Liverpool FC

[MaschPotato]

Originally Posted by Gerrard4eva

Dave, your really good at this, can you find me a video with Babels goal? I had to leave before it happened...

YouTube - Liverpool 4 - 2 Arsenal (Full highlights) 8th April 2008
this 1 has his goal on at the end

[Scouser_Dave]

sensible match review from a gooner

Arsenal News Review

Liverpool 4 Arsenal 2

Arsene Wenger is an attacking coach who plays stylish football with young players. No other Champions League coach does that.

But he doesn’t teach defence, so he is the architect of his own downfall. If you don’t teach defence, you have to buy defenders who know how to defend.

THE FOUR GOALS CONCEDED :

1-1 : Senderos mistake, Hyypia heads in.
2-1 Senderos mistake, Torres fires unstoppable shot
3-2 Toure’s clumsy challenge fells Babel in the box. Less of a clear-cut foul than the Kuyt tug on Hleb’s arm but the ref gives it.
4-2. Chasing the game with nine players forward, Babel breaks away from tired Fabregas and knocks in the fourth goal.

First 20 minutes, Arsenal were fantastic.

Their fast passing gave them flying start and Rafa had picked the wrong team, changing it to 4-4-2 with Crouch &Torres and Gerrard on the left. Rafa didn’t need to make that tactical change and it allowed Arsenal to swarm all over Liverpool and take the lead with a fine goal by Diaby in 13.

Good move, great finish. A helluva shot that went in off Reina’s knee. It’s dim to say Reina was beaten at his near post. It was a rocket shot from pointblank range that flashed into the net. Superb goal. If the rocket shot had hit Reina’s chest it would have been dim to say he made a great save.

For half an hour in their biggest game of the season, Arsenal were giving their best performance of the season.

On 30, they conceded. Senderos wasn’t even watching the ball when Hyypia conned him and headed a corner in off the post. A thunderous header from the six foot four inch Finn who is 34 and by far the best player Houllier ever bought.

This second leg was high-energy combat with passion, pace, skill, mistakes, near-misses - a proper football match, as vibrant as they come.

Flamini went off just before half-time, Gilberto came on. That suited Liverpool.

It was 1-1 in the third match of The Trilogy but it never looked like being 1-1 and extra time. Liverpool dominated in the second half as Arsenal created almost nothing, having lost a lot when Flamini went off. If he had not been injured, who knows?His exit created a perfect job for Lassana Diarra, I thought. But Diarra is in an FA Cup Final now with Portsmouth.

Torres’s movement was phenomenal but he did not threaten until 69. Route 1, Reina’s big boot again, Crouch and Gallas jumped, both missed it, ball bounced, Torres chested the ball and turned and scored a world class goal to make it 2-1. The lumbering Senderos never got anywhere near him. Fernando Torres left his beloved Atletico Madrid to play Champions League football and he has 29 goals so far in his first season for Liverpool. 29 in 40 games is good shooting. Worth £26 million? Absolutely !

Van Persie came on for Diaby, Walcott for Eboue.

Adebayor was suddenly beyond the defence when Hleb’s probing pass the ball came through but he lunged and stabbed the ball wide.Liverpool were finding their men with every pass now, looking good.

Then Gerrard tried a left foot volley in the D, missed the ball completely, Theo Walcott picked it up, zoomed past Alonso, then Kuyt, outpaced the chasing Mascherano, evaded Hyypia and placed a low pass-cross behind Skrtel to give Adebayor a tap-in past the advancing Reina for 2-2. A phenomenal 80-yard slalom. Arsenal had three players in scoring positions when the cross came in. The ball went straight to the first one and Ade slotted. At that moment the introduction of Walcott looked like the greatest substitution since Henrik Larsson in Paris.

Within two minutes, sub Ryan Babel dribbled into the box from the left flank, Toure impeded him clumsily, and Babel went down. In most of these incidents, the attacker is looking for contact. Was Babel was trying to get away from Toure and stay on his feet? He was sprinting into the box with the ball and if anybody touches him he will be unbalanced because he is a six foot winger running at speed. You could say it was a "soft" penalty. But we've seen dozens softer. In a floodlit game at Anfield, you don't touch any Liverpool player who is sprinting inside the box. Simple as that. You say : OK, you’ve beaten me, now beat my keeper.

