Anfield Red

Liverpool – Hull City – Funny home videos are a click away

Revenge is a dish best served cold, and this weekend’s match against Hull at Anfield should bring the perfect opportunity for the Reds to give get rid of the memories of last season’s 2-2 draw.

With the exception of Pompey who sit at the bottom without a point to their name, Hull City currently sit in the relegation zone based on goal differential. It has been far from a storybook start for the club who had aspirations of European football in a couple years time.

If anything, it looks like Hull will have a hell of a time just trying to beat the drop. As in years past, Liverpool have seemed to have issues disposing of lower opponents when it matters. Hopefully they can use last season’s shock draw at home as motivation to continue their great form.

I’ll predict a 3-1 win with Torres and Gerrard both getting on the scoresheet. I know, picking Gerrard and Torres to bag goals is really going out on a limb!

Also, make sure you join us this weekend for AnfieldRed’s LIVE BLOG of the Liverpool/Hull City match. We’ll getting things going about 5-10 minutes prior to kickoff at 15:00.

Watching video highlights of new signing Alberto Aquilani during his time at AS Roma, it’s easy to get excited about him finally getting the chance to step foot on the pitch. The biggest signings of the summer next to Glen Johnson has been held out of training with the first team as he recovers from ankle surgery that should hopefully (fingers crossed) allow him to come back at 100-percent when Rafa finally gives him the ok.

But don’t expect him back anytime soon. Speaking to the media yesterday, Rafa made it clear that Alberto won’t be rushed back into the first team. Whilst, his recovery is going as planned, he still hasn’t started running and cutting yet.

“He’s going forward, progressing and he’ll soon start running. If that goes okay then everything will go a bit faster,” the Reds boss told reporters at his Friday press conference.

“We have not set a target or any time, but he’s doing well.”

Without a target date, that means he’ll most likely be the final piece of the puzzle to return to the pitch, thus allowing Rafa the chance to pick from a full-strength squad.

We will be getting some great news in the coming days, after Benitez confirmed that Daniel Agger and Nabil El Zhar will be returning to action in the coming days. Who knows, maybe Agger will feature on the bench for the upcoming match against Hull.

“Both are very close. They’re involved in full training sessions but still they’ll need match fitness.

“They’ll need time to play some games. Now we have some very important games, so we’ll see – but both are very close.”

At long last it looks like we’re finally getting the entire squad back. It couldn’t come at a better time with the holiday season bringing a full slate of matches that usually leave us playing at least two a week.

We’ve all read the stories today about a prospectus that came investment banks Rothschild and Merrill Lynch detailing club funds and finances for prospective investors. The prospectus, which was published way back in March (why this story is coming out now is beyond me) says, among other things, that Rafa will be allowed to spend up to £20m on transfers per year for the next five years.

Yet the underlying lack of finance for Benitez remains a problem. It might not be as dire a position for the club as suggested by the banner unveiled by Liverpool fans before the Carling Cup tie with Leeds at Elland Road on Tuesday – “We are the new Leeds,” it read – but Benitez is clearly limited in his options in the transfer market. The section of the Rothschild/Merrill Lynch document relating to “player transfer payments” states: “Management believes that the normalised long-run level of new net player capital expenditure is £20m.” The accompanying data suggests “long run” means the next five years. This figure “will grow together with increases in media broadcasting revenues,” the bankers promise. Though revenues from British broadcasters are expected to drop, overseas rights should grow before 2014.

This summer the £30m sale of Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid helped offset the outlay on Glen Johnson and Alberto Aquilani. The need to generate cash to finance future purchases next summer may make it more difficult to resist selling Javier Mascherano. Meanwhile, the Liverpool managing director, Christian Purslow, indicated, in a recent meeting with the Spirit of Shankly supporters’ organisation, the minutes of which are published on its website, that money
spent on improved contracts for players is considered part of the transfer budget. (via the Independent)

To be clear, I haven’t had a chance to read or secure a copy of the prospectus just yet, so all of my opinions on the matter are based on what I’ve been reading in the paper and what some of my mates have heard. I’d say now isn’t the time to sound the alarm regarding future transfer budgets since the prospectus isn’t the be-all end-all for the club.

However, I think many of us have to be wondering if Rafa will really stay around for the next five years if he’s forced to keep a £20m cap on transfers, whilst most likely selling to go beyond that figure. It’s an issue that needs to be discussed. But at the same time, I don’t think we need to go off the deep end and say we’re doomed.

If anything, I think it just means we need to put more pressure to get Hicks and Gillett out. It’s obvious they’re still having a hell of a time trying to manage the club.

Javier Mascherano could be in trouble with the FA for an incident that occurred during last night’s match against Leeds. The moment in question came late in the second half between Jermaine Beckford of Leed and Mascherano.

Here’s the report from ESPN:

Javier Mascherano could be facing a violent conduct charge from the Football Association after appearing to hit Leeds striker Jermaine Beckford on the back of the head with a swinging arm in Liverpool’s 1-0 win in the Carling Cup on Tuesday night.

If it is found Wiley did see the incident then no charges can be brought, but if the referee’s report submitted to the governing body states he did not spot the blow, action can be taken on video evidence and Mascherano will face a charge of violent conduct and a likely three-game suspension. (ESPN)

Now I saw the incident and can tell you it looked pretty harmless. Mascherano tried to turn away from Beckford and appeared to catch him with an elbow. Mind you, Beckford was already grabbing at Masch before the ball was thrown in. I think this is the media’s way of making a mountain out of a mole hill.

I’d be completely shocked if the FA decided to come after Masch. But then again, the FA has done stranger things before.

So if you didn’t already get enough of Liverpool and Leeds last night, we figured we’d tack on some more highlights and discussion from the match. Here’s the recap via Sky Sports…

Right, so this was a spur of the moment decision. It looks like I’ve got a reliable feed for tonight’s match, so about doing a LIVE blog on AR for once? After all, there’s always a first for everything!

Come join the action in the blog…

Rafa Benitez has named his starting 11 to face Leeds in the Carling Cup, with Torres and Gerrard on the bench.

The team in full is Cavalieri, Degen, Carragher, Kyrgiakos, Dossena, Aurelio, Spearing, Mascherano, Riera, Babel, Ngog. Subs: Reina, Gerrard, Torres, Skrtel, Voronin, Plessis, Johnson.

OK, so we’ve discussed tonight’s Carling Cup match, voice your opinion on who should start, and you’ve seen just what Leed’s star striker, Jermaine Beckford, can really do. Now we want to know what your prediction is for the match.

Leave your score prediction in the comments!

Liverpool and Leeds are two of the most storied clubs in English football, and tonight, under the lights at Elland Road, the two will renew their rivalry in the third round of the Carling Cup.

As much as we’d all like to say a Carling Cup match gets the juices flowing, I think we’d be kidding ourselves. However, with the chance to play a club like Leeds in the Cup — well that just changes things a bit. Sure, they aren’t the same Leeds we used to know. But with a full squad at their disposal, look for Leeds to go all out in a match that will surely rank as one of the most important on their fixture list.

Here’s what the papers are saying about the match:

Rafa: Let’s make amends for 2005

Liverpool/Leeds Preview (Sky Sports)

Agger could make a return to the bench for tonight’s match (Sportinglife)

Leeds are in with a shout (Mirror)

Consider this thread the official match discussion thread for tonight’s match. YNWA

Liverpool’s defence will be facing Jermaine Beckford tonight, who has been scoring some decent goals at the end of last season & this season so far, check out this video of him in action and see what Liverpool’s back four are up against!

Whoever starts will have a tough time on their hands; watch and see what you think: