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

[AnfieldRoad92]

LIVERPOOL FOOTBALL CLUB
View from the Kop

One of the most storied clubs in all of England, we've gone 19 years without a league title. Those years have been dotted with a dozen or so cup triumphs, but they have not been able to satiate our thirst for the league title. I remember what it felt like, and I want it again.


View from the Kop

Hello, my name is Lee Jordan and I'm a Liverpool supporter. Have been for as long as I can remember. I was only about 12 years old when we last won the league, but it still ranks as one of my best memories.

Haven't missed a game in more than five years either: home or away, in the league, the cup or Europe. Even the reserves usually.

This year I can feel it. It hasn't felt like this in forever. That's why I'm starting this blog: to capture my view from the Kop. Section 106, about three-quarters of the way up, just off to Pepe Reina's right when we're defending the Kop end. Fernando Torres' left when we're attacking it.

Rafa's no fool. Valencia went 31 years without a title before Benítez. Total football, they played. We're getting there too. Nearly there. It's taken almost 20 years now, but that will just make it sweeter when we win.

Today's date is 9th August, 2008. Exactly 9 months before we are presented the Premier League Trophy at Anfield against The Manchester United.

9th May, 2009 - the day the drought ended.
You read it here first.

League starts in one week...

[Valo]

Interesting, good luck!

[Wessecito]

looks good! looking forward to seeing this develop

[King-Osgood-1690]

You will have to work hard to beat the original fans view mm

good work so far though...

[AnfieldRoad92]

off season

I managed to get to most of this summer's friendly matches. Paris, Eindhoven, Monaco and a few here in town. The reserves hosted Celtic reserves and played a match just across the river Mersey against Tranmere.

The first team looks sharp:

-------- Aurelio ----- Riera ------------>
---------------- Alonso ----------------->
------- Agger ----------------- Torres -->
Reina --------- Mascherano -------------->
------- Carra ------------ Gerrard ------>
----------------------------------------->
-------- Arbeloa -------- Kuyt ---------->

This was the prevalent formation. N'gog, Németh, El Zhar and Leto all got run-outs and they looked pretty good. Hopefully they can make an impact this year. Dossena and Degen were left at home to make room for some of the youngsters. Those two will probably be out by the end of the transfer window.

Kuyt looked good on the right, but it would be nice to have a natural winger or wingback out there. It would have been nice if Pennant had applied himself and reached his potential, hopefully it doesn't go to waste at Portsmouth like it did here.

Torres scored 3 in 5 as one would expect, but he was blanked in Paris and Monaco. There's some African kids there who just stuck to him like glue; full of enthusiasm and raw talent. I've heard rumours of us getting the signatures of one or both of them. Nicolas N'Koulou and Mamadou Sakho were their names. I'm hearing a lot about new players from out-of-the-ordinary places.

I found this on the club website, explaining some new direction of the club's scouting aims.

Chief Scout Eduardo Macia speaking with liverpoolfc.tv:

... We've been really trying to expand our search for talent. South America and Western Europe are full of talent, no doubt, but we feel that there are untapped talent pools elsewhere, particularly Eastern Europe, West Africa and Scandinavia. These are the places where you can find some of the most talented and ambitious players in the world.

Looks promising, I just hope the local lads don't get crowded out. It's great to produce world class talent out of the reserves, but bringing through the English lads is where the club's heart and soul lies. Won't be long before we'll need a replacement Carra or Stevie G. Here's the team I saw against Tranmere:

-------- Insua --------- Putterill ------------>
----------------------------------------------->
------- Antwi ----------------- Pacheco ------->
Hansen --------- Plessis -------- Ecclestone -->
------- San Jose -------- Spearing ------------>
----------------------------------------------->
-------- Darby -------- Anderson -------------->

Pacheco's a keeper and will definitely make an impact in the coming years. And Plessis and Insua are ready to make the step up as soon as they're needed.

Three days now till the start of the season. I'll be heading down to Craven Cottage.

Until then...

[RocketUnited]

Verryy interesting and original, good luck with this mate, I'll be following

[JulianBere]

Looks great, awesome thread.


Remember me from your Birmingham thread?


Head of Academy

[AnfieldRoad92]

I do indeed. And thanks all around.

Speaking of academies though, I need help picking out a young CB. I'd like one that's at least 6'0" tall and no older than 22 (but preferably younger and taller). I'm trying to decide between Sakho, Reginiussen, Fazio, N'Koulou, Forren and Moisander. I don't want anyone too well known, just someone who can fill the gap when Hyypia retires at the end of the year.

[RocketUnited]

I was gonna say Breno until I read that you wanted an unknown. Not sure for that mate, I'll check up on FIFA and search for some young talents

[Liverpöol]

nice work... and Sakho.

[AK0N]

Good luck with this, and nice start

[nzgangster]

nice start.

[JulianBere]

Originally Posted by AnfieldRoad92

I do indeed. And thanks all around.

Speaking of academies though, I need help picking out a young CB. I'd like one that's at least 6'0" tall and no older than 22 (but preferably younger and taller). I'm trying to decide between Sakho, Reginiussen, Fazio, N'Koulou, Forren and Moisander. I don't want anyone too well known, just someone who can fill the gap when Hyypia retires at the end of the year.

Fazio is tall, young, and good.

I'd go for him. Plus he'd fit in well with the amount's of Argentine's at Pool'.

[Liverpöol]

also - who is the Norweigan from Arsenal - currently on loan at Salamanca?

[JulianBere]

Nordveit?

