El Nino vs. El Pistolero

After a week of internationals, EPL is back again and I am pretty much sure it’s going to be an action packed weekend!

Of all the rivalries concerning Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea one would say that the Chelsea-Liverpool rivalry is the smallest of the six. The two aren’t geographical rivals nor do they have much shared history. As most of this rivalry has happened in the last five years, it is still very new and fresh. 

For the most part there was no Chelsea-Liverpool rivalry and that was because of how dominant Liverpool was and how dominant Chelsea wasn’t. They were at opposite ends of the totem pole. Chelsea had won four major trophies or titles before 1997 and 10 subsequently. Compare this to Liverpool who has a better trophy cabinet with a proud history. Also the supporters of Liverpool, the KOP have been, and will be the best supporters in the Premier League for a club, but not in the case of Chelsea. In the recent years, the fans of Chelsea in any home game, would just simply watch it rather than singing, talking football, or even supporting their players itself. This shows how bad the Chelsea Supporters are which can be evident in any match, be it that matter.

Now some of the key stats to today's game:

1] Chelsea has failed to score in five of their last seven Premier League games against Liverpool and three of the last four at Stamford Bridge.

2] One of the teams has kept a clean sheet in all but one their last 11 encounters in the league.

3] There have been just nine goals scored in the last eight league meetings between Chelsea and Liverpool at Stamford Bridge.

4] Kenny Dalglish is unbeaten in all 11 previous matches as Liverpool manager against Chelsea in all competitions - winning eight and drawing three which is very impressive!

Well these stats speak for themselves and it will be very interesting to know how today's match will turn out to be!

The most interesting part about the game is the duel between two of the best strikers, where one playing for us, and the other who created a legacy out of himself by playing for Liverpool FC.

Fernando Torres and Luis Suarez

               El Nino    and   El Pistolero

Ever since I started following Liverpool, great players have played and created history for the club, there was Fowler, Alonso, Ian Rush, Barnes, The King, Gerrard, Carragher and the there was Torres.

For some reason, my favorite used to be Fernando Torres, week in, week out, it was all about him. His dedication, the pace and the goals, kept me amazed. This guy was the best person to fill in the number 9. A typical striker, knowing what to do, and helping Liverpool with all his might and genius.

 

But then this January, it came to a surprise to us all that, he wanted to leave and go to Chelsea, and that too with a reason that he wanted to win trophies and play in the Champions League. Well it truly left us in doubt, about how we would go about after that, but then the King and his comrades bought in one of the best footballers this year, 'Luis Suarez'!!!

Believe me, I was left devastated when Torres left, but I quickly forgot him with the coming of Luis Suarez, my gosh, that guy is freaking unbelievable, the tricks, the passes, the shots simply amazing.

 

A person who I believe has fitted perfectly to Liverpool FC., and also won our hearts and the right person to take the famous number '7', even his goals per match ratio outclasses that of Torres, although he has played for Liverpool FC. from this year

Suarez has played 27 matches, 11 goals and 6 assists, which gives him a 2.45 goal scoring ratio, while Torres has played 143 matches for Liverpool, 81 goals and 20 assists which is a 1.76 goal scoring ratio.

The stats say it all, and it shows where Liverpool is heading with Luis Suarez! We just can't seem to get enough of him.

Hope Suarez and Carroll finds the net today and show Torres and Meireles what they are actually missing after leaving Liverpool FC.


That's all for now, until next week!!

Leaving you with these two videos,

and also this lovely song one of the the best by the KOP!!

YNWA!!!

Vicky Anthony Morris

Uneventful Week...

Well let’s cut to the chase, and get to the point. Last week was pure catastrophic, plain and simple, we played, but at the same time, swans played better. In fact they played a bit better than us and gave us many scares.

In other words, a game we never thought will have an ending like this, that to at ANFIELD, MIGHTY ANFIELD!!! Sloppy play, wasting possession, creating chances, but nothing going in, nothing short, but pure disaster, never looked like a team which spent around 100 million in the summer.

