Miracle of Istanbul

Just a little something to get the new season started.

Here is a good video clip commemorating the magic of Istanbul. Thanks to roberts892 for posting it on youtube.






Unfortunately, I had to take down an even better clip by simoanfield, who disallowed embedding. Here though is the video on YouTube.

Liverpool Laments

It's been a while since I last blogged here.

To be honest, there hasn't been much to cheer about since the season started. Which does kind of make me the classic fair-weathered fan.

Not that I contend to be such - I shall claim depression and despondence for my general lack of activity (someone up there knows there's an element of truth to it).

But it's Christmas - Merry Christmas - and as the halfway point draws close, I think it's time to give a review of the season so far - as unsparkling as it may be.

But it has to be done.

Accusations and counter-accusations fly thick and fast over our failures to perform, and miracle cures come just as quickly, as armchair critics would have us believe (but then I'm one myself).

Sack Rafa - the panacea for our current ills. No, no, no - we owe him an allegiance - in Rafa we trust.

Now I'm no expert.

(And perhaps that ought to be the clearest call for me to shut up; but then everyone is entitled to an opinion, and this is MY blog - so by SHANKLY I shall give it, so help me BOB).

But that being said, I shall be as constructive and objective as I can - so judge me on that....


Rafa Out?

First off, let's get this out of the way: we praised Rafa for bringing us the closest to the title since we last claimed it.

So this season, he too, must answer for our lacklustre performances. He's the manager - he has a responsibility.

That said, his responsibility is to do his job - not to quit in a huff, nor to give excuses, nor to lay blame on others (that's for internal evaluation).

Just - his - job.

But if we have to get into nitpicking - and there are plenty of nitpickers out there - then we need to sieve a little (actually a lot) deeper.

Did we really give Rafa credit for last season? Many feel his rant at Fergie cost us the title - even as his leadership brought us to second.

Credit rarely ever falls to just one person. It's a team effort. We got lucky. We over performed....

By the same reckoning, one cannot apportion sole blame on one person - certainly not when we're nitpicking (though ultimately the manager has to take responsibility).

And remember, we're playing with largely the same team as last season.

So what gives? Did the gaffer lose his marbles? Seriously?

(Though I do wonder if he's gotten comfy with his fat new contract - could have fooled me there).

Obviously there's more to it than meets the eye.

I like it when people say we over performed last season - whereas this season we're playing at our real level.

Rubbish!

How can anyone credit luck and over achievement one season then say it's all Rafa's fault the next?

So we over performed did we? By what exactly?

I'll tell you by what - by an Alonso to be exact.

There's no point denying that Alonso's exit has hurt us - it has.

People point the finger at Rafa, but somehow conveniently forget that our player of last season only truly came good one season AFTER Rafa had considered selling him.

Just as we over performed last season, we too must have under performed in the current one. And how did we under perform?

By an Aquilani actually, give or take a Torres, and a fully motivated Gerrard.

People wonder why Aquilani (I do too) has thus far failed to substantially make the field despite his apparent 'full' recovery.

One theory that has been bandied about is that we would have to pay more should the Italian prodigy play more in the first half of the season.

If that were true, wouldn't that be an indication of how financially strapped we truly are?

I love it even more when people say that Rafa is not the man to lead Liverpool to the title. So who is? Roy Evans? Gerard Houllier? Or Graeme Souness?

The fact is that Liverpool have not won the league in two decades and it is unfair to suggest that we deserve the title just by virtue of being Liverpool - especially a Liverpool of the last decade....

What we need is to build on baby steps - like Mourinho did on Ranieri, as Rafa is doing on Houllier.

But is it perhaps time for a change?

No one can argue that we need a change.

The funny thing is that it is indeed likely that a new manager could improve our position. So long as we get a decent one - one that the players respect - the players tend to pick themselves up and play better ie. play to their true potential.

The problem with Rafa though is that while he is tactically astute, among many other strengths, one that is not on his repertoire is motivational skill.

And that is precisely what is needed at this juncture - someone who can motivate the players to play above themselves, to give them the confidence they badly need.

I read a local paper that ran the stats (I'm not from the UK and it was NOT Tomkins); the conclusion is that while managerial change precipitates a temporary improvement in form, the main problems remain, and the said new manager generally does not perform any better than his predecessor.

