Eyes Fixed On England Tonight

We've seen Germany, Portugal and Spain go through, the favourites to get through but who will be the fourth?
It's that time again for England go into the Quarter-finals to take on Italy and I am sure everyone will be looking to see who will be played. So lets have a look.


As far as I can see, Liverpool and Arsenal will be teams with the players that will make or break it on the offence.
Italy's solid back four has shown through the group stage that they are capable of defending against even the toughest of opponents but what who or what can we do to break it down?!


Italy's defence is indeed solid however inconsistency and random lack of concentration as seen in their match against Spain and Croatia could be their undoing and England's glory.


Andy Carroll has to start.


Carroll's ability to hold the ball and head in the high crosses will be crucial in getting over the Italian defence who have been superb in defending against the Spanish side who excel with fancy footwork. We will be relying on Gerrard and possibly Downing (Though the more likely Milner would be selected) to spot Carroll as well as Walcott who can provide Carroll with the balls to nod them home while Chamberlain will be our counter man, one to attack on the counter and run riot with Walcott as support. However this would be best utilised in the final third, the first part will see England attacking variety points of entry, playing the wide balls as well as having Young and Wellbeck countering. Their familiarity with each other will help provide a strong and constant attacking piece of football.
We will have to see England playing much more aggressively if we have any hope of dealing a blow to Italy and going into the Semi Finals.


This is not going to be an easy game for the defence as Italy still have attacking strength in Di Natale, Balotelli and Cassano, all of who have put themselves on the scoreboard in this competition, our defence will need to look sharp. Balotelli essentially the Italian Carroll with an attitude (in the coolest way possible with a lot less hair), while Cassano has a Rooney style flair about him and Di Natale is your experienced Striker, picking out the weak points in a defence and taking advantage of it to put away the goals.


With only a couple of hours left before the match, I would pick my starting XI as:


Hart
G.Johnson, Terry, Lescott, A.Cole
Downing, Gerrard, Parker, Young
Carroll, Wellbeck


Sub at 60mins


Wellbeck < Oxlade-Chamberlain
Young < Walcott


Score prediction:


Hard to say but I go with...


England 2-1 Italy
Carroll and Gerrard to score
Balotelli to score


Almost time!!! See ya after the game!!

Liverpool Fixtures are out! What's happening I wonder?

LFC's 2012-13 fixtures revealed

Here is our fixture list in full:

AUGUST

18 West Brom (A)
25 Manchester City (H)

SEPTEMBER

1 Arsenal (H)
15 Sunderland (A)
22 Manchester United (H)
29 Norwich City (A)

OCTOBER

6 Stoke City (H)
20 Reading (H)
27 Everton (A)

NOVEMBER

3 Newcastle United (H)
10 Chelsea (A)
17 Wigan Athletic (H)
24 Swansea City (A)
27 Tottenham (A)

DECEMBER

1 Southampton (H)
8 West Ham (A)
15 Aston Villa (H)
22 Fulham (H)
26 Stoke City (A)
29 QPR (A)

JANUARY 2013

1 Sunderland (H)
12 Manchester United (A)
19 Norwich City (H)
29 Arsenal (A)

FEBRUARY

2 Manchester City (A)
9 West Brom (H)
23 Swansea City (H)

MARCH

2 Wigan Athletic (A)
9 Tottenham (H)
16 Southampton (A)
30 Aston Villa (A)

APRIL

6 West Ham (H)
13 Reading (A)
20 Chelsea (H)
27 Newcastle United (A)

MAY

4 Everton (H)
12 Fulham (A)
19 QPR (H)






What are your thoughts?

I think this seasons a bit more spread out with the teams we have to play, giving Liverpool less focused stress in a single month. It will be interesting to see how well West Ham, Reading and Southampton deal with the new relegation, will we be seeing the same as last year with the new boys taking everyone by surprise or will the surprise be they lasted that long?

Sam Allardyce has been done well with the Hammers and getting them into the premier league and a lot of new signings are heard to be signed to West Ham to bring back the days of entertaining football, you have to love Di Canio.

But to be frank, they all deserved to be in the premier league as the points between them showed their qualities, fighting for the top three. Only those 3 points separated the teams.

So that rivalry will see them into the premier league as to who can get the better of the other.

West Ham showed a lot of resilience in having to play previous premier league team Blackpool and Carling Cup Finalist Cardiff City to get into the Premier League. But now that they're they, maybe we will see the old dogs bite back.

Or Liverpool will trounce them...

Tell me what team you fear the most and lets break them down :P

Leave it in the comment section below!

