Bleacher Report - Articles by Karen Patel

The True Extent of Liverpool FC's Debt

Karen Patel — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 16:26:00 -0400

The two men in the picture above claimed ownership of Liverpool FC back in 2007. Tom Hicks and George Gillett Jr arrived in a whirlwind of optimism, their first words uttered to reporters were peppered with big promises, comfort, and security.

They 'promised' to help Rafa buy the players that would put Liverpool back where they are supposed to be. They comforted the supporters by saying they wouldn't "do a Glazers" and plunge the club into debt.

The fans could not help but gobble up the piffle, believe the lies, and rejoice at the prospect of a new stadium and star players to skyrocket Liverpool FC to the summit of English and European football.

Two years later, and the outlook is nowhere near as rosy.

Now Hicks and Gillett are two of the most hated men amongst Liverpool supporters. Their names, if they dare be mentioned, are spat out through the gritted teeth of most fans. The state they have plunged the club in, the lies they have sprouted, and the impossible position they have put Rafa Benitez in is unforgivable.

They recently had to refinance the loan they took out to buy the club in the first place, and now the club are paying £1 million interest every nine days. That's right, £1million interest every nine days. They promised they wouldn't "do a Glazers" but that's exactly what they've done, and worse.

They have claimed nearly £2million in expenses in the past two years. What for? To fly back and forth to the USA and "legal and third party consulting." Aren't new owners supposed to put money into a club, not take it out?

They promised a new stadium two years ago, a state of the art venue with a capacity of 70,000. It would give Liverpool a stadium to be proud of, a stadium as good as, if not better than, Old Trafford. Instead the land on Stanley Park—where the stadium is planned to be built—remains untouched, but for a spade put in the ground by a fan; a symbol of frustration and anger at this false dawn.

They promised Rafa money to buy the players to enable him to compete with the best, yet every summer Rafa and the fans are left frustrated as another transfer window passes by without significant investment.

Last summer Rafa wanted Gareth Barry, not Robbie Keane. But Rick Parry was reluctant to let the Barry transfer go ahead, and instead Rafa had to go for Keane, a striker that simply did not fit into his system. One thinks that was probably the final straw for Rafa, who was thankfully given full control of transfers earlier this year.

Having full control is fine and dandy, but Rafa couldn't buy Gareth Barry with buttons, which is why one year later the Aston Villa midfielder went to Man City. Alonso wanted to leave, no one can argue with that. Barry would have been the ideal replacement but instead Rafa had to settle for the injured Alberto Aquilani, the Italian who is expected to fill the gap and bolster Liverpool's title challenge when he returns in October.

Glen Johnson, in all fairness, is looking like the buy of the summer. But fans were still expecting someone else to give the squad an extra boost, that cutting edge to bring title No. 19 home. But the likes of David Silva and David Villa never came.

At the moment, Liverpool are stumbling on the pitch and many are writing them off. Many are tipping Rafa to go, some so-called 'fans' are even calling for Rafa's head. This is because they don't understand what a dire state the club is in. Now they do know, and hopefully they will understand.

The club will not be back where it wants to be unless Hicks and Gillett sell up. Us fans can only hope, but we will not be holding our breath.

Liverpool Top and Looking HOT!

Karen Patel — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 06:29:20 -0400

Magnificent Liverpool toppled Chelsea today to go to top of the Premier League and three points clear of their rivals.

Xabi Alonso scored the goal to clinch victory for Rafa's side and despite what the 1-0 scoreline suggests, the three points always looked likely to go back to Anfield.

Chelsea's 86 game unbeaten record at home in the league was finally diminished thanks to a gritty yet classy display from the Mighty Reds.

Recently I have been cautious after Liverpool victories and a few Bleacher Report members have slated me for being 'too negative', but this time there is absolutely nothing to be negative about.

Every player in a red shirt worked their socks off and at times they made title favorites Chelsea look mediocre, with players like Deco and Lampard resorting to long-range efforts that were nowhere near testing Reina.

Chelsea's two shots on target are testament to just how good Liverpool were.

The home side may point to the fact that they had Joe Cole and Didier Drogba missing to name a few, but this was more or less the same team that demolished Middlesbrough 5-0 last weekend and left pundits purring at their strength in depth and eye-catching play.

This time it was Liverpool that were more pleasing to the eye as Messrs Gerrard, Riera, and Keane effortlessly carved Chelsea open on several occasions. This was without their most influential striker, Fernando Torres.

There is a long way to go yet, but Liverpool have now taken six points from their two 'big four' clashes and that is a huge psychological boost. They are also sitting pretty at the top of the Premier League, a full three points clear of everyone else.

With Torres on his way back from injury and Gerrard and Keane returning to top form, I think the best is still yet to come.

Liverpool FC Can't Keep Riding Their Luck!

Karen Patel — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 11:52:25 -0400

Rafa Benitez's Liverpool, once again, came back from the dead in a 3-2 victory against Wigan to secure three points and keep their amazing start to the Premier League going.

Despite my happiness at my team's newfound resolve and willingness to win, when last season we probably would have ended up drawing or losing in similar circumstances, I can't help but be weary of what is around the corner.

