Liverpool FC

[Dan]

^^^^^



ON THIS DAY: HAPPY BIRTHDAY LFC
Steve Hunter 03 June 2009

Liverpool FC was born on this day in 1892.

The club was changed when Everton FC founder John Houlding signed a certificate to alter the name of the club residing at Anfield from Everton Football Club and Athletic Grounds Company Limited to Liverpool Football Club and Athletic Grounds Company Limited.

Liverpool lalalaicked off in the Lancashire League in September and a glorious new institution began.

[lvrpl4life]

RUSH: HOW I SCORED 50 IN ONE SEASON

Not many players can claim to have scored 50 goals in one season - but Ian Rush does. Here he recalls his contribution to the 83-84 campaign and that famous night in Rome.

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/images5/rushies50.jpg

It's hard to believe it's 25 years since a fantastic season culminated in our fourth European Cup triumph in Rome.

I remember it like yesterday. I can remember everything about it.

We'd beaten Everton in the League Cup final in a replay at Maine Road earlier in the campaign and also wrapped up the League Championship prior to the clash at the Stadio Olimpico.

The only downer was that we felt we could have done more in the FA Cup. We lost 2-0 away to Brighton in the fourth round. It was just one of those games. The treble was a huge achievement back then but we still believe it could have been a quadruple.

I'd scored four goals against Coventry City and one against Norwich going into our final two home matches of the season. It meant I needed one more in the final to take my total to 50 goals for the season (I also got two for Wales against Romania).

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/images4/european-cup-final-1.jpg

If that wasn't incentive enough, then the fact I was the 17th man when we had beaten Real Madrid in 1981 made it all the more important to me.

I had been disappointed not to be in the squad three years earlier. I had played in the semi-final but I wasn't picked for the final in Paris, so to get my chance in '84 was great.

I really enjoyed our run up to the final. One of the major highlights was when we beat Bilbao 1-0 in Spain. Alan Kennedy turned inside the full-back and crossed with his right foot allowing me to react and bounce a header into the corner of the net.

Alan couldn't kick it with his right foot and I couldn't head the ball so that was special goal!

Another great memory from the earlier rounds that year was when we hammered Benfica 4-1 in the Estadio da Luz. It was a great stadium to play in and I was delighted to grab our third on a night when we sent a few shockwaves across Europe.

The 5-1 win on aggregate set-up a semi-final showdown against Dinamo Bucharest and after taking a 1-0 lead in the first leg at Anfield, I scored two in Romania to seal our progress to the final.

It was lashing down with rain that evening but what stands out most of all is how Graeme Souness got abuse from their fans for the entire 90 minutes!

He 'accidentally' punched one of their main players in the first match and there were 60,000 whistles every time he got the ball. What they didn't realise was that Graeme loved it!

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/images4/european-cup-final.jpg

I was particularly pleased with my first goal against the Romanians. I jinked my way past the last defender before clipping the ball over the advancing keeper from a relatively tight angle to give us the momentum to go on and seal our place in the final.

In the dressing room after the game Joe Fagan asked for silence and told us we had to focus for our game at Stoke on the Saturday. The lads went quiet and suddenly he just jumped up and said 'Yippee! We're in the final!'

Joe was very rarely like that so it was brilliant to see him showing us all how happy he was.

Everything leading up to the final worked out great for us. I'd scored 49 goals that season, we'd won the league and there we were heading to the Italian capital hoping to make it a treble. From a personal point-of-view, aside from making sure we lifted the cup, I was also desperate to hit a half century.

We weren't expected to win in Rome though and faced a side full of internationals and World Cup stars. As most supporters of Liverpool lalalanow, the match eventually finished 1-1 after extra-time in what was a really tough encounter.

None of us thought that we'd score when it went to penalties. Joe came on and said, 'It doesn't matter what you do. You've done yourselves and the team proud and you've done the supporters proud, so I'm not bothered whether you score or not.' Deep down we knew he would be!

Walking from the centre circle to the penalty spot with 70,000 boos being directed at you wasn't pleasant. It was one of the scariest things to ever happen to me on a football pitch, so when I put the penalty away, I was overcome with relief.

Like I say, I'd scored 49 goals that season and I was hoping to get 50 goals. I didn't get one during the match but I still include that penalty as my half century.

As far as I'm concerned I scored 50 goals that season and no one can take that away from me. It's one thing knocking one in during a First Division match, but when you are talking about one kick that could help decide the destiny of the European Cup, then it's a whole new experience.

With the Roma players beginning to buckle under the pressure it all came down to Alan Kennedy to put his spot-kick away and secure the treble.

Luckily enough he did the job and the rest, as they say, is history.
I don't think the Italians were used to anyone playing the clown the way Brucie (Grobbelaar) did. They completely lost their nerve when he came up with the old wobbly legs routine and I think he made the difference in the end.