Andy Lai! Signing out!

Marriages All Round!!

Quick update:


The Liverpool squad have plenty to show for when it comes to being the family man, and with latest addition to being on their way are Martin Skrtel and Charlie Adams who have both had their wedding day today, so congratulations to them.


And to all those single liverpool fans... there are still other players you can become wags to :P


Also check out the top 10 liverpool player names being asked for to be placed on the back of the new football kits here ! Who would you have on your back????

I'm Back for Updates! Sorry for the Delay!

Well things have been a little hectic around here so I've not had access to the internet but I'm finally back and with quite a bit to talk about.
A lot has happened in the past few weeks and I should really bring things up to speed.


So the latest and the latter lot of news.
As many of you may know now, Liverpool have had a clean out with staff and players and more change is to come including the website itself.


For the sources of information, Liverpoolfc.tv was the site a lot of it came from, but now they will be changing to Liverpoolfc.com within the next month or so. There will be changes to the website throughout making any comment posted on the site and purchases made may have difficulty however they will suspending purchases during the change over and ensuring minimal amount of problems occur during such times of change.


Onto the players and team News Review! 


Dalglish is out after Liverpool's higher-ups were convinced someone else was required to move the new team forward. Now there are a lot of mixed opinion on the matter, whether it was a good idea to sack Dalglish and personally I don't believe it was necessary however I can see some reasoning, whether it outweighed the cons of doing so is still unsure.
Considering the situation, 2 finals, 1 cup and the worse positioning ever in 50 odd years in the top-flight league, it does bring into question whether it was worth having him stay but saying that, this was a team that was under construction, it was being rebuilt, no-one in their right mind would think that a manager was going to be able to fix everything in a single season. No matter who came in as manager, it was going to be difficult and how it all turned out, I wasn't too disheartened as towards the end of the season, we saw a team that was finally fitting together. The players were finally understanding each other, Carroll was finally being utilised properly and the players were really coming together. However the higher-ups were not happy about the league positioning, and with teams such as Newcastle, Manchester City and Chelsea having a good season within the league, competition was going to be tough with a team that was still getting to know each other. Pressure was mounting over the success of the teams form, and with Merseyside rivals finishing above Liverpool by only a single place but with 4 points ahead, fans and the men upstairs were never going to be too happy.
Simply put, Liverpool had bad timing with having to build a new time while all other teams were further developing their teams. You cannot deny that all the teams above Liverpool at the end of the season, were having a decent season in the league, results speak for themselves. Are we willing to take that sitting down? Of course not! That wouldn't be the Reds Way.
This season what is needed, more than ever, is for the fans to get behind the team and usher in a new season, to put this season behind us, and to look forward. We have players of potential and players returning to Anfield and we'll be damned if we let this season be the beginning of our downfall.
With a solid set up front with Carroll, Suarez and Bellamy and our ever reliable skipper Stevie G at the Helm, this is one club that will not fall.
If anything, this season will see us rise to the occasion. With European football back on the plate and a tem that essentially consists of half the England squad, I really doubt there will be problems surviving the Europa League.
No matter what is said, the Europa league is still a league worth playing in, a perfect chance for those in the squad that are not use to playing European football to gain the experience and a chance to gauge what our capabilities are and our outlook for Champions League football.


Returning to our first story, Dalglish's departure sees a a new manager taking on the responsibility of moving Anfield back to Fortress status, that man is Brendan Rogers, Swansea City Manager has handed in his resignation letter and was officially made Liverpool's new manager.
He was happy to also release his letter that he had written to Swansea City of his exit, to read it click here.
Brendan Rogers was said to be first choice, however there was more talk of Martinez becoming the new manager than him. His acceptance was taken after a second attempt to bring him to Anfield.
The man that brought Swansea through promotion and made a huge impact in the Premier League as well as beating Liverpool in their last home game 1-0, I believe a lot of people may question his ability to manage a big team such as Liverpool but his pass ability has proven strong and is a man capable of holding a team that had very few known players to not only stay in top-flight football but also to hold a brilliant home record. Swansea was in the top 5 teams when it came to holding off alien teams on home soil, something Liverpool really need to bring back having lacked wins at home last season.
The man was capable of holding on with an unknown team, it can only be said, what is he capable with a team like Liverpool.
I for one am pleased to see a manager of his calibre come and take the reigns as his experience come more from recent football rather than the past and with the changing face of football, we need the experience of those who are are adaptable to the ever changing game.


