice keeper, someone who would be able to keep Pepe Reina on his toes, someone to challenge him for the Number 1 jerzy (excuse the pun). Something Dudek seems incapable of, judging by recent form.

Another problem seems to be the huge gap between the first team and reserves. Somehow the youngsters seem out of depth when called up for first-team action. This is something Wenger seems to have mastered, as all his young charges seem well equipped for the transition from the youth squad. This is something the Liverpool staff should be aspiring to.

Thierry Henry’s comments on the electric atmosphere at Anfield had Koppites dreaming of a fairytale move for Mr Va-va Voom to Merseyside. But this is, of course, highly unlikely. Wenger’s young side have been moulded around Henry, and he seems destined to end his career at the Emirates. It is fair to say he saves his best performances for the Gunners, as he tends plays a less influential role for his native France.

Benitez will most probably stick with his own formula that proved to be successful for him at Valencia, and more recently with Liverpool in the Champions League and FA Cup respectively. Benitez may be the 'King of Cups', but his two chances of domestic silverware have slipped through his fingers. The Kop will be screaming for a go at the league, which seems out of reach for Liverpool at this stage. Maybe in future seasons this could be a reality, but with the new players only fully functioning recently, Anfield fans will have to patient.

There is one plus point in all of this. Liverpool now have the opportunity to concentrate fully on the Champions league and every player will be able to target his energy to bringing a sixth European Cup home. And in Barcelona, there’s no escaping the fact that the Reds are underdogs in the tie, and that’s when they perform beyond themselves.

The return of Samuel Et’o coincides with the return of the 'new Patrick Vieira' in Mohamed Sissoko, who with his bite in the centre of midfield undoubtedly leaves Rafa will selection problems -- the kind he’d be really pleased to have. The Liverpool injury curse continues with Mark Gonzalez and Luis Garcia out of the fray. Sissoko's return means Xabi Alonso might have to give way or Steven Gerrard might return to the graveyard shift on the right. "The only thing I can do is say sorry to our supporters because they are the best in the game," Benitez said after the Arsenal fiasco. Fans will demand more, however, and rightly so.

Wanderers Bolted by Liverpool
2 Jan 2007

Anfield was buzzing as the RTK ( Reclaim the Kop ) campaign kicked off. Liverpool supporters decided to raise their game by creating an atmosphere that would push the team to victory. And thats exactly what happened.

The game lacked the fire at the either goalmouth in the first Half with the only goal chance falling to Steve Finnan !
Mr Consistent struck a drive even Gerrard would be proud of, Jussi Jaaskeleinen saving with stinging fingers.

The second half proved more worthwhile for the homeside and they pushed continously.
Pennant arrived in January like a new signing, and played out of his socks.

His pin point cross allowed Crouchinho to finish with a sublime scissor-kick that left Jaaskeleinen wondering: What ???

Gerrard scored a few seconds later with a wonderful strike between two Bolton defenders beating Jussi for a second time.

Kuyt, for all his hard work , deserved his goal, finishing between the defenders legs and past the now already deflated "best goalkeeper in the premiership" for a third time.

All in all, The Kop sang, the players delivered, and The Table shifted.
March on , mighty Reds !

Liverpool storm to Victory at White Hart Lane
2 Jan 2007
Spurs 0 - Liverpool 1 (Garcia)

Liverpool overcame a very solid Totenham side and a scrappy goal scored by Luis Garcia was enough for Liverpool to notch up another away victory, which have been hard to come by until recently !

Hosam Ghaly spurned Totenhams' best chances, but it was the Monsoon- Like weather that took all the headlines.
Luis Garcia made the ball sing in the Rain as his goal seemed to encourage him to play some of the best football his played this season.

All in all, good performance, perfect result !