Indeed.Liverpool will kick off the optimistic off-Anfield at the Stadium of Light to take on Sunderland this coming Sunday. Nothing against The Black Cats, but I am sure, as far as being a Kop is concerned, what we need is a strong jab of incentive by winning comfortably in the first game. The Reds are well-known of their sluggish season starters. And usually, they would bounce back late in the season, just in time The Kops were leaving the stadium and all too sensitive to bid adieu.
Its been a busy transfer market in English football lately – all too quick to bewilder me, upon knowing Deco is now a Blue, just the next day I knew Luka Modric is now heading to Spurs. I didn’t expect Giovani Dos Santos to leave Barcelona until a friend told me he is now joining Modric as well. What was he thinking when he decided to leave Bojan Krcic and Lionel Messi, just a split second after the trio were tipped to be the new ‘it’ power force. It was not all, after I learnt David Bentley was soon to sign for Juande Ramos regime, a month after Samir Nasri joined Arsene Wenger day nursery, to play alongside young football gems of Arsenal.
And so I thought how Rafa Benitez would fare the battle of transfer saga this season? I was on tenterhooks, hoping him to amaze me with some magic, just the way he did a year ago when he brought El Nino to Anfield – not to mention some 20 million pounds for more than 20 goals a season, making him the first Liverpool player to score 20 league goals in a season, since Robbie Fowler in the 95/96 season campaign, when I was still supporting the Red Devils.
I think he did, when he unveiled Robbie Keane as our new Number 7, a dreadfully big number to wear, previously worn by the great Kenny Dalglish and Kevin Keegan – much to the contentment of Aliff Adha, taking pride of the two who had the honor of playing for Newcastle United.
Personally I like Robbie Keane, and seeing him donning the red shirt (and yes, the miserable away grey jersey) would be a nice fixture, provided that he will be playing alongside Torres up front. There are talks everywhere, agreeing that Torres-Keane partnership is looking to takeover the Premiership and looking good to grab at least one silverware back to Anfield this season. Let us pray that Robbie is not transforming as another form of Craig Bellamy and defying the odds of becoming Liverpool's best attacking alliance since John Aldridge and Peter Beardsley.
Other than that, I think we are at least as strong or better in some departments than we were last season, with Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel are back from injury to make a very big impact on the back four, where we don’t have to call on Jack Hobbs anymore.
Reina, Mascherano, Gerrard and Torres are establishing a very strong spine to the team, while Babel and Lucas, both a year older in the Premiership will hopefully come on leaps and bounds this season.
Jamie Carragher, well, is not actually my cup of tea. He might as well join Kewell and Crough somewhere, together with Itandje and Pennant whom are set to be listed and transferred out.
I thought I am going to miss John Arne Riise following his move to Roma, but the arrival of the 7 million pound Italian Andrea Dossena was quick to wipe my tears. His pre-season campaign was delightful and promising. He is no doubt the undisputed first choice on the left of the defence, and the rightful heir to Riise’s seven seasons spell as the left guardian of the back four. A wonderful bargain, I must say.
Ah the youngster N’Gog looks like a dangerous understudy. Even his name is a trivial one to pronounce – but he scored a goal earlier in the pre-season which had a touch of Henry in it. I hope will develop that way, not just by sharing the same physique with the King.
All in all, we now have the quality; we just need luck and the right mental approach. And yes, some fair referees when we are up against Man Utd, Chelsea and Arsenal.
We are a better team than last year. An improved league position is all I need. To win the premiership is a bonus and I don’t mind having any of FA or Carling Cup in the process. Lifting the Champions League is a dream.
All in all, we now have the quality; we just need luck and the right mental approach. And yes, some fair referees when we are up against Man Utd, Chelsea and Arsenal.
We are a better team than last year. An improved league position is all I need. To win the premiership is a bonus and I don’t mind having any of FA or Carling Cup in the process. Lifting the Champions League is a dream.
We always said we had the best two teams in Merseyside, Liverpool and Liverpool
reserves. - Bill Shankly
Good luck Liverpool. Good luck The Reds.
And the other Reds will also wage the ultimate battle for supremacy. Red Giants, Selangor, will take on Johor FC in the first leg of Malaysia Cup semi-final tomorrow night at Stadium Shah Alam.
It will be the last chance to catch Frank Seator, Elie Aiboy and Evans Chisulo in action, as they have to surrender to FAM new policy of foreign players next season.
And another chance for you people to be at the stadium to watch local football, our own football scene.
Ticket prices in Shah Alam is fluctuated, but one thing for sure is you can get a ticket for not more than RM33, RM53, RM83, RM103 and RM303 – except for a week ago.
Good luck Selangor. Good luck Red Giants.
And the other Reds will also wage the ultimate battle for supremacy. Red Giants, Selangor, will take on Johor FC in the first leg of Malaysia Cup semi-final tomorrow night at Stadium Shah Alam.
It will be the last chance to catch Frank Seator, Elie Aiboy and Evans Chisulo in action, as they have to surrender to FAM new policy of foreign players next season.
And another chance for you people to be at the stadium to watch local football, our own football scene.
Ticket prices in Shah Alam is fluctuated, but one thing for sure is you can get a ticket for not more than RM33, RM53, RM83, RM103 and RM303 – except for a week ago.
Good luck Selangor. Good luck Red Giants.
Let’s paint the world red this week, lads – because football is back.
