The Kopite View

Hillsborough Families Should Be Knighted

For 23 years the families of the victims of the Hillsborough disaster have fought against the biggest cover up in sporting history. Nobody can appreciate what trials, tribulations and emotions they have all went through for so long.

The thought of a loved one going to a football match never to return is tragic enough, but to endure the constant lies and having their loved ones blamed for their own deaths by the authorities and publicised by the Sun newspaper is appalling.

The families never accepted the verdict of “accidental death” for their relatives and they campaigned for the truth to come out over the disaster. They had to pay for their legal fees in their fight for justice against those responsible, who were funded by tax payers money.

They were constantly shot down in flames regarding their search for the truth, but they never stopped fighting and gained support over the years.

Finally on the 12^th September this year the Hillsborough Independent Panel’s Report was released, revealing the truth of what happened during and after the disaster of April 1989 in which 96 supporters died.

The never give up attitude by the families for so many years is astounding and finally they have won the fight for the truth to come out, and for everyone to know the facts, which are shameful for so many parties, the police, the medical staff, the government, the media and the FA, who have yet to apologise for their part in selecting Hillsborough as the venue for that fateful match, after previous safety incidents and concerns raised about Hillsborough.

Trevor Hicks, Anne Williams and Margaret Aspinall are just a few of the tragic relatives who lost loved ones on that tragic day, but along with many others they have to be applauded for their endeavour and tireless effort in finally bringing the truth out.

The Hillsborough families’ fight for justice has gained support over the years from many people, the people of Liverpool, whose city was tarnished by many allegations from the disaster. Celebrities like Peter Hooton from the Farm, Mick Jones of The Clash, Pete Wylie from the Mighty Wah and singer, song writer, and many others I apologise for not mentioning.

MP’s Steve Rotheram and Andy Burnham have also been instrumental in helping bring the truth to the fore, and they deserve tremendous credit.

Last night MP’s debated for the first time in The House of Commons regarding the findings of the Hillsborough Independent Panel’s report, and Home Secretary Theresa May revealed that the Government is considering using emergency laws to ensure no police officer involved in the cover-up surrounding the Hillsborough disaster escapes justice.

And May admitted she found elements of the panel’s report ‘shocking’ and said: “The truth that some families have long known, or suspected, is now clear for all to see and to respect.

“They have fought for justice and not warm words. But I would like to place on the record my respect for them all the same.

“And I offer them this commitment – the government will do everything in its power to support them in moving from truth to justice.”

On Monday it was also revealed during the debate – which lasted for almost five hours – that the names of 1,444 former and serving police officers have been passed to the IPCC as part of its investigation into the disaster.

The whole episode of 23 years that the Hillsborough families have endured and fought for should see them knighted, but they didn’t do this for titles or money, they only did this for their tragic loved ones and for the truth and justice for those responsible.

JFT96

Pete Wylie’s Heart As Big As Liverpool http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgFY6tmAl8A

Liverpool 1-0 Reading Match Report

Back to league business this weekend after the international break, as Liverpool entertain Reading at Anfield, still looking for their first home league win of the season. A win is vital for Liverpool, as they look to climb the league table after a difficult start to the season. Reading has also struggled since returning to the Premiership this season so this is a big game for both teams.

The Team

Liverpool suffered a couple of injuries to players during the international break, Fabio Borini suffering the most serious injury suffering a fractured foot which could keep him out of action for a few months, while Pepe Reina picked up an injury warming up before Spain’s match with France midweek, so Brad Jones started in goal for Liverpool. Andre Wisdom, Skrtel, Agger and Johnson lined up in defence, with Sahin, Joe Allen and Gerrard in the midfield and Suso and Sterling the wide players supporting Suarez up front.

The Match

Liverpool was quick to stamp their authority in the early stages of the match as they bossed possession. Nuri Sahin had a dipping effort in Liverpool’s first real effort, followed by an effort by Sterling, but goalkeeper Alex McCarthy wasn’t overly troubled by either effort.

