Tag Archives: Football

Young Defender Could Save Liverpool A Fortune

3 Aug

It has been well documented that Liverpool need to sign another centre half, especially after the departure of Joel Matip.

But the performances this preseason of Sepp Van den Berg have impressed new manager Arne Slott, and it will be interesting if the 22-year-old will be a part of his plans this season.

The young Dutchman was signed back in 2019, but he hasn’t really had much of a chance at Liverpool after three loans spells away from Anfield.

But it really looks like his loan spells have improved the young defender after witnessing his performances this preseason so far.

The Kopite View

Van den Berg hasn’t really had a chance when Jurgen Klopp was in charge, and just maybe Arne Slott could be the man to give him the chance he’s been waiting for at Anfield.

He obviously has strong competition for a place in Liverpool’s defence with the obvious names ahead of him in the pecking order.

But he could be the man to provide cover in the centre of defence if the likes of van Dijk, Konate or Quansah are not available.

Preseason is a great chance for players to impress, especially when many first team players are still on holiday.

Let’s see what Slott does with Van den Berg.

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United Show Desperation As Liverpool Look On

17 Jul

There was a lot of speculation that Liverpool were after Lille defender Leny Yoro, and supposedly in a battle with Real Madrid for the 18-year- old’s signature.

But now it seems that the youngster is destined for Old Trafford after Manchester United put a in a bid of £52 million.

It’s not the transfer fee that has possibly put Liverpool off, but it seems to be the wages that the youngster will receive, according to reports.

It is believed that Yoro will earn £113,000 per week, rising to £145,000 per week inclusive of bonuses.

The deal will certainly encourage United supporters for the new season, and make them very happy getting one over their old rivals, but the Manchester club have been flinging a lot of money about to regain success since Sir Alex left many years ago.

The Kopite View

Liverpool supporters are frustrated with this news of losing out on a talented young defender, especially to their bitter rivals.

But I’m sure Liverpool know who they want to bring in to strengthen this summer, and their defence is pretty strong despite losing Joel Matip this summer.

There is also plenty of time to sign new players this summer, so there is no need to panic.

The biggest factor that would have prevented Liverpool from signing Yoro is the youngster’s wages, and if they were to pay what he wanted, then it would have caused a lot of problems regarding the club’s wage structure.

Although I’m disappointed that a talented youngster has went to Manchester United, I can understand why Liverpool have not tried to better United’s offer.

It is too much money to gamble on a youngster playing in a new country with only one season of experience under his belt.

It isn’t the first time United have spent big money on a youngster and been left disappointed.

Manchester United are a long way behind Liverpool and need to spend a lot of money and bring many new players in to catch up with the Anfield club, whereas Liverpool have a strong squad already and just need one or two players in to strengthen.

We don’t need to panic like Manchester United.

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Slot Must Be Careful With Trio

15 Jul

New Liverpool manager Arne Slot has a massive job on his hands trying to continue the successful period that Jurgen Klopp achieved during his time at Anfield.

The Dutch boss has many challenges in his new role, and one of them is how to get the best out of three of his most experienced players and older squad members.

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson have been stalwarts during the Reds’ successful period inspired by Klopp.

But they are all getting older and have a lot of miles on the clock, but the three are still very important players for Liverpool.

It just seems like Slot needs to try and keep his experienced trio fresh for the long season ahead and maybe not play them as much as they are used to.

There was times last season that Mo Salah seemed tired and wasn’t as brilliant as he usually is, but he was rarely rested and he’s now 32 years old and maybe needs more rest.

Virgil is 33 now and although he had a good season last time out, it would be beneficial to give the captain a rest too.

Robertson is only 30 but he has played an awful lot of football in recent years both at Anfield and with Scotland in a very demanding role in the left of defence.

The Scot’s pace has always been a major asset of his game, but there are signs he’s losing a little, and like the aforementioned, I think Robbo needs to get more rest to get the best out of him.

It will be very interesting to see how Slot uses them because it is difficult to leave out your best players when you have so many tough games to negotiate in a very long and demanding season.

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Former Anfield Favourite Hints At Return

12 Jul

Dirk Kuyt has stated that he would be open to a return to Anfield and work with fellow countryman Arne Slot.