In 85, Stevie G slotted the pressure penalty for 3-2.

So Theo Walcott had made Arsenal heroes for two minutes before Kolo Toure made them dunces.

In 92, with Arsenal chasing the game at the other end, and with Fabregas last man, Babel broke away and fired past Almunia for a brutal 4-2 scoreline. This game can be cruel.

Arsene Wenger had a face like thunder. His rage was palpable. He whinged, of course, saying it was never a penalty.

In complete contrast, the likeable, candid, realistic skipper Stevie G said, “Arsenal are a fantastic team. At times they passed us off the pitch. That was possibly one of the worst performances I’ve ever put in in a Liverpool shirt.”

I really, really hope Liverpool beat the oligarch’s Chelsea in the semi-final.

[Scouser_Dave]

from .tv



The road to Moscow gets closer



The flag says 'Believe.' The calm before the storm



The Great Dane believes we can do it



So does the 12th man



Javier Mascherano takes charge of midfield



An early blow for the Reds as Abou Diaby puts Arsenal 1-0 up



A great tackle by Sami stops Adebayor



Sami Hyypia gets his head to Stevie G's corner



Get in! Sami has us believing again



The big Finn points the way to victory

[Scouser_Dave]

Heads I win. Crouch causes havoc in the Arsenal rearguard



That's mine. Pepe beats Adebayor to the ball



Xabi Alonso battles for possession



Fernando Torres has a chance



El Nino shoots for goal



Torres finds the net. What a goal!



Off to celebrate with his adoring Kop



Penalty! A dazzling run by Ryan Babel gives the Reds real hope again



Stevie takes aim from the spot



The perfect penalty. Gerrard finds the net

[Scouser_Dave]

Let's celebrate. Stevie and Dirk



Ryan Babel closes in on goal



Oh what a night! Ryan Babel celebrates after his goal



Another amazing Euro night at Anfield



Bring on Chelsea

[MaschPotato]

Rafael Benitez today set his sights on a third Champions League final in just four years and proudly declared: "We can get to Moscow." Liverpool will hope to heap more European Cup heartache on Chelsea when the two sides meet for the third time in the semi-final to battle it out for a place against either Manchester United or Barcelona in the Luzhniki Stadium on May 21.

And after knocking both Inter Milan and Arsenal out of the competition already this season, Benitez is confident his side can once again progress to the final of European football's premier competition.

"We deserve to be in the semi-finals and we feel we can reach the final again," said the Anfield manager. "Can we get to Moscow, why not?

"We have talked of the possibility and we are proud to be playing against the best teams in Europe at this stage of the competition.

"We have done it before and won and now we can do it again. Why not us in the final? We will always do our best and we know we can do it because we have done it in the past.

"We have figured in the best final ever in Istanbul. Then we reached the final in Athens and we lost, although we played much better there than we did in Istanbul.

"Now we are getting close again and hopefully the next one will be better.

"The match against Arsenal was one of the best European nights ever for the club, but hopefully the next one will be even better.

"Yes, we do well in European matches. We have the passion, the ability and the application for these type of games."

Benitez added: "Everybody knows how difficult it is to play against Chelsea and how good they are. It has been difficult against them in the past and we know it will be difficult again because they have such good players.

"I know they are at home for the second leg this time, but in these type of games it is just as difficult for both sides.

"Home advantage does not always mean much but I will tell you afterwards whether it was an advantage for Chelsea this time

[MaschPotato]

Liverpool's season of boardroom turmoil took another astonishing twist on Thursday when co-owner Tom Hicks asked for the resignation of chief executive Rick Parry.


It is believed that a letter arrived at Anfield on Thursday - just 48 hours after Liverpool's successful passage into the UEFA Champions League semi-finals - demanding Parry's departure.

Parry is currently in London at a Premier League meeting but he has been made aware of the communication and is expected to refuse to quit by return of post.

This shock move from the Dallas-based co-owner is just another twist in the ongoing saga over control of the club, which reached a peak last month when talks between Hicks and Dubai International Capital broke down.

Hicks was in London last week and watched both the Liverpool matches against Arsenal at Emirates Stadium.

But on Tuesday, Hicks was back in Dallas watching his Texas Rangers baseball team while co-owner George Gillett was shown on TV sitting next to Parry in the Liverpool directors' box during the 4-2 win over Arsenal.


Unstable



And this current development does nothing for the stability of the club ahead of Rafa Benitez's attempts to reach a third European Cup final in four years.

However, with the club ownership split 50-50 between the two Americans, Hicks would not have been able to sanction Parry's dismissal, hence the letter received at Anfield on Thursday.

Hicks was believed to have been enraged by an interview from Parry in which the chief executive pleaded with both co-owners to end the war or words between them and come to an agreement that would allow the club to move forward.

It was Parry who was largely involved in bringing Gillett to the club 18 months ago, with the American bringing in Hicks for added financial muscle to get the deal through.


Broken down



At that point DIC believed they were on the brink of buying former chairman David Moores' majority holding, only for the deal to collapse at the last minute when Moores - now life vice-president and still a board member - changed his mind.

Since then DIC have patiently worked towards a deal to buy out both Americans. It is believed that Gillett has agreed to sell his stake, but refuses to sell those shares to Hicks.

The relationship between Gillett and Hicks has spectacularly broken down, with Parry at times finding himself in the middle trying to run the club effectively on a day-to-day basis.

Now Hicks' camp clearly believe that Parry is siding with Gillett as the uproar rumbles on, which has prompted the request for his resignation

[Scouser_Dave]

http://i27.tinypic.com/w9z3t1.jpg
http://i27.tinypic.com/1lalala86.jpg
http://i32.tinypic.com/vybgpf.jpg
(inter Game)
http://i30.tinypic.com/xo30qa.jpg

Pic from Iraq

http://i31.tinypic.com/2drf4w1.jpg

[MaschPotato]

Pepe is the man

[Scouser_Dave]

Its quite funny that he ran the whole pitch to jump onto babel

[Gerrard4eva]

Originally Posted by MaschPotato

YouTube - Liverpool 4 - 2 Arsenal (Full highlights) 8th April 2008
this 1 has his goal on at the end

Thanks!

[MaschPotato]

Croatian newspapers and TV stations reported last night that Liverpool have put in an official bid for Luka Modric.

Luka Modric admits he is flattered at claims that Liverpool have made a move to sign him.

It was reported in England that Tottenham had made moves to try and land the highly-rated midfielder - who has also attracted attention from Chelsea, Arsenal and Barcelona in recent months.

But the Croat media, says it is not Tottenham, but Liverpool who have made a firm offer for the 22-year-old.

Modric will almost certainly depart Dinamo Zagreb in the summer and the battle to sign him is firmly on, with Liverpool reported to be heading the queue.

Dinamo want around £18million for their prized asset, who is rated as one of the most impressive young midfielders in world football.

At just 22 - Modric is already a lynch-pin of the Croatian national side who comfortably dispatched of England in qualifying for Euro 2008.

Modric has now admitted that he is delighted that Liverpool could be interested in signing him.

"I don't wish to discuss possible transfers, but if Liverpool really want me, then this is fantastic and I am truly honoured," he told Vecernji list.

"I watched the Champions League quarter-finals and the way they crushed Arsenal. Only the greatest and the best can play such a match against strong Arsenal".

[Scouser_Dave]

.......................

LIVERPOOL V BLACKBURN: STAT ATTACK
Ged Rea 11 April 2008

Here are all the important stats and facts ahead of this weekend's Barclays Premier League clash with Blackburn.

Last season's game at Anfield finished 1-1. The Reds goal was scored by Craig Bellamy – his first in the league for the club.

The goalless draw at Ewood last November saw Steven Gerrard captain Liverpool for a record 131st time in the Premiership, overtaking Sami Hyypia's 130.

It was also Liverpool's 150th Premier League draw.

Liverpool have lost just one of the last 18 League meetings home and away winning seven and drawing ten.

Liverpool are unbeaten in the last 11 league games here against Rovers – winning six and drawing five since losing 1-0 in September 1993 to a Mike Newell goal.

Liverpool's last league win over Rovers came thanks to a solitary Robbie Fowler goal at Ewood Park in April 2006 – on Rafa Benitez' 46th birthday.

