Liverpool FC: Premier League pursuit [SPEKZ-EXTR3ME collab]

[UsR EXTR3ME]

Liverpool FC: Premier League pursuit


BY SPEKZ AND UsR EXTR3ME

Team Information

Team Name: Liverpool Football Club (LFC)
Founded: 1892
Nickname(s): The Reds
Stadium (details below): Anfield, Liverpool
Co-owners: George Gillett, Tom Hicks
Manager (details below): Rafael Benitez
Current league: Barclays Premier League, English top-flight
Previous seasons: ? (2008-9), 4th (2007-8 ), 3rd (2006-7)

Stadium information and history

Location: Liverpool, United Kingdom
Opened in: 1884
Capacity: 45,370
UEFA Criteria: Elite

Anfield was originally the property of local rivals Everton prior to Liverpool’s existence as a football club after owner John Orrell gave the club the land. Earlestown were the first team to visit Anfield in a match against the Toffees in autumn 1884, in which the home side stormed to a comfortable five-goal victory.

The stadium was capable of holding over 20,000, and within five years was regarded one of international standard, hosting a game between England and Ireland. The first official league game at Anfield involved Everton and Accrington in 1888, and the Toffees were crowned domestic champions at the ground in 1891.

After an extensive conflict between Everton president John Houlding and the club’s committee, the club moved to Goodison Park, paving the way for newly-formed Liverpool to be born – playing at Anfield.

Hundreds gathered for Liverpool’s first ever football match at Anfield against Rotherham in 1892, which ended in a 7-1 win for the Reds. A crowd of 5,000 watched as they tore Lincoln City apart to win their first league game 4-0 a year later. A further couple of years later and a new stand had been built at the end of the current main stand. In 1903, a new stand was constructed at the Anfield Road end.

The ever famous Spion Kop stand – named by columnist and sports editor Ernest Edwards – was put together in 1906, after Liverpool had won their second league title. Another 22 years had passed before the stadium was altered again, this time made to hold 30,000 standing spectators. Anfield’s Kop held more people than some stadiums at the time.

Floodlights were installed in the 1950s and – fittingly enough – were first used in an October match against Everton to honour the 75th anniversary of the Liverpool County Football Association. Just under half a million pounds were spent on a new stand in 1963, but the largest alteration came ten years later when the main stand was knocked down, replaced by a brand new one.

Liverpool’s – and indeed the world’s – attitude towards stadium safety was transformed forever after the tragic Hillsborough disaster, in which 96 lost their lives – including current Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard’s ten-year-old cousin.

In 1992, executive boxes were added as part of a second tier that added 11,000 seats to the ground. The historic Kop end was redeveloped, maintaining the suggestion in the Taylor report subsequent to the tragedy at the Hillsborough ground but reducing the capacity to approximately 12,000.

Club legend Bill Shankly‘s eight-foot bronze statue was unveiled in front of the Kop end in 1997; it is a monument that will be remembered by all Liverpool fans for years to come. The latest changes to the ground was at the Anfield Road end 11 years ago, which became two-tiers, and in 1999 when support poles were installed to give the stadium extra stability.

An all-new 60,000 capacity stadium has been proposed in Stanley Park, near Anfield – however financial difficulties are preventing such an arena being built.

The Manager

Name: Rafael Benitez
Age: 49 years
Date of birth: 16 April, 1960
Place of birth: Madrid, Spain
Height: 5ft. 10in.
Clubs played for:
-Castilla CF (1974-1981)
-AD Parla (1981-1985)
-Linares CF (1985-1986)
Clubs managed:
-Castilla Youth B-squad (1986-1989)
-Real Madrid Youth B-squad (1989-1991)
-Real Madrid under 19s (1991-1993)
-Real Madrid Senior B-squad (1993-1995)
-Real Valladolid (1995-1996)
-Osasuna (1996-1997)
-Extremadura (1997-1999)
-Tenerife (2000-2001)
-Valencia (2001-2004)
-Liverpool (2004-present)

Rafael Benitez inherited his love for football from his parents – father Francisco and mother Rosario – both of whom were avid football fans for Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid respectively. Francisco tragically died as Benitez was away earning second place in the 2005 FIFA Club World Championship.

As a footballer, Benitez played in midfield for the Real Madrid C-squad after joining the club’s youth academy at just 12 years of age. The Spaniard rounded off a football-filled upbringing with a degree in Physical Education in 1982.

Whilst representing the Spain Universities XI at the World Student Games in 1979, Benitez was severely injured from a crunching tackle made during a goalless draw with Canada. His hopes of becoming a top-class professional in the future had been critically dashed following a year-long absence from the game. Despite a return involving AD Parla and third-tier outfit Linares, the then 26-year-old’s injury issues resurfaced, eventually signaling the end of his short playing career in unfortunate circumstances.

Despite a premature retirement, Benitez used experience of managerial skills from a younger age to take his career in football onto the dugout as Real Madrid reserve and youth team coach. Success may not have been on his side as a player, but it was almost instantly after his appointment of the youth side as they took two league titles between 1987 and 1989 with the senior B-squad.

After taking a third league title whilst with the youth B-team in 1990, he took on the vacant role of Under-19s manager. With them, he earned cup wins in 1991 and 1993, both times defeating Barcelona in the final. The latter cup win was part of an impressive double that Benitez and his Under-19 squad achieved, after winning the National U19 league.

By 1990, Benitez had earned his coaching certificate and had returned to manage the Real Madrid B-team in 1993.

Having experienced the majority of available managerial titles at Real Madrid during the previous seven years, Benitez took on the challenge of other clubs, starting with Real Valladolid. Unfortunately, he was handed the sack after as little as 23 games following just two victories in his diminutive spell at the club. A nine-game spell at Osasuna fared poorly too; with just one win achieved at the Reyno de Navarra, Benitez was sacked.