Chelsea.

They are not Wigan, Man City, Middlesbrough, or Sunderland. They are a class apart and devastating when given a sniff of goal.

Our defending today was sub-standard for both of the goals Wigan scored. First, Agger's howler to let through Zaki, and then the poor pressing of Valencia to set up Zaki's spectacular second.

If we were playing Chelsea today, they would have killed us.

I have never been a fan to sugarcoat things or let my head float amongst the clouds, it just sets me up for disappointment, hence why I am critical of our win.

Don't get me wrong, I am very happy that we won, but we can't keep conceding silly goals and waiting until the last minute to score, because there will be one day when that ball just doesn't go in and it will be too late. We can't keep riding our luck like this.

Especially against Chelsea. Next Sunday, we need to put in the performance of our lives to cement our title credentials. They are by no means unbeatable, but you can't doubt Chelsea will fancy their chances against us.

They had seven major players missing today and still demolished Middlesbrough 5-0. That is the hallmark of champions.

Then again, another hallmark of champions is winning games without key players and with an under-par performance. That's a big positive for us.

I am looking forward to see which Liverpool team turns up on Sunday: the one that scraps and rides their luck like today, or the one that dominates and hassles the way we did against Manchester United

I hope it is the latter.

Why Liverpool FC Should Come With a Health Warning

Karen Patel — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 06:19:35 -0400

So far this season, my heart has gone through so much strain thanks to Liverpool FC—and it's only October.

The Reds are renowned for their comebacks, but so far this campaign they seem to be coming thick and fast.

Wins against Marseille, Middlesbrough, Manchester United, and now Manchester City have seen Rafa's side turn a losing position to a winning one.

The roller-coaster nature of Liverpool games is not good for one's health.

The Liverpool fan experiences so many emotions during a game—the disappointment of conceding a goal, the hope of a goal scraped back, the frustration and regret of missed chances, and the unrelenting joy of a last-minute winner.

My heart is constantly palpitating during such encounters to the extent that I feel as if my chest is going to explode, which is why I would like to issue a health warning to my fellow Liverpool supporters.

My dear friends, if you have a nervous disposition or a heart condition, please refrain from watching our matches. Instead, check the end result, and then you can watch the highlights later, safe in the knowledge that you won't be risking your health.

Many times over recent years have I almost turned into a dribbling mess thanks to Rafa's comeback kings. The relief of the final whistle is what saves me from near death or insanity.

Yet, making me go cold turkey from my Merseyside heroes will surely reduce me to a stint in a psychiatric ward or a rehab clinic.

So I will carry on putting my heart through such turmoil, until a doctor tells me that I have to stop (even then there is no guarantee I will).

Liverpool FC: It's Still Too Early for Title Talk!

Karen Patel — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 05:50:23 -0400

Liverpool recorded yet another victory over Merseyside rivals Everton at the weekend, and the title talk is growing from both Liverpool fans and some pundits.

I would like to take a reality check, here.

Yes, our team has had an excellent start to the season, our best ever I think, but it is only September, and to hear some people talk you would think The Reds had it in the bag already.

We still have to play Chelsea, whom I am terrified of at the moment. They can destroy teams in a second on their day, and I just hope that when we go to Stamford Bridge on Oct. 26 we can match them.

Our performances are now improving, and Torres and Keane are beginning to form a potent partnership. Despite that, I can't help but be cautious.

Arsenal losing at the weekend leaves us and Chelsea a couple of points clear, but one slip from either team and The Gunners will be breathing down our necks once again. That surprise result for them against Hull also proves that every fixture cannot be taken for granted, and how it is more difficult than ever to land that elusive Premier League title.

Aston Villa are the surprise package for me so far. Martin O'Neil has built a very strong and skillful side full of pace and imagination, and, given their start to the season, our 0-0 draw at Villa Park earlier on seems like a good result.

I am enjoying our great start, and long may it continue; but, my fellow Reds, please leave it until at least January to start getting too excited!

Sheffield United Win Compensation From West Ham, but do they Deserve it?

Karen Patel — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 11:02:39 -0400

West Ham have been fined £30 million after a Football Association Arbitration panel ruled in favour of Sheffield United.

If you don't know the full story, Sheffield United were relegated from the Premiership in 2007. They lost 2-1 at home to Wigan on the 13th May. On the same day West Ham managed to beat Manchester United 1-0 at Old Trafford to keep themselves safe—Carlos Tevez scored the vital goal.

Tevez and his former team mate Javier Mascherano were brought to West Ham under controversial circumstances. Businessman Kia Joorabchian played a major part in the transfer, and it turned out that his company part-owned Tevez. This was in breach of Premier League rules that forbid third party ownership, and West Ham were duly fined £5.5 million.

Sheffield United complained that West Ham should have had a points deduction, and if this had happened then they believe they would have beaten the drop, and West Ham would have gone down. What added further support to their argument was the major part Tevez played in West Ham's survival.

For me, it is scraping the bottom of the barrel.