Billy Liddell, in February 1958, is the last player to score a hat-trick for Liverpool against Rovers – doing so at Ewood.

The only Liverpool player to perform the feat at Anfield is **** Forshaw who did so in 1923.

Liverpool have kept seven clean sheets in Blackburn's last ten visits to Anfield.

Since the inception of the Premier League Liverpool have won 11 and lost six of the 27 meetings. At Anfield the Reds have won seven and drawn five of the 13 fixtures played.

Liverpool's biggest League win at Anfield over Rovers is 4-0. This has been achieved three times in October 1896, October 1933 and April 2004.

Fernando Torres has now scored 19 goals in 17 league matches at Anfield this season at a rate of one every 69 minutes.

Should he score today he will be the first player in the club's history to find the net in seven successive top-flight games at Anfield. He will also move to within one of Roger Hunt's all-time club record of eight, achieved in the Second Division in 1961-62.

Fernando would also become the first Liverpool player to score 20 league goals at home in a season since Robbie Fowler in 1995-96 and the sixth ever.

Torres has scored 11 goals in his last 11 games for the Reds in all competitions.

Sami Hyypia and Steven Gerrard are both in line to make their 300th league appearance for the Reds this afternoon. So far 41 players have reached the milestone with the club. Only Jamie Carragher has achieved the feat for the club in the Premier League.

Pepe Reina could play his 150th game for the Reds.

Jamie Carragher could become the first Liverpool player to play 50 games this season.

Ryan Babel has scored six times as a substitute this season. He is one behind the club record of seven set by Djibril Cisse in 2005-06 season.

Prior to this weekend's fixtures Liverpool and Blackburn, along with Fulham, have drawn 12 league games this season-more than any other in the top-flight.

The Reds have lost just one of their last ten league games – at Old Trafford last month.

They have lost just two of the last 52 league games at Anfield – both to Manchester United.

Liverpool have won 55 and drawn six of the last 61 home games in the Premier League in which they have scored the first goal.

The Reds need one goal to record their highest tally in a league campaign under Rafa Benitez. They scored 57 in each of the previous two seasons after recording 52 in 2004/05.

Last season Benni McCarthy was one of only two players to score in both league fixtures against the Reds. Arsenal's William Gallas was the other.

Rovers' biggest league win at Anfield came in September 1905 when they won 3-1.

Blackburn have scored just one goal in their last four visits to Anfield and in only three of the last ten league games on this ground have they managed to find the net.

Mike Newell's winning goal here in 1993 gave Rovers, what remains, their only league victory on this ground since 1963.

Rovers are unbeaten in their last three league clashes with Liverpool.

The last Blackburn player to score a hat-trick against the Reds was Danny Shea was in September 1913 when he netted four times in a 6-2 win at Ewood.

Stephen Warnock played 67 times for the Reds prior to his transfer to Ewood Park in January 2007 scoring once. That goal came against Fulham. He has scored just once in the league for Blackburn since his move…against Fulham!

All six of Rovers' away wins in the league this season have been by a single goal with five of them ending in a 2-1 scoreline.

The successes on their travels have come at Middlesbrough, Sunderland, Tottenham, Derby, Bolton and Newcastle.

Blackburn go into this game having suffered just one defeat in their last seven league games – at West Ham last month.

Away from Ewood Park this season they have drawn at Everton and Chelsea and held Arsenal and Liverpool at home.

A win today will take Rovers through the 800 points barrier in the Premier League. Their current tally is 798.

Brad Friedel has made 181 consecutive appearances for Rovers since September 2004.

Jason Roberts has partnered Roque Santa Cruz up front in each of the last four games with Benni McCarthy occupying the bench.

Roque Santa Cruz has scored 14 league goals this season with 11 of those coming away from home. He is the only player prior to this round of fixtures to score a Premier League hat-trick in an away match during this campaign.

Rovers have used just 22 players this season in the Premiership – the joint lowest with Aston Villa.

Roque Santa Cruz and Benni McCarthy are both Champions League winners. McCarthy came off the bench for Porto against Monaco in the 2004 Final while Santa Cruz was an unused substitute in Bayern Munich's win over Valencia in 2001. Fabio Aurelio was on the bench for the Spaniards that night.

