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TIA Half Term Report - Liverpool FC
Written by Brian Irvine on December 21st, 2007 ▪
So who’s been behaving themselves this season? Here we have an look at every Liverpool player who has made at least a few appearances for The Reds since the beginning of the season, reflecting on how their season has gone so far and what to expect in 2008.
Starting at the back with the keepers and working our way forwards to the, well, forwards. Let’s kick off then with our number one shot stopper……
Jose Manuel ‘Pepe’ ReinaApps: 24 Conceded: 14 Assists: 1
Reina began the year aiming for a hat-trick of Golden Glove awards, having won the award the past two seasons. So far so good for Pepe, he has conceded a few but few if not none have been down to mistakes made by him, commands the area and the back four well. Has the quality and mentality to be a future captain. 8
Charles ItandjeApp: 3 Conceded: 5 Assits: 0
Having made only 3 appearances for The Reds now all in the Carling Cup, Charles has impressed, especially with some great saves against a strong Chelsea side. Used as back-up for Reina, it will be unlikely that he will ever progress from there, and will be continue to be used in domestic cup competitions bar a major injury to Reina. However he is more than capable of filling the void for an extended period of time. 6
Steve FinnanApp: 17 Conceded: 6 Goals: 0 Assists: 1
Steve ‘Mr Consistent’ Finnan hasn’t been as consistent on Rafa’s team-sheet as in recent seasons with the emergence of Arbeloa at the right back position. When he does play he is his usual solid self, with little to question about his performance and ability. 7
Sami HyypiaApp: 21 Conceded: 5 Goals: 1 Assists: 1Sami has been involved a lot more than he probably expected this year as a result of a metatarsal injury to Daniel Agger. Sami as came in and not disappointed, although a bit shaky at first he found his rhythm and has become a rock at the back again with Jamie Carragher. Still gets stick for his lack of pace but what he lacks in pace he makes up for in excellent positioning. Still, a fit again Agger will more than likely take is place in the starting line up again. 8
Daniel AggerApp: 6 Conceded: 2 Goals: 0 Assists: 0
Injured early in the campaign and still recovering, nothing much to say as he hasn’t played that much. When he did play he was his usual solid self nothing spectacular like the goal he produced against West Ham early last season. Expect the usual committed performances form Daniel in the New Year. 7
Jamie CarragherApp: 25 Conceded: 10 Goals: 0 Assists: 0
Carragher has been a solid performer since the start of the year with only a few hic-ups here and there. Out for a few weeks with a broken rib and punctured lung has probably affected his game a little as has the change of defensive partnership. Jamie has been lucky on a number of occasions however with some rash tackles and his done well to avoid picking up a few cards. Some say he is 100% on is game but even a 90% Carragher is better than most centre-backs out there. Reina has tried to kill Carragher twice this season without avail. 7
Alvaro ArbeloaApp: 23 Conceded: 9 Goals: 0 Assists: 1
Possibly the new Mr Consistent, Arbeloa has featured in the majority of Liverpool’s games this season and just gets better and better. Proving himself capable right across the back line, Arbeloa has become an integral part of Benitez’s team, not bad for a relatively unknown player before his arrival. This season he has shown he has the ability to get forward when allowed but has also shown his discipline to stay back and defend. 8
Jack HobbsApp: 5 Conceded: 3 Goals:0 Assists: 0
Promising youngster Jack Hobbs has come into the squad a number of times and has impressed even though he has made a few mistakes all down to his in-experience not his in-ability. He’s promising but not first team material yet, with cover at CB looking worryingly thin Hobbs would struggle to replace any established defenders on a regular basis, hence Bentiez’s desire to bring in a new centre-back in January. Hobbs is one for the future he should get blooded into the first team through cup matches and sub appearances. 6
Fabio AurellioApp: 10 Conceded: 0 Goals: 0 Assists: 0
Another player returning from injury, Fabio has been little by little returning to first team football. In recent appearances he seems to be getting back to the form we seen him when he got injured against PSV last season, his passing and defending are getting better each week, hopefully it wont be too long before we see the real, injury-free Fabio Aurellio. 5
John Arne RiiseApp: 21 Conceded: 10 Goals: 0 Assists: 1
Riise has recently become a shadow of his former self. He has replicated at great form we have seen him in previous seasons. Although recently against Manchester United he looked to be in good shape, possibly his form is returning, it’s a long season ahead and Liverpool demands the best out of their players as do the fans. Riise is on thin ice with a certain section of fans and will have to improve to win them over. 6
Harry KewellApp: 9 Goals: 0 Assists: 0
Most people probably forgot he played for Liverpool, but Harry Kewell has finally recovered from injury and looks to be lasting (fingers crossed). His return was like gaining a new player even though he doesn’t have the pace of old, his creativity and tricky can un-lock a tight defence. Liverpool has gained a revitalised player in Harry Kewell who would probably be best utilized as a substitute against tired defences. Harry is still a bit hit and miss and hasn’t fully recovered yet, hopefully he can stay fit long enough and show Liverpool fans what he is really made of and what they know he can do. 6
Steven GerrardApp: 23 Goals: 11 Assists: 6
Captain Fantastic would not be a name used for Gerrard at the start of the season, yes he scored a prefect free-kick on the opening day of the season against Aston Villa but then the brilliance disappear with a broken toe. Upon return, (perhaps slightly rushed) Gerrard failed to find his form and after a few below par performances the fans were on his back and the perfect way to hit back was to go on a scoring streak. Gerrard hit a deep vein of form and has been scoring for fun in recent games he’s looking back to his old self, pinpoint defence-spitting passes intact. His partnership with Fernando Torres is proving fruitful evening drawing comparisons with Kenny Dalglish and Ian Rush. Gerrard’s fantastic run of form will surely run into and beyond the New Year. 9
Xabi AlonsoApp: 7 Goals: 2 Assists: 0
Another player hampered by injury, again with a broken metatarsal. The Pass Master returned against Arsenal only to be forced out against with a re-occurrence of the injury allowing Cesc Fabregas into the game against who inevitably scored. Alonso’s creativity and passing as been sorely missed in games against physical opposition such as Birmingham, Portsmouth and Man Utd, his intelligence can provide that spark to win a match.Now back to first team action against Chelsea, Alonso will be looking to provide his match winning services as Liverpool continue their assault on Europe’s elite. And with a return FA Cup match to Luton Town Xabi might try scoring from his own half again. 6
Yossi BenayounApp: 20 Goals: 5 Assists: 0
Brought in as replacement for Luis Garcia, Benayoun has not failed to disappoint, he bagged the winner away to Wigan and got a hat-trick against Beskitas in Livepool’s record 8-0 win.Benayoun is really a ‘horses for courses’ player, which was so obvious against Man Utd. Yossi thrives with fast free flowing football but trips when it comes down to a very physical game, much like Garcia he seems to do well in Europe too a la Garica.Rafa has signed a good player in Benayoun but not a great one, still he can play an important role in Liverpool’s season and has got off to a great start. 8
Jermaine PennantApp: 11 Goals: 0 Assists: 1
Pennant is currently recovering from an operation which was postponed from the beginning of the season. Jermaine was nursing an injury and finally decided to have an operation rather than continue with pain-killing injections. His appearances this season were average at best probably as a result of his injury.On return form injury we should hopefully see a new and improved Jermaine Pennant, so far he hasn’t delivered what we know he is capable of. 5
Ryan BabelApp: 23 Goals: 6 Assists: 0
Babel has become something of a super-sub scoring form the bench on four occasions. Ryan could turn out to Benitez’s best buy ever, from a shaky start he is looking more comfortable each week and has become more of a team player rather than an individual but still knows his abilities.Benitez is being very careful with Babel giving him only a taste of English football here and there and it seems to be working that said, fans still argue over where Bentiez should play him, having been deployed as a central striker at Ajax and with the Holland national team why does Rafa play him down the left?Still he’s scored six goals form that position so Rafa must be going something right. Ryan aims to be in double figures by the end of the season and going by his current form he should achieve that with ease. 8 ½
Sebastian LetoApp: 4 Goals: 0 Assists: 0
Leto has only made a handful of appearances this season and despite an number of good moments, he is not ready for Liverpool’s first team just yet another one for the future probably. He seems to be an intelligent player capable of picking out a few nice passes and can beat a defender, still needs lots of work though. 4
Javier MascheranoApp: 18 Goals: 0 Assists: 1
Missed the first few games of the season due to and extended rest period following the Copa America. Mascherano as continued his great form from last year and can only improve, his tackling and breaking-up of the play is second to none and is passing is coming on great too.Mascherano just needs to keep on doing what he is doing the only thing he could do better is to chip in with the odd goal like he did for the Argies during the summer. 8
Lucas LeviaApp: 11 Goals: 0 Assists: 2
Brazil’s under-21’s captain has done well following his transfer from Gremio. Lucas should have had his first goal for Liverpool in the Merseyside derby if it wasn’t for Phil Neville’s right hand. Lucas is another player being blooded into the first team and is showing signs of being a quality signing, one thing he would need to improve would be his strength, he is occasionally pushed off the ball a little too easily this should however come in good time.Lucas will continue to get better and could be a fixture in the Liverpool squad for years to come, as for the rest of the season expect him to make more bit-part appearances and maybe score the odd goal, he’s getting close. 6
Momo SissokoApp: 14 Goals: 1 Assists: 0
Sissoko has sadly not been producing the form he has done in pervious seasons and he is increasingly frustrating the fans with his poor passing, no-one questions his heart but sometimes heart just isn’t enough. Sissoko is a strong candidate for the transfer list and a transfer wouldn’t be the worst of options for everyone involved.However, Momo did look slightly better against Chelsea in the Carling Cup he could forward a few times and kept is passing simple but he still experienced moments of frustrations with the fans. His future is definitely a doubt, especially if Mascherano gets a permanent contact. 4
Peter CrouchApp: 19 Goals: 4 Assists: 2
After such an impressive season last year Peter Crouch as been somewhat cruelly relegated to the bench but has performed on almost every occasion he has featured. He and Torres would probably be the most potent of strike combinations but Rafa continues to tinker making it next to impossible to form a partnership. Crouch’s future is almost constantly in doubt but Rafa has insisted that he will not sell despite interest from a number of clubs. Crouch will not feature until next year after picking up a straight red card against Chelsea. 6
Fernando TorresApp: 20 Goals: 12 Assists: 2
El Nino has settled tremendously well into the Premier League scoring 12 goals in 20 appearances. His pace and movement is something that Liverpool have been severely lacking in recent years and he can only get better, at 23 still not at his peak and only five months into a new league and a new country. Fernando has all the qualities to be one of the best strikers in the world and in Liverpool’s history along with the likes of Ian St John, Ian Rush and Robbie Fowler.Fernando will almost certainly go into the New Year looking to continue his fantastic form and hit his target of 20 plus goals, something he is more than capable of. 9.
Dirk KuytApp: 18 Goals: 7 Assists: 3
Dirk is another player currently being chastised by the fans, he seems to have lost his goal scoring touch but 7 goals and 3 assists in 18 games isn’t a bad statistic at all. The problem comes with the many chances he doesn’t convert where as a better finisher would have put it away.Again like Sissoko, he shows incredible heart and determination but as said before that can only get you so far before too long this won’t be enough for Rafa and he will be looking a replacement.Time will only tell how long Kuyt has left at Liverpool but Rafa likes him so God knows what will happen. 7.
Andriy VoroninApp: 18 Goals: 4 Assists: 1
Voronin was brought in on a free and scored and important goal against Toulouse to quality for the Champions League group stage. He has done little else of real importance, but seen as a better alternative to Kuyt but that stats say different.Voronin was always going to be just a squad player and he will continue to fill that role for the rest of the season, chances are that Rafa was just using him a lot to see what he was like so as he can make the decisions on when and where to use him during the season. 7.
Rafa BenitezApp: 27 Beards Grew: 1
Rafa has got it right the majority of the season and the squad has done will with the prolonged absences of key players at different stages. His minor miracle at saving Liverpool’s Champions League hopes was a great feat of managerial nonce, but tactical gaffs at Reading, Birmingham and Portsmouth has left Liverpool trailing the league leaders by 10 points with a game at hand. 8.
Winning the game at hand would leave Liverpool 7 points behind Arsenal leaving the not impossible but incredibly difficult task of clawing back to the top and winning the league. Rafa would need to get on his bike during the January transfer window and get the players he needs to sustain a challenge; otherwise the championship will slip out of reach for another year. I suppose an FA Cup and Champions League double wouldn’t be that much of a disaster though.
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Brian Irvine

TOMKINS: THE THRILLING RIDE Paul Tomkins 12 December 2007

We all know that three days in football, as in politics, is a short time. Barely any doors on our advent calendars have been opened between Liverpool being in some kind of ludicrous 'crisis' to back among Europe's elite.
I'm not going to go overboard about this particular victory. It was faultless, but it's nothing we haven't seen in the majority of away games this season. Unfortunately, some people treat results like Reading as the rule, not the exception. What I will say, as the country's top four yet again qualify for the last 16 of the Champions League, is that it shows the real strength at the business end of the Premiership. It illustrates just how well Benítez has done to keep Liverpool in amongst Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United, all of whom have also improved since Benítez arrived in England. Then there's the fact that not only has Benítez qualified for the Champions League every season, he's also perennially made the knockout phase. None of this was happening on a regular basis before he arrived. Before he arrived, Liverpool tended to be fairly limp in places like Marseilles. I'd be lying if I said I had a good feeling going into this game. I had little doubt that Saturday's performance was hindered and inhibited by the prospect of this must-win match, which was looming so large it was almost in the corner of everyone's eye-line, but having lost at Reading I feared confidence might be damaged. I expected a positive reaction from that defeat, in terms of effort, and a more focused mindset, but also feared some uncertainty and nervousness, particularly in yet another intimidating atmosphere, and with the pressure ramped up by the media. But as ever in any big game, getting the first goal is crucial, and if you follow it up with the second virtually within the first ten minutes, everyone can relax, while the opposing fans quiet down and extinguish their flares. There's always still plenty to do, as one costly mistake to make it 2-1 and the opposition will have their tail's up, especially when a 2-2 scoreline would lead to their success and your elimination. But that two-goal cushion allows the players to play their natural game, and the manager to stick to his game-plan. In this instance, the timing of the first three goals could not have been better; the third killed off Marseilles' half-time dreams. The Reds started both halves majestically. However, I have to say that with this result in mind, I am sick and disgusted with how much criticism Benítez gets in the newspapers when things don't come off for him. The reaction to Saturday's defeat was a joke. As an example, why aren't Arsene Wenger's methods put under such incessant scrutiny? After all, he's won virtually nothing during Rafa's time here. Have Arsenal hit a sticky bit of form, with two defeats, a draw and only one victory in their last four games, because Wenger hasn't been rotating that much? Were his team selections incorrect? I'm not saying that's the case, but just wondering why he gets so much (completely deserved) praise when his team do well, but –– and this is the crucial point –– so little of the ridiculing reserved for Rafa when his team slips up? I am not saying Benítez is above criticism; obviously he isn't, because any manager is there to be shot at when his team loses. But until he gets sufficient (or sometimes just any) praise from certain quarters when he wins games with the teams he picks, there is a going to be a huge disparity in the reaction to those games he occasionally loses. The crime isn't the criticism, but the lack of balance. We all know by now that Benítez picks 'unexpected' line-ups. That is not in doubt. But going into the Reading game he'd just won a series of games doing just that; in essence, he has now overseen six wins in seven games, with 26 goals scored to just four conceded, with the same methodology. The question is, could a manager keeping the same side every game have expected to win six out of seven, including the three must-win fixtures, and to win them so handsomely? It's the kind of sequence that wins you trophies, and Rafa is averaging around four changes per game during this spell. This season he appears to be rotating more than ever, but it's also been the Reds' best start to a season in donkey's years. Then there's the fact that even now he seems to get more criticism for omitting Torres than praise for buying him in the first place, and for helping him adapt so swimmingly. In the last two weeks I've counted at least half a dozen "why Rafa doesn't play him every I'll never understand" type comments. It's surreal. It misses the point that Torres has been playing pretty much every game lately, and that most of those he did miss were down to injury. And despite missing several weeks with an abductor strain, he's still played more games this season (19, with 15 starts) than Christiano Ronaldo (18). Benítez is still being hammered for leaving out Torres in the draw against Birmingham in September, but Ferguson gets little or no criticism for omitting Ronaldo in the recent defeat at Bolton. While on the subject of quick, skilful players, Ryan Babel continues to really impress me. His form is such a bonus, given that he is essentially playing a series of cameos rather than starring roles, as with the manager's help he adapts to the team and the league, but also because I'd pretty much written off his first season as a sharp learning curve given his tender years and his more laid-back style of play. Super-sub can become a demeaning term, as if suggesting the player isn't good enough for longer on the pitch, but that's not the case here. He is not playing every 90 minutes, but he is certainly contributing. It also shows a great attitude: not sulking at being only on the bench, and being mentally prepared to make an impact when entering the game. Babel's pace and skill, along with that of the sensational Torres, has added a whole new dimension to Liverpool's attacking play. Benítez has finally got the pace up front (allied to special technical abilities) that he was crying out for. These two players are the antithesis of Marseilles' Djibril Cissé, a player who had some of the attributes and instincts of a genuine striker, but whose game lacked subtlety and an adequate touch, and whose mind seemed to be all over the place during games. Something Benítez gets nowhere near enough credit for is the kind of players he buys. He simply does not purchase flawed characters. You simply do not find many skilful forwards who not only work as hard as Torres, but who refuse to be intimidated by the opposition, or rise to their provocation. He's pretty unique. As with all managers' signings, not every player has proved a roaring success, but there's a consistency in the types of mentality concerned, be it flair players like the two just mentioned, or gutsy battlers like Kuyt and Mascherano. On a night in France, it's worth mentioning the names Cissé, Cheyrou and Diouf: £30m of recently-acquired talent that Benítez inherited in 2004. And while talent is the right word, in that each possessed at least some, they were far too flawed in one way or another when it came to the mental side of the game: be it composure, confidence or commitment. Diouf, for example, has bags of skill, but give me Dirk Kuyt any day of the week, because you need winners, not whingers, to win things. Bolo Zenden, another ex-Liverpool connection with last night, may not have done much better on the pitch for the Reds than those three Houllier signings, but it was always interesting to hear Benítez talk about how valuable Zenden was as a positive influence within the dressing room. It was also interesting to hear Zenden so full of praise for Benítez this week. Zenden, like a mature Robbie Fowler, had nothing bad to say about the manager after he was released. And as a thinking footballer who respected Benítez's philosophies, even if it meant he was never a regular, I think Zenden knew what the Reds were capable of last night. For me, the Champions League is a bonus this season. I'd prepared for the worst after the defeat in Turkey. The next round promises a great encounter, with pretty much only Europe's elite clubs awaiting in the draw. I'm almost always happier to see Liverpool pitted against a top team, as seen against Barcelona last season, than the 'banana skin' ties where you face talented but unfancied opposition. You get a great occasion, without excessive expectations. And you can rest assured no-one will want to be facing the Reds in the draw on this form. The Marseilles match, as far as I was concerned, was more about the confidence boost ahead of the Manchester United game, in order to keep momentum going, combined with the psychological lift the club receives by still being in Europe next February/March. Win or lose, the tournament was going to be put to bed for a few months, but the belief around the club will have been helped by knowing that when it comes out of hibernation the Reds will be there, too. The financial benefits are a bonus, as is the continued strength of the Reds' rankings in Uefa's seeding system. Once it becomes a knockout competition, you have to accept it might not be your night during any given game, but there'll be no shame going out at any stage to any of the opposition that remains. You can't wish to go out of Europe in order to do better in the league, as it doesn't work that way. I do think making it to the semis or the final again will only make winning the Premiership harder, but I'm happy to sit back and see where these thrilling rides take us.