A club's survival is ultimately in their own hands, and so Sheffield United shouldn't have demanded a points deduction and, in my opinion, shouldn't have demanded compensation.

They got themselves into the relegation dog fight so it is their fault.

Yes, West Ham were in the wrong and they paid their fine, but they shouldn't be made to suffer because the Premier League didn't deduct points from them.

Now they have to cough up £30 million, leaving them with a massive financial deficit.

If the Blades were worthy of belonging in the Premiership they would have bounced straight back up in 2008, but they didn't. Furthermore, they are currently languishing in 15th place in the Championship.

Sheffield United are likely to be £30 million better off, but West Ham are thinking of taking legal advice.

I hope they do and I hope they win their appeal. In my opinion, Sheffield United do not deserve such a payout because the Premier League made their initial decision not to make a points deduction, so they should live with that.

Ten Matches That Make Liverpool FC: Part Three

Karen Patel — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 12:42:47 -0400

In this part of my series I will look back on one of the most historic nights in Liverpool FC's illustrious history.

May 30, 1984, European Cup Final

AS Roma 1-1 Liverpool (Liverpool win 4-2 on penalties)

This was truly a match where Liverpool FC defied all the odds. At Roma's home stadium, against Roma; the lion's den. Three-quarters of the Stadio Olimpico was packed with home fans and the atmosphere was immense.

Joe Fagan's Liverpool team were on a high, however. Champions of England once again and League Cup winners in his first season in charge. There was just one more trophy to go, to complete an elusive treble.

Liverpool had a dream start to the game, scoring after 17 minutes. Craig Johnston's cross from the left deflected off Roma 'keeper Tancredi, and defender Phil Neal was on hand to gratefully stab the ball into the net.

The underdogs were on top; it was the perfect start.

It could have got even better when Graeme Souness scored soon after, but the goal was ruled out for offside.

Roma began to pressure Liverpool, and it paid off when Conti headed in an equaliser just before half time.

The second half was dominated by Roma, however the Reds were resolute and stood firm, soaking up whatever the Italian side threw at them.

So into extra time, where both teams placed more impetus on avoiding defeat rather than scoring a goal. Kenny Dalglish struggled to get into the game and was replaced by Michael Robinson, as penalties loomed.

Youngster Steve Nicol was first to step up for Liverpool, but the intimidation of the Roma fans and the presence of Tancredi put him off and he blasted over the bar. Di Bartolemi converted his penalty to put Roma in front.

After Liverpool scored their next penalty, goalkeeper Bruce Grobbelaar jogged over to the goal. As Conti placed the ball down to take the spot kick, Grobbelaar began to dance and wobble on the line, as if his legs were buckling underneath him. This obviously put Conti off, who missed.

The clowning around had worked and Joe Fagan's side had a new found confidence.

Phil Neal, Graeme Souness, and Ian Rush all scored their penalties, and the "wobbly legs" routine of Grobbelaar caused Grazioli to miss.

This left Reds full-back Alan Kennedy to take the decisive penalty.

A few of the Liverpool players had to look away as Kennedy stepped up, as it was well known throughout the camp how poor he was from the penalty spot.

There was no need to worry though, as Kennedy's shot flew into the top corner of the net. He ran away ecstatic and tried to do a somersault in celebration, which turned out to be just a little jump. Only the jubilant cheers of Liverpool fans could be heard in the Stadio Olimpico, as Kennedy was mobbed by his team mates.

They had succeeded in the impossible; they beat Roma in their own stadium, they secured the European Cup for the fourth time and they achieved a (then) unprecedented treble.

Joe Fagan did all of this in his first season in charge.

The "wobbly legs" routine of Grobbelaar is something that has gone down in Anfield folklore, and was of course emulated in the 2005 Champions League Final by Jerzy Dudek. The outcome of that one, was again successful.

Joe Fagan retired the year after this triumph, after the tragedy of the Heysel disaster. Trebles have of course been completed since his reign, but he was the first manager to do it in English football.

Team vs AS Roma:

Grobbelaar, Neal, Kennedy, Lawrenson, Whelan, Hansen, Dalglish (Robinson), Lee, Rush, Johnston (Nicol), Souness.

Attendance: 69,693.

Other articles in the series:

Part One: Liverpool 3-1 St Etienne, European Cup Quarterfinal 1977

Part Two: Liverpool 7-0 Tottenham Hotspur, Division One 1978

Liverpool Held By Stoke: Manchester United Win Is Obsolete

Karen Patel — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 06:25:38 -0400

Well, I commented on a fellow writer's article last week that if Liverpool did not gain maximum points against Stoke at Anfield then the victory against Manchester United will mean nothing.

I'm sticking to my guns.

Yes, our team had a goal disallowed and it dominated for the whole 90 minutes, but teams challenging for the Premiership have the ability to turn draws into wins. That is Liverpool's main downfall, and the problem seems to have reared its ugly head once again.

I thought Rafa's boys had finally kicked that bad habit after the early season victories against Middlesbrough and Sunderland, but no Red could find the net on Saturday and the fans can't help but be disappointed.