Rovers have had six players sent off in the league this season with Ryan Nelsen being red carded twice. Tu***, David Dunn, Brett Emerton and Christopher Samba are the others to have been dismissed.

RAFA BENITEZ TALKS TO LIVERPOOLFC.TV
Liverpoolfc.tv 11 April 2008

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez reflects on another glorious European triumph and looks ahead to this week's clash with Blackburn in an exclusive interview with the club's official website.

Firstly Rafa, the club are on the back pages again today for all the wrong reasons - what's your take on the events of the last 24 hours?

I understand why you have to ask the question but, as I have told the players, we must be focused on football. We have an important game on Sunday and we have to concentrate on that.

Have you come back down to earth yet after Tuesday night?

Yes. I think everybody enjoyed the game and then enjoyed the moments after it, but now we have to think about the next match and that's why we are thinking about Blackburn.

You are into the semi-finals again - how proud does that make you feel?

I am really pleased, really happy and really proud of the team. The work-rate of the players and the atmosphere within the stadium was amazing.

It was a difficult first 20 minutes for your side – why do you think that was?

Because they played with a high-tempo. We gave the ball away on three or four occasions and made some mistakes. They kept going and moving the ball quickly. Once we got over that period and for the rest of the first half and all of the second half we were much better and got on top of them. I was surprised with the first twenty minutes but much happier after that.

What pleased you most about the performance after those initial stages?

We had the confidence and the belief that we could go forward and that was the key for me. As soon as we scored the first goal you could see the players were working as hard as always but with more confidence. As soon as Sami scored you could see the players working much better with the ball.

What was going through your head when Adebayor pulled level – did you see a way back for Liverpool?

I was thinking about solutions - about maybe using Voronin and being a bit more offensive if we could - but we didn't have too much time before the penalty.

How confident were you that Steven Gerrard would score?

I had been watching some of the players taking penalties in training and they were really good so I had confidence. Then Ryan showed the pace and the ability that he has to finish the game. People have asked me whether I could enjoy the game and I say I enjoyed the last two minutes.

Xabi Alonso put Tuesday in his top three Anfield occasions – what about you?

I think it was one of the best. I remember the game against Olympiacos and the semi-finals against Chelsea but the atmosphere in this game, along with everything that was going on, was amazing.

It's Chelsea next – do they present a very different challenge to Arsenal?

It will be different. Chelsea are a side with good balance. They are good in attack and strong in defence. Also they are physically strong so it will be tough. Both teams know each other very well so it will be difficult for the two sides.

This time the second leg is at Stamford Bridge – is that a disadvantage?

We know that playing the second game at Anfield is always a massive difference for us, but we will play the first match there and see what we can do before going to Chelsea.

The likes of Drogba, Lampard and Terry are going to be desperate for revenge after 2005 and 2007 – will that have an impact?

Hopefully not. They will try, for sure, but hopefully we can win again and reach another final.

How tough is it to now be ultra-professional and put the Champions League out of your minds?

We have experience and we know it's important to be focused on the league. We are always talking about how important it is to finish in the top four. The players know, the staff know and so we have to be ready for this weekend.

In 2005 the European run arguably affected Liverpool's league form – is your squad better equipped this time round?

I think so. We have the experience to cope with this situation and we are also three points ahead in the table so it's different.

How likely are we to see changes this weekend after the incredible efforts of your players in midweek?

Maybe. Some of the players are a little bit tired but we have time. We will check tomorrow in the training session and see who will be fit for the game.

Blackburn seem to have a habit of frustrating Liverpool over the years – why do you think that is?

They are a tough team to play against because physically they are aggressive, they are well organised and it has been difficult against them in the past, but maybe this time it will be different.

Is it primarily a physical challenge when you play against Blackburn?

It's one of the main things but they also have some players with quality. We need to be aware of their physical approach and also of their quality on the pitch.

What are your memories of the 0-0 at Ewood Park earlier in the season?

We had some good chances, especially with Kuyt at the end. I remember people saying he had missed the chances, but always I say the same that he was in the position. He's always there.

Mark Hughes doesn't have a lot of money yet they are always around the European places – what do you make of the job he's doing?