Which brings us to a catch-22.

Whoever replaces Rafa may indeed provide a boost, but it may not necessarily fully get us out of the rut (or into Champions League football).

But with the lack of funds, our new boss is unlikely to do any better than what Rafa has done in the past few years (and mind you, he has done very well).

So what then can we do?

The answer, as a fan, is quite simple: back your club, players and manager all the way. Roar yourself hoarse at the games. Make the 12th man count like it did in Istanbul.

As to the change in management, let the board decide.


The Root of the Problem

But there is a problem at Liverpool.

It is not simply about the confidence - though we do need a huge shot of it.

The problem I suspect - is in the players' FITNESS.

Everyone can see that our players are not playing to their true level. We know they have the talent - but somehow they have failed to impose themselves physically.

Something is wrong.

Pre-season already rang the alarm bells. As early as then our lack of fitness had been cited for our pre-season losses.

Things have not since improved.

Fitness is a critical aspect of a team's success. I remember in the days of Pako Ayesteran, Liverpool had one of the fittest teams in the Premier League.

Indeed, the team's fitness had been responsible for the way Liverpool had finished strongly for the past few seasons.

Though Pako has left, the team did manage to maintain its fitness levels with only the slightest hitch.

Not so this season. Everything I have seen thus far seems to suggest a squad that is not fully fit.

Playing well for the first 15 minutes of either half only to fade away in the final moments. Scoring early goals but conceding late ones.

This has been the EXACT opposite of past seasons when we could concede early and still storm back to a strong finish.

Anyone will recognise that it's harder to score early in a game when all players are still fresh and focused. It is the endgame that is crucial - and having fitter players make all the difference.

Of course people will point to injuries as strong reasons for our current plight. I do not disagree.

But fitness does play a part even here. It's a vicious circle.

If you're not fit, you find yourself lagging behind opponents, then you over-exert yourself - thus increasing your susceptability to injury. Then you spend the season playing catch-up to regain your fitness.

In the past we could afford more recovery time for injured players because the squad could cope better. Now is increasingly no longer the case - we have to take risks.

It may all boil down to the team's fitness and training.

Then again I may be wrong. But if fitness is really the problem, then I fear we may not even enjoy our now traditional season end finishes.

Is there a solution?

Our players - devoid of confidence - are currently rampaging like wild horses. Charging from the get-go only to tire in the later stages is simply suicide.

Seize control of the game. Focus on passing the ball around when we have possession.

When Alonso was around, we could perhaps afford that luxury higher up the pitch.

But I also saw often how the defence used to stroke the ball leisurely around in previous seasons. Yet I am seeing less of that this season.

Revert to that. In Agger we have a player who can bring the ball out of defence when the time is right.

Unfortunately in our current situation, we may need to play the waiting game, to seize just the right moment to give a concerted attack.

Forget Champions League for now. Focus on keeping the clean sheet.

It may not win us games - but then there's no point scoring one only to let in two later.

The players need to pace themselves to last the game.


Squad Positioning

Though I am only speculating, I feel reasonably confident that the team's current fitness level plays a part in our failures this season.

In that respect, and also due to injuries, Rafa has had to resort to chopping and changing the squad.

Again armchair critics seem to think they know who should or should not be fielded.

Woe betide Rafa should he have the balls to defy opinion - even if he and his staff are the ones who face the squad day-in day-out, and know the players and their form best.

Our left side is clearly at its weakest, with Riera, Babel and Aurelio all doing their turn at the treatment table.

So it should come as no surprise when Dossena takes the field - yet we have fans slapping their heads and giving up on Rafa.

I for one do not completely disagree - even if we had lost to Portsmouth - and both goals came from the left.

People lament Dossena's defensive frailties, yet lambast Rafa for fielding an attack-minded leftback in LEFT MIDFIELD, while in the same breath wonder if Glen Johnson ought to play as a right-winger.

Yet what I saw against Portsmouth was indeed an attacking Dossena making runs down the left flank.

Of course the point was whether we should have played Benayoun from the beginning instead. But I certainly do not mind having our supersub raring to go in the second half.

In honesty, my only grouse was that Benayoun ought to be played on the right, where I felt he was most effective last season.

I mean, give the gaffer a break. He wouldn't have played someone he knows fans do not like unless he had his reasons. And it's not like he favors Dossena either, though that could be said of Kuyt or Aurelio.