There were match winners all over the pitch—Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres, and Robbie Keane to name a few. Yet no one could score. Any confidence gained after the wins against Man U and Marseille is surely dented after such a lacklustre performance.

The only positive to take from Saturday is Pepe Reina's clean sheet, which isn't surprising with Stoke playing ten men behind the ball.

Don't get me wrong—I don't expect Liverpool to win every game, and sometimes luck just isn't on our team's side. I also appreciate that the great Liverpool teams of the past were not perfect and had their fair share of bad days.

The quality of the current teams in the Premiership, however, is immense, and I just hope that the two points dropped at Anfield on Saturday doesn't cost the squad later on in the campaign.

Next up is Crewe in the Carling Cup on Tuesday, and hopefully the team will score a few to get itself up and running again. Robbie Keane must play—it will be the perfect game in which to break his goalscoring drought.

Gerrard Wonder Goal Inspires Liverpool Win

Karen Patel — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 12:59:06 -0400

Steven Gerrard scored what must be a contender for goal of the season last night, as Liverpool struggled to a 2-1 victory against Marseille in France.

Despite masterminding a victory over Manchester United last Saturday, Rafa Benitez was not afraid to ring the changes for the first match of this season's Champions League.

Robbie Keane was the surprise omission from the starting line-up; he was replaced by Fernando Torres. Aurelio, Alonso, Riera, and Benayoun were replaced by Dossena, Lucas, Babel, and Gerrard in a 4-3-1-2 formation.

Marseille came flying out of the blocks from kick off, pressing Liverpool and utilising their pace to try and carve Benitez's side open. Bakari Kone looked particularly threatening with his mazy runs down the right hand side. Benoit Cheyrou and Modeste M'Bami effortlessly threaded balls through to Mamadou Niang, only for the striker to be thwarted by Liverpool's offside trap.

After settling into the game Liverpool started to string together some attacks of their own, with Steven Gerrard coming close with a low drive, Ryan Babel blasting over after an excellent turn in the box and Fernando Torres heading onto the roof of the net.

The Reds were looking most likely to score, but were hit with a sucker punch after 23 minutes when Marseille captain Lorik Cana beat the offside trap and latched onto Cheyrou's pass, before calmly tapping the ball underneath Pepe Reina. Reina should have cleared the ball, but he hesitated and edged back towards his goal, allowing Cana to score.

Marseille's lead lasted all of three minutes, however, when Torres picked up the ball in midfield and dribbled menacingly towards the goal. He squared the ball to Dirk Kuyt on the right, who laid the ball into the path of Gerrard. With his back almost to goal, the skipper struck magnificently from 20 yards out. Goalkeeper Steve Mandanda was rooted to his spot as the ball flew into the top left hand corner of the net.

The Stade Velodrome fell silent with disbelief.

The few thousand Liverpool fans in the ground were ecstatic; their Captain Fantastic was back.

Liverpool began to attack with more purpose, and Ryan Babel posed a constant threat. His skill in the box caused Ronald Zubar to bring him down, and the referee pointed to the spot without hesitation.

Gerrard scored the penalty, but the referee ordered for it to be re-taken after a few players strayed into the box before the ball was kicked. On the second attempt Gerrard still made no mistake, slotting the ball into the bottom corner to give the Reds the lead within eight minutes of falling behind.

The second half started much like the first, with Marseille on the front foot. However, despite their attacking menace, the quality of the final pass and shot left a lot to be desired.

Liverpool passed sloppily and the midfield were below par, especially after Gerrard was substituted. The introduction of Albert Riera gave them more attacking options though, and within minutes of being on the pitch his low cross found Ryan Babel, who looked certain to score but Mandanda saved well from close range.

There were a few scares near the end of the game, particularly when Niang headed narrowly wide in the dying seconds. Rafa's men held on however and despite it not being a breathtaking performance, they have got off to a winning start in the Champions League and are still unbeaten so far this season.

Lets not also forget that amazing goal by Gerrard; a sublime strike that will stick in the memories of Liverpool fans for years to come.

Ten Matches that Make Liverpool FC: Part Two

Karen Patel — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 03:38:35 -0400

Part two of my "Ten Matches that Make Liverpool FC" series features a memorable, 7-0 thrashing of Tottenham Hotspur in 1978.

Sept. 2, 1978, Division One

Liverpool 7, Tottenham Hotspur 0

Even the most optimistic of Liverpool fans would never have predicted such an annihilation in this early season clash.

Bob Paisley's men were European champions for the second year running, but they failed to secure the league title the season before. Bob emphasised how important it was to win the league, and he was determined to reclaim it from Brian Clough's Nottingham Forest.

Spurs were newly promoted and signalled their intentions for the new season with the captures of Osvaldo Ardiles and Ricardo Villa, fresh from the Argentine World Cup-winning squad.

Much was expected of the South Americans, and Spurs fans were confident that their new signings could help cause an upset at Anfield.

The away side started brightly, stringing crisp passes together in the Liverpool half in an attempt to trouble Ray Clemence. The only scare, however, was when striker John Duncan rounded the Liverpool keeper to square the ball across the box, but Clemence recovered and claimed the ball comfortably.