[Robalenko]

Do not buy him. He defines ****. He is the most useless defender I have ever bought

[AnfieldRoad92]

Day 1: Stadium of Lights

Just returned from Newcastle this early this evening. It was quite a game. 3-1 to us, of course, but it was nothing if not exciting. Rafa started the game in a 3-4-1-2 formation. Mascherano was on the bench and Babel was slotted in behind N'gog and Torres.

I thought this was a risky move, but I was quickly convinced that it was the right one when I watched the young Sunderland back line try to cope with all the attacking options we had. The freedom the formation created for Gerrard, Alonso and Babel just tortured the Sunderland defence and the link-play between the front three was sublime. Within the first 5 minutes, N'gog was able to nod in from a short Torres cross.

Steed Malbranque pulled even after just ten minutes after some sloppy defending but most of the remaining half was played virtually in the Black Cats' penalty area. N'gog showed just how useful he can be with his back to goal when created space for Torres who picked up the ball and laid it off for Ryan Babel to slam into the top corner of the net.

The side reverted back into a more traditional 4-4-2 with Aurélio coming on for Riera and Babel moving left, but a brilliant pass from Kuyt put Torres through on goal and secured the win and

My man of the match has to be N'gog in his first Premier League game ever even though objectively Babel was the star performer.

...

Another result to go our way was the Arsenal v Mancs, who drew at the Emirates. Hopefully they don't do the same to us next week.

[AnfieldRoad92]

Thanks, guys. I was considering Nordtveit, he made my top 3. I may still get him since I have height covered now. And now my two reserve CBs are 74 and 62... a little too large a gap for my liking.

So once I get good young talent in CM and CAM roles, I'll revisit the CB and maybe RB.

Anywho, anyone want to help me decide on centre midfielders? The non-attacking role is not very narrowed down. I'm deciding between Jaiteh, Skjelbred, Kuzmanovic, Crosas, McArthur, Busquets and possibly José Torres. While CAM is between Kenia, McCarthy, Dani Parejo, Elm, Husejinovic and Stilic.

I also wouldn't mind if some of them were African or British, but I couldn't find many in my search parameters. Let me know what you think and if you know of anyone else that fits the bill of good, young and relatively discrete, please let me know that too.

[AnfieldRoad92]

midweek

We host Arsenal in a few days. It'll be the first game at Anfield this season. Can't wait. I've heard noise of us being able to snatch one of their players because of their wage structure. Nothing solid yet, though.

There have been louder rumblings about some kids coming in for trials though. Two midfielders from Hamilton Accies were in town to train with the reserves: James McArthur and James McCarthy. There was also a Georgian, Levan Kenia, a Gambian from Norway called Tijan Jaiteh and three Swedish brothers: Rasmus, David and Viktor Elm. Hopefully some of them impress and Gary Albett can convince them to join up.

It's also looking like we could capture some more Spanish youngsters like we did with Dani Pacheco, Arsenal with Cesc and Man United did with Pique. I haven't heard any names, but someone like Dani Parejo, Sergi Busquets, Ignacio Camacho or Jordi Alba would really bolster our squad.

... counting down the minutes to the Arsenal game now. They looked good in their opener. Rafa's likely not going to employ the same formation he used against Sunderland, the Gunners would tear us apart with three at the back.

There has been some articles about a rift between Walcott and Wenger. It may just be paper-talk, but supposedly he's on the transfer list. Hopefully it's affecting their squad morale and we can catch them out. We'll need something to go right if we're going to beat them.

[Chelseaboi]

Very Nice

[JulianBere]

Ok, for CM/CDM.

If your looking for a CM that can fit in as a sub an make an impact, go for Skeljbred, he's class... but if your going for a youngster I'd suggest Busquets.


At CAM? Same, if your going for an impact sub, take a look at Buonnanotte or Douglas Costa, I know he's not a exact CAM, but he plays anywhere on the forward/midfield area. If your looking for a young CAM that you want to grow... I'd go with Parejo as a safe choice.

[rangers111]

i do prefer normal mms but i like the idea, u have another follower

[DannyB]

Originally Posted by Robbie8912Play

Do not buy him. He defines ****. He is the most useless defender I have ever bought

He's one of the best I've ever bought

What's with those team line ups, they look weird

[AnfieldRoad92]

Originally Posted by JulianBere

Ok, for CM/CDM.

If your looking for a CM that can fit in as a sub an make an impact, go for Skeljbred, he's class... but if your going for a youngster I'd suggest Busquets.


At CAM? Same, if your going for an impact sub, take a look at Buonnanotte or Douglas Costa, I know he's not a exact CAM, but he plays anywhere on the forward/midfield area. If your looking for a young CAM that you want to grow... I'd go with Parejo as a safe choice.

Yeah, I don't think Skjelbred is what I'm looking for since he's the same OVR and age as Lucas. More someone to make an impact when Gerrard or Alonso retires.

Originally Posted by rangers111

i do prefer normal mms but i like the idea, u have another follower

Thanks, mate. I don't really know where I'm going with this, but it seemed like the easiest way to do a mm. School is taking up too much time this semester... speaking of which, I have an exam in an hour.

Originally Posted by DannyB

He's one of the best I've ever bought

What's with those team line ups, they look weird

They do look weird. I was trying to do something that wouldn't take up a lot of room vertically, but it ended up looking dumb and taking up a lot of room. I need to find some way to do line ups that's a little more natural looking.

[nzgangster]

nice update.

thinking about buying walcot?

would do good with liverpool.