Dossena was simply an option, as is everyone else.

What was exceedingly clear to me was that we lost to Portsmouth, and Arsenal for that matter, because we simply faded away from a bright start.

That would have had very little to do with who plays where. It was the TEAM that failed as a WHOLE, regardless of individual errors.


Thereafter

We need to get behind the team.

Forget the goal of reaching top 4 (that is incidental), and focus on solving the root of the problem.
In my own humble diagnosis, I singled out fitness and training. The team needs to keep a clear head and play to its strengths - and limitations.

We need to recognise that while a new manager may turn things around - it may not be enough to achieve a top 4 spot, which would defeat the entire purpose, since the problem of insufficient funds remain blatantly relevant.

So by all means, stretch our wafer thin finances further. Sack the manager if you think that would truly help.

I for one think it wouldn't.

A Tale of Two Legends

What a day it has been.

I still remember when Rafa pulled the grand-daddy of Anfield returns by announcing the signing of Robbie Fowler. What a day that was. What an inspiration....

Two seasons down the road and we finally managed to bid our emotional goodbyes. While Robbie's second coming wasn't exactly a qualified success, he still did the job, scored the goals - he still played his part. But more importantly the episode confirmed what we all always knew in our hearts - that God loves Liverpool and Liverpool will always love God.

The same is not likely ever to be said of another highly successful dimunitive forward who too, once played for Liverpool. Certainly not now that Michael Owen has, in yet another in a long line of dubious career choices, chosen to sign for arch-rival Manchester United.

What in the world was he thinking indeed! A query rightly put forth by his legion of Liverpool soon to be ex-fans - myself slightly included.


In all these long years, Owen had always made it clear that his ambition and England career came first....





















It seems strange that a former Liverpool hero, a legend by any count, should now fall this far from grace. But is it his fault? A stranger question still!

And yet it bears answering.

The truth is that, as much as Owen is appreciated for what he gave Liverpool in terms of goals, that is now distant history. Most fans now acknowledge that Mikey is no longer the player he once was for Liverpool. Injury has marred - no - ravaged his playing career, and this has left him with little value to his stock.

No club is willing to pay a premium for a player who might just end up on the operating table. Even the signing for Man U is on a free and for basic wages plus pay as you play bonuses.

In all fairness, had Rafa also made an approach, Owen would probably have chosen us instead. But this did not come to pass.

So what choice did Mikey have - between Hull City and Manchester United?

For a player desperate to resurrect his England career - and had it been anyone else - the choice would have been dead obvious.

So Michael Owen chose - to wallow in Manure rather than to burn in Hull....

Can we really blame him then? No we cannot.

But we can ask: Why? Owen, why?

Why did you choose to delay negotiations in your last season, run the contract down till we could only manage a measly £8 million for one of the best strikers in the world?

Why did you not hold your resolve and reject Newcastle so that you could force a return to Liverpool?

Did England mean that much to you?

And why after all those choices, did you still choose Man U?

Yes, we know England does mean that much to you - you broke a leg to prove it.

As a Liverpool fan, it is hard to take.

Yes we can say old Fergie is desperate to rely on an injury prone player.

Yes he may have lost his pace, but his penchant for goals - when fit - is almost unarguable. And with the expected service that an established club like the Mancs can provide, what will the potential be - if fit?

And yes we know even Man U fans are skeptical - but for what Owen is now worth on a free - it hardly represents a big 'gamble', and could yet pay off handsomely....

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And so it has come as a really huge lift to find out that yet another Liverpool legend has made his return to where he belongs.

Though Kenny Dalglish no longer plays competitive football, his contribution to Liverpool FC extends far beyond that of an on-field playing career.

The last Liverpool manager to lead Liverpool to a league title (and not to mention Blackburn too), Kenny Dalglish is not only the greatest player to ever don the red shirt, he was also an integral part of the all-conquering Liverpool of the pre-Premier League era.

He is a perfect gentleman through and through - and only the travails and heartbreak of Hillsborough cut short his career at Liverpool. Here was a man so involved in the aftermath of the tragedy that he practically carried the weight of Hillsborough on his shoulders.

And after nearly two decades, he is now back.


Kenny Dalglish: #1 player to shake the Kop. He may well shake the Kop again....





