Now with the departure of Dalglish, there were others that are leaving, Steve Clark left and is heading up West Bromwich Albion, Dirt Kuyt has expressed his wanting to leave Anfield and has done so. He moves to Fenerbahce.
Dirk Kuyt will be a player that will be missed, a man who I had strong game ethics, the man would literally chase the ball even if it was unreachable, he scored crutial goals constantly, people can question his scoring ability having scored many goals in the last two season with in the 6- yard box, but had he not been there, there would not be goals at all. He has been influential in many ways having set up his own charity to help teach football for those with disabilities, link here. A player brought in by Benitez and stayed for six-years but it was time for him to leave and join the Turkish team. From me, I hope him all the best at his new club.


More rumours are spreading of other players leaving however who, is still in the mist.
Joe Cole has returned after a season spell at Lille where he helped them into the top 3 in La Ligue, I'm sure he will be welcomed back with open arms.
Maxi has also reiterated his intentions on staying at Anfield which was a relief considering his lack of chances given last season.





Now for the England Squad news!


The players involve are Gerrard (Captain of England), Carroll, Downing, Henderson, Johnson and most recently, Martin Kelly.


With any manager, they will always look at players they have worked with and are familiar with and it is no surprise to see England consist of many Liverpool players after Hodgsons spell at Liverpool, although he didn't have the best time, he has seen potential and strength in the English boys at Anfield.


Gerrard was named Captain but I believe we all know why he is, the Skipper has done nothing but the thebest for Liverpool and for country and it was about time he took the armband.
Carroll's impressive performance at Newcastle and his development at Liverpool has shown strength. Downing admits his start at Anfield has not been great but neither was Skrtel's when he first came to Anfield and this season he was the most consistent. Henderson was a surprise as his season has not been great at all at Liverpool but his last appearance has shown promise in the England side. Johnson has always been ever reliable and with Martin Kelly as a back up it would be fitting.
I see this as a damn good opportunity for our players to spend more time on actual competition to work together and work even closer together than before. It would be brilliant warm up to the Europa league for European football and more opportunities to work out plays together.
If anything, I believe this will help strengthen Liverpool as a whole.
Each player has proven capabilities, though my doubts still fall on Henderson, however watching the last few games he has played, he has shown more resilience and focus in the game which is encouraging.


There is a lot of talk about Rio ferdinand not being picked and Martin Kelly being the replacement was a bad choice, but you can see the reasoning. Kelly has proven his ability having held off some of the strongest players in the Premier League at the beginning of the season when Johnson was still out and he has shown strength, and at the young age of 22, he still has many years to play for England. Starting them younger can only help develop them and I can see Kelly growing stronger still and taking over Johnson's position later on in time.
We shall see what England are capable of and with the results we will also be able to gauge Liverpool's squad too.




That's all for today, I'll try to keep it more up-to-date as the summer moves on.




This is Andy Lai, Signing off. YNWA.

Apologies for lack of Blogging!

I'm stuck in the middle with moving and currently not able to continue blogging for a while, but I should be back within the next month. I will return soon enough!

Until then, check out Liverpoolfc.tv for more updates on Liverpool's progress!

Andy x

Day of Reckoning Approaches.. But first, Fulham

Today we see the Reds bring out, essentially would be seen as their second team. With a team of players who have had few first team starts it was an interesting choice of players for Kenny but it we all knew why this team was picked.


With the FA Cup Final coming next, Kenny wanted to see who was really fighting for first team and I think today showed a little of who should and who shouldn't be.


OK so they lost, 0-1 to the first team of Fulham. Admittedly, it didn't seem as though they were pushing particularly hard but it there were a few chances for Dempsey and what a job Doni did!


A warm welcome return for John Arne Riise, but a not so emphatic one for Murphy. Riise being one of the influential fall-backs of his time while at Anfield returns to strike back. Making his trademark runs down the flank but his not so trademarked shots and crosses that didn't really go anywhere, almost to say he didn't want to score.


Team Line-Up
Doni, Kelly, Coates, Skrtel, Aurelio, Henderson, Shelvey, Spearing, Maxi, Carroll, Kuyt


A disappointing O.G. from Skrtel in the first 5mins didn't help things as this second team looked to strike back but a lot of miscommunication between players as to where the ball was being placed put a lot more unnecessary stress on all of them.
Best players I can say that didn't show any real flaws in the game, Doni, Coates, Kelly, Carroll (Yes I know, he did well *SHOCK* * HORROR*).