Despite this, luck appeared to finally be on his side at Extremadura, a side that were lead to promotion under Benitez after finishing second in the Segunda División. After spending a year away from the manager’s job, working as a pundit for several football broadcasting companies including El Mundo and Eurosport, Benitez joined CD Tenerife – by 2001 the Spaniard had added another promotion achievement to his list of feats, leading Los Blanquiazules to La Liga. Benitez promptly resigned, however, in order to take the unfilled job at Valencia.

The regular top two of La Liga – Real Madrid and Barcelona – were set aside in 2002 as Benitez’s Valencia outfit stormed to their first league title since 1971 by seven points. The club may have finished fifth the following season, but Benitez’s attacking style helped them become one of Spain’s most fearsome teams as well as 2003 Champions League quarter-finalists. A defeat to Inter Milan prevented them from advancing further in the competition.

Benitez wasn’t finished at Valencia though. Not only did he take La Liga by the scruff of its neck in the 2003-2004 season, winning the title with several games to spare, he also helped Valencia to the UEFA Cup title with a victory over Marseille in the final. Although the fans were in awe of Benitez, his managerial style and his achievements, he fell out with club director Jesus Garcia Pitarch over control of buying players. Some of his final words as Valencia manager were the most famous of his career: “I asked for a table, and they bought me a lampshade”.

The dispute was never solved, and Benitez moved on to current club Liverpool in 2004. He has guided them to an unforgettable Champions League final victory over AC Milan, an equally tense FA Cup win, and another Champions League final appearance to Milan once more – yet Benitez and his team are still left hunting for the Premier League title after 18 unsuccessful attempts.

It appears to be merely a matter of time before the Reds’ 19th top-flight domestic title comes their way, but ongoing strenuous and strained relationships between Benitez and club owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett are seen by the fans as ruining the club’s chances of a Premier League title ever emerging on Merseyside.

19 years on, Liverpool and Rafael Benitez’s pursuit for the Premier League championship continues.

Team Honours

Domestic

League
First Division: (18 )
1900–01, 1905–06, 1921–22, 1922–23, 1946–47, 1963–64, 1965–66, 1972–73, 1975–76, 1976–77, 1978–79, 1979–80, 1981–82, 1982–83, 1983–84, 1985–86, 1987–88, 1989–90

Second Division: (4)
1893–94, 1895–96, 1904–05, 1961–62

Lancashire League: (1)
1892-93

Cup
FA Cup: (7)
1965, 1974, 1986, 1989, 1992, 2001, 2006

League Cup: (7)
1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1995, 2001, 2003

FA Community Shield: (15, 10 shared)
1964 (shared), 1965 (shared), 1966, 1974, 1976, 1977 (shared), 1979, 1980, 1982, 1986 (shared), 1988, 1989, 1990 (shared), 2001, 2006

English Super Cup: (1)
1986

European

European Cup/UEFA Champions League: (5)
1977, 1978, 1981, 1984, 2005

UEFA Cup: (3)
1973, 1976, 2001

UEFA Super Cup: (3)
1977, 2001, 2005

Team History

Founded in 1892, Liverpool are the most successful English team in history having won 40 trophies during their existence to Man Utd’s 38. Thirteen professionals were signed by John McKenna during their founding year, having been hired by John Houlding to bring in some footballers for the newly-formed Liverpool side. Malcolm McVean was the first ever scorer for the club in its 7-1 win over Rotherham – Liverpool’s first ever match.

Having had an application to join the Football League rejected, the club started domestic life in the Lancashire League, beating Higher Walton 8-0. The first ever Merseyside derby ended 1-0 in Liverpool’s favour, in the final of the Liverpool Senior Cup. This victory hauled the club into the Football League alongside Woolwich Arsenal.

They were soon promoted to the first division after winning the second tier unbeaten throughout the entire season. In 1914, Liverpool lost their first ever FA Cup Final to Burnley by just one goal.

The Reds were, however, involved in one of the game’s first betting scandal’s in 1915, which resulted in the banning of four squad members – although these bans were overturned four years later. The club marked their return to the top between the two years of 1921 and 1923 by winning the league title twice.

Manager George Patterson was unable to continue his role, meaning George Kay took over in 1936 and guided the club to the league title 11 years afterwards. Illness prevented him from advancing his career and in 1951, FA Cup winner Don Welsh replaced him – albeit for only a short space of time. He was sacked honour-less in 1956, replaced by Phil Taylor.

Taylor’s time at Liverpool was even worse, though; he left the club three years later having seen his side knocked out of the FA Cup by non-league outfit Worcester City earlier in the year.

The club’s most successful period came under new manager Bill Shankly, who took the league championship in 1964, 1966 and 1973, whilst emerging victorious in the FA Cup twice, and once in the UEFA Cup (now the Europa League). Having carved Liverpool into one of the most feared sides in the world, Shankly handed the managerial baton to then 55-year-old Bob Paisley, who maintained their stunning form.

Liverpool won the league a further six times during Paisley’s nine-year stint, as well as winning numerous other silverware including the UEFA Cup once, and the European Cup (now the Champions League) three times.

Since Paisley’s retirement, Joe Fagan, Kenny Dalglish, Graeme Souness, Roy Evans, Gerrard Houllier, and Rafael Benitez (current manager) have all taken the managerial role, with 20 more honours having been won between 1983 and 2009.

Despite this, rivals Man Utd have taken domestic football by the scruff of its neck under manager Sir Alex Ferguson, and Liverpool’s dominance has been wiped away. Benitez has guided the club to a stunning Champions League Final win over AC Milan on penalties, as well as wins in the Finals of the FA Cup, the UEFA Super Cup and the traditional English curtain raiser: the Community Shield.