After that, the home side began to get into its stride, and Kenny Dalglish thrived on the space the Spurs defenders were giving him. He struck the first goal after excellently controlling Jimmy Case's low cross, and drilled the ball into the net.

The second came soon after, with Case and Dalglish involved again. Case's wayward shot toward goal was picked up by King Kenny, who tapped in from six yards.

Spurs were overwhelmed by Liverpool's movement and quality, and the third goal followed almost immediately. Terry McDermott's cross was headed across goal by Ray Kennedy, and the ball was haplessly turned in by Spurs defender John Lacy.

The second half started as the first half ended, with Liverpool in irresistible full flow. A sweeping move from defence into attack ended with David Johnson latching onto a loose ball in the box and drilling it low into the net. It was 4-0 and The Reds were not finished yet.

Johnson claimed his second goal of the game with a cool finish after being put through by the unstoppable Dalglish.

Goal No. 6 was a penalty scored by defender Phil Neal, after John Duncan brought down Steve Heighway in the box.

The best goal was saved for last, and is arguably one of the greatest goals ever scored at Anfield.

The home side were defending a Spurs corner, where David Johnson picked up a headed clearance midway into his own half. He swept a splendid ball cross-field with the outside of his right foot to find Steve Heighway, who ran into acres of space down the left-hand side.

Heighway planted a perfect looping cross into the box, so perfect that it seemed to be magnetically attracted to the head of Terry McDermott. McDermott finished the breathtaking move with a magnificent header that left Spurs goalkeeper Daines helpless and The Kop in raptures.

It was a fitting goal to cap a fine performance, and Liverpool went on to have their best-ever league season. They stormed to the Division One title, finishing with 68 points (two points per win) while conceding just 16 goals.

The Team vs. Tottenham Hotspur

Clemence, Neal, A. Kennedy, Thompson, Hughes (Johnson), R. Kennedy, Dalglish, McDermott, Souness, Case, Heighway.

Attendance: 50,705

Other articles in the series:

Part One: Liverpool 3-1 St Etienne, European Cup Quarter Final 1977

The UEFA Champions League is Back!

Karen Patel — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 00:43:34 -0400

Today heralds the return of the UEFA Champions League, and with a mouth-watering set of fixtures lined up for match day one it shouldn't disappoint.

Top of the bill is Marseille vs. Liverpool at the Stade Velodrome. Last season, the Reds needed a win here in order to progress to the second phase, and they delivered with a resounding 4-0 victory.

Marseille will be looking to avenge this, and continue their unbeaten start to the season. They will welcome back midfielder Mathieu Valbuena from injury, who scored against Liverpool early last season in a 1-0 victory at Anfield.

Rafa Benitez has Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres at his disposal again after both were out injured during the international break, however Javier Mascherano could be rested after picking up a knock against Manchester United.

Chelsea also face French opposition, at home to Bordeaux. Luis Felipe Scolari could have Michael Ballack back from injury, however Michael Essien is out for the long term and Dider Drogba is suspended.

Former Manchester United defender Laurent Blanc currently manages Bordeaux and admits that Chelsea are a better side on paper, but he believes his team can overturn last season's finalists.

Also in Group A, Romanian champions CFR Cluj have a baptism of fire for their first Champions League outing away at Roma.

However, the Italian side lost their league fixture last weekend, and are without midfielder Simone Perrotta and defender Juan. Francesco Totti is expected to play a part.

In Group B, Panithanikos host Jose Mourinho's Inter Milan and Werder Bremen are at home to Anorthosis, another team making their debut in the Champions League. They are the first Cypriot side to ever make an appearance in Europe's premier club competition and are managed by former Newcastle United player Temuri Ketsbaia.

The bald-headed Ketsbaia is probably best remembered for giving the advertising boards at St James's Park a good kicking after scoring in a vital league game ten years ago.

In Group C, Basel face Shakhtar Donetsk and Barcelona host Sporting Lisbon. Barca have had their worst league start to a season for 35 years, so Sporting will fancy their chances.

Finally in Liverpool's group, (Group D) PSV Eindhoven are at home to Athletco Madrid. Dutch side PSV have gained maximum points in their league campaign so far, and are hoping to continue their good form against the Spanish outfit.

Wednesday previews to follow tomorrow.

Ten Matches That Make Liverpool FC: Part One

Karen Patel — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 06:23:01 -0400

Liverpool FC is probably most famous for its illustrious history, unrivalled success, great players and great matches.

Over the next few weeks I will be looking at ten of the most memorable games in Liverpool FC history, starting with the 1977 European Cup Quarter Final second leg against St Etienne.

16th March 1977, European Cup Quarter Final Second Leg

Liverpool 3-1 St Etienne

This match was played a good ten years before I was born, but when I hear fellow supporters talk about their most memorable European games, St Etienne always crops up.

In 1977, Bob Paisley was masterminding another Liverpool revolution after the resignation of Bill Shankly, and many thought the quiet Paisley would not be able to take the club any further. Little did they know he would become Liverpool's most successful manager.

