Anfield Red

Liverpool face Aston Villa today at Anfield, with a win moving Liverpool just one point behind leaders Manchester United in the Premiership. Who do you think should start today?

Rafa said in his press conference on friday that only Degen should miss out, so Benayoun, Arbeloa and Alonso are all in contention to play having missed the 4-1 demolition of Man Utd last week. Should we go for the same 11 that played so well against the Mancs? Reckon Riera played badly last week and that Babel should start on the left?

I reckon we should go 4-5-1:

Reina
Carragher Skrtel Hyypia Aurelio
Mascherano Alonso
Kuyt Gerrard Babel
Torres

Subs: Riera, Arbeloa, Benayoun, Lucas, Dossena, Ngog, Cavalieri

Since Valencia’s finances were said to be in tatters, Liverpool have been linked with David Silva in a move possibly on the cheap, but should any transfer move happen, will he be worth it or will he be prove to be a failure? Watch these videos & check out some of his stats then make your mind up!

A product of Valencia’s youth academy, Silva was sent out on loan for 2 seasons to gain experience, first at SD Eibar where he scored 5 goals in 35 games, then he featured for Celta Vigo, managing 4 goals in 34 games. His skills and assists proved his worth, when Valencia gave him Pablo Aimar’s number 21 shirt when the Argentine left the Mestalla. In his time at ‘Los Che’, Silva has scored 17 goals in 98 appearances, earning himself a call up to the national side for whom he has scored 3 goals, and was part of the Euro 2008 winning squad.

Valencia chief executive Javier Gomez recently admitted that the club may have to sell their star players to bring some money in: “Obviously we will consider that type of action,” With the likes of Villa, Silva, Joaquin and Albiol (who was recently linked with a move to Liverpool but declared he wanted to stay with his hometown club) all touted as available should the right offer come along.

“The club is in a very delicate situation. It has to control spending, grow income and sell assets,” Gomez added

“We have to control costs and the biggest cost in a football club is maintaining a team. Before, we had a plan that was based purely on selling the land, now we need to seek alternatives. We need to win back credibility with the financial institutions.”

Should Liverpool go for Silva, this is a taste of what they could be getting :

He is no stranger to scoring against English clubs, having netted this screamer against Chelsea in the Champion’s League:

Man Utd and Chelsea lost today, meaning if Liverpool win tomorrow against Aston Villa then the title race could be back on!

Man Utd were favourites to win the league after going 7 points clear with a game in hand, until Liverpool destroyed them at Old Trafford, but going into today’s tie against Fulham they were 4 points ahead with a game in hand, but left with a 2-0 defeat with former Red Danny Murphy scoring against them. They are now 4 points ahead of us , but after tomorrow will have one game on us still, but if we win that will be down to just one point.

Chelsea lost 1-0 to Tottenham, meaning they are equal on points with us at the moment, but tomorrow they could be 3 points behind with a game in hand.

Remember 1996? The year football was coming home, the year of the dentist’s chair, of Kevin Keegan’s famous “I would love it” outburst, and of Robbie Fowler. Fowler undoubtedly had it all at this point, the impudent cheek, the ability to find the corner of the net off either foot, from any distance, in any game. And in this particular game, Aston Villa barely had time to get to their positions before they found themselves on the wrong end of some more magic from “God”.

It was a big weekend in the Premier League, with the top four going head to head in consecutive days. But whilst Newcastle versus Manchester United the following evening was undoubtedly the biggest clash of the weekend (and the season), the argument between Liverpool (3rd) & Villa (4th) was an interesting aperitif on the Super Sunday. Villa had a more than useful team under the pragmatic Brian Little- they would go on to lift the Coca Cola Cup just a few weeks after this game- with the likes of Dwight Yorke, Gareth Southgate & Mark Bosnich all starring, and they had eased their way clear of the likes of Arsenal & Everton to make a concerted push for a UEFA Cup place. Liverpool had already beaten them at Villa Park earlier in the season, thanks to goals from Stan Collymore and, of course, Fowler, and they would go on to beat them again in the FA Cup Semi Final at Old Trafford the following month courtesy of….well you already know don’t you?

So anyway, with Liverpool needing the win to keep the leading duo in sight (and praying for a draw at St James’ Park the following night), a fast start was what Roy Evans demanded. But even a Liverpool veteran like Evans would have been mesmerized by the start his side provided. Less than two minutes had elapsed when John Barnes produced a magical backheeled flick in the air for Steve McManaman to fire a perfect right foot volley across Bosnich and into the Kop End net for the opener. It came at the end of a prolonged spell of possession that was commonplace at Anfield in this particular season, with Barnes, Collymore, Michael Thomas & Jason McAteer linking up to devastating effect down the right.