The one title that continues to elude Liverpool is the Premier League, with Man Utd now within one title of equaling the Reds’ record of 18 domestic championships. This thread aims to tell the story of how the tables are turned once more… how Liverpool can once again become the dominant force in football.

[SPEKZ]

+ LIVERPOOL F.C SQUAD 2009-10

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+ GOALKEEPERS
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Pepe Reina

Position: Goalkeeper
Date of Birth: 31/08/1982
Height: 6'2
Weight: 14st 7
Former clubs: Barcelona, Villarreal
Birth Place: Madrid
Squad Number: 25
FIFA Overall: 84

Pepe Reina has become Liverpool's number one goalkeeper after joining in July 2005. He beat Jerzy Dudek in the fight for first choice and that forced the Polish goalkeeper to join Spanish giants Real Madrid, where he gets his share of playing time. Once he arrived from Spain to join the Reds, Rafael Benitez hailed him as " the best goalkeeper in Spain ". He made his debut in the UEFA Champions League against TNS where he kept a clean sheet.

A month later he won his first Spain cap in a 2-0 win over Uruguay. Brilliant performances for Liverpool allowed him to go with the Spanish National team to the FIFA World Cup 2006, but he never played any part. He has featured in a UEFA Champions League final following his fathers footsteps but lost against AC Milan just like his father did. In 2007, he signed a new contract which extended his current deal for another five years. Two seasons ago, he managed to win the golden glove despite Liverpool not winning a trophy.
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Diego Cavalieri

Position: Goalkeeper
Date of Birth: 01/12/1982
Height: 6'2
Weight: 13st 1
Former clubs: Palmeiras
Birth Place: Sao Paulo, Brazil
Squad Number: 1
FIFA Overall: 75

This talented Brazilian goalkeeper signed from Brazilian side Palmeiras in 2008. He became the third Brazilian to sign for Liverpool after left-back Fabio Aurelio and midfielder Lucas Leiva. After breaking into the Palmeiras side in 2002, many European clubs wanted to sign him including Juventus and Werder Bremen. Diego Cavalieri made his debut in a Carling Cup win against Crewe, two months after signing for Liverpool.

This is what the goalkeeper had to say after signing for the Merseyside, "I know it won't be easy to get into the team. I watched some Liverpool games in both the Premier League and Champions League last year and I know Pepe is a very good goalkeeper. But everyone has to fight for their place and I'm sure we will have a healthy rivalry ".
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Charles Itandje

Position: Goalkeeper
Date of Birth: 02/11/1982
Height: 6'4
Weight: 12st 5
Former clubs: Red Star 93, RC Lens
Birth Place: Bobigny, France
Squad Number: 30
FIFA Overall: 71

Charles Itandje joined Liverpool from RC Lens in 2007. He was alerted to all European clubs after completing a season with Red Star Belgrade, earlier in his career when Gerard Houllier was in charge of Liverpool, the French shot-stopper had a trial but never got into the team and thats when Lens pounced to get the teenager's signature. His been known to dance when a opposer is taking a penalty, just like Jerzy Dudek does which is called " Spaghetti Legs ". He made his debut a month after signing for the Reds in a 4-2 win over Reading in the Carling Cup. He has featured for France's under 21's even though his parents are from Cameroon.
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Martin Hansen

Position: Goalkeeper
Date of Birth: 15/06/1990
Height: 6'2
Weight: 12st 7
Former clubs: Brondby
Birth Place: Glostrup, Denmark
Squad Number: 41
FIFA Overall: 59

This young Danish goalkeeper has done well for the Liverpool reserves and still awaits for his first team debut. Martin joined Liverpool from Brondby in 2006 where he spent the first year of his Liverpool year winning the 2007 FA Youth Cup. In the final before the first leg, he broke his finger in the warm up but despite the injury, he still played the game conceding two goals. He was not able to play in the second leg but Liverpool still went onto win. The youngster graduated to Melwood aged just 17 ahead of the 2007-08 season.
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+ DEFENDERS
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Jamie Carragher

Position: Defender
Date of Birth: 28/01/1978
Height: 5'10
Weight: 12st 4
Former clubs: N/A
Birth Place: Bootle
Squad Number: 23
FIFA Overall: 85

What can you say about this great defender. The ultimate one club man and with one of the biggest hearts in the football game, Jamie Carragher is Mr. Liverpool. The vice-captain has played in over 500 Liverpool games and was part of the heroes in the Istanbul comeback. After coming up from the youth system, Carragher has been at the club since 1996, October. He made his Reds debut against Middlesbrough in 1997 in the Coca-Cola cup, his full debut was a year later and the big defender scored a rare goal.

Sadly, like Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, injury ruled him out of the FIFA World Cup 2002, if that wasn't bad enough a year later a poor tackle from Lucas Neill forced the defender to miss six months of the 2003/04 campaign. In 2007, he announced his retirement from International football.
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Daniel Agger

Position: Defender
Date of Birth: 12/12/1984
Height: 6'3
Weight: 12st 6
Former clubs: Brondby
Birth Place: Hvidovre, Denmark
Squad Number: 5
FIFA Overall: 82

Daniel Agger is a cultured centre-back who arrived from Brondby IF for £5,000,000 in the January transfer window in year 2006. The Denmark international has been a big hit with the Reds supporters as he smashed in a 35-yard belter against West Ham in the 2006/7 campaign which won goal of the month on Liverpool.tv. He has since forced his way into a starting XI spot alongside Jamie Carragher.

In 2007, he broke his metatarsal and missed a chunk of games in that season, even with the leg break, he managed to win Player of the Year for the club. He has recently signed a new contract which will keep him part of ' Rafalution ' and at the club until 2014.
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Alvaro Arbeloa

Position: Defender
Date of Birth: 17/01/1983
Height: 6'0
Weight: 12st
Former clubs: Real Madrid, Deportivo La Coruna
Birth Place: Salamanca, Spain
Squad Number: 17
FIFA Overall: 78

This versatile defender was brought to Anfield in 2007 where he has secured a right-back position for Liverpool. He started his career at Deportivo La Coruna before being lured to the Santiago Bernabeu aged sixteen. Before moving to Liverpool, the Spaniard made 21 appearances for Deportivo La Coruna before Rafael Benitez realised this defender would challenge Steve Finnan for the starting XI spot.