It is great to know that Rafa has taken an intimate interest in the Liverpool Academy, and with now Dalglish involved in the setup in a senior role, we can look forward to youth players coming through for the first team - as Stevie G, Carragher, Fowler (and Owen) did.

And being the Liverpool icon that he is, his further appointment as club ambassador becomes even more apt, and may well address Liverpool FC's long time underachievement in the commercial side of things.

It certainly puts things in perspective doesn't it? That the announcments for Dalglish and Owen should occur within 24 hours of the other?

Certainly the news on Michael Owen have rightfully hit the headlines. But that has always been the way for Glory Man United....

Meanwhile, Liverpool under Rafa's direction will go through our own quiet revolution - because that has always been Liverpool's way.

The only people we want in Liverpool, are the ones who want Liverpool.

So thank you Kenny, for setting right an otherwise ugly day.

And to Michael Owen: you were a legend at Liverpool and we wish you well.

You made your choices and we cannot deny your reasons.

But at least we know what Robbie would have done in your shoes. Thank God for that.

Silly Season Rides Again!

All hail the silly season!

It's here again and more ready than ever to let our imagination run foul with who's in, who's out of Anfield.

Unfortunately, our financial woes have basically meant more bad news than good so far, even though that's all there's been to it, at least literally that is - news - especially of the tabloid kind.

It wasn't so long ago, just one season in fact, that English Premier League clubs were the supremo uno in Europe. One Champions League Final later, and as Barcelona FC complete their own unprecedented treble, La Liga is now the destination of choice, with both Ronaldo and Kaka having already made the switch.

It almost makes me wish the Mancs had defended successfully defended their UCL crown... alright who am I kidding...?

But what it all means is that Liverpool fans are in for another nerve wracking couple of months as speculation continues to link the spine of our side with moves away from the club.

It's heartbreaking really. To think Rafa had arguably assembled the best first eleven in the EPL last season, only to now risk losing them. It seems a trophyless two seasons may well have taken its toll - in spite of all the progress made.

At latest count, Real Madrid are eyeing Alonso and Arbeloa, while Barcelona have set their sights on Mascherano and this just in - Reina even. And the reports are quite compelling. Mascherano, or at least his wife, is unsettled and fancies a move to Spain. We all know Alonso would have felt slighted at our continual (and ultimately failed) interest in Gareth Barry. Arbeloa may not be part of our spine, but has been an invaluable squad player. And now we don't even know what Reina is thinking of the whole matter.

Is Liverpool supposed to be second choice to so many of our star players?

Rafa had already made clear that we needed just a couple additions to our squad, and also issued a hands off for our key players. But it remains to be seen if he can indeed convince the likes of Alonso and Masch from leaving. Best part of it is, Rafa's apparently away on holiday - not that I blame him - but that accounts for why we've been so quiet the past few days. And it could prove crucial as we fail to tie down our supposed bid for Pompey's Glen Johnson (now that Chelsea have muscled back in).

It's going to be quite an anxious week alright.... So much so that even Jamie Carragher has come out to say he hopes all the rumours aren't true, to urge Rafa to keep the squad together.

Is Glen Johnson coming to town?

In the midst of all the worries, there are at least just a bit of good news. First, it is good to hear from Torres his continued support for Liverpool.

"As long as Liverpool want me, I will stay," he said.

Endorsement doesn't get much bigger than that. Here's hoping that bit of loyalty and belief in the club filters down to the rest of the squad.

And we are apparently close to signing Glen Johnson, last season's best rightback in the EPL for a sum of around 17 million pounds.

That would be an improvement for sure, if Chelsea don't scupper the deal, and if we do hold on to Arby, it would mean the added squad depth that we so desperately cried out for last season.

So in the meantime, all we can do is to wait for rumours to run their course. It's early days yet. Players come and go, but for those that remain and believe - may we never walk alone....

Season's Review

The season's come and gone; but while Liverpool FC have once again broken new records (in Premier League points), we somehow contrived to miss out on a Premiership medal once again for the 19th year.

TBH, we've done better than many expected - but now it's time for a performance review of who's played, who's done well, should do better, SHOULD have played more - yada yada....

Points out of 10 folks, as if that should surprise any of you....


Andrea Dossena - 6/10

It's a pity that Dossena hadn't had a full pre-season under his belt. Which is why it's hard to gauge or criticize his contribution or lack thereof. Playing in a hotly contested leftback position hasn't helped his cause either.

What it comes down to however, is that he did cost us a few goals, but he did make up with a few interesting ones of his own towards the end of the season. The highly rated Italian (before he came to Liverpool anyway) does have the potential, but with the likes of Emiliano Insua and the mercurial Aurelio in contention, the Anfield faithful will rightly remain unimpressed with his performance thus far.




Sami Hyypia - 7.5/10

He doesn't play many games, but when he takes the field he still holds his own. Ten years at Liverpool and will be sorely missed, at least till he comes back in a coaching role. There is little to add about this legend and great servant to the club.

He may have lost his pace, but a favourite rejoinder is often that he's never had much to begin with. Rather it's his other attributes - his off the ball movement and anticipation; his heading; his ability to take the ball further up field into open play - these have been his main contributions to the team. Oh add to that his absolute professionalism too if you please.





Daniel Agger - 6.5/10

Beset by injuries this season and by necessity replaced by a no nonsense Martin Skrtel, the Danish centreback has found himself oddly out of favour after just one season as Jamie's regular partner.

Yet when fully fit, there is no doubt Agger adds an extra dimension to Liverpool's attack, which may yet prove crucial against pack-the-bus teams at Anfield next season. It was thus a relief to quite a few that he has agreed a new contract, and many will anticipate a future partnership between he and Skrtel in coming seasons.





Steven Gerrard - 9/10

When you look at Captain Fantastic as compared to last season, or the one where he scored 20+ from the makeshift right, it is actually hard to believe how phenomenal he's been in this campaign. Felt more like a case of same old, same old - except this is Stevie G we're talking about.

But the goals speak for themselves, as does the Footballer of the Year he's picked up along the way. What it all means of course (to our delight) is that the whole team has been playing better - much better than in past years. So our Captain can actually take a breather, and not have to take games by the scruff of the neck as often as before - others can now do that for him....



Fernando Torres - 7.5/10

Alas! That El Nino should find himself playing so few times this season, because we all know what he can do, especially when in partnership with Stevie. Instead, we are left to lament at a season of what might have beens.

Though we have but seen glimpses of his ability, it is worth noting that his reputation has been drawing defenders to him like flies, and thus curtailing somewhat his goal scoring. Thankfully then that he's but one half of a lethal duo, but we'll be hoping full fitness will return him to the echelon of greatness where he belongs.



Albert Riera - 7/10

There were fears that the former Man City player would repeat his unspectacular form from his last PL venture, but those thankfully proved unfounded. Others have questioned his 'star quality' or lack thereof, but he has since made his way into the Spanish squad, and helped resolve our little problem on the left side of midfield.

If anything, Riera will need to improve his consistency level. But there is a general feeling that, his mazy runs and odd goal aside, we will want to see more from him in coming seasons. Here's hoping he will yet come good.



Fabio Aurelio - 8/10

It's been a while since I felt this excited over a leftback - but now all those years of envy over the Ronaldos and Beckhams can at last be put to bed with our very own freekick specialist.

Defensively sound but with a mean left foot, every time he lines up for a freekick from his favoured side of field, you can almost feel something will happen - and it almost always does. His deliveries, direct or otherwise, are nothing short of awesome - his goal at Chelsea a case in point. If the Premiership title is to return to Anfield, he may yet prove to be one of our increasing numbers of jokers in the pack.




Xabi Alonso - 9/10

I'll be the first to admit that I never really appreciated what Alonso brought to Liverpool, even in his first season when everyone was raving about him. What I did notice though was the difference he DIDN"T make when absent against packed midfields and defences. That's when I started thinking aloud how nice it would be if he had played.

Has he been a revelation this season? Most certainly. How so still buggers me - but certain keywords like 'creativity', 'playmaker', 'switching flanks' and 'cross field passes' come to mind. Just a bit more work on that 'penetrating through pass' and he'll be perfect.



Yossi Benayoun - 7.5/10

Some fans may not have forgotten our little 'Luis', but oh how Yossi has come into his own this season! Remember how I said there're now players to help Gerrard take games by the scruff of the neck? Benayoun's one of them. Funny how he's ascended from being an indifferent squad player into our top impact substitute.