Although we got a draw, it was a disappointing show by most of the players, Henderson not knowing what to do, Charlie Adam looking as though the next moment he would go off, Andy Carroll getting better, but not in front of goal, Suarez, the working train machine, never stopping to rest, but going forward each and every time he gets, but at the end no result at all.

And there is Downing, he is a class player, and he is providing inputs in the game, but it’s all been the same, there are no signs of extra brilliance, just the same thing day in and day out, well that’s not why he is in the team right?

Liverpool FC got to make major decisions here at this point of time, although we are not losing games, WE GOT TO WIN AT OPPORTUNITIES LIKE THIS!!!!! These games might simply cost us Champion’s League football next year.

So, the players, club and we the fans, got to brush away this performance, but at the same time, have this result drilled down to our hearts, so that we play the remaining fixtures with more vigor and enthusiasm and also achieve the desired results that we as fans anticipate.

No time for pointing fingers, blaming people, blaming players for each and everything. Remember they are our players, LIVERPOOL’S PLAYERS! Just be patient, pass and play as we do, and improve our finishing, bringing in success. :D

 

 Another thing which surprised me was that, our fans, blaming our very own manager for all these unfortunate events! I mean come on what fans are we, when we criticize, its criticizing everyone, the players, club, and we fans and the manager together, not simply pinpointing to a particular person. It was he, who led us to glory before that fateful year, and he has come back to lead us back to the glory days, which looks very close now. He has made Liverpool a team, which is feared in the Premier League to face and one of the best sides in this season.

We all need to believe, once we do that everything will fall into place, things don’t happen overnight, it takes it’s time, and frankly we are doing pretty game, except for a couple of games where we could have taken more points.

So this is it, Believe in Liverpool Football Club!!! Cause we are the best fans in the world!!

Posted by::
-Vicky Anthony Morris-

And here is another song about Liverpool FC, classy song!

The lyrics goes like this:

We Love you Liverpool we do. We Love you Liverpool we do.
We Love you Liverpool we do. Oh Liverpool we love you.

Shankly is our hero, he showed us how to play
The mighty reds of Europe are out to win today
He made a team of champions, with every man a king
And every game we love to win and this is what we sing.

We Love you Liverpool we do. We Love you Liverpool we do.
We Love you Liverpool we do. Oh Liverpool we love you.

Clemence is our goalie, the best there is around
And Keegan is the greatest that Shankly ever found
Heighway is our favourite, a wizard of the game
Anh heres the mighty Toshack to do it once again.

We Love you Liverpool we do. We Love you Liverpool we do.
We Love you Liverpool we do. Oh Liverpool we love you.

We've won the league, we've won the cup,
We're masters of the game.
And just to prove how good we are
We'll do it all again.

We've got another team to beat and so we've got to try
'Cos we're the best in all the land
And that's the reason why ..

We Love you Liverpool we do. We Love you Liverpool we do.
We Love you Liverpool we do. Oh Liverpool we love you.

Liverpool - "Dan the Man !"

It’s that time of the year when every fan or as a matter of fact anyone remotely associated with a football club picks up his calculator and starts predicting how the premier league standings would shape up come May the 13th ! And why not? It’s what I call the "Scoping - End" of the season, as important as the business end if not more!

As United conceded six goals against Manchester City last weekend, it was perhaps not surprising that Sir Alex Ferguson's priority on Saturday for Manchester United was defence.United sacrificed some of their attacking instincts to gain a defender's favorite result of 1-0 against Everton at Goodison Park - and took their first steps to reducing the alarming number of chances they have granted this season.

If only the same could be said of Chelsea, who let five in against Arsenal in an eight-goal thriller at Stamford Bridge.