REDS SLUMP TO READING DEFEAT BBC 08 December 2007

Reading handed Liverpool their first league defeat of the season as they claimed a richly deserved home win.

Stephen Hunt's penalty put Reading in front after Jamie Carragher fouled Brynjar Gunnarsson, but Steven Gerrard soon equalised with a cool finish. Liverpool hit the bar through Gerrard, but Kevin Doyle's glancing header on 58 minutes put Reading back in front. James Harper scored a fine third and Reading, with the help of the post, kept the Reds at bay for the remainder. In the build-up to the match, Reading boss Steve Coppell had asked the home fans to make more noise and his players certainly gave the supporters something to shout about with a committed and energetic team performance. It was end-to-end stuff in the early stages, with the emphasis on speed rather than quality, and it took a defensive mistake to break the deadlock. Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez gave young centre-back Jack Hobbs his first Premier League start, but it was a foul by the vastly experienced Carragher which led to the Reds falling behind on 15 minutes. Carragher brought Gunnarsson down as the Reading midfielder burst forward and referee Andre Marriner, despite vehement Liverpool protests, decided the offence was inside the box, giving Hunt the chance to convert from the spot. The goal sparked a brief purple patch for Reading as they began to stretch Liverpool, with Bobby Convey's screamer from the edge of the box going close after a precise passing move. Reading's lead did not last long though, as their porous defence crumbled to concede their 33rd Premier League goal of the season. Torres controlled Pepe Reina's punt upfield under no pressure from Ibrahima Sonko before squaring the ball to Gerrard, and the England midfielder shrugged off Hunt and passed tinto the net for his ninth goal in 10 games. Sonko's questionable challenge on Torres led to half-hearted appeals for a Liverpool penalty, but replays suggested the centre-back had got a touch of the ball. The half ended with Liverpool well on top but they were unable to fashion a clear-cut chance despite a couple of decent self-made efforts from Andriy Voronin. Liverpool started the second period purposefully, with Torres flashing a diving header just wide from Peter Crouch's cross. A comical piece of defending from Gunnarsson, who played the entire Liverpool team onside from a free-kick before belatedly rushing out, gave Hobbs the chance to mark his full league debut with a goal but the 19-year-old smashed the ball into the stands. John Arne Riise's trademark swerving free-kick drew a fine save from Hahnemann as Liverpool pressed hard for a second goal and Gerrard went even closer with a brilliant strike from distance which rattled off the bar. The near miss proved a decisive moment as 60 seconds later Doyle just got a touch to Nicky Shorey's dangerous free-kick into the box to give his side the lead. If there was a hint of fortune about Doyle's effort, there was no doubt whatsoever about the quality of Harper's goal soon after. The midfielder took a clever pass back inside from Convey and outstripped Riise before clinically rounding Reina and slotting home on 66 minutes. Liverpool tried to get back into the game, although they were not helped by Benitez's decision to bring Gerrard off with 20 minutes to go, with Harry Kewell going close and Crouch just missing making contact with a low Carragher ball into the box. Crouch went even closer moments later as he hit the post with a well-struck effort from outside the box, but Reading were good value for a win that takes them up to 12th in the table.

