The Dirk and Agger show
Well, well, well Pepe Reina knows all the words to 'I'm forever blowing bubbles' - or at least that would seem the case, the way he throws goals West Ham's way! But at least the team again rose to the occassion. Agger scored a goal worthy of the Kop's 100th birthday, while Garcia and Crouch contrived an intricate piece of excellence.
But the Kop - and all of the rest of Red fans - were delighted by the debut of Dirk Kuyt. Eager, intelligent and moving well in front of goal. There's a rumour that with Kuyt, Bellamy, Crouch, Fowler and...well surely the rumour of us scoring a few goals this season could be right!
Just enough
After the exuberant victory in the Charity Shield over Chelski the week has continued on a damp squib note. The Sheffield Utd tie showed how much Liverpool need to motivate themselves if they want to aspire to success. Against the Israelis we also were lack lustre.
Injuries may be accumulating, but that is no excuse. Riise, Carragher, Warnock and
Sissoko are all essential players, but surely there is enough depth in the squad to make sure that we don't slip up.
Sure, Rick Parry will congratulate Rafa on getting the cash bonus of qualification, but will Rafa congratulate his side? Apart from Stevie G and, against Haifa, Crouch, few have covered themselves with honour.
Before West Ham on Saturday the players will have to step up their game.
PS - Chelski fall again at Middlesborough tonight, but before we all celebrate, last year we barely scraped a draw there!
Been a while, but I'm back
Been a while since I posted here - the agony of the last few weeks of last season were enough for the stoutest of hearts - not only the heart wrenching drama of the FA Cup Final, but the agony that came from the fact that we actually came close to being in 2nd place, or even higher. Had we not had a run of draws and losses around the New Year, we would have been much closer to Chelski.
Therefore the Charity Shield victory was all that sweeter. Chelski may have fielded a team that was lacking in fitness, but it was still their first team squad that took to the park. Despite the Chaven One's protestations we all know how badly he wanted to win this. Tough luck Jose., but this year Liverpool are a stronger, more confident unit.
Rafa's summer spending seems sensible and measured. Throughout all areas of the pitch there has been aquisitions. But blow me down with a Morinhuo waffle, it's now the United Nations of Liverpool FC. An Argie at the back, a Brazilian (our first ever) on the left competing with an Aussie, more Dutchmen than you czn shake a stick at (read Dirk Kuyt's official statement
here), an Irishman, a Welshman, an African and... the requisite number of Scousers, it all looks well. But most importantly there is now competition for places. That will weed out the players who are only in it for the pay packet and those who want to play for the jersey.
It was therefore even more refreshing to hear Kuyt
not claim he had been a red since birth, but rather he felt honoured to pull on the jersey!