It didn't quite sink in how big an achievement it was at first. We had not only won the European Cup on Roma's own turf, but we'd also done the treble.

It was another incredible occasion. No-one had fancied us to win over there, but we'd stuck together and done it.

It was the second time the club had won the European Cup in Italy's capital. It seems to be something of a lucky city for us and it will always be a place close to my own heart because of what we achieved there on that famous night.

Not many players can claim to have scored 50 goals in one season - but Ian Rush does. Here he recalls his contribution to the 83-84 campaign and that famous night in Rome.

It's hard to believe it's 25 years since a fantastic season culminated in our fourth European Cup triumph in Rome.

I remember it like yesterday. I can remember everything about it.

We'd beaten Everton in the League Cup final in a replay at Maine Road earlier in the campaign and also wrapped up the League Championship prior to the clash at the Stadio Olimpico.

The only downer was that we felt we could have done more in the FA Cup. We lost 2-0 away to Brighton in the fourth round. It was just one of those games. The treble was a huge achievement back then but we still believe it could have been a quadruple.

I'd scored four goals against Coventry City and one against Norwich going into our final two home matches of the season. It meant I needed one more in the final to take my total to 50 goals for the season (I also got two for Wales against Romania).

If that wasn't incentive enough, then the fact I was the 17th man when we had beaten Real Madrid in 1981 made it all the more important to me.

I had been disappointed not to be in the squad three years earlier. I had played in the semi-final but I wasn't picked for the final in Paris, so to get my chance in '84 was great.

I really enjoyed our run up to the final. One of the major highlights was when we beat Bilbao 1-0 in Spain. Alan Kennedy turned inside the full-back and crossed with his right foot allowing me to react and bounce a header into the corner of the net.

Alan couldn't kick it with his right foot and I couldn't head the ball so that was special goal!

Another great memory from the earlier rounds that year was when we hammered Benfica 4-1 in the Estadio da Luz. It was a great stadium to play in and I was delighted to grab our third on a night when we sent a few shockwaves across Europe.

The 5-1 win on aggregate set-up a semi-final showdown against Dinamo Bucharest and after taking a 1-0 lead in the first leg at Anfield, I scored two in Romania to seal our progress to the final.

It was lashing down with rain that evening but what stands out most of all is how Graeme Souness got abuse from their fans for the entire 90 minutes!

He 'accidentally' punched one of their main players in the first match and there were 60,000 whistles every time he got the ball. What they didn't realise was that Graeme loved it!

I was particularly pleased with my first goal against the Romanians. I jinked my way past the last defender before clipping the ball over the advancing keeper from a relatively tight angle to give us the momentum to go on and seal our place in the final.

In the dressing room after the game Joe Fagan asked for silence and told us we had to focus for our game at Stoke on the Saturday. The lads went quiet and suddenly he just jumped up and said 'Yippee! We're in the final!'

Joe was very rarely like that so it was brilliant to see him showing us all how happy he was.

Everything leading up to the final worked out great for us. I'd scored 49 goals that season, we'd won the league and there we were heading to the Italian capital hoping to make it a treble. From a personal point-of-view, aside from making sure we lifted the cup, I was also desperate to hit a half century.

We weren't expected to win in Rome though and faced a side full of internationals and World Cup stars. As most supporters of Liverpool lalalanow, the match eventually finished 1-1 after extra-time in what was a really tough encounter.

None of us thought that we'd score when it went to penalties. Joe came on and said, 'It doesn't matter what you do. You've done yourselves and the team proud and you've done the supporters proud, so I'm not bothered whether you score or not.' Deep down we knew he would be!

Walking from the centre circle to the penalty spot with 70,000 boos being directed at you wasn't pleasant. It was one of the scariest things to ever happen to me on a football pitch, so when I put the penalty away, I was overcome with relief.

Like I say, I'd scored 49 goals that season and I was hoping to get 50 goals. I didn't get one during the match but I still include that penalty as my half century.

As far as I'm concerned I scored 50 goals that season and no one can take that away from me. It's one thing knocking one in during a First Division match, but when you are talking about one kick that could help decide the destiny of the European Cup, then it's a whole new experience.

With the Roma players beginning to buckle under the pressure it all came down to Alan Kennedy to put his spot-kick away and secure the treble.

Luckily enough he did the job and the rest, as they say, is history.

I don't think the Italians were used to anyone playing the clown the way Brucie (Grobbelaar) did. They completely lost their nerve when he came up with the old wobbly legs routine and I think he made the difference in the end.

It didn't quite sink in how big an achievement it was at first. We had not only won the European Cup on Roma's own turf, but we'd also done the treble.

