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.