Yes, I think he's doing a good job. As we were saying before, they are a difficult side to play against and they're in a good position in the table.

David Bentley is a player Liverpool are often linked with – how highly do you rate him?

He is a good player. People have asked me about him and I say he is a player with quality but I have a lot of respect for the other team and so don't want to say too much.

Who are the other dangers?

As well as Bentley's crossing, Santa Cruz is on fire at the moment as well so clearly we need to be careful about certain situations.

Looking at the race for fourth – how many more wins will it take to secure Champions League qualification?

If we want to be sure then four wins. Maybe that number could be less, though.

With a semi-final and hopefully a final to concentrate on, how keen are you to get fourth place wrapped up sooner rather than later?

That's what we've been telling the players. We want to win every game now if it's possible and then see what happens with Everton. We want to make sure we can finish in the top four and then think about the semi-final.

Any injury news?

Pennant is much better and it's the same situation with Agger and Kewell. The rest of the squad are fit.

THE VIEW FROM EWOOD PARK
Jimmy Rice 11 April 2008

Blackburn fan Neil Matthews provides the view from Ewood Park ahead of Sunday's Barclays Premier League clash.

How confident are you Rovers can get something at Anfield?

It depends. Perhaps Liverpool could be exhausted from the game against Arsenal. On the other hand, it could give you a massive confidence boost. You have started to concede goals at Anfield, so I am more confident than before previous games that we can score.

How will Mark Hughes play it?

The addition of Vogel has given us an experienced defensive midfielder. He may free up Dunn to attack more - if Dunn plays. If Reid is in the middle, you'll know Hughes intends to play it tight.

Who should we be worried about?

Bentley. If he can get the crosses into Santa Cruz we have a good chance of getting a goal.

There's a lot of talk about David Bentley leaving in the summer – how confident are you he'll stay?

I think he will leave within the next two seasons. The lad's ambitious. I think he will move to Tottenham, but I don't think he will have the same success under any manager apart from Hughes. He has developed really well since Hughes has come in. He could end up like Damien Duff where his best days were with Blackburn.

Anyone got a point to prove?

Has to be Warnock, being a Liverpool lad. He has been a cracking signing and I think he will be in the England squad soon enough.

What are your weaknesses?

Defensively we have been inconsistent, Samba is out of sorts this season and Nelson has had injuries and is in and out of the team. I'm also concerned about the form of Reid - I think he has lost some of his confidence since his injury. I'd like to see Dunn play on Sunday to bring more creativity to midfield.

If you could pinch three Liverpool players, who would you take and why?

Torres equals pure class. He's a clinical goalscorer - something we have not had since Shearer. Gerrard is still the most influential midfielder in the Premier League. The third player is tough choice. I like Steve Finnan at right-back and Mascherano has been excellent. I'd go for Finnan.

What are your views on the Champions League this season?

I think it's been really enjoyable, especially as we have had successful English teams competing all the way to the quarter-finals. I think it's a great achievement that Liverpool are in the semis for the third year in four, if only they could replicate that into the league.

What's the score going to be on Sunday?

I think it will be 1-1. Torres and Roberts to score. Roberts is an awkward player to deal with. I don't think Liverpool's defence will enjoy playing against that type of player. He is aggressive and holds the ball up well.

LFC V BLACKBURN: THE LAST FIVE
Jimmy Rice 11 April 2008

It's back to Barclays Premier League action this weekend when Blackburn Rovers visit Anfield for a game which could go a long way to the Reds securing Champions League qualification. Here's what happened in the last five corresponding fixtures.

Liverpool 1-1 Blackburn
Premiership – October 2006

A Kop end header from Craig Bellamy earned the Reds a point against his former club. It was the fiery Welshman's first league strike since arriving at Anfield and cancelled out Benni McCarthy's first-half opener.

Liverpool 1-0 Blackburn
Premiership – October 2005

Liverpool went into the game looking for a first win in five – and got it thanks to Djibril Cisse's venomous drive 15 minutes from time. The game had earlier erupted when Zurab Khizanishvilli brought down the French striker on the edge of the box. After lengthy consultation with his linesman, referee Mark Halsey gave the Georgian defender his marching orders, leaving the visitors to battle on with 10 men for 60 minutes.

