Bleacher Report - Articles by Michael Byrne

Liverpool-Real Madrid: Where The Game Will Be Won and Lost

Michael Byrne — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 19:28:13 -0500

Undoubtedly, the pick of the second round of the Champions League was the pairing of Liverpool and Real Madrid. Respectively, they are the most successful club teams from the two best leagues in Europe, the English Premier League and La Liga, and both are the envy of their competitors when it comes to their European record.

What is perhaps most surprising is that this is their first competitive meeting since the European Cup Final in Paris in 1981, where Liverpool won its third European Cup thanks to an Alan Kennedy goal.

There have been links between the two clubs in the intervening period. Steve McManaman made a Bosman switch to Real Madrid from Liverpool in 1997, Liverpool was invited to take part in Real Madrid's centenary tournament in 2002, and Michael Owen made his controversial switch to the Bernabeu in 2004.

But perhaps most will be made of the links to Rafa Benitez. Benitez is a self-confessed 'Madridista' and just this week suggested that he would want to end his career at Real Madrid. But he will undoubtedly be desperate to get one over on his old club, to prove that his success with Valencia against the might of Los Merengues was no fluke.

Pepe Reina vs. Iker Casillas —Casillas and Reina are Spain's first and second-choice keepers, and there is little between them in terms of ability and influence. What England would do to have such a predicament! Both will have to be on top form for their respective teams to have any chance of progress to the quarterfinals. What Casillas loses in stature, he makes up for with agility and positioning which is second to none, while Reina's ability to read a game and act as a sweeper has been a huge force behind Liverpool's resurgence and its frugal defence.

Fabio Cannavarro v Jamie Carragher —The defensive rocks about which their sides are built. Cannavarro has enjoyed an Indian Summer to his career this past 12 months following an uncertain start to life in Spain, and he seems to be benefiting from the experience of Gabriel Heinze beside him, in addition to the progression of Pepe. Carragher is arguably going through his weakest season since Benitez took charge of Liverpool in 2004, but he is still Liverpool's 'Mr Dependable' and can still be relied upon to stand taller than all around him when the going gets tough.

Steven Gerrard v Wesley Sneijder — It is in the attacking third of the pitch where the tie will be won and lost, and as such, these two players will be key to any success. What more can be said about Gerrard that has not already been said? Perhaps the only thing which may give Madrid an upper hand is that Gerrard is recovering from a hamstring injury and may not be 100 percent. But, even at 80 percent, he is better than 99 percent of his competitors. Sneijder, too, is still recovering from serious injury, but he is a true ball-player. He loves having the ball at his feet, and his passing and shooting are exemplary. Liverpool will have to stop Sneijder if it is to stop Madrid.

Javier Mascherano v Lassana Diarra — Diarra only arrived at Madrid in January, but already he has cemented his place in the team. It is surely no coincidence that Madrid have won every game since he joined. He has brought some much-needed stability and solidarity to the middle of the park, not to mention his fine range of passing and ease of movement around the pitch. Many would say that in Mascherano and Diarra we will be watching the two finest defensive midfielders in the world. What Mascherano lacks in technique, he makes up for in tenacity, and he is always the one who is still sprinting when the game enters the 88th minute. His commitment is second to none, and he, along with Dirk Kuyt, are the very models of 'Benitez-type' players: hard-working and selfless.

Fernando Torres v Raul — Much will be made of Torres' return to the home of his arch-rivals from his time at Atletico. Torres never won a game at the Bernabeu during his time with Atletico and he will be desperate to make an impact having missed the games with Atletico earlier in the season. Torres is just coming back into form after fitness as he starts to show again why he is the finest striker in world football. Where Torres is learning, Raul is the old master now. Seemingly having been around forever, Raul has enjoyed a resurgence of form in the past couple of seasons and is back to the poacher of old, a constant menace to opposition defenses. Raul has been there, done that, but he will undoubtedly be desperate to show Torres who the boss is.

There is, of course, the battle off the pitch, featuring Benitez against Ramos. Both are fine technicians and tacticians, and both have very precise methodologies which are drilled into their players over long periods of time. Benitez has had the advantage of time over Ramos, but with eight wins in succession, whatever Juande Ramos has done in his short time in Madrid appears to be working.

It will be tight, it will be passionate and it will lighten up two of the finest stadia for European football — the second leg at Anfield will be particularly fiery, loud and hair-raising.

My bet? Liverpool by a whisker...

Liverpool's Youngsters: Carling Cup Contenders?

Michael Byrne — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 05:16:20 -0400

We have heard much in the last few years of the wonders of Arsene Wenger's youth policy at Arsenal, but meanwhile Rafael Benitez has been assembling a group of young players he believes are a match for anyone.

Liverpool's youth team have won the FA Youth Cup for the last two years now, and Gary Ablett's Liverpool Reserve team consists almost entirely of youth players who graduate from the academy every year.

Rafa Benitez made youth recruitment one of his top priorities when he took on the Liverpool job four years ago, and since then he has signed well over 30 young players, most of whom the wider public know nothing about—until now.