His dribbling runs and goals have been a sight to behold. Squad player still? Yes. But there's no doubt he changes games, whether he starts them or not. Come next season, he could well be Benitez's ace in the sleeve, and don't be surprised to see him start against United. He's well worth the shot.




Alvaro Arbeloa 6.5/10

It is perhaps hard to give old Arby the credit he's due. After all, what is he but Liverpool's first choice utility man? Able to play anywhere along the back four (I still remember fondly his stops on Ronaldhino), Arbeloa has nonetheless filled the rightback slot well enough. Here is Mr. Dependable rather than Mr. Spectacular.

Perhaps he just needs more competition to give him a spark. In the absence of Philip Degen, it is telling that Jamie Carragher is the one to fill Arby's boots when the latter's injured. Fans are crying out for more in the rightback position, or hoping Arbeloa becomes a more potent force in attack next season.




Dirk Kuyt - 8/10

Kuyt is another player one often finds hard to appreciate. Fans have for years banged their heads over Kuyt's involvement either as striker or in right midfield, wondering why someone seemingly bankrupt on ideas should continually gain the gaffer's favour.

'Not enough goals' and 'not on the right!' are the common rants. Well, not this season since he's precisely excelled in both. He may not be the best of finishers, nor can he run pass defenders, but you cannot deny his workrate, his willingness to track back and defend - and now add to that his dogged determination to pop up in the darndest of places to score. That's the kind of opportunism that only hard work rewards.




Ryan Babel - 5.5/10

Whatever happened to Ryan Babel? At times so breathtaking, where has all the promise gone? He looks well shot of confidence now. Or has he simply lost interest?

Pace, dribbling, plus a mean right shot were his friends in seasons passed. Now it's like he doesn't know how to use them. Once, we looked forward to his entry on the field to terrorise defenders. Nowadays, when we were chasing a game or a winner, the last person I wanted to see was Babel. That's how bad it's gone.

Perhaps his only saving grace was his picking up a little in the last few games. But it's gonna have to be more, Babel - much, much - more.



Javier Mascherano - 7.5/10

Except for a blip in the opening of the season, probably due to his exertions for the national squad, Mascherano has stormed back to fine form. Simply put, there's no one who 'holds' the midfield and defends the back four like he does. Not Lucas Leiva, not Alonso - both whom I regard more as attacking creative midfielders disguised as DMs.

Strangely enough, our recent fine form in chalking up big scoreline wins has considerably muted Mascherano's apparent contribution. But make no mistake, his role can be crucial against bigger and better teams - and he's the only true holding midfielder we've got.





Lucas Leiva - 6.5/10

The obvious irony about poor Lucas is that many consider him to be a squad player who's not up to Liverpool's standard. Though what that means exactly is questionable, seeing as one who is may not be too keen to sit on the bench - just ask Mascherano.

The reality is that he's actually performed better this season than previously - though obviously not enough. My suspicion of course is that he's more an AM forced fit into a DM role - even more so than Alonso - which makes him a useful squad player to have around when Gerrard's missing due to injury. Still, he's one for the future, though many hope it comes sooner than expected.




Emiliano Insua - 7/10

After some early frustrations with Dossena, it must have come as welcome relief to see a player come through the reserves to perform as Insua did. So much so that he has almost effectively pushed the Italian international down the pecking order.

Insua's contribution has been a breath of fresh air given Rafa's emphasis on the youth academy and reserves. It is a pity he comes up against free kick specialist Fabio Aurelio, making the leftback slot one of the most keenly contested positions in Liverpool. Nonetheless, many fingers remain crossed that he will some day come into his own in the first team squad.




Jamie Carragher - 8/10

There are some who await Skrtel's and Agger's partnership in central defence with anticipation, me being one of them - but Jamie isn't about to roll over and play dead.

Carragher has been consistently our best and most dedicated defender in recent years, and as vice captain he often leads by example with his last ditch tackles and no nonsense approach. This season he's even pipped in credibly as Arbeloa's stand in at rightback. All these from a man who's given up international football for the club.

"Who's bigger than Liverpool?" he once said. Indeed, who's bigger than Jamie Carragher?



David Ngog - 6.5/10

This season has been more a showpiece for Ngog's promise rather than actual end product. With the departure of Robbie Keane, Ngog has found himself pushed to third choice striker in a team made for just one centre forward.