It was the latest in a bizarre run of results that has seen the Premier League's top teams toss away their usual cautiousness against each other and serve up a feast of goals. It was more of a "schoolboy team" performance by the premier league big boys.

The Premier League this year has seen many new exciting (aka attacking) talents grace the English game. There is a reason why I say attacking talent and not just talent because using only the word talent generalizes the scenario which is clearly not the case here! Attacking Talents in the form Luis Suarez - 23 mil, David Silva -25 mil, Sergio Aguero - 38 mil , Juan Mata - 30 mil etc have taken the Premier League by a storm. On the other hand if I talk about defensive talents this season? Can I think of someone? Let’s see David Luiz, Per Mertesacker maybe?

Even though these players are highly talented individuals but still haven't adapted very well to the premier league! I mean it’s no secret that David Luiz is still a bit shaky in defense, though he's carved a space (okay more than just a space) among the Chelsea faithful but he hasn’t impressed in the department where he's supposed to impress? Yes! Defense! I know there will be many Chelsea fans ready to slit my throat over the verdict but think for a minute, I think you are a better judge! The same thing is true for the big German, He was brought to stabilize the arsenal back 4 and was another big name signing, a proven defender with international pedigree, he was certain to "Outperform" but that’s not been the case.

The point is , The Premier League is a very difficult league for the attackers per say but it becomes an even more tougher league for the defenders , specially for defenders coming into the big 4 sides ! That is keeping in mind a season which has seen a rise in the number of goals scored and a goals-per-game ratio of 2.97 - the highest since the 1967/68 season. Clearly it is a difficult time being a defender in the English League!

It has been said "Strikers may win you games, but defenders win you the Championships"

The quote brings me to the central theme of my article on "Why a fully fit Daniel Agger is so crucial for Liverpool and the Premier League!"

Daniel Agger aka Dagger is reliability and class personified! He was on a record for not conceding a goal in over 631 minutes of football last season before injury struck. What Daniel Agger brings to the table is what money can't buy! He brings the much needed stability that every side craves for! Players like Agger are hard to find and even a fat cheque won't guarantee you stability and reliability like he does! The Great Dane matches Carragher's scouse fire with his ice like calmness on the football field. His Injury record is the one holding his greatness but if he manages to overcome his injury setbacks not only will he be lethal, he'll be Dane-gerous :)

Premier League Stats -2011/2012 Season

Player Goals Conceded Games Played Goals Conceded per Game

Daniel Agger 4 7 0.57

John Terry 15 10 1.50

Rio Ferdinand 9 6 1.50

Vincent Kompany 8 10 0.80

Laurent Koscielny 17 10 1.70

Clearly the stats show how well has agger performed in the beginning of this season, but this is only half the picture. What Agger also brings to the table is his aggressive and strategic approach to the game. It’s a benefit to have his type of a player for home games with lesser oppositions, where the visitors defend deeply to deny space. By stepping up into the midfield, he pushes the whole team forward, and can thread a good pass to the likes of Gerrard and Suarez whilst he’s there for good measure. As many people will argue that this is only the beginning of the season and it’s not fair to judge a player but Agger’s upturn of form recently is one that will not surprise many, given the undoubted quality of the left sided defender. Troublesome and niggling injuries have stopped Daniel from showcasing his best form in the past and treating Liverpool fans to his finest qualities, which are his hard as nails approach to games and also his excellent technique, not always two attributes typically packaged together with a defender.

A player like Daniel Agger is what the Premier League requires! Why? To balance this growing influx of attacking talent! The reason why I say - Daniel Agger and not any other name is because I cannot think of a better defender than Agger in the Premier League at the moment, it’s just that he is so complete in every footballing sense and there is no doubt that a fit, fighting and suitably tattooed Daniel Agger is crucial to the future of this Liverpool team. Kenny Dalglish certainly seems to rate the Great Dane, who really should never have had his ability questioned under the previous regime. It’s onwards and upwards for Agger and Liverpool now, as the Nordic centre-half looks to use his Viking talents to spearhead Liverpool to a new dawn.