He won that battle for the spot and Finnan moved to Spain to join R.C.D Espanyol. Alvaro was part of the Spain winning side that won Euro 2008, starting one game. He has appeared in the UEFA Champions League Final after coming on as a late sub in the loss at the hands of A.C Milan.
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Fabio Aurelio

Position: Defender
Date of Birth: 24/09/1979
Height: 5'8
Weight: 11st 9
Former clubs: Sao Paulo, Valencia
Birth Place: San Carlos Brazil
Squad Number: 12
FIFA Overall: 75

Fabio Aurelio became the first Brazilian to sign for Liverpool in July 2006. The number 12 has immense techinical ability but his Anfield career has so far been blighted with injuries. After completing his six year contract at Valencia, the left-back decided against a new contract offer and moved to Anfield for more chances and bigger oppotunities. He made his debut in the Community Shield win over Chelsea a month after joining the club. His first two years have been filled with injuries but the defender is doing well at the moment.

He was involved in the 4-1 win over Manchester United scoring a free-kick against Edwin Van Der Sar and has scored various free-kicks including the one against Petr Cech to give Liverpool the momentum they needed in the Champions League quater-finals.
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Martin Skrtel

Position: Defender
Date of Birth: 15/12/1984
Height: 6'4
Weight: 12st 11
Former clubs: FC Banik Prievidza, AS Trencin, Zenit St Petersburg
Birth Place: Handlova, Slovakia
Squad Number: 37
FIFA Overall: 81

Liverpool bought Martin in January 2008 with a reputation for being a no-nonsense centre-back. Rafael Benitez signed the ex Zenit St. Petersburg with the Slovakian ready to battle it out with Jamie Carragher, Sami Hyypia and Daniel Agger for a spot in the heart of Liverpool's defense. The 6ft 4 defender played 113 games for Zenit before being recognised by teams like Valencia, Everton and Spurs.

The Reds were the ones who eventually clinched his signature and the Slovak made his debut as a second half sub against Aston Villa on January 21, 2008. He has yet to score in the right goal but has scored once against Pepe Reina in a League game.
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Andrea Dossena

Position: Defender
Date of Birth: 11/09/1981
Height: 5'8
Weight: 12st 3
Former clubs: Hellas Verona, Udinese, Treviso FBC
Birth Place: Lodi, Italy
Squad Number: 2
FIFA Overall: 75

Andrea Dossena came to Anfield looking for chances of European football after leaving Udinese. He arrived in July 2008 and was a direct replacement for John Arne Riise who had left for Italian club AS Roma. The left-back has appeared for Italy, seven times after making his debut against South Africa. After watching his impressive displays for Udinese and Italy, Rafael Benitez pounced at the chance to sign the vetern left-back.

He made his Liverpool debut against Standard Liege a month after signing for the Reds. His best moment had to be last season after he scored late goals which destroyed Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League and against Manchester United in the 4-1 win over the Red Devils at Old Trafford.
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[SPEKZ]

+ LIVERPOOL F.C SQUAD 2009-10

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+ DEFENDERS
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Glen Johnson

Position: Defender
Date of Birth: 23/08/1984
Height: 5'11
Weight: 12st 7
Former clubs: West Ham United, Millwall, Chelsea, Portsmouth
Birth Place: Greenwich, England
Squad Number: 24
FIFA Overall: 78

Glen Johnson signed for Liverpool Football Club in the summer transfer window of 2009. The full-back had intrest from Liverpool and Chelsea, as they both put in £17,000,000 bids which matched Portsmouth's evaluation. The twenty-four year old decided to move to Merseyside as Liverpool push for more trophies. Johnson has represented England on the U21 stage aswell as the senior team. He is yet to score for England but has fifteen caps. He has took up the right-back position beating stars just like Micah Richards, Wes Brown and Gary Neville. Glen Johnson currently runs a Soccer School in Dartford, Kent which allows young kids, to train and play football and keep youths off the streets. Rafael Benitez has said that Johnson is a great player and can get better and better.
---------------------------------

Emiliano Insua

Position: Defender
Date of Birth: 07/01/1989
Height: 5'8
Weight: 12st 2
Former clubs: Boca Juniors
Birth Place: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Squad Number: 22
FIFA Overall: 73

This Argentine youngster is becoming a regular on the left side of Liverpool's defence. The left-sided player joined Liverpool from Boca Juniors in January 2007 on a 18-month loan deal and after good performances, Rafa decided to make the deal permanent. His debut came in the Premiership against Portsmouth on April 28, 2007 but has mainly been playing in the reserves helping them to win the league once again. It wasn't until two seasons ago that Insua began playing first team football despite Fabio Aurelio and Andrea Dossena being fit and healthy. Insua loves attacking alot and is a regualar for the Argentina under-20s and helped them to the 2007 FIFA World Cup.
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Philipp Degen

Position: Defender
Date of Birth: 15/02/1983
Height: 6'1
Weight: 12st 6
Former clubs: FC Basel, Borussia Dortmund
Birth Place: Holstein, Switzerland
Squad Number: 27
FIFA Overall: 75

After being released by Borussia Dortmund, Philipp decided to join Liverpool on a free transfer deal despite teams such as Juventus, Real Madrid and even Lyon being intrested in the right-back. He began his career at FC Basel and had to wait five years before making his debut, after making his debut he became a regular in the team for four seasons winning three league titles and a domestic cup. He had a taste of Champions League football at Basel making his debut against Dynamo Kiev. He was even a unused sub against Liverpool at Anfield in the 1-1 draw, five years ago. Since being at Liverpool, his career has been blighted by injuries making only two appearances for Liverpool. He has a twin brother who is also a professinal footballer.
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Stephen Darby