Liverpool 0-0 Blackburn
Premiership – March 2005

Rafa's Reds missed a golden opportunity to reduce the gap to fourth-placed Everton after a dour and frustrating shut-out against Mark Hughes' men. The Toffees would now go into the 201st Merseyside derby seven points clear of their rivals.

Liverpool 4-0 Blackburn
Premiership – April 2004

Three goals inside 23 minutes ensured this was no more than a glorified training session for Gerard Houllier's Champions League chasing side. Michael Owen hit two, with the unfortunate Andy Todd chalking up an OG. Emile Heskey grabbed a fourth late on to complete the rout.

Liverpool 1-1 Blackburn
Premiership – December 2002

Boxing Day it might have been, but there was little festive cheer at Anfield as an Andy Cole equaliser 14 minutes from time extended Liverpool's Premiership slump to a worrying eight games without a win. The home side failed to build on a first-half strike from John Arne Riise, leaving smiles etched firmly on the faces of ex-Reds David Thompson, Brad Friedel and Graeme Souness as they headed back up the M6.

SAMI: MY MILESTONE PRIDE
Jimmy Rice 11 April 2008

Sami Hyypia has told of his pride as he prepares to make his 300th league appearance for Liverpool – and predicts the club's newest defensive recruit could one day follow suit.

The 34-year-old could reach the milestone if selected against Blackburn on Sunday.

One man who could stand in his way this weekend is Martin Skrtel, a centre-back who Hyypia predicts will enjoy a long and fruitful career at Anfield.

The Finland international told Liverpoolfc.tv: "I knew about it (the 300th league appearance). I hoped to come on at Arsenal last weekend but I didn't, so I'm still waiting.

"It makes me feel good that I'm still here after nine years. It shows I've done something right.

"Of course it's unfortunate that Daniel Agger has been out for the season, but because of that I've played a lot more than I thought I would, and of course I've enjoyed every minute of it."

On his Slovakian colleague, Hyypia added: "I've been very impressed. He came during what was the off season in Russia, so his fitness wasn't correct, but he got that quickly.

"Maybe the first half of the first game was a bit of a struggle, but since then he's been as good as anyone on the pitch."

At just 23-years-old, Skrtel is three years the junior of any first-choice centre-back at Man Utd, Chelsea or Arsenal.

Though Hyypia has never been one to force advice onto his younger colleagues, he accepts his experience can be of benefit.

He explained: "Sometimes in training situations I try to talk with him, or maybe sometimes during the game. If that helps him I am happy. Obviously it's better for the team if I can help him settle.

"He can become a first team regular for years to come. He has shown he's very athletic and he can play the ball. These are the two things every good centre-back should have."

Hyypia netted his fourth goal of the season to level the scores against Arsenal on Tuesday night.

Last time he scored in a Champions League quarter-final - against Juventus in 2005 - Liverpool went on to lift the trophy in Istanbul.

He said: "I don't believe a lot in statistics. I'm never one to say 'we haven't won at this ground for a long time' or things like that. Hopefully it will repeat itself this time, though.

"Up to that moment we hadn't played well but that brought us back into the game and gave us the confidence to go forward.

"I wouldn't say goalscoring is a habit. It's a bonus for me to score but I don't care who scores. I'd maybe prefer the strikers and midfielders to score and the defenders can look at keeping our goal clean."

[AnfieldRoad92]

Originally Posted by MaschPotato

Croatian newspapers and TV stations reported last night that Liverpool have put in an official bid for Luka Modric.

Luka Modric admits he is flattered at claims that Liverpool have made a move to sign him.

It was reported in England that Tottenham had made moves to try and land the highly-rated midfielder - who has also attracted attention from Chelsea, Arsenal and Barcelona in recent months.

But the Croat media, says it is not Tottenham, but Liverpool who have made a firm offer for the 22-year-old.

Modric will almost certainly depart Dinamo Zagreb in the summer and the battle to sign him is firmly on, with Liverpool reported to be heading the queue.

Dinamo want around £18million for their prized asset, who is rated as one of the most impressive young midfielders in world football.

At just 22 - Modric is already a lynch-pin of the Croatian national side who comfortably dispatched of England in qualifying for Euro 2008.

Modric has now admitted that he is delighted that Liverpool could be interested in signing him.