Liverpool's No 5- "Dan the Man !"

Liverpool: August Report Card.

It has been a brilliant start to season. We always dream of it and hope for the maximum out of them but it has been disappointing over the last couple of years. 7/9 from the first 3 games, qualification into the 3rd Round of Carling Cup, away win at Emirates (in pic), Dominance at Anfield against Bolton, the gelling of the new players etc. It has been perfect I’d say. Things in good stride for the year ahead, very good stride actually.

Looking at the team’s performance this is how LDSC would rate them this month on a scale of 10:

Pepe Reina: Not much to do for the Spaniard. 8/10.

Martin Kelly: Disappointing injury to end the month with. Brilliant at Emirates. 7.

John Flanagan: Culprit for draw against Sunderland. Man for the future. 6.5.

Jamie Carragher: Old solider. Braves on, the Captain. 7.5.

Daniel Agger: 3 full games for the Dan. Impressive runs down the center. 8 for Agger.

Martin Skrtel: Best minutes to goal ratio. Haha! Great return from injury. 8.

Jose Enrique: Breath of new life he is. Been amazing with the pace. 8 for him too.

Lucas: Continues from where he left off last season. 8.5 for Lucas.

Charlie Adam: We love the Scot’s left foot, don’t we? Proved it with his passes and corner assist. 9 for Charlie Adam.

Young Player of the month: Jordan Henderson. 8/10.

21 years of age, slowly settling into Liverpool. Shook off opening day troubles to impress in further games and scored his first goal as a Red against Bolton at Anfield. Left-footed curler into the top corner. Promising and looks in a good position to prove his 16million price tag. Way to go, Hendo!

Stewart Downing: Solid on the left. Has been instrumental in every game. 8/10.

Raul Meireles: Injury block now. Instrumental against Arsenal. 7.5 for Raul.

Maxi, Jonjo and Spearo: Been good. Impressive. 6.5.

Dirk Kuyt: Fought into the first team. True fighter. 7.5 for Dirk.

Andy Carroll: Burdened by high expectations. Brilliant in air. 6.5 for Andy.

Player of the month: Luis Suarez. 9.5/10.

What do we say of this man! 3 goals and 3 assists. He has been instrumental in everything Liverpool have done. After missing the penalty 5 minutes into the new season, it took him just 7 more minutes to convert Adam’s assist. Came on for the last 15 minutes against Arsenal and created an own goal first and scored the next (in pic). Was exceptional against Exeter in the Carling Cup and was rewarded a goal and an assist. The outside of the right foot ball for Downing against Bolton – WOW! This man has been at the center if it all. We surely can’t get enough of Luis Alberto Suárez Díaz.

We can’t await the return of Glen Johnson, Martin Kelly, Raul Meireles and “Captain Marvel” Steven Gerrard from injuries. Wish them a speedy recovery and expect to see them in September. Wouldn’t Gerrard be dying to play in this team? In his LFC?

Further few brilliant pictures from the month:

Where the roots were laid. Melwood.

The men who broke the Arsenal jinx. Suarez and Meireles.

Win against Exeter.

Day to remember for these 3 goal scorers.

Hope the season continues as it has started. We welcome Sebastián Coates to our club.

You’ll never walk alone!

End of the jinx, screening of the month.

When every Liverpool fan woke up on the morning of the 20th, they must have sensed their mind telling them that the 11-year wait could end. A virtually full-strength squad against an Arsenal team, searching for shore. Many call the win lucky, but you need to go there and get it done. That is exactly what we did. Ask the screening attendants, it was the greatest feeling wearing the Liverpool jersey that day. We were full of pride and with dead voices by the end, at the Spirit Bar.