In that respect, the highly rated French youth international actually acquitted himself credibly, if not spectacularly. But then, who really expected him to deliver?

It remains to be seen just how he will contribute to Liverpool's future in a position that can tolerate no margin for error, as we remain in the market for another striker to bolster our team.




Pepe Reina - 8/10

Okay, so he's lost out on the golden gloves this season. I count two reasons for that - our switched emphasis on attack, and Nemanja Vidic. Certainly not because Reina's dropped a notch or two.

In honesty, I do not consider Reina a great shot stopper (a certain Shay Given comes to mind here). What he truly adds to the team is his sense of positioning and penchant for launching lightning counter attacks. The way he comes out - to cover his ground, snuff out danger or to launch a quick ball forward is quite a joy to watch. And if you haven't noticed - it's very difficult to beat Reina one on one - and the reason is not just because it isn't Torres facing him....




Nabil El Zhar - 6.5/10

Another youngster to come through the ranks, the jury remains out on him. But as an impact substitute, he certainly adds a welcome dimension to attack with his pace. Though not as electric or exciting as Babel had been in past seasons, he's still been better than Babel THIS season.

It will be interesting to see how he develops on the right in the future, as it is seen as another semi-problematic area. Dirk Kuyt might have made that slot his own, but El Zhar is arguably a very different player and could yet prove an effective wild card.





Martin Skrtel - 7.5/10

Skrtel has certainly made quite an impact in his first season. No prizes for guessing who, but he's actually managed to find himself displacing one half of our first choice centreback pairing from last season. Definitely no mean feat especially considering he is touted more for his defensive qualities, which is rather similar to the irreplacable Jamie Carragher.

Nonetheless, as aforementioned, we await his possible future partnership with Daniel Agger. And it will be interesting to see who among these two will be Jamie's regular partner next season.




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CAPTAIN FANTASTIC - FOOTBALL WRITERS' ASSOCIATION FOOTBALLER OF THE YEAR

Congrats to Stevie G!

A rather belated nod to our very own Captain Fantastic, who's been in superb form this season.

Sorry Giggsy, you may and should be the most respected footballer for a whole generation - but best player of the year you certainly are not....

A special thanks to FWA for picking someone who actually did play regularly this season....

It's good news to behold, and it certainly takes a little something away from what remains of this season.

Manchester United face Wigan Athletic away this evening on what may well be our last chance to get back into the chase.

I know I said Wigan might yet pull a surprise, away games being what they are (hard to predict), but now I'm not so sure, especially since they don't seem to have much to fight for.

But you never know - and it sure is a better hope rooting for the Mancs to draw their last two than to actually lose them....

Whatever happens though, never give up - Never Walk Alone.

CRUCIAL WEEK AHEAD

Robinho & Andrei Arshavin: Will either of these two be able to put a dent in Manchester United's title hopes?

For the Red Devils that is.

Three games in one week is no laughing matter.

First a Man City derby at Old Trafford today; next up Wigan midweek; and finally a resurgent Arsenal on Saturday.

Win all three matches and congratulations - GAME OVER.

We NEED them to slip up - possibly even in all three matches.

The way I see it, their final game versus Hull City is a no contest. Poor Hull, a rising star first half of the season and now - utter bollocks.

If the Mancs go into that game knowing they need a win, then they'll win it, plain and simple.

So what's the deal for this week then?

To be honest, I don't harbour much hope for Man City. Oh sure, there's Robinho. There's the soon to be coming silly money. And of course there's the rivalry.

But Man City have been too inconsistent this season, and does Robinho really understand the rivalry between these two clubs? It could all come to tears tonight....

But what I do hope for is a cracking match that will take the wind off the Devils for their Wednesday meet up with Wigan.

Yes. Away to Wigan just might throw a surprise. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

And Arsenal of course SHOULD benefit from the Devils' fatigue when they travel up to OT on Saturday. They'll still be smarting from the thrashing they received in the Champions League.

But here's a difference - Arshavin. He whacked 4 goals in Anfield. I'm hoping he does the same at OT.

But first, it all comes down to today, actually.

Manchester City. I'm off to see the match shortly. We need at least a draw realistically, but even that seems dim. I'm just hoping for the best.

YNWA.