Can Liverpool Really Challenge For Title In EPL?

Shahedul Azam — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 04:32:22 -0500

With 13 matches played in this season so far, it is Liverpool in second place behind Chelsea on goal difference with both being tied in points, ranked ahead of Manchester United and Arsenal.

It is a huge boost to Liverpool fans after not being competitive for the last few seasons. Most of the time, they were out of title equations pretty early. However, Liverpool fans can be hopeful this year with Liverpool in a dominating position.

The key to Liverpool's success should be given to the players and the charismatic Rafael Benitez. One has to agree that, like Arsenal, Liverpool lack depth compared to Man Utd and Chelsea.

Still, there are players who can come up and make the day for Liverpool. Steven Gerrard along with Fernando Torres is one deadly combination that needs to lead the charge for the whole season. Players like Xabi Alonso, Robbie Keane, Jamie Carragher, Dirk Kuyt and Ryan Babel will be useful as well.

The defence of Liverpool has always been influential towards their success. The midfield is always dominated by Gerrard. Provided Gerrard is fit for the whole season, Liverpool will always be a threat to other big teams.

But in last few seasons, Liverpool suffered due to their strikers. Last year, Fernando Torres, alone scoring more than 30 goals, proved insufficient to win EPL. Liverpool have suffered in attacking since the departure of Micheal Owen. Big names like Fernando Morientes, Djibril Cisse, and Peter Crouch did not provide the firepower they needed. However, with the inclusion of Robbie Keane this year, the attack line seems stronger with Torres, Kuyt and Babel all fighting for a place.

However, only time will tell whether Liverpool can actually go on challenging Chelsea, Man Utd and Arsenal in the title race.

Euro 2008: England Will Be Missed

Shahedul Azam — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 03:53:48 -0400

Euro is not just a tournament to be watched by Europeans, but it has viewers all over the world.

In some respects, it is indeed more interesting, stirring and exciting than the World Cup with 16 top teams of Europe whereas the FIFA World Cup is lengthy and there are a lot of gaps between the teams participating which makes a lot of matches not worthy of a World Cup. Granted there is a disparity between some teams in Euro as well, but it is far less than in the FIFA World Cup.

Being an world event, Euro attracts support from different countries full of football lovers. With the growing admiration of the EPL all over the world, England has been one football playing nation who are loved by a lot of people for sure.

With England out of Euro, a huge class of fans all over the world will be deprived of some classic football and some excellent players like Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, John Terry, Hargreaves, and Rooney as well.

People not only love to see their favorite team winning the championship but also some fierce encounters. This time around, people will definitely miss some fascinating clashes such as England-Germany, England-France or England-Italy in Euro.

Some questions arise as to what went wrong for England. England is well equipped with a bunch of star players. One thing missing, however, is lack of coordination between the star players. Another important factor was the lack of strikers during the qualifying round.

Actually, it can be said in this regard that perhaps like other footballing giants in Europe such as Italy, Germany or France, in England, young players are not finding their places in big teams.

For example, if you look to Italy, there are international players from all the top teams like AC Milan, Inter Milan, AS Roma or Juventus FC. In Germany, Bayern Munchen, FC Werder Bremen or Schalke 04, every team is producing international quality players.

By way of contrast, in EPL, Arsenal play most of their matches without any English player, Chelsea has players like John Terry, Frank Lampard, Joe Cole or Ashley Cole but lacks young players who can come up and face the heat of international football. Same can be applied to Man U. or Liverpool. This may be one of the reasons behind England's failure.

Nevertheless, whatever may the reason be, England will be missed in EURO for supporters not only in England but all over the world. Although EPL teams are dominating this year's UEFA Champions League, Team England is out of Euro 2008 and that will surely be a great loss for football.

However, everyone is hopeful with the inclusion of Fabio Capello in as England Coach, there will be some revolution ahead with English Team.

Bleacher Report - Articles by Shahedul Azam

Can Liverpool Really Challenge For Title In EPL?

Euro 2008: England Will Be Missed