When David Ngog scored his second goal in as many games yesterday against Valerenga, Rafa was quick to say how pleased he is with his scouting department. Ngog is one of the older players he has recruited, at 19, and he will challenge for a place in the first team.

But who else should you look out for in next year's Carling Cup?

Jay Spearing has captained the youth team to cup glory and is a rough and ready, all action midfielder. He encompasses al that it is to be a Liverpool player and has a bright future in the game.

Dani Pacheco is a 17 year old Spaniard who was whisked away from under the noses of Barcelona last summer, much to their chagrin. He has lightning feet and a quick eye for a pass, and reminds me of Platini in style.

Gerardo Bruna, a young Argentinean playmaker, who links play between the midfield and the attack and possesses a mean shot.

Damien Plessis, who made a most impressive first team debut away at Arsenal last season, is a defensive midfielder who draws comparisons to Patrick Vieira, not just through appearance.

Krisztian Nemeth is a free scoring striker who made most reserve team defences look like seives last year, and will surely get his opportunity at a higher level this year.

Emiliano Insuahas also had a share of first team experience and is an Argentinian left back who loves to press forward and support the attack whenever possible, but still displays that typical Argentinian trait of loving a good, hard tackle.

I could go on, but you start to get the idea pretty quickly. I can't wait for the Carling Cup this year—don't be surprised when you hear rave reviews about some of these names come October.

Apparently you don't win anything with kids—we'll see.

Liverpool FC All-Time Starting Lineup

Michael Byrne — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 02:54:07 -0400

By request, I've produced my all-time Liverpool lineup. Remember, the point of this is to cause discussion—the beauty of these things is that no two people will have the same team.

I'm going with a 4-3-1-2 formation:

1. Bruce Grobelaar

Bruce just gets the nod over Clemence in net for me—his sheer athleticism and his ability to pull of improbable saves is often overlooked by his exuberance and mischievous nature. He won the double in 1986 and founded the "spaghetti-legs" in the European Cup Final in 1984.

2. Phil Neal

Phil Neal is in at right back. Very much a "Mr. Dependable" character, who enjoyed charging forward whenever possible and added more than his fair share of goals—was an excellent penalty taker. Honorable mentions to Markus Babbel and Rob Jones.

3. Alan Kennedy

Alan Kennedy takes the left-back slot. Again he was an adventurous player who loved bombing forward, but was stout and strong defensively.

4. Sami Hyypia

Sami Hyypia is currently starting his tenth year with Liverpool, and he was undoubtedly the best signing Gerard Houllier made during his time at Liverpool. Now 34, he has not lost any pace because he never had any!

Sami's first 10 yards were in his vision and ability to read the game. He has also scored in every season he has played for the Reds. An outstanding player and an outstanding leader.

5. Alan Hansen

Hansen was a great footballing centre back, who always looked to do something constructive with the ball. Watching Sami Hyypia is like watching Hansen. Both love to start attacking moves by moving forward with the ball and spraying passes out to the flanks. He won numerous accolades as a player and captain.

Other notable centre backs to have donned the Liver Bird include Jamie Carragher, Ron Yeats, and Tommy Smith.

6. Emlyn Hughes

Hughes was signed as an inexperienced young player by Bill Shankly, and from there he never looked back. Tireless and workmanlike, he embodied everything Shankly demanded of a player and a Captain. He was a leader in every sense of the word. Still the only Liverpool captain to win two European Cups, and back-to-back.

7. Kenny Dalglish

Liverpool's greatest ever player. Signed from Celtic, he went on to become the idol of the Kop with his vision, passing and goalscoring prowess. He won the European Cup three times as a player, and managed the club to the double in 1986. His name still echoes around Anfield on a match day.

8. Steven Gerrard

A supporter who feels the pain of defeat like any one of us, his hunger and determination to succeed are what gives him the extra 10 percent. He would not be the same player anywhere else because he would not care enough anywhere else.

He wrote himself into legend for the crucial goal against Olympiakos in the 2004/05 Champions League campaign and for his role in motivating the players after scoring the first goal in the comeback in the Istanbul final. He contributes goals, assists, and tackles, he is a leader and a future manager of the club.

9. Robbie Fowler

"God" as he is called by the fans, Robbie Fowler broke all sorts of goalscoring records during his time as a player. Rafa Benitez pulled off a masterstroke bringing him back for 18 months, though it will be for his first and main spell with the club that he is most fondly remembered.

Famous for a hat-trick in four and a half minutes against Arsenal, he was the most natural goalscorer we have ever seen. If he could have avoided injury, he would have been the most successful English goalscorer of all time.

10. Ian Rush

Rushie scored goals for fun, and won numerous accolades during his time with the club. Immortalised in a song which talks about his goalscoring exploits against Everton, where he scored four of five goals for Liverpool at Goodison Park.

