LIVERPOOL FC: The view from the Kop, a fan's story

[GUNNERS_MIKE]

nice report mate and quality thread!

[nzgangster]

okay bye!!

[AnfieldRoad92]

Alright, I'm going to do the Carling Cup final then a transfer summary (because I used a couple new players in the game and want it to be a SURPRISE!!)

I signed two big players and one that certain people should be familiar with.

One is a former player with a famous goal. The second is a French Argentine Spaniard. And the third is the nephew of Norwich legend "Chubby."

[AnfieldRoad92]

Carlin' Cup Final
Wigan Athletic 0-2 Liverpool

Liverpool this evening got their first chance at silverware of the season and were strong favourites against a mid-table Wigan side. However, there was more than a hint of an upset as Wigan had managed to put reigning league champions Manchester United out in the quarter-finals.

Liverpool had two new faces on their bench whose contracts had been finalised only the previous day and they would both be called upon.
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Wigan Athletic

Kirkland
Melchiot -- Edman -- Scharner -- Figueroa
Cattermole -- Brown
Valencia -- --- -- --- -- --- -- N'Zogbia
Mido -- Zaki

Torres --
-- Gerrard
Riera -- Mascherano -- Alonso -- Kuyt
Aurélio -- Škrtel -- Carragher -- Arbeloa
Reina

Liverpool
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Liverpool were afforded the luxury of being able to play the first team for the first time in the competition despite a major controversy in scheduling. Liverpool were originally scheduled to have an FA Cup tie against Reading the previous day, but had it moved to the Tuesday following the final. Liverpool petitioned the FA to reschedule, but withdrew after confirmation from Rafa that he would field a reserve side regardless and would rather avoid the fixture pile-up.

From the start, Liverpool were the more attacking team, creating nearly all the chances. Chris Kirkland had to be in his best form to keep his side from conceding, denying multiple chances from Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard.


The English 'keeper was able to keep them level until half time despite Liverpool commanding more than 60% possession and amassing 8 shots on target. Benítez took the entire 15 minute interval for his team talk, but sent his two new acquisitions out early to begin warming up for the second half. The Anfield faithful who had made the trip to Wembley began singing an old classic that was instantly recognised and acknowledged by the player to whom it was directed.

It didn't take long for Liverpool to break the deadlock after the restart. Javier Mascherano kept play virtually inside of the Wigan penalty area with his reading of the game and Liverpool's short passes eventually led to Steven Gerrard finding space in the goal box and instead of squaring to Torres as Kirkland expected, the captain took the shot from a narrow angle, curling it inside the far post for the opening goal.


Wigan hadn't looked like scoring all afternoon and with their hopes of a penalty shoot-out faded, they attempted to overcome their ineptitude with force. Edman was booked for a bad tackle on Xabi Alonso as Wigan became more incensed with their inability to create anything of worth. Then controversy struck as Edman and Melchiot combined in a horror tackle on Fernando Torres who was likely through on goal. Edman slid in late and as Torres attempted to avoid him, he was rugby tackled by Mario Melchiot, getting his ankle caught between Edman's legs and falling awkwardly to the ground. The referee brought out his yellow card but showed it only to Melchiot who he adjudged to be the bigger offender, letting Edman escape a second booking. Torres, was taken off holding his the arm that had braced his fall and had to be replaced.


Rafa told his new striker to strip off his trainers and get ready to go on and Wembley started buzzing as the travelling Liverpudlians searched for a suitable anthem for his debut. Gonzalo Higuaín echoed around the ground accompanied by an improvised chorus of Michael Owen Score a Goal for Me with the necessary changes made.

The French-born Argentine striker bedded in straight away and established a natural understanding with Gerrard leading almost straight away to a goal. The striker nearly scored after Mascherano redirected a fabulously hit Aurélio corner, but he could only strike it square against the post. The early indications finally gave way to results when Xabi Alonso found Higuaín at the edge of the area and the young Argentine turned and left Paul Scharner for dead, getting clear on goal and opening his Liverpool scoring account on a dream debut.


After the goal, rounds of triumphant songs went up around the stadium but slowly mutated to Rafa in Istanbul as fans started to notice the player standing on the sideline getting ready to come on the pitch...

Mourinho said don't worry, Chelsea have nothing to fear
But how he went so quiet, when up popped Luis Garcia...

Luis García made his way on to the pitch to thunderous applause with Dirk Kuyt making way. The Spaniard, wearing the number 40, applauded the crowd back and quickly set out to work on Wigan's defence. The 30 year-old showed flashes of his brilliance in build-up play, but Liverpool were done pressing for goals and played possession until the final whistle.


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So that's the first silverware of the season; and hopefully not the last. Rafa seems to have fortified the squad in the right positions and from here we can push on to the title. And what a brilliant time for the new boy Higuaín to score, on his debut just as Torres is facing a 2 week lay-off.

I'll fill you in on the rest of our pick-ups before our FA Cup match against Reading in a couple of days.

[nzgangster]

good win.

[GUNNERS_MIKE]

nice win mate!

[Mariners!!!!!!]

Good win, class signing in Higuain!

[AnfieldRoad92]

Thanks. I was hesitant to get a striker since I have so many youth players with potential in that position, but I made an impulse bid before the last game of the transfer window and got him! And thank god too with Torres' injury, I'll have a proper striker to fill in.

[Robalenko]

Demolition day again!

[AnfieldRoad92]

I played two more games: one league, one FA Cup. I don't think I'll get a report up on them tonight though because I'm a tad inebriated (thank god for Firefox spell check!) .

[JulianBere]

Gonzalito Higuain!

I hope he doesn't backstab us like Camoranesi and Trezeguet and play for a different national team.

[AnfieldRoad92]

Quite the transfer, ehh? I'm really glad I got him now since Torres is injured. But what do you mean about him playing for a different national team? He already has 3 caps (and 5 goals) for Argentina's senior side.

[SBFC-Chris]

class signing, he'll be superb for liverpool. and re signing garcia is a great coup too

[Robalenko]

Garcia

[nzgangster]

Garcia is the man.

[Robalenko]

Yes, the man I'd like to beat to within an inch of his life

[nzgangster]

Originally Posted by Robbie8912Play

Yes, the man I'd like to beat to within an inch of his life

why???

is he just that good.

[AnfieldRoad92]

He is just that good. He's not terribly consistent, but without a proper right winger who's premier league standard, he'll definitely give me some options and will prove useful if I'm to win the title this year. He's not fantastic, but has the talent level of my youngsters combined with the physical capabilities of a veteran, just what I need to keep me at the top.

[Robalenko]

No. That's not it at all

[SBFC-Chris]

he''d be great, althought not as great as higuain

[nzgangster]

cool.


because i had no good wingers i am so far just playing a 4-3-3 formation until i can buy a couple of good wingers.

[AnfieldRoad92]

Garcia is more of a short-term solution to secure the title this year while Higuain is a more long-term prospect and also solves some short-term problems. Hopefully Garcia can get a league title under his belt before retiring and Higuain can stay with Liverpool until he wins a Champion's League and feels like moving to Inter or something (like all Argentines feel like doing since Maradona took charge)

[Robalenko]

I'm not denying his skills or worth. I hate him because of an incident. Always have

[nzgangster]

yeah in my liverpool mm i am looking to get robben like my bro did.

he is semi-young and doesn't cost that much.

[AnfieldRoad92]

Originally Posted by Robbie8912Play

I'm not denying his skills or worth. I hate him because of an incident. Always have

As a West Ham fan, I would assume that you would rather appreciate him for his "goal" against Chelsea, your London rivals. What incident has turned you against him?