Jones, a spectator for most of the first half, collected a cross and bowled quickly into midfield, where Luis Suarez and Steven Gerrard seized possession before dispatching Sterling down the left. The 17-year-old might have had too much time to ponder, for his decision to stall and try to beat a man led only to a goal kick.

Moments later Suarez created a yard of space before conjuring a chipped effort just over the bar.

Sterling then set-up the onrushing Sahin but his effort went high over the bar and Liverpool must have been wondering if it was going to be another one of those days.

Reading were forced into a change midway through the half, Jem Karacan coming off worse from a 50:50 with Gerrard and having to be replaced by Gareth McCleary. It made little difference to the McAsway of the contest, and soon dominance was rewarded.

There were 29 minutes on the clock when Suarez poked his toe at the ball to direct it through the Reading defence ready for Sterling to take a touch and guide right-footed beyond McCarthy into the bottom corner of the Anfield Road net.

Suarez almost made it 2-0 soon after, when his 30 yard rocket narrowly missed the target. There was a moment of levity on 38 minutes when referee Roger East awarded Suarez a free-kick on the edge of the area, and more than 40,000 home fans stood in unison for a sarcastic round of applause.

Liverpool was well on top and the chances kept coming, Johnson stung the palms of McCarthy’s hands with the next effort.

The half ended with Suarez hobbling off the field after receiving another thumping challenge from a Reading defender without protection from the referee.

Suarez was the last player to enter the field as he tried to recover from his late first half knock, but it wasn’t long before he was causing havoc as he danced past Gorkks before being denied by McCarthy.

At the other end there was a first chance for the visitors as McCleary ghosted in behind Andre Wisdom only to be denied by the feet of Jones, whose concentration was superb.

The chance was a warning to the home side that their lead was precarious and Reading started to come into the game as Liverpool showed concern.

Jones had to make another good save, palming away a long range McAnuff strike as the visitors started to create a few chances.

Usual service then resumed, Sterling proving difficult to stop down his flank before crossing to Suarez, whose first-time shot flew into the stand.

Martin Skrtel flashed a header inches over after meeting a Gerrard corner at the near post, while substitute Jonjo Shelvey should have done better at the far when Suarez sent an inviting cross his way.

Johnson was then thwarted on the line as a second Liverpool goal was proving elusive. Suarez was wasteful after being teed-up by substitute Enrique, but the one goal proved to be enough as Liverpool recorded their first home win of the season to great relief for the Anfield faithful.

Summary

Relieved that Liverpool recorded their first home win of the season. But 1-0 or 5-0 it doesn’t matter, a win is a win. Sterling scored a great goal and this will be the first of many and will boost his confidence so much. Brad Jones made a couple of vital saves after being redundant for most of the day and his clean sheet was vital in giving Liverpool the win as they could only muster the one goal. Concerning the amount of chances Liverpool was wasteful of and this will need to improve against more difficult opponents. Suarez showed his good and bad side, he caused the Reading defence all sorts of problems but he was guilty of being wasteful of so many chances too. Glen Johnson had a very good game, making a couple of important headers in defence and was a big attacking threat going forward. The supporters showed great backing when they cheered when Suarez received a free-kick. But the most important thing was obviously the win and hopefully Liverpool can build on this victory.

Is Diving Worse Than Stamping ?

What a stupid question, of course it isn’t, but the nation’s media seems to think otherwise as every newspaper has headlined Suarez’s dive for a penalty, rather than headline Stoke’s Robert Huth’s stamp on Luis Suarez.

Diving is part of football now, and every team has players that do it to gain a free-kick or a penalty. But Liverpool’s Luis Suarez seems to be the only player to gain headlines for his diving antics. There is no doubt Suarez goes to ground easily, but doesn’t Nani, Ashley Young or Gareth Bale, to mention a few, without the headlines Suarez receives.