But lets see what needs fixing. Aurelio has been out of games and not really played much this season with his position taken up by Johnson and Enrique. Having been out of shape his abilities was a little lacking but he still had his keen eye to spot a player and a few decent through balls.
Skrtel didn't exactly have the best of starts but he still held down the defence and controlled the defence line.
Henderson played in centre midfield but lacked real movement, his crosses were a little optimistic if not blind-eyed crosses as they never really hit the targeted players. His attacking strength seems lacking as he still hesitates to push forward, with a lack of ball control, Henderson was a little disappointing.
Shelvey, did well in pushing forward making runs and did it with real accuracy but his passing accuracy was devastating as Fulham were countering well with each lost pass causing a need to fall back.
Spearings link up play with Carroll and Kuyt showed some flaws, defensively he did well and was strong but on the offence as he moved forward, he tend to lose the ball while trying to play it into Maxi and or Kuyt.
Kuyt's played well but unable to link up with any of the others as he has not really played a lot with any of them making it difficult to know how to play it in. His crosses were pin point accurate as always but with a few players in the box lacking in experience it was up to Carroll to sort it out.
As a whole, the defence was very strong, Skrtel and Coates did extremely well to hold everyone off while Doni made some amazing saves that were crucial to the game.
Sterling later came on and showed some extremely skilful footwork and a lovely cross that couldn't be converted. With just a few minutes, Sterling had really made some extremely crucial movements that forced the Fulham defence to really scramble.
Carroll, about time he showed his footwork capabilities once again as he was able to really push forward, hold off the defence and provide for the others, it is a shame the final shots did not convert. Simply put he will definitely feature in the final but.


Shots from Shelvey, Maxi and Carroll were all in vain as they were all off target and no crosses were able to be converted into goals.
Today's game showed our defensive strength but the lack of forward attacks which leaves Suarez and Gerrard is guaranteed a position while, although Kuyt's strong work ethic and hard chasing of the ball has always been affective and useful, his later form has shown to waiver. As disappointing as it seems, I would say he would be placed on the bench but maybe played as a game changer in the later third of the game as a shock-sub as his pace would really cause damage in the later stage, just as he once did.


Considering this was a mixed team of players who had never really played together in a PL game, it was admirable for them to hold off the first team of Fulham who have recently been in pretty good form except the game against an extremely in-form Everton.


Kenny will have more trouble picking who to have in defence as they have all shown real strength in the back but what lacked was anything in the attack. As well as they did push harder from midfield, there was still weakness upfront.


As far as I can see, the starting XI would be as follows.


Starting XI: Reina, Enrique, Agger, Skrtel, Kelly, Gerrard, Downing, Kuyt, Bellamy, Carroll, Suarez
Bench: Doni, Coates, Carragher, Maxi, Henderson, Spearing, Sterling


Reina has always been the reliable one to be in the back with a keen eye and experience, he has to be the real choice to be in goal.
Enrique has earned his rightful place over the season as the left-back while the return of Agger and Skrtel as the centre back has shown good partnership.
Kelly may seem an odd choice but his performance today has shown he is capable of keeping up with forward striking force as well as falling back to defend. His crosses still need a little improvement but with a little push and pressure, this final may just be the push he needs to provide.
Downing's ability, as Enrique, has shown he is capable of playing on both left and right but with Kuyt covering the right, I would have Downing working along side Enrique to provide crosses for Carroll and Suarez. In the centre I would put Gerrard in his rightful place.
Up front, Carroll centred with Bellamy and Suarez moving from left to right. With their abilities to play either side and provide for each other, Suarez and Bellamy would run riot in the defence.
The bench would consist mainly of defensive players as this game would need our full force of attacks to break the defence line of Chelsea.


Expected Starting XI: Reina, Enrique, Skrtel, Carragher, Johnson, Gerrard, Downing, Spearing, Kuyt, Suarez Carroll.


Experience would most likely be Kenny's choice of strength to use so Carragher would be more likely choice while his work along side Skrtel has been better than with Agger. He's happy with the way Spearing is capable of falling back to defend. Kuyt would be played but swapped out for Bellamy later on in the game as he is hoping on allowing Kuyt's work along side Suarez and Carroll to be worth the try. Kuyt's reputation on scoring crucial goals in cup games have been a show brilliance and a light of hope within the game.
This would be interesting how Kenny decides to play this game.

Lads From Nacional Come to Melwood

Luis Suarez has posted a photo of the youngsters from Nacional who will be training at the Academy and will be there for a few weeks as Liverpool look to seek out new talent.


You may need to log onto facebook to view.
Click here for Photo


The youngsters have all been hand picked by the Liverpool Scouts to train at Melwood as communication between Nacional and Liverpool are still strong.