TOMKINS: 8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1... LIFT OFF? Paul Tomkins 26 November 2007
So far it's Eight Torres beauties, Seven Stevie stunners, Six Kuyt finishes –– Five for Benayoun –– Four from Ryan and Andriy, Three Crouch strikes, two Alonso goals and a belter from Mo Sissoko ... and, er, one each from Sami Hyypia and Nabil El Zhar. (For the final line, it's a shame Richie Partridge is no longer on the books, or indeed, in a pear tree.) Twenty-one of those goals are from four of the new players. It's precisely what Benítez wanted with regard to the team sharing the goals around, and even players who are in and out of the side are racking up some good figures. Meanwhile, Steven Gerrard, harangued by the home fans at St James' Park, has rediscovered the goalscoring touch that is so important to the Reds. I do think this country's booing culture is getting out of hand, and bar the odd occasion, I'm proud that it's a tradition that Liverpool fans do not adhere to. While the circumstances were different, in that the Reds weren't expected to win, the half-time reaction in Istanbul should be compared with that of the England fans at Wembley this week, followed by the Geordies' treatment of Gerrard. Martin Samuel of The Times made an interesting point a few weeks back when likening it to Big Brother / X-Factor culture: everyone has their phone vote, everyone has their say, as to who to they want to kick out. Newcastle fans spent the entire game booing someone or other. I admire their passion and commitment, and pity them their recent history, but they have to look at their own role in their team's failure. It reminds me of England fans booing their own players in previous games –– singling out individuals like Lampard and Crouch to crucify –– as it just ramps up the fear factor. No wonder England players looked scared last Wednesday; already under enormous pressure, they knew their own crowd would turn on them within a heartbeat. I understand the Geordies using England's failure to get at a player who was in opposition ranks on Saturday, but it's not like their team contained anyone fit to lace Gerrard's boots, either on the day or over the course of their careers. Continuing to boo him after he'd scored a belter was typical of the idiocy of a crowd mentality at times. Did they not notice he was just getting better and better as a result? Also, I had to laugh when Gerrard's corner was flicked on by an unmarked Hyypia and turned in by an unmarked Kuyt, with an unmarked Harry Kewell running in for good measure. I heard no mention by Andy Gray about the failings of man-to-marking at set-pieces. Nor, as expected, did I hear how zonal marking would have stopped such a terrible defensive mess. (And did anyone see Man United's farcical set-piece defending that cost them the points at Bolton? Kudos to Danny Guthrie, too, for his role in the result.) Without wishing to tempt fate, it's nearly seven months since Liverpool last conceded a goal from a set-piece delivery into the box (excluding Carling Cup games, with the Reds' defence heavily altered for those games). That last one from the first team 'proper' came from a corner against Arsenal on March 31st. No other team can come close to matching this. (Sami Hyypia's own goal at Everton was from the second phase, after the initial corner was cleared, and it was hardly the fault of zonal marking; if anything it showed that Hyppia's positioning was spot-on, but he sliced his clearance.) Dirk Kuyt had a rough time at Blackburn a few weeks back, but he's back with a goal, and as any striker knows, it just needs one to go in off the backside or, in this case, the shin to get the confidence up and running again. He's got a respectable six to his name so far this season, and while I think penalties distort a striker's tally, there's no doubting that the two he took at Goodison were not your run-of-the-mill spot-kick situations, and fully deserving of great credit. Kuyt does so much good work between the lines, and can look at home in bolstering the midfield (crucial in away games) or supporting the main striker. If you looked at him as an attacking midfielder in a 4-5-1 formation, which is what in reality he often is, you'd be very happy with six goals by November. Just look at Kuyt's part in the third goal on Saturday to see his worth. The ball is won by Sissoko from Alan Smith, and the Reds will keep it for almost a full minute. Once Sissoko wins it, Kuyt makes a bursting run down the inside-left channel, but doesn't receive the ball. All the same, it creates space for others. Within seconds he's appearing on the right-hand touchline, keeping possession. The ball eventually ends up going back to Hyypia, and Kuyt's on the move again, back to the centre-forward position. By the time the ball is with Finnan at right-back, Kuyt, running like he’s on Duracell batteries, has dropped deep and fairly central to receive the pass. Finnan's ball sends Kuyt down the right-wing, but it's slightly over-hit. However, Kuyt wins it from the Newcastle player, and sends Babel away, into the space he himself has vacated. Babel and Gerrard then combine for the young Dutchman to finish with aplomb. Just watching Kuyt's movement and running in this one goal, it's easy to see why Torres gets so many chances playing alongside him. The way Kuyt pulls defenders this way and that leaves the Spaniard in his favoured central position, often faced by just one opponent. And as well as creating space, several of Torres' chances were teed up by his Dutch colleague, either with battling tendencies, flick-ons or well-weighted through balls. I also think you need as many players with Kuyt's character as possible. He's a bit like Jamie Carragher in that he's not the silkiest of players, but his determination lifts those around him. Such players complement the likes of Torres, Gerrard, Alonso, Mascherano and Agger, who have the greater natural technical ability to go with equally great desire. Players this complete and multi-faceted are rarities, and not easy to come by. However, if you can keep high the number of 'winners' alongside them, who put in unceasing work and battle for every ball, you will get a more consistent intensity from the performance of the team as a whole. Players like Carragher and Kuyt simply never go missing. It doesn't mean they don't have bad games, but the effort is always there, setting an example to others. Fans may sometimes covet outrageously skilful players, but anyone who shirks their share of the work can drag the team down. The older I get, the more I appreciate this fact. The psychology of a football team is so complex, because you have eleven (and more) individuals, each with their own unique character, which gets enhanced or negated depending on those around them, and the circumstances in which the team finds itself. It only needs a couple of defeatists to give up on the pitch and the whole thing can fall apart. The majority of Benítez's signings continue to go from strength to strength, and the reason why, for me, is that character is so crucial to him. Even non-physical players like Benayoun chase and harry, while always wanting the ball. One new signing, Lucas, was superb on his full league debut –– a really mature performance of steady, accurate passing, intelligent movement and gutsy hard work from the 20-year-old. At times I felt he deferred to Steven Gerrard a bit too much, passing to the captain when he himself was better placed to hit a cross or forward pass, but that's understandable; he will find his own authority once he is more settled at the club. At full-back, Arbeloa continues to increasingly impress me –– he has arguably been Benítez's best bargain. Speed, skill and composure: top quality. Ryan Babel is improving all the time, and now showing his class. A laid-back personality, he is perhaps someone who needs the likes of Kuyt to lift him. But he still has character and commitment: at Ajax, where the emphasis was already on ability with the ball, he employed his own technical trainer to help him work on his game, not to mention taking one-on-one sessions in striking from Marco Van Basten. Babel may not be a natural winger, but he has everything needed to succeed out wide (pace, power, skill and a good cross), as well as that priceless commodity of being natural in central areas when he drifts infield, as is his wont. In the long-term he may end up there permanently. He side-foots the ball harder than most can hit it with the laces. In the last three games he has come on in the second-half, and lifted the Reds' game by a notch or two. Against Besiktas he claimed two and hit the bar in a sparkling cameo up front; against Fulham his introduction coincided with the late goals (the second of which he created); and at Newcastle he showed how clever he is in linking play and getting into shooting chances, scoring yet another. It all adds up to less than 90 minutes' football, but includes three goals for himself, some assists, hitting the woodwork, and the Reds scoring six goals during his time on the field. With the opposition tiring, he has a bit more time and space to work in, which helps as he gets used to English football. Strangely, it was another one of Benítez's signings, and one who had very little meaningful work to do, who caught my eye this weekend. Pepe Reina just looks so comfortable. He's like an 11th outfield player in how he deals with the ball. The assurance with which he handles situations, and the speed and accuracy of his distribution, allows the team to start building attacks before the opposition have even realised they've stopped building their own. (Torres gives him a great 'out' ball, too.) I've felt all season that the Reds are at least capable of challenging for the title. I didn't alter that view when points were being dropped, and the good wins the team is now getting merely reinforces my hunch. On the evidence so far, it really does look like a four-horse race for the title, with Manchester City acting as the surprise fifth horse that will almost certainly fade away. Despite things like the BBC website saying that "Liverpool are [only] fifth in the Premier League" as a criticism of Benítez, if the Reds win their game in hand they'd be second, ahead of Manchester United on goal difference (while Arsenal's form could be considered distorted on account of having had eight of their 13 games at home). In what crazy world is that unacceptable for the Reds at this point in the season?