This screening was special. We got the largest turnout ever. More than 50 fans had joined in the euphoria. Birthday of our Sugar boy, Piyush Bathla, was celebrated with lots of glee. Liverpool flags were in positions, Aaman Chamla’s t-shirt hogged limelight, scarfs in place, everybody took their chairs and we were tuned into ESPN. Everything was set. Nervous 70 minutes followed, and then came on the magic of Luis Suarez and did it for us. A man down and a goal down, we knew there was no way back for Arsenal. 3 points at the Emirates was scripted.

The last 10 minutes were a formality. Flags were wrapped around the backs, You’ll Never Walk Alone was in full flow,“Just can’t get enough” of Luis Suarez, the raw ecstasy was mind-boggling as the final whistle blew. Pictures were in full flow. (Great moments need to be captured) The happiness was beyond words, one could only feel the emotions.

We savor it as one of the best screenings and were immensely pleased by the response from the LDSC members. A dream win and an even more amazing evening.

You’ll never walk alone.

The Kop Comes to Delhi

Those who would have read my previous blogs, on other forums, would know how I would have felt about LFC’s ignorance to India. LFC have me a very pleasant ‘in your face’ a few days back when I came to know that they are planning to open an academy in India, that too in the city I live – Delhi.

I was fortunate enough to be present at the formal announcement a few hours ago; an event attended by Steve McMahon who would be the mentor of the academy, Ian Rush, as an ambassador of the LFC and LFC’s Head of Academies/ Soccer School – Steve Turner.

The academy in India would be called Steve McMahon Football Academy and Macca seemed full of enthusiasm. What’s more, in a one one one with him later, he admitted that he would be present for more than 10 days a month in India, going forward.

The Head Coach of the academy in India would be Paul Masefield, and ex-footballer and a TV pundit.

The academy aims to begin in October and we hope it is able to serve my ultimate goal of having one Indian play for Liverpool Football Club sometime in near future.

Thank you to Steve McMahon, Steve Turner, John Henry and Liverpool Football Club!

2011-12, our season of reckoning.

It has been a long wait for the start to arrive. 2 months of off-season makes us realize how badly we miss our teams, and how badly we miss the Premier League. Manchester United, winning their 19th league title last season, surpassing 18 0f Liverpool, makes them the starting favorites like every year. Every fan would accept that. So will a United fan respect that things change over the year. It is a long season. It has been a busy summer for most of the big teams and it would be an interesting view on where they stand as the season starts.

Old Trafford is the first destination. Everything seems on a high there. Defending champions they are, Sir Alex Ferguson claiming only Barcelona are the better club than them in the world and his goal would be to catch them. Retirement of Edwin Van Der Sar and Paul Scholes left a big hole to be plugged, but great teams are great because they replace great players so well. David De Gea has big shoes to fill in between the posts. Manchester United have always struggled when their keepers fail, and if De Gea fails to take the pressure of one of the best clubs in the world, he is in for a ride. Phil Jones is a good addition to the defensive set-up, and Ashley Young heats up the first team places’ fight. If they manage to replace Scholes with their current pursuit of Wesley Sneijder, as a rival fan, it is scary. Manchester United look good to fight for top honors again this season.

As for the other side of Manchester, will it be another season of only making sound? Sergio Aguero is a huge buy and will bolster their chances of the title, or at least a title push. Carlos Tevez looks like he would stay for sometime at least at Eastlands which would be music to the City fans. Edin Dzeko, Mario Balotelli and David Silva would be able support. With a strong physical backline, If the dressing room stays harmonious, they will edge the title.

Chelsea have not made many big-name additions to their squad during the transfer market except for the 18-year old teenager in Romelu Lukaku, who would need some time to get used to the physical toughness of the league and is not expected to be an instant hit, but has arrived with enormous potential. This reflects the strong squad they already possess. They’ve probably got in the most important need, Andre Villas-Boas. If Chelsea have the same start as they did in the last campaign and keep that up for the entire season, they will be placed well for the title. The biggest concern would be an aging team and I can stick my neck out and say that the form of Fernando Torres would play a pivotal role in shaping their season.