Villa were shaken, but with enough experience in their ranks they knew they could regroup and get a foothold in the game. Wrong! Just three minutes later Fowler buried the match with the most stunning of goals. Receiving a simple pass to feet from McAteer forty yards from goal, Fowler had Steve Staunton at his back and little choice but to display the hold up skills Ian Rush had been busy teaching him. Or so we thought. In an instant, Fowler produced a Cruyff turn of epic proportions to leave Stan trailing and, without a seconds thought, unleashed an exocet of a left foot strike that went like an arrow into Bosnich’s top right hand corner. Typical Fowler. As was the celebration, jumping wildly into the Kop, almost injuring himself in the process!

It had knocked the stuffing out of the visitors, they were lagging against the ropes, awaiting the final blow. They didn’t have to wait long. Three more minutes to be precise. Fowler was involved from start to finish, holding the ball in the left wing position, he laid it back to Thomas and spun in behind his man. Thomas, an under-rated performer in an often over-rated side, clipped a beautiful ball into the inside left channel for God, who took a touch before smashing a fierce left foot strike from the corner of the box. In truth Bosnich was culpable, the ball bouncing over his dive and nestling in the far corner, but did we care? Eight minutes in and Villa were looking for a way out of L4. Fowler had buried them, as he would do again in Manchester a month later.

It could have been worse for Villa. Fowler wasted several chances for a hat-trick, showing the cheeky side which at the time ran through his game like a stick of Blackpool rock, Collymore & Redknapp drew saves from the shell-shocked Bosnich, whilst Barnes went close with a trademark free kick. Villa mustered only a passing threat from set pieces, with Yorke marshalled expertly by Phil Babb (honest) & John Scales. In truth the second half was non-event, a party to celebrate the first eight minutes.

Alas Liverpool never managed to catch the top two, inconsistency away from home- typified by a 1-0 loss at Coventry just three days after the epic 4-3 win over Newcastle at Anfield- was the ultimate decider, as Manchester United overhauled Keegan’s side to claim their third Premier League crown in four years, before heaping further misery on the Reds with a 1-0 win in a drab FA Cup final thanks to Eric Cantona’s dexterous volley. But this particular afternoon belonged to Liverpool, and some bloke we call God. Hallelujah.

You could almost see it coming. Of course the Champions League draw was simply filled with teams who evoked memories of glorious encounters from days gone by. Whether it was Arsenal last year, or Barcelona in 2007 or Porto en route to the UEFA Cup in 2001, or Bayern Munich in 1981, there was a story to be had in the Champions League draw.

But when some wise guy at UEFA mentioned the words “Liverpool FC”, and the words “Chelsea FC” shortly after one another, it was a case of “here we go again”. Deja Vu doesn’t even come into it.

This Quarter Final clash will, quite incredibly, be the ninth and tenth time that the sides have met in the Champions League in the last five seasons. The records make for interesting reading too. Liverpool wins- two. Chelsea wins- two. Draws- four. With the teams locked together on 61 points in the Premier League, there quite simply is nothing to choose between them.

Chelsea have enjoyed a sort-of-renaissance under Dutch manager Guus Hiddink, although I still remain unconvinced that he has managed any results that his predecessor- Luiz Felipe Scolari- could not have. With Michael Essien back flying, and Didier Drogba awaking from his early season slumber to offer a renewed threat up front, the Londoners will be a force to reckon with. It is unlikely we will see the insipid displays offered up in the two league meetings between the sides this season for example.

But with Rafa Benitez signing a new contract this week, and Manchester United following Real Madrid in picking up a hefty beating at Liverpool’s hands, the Reds have no reason to fear anyone. Of course the likes of Porto, Villarreal, even Arsenal, would have been a more favourable draw, and the fact that the second leg will be played at Stamford Bridge is not ideal, but to be the best, you invariably have to beat the best. Accordingly, Liverpool will face the winner of the intriguing Barcelona/Bayern Munich tie in the semi final should they negotiate another all-English battle.

Predictions? It would be daft to make predictions at this stage. Injuries and form can change an outlook in an instant, whilst this fixture in recent seasons has proven almost impossible to pick. There has been one constant of course, games have tended to be uber-tight and competitive, and fine margins (Luis Garcia’s goal, John Arne Riise’s gaffe) have tended to prove decisive. Here’s hoping the ninth and tenth time proves lucky for Liverpool.

Liverpool will face Chelsea AGAIN in europe, having been drawn against them in the Champions League.

The full draw is:
Villarreal v Arsenal
Manchester United v FC Porto
Liverpool v Chelsea
Barcelona v Bayern Munich

The winner of our game will face the winner of Barcelona v Bayern Munich

Tom Hicks has revealed Rafa Benitez will not have full control over future transfers at Liverpool; the board and Chief Executive will.

What was rumoured to be one of the reasons Rafa turned down previous contracts was the fact Rafa wanted full control over transfers, however today Hicks has said that despite their differences in the past, they will work closely to secure deals however Rafa will not have the final say on transfers: “Rafa’s obviously had his frustrations in the past and we’ve made changes I think we needed to make anyway to relieve some of the issues he’s had. Going forward, I think we will be able to work together much more closely. He will make the recommendations, but the final decision on transfers will be made by the board of directors and the CEO.“

So finally it has been confirmed. Rafa Benitez will stay at Liverpool for another five years after he agreed a contract extension that will keep him at Anfield until at least 2014, putting to an end (some of) the speculation that has haunted the corridors of the club for the past eighteen months or so.

Of course we all suspected this was coming, the announcement that Rick Parry would be resigning his Chief Executive post come the end of the season hinted that Senor Benitez had emerged victorious from a power struggle that had reached breaking point over the unlikely figure of Gareth Barry last summer. In that instance it was Parry who seemingly got his way, but as the saying goes “he may have won the battle….”

Benitez is known to have been stalling over a new deal out of fear over the club’s transfer policy. No longer could the Spaniard accept delays in transfer negotiations, and questions over his chosen targets. Benitez requested the kind of free reign over transfers that is enjoyed by the likes of Sir Alex Ferguson & Arsene Wenger. No more lampshades masquerading as tables at Liverpool, Benitez’s side, playing Benitez’s way. And now comes the fun part.

For Rafa to sign such a long-term deal (a five year contract in this hire ‘em fire’em climate is something to be remarked upon in itself), it is fair to surmise that he has been given certain promises from his Superiors with regards to transfer policy. It will therefore be fascinating to see the decisions taken this summer, and whether sufficient funds are made available to turn his good side into a great one. We all know the areas which need to be addressed in this Liverpool squad, it would be farcical to suspect Benitez does not.

Obviously there are certain variables which may assist or hinder Benitez’s long-term buying strategy. Namely who replaces Parry as Chief Executive and, of course, the long-standing ownership issue. With the Kuwaiti bid being sneered at by those in the know as a smokescreen, there to flush out more serious interest, there are still rumours lurking around every Merseyside corner about potential new owners. Benitez is in a strong bargaining position with any suitors, with a reputation enhanced by the past week’s wins over Real Madrid & Manchester United, and was very smart about aligning himself with the supporters in his latest statement. Any new owner would be forced to think very carefully before unveiling any grand plans which do not involve the Spaniard. And not just because the length of contract in Benitez’s inside pocket would demand a hefty compensation should he leave before 2014.

Hicks & Gillett have not done much to endear themselves to Liverpool fans since rolling into Anfield with talk of “Roffa” and “Snoogy Doogy” in 2007, and there will doubtless be dissenters towards this latest announcement, but from a personal perspective I believe it is in the best interests of the club. Benitez has his faults, the media fall over themselves to highlight them. But his tactical depth, his physical preparation of the squad, and his attention to detail cannot be faulted. And hopefully now we will get to see how good his transfer eye REALLY is…..

On the day Rafa signed a new contract at Anfield, here are some quality videos of a few of Rafa’s best moments as manager!

Rafa slips over at West Ham:

Rafa the Magician

Rafa brings the ball down against Wigan

Rafa after beating Chelsea in 2005

Rafa’s facts about Alex Ferguson

Liverpool owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett have confirmed their delight at the news Rafa Benitez has signed a new 5 year deal at Anfield.

Hicks and Gillett came close to getting rid of Rafa when they confirmed talks with Jurgen Klinsmann to take over from Rafa, but tonight they have both given their thoughts on the news all fans wanted to hear: “It is wonderful news that Rafa has made a long-term commitment to the football club. Since he became Manager in 2004, he has been responsible for the great progress we have made. I know he will continue to build on his achievements as he has a tremendous hunger and desire to bring more success to the club – success our fans and everyone connected with the club deserves.” Said Hicks.

Gillett echoed Hicks’ sentiments by saying : “With Rafa continuing to manage the team, we can look forward to more great football and success on the pitch. He has special abilities and qualities which are admired here at the club and around the world. Coming after our excellent wins over Real Madrid and Manchester United, this gives us great momentum going into the final stages of the season.”