11. John Barnes

Johnnie Barnes was as talented a footballer as Liverpool have seen. Signed from Watford, his dazzling footwork, ability to beat players, pass the ball, and set-pieces made him a genuine world-class talent. He scored one of England's greatest goals in the Maracana against Brazil.

Other midfielders and strikers who could easily have fitted in include Steve Highway, Graeme Souness, Steve McManaman, Peter Beardsley, Michael Owen, Roger Hunt, and Kevin Keegan.

David Bentley; Tottenham paying the price for buying English 'talent'.

Michael Byrne — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 22:03:31 -0400

As Tottenham close in on the signing of David Bentley, the main thing sticking in my throat is £17 MILLION.

Now before people start talking about the inflated transfer market and so on, lets just reflect on that price. This is £17m for a player who didn't make it at Arsenal, and since then has played in the EPL for Norwich City and Blackburn Rovers.

His season (on loan) at Norwich was inconsistent, yet produced enough flashes of inspiration to persuade Mark Hughes to sign him permanently for Blackburn the following season.

And this is where my problem lies...

In the Premiers League, it is one thing entirely performing well for an average team. Blackburn are a good, workmanlike team who consistently outperform many other clubs they really have no right to—the likes of Manchester City, Newcastle and Middlesbrough.

As such, there is little pressure on the Blackburn squad ahead of every season and ahead of every game. The players react well to this relaxed yet hard-working mantra and play some lively attractive football.

However, it is a very different matter when you are put under huge pressure and expectation from supporters and the media—the sort of pressure that comes with playing for a top six team (who are pushing to be a top four team), and playing for England.

I admit, Bentley went right down in my estimations when he rejected the opportunity to represent England U-21s in summer 2007 because he was "tired"—would he have been so "tired" if it had been England's senior team and the World Cup finals?

And the appearances he has made since have left me underwhelmed to say the least.

I look at Bentley and see another player who, for the sheer fact that he is English, is over-rated and over-priced. A prime example is Jermaine Pennant. Pennant went from unwanted at Arsenal to being Birmingham's star player in their relegation season.

Pennant then made the jump from relegated team to Liverpool for £8m, a fee which itself looked over-inflated. Since then Pennant has struggled to find any real consistency for Liverpool, and found himself injured and then overlooked for much of last season. He cost £9m less than Bentley.

Compare this to the purchase of, for example, Luis Garcia by Rafa Benitez. Garcia cost £6m, and for three years was a first team regular, clocking up assists and goals (something Bentley lacks) well into double figures in each of his seasons in the Premiership.

David Bentley is a good player, but good players do not cost £17m—that's only £4m less than Fernando Torres and £6m more than Ryan Babel cost Liverpool last summer.

Spurs of course will hope he progresses and becomes the world-class right sided player they believe they are buying. I hope for England's sake I don't have to say "I told you so" in a year's time.

Liverpool's Summer Transfers: Rafa Benitez Not Learning His Lesson?

Michael Byrne — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 09:07:05 -0400

In the last 24 hours, Rafa Benitez has taken Liverpool's summer spending to around the £32 million mark with the capture of forward Robbie Keane from Tottenham.

Yet, during another summer of squad turnover at Anfield, is Benitez harming the chances of his team winning the Premier League?

In the past three seasons, Liverpool's challenge for the title has been over before it has really begun, thanks to inconsistent performances between August and November. It is no coincidence that it is these three months that new players spend bedding into a new team, new surroundings, new systems, and often more and higher expectations from fans and the media.

It is often the case that Liverpool are at least equal to, and often out perform, Chelsea and Manchester United from November onwards. But that is overshadowed by the fact that they are often 12-15 points off the pace by that time.

For a man as meticulous and tactically aware of, as he puts it, "the small details," Benitez must realise the risk he takes every summer by buying in five or six new first team squad players.

Indeed, it is perhaps noticeable that since he had money available from last season onwards, he has tried to buy three or four "big money" players as opposed to six or seven "squad" players. Torres, Babel, Kuyt, Alonso, Mascherano, and now Keane are his biggest investments, and are virtually first team regulars.

This would seem to indicate that he knows what he wants, but he sometimes has to compensate for not having the complete package. The summer of 2005 and the protracted attempt to sign Simao from Benfica is a fine example.

At the 11th hour, Benfica pulled the plug on a deal, and since then, Rafa has had to make do with stop-gap replacements such as Gonzales and Pennant, neither of whom were or are shining beacons of success.

Manchester United won the title back from Chelsea after a summer where they signed only two major first team players. Their form and consistency from the previous season's climax was able to continue on into the new campaign with little disruption. One can't help but feel that this is the way to go.

This season will come too soon for Liverpool. But with Benitez's policy of investing in players under the age of 18 (he has brought close to 25 youth team players into the club in his time as manager), Liverpool fans will hope that the summer merry-go-round will soon be a thing of the past, as players who are developed in the Liverpool way can make the jump from reserves to first team.

Leaving Rafa in the enviable position of having his summer budget to invest in one or two world class players, safe in the knowledge he can afford them, and he won't have to settle for "squad" standard replacements.