It was another incredible occasion. No-one had fancied us to win over there, but we'd stuck together and done it.

It was the second time the club had won the European Cup in Italy's capital. It seems to be something of a lucky city for us and it will always be a place close to my own heart because of what we achieved there on that famous night.

Ian was speaking to Paul Hassall

RUSH: HOW I SCORED 50 IN ONE SEASON

What an absolute legend!

[Ryan]

Originally Posted by Scouser_Dave

I'm 99.9% sure Xabi will still be playing for us next season. And I doubt we would Gago, he's to simlar to Masc and would offer no attacking threat at all.

Read some where yesterday that Real will offer 25 million plus Negredo, they sound desperate to me, hopefully Rafa doesn't fall for this deal either.

I don't think Rafa is going to give into them very easily. Ballague(I know) said Rafa will only sell Xabi on two conditions.
1. Xabi says he wants to go.

2. Madrid offer 40-50 million Euros.

Rafa won't let us get done over like we have before. I think you're right, Xabi will be with us next season.

[Scouser_Dave]

Steven Gerrard has backed Michael Owen to get back into the England squad.

The former Red doesn't even have a club at the moment but Gerrard believes someone will soon snap Owen up and that the striker is capable of forcing his way back into the England set-up.

"I'm a player, I'm not a scout or a manager but if I was I would be giving Michael a ring," he said.

"I'm a big fan of Michael, a good friend of his and I would love to see him get a move to a big club and get his England career back on track.

"He's suffered a lot in the last couple of years with injuries but a fit Michael Owen has got the ability to be involved in this squad for sure.

"I've not spoken to him that much of late but I'm sure, knowing Michael as long as I have, he will be desperate to get back playing football again, staying fit and scoring goals."

Gerrard backs Owen - Liverpool FC - LFC Online

..........

[Dan]

As much as I know people on here wouldn't want him back, signing him in the summer on a free would be a great deal, regardless of his injury past etc.

[LFCtorresLFC]

Originally Posted by Danthomas2005

As much as I know people on here wouldn't want him back, signing him in the summer on a free would be a great deal, regardless of his injury past etc.

This again...

I'll just say one thing, no more posts after this:

Owen on a free is impossible. No transfer fee but high signing on fee, high wages, high medical costs.

[MaschPotato]

I agree with Dan. No reason why we should go out and spend 20m on a striker when we can have Owen for free.

^^^

Wages and 'medical bills' versus 20m on a striker PLUS wages.


I know which i'd choose Who's to say we sign someone and he immediately gets injured?

[Fluffin]

I'm not too botherd about the fee's and what not. But do you think he'll be easily forgiven by the Anfield faithfull for doing a runner on us?

[LFCtorresLFC]

Originally Posted by Fluffin

I'm not too botherd about the fee's and what not. But do you think he'll be easily forgiven by the Anfield faithfull for doing a runner on us?

No. Which is right.

[Dan]

Originally Posted by Fluffin

I'm not too botherd about the fee's and what not. But do you think he'll be easily forgiven by the Anfield faithfull for doing a runner on us?

No I don't think so.. And he'll have to work hard to earn the respect of us all again, but having him as an option in the team would be great, he still is a very good player..


LFC mate, I understand, but who's to say if we sign Villa or Negredo or Tevez, that they won't remain injury free.. I would rather us sign Owen on a free, and have the risk, as signing another striker, and have an even bigger risk..

Owen would be more willing to play second fiddle to Torres than someone like Tevez, Villa, Negredo etc. I don't like him for the way he left us, and I think it would be a risk to take, but the chances of the move being a success is probably higher than us spending £20m on someone..

[AleXj | LFC]

us heard rumour of liverpool approuching david silva, offering £15m + Andriy Voronin, After reading this i feel more comfortable with rafa cos it shows he is listening to his players

[Scouser_Dave]

Originally Posted by Fluffin

I'm not too botherd about the fee's and what not. But do you think he'll be easily forgiven by the Anfield faithfull for doing a runner on us?

He had a good reception when he came on as a sub at Anfield this season, so who knows. There is talk that he could come in on a pay as you play deal.

[Lloydboiere]

Originally Posted by NO 9 TORRES

us heard rumour of liverpool approuching david silva, offering £15m + Andriy Voronin, After reading this i feel more comfortable with rafa cos it shows he is listening to his players

yeh i hered and read this
Liverpool midfielder Yossi Benayoun is ready to commit his long-term future to the club, having said in January he was ready to leave if he continued playing a bit part at the club.

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has pleaded with the club to bring Newcastle striker Michael Owen back to Anfield.

However, Benayoun could yet turn his back on Anfield, with Manchester City, West Ham, Atletico Madrid and Villarreal believed to be interested in the Israeli.

