• Official Site: Match Analysis
• Official Site: Rafa reaction
• Youtube Highlights of LFC goals
• BBC write-up, with video from Benitez, Kuyt, and Coppell
• Guardian: Match write-up
• The Times: Match write-up
• Daily Telegraph: Match write-up
• The Independent: Match write-up
• Eurosport stats and match commentary
• Sky Sports: Match write-up
• Sky Sports: Player Ratings
• RAWK Post-match thread
05 November 2006
04 November 2006
Liverpool 2-0 Reading
It wasn’t fluid, it wasn’t perfect, and I don’t know if Liverpool was really worth a 2-0 win, but the win is what counts. Reading proved to be tricky opposition, with a well-marshaled packed midfield that prevented Liverpool from fully controlling the game.
This was a game that could have ended 0-0 in previous seasons, despite the 2-0 scoreline. To often it seemed that Liverpool lost possession in midfield pushing towards Reading’s goal. Steve Coppell’s men harassed and hassled, closing down quickly and preventing passes, and Liverpool never quite clicked as they did against Villa or Bordeaux. In years past, when Liverpool has difficulty putting moves together, they haven’t gotten enough good shots to get the goal they need. But Dirk Kuyt, with a lot of help from Peter Crouch and Steven Gerrard, prevented that.
Kuyt two goals were classic striker’s goals. The first came because he knew where to be for Crouch’s perfect knock down, slotting into an empty net in the 14th minute. The second came because of his awareness and positioning; he reacted quickest to bundle the ball in at the back post after Crouch’s header was saved by Marcus Hahnemann. It really feels as if I’m praising Kuyt too much, in everything I write, but I firmly believe he’s exactly what the front line needed. Not to mention the little things he does, like running back half the field to block a corner with less than 10 minutes left and the game wrapped up.
The clean sheet is encouraging as well, although Reading never put Liverpool under much pressure. Reading wasn’t going to create a lot of opportunities playing with a lone striker, but Liverpool defended capably when they had to. There weren’t any real lapses of concentration, which has plagued the back line at times, and were so untroubled that the center backs were able to press forward as they pleased. Reading had set piece opportunities, but Liverpool defended well on all of them, with the only close call ruled out for a clear foul on Reina. I don’t imagine we’ll be hearing any complaints about zonal marking on free kicks and corners this week.
It’s been said elsewhere, but it’s worth mentioning again. This is now the 22nd game in a row that Liverpool is unbeaten at Anfield. 19 wins, 3 draws, 15 clean sheets, and 0 losses since Chelsea last October. It may not have been the best performance, but they continue to win at home. Once Liverpool is able to replicate this form on the road, especially games where they don’t play their best but still get a 2-0 win, will we be able to talk about Liverpool competing with the best of the league. Away games are coming up Wednesday against Birmingham and Saturday against Arsenal.
This was a game that could have ended 0-0 in previous seasons, despite the 2-0 scoreline. To often it seemed that Liverpool lost possession in midfield pushing towards Reading’s goal. Steve Coppell’s men harassed and hassled, closing down quickly and preventing passes, and Liverpool never quite clicked as they did against Villa or Bordeaux. In years past, when Liverpool has difficulty putting moves together, they haven’t gotten enough good shots to get the goal they need. But Dirk Kuyt, with a lot of help from Peter Crouch and Steven Gerrard, prevented that.
Kuyt two goals were classic striker’s goals. The first came because he knew where to be for Crouch’s perfect knock down, slotting into an empty net in the 14th minute. The second came because of his awareness and positioning; he reacted quickest to bundle the ball in at the back post after Crouch’s header was saved by Marcus Hahnemann. It really feels as if I’m praising Kuyt too much, in everything I write, but I firmly believe he’s exactly what the front line needed. Not to mention the little things he does, like running back half the field to block a corner with less than 10 minutes left and the game wrapped up.
The clean sheet is encouraging as well, although Reading never put Liverpool under much pressure. Reading wasn’t going to create a lot of opportunities playing with a lone striker, but Liverpool defended capably when they had to. There weren’t any real lapses of concentration, which has plagued the back line at times, and were so untroubled that the center backs were able to press forward as they pleased. Reading had set piece opportunities, but Liverpool defended well on all of them, with the only close call ruled out for a clear foul on Reina. I don’t imagine we’ll be hearing any complaints about zonal marking on free kicks and corners this week.