And as for the other two London clubs, many things are in disarray at the moment. Every one predicts Arsenal and Tottenham to fall from their finishes of 4th and 5th respectively last season. Tottenham are only in pursuit of holding on to Luka Modric, and may lack the self-belief to push for a top 4 this season. Huge task ahead for Harry this season to get Tottenham back in the Champions League. With the other 5 teams possessing very strong squads, I don’t see a Champions League place for Tottenham.

Arsenal are in the same state with attempts to hold on the their treasured Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri. They have to hold a rampaging Barcelona to keep their club Captain. If somehow, come August 31st, these two stay at Arsenal and the brilliant addition in Gervinho, Arsenal will prove many wrong. Addition of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Ryo Miyaichi may turn out a brilliant deal for the future, if not this season. The biggest task for them is this month of August, hold of other teams from Nasri and Fabregas. If they leave, hmmm, I’d like to reserve my comments on Arsenal.

Liverpool, disappointing in the last couple of seasons, have dug very deep to try and find back their place as the most successful club of England. Finally having good owners this year, their KING in Kenneth Mathieson “Kenny” Dalglish and players who want to play for Liverpool FC. As Dalglish puts it up, “No player is bigger than the club.” The depth in squad lacked. Departure of Fernando Torres opened up places in the team. Signs look good this season. Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll are as good as new additions, and with them come Charlie Adam, Jordan Henderson and Stewart Downing. And with Gerrard, Lucas, Kuyt, Carragher, Pepe already established in the team, Liverpool look settled. Steven Gerrard needs to be fully fit the entire season for a successful campaign. My trump card for the player of the season for Liverpool would be Charlie Adam. Concern looking at the pre-season friendlies would be the defense which is a little thin but arrival of Jose Enrique from Newcastle United sounds pleasant. Another center-back would be welcome this month, probably Scott Dann. With signs looking positive, title still seems a distant away at the start of the season. I see no reason why we don’t finish in the top 4 and get back to the Champions League, but as they say, it is a long season. One thing is for sure, LFC will play like the old LFC, notice will be taken.

6 teams, capable of reshuffling spots anytime amongst themselves, makes this League to be worth watched. Come 13th August, another 10-month long season with 38 games would make a treat for the fans!

In the end, I would upload my favorite snaps of 2010-11. Hope you like them.

PICTURE OF 2010-11.

3 of the most important people for Liverpool in 2011-12.

Martin Skrtel, played 90 minutes of all the 38 games in 2010-11.

Speaks for itself.

This is Liverpool. Steven Gerrard. Fans.

Liverpool FC.
You’ll never walk alone.

Liverpool Delhi Supporters' Club launches DelhiKop SuperLeague

To mark the occasion of its founder's birthday, Liverpool Delhi Supporters Club launched a mini classic league DelhiKop SuperLeague at Premier League Fantasy Football. All you need to do is just signup for this free football manager game, join the league, enter the private code for the league which is 17060-7640 and manage your dream football team. Test your football managing skills to the test against your fellow kopites.

That's not all, there are great prizes up for grabs. The overall winner of the DelhiKop SuperLeague will get a Liverpool Jersey of his choice (Home or Away for current season or next season). Also, the person who finishes top of the monthly leaderboard will be declared manager of the month, prizes will be announced as and when it happens.

However, their are certain set of rules and conditions, along with the rules of fantasy league, that participants need to follow:

• Your Team needs to have at least one player from Liverpool FC in your dream team for you to claim the monthly or the overall winners prize.
• The Manager/participant needs to be registered at our database for him to claim his prize.

For Further details you can visit our website at: http://www.delhikop.com/home/contests

LDSC via its Facebook page and website will be updating the leader board every week after the gameweek is over. Subsequent announcements will be made related to the winners.

Manage your dream team and compete with the best.

YNWA!