[Scouser_Dave]

Originally Posted by Lloydboiere_09

However, Benayoun could yet turn his back on Anfield, with Manchester City, West Ham, Atletico Madrid and Villarreal believed to be interested in the Israeli.

Thats complete lalalalalalalala spouted by the press mate.

[Lloydboiere]

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has pleaded with the club to bring Newcastle striker Michael Owen back to Anfield.

what you think about that tho

[Scouser_Dave]

Originally Posted by Lloydboiere_09

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has pleaded with the club to bring Newcastle striker Michael Owen back to Anfield.

what you think about that tho

Steven Gerrard has backed Michael Owen to get back into the England squad.

The former Red doesn't even have a club at the moment but Gerrard believes someone will soon snap Owen up and that the striker is capable of forcing his way back into the England set-up.

"I'm a player, I'm not a scout or a manager but if I was I would be giving Michael a ring," he said.

"I'm a big fan of Michael, a good friend of his and I would love to see him get a move to a big club and get his England career back on track.

"He's suffered a lot in the last couple of years with injuries but a fit Michael Owen has got the ability to be involved in this squad for sure.

"I've not spoken to him that much of late but I'm sure, knowing Michael as long as I have, he will be desperate to get back playing football again, staying fit and scoring goals."

Gerrard backs Owen - Liverpool FC - LFC Online

Where is the pleading there?

[Ryan]

Napoli's Ezequiel Lavezzi Says Yes To Juventus - Report

According to the latest reports coming from Italy, Lavezzi has accepted an offer from the Bianconeri following his rift with the Azzurri.

3 Jun 2009 18:09:11

Alejandro Mazzoni, agent of Napoli forward Ezequiel Lavezzi, confirmed earlier on that his client had a row with the club's general director Pierpaolo Marino, which made him run away to Argentina.

However, according to resport.it, Mazzoni has reached an agreement with Juventus in the past weeks. The reason, it seems, is that the player had been asking Napoli for an improvement of his current contract since January, but the Partenopei have not bowed down to his requests so far.

Apparently Lavezzi will receive €2.5 million per season until 2014 after Mazzoni met up with Juve's Jean-Claude Blanc and Alessio Secco, and lawyer Rossetto, who takes care of Lavezzi's interests together with the Argentinean agent.

The main obstacle remains that of Napoli, who do not want to let their star player leave. The club have often repeated that the player is not for sale, but yesterday's letter left by El Pocho might have changed things.

Developments are expected in the coming days, but what is certain now is that the Lavezzi story will be one of the hot points for this summer's transfer market.

........

[Scouser_Dave]

Alejandro Mazzoni, agent of Napoli forward Ezequiel Lavezzi, confirmed earlier on that his client had a row with the club's general director Pierpaolo Marino, which made him run away to Argentina

Sounds like we got a lucky escape.

[Ryan]

Originally Posted by Scouser_Dave

Sounds like we got a lucky escape.

Yeah, a very talented player and could have been quality for us. But his attitude stinks.

[Scouser_Dave]

Liverpool interested in Middlesbrough flop Tuncay - mirror.co.uk

[Ryan]

Originally Posted by Scouser_Dave

Liverpool interested in Middlesbrough flop Tuncay - mirror.co.uk

If we can get him for free and he doesn't mind being paid in crisps then I think he could be a good addition.

[Galatasaray]

Tuncay can definitely be a good backup to Torres, he can also play on the wing

[LFCtorresLFC]

Originally Posted by Danthomas2005

No I don't think so.. And he'll have to work hard to earn the respect of us all again, but having him as an option in the team would be great, he still is a very good player..


LFC mate, I understand, but who's to say if we sign Villa or Negredo or Tevez, that they won't remain injury free.. I would rather us sign Owen on a free, and have the risk, as signing another striker, and have an even bigger risk..

Owen would be more willing to play second fiddle to Torres than someone like Tevez, Villa, Negredo etc. I don't like him for the way he left us, and I think it would be a risk to take, but the chances of the move being a success is probably higher than us spending £20m on someone..

Isn't the point of buying a back-up striker that you can just put them into the team if number 1 gets injured...so how is Owen a good back-up?

Say Torres get's injured, we go to put Owen lone striker with Gerrard supporting...oh...he can't play lone striker now his pace is gone. So we have to change formation for our back-up to even play. Pointless.

[Ryan]

Originally Posted by Scouser_Dave

Liverpool interested in Middlesbrough flop Tuncay - mirror.co.uk

lalalalaing hell. I just read the rest of the article and it said Benitez met with Silva, and Silva said he would love to play in the Premier League.

[LFCtorresLFC]

Since when did Tuncay flop...he always stood out at Boro imo.