This game was a pivotal point in Paisley's managerial career, as it inspired his team to go on and win the European Cup for the first time.

The first leg was played at St Etienne, who were probably one of the best sides in Europe. They managed a 1-0 victory over The Reds, who lost John Toshack and Kevin Keegan through injury during the game.

And so to the second leg at Anfield, where Bob Paisley's men had the odds stacked against them. The noise from the Kop was deafening and the whole stadium erupted when Kevin Keegan struck after just two minutes to put the home side level on aggregate.

The hopes of the home supporters were dashed though when Barthenay of St Etienne smashed a superb shot past Ray Clemence into the top left-hand corner. The Frenchmen looked to be favourites once more.

After an hour's play Liverpool's influential midfielder Ray Kennedy scored to send Anfield into raptures again. The score was 2-2 on aggregate, and Paisley made what turned out to be a momentous decision when he brought on 'super-sub' David Fairclough.

Just six minutes from time, Fairclough latched onto a hopeful long ball. He ran 20 yards, displaying sheer determination, strength and skill to hold off the French defenders. As the Kop heaved with anticipation the fiery-haired Liverpudlian coolly dispatched the ball into the bottom corner of the net, handing victory to The Reds. The fans roared with joy, and Fairclough ran over to the manager to celebrate, knowing he had just written himself into Liverpool folklore.

In the semi final The Reds eased past FC Zurich, winning 6-1 on aggregate, before recording an emphatic 3-1 victory over Borussia Moenchengladbach in the final, to bring the European Cup to Anfield for the very first time.

Team vs St Etienne:

Clemence, Neal, Jones, Smith, Kennedy, Hughes, Keegan, Case, Heighway, Toshack (Fairclough), Callaghan.

Attendance: 55,043

Magnificent Liverpool FC Show Why They Should Never Be Written Off

Karen Patel — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 04:26:53 -0400

Liverpool finally ended their jinx today against Manchester United...and a victory over their bitter rivals has never been more deserved.

The Reds played the whole 90 minutes at full-throttle, hardly giving United a sniff of the ball and creating opportunities left, right, and centre in a 2-1 victory Saturday.

Written off by pundits and fans alike in light of the absence of the influential Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres, the home side were the underdogs from the off.

A rout seemed to be on the cards for United, too, when Carlos Tevez struck in the third minute.

Manager Rafa Benitez's men were having none of it, though, and clawed their way back into the game thanks to an own goal by Wes Brown.

From then on, Liverpool pressed and were the first to every loose ball. Wayne Rooney and Paul Scholes were anonymous as Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano bossed the midfield.

Debutant Albert Riera shone with his skill, determination, and willingness to hug the left flank, something supporters have been crying out for since last season. He received a standing ovation from the Kop when he was substituted midway through the second half.

Super sub Ryan Babel struck 13 minutes from time after great work from Dirk Kuyt, and Anfield erupted.

Every single Liverpool player on that pitch were worthy of wearing the red shirt, and it was plain to see that they wanted the win more than their opponents. Their courage is the epitome of Liverpool Football Club, and it proves why we fans have seen so many famous victories when the odds were stacked against our team.

All of the players deserve a pat on the back, but it is also important to carry such will to win into future league games. If they play more games like today, there is no reason why Steven Gerrard shouldn't be lifting that elusive Premership trophy at the end of the season.

Of course it is still early days, and there is no denying that United remain the top team in the Premiership; still, today's performance should send out a resounding message to all the doubters: Write Liverpool off at your own peril.

Blackburn Snap Up Robbie Fowler

Karen Patel — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 12:33:24 -0400

Former Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler has secured a short-term deal with Blackburn Rovers.

Manager Paul Ince gave the 33-year-old a trial this summer, and decided to offer him a "pay-as-you-play" deal after being impressed by his efforts.

The contract will last three months, and Robbie is expected to be included in the squad to face Arsenal on Saturday.

Fowler scored 120 goals during eight years at Liverpool, before moving on to Leeds, Manchester City, back to Anfield, and then Cardiff City.

Liverpool are the Underdogs Again—Just How We Like it!

Karen Patel — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 01:11:47 -0400

This Saturday's clash between Liverpool and Manchester United is the most eagerly anticipated game of the season so far; you only have to look at the amount of articles written on Bleacher Report to see how much excitement surrounds it.

I've just read an article by Paul Merson on the Sky Sports website, and as usual he doesn't have a very high opinion of the Reds. Two weeks ago he predicted that Rafa's side would come a cropper at Villa Park and end up losing.

He was wrong. We performed slightly better than in previous matches, and despite lacking a cutting edge, we got a point at one of the most difficult grounds in the Premier League against a good Villa sid—with none of our players one hundred percent.

Merson, esteemed ex-football professional that he is (I'm being sarcastic by the way) slated our performance, and predicts that the mighty Manchester United will teach us a lesson or two. Fair enough.

That's how we like it. When Liverpool are firm favourites, we underperform. When we are underdogs, we shine. You only have to look at our performances in both European and domestic cup competitions over the past seven years or so to realise that.