Position: Defender
Date of Birth: 06/10/1988
Height: 5'8
Weight: 9st 4
Former clubs: N/A
Birth Place: Liverpool
Squad Number: 32
FIFA Overall: 60

Stephen Darby graduated to Melwood during 2006 in the summer after the best part of a decade in the Liverpool academy. The right-back was a key part in the back-to-back double FA Youth Cup victories in 2006 and 2007, winning them both whilst wearing the captain armband. In March 2008, he captained the side to the Dallas Cup when Liverpool beat Mexican sie Tigres recieving the trophy from Reds co-owner Tom Hicks. Two months later after the Dallas cup win, he lifted the reserve national trophy at Anfield after beating southern champions Aston Villa. The defender made his first team debut a couple of months later against Tottenham in the defeat against the North London team.
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Martin Kelly

Position: Defender
Date of Birth: 27/04/1990
Height: 6'3
Weight: 12st 5
Former clubs: N/A
Birth Place: Whiston
Squad Number: 34
FIFA Overall: 51

Centre-back Martin Kelly graduated to Melwood in the summer of 2007. After missing two years of the Academy development, the tal but elegent defender can play all across the back four. Here is what the youngster said; "The injury has made me more determined," says Kelly. "Having those two years out meant I missed so much from my development. I was lucky to get a chance to come to Melwood." After breaking into the reserves in 2007/08, the defender helped Liverpool win the league that season. He has played for the first team once and that was the UEFA Champions League in 2008 against PSV.
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Mikel San Jose

Position: Defender
Date of Birth: 30/05/1989
Height: 6'0
Weight: 12st 4
Former clubs: Athletic Bilbao
Birth Place: Pamplona, Spain
Squad Number: 45
FIFA Overall: 56

Mikel San Jose Dominguez signed from Spanish club Athletuc Bilbao in 2007. The versatile defender who penned a three-year deal at Anfield, helped lead Spain to win the UEFA Under-19 Championship in July 2007. This is what the youngster had to say when he secured a move to Merseyside; "It was a surprise for me but I have decided to accept the chance at Liverpool. I am very excited but now I know that I have to work more each day to get in the first team." The centre-back, who can also play in the centre of midfield trains at Melwood academy with the clubs reserve team.
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+ MIDFIELDERS
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Steven Gerrard

Position: Midfielder
Date of Birth: 30/05/1980
Height: 6'0
Weight: 12st 5
Former clubs: N/A
Birth Place: Whiston
Squad Number: 8
FIFA Overall: 85

This man is the heart of Liverpool Football Club and he wears the number eight shirt. This inspirational captain is one of the best football players in the world and his never-say-die attitude proved everyone wrong when he led Liverpool to a comeback in the UEFA Champions League Final after Milan took a three goal lead. The midfielder has collected just about every medal there is to win except for one thing - Premier League. He has captained his side and was also awarded a MBE from the Queen in 2006. He has won the MVP award as well as the Players Writers Of The year award. He has grabbed 120 goals for the club and has made over 500 appearances. He has a great partnership with Fernando Torres and they will be the main men in Liverpools bid for the Premier League title.
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Xabi Alonso

Position: Midfielder
Date of Birth: 25/11/1981
Height: 6'0
Weight: 12st 6
Former clubs: Real Sociedad, SD Eibar
Birth Place: Tolosa, Spain
Squad Number: 14
FIFA Overall: 83

With his reputation of being one of the best passers in the game, Xabi Alonso is a true Kop favourite to all fans. When Rafael Benitez first joined as manager of Liverpool, Alonso was one of the first captures as signed for just a little over 10 million from Real Sociedad in 2004. His dad is a former football star who used to play for Barcelona and his brother plays in Spain for Tenerife. Both of them played alongside each other at Sociedad but Xabi found fame as he made his senior breakthrough sooner then thought. The Spaniard made his debut against Bolton and hasn't looked back as he now is a part of the Spanish national team. He is known for his passing skill, long or short and proved it against Newcastle and Luton when he scored against both teams from the half-way line. In 2007, Alonso penned a new five year deal but with Madrid looking to add Xabi to thier galacticos could prove difficult.
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Javier Mascherano

Position: Midfielder
Date of Birth: 08/06/1984
Height: 5'7
Weight: 13st 5
Former clubs: River Plate, Corinthians, West Ham United
Birth Place: San Lorenzo, Sante Fe, Argentina
Squad Number: 20
FIFA Overall: 82

Defensive midfielder and enforcer Javier Mascherano signed from fellow English club West Ham United in Feburuary 2007. He is in the first team sheet every week due to a great partnership with midfielder Xabi Alonso. He was founded playing for South American giants River Plate where he played alongside former tean-mate Carlos Tevez. Both moved to West Ham before Javier headed to Merseyside and Carlos moved to Manchester to join United. Mascherano's future had been in doubt as Liverpool couldn't afford to pay off the fee for the Argentian but have found the money and confirmed the deal. Shortly after making his debut against Sheffield United, he went on to play in the UEFA Champions League final but despite losing against AC Milan, he won the players Man of the Match award. Goals are not a strong part of this midfielder but has scored a screamer for Liverpool and bagged two the Copa America final two years ago.
---------------------------------

Albert Riera

Position: Midfielder
Date of Birth: 15/04/1982
Height: 5'4
Weight: 13st 6
Former clubs: RCD Mallorca, Girondins Bordeaux, RCD Espanyol, Manchester City [loan]
Birth Place: Mancacor, Spain
Squad Number: 11
FIFA Overall: 81