Artist Impression of new Liverpool FC Stadium at Stanley Park courtesy of Liverpool Echo

Right Brain/ Left Brain Quiz The higher of these two numbers below indicates which side of your brain has dominance in your life. Realising your right brain/left brain tendancy will help you interact with and to understand others. Left Brain Dominance: (11) Right Brain Dominance: (9) Right Brain/ Left Brain Quiz

TOMKINS: TIME TO STOP LIVING IN THE PAST Paul Tomkins 18 October 2007

Calling all revisionists – please meet me in the present day, for a tonic with a slice of reality.
The past always offers a tempting reference point, but things change and move on. Like any Red, I am rarely happier than when visiting memory lane –– watching a game from the '70s, a John Barnes video or the Istanbul DVD. But I'm also aware at how distorting the past can be, particularly the further back you go. Humans have an innate ability to forget pain. After all, if women could remember the pain of childbirth, half the population of the world would not exist. As a second child, I wouldn't be here. (Now now, less cheering at that idea.) Anyone who's ever been through the break up of a relationship will know how the good times seem to be at the front of your mind, even if by the end they were few and far between. Hell, people even have favourite break-up songs. And how many of us have parents or grandparents who'd tell us that WWII was the best time of their lives? We remember the positives, and overlook the negatives. While it's often valuable to draw from the past –– history's lessons, both good and bad, are not to be ignored –– it's the misty-eyed, unrealistic nostalgia that irritates me. I'm interested in what almost any ex-player has to say. But when they trot out 'back in my day...', I tend to switch off. I'm not demeaning what they achieved, but 'their day’, whenever that was, is no longer the current reality. Football may have stayed the same in some ways, in that the fundamental rules remain unaltered, but so much else has changed: the increased pace and athleticism of the game, and changes in the back-pass law, that make slowing things down much harder; the necessity to have a lot of overseas players (as there aren't enough talented British ones to go round); and the über-criticism amidst the game's exponentially-exploding exposure, with the added pressure and lack of patience it brings. It's almost unfair to say 'back in my day', as many will feel powerless to argue with it. I imagine its like dating a widower who keeps reminding you that her dead husband was a supremely-decorated war hero, and significantly better than you as a result. Out of respect, you're not allowed to point out that he wasn't perfect, and he didn't get everything right. You're not allowed to suggest he was merely human, and that his farts didn't smell of roses. Some ex-players and fans talk about the great Liverpool sides as if they never lost a game, never conceded a goal, and never ended a season empty-handed. Against that backdrop we can never be happy for long. Even winning the league again would soon lead to 'but back then we won it three times in a row/along with the European Cup/as part of doubles and trebles/with the amazing flair of 1987/88', etc. After all, hasn't that very thing already happened in the Champions League? According to some fans, Liverpool are now 'an embarrassment' in Europe ... after two finals in three years. Sorry, but I consider lamely falling in the early rounds of the UEFA Cup as embarrassing, not what Benítez has brought to this club. When you look back at the facts –– looking at the varying 'failures' of the past, even during times of success –– you can see how much more Benítez has to do to be successful. If we really have to live in the past, let's visit the real version, not the one where nothing ever went wrong. Last season, Liverpool's league record, mostly due to away results, was nothing to write home about. We all know and accept that. Unlike the year before, the Reds didn't win a hugely impressive number of games. Indeed, in 06/07, Liverpool won just 53%, or just over one out of every. And yet in 1983/84 –– Liverpool's legendary 'treble' season –– the team won just 52% of league games! Six were lost, and 14 drawn. Could any team afford to fail to win 20 of its games and still land the title now? No. Not a cat in hell's chance. In 1984, just as it the club did last year, Liverpool also made the European Cup Final. But it only required nine games 23 years ago; last year it took Benítez's side twice as many. So when I hear ex-players telling us about the evils of rotation, I have to point out the radically different present-day landscape. Liverpool won the league in 1984 because they were the best team –– a great team –– and that's something Benítez has yet to do at Anfield. That's a fact. But maybe a manager didn't need to rotate if he could afford to fail to win 20 out of 42 games? After all, the big shortcoming so far this season is the same –– not losing, but drawing too many games. Indeed, the current win-rate is pretty much identical to 1984. It's also easy to forget how much better things are now than in the 'lean' years that also make up much of the past, and which led, over a 14-year period, to Benítez taking over a struggling side. Graeme Souness had the league win rate way down at 38-40% for three years running, while even Roy Evans' best season, when some fine football was played, peaked at 52%. In Gérard Houllier's last two seasons, the Reds won just 45% of Premiership games. Some people find stats meaningless