"I don't wish to discuss possible transfers, but if Liverpool really want me, then this is fantastic and I am truly honoured," he told Vecernji list.

"I watched the Champions League quarter-finals and the way they crushed Arsenal. Only the greatest and the best can play such a match against strong Arsenal".

Where does Modric play? We sure as hell don't need another central mid.

[AnfieldG8]

I rekon Rafa should make a bid for Michael Owen. He has been showing decent form lately and it is a certain that if he were to come to Liverpool he would play with more passion.

[LewisLaa]

Do we really need another striker?

Fair enough if Voronin and/or Crouch leaves, but if not, what's the point, Kuyt, Torres and Babel are a great trio.

But it does look like Voronin and Crouch will leave. Hopefully not Crouch but you know, these things happen. I don't think we should get Owen. We need another young lad, maybe spanish to play under Torres.

[AnfieldG8]

Babel doesnt play striker for Liverpool. Youth (Torres) + Experience(Owen) is a deadly combination. Besides Rafa said he was targeting Owen before he found out Torres was interested in a move to Liverpool.

[AnfieldG8]

woops double post my bad

[Scouser_Dave]

No way should we sign Owen, we would be going backwards not forwards.

We should be looking to buy someone who won`t stab us in the bag for more money (like owen)we should be looking to buy players like David Villa or kun aguero.

But first off we need to sort out the full backs and wingers

[LewisLaa]

Originally Posted by AnfieldG8

Babel doesnt play striker for Liverpool. Youth (Torres) + Experience(Owen) is a deadly combination. Besides Rafa said he was targeting Owen before he found out Torres was interested in a move to Liverpool.

I think you'll find he does

Winger and Striker.

And if we get Bentley then Babel i'm sure would be more of a full time striker.

[AnfieldG8]

Playing the last few minutes as striker against Arsenal in the CL doesnt mean he is a striker. You'll find he plays 80-90% on the wing

[LewisLaa]

I didn't mention the Arsenal game at all

You'll find he played striker for about 30 mins against Besiktas aswell, plus numerous other times. Yes he is a winger, but he plays striker aswell.

[Gerrard4eva]

If Crouch or Voronin goes (I hope it's not Crouch), we can either use Babel, or keep him on the wings and use our goal scoring machine Nemeth.

[Scouser_Dave]

NINETEENTH HILLSBOROUGH MEMORIAL

Tuesday 15th April 2008 will be the nineteenth anniversary of the disaster at Hillsborough in Sheffield that cost of our 96 fellow fans their lives.

A memorial service has been arranged to mark the occasion and to remember those who died.

Please meet outside the Hillsborough Justice Campaign shop [opposite The Albert] between 13:45 and 14:00 and join us in our walk to the memorial.

The service will be inter-denominational and will take place on the Spion Kop at Anfield. It will commence at 2.45pm, include a minute's silence at 3.06pm and conclude at about 3.30pm with the singing of 'You'll Never Walk Alone'.

Tickets are not required and we extend an open invitation to you to join the families, survivors, the Directors, officials and players of LFC plus thousands of fellow football fans in our annual act of remembrance.

This year is expected to be very well attended and we would ask that you allow adequate time and plan to be in your seats as soon as possible.

The Hillsborough Justice Campaign remains solidly committed to supporting the fight for justice in whatever form that may take. Justice for the 96 will always remain as the fundamental aim of the campaign. However, we at the HJC also acknowledge the need for justice for the survivors of Hillsborough. We acknowledge the depth of suffering that so many have experienced for nineteen long years. We also acknowledge those who could no longer take that suffering and ended their lives tragically. We would ask you to add them and their families to your thoughts and prayers everyday.

Tea and or coffee will be available from the HJC shop before and after the memorial, please feel free to pop in and use any of the facilities available.

Thank you for your continued support.

In their name and in their memory 96 candles still burn bright.

The Hillsborough Justice Campaign

[LewisLaa]

Originally Posted by Gerrard4eva

If Crouch or Voronin goes (I hope it's not Crouch), we can either use Babel, or keep him on the wings and use our goal scoring machine Nemeth.

Nemeth

As for the hillsborough tradgedy, i spose black arm bands will be in order.