Spanish winger Albert Riera joined the Reds from Spanish side Espanyol in September, 2008. The left winger had a point to prove in English football after having a taste of our football when he went on loan to Manchester City in the 2005-6 season but failed to impress. Making his debut against big team, Manchester United, Riera helped Liverpool to defeat their rivals byt two goals to one. He scored his first Liverpool goal two weeks later against Wigan Athletic. Just like Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, Riera can boast about scoring in a UEFA Cup Final, however Espanyol lost on penalties against Sevilla in 2007. Riera is currently in the Spanish national squad and marked his debut against Denmark, with a goal.
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[SPEKZ]

+ LIVERPOOL F.C SQUAD 2009-10

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+ MIDFIELDERS
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Yossi Benayoun

Position: Midfielder
Date of Birth: 05/05/1980
Height: 5'8
Weight: 9st 8
Former clubs: Hapoel Be'er Sheva, Maccabi Haifa, Racing Santander, West Ham United
Birth Place: Dimona, Israel
Squad Number: 15
FIFA Overall: 83

Yossi Benayoun signed for Liverpool in July 2007 from fellow Premiership team, West Ham United. The playermaker is regarded as a big star in Israel and he currently captains the national side. West Ham paid a intial fee of £2,500,000 for Benayoun and he instantly made a impact as he assisted two goals on his debut. His five goals and seven assists shot West Ham to a ninth place finish and into the FA Cup Final against Liverpool, where they went on to lose on penalties. In his last year with The Hammers, Benayoun scored three goals before moving to Liverpool. He made his debut in a UEFA Champions League Qualifier against Toulouse. Six weeks later, he scored his first Liverpool goal against Reading, more joy followed as he bagged a hat-trick in a Champions League game against Besiktas. He has gone on to score many goals and countless assists.
-------------------------------------

Lucas Leiva

Position: Midfielder
Date of Birth: 09/01/1987
Height: 5'8
Weight: 11st 7
Former clubs: Gremio
Birth Place: Dourados, Brazil
Squad Number: 21
FIFA Overall: 76

Lucas Leiva signed in July, 2007 from Brazilian side, Gremio. With loads of intrest in the box-to-box midfielder, Lucas decided to move to Liverpool. Having broke onto the scene in October, 2005. Lucas became the youngest player to win the Bola de Ouro. Previous winners contain Zico, Romario, Kaka and Carlos Tevez. The nephew of Brazilian footballer Leivinha, captained his country's under 20's to the South American Youth Championship title, scoring four goals in the way. Brazilian manager Dunga decided to try out Lucas and he made his debut against Al-Kuwait in 2006. Due to the game not being a official FIFA tie, the international fixture did not count as his debut. His most famous goal would be in the 4-3 win against Havant and Waterloo when he scored a twenty-five yard curler into the top corner. He has become stiff competiation to Xabi Alonso and Javier Masacherano.
-------------------------------------

Damien Plessis

Position: Midfielder
Date of Birth: 05/03/1988
Height: 6'3
Weight: 12st 7
Former clubs: Lyon
Birth Place: Neuville-aux-Bois, France
Squad Number: 28
FIFA Overall: 72

This holding midfielder has been dubbed as a 'promising youngster' by all the staff at Liverpool Football Club. He is one of the most exciting prospects at Melwood after signing from French side, Lyon in 2007. He has made a number of first team appearances including a shock decision by Rafael Benitez to start the midfielder against Arsenal in the 1-1 draw in 2008. Tall but cultured, Plessis played a important role in the reserve title winning side in the 2007-08 season.
-------------------------------------

Sebastian Leto

Position: Midfielder
Date of Birth: 30/08/1986
Height: 6'2
Weight: 9st 2
Former clubs: Lanus, Olympiakos
Birth Place: Alejandro Korn, Argentina
Squad Number: 29
FIFA Overall: 74

Sebastian Leto started his career at Lanus before moving to Liverpool in 2007. Since then he has gone out on loan to Greek side Olympiakos where he made twenty-one appearances and scoring just the once. He made his debut against French side Toulouse in a UEFA Champions League qualifying game in which they won 4-0. He has yet to make his Premier League debut due to problems with his passport. This forced him to play in the reserves until he can get it sorted. As soon as he finally managed to get a Italian passport in 2007, it was late revoked, allowing the Argentian to apply for a work permit but this was later refused. Rafael Benitez cricticsed the decisio of UEFA.
-------------------------------------

Ryan Flynn

Position: Midfielder
Date of Birth: 04/09/1988
Height: 5'7
Weight: 9st 6
Former clubs: Falkirk, Wrexham
Birth Place: Scotland
Squad Number: 35
FIFA Overall: 51

Central midfielder Ryan Flynn graduated from the Liverpool Academy and is now a regular in the reserve team. The Scottish ace, joined The Reds from Falkirk in 2006. He can also play as a second striker and was a key part of the clubs successive FA Youth Cup wins, scoring in the final vs Manchester City, making it three goals in total. He also helped Liverpool win the reserves league in 2007-08. Two seasons ago, the youngster was loaned out to Wrexham who play their football in the Blue Square Premier League. He notched up four goals in twenty-one games. He is yet to make his Liverpool debut but has played in various friendlies.
-------------------------------------

Stephen Irwin

Position: Midfielder
Date of Birth: 29/09/1990
Height: 5'8
Weight: 10st 6
Former clubs: N/A
Birth Place: Liverpool
Squad Number: 36
FIFA Overall: 54

This Scouser was promoted to Melwood academy in 2008 after spending nine years in the youth team. The midfielder who can also play as a defender first caught the ey of the Liverpool staff when he came on as a substitute against Manchester United in the 2006 Youth Cup Final. From that day, he has captained the U18 squad and helped them win the 2007-08 title. Irwin said this after being called up to Melwood; "I would say centre midfield is my best position, just over right-back, "I've played in every single position during my time at Liverpool. I actually played in goal once against Wolves. The goalkeeper got injured after 10 minutes. I had loads of saves to make so I'll be pushing Pepe Reina soon!"
-------------------------------------