or distorting (and some can be), but few stats can be more meaningful and truthful in football than the percentage of games your team wins. In 2005/06, when Benítez was criticised for never naming the same team twice, he won 66% of all games, and also 66% of league games; as I've noted before, a figure only bettered once in the landing of Liverpool's 18 league titles ( 71% in 1979). Is this spin? Of course not. It's a fact that highlights the difference between the past and the present. Perhaps more wins in a league campaign are possible these days because of bigger squads. If that's the case, then it's about utilising that squad. Whether Ferguson last season, and Mourinho the season before, made 118 changes (3.11 per game) to their championship-winning line-ups (the same as Benítez in 06/07) because of injuries or rotation is not really the point. The point is that the mythical ‘consistency of selection’ that all teams apparently need was simply not present. If Rafa rotated to a greater degree, and the other two were reacting to more injuries and tiredness, then perhaps rotation spared the Liverpool manager excessive muscle-fatigue injuries? Another fact remains that Benítez started Reina, Gerrard and Carragher in the league more last season than Ferguson managed with any United player. For whatever reason, United's line-up was changed as much as Liverpool's, and its key players missed a greater number of games. Liverpool’s problem was missing chances. This year the problem has been less prevalent, with the strikers bagging 15 goals between them, although it was a problem against Spurs. Steven Gerrard returning to goalscoring form will help. If the league is apparently that much weaker these days, and therefore it’s easier to win games, how can a club with internationals such as Berbatov, Keane, King, Chimbonda, Bale, Lennon, Jenas, Bent, Defoe, et al, as well as 'England's no.1', be near the relegation zone? And a team at the bottom be another UEFA Cup entrant with a player as good as Anelka? Or an unfashionable club like Blackburn have strikers like Santa Cruz and Benni McCarthy? English clubs are once again regularly making European finals. Even Middlesbrough made one. I've heard a few ex-Liverpool players claim that the same eleven played together so regularly they understood each other's games. While that is an advantage of keeping a settled side, these days the players train together for longer, with afternoon sessions as well as morning ones. Presumably the players aren't playing tiddlywinks. And let's not forget that despite so many new players bedding in and a lot of changes from game to game, the understanding was there against Toulouse, Chelsea, Aston Villa, Sunderland and Derby County. After that, there was a loss of confidence. Or had they suddenly all had their memories wiped by the Haitian in Heroes? (I'm desperately trying to work in a reference to Hayden Panettiere's character; her powers to regenerate might hold the key.) Times have changed for our rivals, too. For me, it's not so much the fact that Alex Ferguson won so little of note during his first six seasons, and nothing at all in his first four, that makes me wonder how he kept his job, as the fact that he finished 11th and 14th in 1989 and 1990 respectively; his third and fourth seasons. If United fans had had their way, he would not have (damn those United directors). And in the modern day, he would have been sacked. For further perspective, Liverpool's current squad still costs far less than United's, and less than half of Chelsea's. No previous Liverpool manager, bar Houllier in his final season, had to face a club like Chelsea that could spend Liverpool out of the water, not to mention United’s wealth. Benítez's net spend this summer, at £25m, was much lower than that of United and Spurs. We’ve seen how wise the spending has been with Torres’ success. But some of the old guard are currently not at their best. Another stark contrast is that Benítez has still had only a quarter of the time to rebuild the club from top to bottom in the way Wenger has at Arsenal, and which Ferguson was afforded many years to do at United. Benítez is not looking to offer the quick wham-bam-thank-you-mam that Mourinho provided Chelsea with. Meanwhile Wenger, now doing so well with his Arsenal side, won nothing in his 3rd, 4th or 5th seasons at Arsenal. Like Benítez, he had a great early season (winning the league to Benítez's Champions League), and yet I can still recall Arsenal fans calling for his head in 2000 and 2001, saying he'd taken the club as far as he could. I remember laughing at the time. Wenger started rebuilding Arsenal for a second time circa 2001, three years before Benítez arrived in England. And yet it's only now, with Pires, Ljungberg, Vieira and Henry gone that this rebuilt team is seen as 'new'. This is something Benítez is still getting his teeth into, having signed some seriously talented youngsters in the last two years. But Wenger got their first on Fabregas, who was snaffled while Benítez was still at Valencia, as were van Persie, Toure, Flamini, Senderos and Clichy. All of the aforementioned signings were made between 2001 and 2004, as Wenger, laying his blueprint for Arsenal's future, sought players to fit his system. I'm not saying Benítez will definitely achieve everything he is attempting to. There are no guarantees with any manager. But I just don't want impatient and/or short-sighted fans to end up experiencing one of life's saddest ways of looking back: regretting the one who, thanks to their lack of appreciation, got away.