Former Reds’ favourite Kuyt is currently managing Belgian side Beerschot, and has admitted he has stayed in contact with Liverpool despite being away for a number of years.

Kuyt said “Of course, if I can help Liverpool in any way, then I will. I’ve always been in contact with people at the club. I did some work for the foundation of the club, and I’ve done some commercial work for them, too. I’ve always been close with them. On or off the pitch, I’ve always tried to help the club because when you sign for Liverpool, you become part of a family.”

The Kopite View

I think it would be great to see Kuyt return to Anfield as part of Arne Slot’s coaching staff, especially with his experience of playing with Liverpool and knowing what is expected at the club.

But the former Dutch international also has valuable managerial experience too that would also be a great advantage and added credential that could only be good for Liverpool and their new manager.

It will be interesting to see if Kuyt returns. From a personal point of view, I would love to see him return.

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Liverpool’s Tough Week

25 Jan

Liverpool’s Tough Week

 

Liverpool go in to a tough week of fixtures starting at Oldham in the FA Cup 4th Round, followed by an away trip to the Emirates Stadium to face Arsenal on Wednesday and then another away trip next Sunday to play Premiership Champions Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.

 

These games could shape the rest of the season for the Anfield side who have improved in recent weeks and are now within touching distance of a top four spot. Brendan Rodgers will probably make a few changes to his familiar line-up when his team travel to Oldham on Sunday, but I’m sure he will treat the tie with the respect it deserves , especially after a difficult victory at Mansfield in the last round of the Cup.

 

The two league fixtures after the Cup clash will define if Liverpool are to be top four challengers or mid-table also-rans. The improving run of results in the league have been encouraging for all concerned at Liverpool and even the defeat to Manchester United recently, showed encouraging signs in their second half performance. The addition of Daniel Sturridge has excited the Anfield faithful with his three goals in as many games, but his immediate understanding with Suarez has been the most exciting aspect of a fledgling partnership.

 

Arsenal have been a bit inconsistent this season but their impressive win over London rivals West Ham will give them great confidence for Liverpool’s visit. Arsenal are blessed with tremendous talent with the likes of Walcott, Wilshere, Podolski and Cazorla to name a few. But Liverpool have looked stronger in defence recently with Lucas protecting in front of them, which has also released Gerrard to get forward more and release him from his defensive duties. With Gerrard getting forward more and the addition of Sturridge to the team, not forgetting the brilliant Suarez, Liverpool pose an attacking threat to cause Arsenal’s vulnerable defence problems.

 

If Liverpool can take a point or even better three points from their trip to London, then it will set them up nicely for their challenge with the improving Champions. The confidence a positive result will give Liverpool would be so important and would help them greatly going to Manchester. City have improved in recent weeks and are beginning to look like the team of last year and have started to reel in United’s lead on them. City have a wealth of talent at their disposal and whoever Mancini selects will be tough opposition for Liverpool, but Liverpool are more than capable of getting a result at the Etihad with the talent available to them.

 

Liverpool have been beating most teams below them in the league, but they haven’t defeated any teams above them. If Liverpool want to finish in the top four this season then they will need to start doing so and this would be the ideal time to start and it could spur them on for the rest of the season. I’m predicting a win against Oldham followed by a win against Arsenal and ending the tough week with a draw against Manchester City.

 

 

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YNWA Anne Williams

10 Nov

YNWA Anne Williams

A normal lady, a normal mother, with a typical football loving boy

Who lost her son at a football match

A life lost, a life changed forever

Every parent’s worst nightmare to lose a son or daughter

But at a football match, this should never happen

96 never returned, 96 families lives changed forever

Unthinkable tragedy, unbelievable lies

Anne lost her son 23 years ago

All she wanted was to know what happened that day

How her Kevin died

Was that too much to ask

The victims were blamed for their own deaths

Anne knew the lies

She would get the truth against the establishment

She fought for the truth

She fought for justice

Against all odds when mere mortals would give up

Most would tire of the fight

Most would struggle with a broken heart

Anne’s heart is as big as Liverpool

Anne has led the fight for justice

She has never backed down

She would not be defeated

Her strength is unparalleled

Anne fought the law and Anne won

23 years fighting for the truth and for justice

Her belief never waned, her spirit never broken

Finally rewarded in September

The truth came out

Anne has put her body and mind through hell for 23 years

Anne deserves the inquest into her son’s death brought forward now

It is the least she deserves as her health suffers

Anne Williams suffered tragedy

She suffered the lies

Never felt sorry for herself

Never gave up

Respected by many

Carried a city against injustice

Anne Williams you will never walk alone

PLEASE BRING FORWARD KEVIN WILLIAMS INQUEST – e-petitions epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/40925 please help Anne by signing this petition (for UK residents only)

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Liverpool 0-2 Arsenal Match Report

3 Sep

Liverpool 0-2 Arsenal Match Report

 

Always one of the most important fixtures of the season, but with Liverpool still looking for Brendan Rodgers’ first league win in charge, this match took on added importance.

 

An encouraging draw against Manchester City last weekend followed by qualification to the group stages of the Europa League against Hearts on Thursday, has renewed optimism with the Anfield faithful.

 

The Team

 

The big team news for Liverpool was the selection of new signing Nuri Sahin to make his debut in a Red shirt. Agger came back into to the side at the expense of Coates after serving his suspension. Enrique slotted back into his familiar left-back role, with Johnson moving over to right-back to replace Martin Kelly. The exciting Raheem Sterling started on the left with Joe Allen and Gerrard in the middle, with Borini down the right and Suarez up front.

 

The Match

 

Liverpool made an encouraging start to the game as Borini flashed the first chance of the match wide after bursting through the middle.

 

Moments later Suarez tricked Mertesacker into hacking him down on the edge of the box, earning Liverpool a free-kick. Unfortunately for Liverpool Suarez couldn’t repeat his free-kick of the previous week as he blazed over the bar.

 

Then Joe Allen broke up an Arsenal attack which ended with Borini firing a shot into the Anfield Road end.

 

Arsenal slowly grew into the game and Cazorla almost put the visitors in front, but Reina stood firm. Arteta and Cazorla started to influence the game and Liverpool found it hard to gain possession.

 

Raheem Sterling made a dangerous move towards the Arsenal penalty box only to be halted by Arteta just outside the box. However, Gerrard fired the free-kick straight into the wall.

 

Then Arsenal broke the deadlock with a lethal counter-attack, when Gerrard lost possession just outside the Arsenal box. The move orchestrated by Cazorla ended with Podolski firing past Reina and stunning the Kop.

 

Liverpool almost levelled immediately when Sterling turned inside the box, but his fierce shot shaved the outside of the post.

 

Liverpool had a shout for a penalty but replays suggest Howard Webb was correct as Mertesacker stretched to stop the lightning Sterling as he burst into the box.

 

But Arsenal should have doubled their lead after a tremendous break by Diaby which ended with Giroud shooting into the Kop with only Reina to beat.

 

5 minutes after the re-start Liverpool thought they should have had a penalty when Suarez was bundled to the ground by Mertesacker inside the box after a low cross by Gerrard. But Howard Webb waved away Liverpool’s appeals.

 

With Liverpool chasing the game Brendan Rodgers brought on Downing for Borini  and Shelvey on for Sahin to freshen things up and Downing made an instant impact with a clever back heel to set up Suarez but the Uruguayan’s effort was palmed over the bar by Mannone.

 

Then in the 68th minute Liverpool was undone for a second time when Cazorla exchanged passes with Giroud on the edge of the box before ploughing into the Liverpool penalty area and hammering the ball under Reina for 2-0.

 

Liverpool huffed and puffed to get back into the match and Suarez  and Shelvey having chances late on but Liverpool could not break through a stubborn Arsenal defence, as the visitors held on for a deserved 3 points.

 

Summary

 

Pleased to see Sahin finally starting for Liverpool in a side that looked about as strong as Rodgers could field. Liverpool started the game brightly, as Liverpool created a few chances, but was opened up far too easily on the counter-attack as proved by the first goal. Sterling looked dangerous, but was paid a lot of attention by Arsenal’s defenders. Joe Allen was once again superb in midfield, but Gerrard’s passing was surprisingly poor. Worried about the number of goals Liverpool is conceding and with no strikers on the bench, there doesn’t seem to be a plan B. I have to blame Reina for the second goal, he should have saved it, and he is making far too many mistakes all of a sudden. Liverpool played some nice football without a cutting edge and never looked solid defensively either. Deservedly beat.

 

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