The attention Suarez receives for his diving is becoming a “witch hunt”, which manager Brendan Rodgers described, and understandably so, when after witnessing an afternoon of thuggery towards his star striker, all the attention is on his man’s diving.

Stoke manager Tony Pulis made strong comments after Sunday’s match about Suarez’s dive and called for the FA to suspend him, without mention of his team’s physical approach to Suarez in particular.

Pulis is not the first manager to target Saurez, and it is becoming a common theme for opposing managers to criticise Suarez for his theatrics and this will and is already having an effect on the protection Suarez receives from referees, last weekend’s penalty appeal against Norwich being a prime example of things not going the Uruguayan’s way.

Diving should be punished in football, but not for one player and not for others which the media seem to be highlighting . Fines are useless as these players have so much money, and I don’t think suspending players will work too well either, but to take points off teams will maybe work and sort out the hypocritical managers who don’t mind their own players diving but vent their frustration when opposition players dive.

But after the events of the Liverpool versus Stoke match on Sunday, the main topic should be about the Stoke tactics and especially the blatant stamp on Suarez by Stoke defender Robert Huth, who could have seriously injured Suarez. Amazingly Huth escaped punishment for his actions and also the headlines as diving is the more serious offence which grabbed the headlines.

Diving is part of football that nobody likes but it is not and never will be as serious as seriously injuring an opponent, so Huth’s actions should have been headlined more than Suarez’s dive and he should have been punished.

The media in this country need to focus on the nasty challenges that could end a footballer’s career, rather than focus on a “witch hunt” on a player who does what most players do.

Liverpool 0-0 Stoke City Match Report

Liverpool still looking for their first home win in the league this season faced a Stoke side who managed a scoreless draw at Anfield last season and would be a tough opponent for the hosts. Liverpool go into the fixture encouraged with their impressive away win at Norwich last week and with hopes of building on that performance against Stoke.

The Team

Brendan Rodgers stuck with the same team that beat Norwich last week, so youngsters Wisdom, Suso and Sterling kept their place in the team. Sahin, Allen and Gerrard formed the middle of Liverpool’s midfield with Skrtel and Agger pairing in central defence.

The Match

An early scare after minutes of the first-half threatened to hand Stoke their first Anfield goal since 1983. Nuri Sahin under-hit an attempted pass to Martin Skrtel after Pepe Reina caught him unawares with a short goal-kick. Former Reds midfielder Charlie Adam seized possession but after a frenzied period of last-ditch defending, the ball was hooked to safety.

Then Suarez danced along the goal-line before setting-up Sahin but his goal bound effort was blocked.

Liverpool were struggling to get their passing game going as Stoke were applying great pressure, some of it too physical, typified by Huth appearing to stamp on Suarez in one incident.

Whelan whipped an inviting free-kick across the blindside of a retreating Reds defence but Skrtel was strong and alert to scramble the ball clear as Peter Crouch stood poised to turn it home at the far post.

Gerrard swerved a shot towards Begovic’s left but the ‘keeper flung himself low to parry. Trickery from Suso on the edge of the box saw him dink the ball over the Stoke back-four and Daniel Agger was inches away from turning the ball home.

Sterling, consumed in dogfight for possession with his marker Geoff Cameron, managed to wriggle free of the tall Stoke full-back and feed Suarez, who found Gerrard but the skipper dragged wide.

After the interval Liverpool  upped the tempo and started to pass the ball better and hem Stoke in their own half.

On 51 minutes Gerrard split the Stoke defence wide open. Head raised, the skipper watched Johnson stampede forward before clipping a perfectly-weighted pass into his path. The full-black blazed over the crossbar.

Suarez let the ball roll across his body before embarking on a mazy run through the heart of the Stoke defence. But with a trail of floored defenders in his wake and the whole of Anfield on its feet, poised to explode in celebration, the Uruguayan sliced the ball wide of the Kop net.