It’s been said elsewhere, but it’s worth mentioning again. This is now the 22nd game in a row that Liverpool is unbeaten at Anfield. 19 wins, 3 draws, 15 clean sheets, and 0 losses since Chelsea last October. It may not have been the best performance, but they continue to win at home. Once Liverpool is able to replicate this form on the road, especially games where they don’t play their best but still get a 2-0 win, will we be able to talk about Liverpool competing with the best of the league. Away games are coming up Wednesday against Birmingham and Saturday against Arsenal.
03 November 2006
Liverpool v Reading 11.4.06
10am. Available in the US on Fox Soccer Channel.
Liverpool: 8th place; 14 points out of 10 games
Reading: 10th place; 13 points out of 10 games
Liverpool has only met Reading once in all of League history, last week at Anfield in the Carling Cup tie, which Liverpool won 4-3.
Last 3 games:
Liverpool: 3-0 Bordeaux (h); 3-1 Villa (h); 4-3 Reading (h)
Reading: 1-3 Portsmouth (a); 3-4 Liverpool (a); 0-4 Arsenal (h)
Goalscorers (league):
Liverpool: Kuyt 3; Crouch 2; Agger, Alonso, Bellamy, Fowler, Garcia, Gonzalez, Riise 1
Reading: Doyle 4; Ki-Hyeon 2; Ingimarsson, Kitson, Lita, Sidwell 1
Referee: Uriah Rennie
The squad I’d like to see:
Reina
Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Riise
Pennant, Gerrard, Sissoko, Gonzalez
Crouch, Kuyt
Bellamy’s ruled out, Garcia’s doubtful, and Alonso, while being declared fit by Benitez today, is also questionable. I think we can rule out an unchanged side for the 3rd match in a row (sorry, journalists).
Will we see Liverpool keep up their run of good form? In the last 3 games they’ve scored 10 goals, and it should continue tomorrow. As I said in the Carling Cup game preview and review, I’ve been impressed with Reading. Steve Coppell has a well-organized and well-managed team who were the favorites out of the promoted teams to avoid the drop this season. It’s gone a little downhill in their last 3 games however, as they’ve let in 11 goals.
The Carling Cup match last week shouldn’t count for much. Not only did Liverpool feature a number of substitutes and reserves, but so did Reading, who were without their two star players, Steve Sidwell and Kevin Doyle, as well as a number of other first-teamers.
I still like Liverpool to continue on the right track. I want to see them utilize the pace they have in the squad and take the game to Reading. With certain players unlikely to start (such as Alonso and Garcia), there will be an opportunity for new signings such as Pennant and Gonzalez to get a game. The two of them could cause Reading a lot of trouble down the flanks, running with the ball at defenders, putting the fullbacks under pressure, and whipping in crosses to Crouch and Kuyt.
Now that the defense is starting to settle, I think we’ll see the same back four (and Reina) that we have in the last two games. Whether Agger or Hyypia plays is tough to predict; Rafa seemingly chooses according to the pace that the other team’s strikers possess, but if that were the sole reason, I think we would have seen Agger against Villa last weekend. While I’m excited about Agger for the future, and am exceptionally pleased with the progress he’s shown so far this season, now that Liverpool’s won three on the trot and are starting to come together defensively, I want to see the same back line unless its an impossibility.
With Birmingham coming up midweek in the Carling Cup, and then a trip to Arsenal on Saturday, it’s imperative that Liverpool continue to play well. I’ve been happy with the way the team has come together since the loss at United, which has been something of a catalyst. The strikers are scoring regularly, Gerrard’s broken his duck and is getting back to his regular self, and the defensive, while not where it was last season, is looking like they’re figuring it out. If this continues, Liverpool should pick up all three points tomorrow.
Liverpool: 8th place; 14 points out of 10 games
Reading: 10th place; 13 points out of 10 games
Liverpool has only met Reading once in all of League history, last week at Anfield in the Carling Cup tie, which Liverpool won 4-3.
Last 3 games:
Liverpool: 3-0 Bordeaux (h); 3-1 Villa (h); 4-3 Reading (h)
Reading: 1-3 Portsmouth (a); 3-4 Liverpool (a); 0-4 Arsenal (h)
Goalscorers (league):
Liverpool: Kuyt 3; Crouch 2; Agger, Alonso, Bellamy, Fowler, Garcia, Gonzalez, Riise 1
Reading: Doyle 4; Ki-Hyeon 2; Ingimarsson, Kitson, Lita, Sidwell 1
Referee: Uriah Rennie
The squad I’d like to see:
Reina
Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Riise
Pennant, Gerrard, Sissoko, Gonzalez
Crouch, Kuyt
Bellamy’s ruled out, Garcia’s doubtful, and Alonso, while being declared fit by Benitez today, is also questionable. I think we can rule out an unchanged side for the 3rd match in a row (sorry, journalists).
Will we see Liverpool keep up their run of good form? In the last 3 games they’ve scored 10 goals, and it should continue tomorrow. As I said in the Carling Cup game preview and review, I’ve been impressed with Reading. Steve Coppell has a well-organized and well-managed team who were the favorites out of the promoted teams to avoid the drop this season. It’s gone a little downhill in their last 3 games however, as they’ve let in 11 goals.
The Carling Cup match last week shouldn’t count for much. Not only did Liverpool feature a number of substitutes and reserves, but so did Reading, who were without their two star players, Steve Sidwell and Kevin Doyle, as well as a number of other first-teamers.
I still like Liverpool to continue on the right track. I want to see them utilize the pace they have in the squad and take the game to Reading. With certain players unlikely to start (such as Alonso and Garcia), there will be an opportunity for new signings such as Pennant and Gonzalez to get a game. The two of them could cause Reading a lot of trouble down the flanks, running with the ball at defenders, putting the fullbacks under pressure, and whipping in crosses to Crouch and Kuyt.
Now that the defense is starting to settle, I think we’ll see the same back four (and Reina) that we have in the last two games. Whether Agger or Hyypia plays is tough to predict; Rafa seemingly chooses according to the pace that the other team’s strikers possess, but if that were the sole reason, I think we would have seen Agger against Villa last weekend. While I’m excited about Agger for the future, and am exceptionally pleased with the progress he’s shown so far this season, now that Liverpool’s won three on the trot and are starting to come together defensively, I want to see the same back line unless its an impossibility.
With Birmingham coming up midweek in the Carling Cup, and then a trip to Arsenal on Saturday, it’s imperative that Liverpool continue to play well. I’ve been happy with the way the team has come together since the loss at United, which has been something of a catalyst. The strikers are scoring regularly, Gerrard’s broken his duck and is getting back to his regular self, and the defensive, while not where it was last season, is looking like they’re figuring it out. If this continues, Liverpool should pick up all three points tomorrow.
Premiership Prediction Party
Seeing as I absolutely bombed the Champions League guesses I made earlier in the week, I figured I’d attempt it again with this weekend’s Premier League matches. Just to further prove to you all I have no idea what I’m talking about. However, I firmly believe if Mark Lawrenson can do it, so can I.
Saturday:
Fulham v Everton (7:45am Setanta): I’m as surprised as anyone that Fulham currently sits in the top half of the table. They showed signs of improvement last season, with their excellent home record. They’ve continued that so far this season, with the only two losses at home this year coming against Chelsea and last week versus Wigan. I still imagine Everton will be too much for them to handle, especially the speed of Johnson versus Fulham’s back line, and Cahill’s awareness on set pieces. 2-1 Everton
Bolton v Wigan (10am Setanta Xtra): Wigan’s won two games in a row, helping them inch back up the Premier League table, and getting back to the form that saw them finish as last year's surprise package. Bolton’s coming off being demolished by Manchester United 4-0 at home last week. Shouldn’t matter. No one other than Manchester United has scored at the Reebok, and Bolton still sits in 3rd place. Doesn’t mean this one’s going to be a classic, though. We are still talking about Bolton and Wigan, who play tough, typical, ‘British’ soccer. 1-0 Bolton
Charlton v Manchester City (10am): Two strugglers in the League. Both City and Charlton sit in the bottom third of the table (with Charlton in 20th place), and both have been massively inconsistent (at best) this season. Don’t expect a ton of goals or sparkling soccer. Manchester City has the ability to win here, despite their poor play away from home, but I don’t think it’s going to happen. 0-0
Manchester Utd v Portsmouth, (10am Setanta): No matter Portsmouth’s great start to the season. No matter United’s loss to Copenhagen during the week. This is Manchester United versus Portsmouth, at Old Trafford. By the way, Saha, Giggs and Neville have all been declared fit after missing Wednesday’s game. 2-0 United
Watford v Middlesbrough (10am): I really think that this could be Watford’s first win of the season. They’ve been so close to getting their first PL victory (six draws out of ten games), it really has to be just a matter of time. Middlesbrough’s inconsistency and dreadfulness away from home should give Watford the opportunity for all 3 points. Not to mention it’s got to be worrying for Boro that their defensive frailties have led them to try and resign Abel Xavier now that he’s back from a 9 month ban. 1-0 Watford
Newcastle v Sheffield Utd, (12:15pm FSC): On paper, it really looks like Newcastle should carry this one. They won in Palermo midweek (which is not an easy place to play), despite being without Scott Parker, Damien Duff, Stephen Carr and Obafemi Martins. However, Glenn Roeder is in the papers this morning decrying the number of games Newcastle has to play this week, trying to reduce expectations for the weekend, and I just get the feeling they’re in for another letdown. 0-0
Sunday:
West Ham v Arsenal, (8:30am Setanta): Arsenal will bounce back from their disappointment in the Champions League mid-week, the question is only how much. I really think we could see 3 or 4 goals, with Arsenal rampant in trying to put the CSKA frustration behind them. It was nice to see West Ham get it together last week for their first win in 9 PL games, but I can’t see it continuing here. 3-0 Arsenal
Aston Villa v Blackburn (9am): Look for Aston Villa to rebound from last week’s loss to Liverpool. After being unbeaten all season long, I imagine Martin O’Neill drilled his team well for this weekend’s encounter. Meanwhile, I can’t help but think that this game will be a downer for Blackburn compared to their 3-0 win versus Basle in the UEFA Cup. 2-0 Aston Villa
Tottenham v Chelsea, (11am FSC): Being a London derby and all, I’m sure this will be an exemplary display of sportsmanship and pleasantness. Tottenham is starting to come good after a rocky start, with the strike-partnership of Robbie Keane and Dimitar Berbatov looking particularly handy yesterday versus Club Brugge. But they are up against Chelsea, who have looked even more impressive of late, with Ballack and Sheva starting to find their feet in the league. 2-0 Chelsea
I try not to do predictions for Liverpool, as I tend to have bad luck with that. Full preview of tomorrow’s game with Reading (which is live 10am on FSC) later today/tonight.
Saturday:
Fulham v Everton (7:45am Setanta): I’m as surprised as anyone that Fulham currently sits in the top half of the table. They showed signs of improvement last season, with their excellent home record. They’ve continued that so far this season, with the only two losses at home this year coming against Chelsea and last week versus Wigan. I still imagine Everton will be too much for them to handle, especially the speed of Johnson versus Fulham’s back line, and Cahill’s awareness on set pieces. 2-1 Everton
Bolton v Wigan (10am Setanta Xtra): Wigan’s won two games in a row, helping them inch back up the Premier League table, and getting back to the form that saw them finish as last year's surprise package. Bolton’s coming off being demolished by Manchester United 4-0 at home last week. Shouldn’t matter. No one other than Manchester United has scored at the Reebok, and Bolton still sits in 3rd place. Doesn’t mean this one’s going to be a classic, though. We are still talking about Bolton and Wigan, who play tough, typical, ‘British’ soccer. 1-0 Bolton
Charlton v Manchester City (10am): Two strugglers in the League. Both City and Charlton sit in the bottom third of the table (with Charlton in 20th place), and both have been massively inconsistent (at best) this season. Don’t expect a ton of goals or sparkling soccer. Manchester City has the ability to win here, despite their poor play away from home, but I don’t think it’s going to happen. 0-0
Manchester Utd v Portsmouth, (10am Setanta): No matter Portsmouth’s great start to the season. No matter United’s loss to Copenhagen during the week. This is Manchester United versus Portsmouth, at Old Trafford. By the way, Saha, Giggs and Neville have all been declared fit after missing Wednesday’s game. 2-0 United
Watford v Middlesbrough (10am): I really think that this could be Watford’s first win of the season. They’ve been so close to getting their first PL victory (six draws out of ten games), it really has to be just a matter of time. Middlesbrough’s inconsistency and dreadfulness away from home should give Watford the opportunity for all 3 points. Not to mention it’s got to be worrying for Boro that their defensive frailties have led them to try and resign Abel Xavier now that he’s back from a 9 month ban. 1-0 Watford
Newcastle v Sheffield Utd, (12:15pm FSC): On paper, it really looks like Newcastle should carry this one. They won in Palermo midweek (which is not an easy place to play), despite being without Scott Parker, Damien Duff, Stephen Carr and Obafemi Martins. However, Glenn Roeder is in the papers this morning decrying the number of games Newcastle has to play this week, trying to reduce expectations for the weekend, and I just get the feeling they’re in for another letdown. 0-0
Sunday:
West Ham v Arsenal, (8:30am Setanta): Arsenal will bounce back from their disappointment in the Champions League mid-week, the question is only how much. I really think we could see 3 or 4 goals, with Arsenal rampant in trying to put the CSKA frustration behind them. It was nice to see West Ham get it together last week for their first win in 9 PL games, but I can’t see it continuing here. 3-0 Arsenal
Aston Villa v Blackburn (9am): Look for Aston Villa to rebound from last week’s loss to Liverpool. After being unbeaten all season long, I imagine Martin O’Neill drilled his team well for this weekend’s encounter. Meanwhile, I can’t help but think that this game will be a downer for Blackburn compared to their 3-0 win versus Basle in the UEFA Cup. 2-0 Aston Villa
Tottenham v Chelsea, (11am FSC): Being a London derby and all, I’m sure this will be an exemplary display of sportsmanship and pleasantness. Tottenham is starting to come good after a rocky start, with the strike-partnership of Robbie Keane and Dimitar Berbatov looking particularly handy yesterday versus Club Brugge. But they are up against Chelsea, who have looked even more impressive of late, with Ballack and Sheva starting to find their feet in the league. 2-0 Chelsea
I try not to do predictions for Liverpool, as I tend to have bad luck with that. Full preview of tomorrow’s game with Reading (which is live 10am on FSC) later today/tonight.
02 November 2006
The Week in the Champions League
Interesting week in European soccer, as the Champions League group stage is now more than halfway over. What have we learned?
• Bayern Munich, Liverpool, PSV, Valencia, Lyon, and Real Madrid have secured passage into the next round with two games to spare. There aren’t many surprises here, except maybe that both Liverpool and PSV qualified out of Group C so soon. All six were expected to progress, and all have massive amounts of European experience. AC Milan, Chelsea, Roma, and Manchester United aren’t far off from qualification.
• On the topic of Manchester United; while it was greatly amusing to see them beaten by FC Copenhagen, at Old Trafford, it should have a negligible impact. Celtic’s loss to Benfica ensures that United remain top of the group by 3 points. Not to mention they were without Giggs, Neville, and Saha, with Scholes and Ferdinand on the bench. However, Rooney and Ronaldo did start (which honestly should be enough on most nights), and the entire team really was uninspired. Plus, the injury to Ole Solksjaer, who’ll be out a few weeks, means that Rooney, Saha, and Smith are the only recognized first-team strikers, so they’re short in attack as well as in midfield. But, it’s United; they’ll still finish top of the group, and I’m wondering (and worried) if the weakened lineup means that Ferguson has put more priority on the Premiership, instead of because he thought the team was good enough and qualification was likely regardless of the outcome.
• It was amazing to see all the chances that went wanting in the Arsenal game against CSKA Moscow. It must be so frustrating to be a Gooner at times. You know that Wenger’s team is capable of playing stunning soccer, but all too often, the finish doesn’t equal the build-up. And all too often you get days like yesterday and the ball isn’t going into the net no matter what, and you just can’t explain it. I know this feeling well, and the game yesterday was eerily reminiscent of Liverpool’s wretched 0-0 draw at Charlton last season. Now, Group G is a complete toss-up, with CSKA, Arsenal, and Porto neck and neck, and Arsenal still to travel to Portugal.
• Didier Drogba’s injury time goal may have put Barcelona out of the Champions League, so it’s little wonder why Mourinho celebrated in the manner he did (that, and he’s a contemptible jerk). Barca’s qualification will all come down to their last group match, home against Werder Bremen. Right now, Bremen have 7 points and Barca have 5. My guess is that when they meet, Barca will have 8 (win over Sofia) and Bremen 7 or 8 (draw or loss v Chelsea). You would have made a lot of money predicting such a close battle for qualification. All because Chelsea seem to get all the breaks, with Drogba’s late late strike and Lampard’s egregious lob. Boy, are they unlikable.
• Lyon have to be the favorites right now, and writing that about a Houllier-managed team just gave me the shakes. They have the flair you’d expect from a team full of Frenchmen and Brazilians, without losing the defensive rigidity that the Houllier-managed Liverpool possessed. Juninho, Cris, Fred, Coupet, Malouda, Govou, and Källström are all class players. They are the only team in the Champions League to win all four of their games, including a 2-0 win over Real Madrid. They haven’t lost yet this year, period (Yes, I realize they do play in Ligue 1). The early favorites rarely seem to win, but with the way Lyon is playing, they have to be the choice.
• Bayern Munich, Liverpool, PSV, Valencia, Lyon, and Real Madrid have secured passage into the next round with two games to spare. There aren’t many surprises here, except maybe that both Liverpool and PSV qualified out of Group C so soon. All six were expected to progress, and all have massive amounts of European experience. AC Milan, Chelsea, Roma, and Manchester United aren’t far off from qualification.
• On the topic of Manchester United; while it was greatly amusing to see them beaten by FC Copenhagen, at Old Trafford, it should have a negligible impact. Celtic’s loss to Benfica ensures that United remain top of the group by 3 points. Not to mention they were without Giggs, Neville, and Saha, with Scholes and Ferdinand on the bench. However, Rooney and Ronaldo did start (which honestly should be enough on most nights), and the entire team really was uninspired. Plus, the injury to Ole Solksjaer, who’ll be out a few weeks, means that Rooney, Saha, and Smith are the only recognized first-team strikers, so they’re short in attack as well as in midfield. But, it’s United; they’ll still finish top of the group, and I’m wondering (and worried) if the weakened lineup means that Ferguson has put more priority on the Premiership, instead of because he thought the team was good enough and qualification was likely regardless of the outcome.
• It was amazing to see all the chances that went wanting in the Arsenal game against CSKA Moscow. It must be so frustrating to be a Gooner at times. You know that Wenger’s team is capable of playing stunning soccer, but all too often, the finish doesn’t equal the build-up. And all too often you get days like yesterday and the ball isn’t going into the net no matter what, and you just can’t explain it. I know this feeling well, and the game yesterday was eerily reminiscent of Liverpool’s wretched 0-0 draw at Charlton last season. Now, Group G is a complete toss-up, with CSKA, Arsenal, and Porto neck and neck, and Arsenal still to travel to Portugal.
• Didier Drogba’s injury time goal may have put Barcelona out of the Champions League, so it’s little wonder why Mourinho celebrated in the manner he did (that, and he’s a contemptible jerk). Barca’s qualification will all come down to their last group match, home against Werder Bremen. Right now, Bremen have 7 points and Barca have 5. My guess is that when they meet, Barca will have 8 (win over Sofia) and Bremen 7 or 8 (draw or loss v Chelsea). You would have made a lot of money predicting such a close battle for qualification. All because Chelsea seem to get all the breaks, with Drogba’s late late strike and Lampard’s egregious lob. Boy, are they unlikable.
• Lyon have to be the favorites right now, and writing that about a Houllier-managed team just gave me the shakes. They have the flair you’d expect from a team full of Frenchmen and Brazilians, without losing the defensive rigidity that the Houllier-managed Liverpool possessed. Juninho, Cris, Fred, Coupet, Malouda, Govou, and Källström are all class players. They are the only team in the Champions League to win all four of their games, including a 2-0 win over Real Madrid. They haven’t lost yet this year, period (Yes, I realize they do play in Ligue 1). The early favorites rarely seem to win, but with the way Lyon is playing, they have to be the choice.
UEFA Cup Schedule
Round 2 of the UEFA Cup Group Stage is today. Sorry this is late (thanks Blogger), as a couple of games have already kicked off, but all the matches involving British teams start at either 2:45 or 3pm eastern.
Today’s matches:
AS Nancy v Wisla Krakow
Ajax v Austria Magna
Blackburn v Basle
Braga v Liberec
Celta Vigo v Eintracht Frankfurt
Dinamo Bucuresti v Besiktas
Grasshoppers v AZ Alkmaar
Hapoel Tel-Aviv v Rapid Bucuresti
Heerenveen v Odense BK
Lens v Osasuna
Mlada Boleslav v Panathinaikos
Palermo v Newcastle
Partizan Belgrade v Livorno
Rangers v Maccabi Haifa
Tottenham v Club Brugge
Zulte-Waregem v Sparta Prague
Pick of the litter will be Rangers against Maccabi Haifa, who gave Liverpool two tough matches. Unfortunately, it’s only available on Setanta PPV. However, Blackburn v Basle, which is live on Setanta Sports, should also be a fun one. Basle and Feyenoord are Blackburn's toughest opponents in Group E, and as Feyenoord and Basle drew against each other, a win for Blackburn here would put them in pole position to qualify.
Today’s matches:
AS Nancy v Wisla Krakow
Ajax v Austria Magna
Blackburn v Basle
Braga v Liberec
Celta Vigo v Eintracht Frankfurt
Dinamo Bucuresti v Besiktas
Grasshoppers v AZ Alkmaar
Hapoel Tel-Aviv v Rapid Bucuresti
Heerenveen v Odense BK
Lens v Osasuna
Mlada Boleslav v Panathinaikos
Palermo v Newcastle
Partizan Belgrade v Livorno
Rangers v Maccabi Haifa
Tottenham v Club Brugge
Zulte-Waregem v Sparta Prague
Pick of the litter will be Rangers against Maccabi Haifa, who gave Liverpool two tough matches. Unfortunately, it’s only available on Setanta PPV. However, Blackburn v Basle, which is live on Setanta Sports, should also be a fun one. Basle and Feyenoord are Blackburn's toughest opponents in Group E, and as Feyenoord and Basle drew against each other, a win for Blackburn here would put them in pole position to qualify.
01 November 2006
Liverpool v Bordeaux, the day after
Every single article is thick with self-congratulations by the journalists, thinking they’ve been proved right about squad rotation all along. Sometimes, the media is far too predictable.
• Official Site: Match Analysis
• Official Site: Rafa reaction
• Youtube Highlights of LFC goals
• BBC write-up, with audio from Benitez
• Guardian: Match write-up
• Guardian: Minute-by-minute
• The Times: Match write-up
• Daily Telegraph: Match write-up
• The Independent: Match write-up
• Eurosport stats
• Sky Sports: Match write-up
• Sky Sports: Player Ratings
• RAWK Post-match thread
• Official Site: Match Analysis
• Official Site: Rafa reaction
• Youtube Highlights of LFC goals
• BBC write-up, with audio from Benitez
• Guardian: Match write-up
• Guardian: Minute-by-minute
• The Times: Match write-up
• Daily Telegraph: Match write-up
• The Independent: Match write-up
• Eurosport stats
• Sky Sports: Match write-up
• Sky Sports: Player Ratings
• RAWK Post-match thread
31 October 2006
Liverpool 3-0 Bordeaux
I was wrong, and I’m glad to admit it. I’m a little bit surprised that it’s for this game Rafa names his first unchanged side, but a win is a win, and 3-0 certainly is a win.
Garcia opened the scoring with a pretty volley at the back post after a pinpoint cross from Gerrard in the 23rd minute. Liverpool bossed the game for the rest of the half, and despite three good chances in the last 5 minutes, the half ended 1-0.
They almost paid for their profligacy. The visitors came out on fire to start the second. Bordeaux took more shots on goal in the first ten minutes of the half than they did in the rest of the two other games. Reina, who has come under such stick as of late, was the only reason Liverpool kept a clean sheet. It’s as reassuring to see Pepe makes great saves these past two games as it is to see Liverpool score more consistently.
As soon as the game started to settle down, Bordeaux was down to 10 men. The left back, Fernando, headbutted Riise directly in front of the linesman in the 67th minute. It was strange and all too similar to the Zidane incident, with Fernando walking up to JAR away from play and headbutting him in the face, supposedly because Momo Sissoko was tackling too hard. Riise, although bleeding profusely, didn’t hit the floor. Didn’t even flinch. Arjen Robben (yes, I carry grudges that long) would be in hospital until next Friday. One of the many reasons the Kop cheers Riise’s name.
Not long after the sending off, Gerrard put Liverpool 2-0 up, finally opening his season’s scoring account. Typical storming through the defense, running onto Zenden’s pass, and sliding it in. Liverpool’s third, Garcia robbing Jemmali and slotting past the goalkeeper, quickly followed. They were lining up to find the fourth, with Hyypia, Sissoko, and Fowler having chances, but it really was just a matter of time running out the clock.
I have no illusions that this win will quell the mindless prattle over squad rotation. If anything, the media will probably take this as an affirmation of their nattering. ‘Now that Rafa’s named an unchanged side, Liverpool’s come good’ and all that, but they'll be completely wrong. Liverpool is finding its form, evident in the wins at Reading and versus Villa, and the side continued that trend today. Garcia especially has been fantastic lately; a goal and great all-around play against Villa and a brace today. But all of the squad, every single player, is playing better and that’s why Liverpool looks as good as they do.
Hopefully this means that history is repeating itself. It’s the end of October, the usual time of year that the team remembers that the season’s started and it’s time to start playing soccer.
Also, this win, coupled with PSV beating Galatasaray 2-0, means that Liverpool has qualified for the last 16 of the Champions League with two games to spare.
Reading on Saturday.
Garcia opened the scoring with a pretty volley at the back post after a pinpoint cross from Gerrard in the 23rd minute. Liverpool bossed the game for the rest of the half, and despite three good chances in the last 5 minutes, the half ended 1-0.
They almost paid for their profligacy. The visitors came out on fire to start the second. Bordeaux took more shots on goal in the first ten minutes of the half than they did in the rest of the two other games. Reina, who has come under such stick as of late, was the only reason Liverpool kept a clean sheet. It’s as reassuring to see Pepe makes great saves these past two games as it is to see Liverpool score more consistently.
As soon as the game started to settle down, Bordeaux was down to 10 men. The left back, Fernando, headbutted Riise directly in front of the linesman in the 67th minute. It was strange and all too similar to the Zidane incident, with Fernando walking up to JAR away from play and headbutting him in the face, supposedly because Momo Sissoko was tackling too hard. Riise, although bleeding profusely, didn’t hit the floor. Didn’t even flinch. Arjen Robben (yes, I carry grudges that long) would be in hospital until next Friday. One of the many reasons the Kop cheers Riise’s name.
Not long after the sending off, Gerrard put Liverpool 2-0 up, finally opening his season’s scoring account. Typical storming through the defense, running onto Zenden’s pass, and sliding it in. Liverpool’s third, Garcia robbing Jemmali and slotting past the goalkeeper, quickly followed. They were lining up to find the fourth, with Hyypia, Sissoko, and Fowler having chances, but it really was just a matter of time running out the clock.
I have no illusions that this win will quell the mindless prattle over squad rotation. If anything, the media will probably take this as an affirmation of their nattering. ‘Now that Rafa’s named an unchanged side, Liverpool’s come good’ and all that, but they'll be completely wrong. Liverpool is finding its form, evident in the wins at Reading and versus Villa, and the side continued that trend today. Garcia especially has been fantastic lately; a goal and great all-around play against Villa and a brace today. But all of the squad, every single player, is playing better and that’s why Liverpool looks as good as they do.
Hopefully this means that history is repeating itself. It’s the end of October, the usual time of year that the team remembers that the season’s started and it’s time to start playing soccer.
Also, this win, coupled with PSV beating Galatasaray 2-0, means that Liverpool has qualified for the last 16 of the Champions League with two games to spare.
Reading on Saturday.
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