Jay Spearing

Position: Midfielder
Date of Birth: 25/11/1988
Height: 5'6
Weight: 11st 1
Former clubs: N/A
Birth Place: Wirral
Squad Number: 26
FIFA Overall: 59

2007 was a big year for Jay as he finally graduated to Melwood after a decade in the Academy. The midfielder captained Liverpool's U18 to their second successive FA Youth Cup win in 2007. In the previous season, Jay suffered a set-back after he br. Palssonoke his leg but returned to beat Manchester City in the FA Youth Cup Final. He then went onto win the Torneo di Renate after he guided the U20's to back-to-back wins over AC Milan and Parma. Spearing made his first team debut in the UEFA Champions League against PSV Eindhoven in 2008. What the midfielder lacks in height, he makes up for in energy and hunger for the ball and titles. He even made a appearance in the 4-0 thrashing over Real Madrid which caused the fans to sing his name.
-------------------------------------
+ ATTACKERS
------------------------------------

Fernando Torres

Position: Striker
Date of Birth: 20/03/1984
Height: 6'1
Weight: 12st 4
Former clubs: Atletico Madrid
Birth Place: Madrid, Spain
Squad Number: 9
FIFA Overall: 88

"We bought the lad from sunny Spain, he gets the ball and scores again" is the offcial chant for this great number nine. Fernando Torres is the new idol of the number nine shirt and he has succeeded the name of Robbie Fowler to break the thirty goal-barrier and is on his way to achieving the godlike status. Before joining The Kop, El Nino spent twelve years at Atletico Madrid. Torres became the youngest player in the clubs history to become captain at the age of just nineteen. He has represented the national squad at U16 and U19 level. His first goal for Spain came against Italy and from then has made a powerful partnership with David Villa. Torres scored his first Liverpool goal against Chelsea after a burst of pace from the striker. He helped Spain to win Euro 2008 after scoring the winner against Germany.
-------------------------------------

Michael Owen

Position: Striker
Date of Birth: 14/12/1979
Height: 5'8
Weight: 11st 8
Former clubs: Liverpool, Real Madrid, Newcastle
Birth Place: Chester, England
Squad Number: 10
FIFA Overall: 79

Michael Owen returned to Anfield after signing from Newcastle United in 2009 for £8,000,000. Owen scored 118 goals for Liverpool as he spent eight years at The Reds before leaving for Spanish club, Real Madrid. Madrid never worked well as he spent one year in Spain before moving to The Magpies. The England striker scored twenty-six goals for Newcastle before returning to the club of his heart, Liverpool F.C. His England career has gone down in the dumps since Fabio Capello was appointed new manager. He has featured once under the Italian's management which was in November 2008. His International record speaks for itself as he has netted forty times for England, including a hat-trick in the 5-1 demolition against rivals Argentina.
-------------------------------------

Dirk Kuyt

Position: Striker
Date of Birth: 22/07/1980
Height: 6'0
Weight: 13st 2
Former clubs: FC Utrecht, Feyenoord
Birth Place: Katwijk, Netherlands
Squad Number: 18
FIFA Overall: 77

This energetic striker was signed from Feyenoord for £10,000,000 in 2006. When the Dutch flyer was twelve, he was too choose from being a fisherman with his dad or to be a footballer. Thankfully, he chose to be a footballer and started his career at Young Boys. In the FIFA World Cup in 2006, Kuyt made three appearances, mostly on the right wing to his dislike. After months of uncertainty of his future, he finally signed for Liverpool. He had his debut against West Ham United and despite scoring, he was clapped as he chased every ball. His first goal came agains Newcastle United and he went on to score thirteen in his first season. The season ended in the UEFA Champions League Final, where he scored the winning penalty against Chelsea in the semi-finals.
----------------------------------------

[SPEKZ]

Squad 4

Reserve

[UsR EXTR3ME]

The pursuit continues: 2008/9 Premier League review

Steven Gerrard came closer to lifting the Premier League title than ever before.

Liverpool came closer than ever to snatching their first Premier League title in a highly dramatic 2008/9 season after finishing second, just two points behind eventual winners Chelsea.

The traditionally-considered optimism surrounding the commencing of the new campaign – and in particular Liverpool’s renewed title challenge – prior to the Reds’ opening day encounter with West Brom at Anfield was as hyped up as ever, but Rafael Benitez’s side opened their season with a confident 3-0 victory.

The hype soon turned into waves of anxiety as Newcastle charged to a 2-0 victory at St. James’ Park, and Man Utd were Liverpool’s next victors at Anfield with a 2-1 win – Wayne Rooney netted a penalty with as little as two minutes remaining to seal a deserved win, albeit in cruel fashion.

The media turned their attention to Benitez’s future as Liverpool manager after a 1-0 defeat to West Ham at the start of September, but the Spaniard responded with a comment about the “needless media attention”, when they should have been “focusing on the pitch”. The team as a whole then took action with a 2-0 home win over Blackburn, and wins over Chelsea and Fulham took them to the Premier League summit at the end of a hugely successful month that saw Benitez crowned Manager of the Month.

Top spot was held for no longer than two weeks however, as Chelsea upped their game in October to overturn the Reds’ dominance. Confidence earned from a tricky 1-0 away win over Arsenal was wasted after Hull visited Anfield and came away with a 3-2 victory.

By November, it was difficult to remember the strong form Liverpool had earlier in the campaign. Defeats against Aston Villa, Man City and Wigan rounded off a miserable month, and the Christmas period was marred by a desperate run of three further defeats against Middlesbrough, Bolton and Everton that left the Reds in a lowly fourth, and with Rafael Benitez’s job once more hanging in the balance.