GUEST COLUMN : VIEW FROM THE PRESS BOX
THAT'S JUST THE START FOR FERNANDO Guillem Balague 20 August 2007

Spanish journalist Guillem Balague reflects on a brilliant Anfield debut from Liverpool's record signing against Chelsea on Sunday afternoon.
Fernando Torres was the talk of football in both England and Spain after his fantastic goal for Liverpool in his first game at Anfield. He was on the front cover of all of the sports newspapers in Spain on Monday and was quite rightly receiving a lot of plaudits. English football is now broadcast on general Spanish television and they show every Liverpool game. The viewing figures are very good and Liverpool and Torres are very big news in Spain. The Spanish press know Liverpool will be a major force this season. They know that, in Torres, they have now got a new alternative up front and someone with pace who will stretch the opposition and bring the wingers into the game. It was just a shame for Fernando that Rob Styles took away some of his limelight. I wrote in my local Spanish paper that it was like watching a La Liga match, because you had 100 fouls, a penalty that wasn't, a referee who had a bad match and a Spanish striker scoring. You also had the whole of Anfield protesting against the referee and it was just like a Spanish match really. You have to say it was a great day for Torres, almost perfect, but Rafa Benitez will keep his feet on the ground and not let him get carried away. The way he took his goal was fantastic and the way Steven Gerrard saw his run was great too. I know everybody said after he scored his first goal against Shanghai Shenhua that the pressure was off him, but that was only a pre-season friendly. He has done it now in his first game at home and he will be under less pressure now. The general impression is Liverpool now finally have a genuine goalscorer in Torres. He is a player who wants to learn, wants to adapt and wants to do well for Liverpool. He had lots of friends over in Spain watching the match and it was important for him to make a big impression. What is more positive than the goal for me was the way the team understands his game. He was also getting kicked and shoved around the park by the Chelsea defenders but you didn't see much protesting from him. That is good sign. He knew Terry was going to try and provoke him and be very physical, but he paid them back in the best way possible when he scored. The goal is a weight off his shoulders and now he can concentrate on playing well for the team and helping Liverpool mount a challenge for the title. A good solid start is what Liverpool have been missing for the past few years but it's happening now. Manchester United have made an indifferent start and Chelsea aren't yet firing on all cylinders but I can see Liverpool topping the table by December. Then it will come down to the consistency and the quality of the players, and a little bit of luck which you always need. I still believe he will need more time to make a real impact at Liverpool but he's certainly made a good start and is heading in the right direction. The impact Torres can make at Liverpool, I think will be huge but patience and hard work is the key.

Liverpool FC 2007/2008 Preview

LIVERPOOL

Ins: Andrey Voronin (Bayer Leverkusen), Kristian Nemeth and Andras Simon (both MTK Hungariam), Nikolay Mihaylov (Levski Sofia), Fernando Torres (Atletico Madrid), Yossi Benayoun (West Ham), Ryan Babel (Ajax), Lucas Leiva (Gremio), Sebastian Leto (Club Atletico Lanus).

Outs: Mark Gonzalez (Real Betis), Bolo Zenden (released), Robbie Fowler (released), Danny Guthrie (Bolton, loan), Luis Garcia (Atletico Madrid), Craig Bellamy (West Ham), Djibril Cisse (Marseille, £6m), Jerzy Dudek (released).

Happy with your summer's work? I'm delighted with the signings we've made this summer. We've broken our transfer record with the arrival of Fernando Torres and in Ryan Babel we have brought in one of Europe's most highly-rated youngsters.

How's the boss doing? I wouldn't swap Rafa for anyone else. What he has achieved since arriving here three years ago is remarkable and I firmly believe that he is the right man to lead us to number 19.

Wish for the season? At times last season we needed to be more clinical in front of goal. So that.

Who'll win the league? Us or Chelsea

Top four? Man Utd, Arsenal.

Relegated? Fulham, Wigan, Derby.

Where will you finish? Top two.

James Carroll, ShanklyGates.co.uk

Liverpool dented Chelsea's Premiership title challenge in impressive style.

Dirk Kuyt took advantage of Peter Crouch's touch to put the skids under injury-hit Chelsea after three minutes. Jermaine Pennant's brilliant dipping volley effectively sealed the points for Liverpool after 17 minutes in boss Rafa Benitez's 100th league game. Chelsea staged a minor recovery after the break, but Liverpool could have added a third as John Arne Riise struck the bar with a long-range drive. The defeat leaves Chelsea six points behind Manchester United - who visit Arsenal on Sunday - and puts Liverpool only five points behind Jose Mourinho's troubled champions. Chelsea were able to recall keeper Petr Cech after three months out with a serious skull fracture, but suffered a blow after it was revealed defender Ricardo Carvalho was out after being taken ill overnight. John Terry was still sidelined with a back inury, and with Claude Makelele suspended, Liverpool's furious opening salvo was predictable. And it reaped a reward after only three minutes when the makeshift central defensive partnership of Paulo Ferreira and Michael Essien was ruthlessly exposed. Jamie Carragher's long ball was touched on by Crouch, and Kuyt eased his way past Ferreira to side-foot a composed finish past Cech. And the Czech keeper demonstrated his value to Chelsea three minutes later with a brilliant block from Riise. But Chelsea, a shambles from the start, did not survive for long and Pennant doubled Liverpool's lead in spectacular fashion. Pennant, who has struggled to make an impact since his summer move from Birmingham City, took aim as the ball sat up perfectly and sent a stunning dipping volley beyond the outstretched arm of Cech. Chelsea's day got worse after 20 minutes, when Arjen Robben - who had twisted his ankle in an earlier challenge - limped off to be replaced by Shaun Wright-Phillips. Liverpool were comfortably in command throughout the rest of the half, and despite faint signs of a Chelsea recovery in the early stages of the second period, it was Benitez's side who looked more likely to add to their lead. Crouch headed tamely at Cech when he should have done better, and he was slow to react when a Riise thunderbolt rattled back off the bar on the hour. Despite Chelsea's struggles, it still took Mourinho until 17 minutes from time to introduce £30m misfit Andriy Shevchenko at the expense of the anonymous Mikel Jon Obi. It was too late to make an impact and Liverpool took the points their performance richly deserved.