Such determination and tenacity is what is lacking from some of our league performances, however I think Rafa is doing everything he can to change this. The comments from the players and the manager this week prove that they are buoyed for Saturday's showdown.

Gerrard and Torres have been passed fit for this game, however it is doubtful whether either man will start. Even without them, we still have enough quality to grind out a win against the champions.

Keane, Kuyt, Babel, Benayoun, Mascherano, and Alonso are all capable of popping up with a goal. There is also new signing Albert Riera to look out for.

United have Berbatov, Rooney, Fletcher, Tevez, and maybe Scholes. John O'Shea likes to score against us—but thankfully he rarely starts.

This contest is more even than most people think. On Saturday I may be eating my words, but we deserve more respect in the build up to this clash than people are giving us.

Is Money Ruining Our Beautiful Game of Football?

Karen Patel — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 03:00:41 -0400

This is the question posed at the first ever English Premier League Open Mic and my answer is simple: yes. I have been a staunch football follower for about 11 years, and in that short space of time, the game has changed massively, due to money.

The influx of finance from foreign investors has made the Premier League change almost beyond recognition. In 1997, there were very few foreign managers (let alone investors) in the league and there was a frightening amount of bright English talent, with the likes of Michael Owen, Robbie Fowler, Rio Ferdinand and David Beckham coming through the ranks at various clubs and filling us with such promise for England’s future.

Owners and investors merely remained in the background, and the managers were left to do their job. Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger were the men to envy as they built magnificent teams full of home grown heroes, playing exciting football. Liverpool, Leeds United, Blackburn, and Aston Villa formed part of a large chasing pack, again full of excellent British players.

Chelsea, Everton, and Newcastle were also threatening for European places. In season 1997/98, almost all clubs had a British manager, with the exceptions of Arsene Wenger at Arsenal, Christian Gross at Spurs, and Gianluca Vialli at Chelsea and Atillio Lombardo at Crystal Palace.

Three players also shared the Golden Boot that season: Dion Dublin, Chris Sutton, and Michael Owen. All of them English. Three English players taking the Golden Boot? The chances of that happening ever again are slim. A decade later, we see the increasing amount of foreign players, foreign managers, and foreign investment that has changed the game completely…and not for the better.

Don’t get me wrong, the English Premier League is probably the best league in the world, full of top class players, goals, exciting football and big names. It is also full of corruption, greed, and dishonesty. Some players are more concerned with money than playing football, Man City’s Robinho being a prime example.

Diving and theatrics is another ugly development of the league, with the likes of Ronaldo and Didier Drogba the main offenders that put referees in compromising positions and infuriate fans. The power balance is also beginning to shift, with owners and investors threatening to monopolise the game and exercise control over team affairs.

This is precisely why Kevin Keegan and Alan Curbishley left their respective clubs last week – they lost their right to be a manager. Billionaire investors such as Roman Abramovich and Dr. Sulaiman aim to attract the best players in the world and dominate the game, not realising that they are jeopardising their youth systems and making the Premier League a one or two-horse race.

The most powerful teams in the league at the moment are the ‘Big Four’ – Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Manchester United. This is due to their huge fan bases, on field success, and financial power. The only way other teams can infiltrate the ‘Big Four’ is through foreign investment, as Man City has done with Dr. Sulaiman.

His big statements and promises of success have put the fans’ hopes up which turn heaps the pressure on manager Mark Hughes. However, what about clubs that can’t attract foreign investment? The gap between them and the big clubs will grow, and the league will become increasingly monopolised.

Since 1997 Leeds United rose to the dizzy heights of the Champions League quarter finals then plummeted to the depths of League One, thanks to money troubles. Leicester City and Wimbledon (who were both Premier League clubs in 1997) also went into administration, and countless others have followed suit due to their struggle with finances to keep themselves running.

The football stories that mainly make the headlines nowadays are to do with greedy players, undermined managers, and power-crazy owners. Football has become a mere side show for the dramatic off-field shenanigans at clubs, and it is all thanks to money.

I can’t see the state of the game getting any better, so all we can do as fans is support our team and watch the matches, because unless we have a few billions stashed away, we are powerless to do anything else.

Are UEFA's New "Home Player" Regulations Good or Bad For the Game?

Karen Patel — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 04:59:29 -0400

Liverpool defender Sami Hyypia expressed his disappointment yesterday at being left out of the club's 25-man squad for the upcoming Champions League group phase.

This is partly because of new UEFA regulations that require all teams participating in the Champions League to have at least eight homegrown players in their squads. This has forced manager Rafa Benitez to omit Hyypia to make way for academy hopefuls, Jay Spearing and Stephen Darby.

Hyypia said he was "shocked" by the decision, but understood that it was necessary and still hopes to play a part in the Reds' domestic matches.

This has forced me to weigh up the pros and cons of UEFA's new regulations.

On the one hand, it encourages clubs to give their young hopefuls more experience, and keep tabs on the number of home players in their squads. It is refreshing, because many top teams in the Premiership have very few English players nowadays, and Liverpool and Arsenal are probably the worst offenders for this.

Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher are the only English players to regularly make the starting line-up for us, and this disappoints me.

Despite that, some of the youngsters were given a chance during preseason and they will hopefully build on their experience in the Champions League.

Many clubs in Europe will not have a problem adhering to the new rules, because they have fewer foreign imports than in the Premier League. But it has already posed a problem for clubs such as Liverpool.

Sami Hyypia is a vital part of the team, and has performed magnificently in Europe in previous campaigns. We have Carragher, Skrtel, and Agger as well as Spearing and Darby to fill the centre back berth.

But what if it comes to our final group stage game, which we must win to qualify, and we have one or two defenders injured?

Darby or Spearing will have to be drafted in, of course, but it puts a huge amount of pressure on their shoulders. I doubt they will be able to do the job as well as Sami can on such a huge stage.

Some of you may disagree with me, but there is no doubting that the Finn has been one of the cornerstones of our success over the past eight or nine years.

Of course, I hope such a situation never arises, in fact I hope that by the final game of the group phase Spearing and Darby are drafted in, but only because we have already qualified and there is no pressure on the team.

Leaving Sami out could be a gamble, but on the other hand I respect UEFA's attempt to encourage the inclusion of home grown talent.

Rafa Benitez Gets Albert Riera...But Fans Still Not Happy?

Karen Patel — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 04:28:35 -0400

Yesterday Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez got the man he wanted...Espanyol winger Albert Riera.

So far this season pundits and fans have been only too eager to point out Liverpool's lack of width, and now Rafa has got a left-footed winger, so what do some "fans" do on the Reds' official message boards?

Slate the player before he even kicks a ball for us, and call for the manager's head.

Hmmm..."fans" indeed.

Riera may not be a household name, but what do you expect when Benitez has so little financial backing from the board to get the players he wants?

Plenty of household names have failed to make the grade at Anfield before...Nicky Barmby, Harry Kewell, Djibril Cisse and El-Hadji Diouf to name a few. Being a big name doesn't guarantee they will fit in with the team.

Remember Crespo for Chelsea? Veron for Manchester United?

In addition, many players that weren't setting the world on fire when they were signed went on to make themselves Anfield legends...Sami Hyypia and John Arne Riise for example.

It's all about the system of the team at the time, the current players, and the manager. Riera has not really played alongside the calibre of Fernando Torres, Steven Gerrard, Javier Mascherano and Robbie Keane, so he will learn from them.

Of course, there have been some signings that have not fitted in at all...Andriy Voronin for instance, who was sent out to Hertha Berlin on a season long loan yesterday. Jermaine Pennant, another well-known name with so much expectation...only to fall out of favour after some inconsistent performances.

Riera deserves a chance...that's what any new player deserves. It was nice to see some die hard Reds on the boards making up songs for the new man already! Some of them were very original, and hopefully we will be hearing them at Anfield on Saturday.

Only time will tell whether Riera will be the man to help reinforce a title challenge—so in the mean time, let's support him, let's support his team mates, and let's support the manager.

That's what fans are supposed to do anyway.

Manchester Madness on Deadline Day

Karen Patel — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 03:03:59 -0400

Like about 50 percent of Britain's population, I was glued to Sky Sports News all day and night yesterday, and witnessed probably the most enthralling transfer window ever, with news breaking every five minutes and twists and turns galore.

Manchester United's controversial acquisition of Dimitar Berbatov from Tottenham and Manchester City's sudden takeover and subsequent swoop for Chelsea target Robinho are the main headlines splashed across today's papers.

What kept everyone on the edge of their seats was City's surprise bid for Berba, and I couldn't tear my eyes away from the screen as reporters speculated as to the whereabouts of the Bulgarian star throughout the day. One minute he was in London, then at United's training ground, then having a medical...the whole saga was as enticing as any blockbuster action movie.

But what got to me the most—and forgive me if I am a tad biased (I am a Liverpool fan), but how on earth did Fergie get away with it?

A deal was agreed between Spurs and City at around 2 p.m., so what gave Fergie the right to sweep Berbatov away to United's Carrington training ground without any permission from Spurs? Relations between the two clubs have been strained all summer, so then why did Spurs suddenly agree to let their star striker go to United?

Surely this needs an investigation by the Premier League—no fee was agreed between United and Spurs until about five minutes before the deadline, no permission was given by Spurs for United to speak to their player. Then all of a sudden the London club are out of the equation and it's all about Ferguson, Berba and David Gill.

It wasn't done by the book as things look, and I've been hearing that United gave Spurs hush money to enable the transfer to go ahead. This should not be tolerated at all! If Rafa Benitez did the same, I would be asking questions too.

Second big story centred around the blue half of Manchester, and I must say fair dues to City for signing one of the most talented forwards in the business.

A summer-long target for Chelsea, Robinho will undoubtedly bring world class to the City of Manchester Stadium, and it is inevitable that when the January window opens, more players of his ilk will be shipped in by the new owners.

It will certainly make the Premier League more interesting...I doubt they will be able to break into the top four this term—but come 2009-2010 things may be a little different at the top of the table.