The turn of the year was a chance to start over, and 2009 did indeed produce confident displays and positive results that hauled Liverpool up to second – a position that would be maintained throughout the rest of the season’s entirety.

This new wave of flair and flamboyance within Liverpool’s play was brought about by a 6-0 thumping of West Brom, who by now were floating in the relegation zone. From thereon, the Reds stormed to wins over Fulham, Portsmouth and Newcastle in a January that saw no transfer market activity from Benitez – widely criticised for his lack of buying whilst in need of players.

Despite another defeat to league holders Man Utd, Liverpool maintained their second place position through frequent confident wins – including a stunning comeback against a dreadfully unlucky Stoke side that started the second half 2-0 up, but went home 3-2 losers. Hull, Aston Villa, Wigan and Tottenham were also beaten by Benitez’s men during March and April. Arsenal snatched a draw with a final-minute Cesc Fabregas goal in early May.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s side performed lackluster during many occasions of the season – only performing to their full potential and ability against the top sides - hindering their chances of an automatic Champions League qualifying spot.

A 4-2 win over Sunderland for the Reds meant the final-day fixture at Stamford Bridge between top-dogs Chelsea and Liverpool was vital to the destination of the title. Benitez seemed likely to guide his team to their first Premier League championship in 19 years as they pressed early on, but a Frank Lampard double sealed the Blues’ first title since the days of Jose Mourinho, and Luiz Felipe Scolari’s first in his debut year.

Liverpool’s quest for domestic dominance persists. Chelsea were just too good this time.

[UsR EXTR3ME]

Timeline

Get up to date

New to the thread? Welcome, and use this Timeline to get up to date with the latest updates.

Links to each update are separated into sections: matchday updates, transfer talk, interviews, and features. Within each section, updates are listed in chronological order. Updates in the original posts are not included in this timeline.

Main headlines
Beckham to feature in USA pre-season tour

Matchday updates

None as of yet.

Transfer Gossip

Voronin: I am staying at Hertha (June 2009)
Owen and Johnson join Reds (July 2009)
Could Mascherano leave Liverpool? (July 2009)
Arbeloa set to leave Merseyside (July 2009)

Interviews

None as of yet.

Features

None as of yet.

Other

Gerrard: Next year will be our year (July 2009)

[PNE-Adz]

Great start, and finally, this collab is up and running! Can't wait to see what this produces

[LeeXD]

Should be an amazing op, amazing thread, amazing all together!

Cant wait for it to start peoples

[sam.]

Good luck guys, I can tell this is gonna be good

[LeeXD]

No spelling mistakes, well done mate

[UsR EXTR3ME]

Man, this took so long it felt like a bloody exam.

But it is done. Nearly.

[KGWHUFC]

Looks really good so far, will deffinately follow this one, good luck

[Egzon|RMCF]

Looks great so far, good luck with this!

[.DJ]

Hope this is a top class Liverpool thread. Looks promising with these guys

[SPEKZ]

Thanks everyone for the comments. We hope to make this one to remember

[JulianBere]

UsR can stick to a thread... maybe he'll stick SPEKZ to this one

[Liverpöol]

good luck mate this will last.

[SPEKZ]

Originally Posted by JulianBere

UsR can stick to a thread... maybe he'll stick SPEKZ to this one

I know Don't worry, this will last

Originally Posted by Liverpöol

good luck mate this will last.

Thanks Hales

[LeeXD]

So, when will the first update be?

[SG Cesc]

UsR I read you'r old Newcastle thread and I loved it, I hope this as good.

[ManchesterRed]

Great start, lalalala club.

[LeeXD]

Just cos you are a Manc

[SPEKZ]

http://i408.photobucket.com/albums/pp169/SPEKZFIFA09/lfctv_logo_headline.jpg

I AM STAYING AT HERTHA

http://i408.photobucket.com/albums/pp169/SPEKZFIFA09/Voroninpic.jpg

After scoring for Hertha Berlin

Merseyside, England - Liverpool striker Andrey Voronin has decided to stay at Hertha Berlin after spending a season on loan at the Olympic Stadium.

Rafael Benitez has agreed to let the Ukranian stay in Germany after both clubs agreed a deal which will be confirmed next week. With a shortage of strikers, Benitez has Fernando Torres, David N'Gog and Dirk Kuyt available with Robbie Keane moving back to Tottenham Hotspur. Michael Owen has been rumoured to be coming back to Anfield where he spent the best part of his career but we have no further news on that deal.

Back to the Voronin news, the striker has decided to stay at Hertha Berlin after a successful spell and becoming Bundesliga's third top scorer for the 2008-09 season. He grabbed eleven goals in twenty appearances for Hertha and wants to continue his great form but not in England. The striker started his career with Borussia Mönchengladbach for five years before moving to Mainz 05. He travelled to 1. lalalaöln. The best part of his career came whilst playing for Bayer Leverkusen, spending three years there and scoring thirty-two goals. He moved to Liverpool in 2007 but never hit it off with the fans, and was sent to Hertha Berlin on a season loan. Spending thirty-three games in Germany, Andriy discovered that he belongs there and has decided to stay at Berlin.

The twenty-nine year old was born in Ukraine and plays for the national side. Mainly upfront with big name striker Andriy Shevchenko. He featured in the Ukrainian squad for the FIFA World Cup 2006, in which case Ukraine managed to reach the quater-finals but they were soon knocked out by the eventual winners, Italy.

The eleven goals that Voronin has scored for Hertha Berlin includes a hat-trick against Energie Cottbus but he has been on the discipline side after recieving a red card for a professional foul on Leon Andreasen of Hannoner 96. He recieved a four match ban.

[LeeXD]

Lovely update there SPEKZ, just one thing, you finished the report a bit abrupt. Other than that an amazing update