Then Agger made a great run forward but his cross evaded everyone until it came to Sterling who shot against the outside of the post.

Liverpool huffed and puffed against a resolute Stoke defence and Skrtel hit the post in the closing minutes with a poked effort from a corner as the Reds were left frustrated by Stoke’s spoiling tactics.

Summary

Liverpool started poorly and struggled to find their passing game in the first half. Better in the second half but never created enough chances. Referee Mason was very lenient towards Stoke as they seemed intent on stopping Liverpool any way they could. Suarez got some severe treatment with very little protection from Mason. Very disappointing result for Liverpool and the lack of striking options came back to haunt Liverpool.

Liverpool 2-3 Udinese Match Report

Liverpool were hoping to build on their good win against Young Boys and strengthen their position in their tough Europa League Group against Udinese at Anfield. Udinese would pose a tough test for Liverpool and Brendan Rodgers’ youngsters.

                             The Team

Rodgers made a few changes from the side that defeated Norwich at the weekend with a mix of youth and experience. Reina, Allen,  Johnson, Carragher and Downing added the experience alongside Robinson, Coates, Shelvey, Henderson, Assaidi and Borini.

                            The Match

In the first eight minutes the Udinese goal had been threatened by Oussama Assaidi following a dart into the box; Shelvey with a shot from range; and Coates with a header that he should have directed beyond Zeljko Brkic.

Both sides pressed hard, and that made for a lively opening, with Udinese clearly not arriving at Anfield to sit back. On 14 minutes Pepe Reina had to be at his very best to stop a Medhi Benatia header breaching the Kop goal. His low, reflex save was one for the scrapbook.

Liverpool deservedly took the lead in the 23^rd minute when Shelvey headed into the Udinese net from a Downing cross, sending the Kop wild with delight.

As the half progressed, Udinese found themselves increasingly starved of possession, but within 30 seconds of the restart the scores were level as the visitors played Liverpool at their own game. Udinese weaved the ball beautifully through the home defence and when half-time substitute Andrea Lazzari’s cross came in, Di Natale had timed his run perfectly to finish beyond Reina from 12 yards.

Liverpool’s response wasn’t emphatic. On 61 minutes Downing drove himself into the box and tried a one-two with Fabio Borini. The final pass got caught underneath the Englishman’s feet. Seconds later Henderson had a low shot blocked.

Rodgers decided to act, replacing Assaidi and Henderson with Gerrard and Suarez for the final 25 minutes.

The lively Downing looked to instigate another opportunity with a run down the left, outpacing his man only to be comically grappled to the floor. A red card wouldn’t have been unwarranted. Instead Giampiero Pinzi received a yellow and was swiftly substituted.

Suarez collected possession from the resulting free-kick, directing a shot goalwards only to see it blocked by Shelvey.

Then, in two crazy minutes, the Reds were ambushed. First on 70 minutes when the otherwise superb Coates headed a Udinese free-kick past his own goalkeeper, then when Pasquale thumped beyond Reina from outside the box. Anfield was hushed.

Liverpool looked dead and buried, but Suarez directed a brilliant free-kick into the top corner to make it 3-2 and breathe new life into Liverpool.

Moments later Suarez had a header saved from close range and Sterling went close on a couple of occasions but for all Liverpool’s efforts they were left frustrated as the match ended 3-2 in favour of the visitors.

                                 Summary

A disappointing result to a pulsating performance from a team blended with youth and experience. The first half saw some tremendous Liverpool possession but only a 1-0 lead to show for their efforts. The second half Liverpool were stunned right at the start and lost their way for about 20 minutes and also lost the game in that time. The response was pleasing after falling behind 3-1 and Liverpool were unlucky not to take a point from the game as they pressured the Udinese goal. For me Coates is improving in every game, I thought he was outstanding and even his own goal can’t take the gloss off his performance. Poor result but plenty of positives to take from the game.

just a video reminding us of why we love Suarez so much.