Bleacher Report - Articles by Kr.Abhimanyu VINAY RAJPUT

The Chronicles Of A Red: The Liam Harker Story

Kr.Abhimanyu VINAY RAJPUT — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 20:04:40 -0400

'After all, to the well-organized mind, death is but the next great adventure.'

~ Joanne Rowling

I remember the 22nd of April, 2008. It was just less than a week before my end-semesters began my first year at college.

But why do I remember that day?

I remember that day because I witnessed an unbelievable—and tragic—event occur.

Liverpool had drawn Chelsea again in the semifinal of Champions League, yet again. Watching was quite an issue, as you can't be expected to keep awake throughout the night/early morning and attempt to attend classes at 8 a.m. the next morning.

But with an Anfield tie in the offing, the temptation was too much to turn down.

All was well, and contentment with the firt-half display turned into absolute joy when (who else?) Kuyt slotted-in in before the interval.

A rather evenly contested second half that saw us defend in remarkable fashion left me calculating by what should we score at Stamford Bridge, where we hadn't opened our account under the early Rafa years.

However, while lightning never strikes twice, when it does—just once—it's quite electrifying.

A Kalou corner just moments before the end of the match left Riise in two minds.

He would inevitably head the ball into his own net.

And it was the Kop end.

I remember my first reactions in a large but stuffy common room, in front of a 42-inch LCD Samsung (the irony of seeing tragedy unfold in your opponent's sponsor's product) TV along with a group of seven or eight other partisan fans.

I was speechless, my hands scratching my then-almost bald head. My train of thoughts were disturbed by fellow Kopite and then-final year student Prateek Dhingra, who went into a huge swear cum criticism of Riise.

I still remember his words echoing against the backdrop of a booming TV sound, "Why didn't he kick the ball!?"

By the time the the game was restarted and the final whistle blown, I was already out of the room, heading to my hall of residence on a hot April night.

It was a total disaster, and reading the post-match interview of Rafa was really disappointing.

The boss' reasoning was right, too: Riise was a left-footed player, the ball was coming in from the right side, unfavorable to the left-back, Riise was trying to clear the ball.

Well, he almost did.

I didn't want it to end that way.

Probably more of not hearing about a disappointed Liam, who would have watched the match, no doubt.

I wanted my team, Liverpool, to win it for Liam, rather than just for a a "huge step towards a final-berth in Moscow" headline in the morning papers.

Liam's Story

Liam Harker was no different from any 17-year-old teenager from Darlington, supporting European powerhouse Liverpool FC.

With all being fine and well, Liam's life took a U-turn when he was diagnosed with stomach cancer in mid-February of 2008.

Liam was admitted to the Royal Victoria Infirmary Hospital in Newcastle, and was treated with an intensive course of radiotherapy.

By the 3rd of April, Liam was told he had beaten the cancer as the tumour had started to shrink.

But the worst possible twist occurred the following day when Liam became very ill and x-rays revealed the cancer had not only returned, but spread throughout his body.

His parents were told more radiotherapy would only help prolong his life by a matter of weeks. By the 11th of April, Liam was told he had just two weeks left to live and was allowed home to die.

Liverpool's official site, www.liverpoolfc.tv, ran a story concerning Liam's plight just before the home tie against the Blues.

Liam and his father were invited to Melwood for a complete tour and a meeting with the players and Rafa.

Liam's health condition was worsening by the day, and the doctors recommended against a trip to Melwood.

Liam's father , however, made the trip and was gifted a shirt signed by all Liverpool FC players, along with other memorabilia.

During the run-up to the tie at Anfield, RAWK—Red And White Kop—organized a banner for Liam to witness from home, that he wasn't alone in the battle.

Fortunately, a banner by the Kop which read :“Liam Harker, God give you strength, be with us in Moscow, The Kop. YNWA.” was captured by the television.

Jane Winrow, a close family friend to the Harker family, said: “When we saw the banner on TV and the commentator mentioned it I was in tears.

“Reuben, Liam’s dad, phoned me straight away. Hearing the joy in his voice was just priceless."

The flags were then sent to Liam and they adorned the walls of his room in time for the second leg of the semifinal at Stamford Bridge.

Life wasn't as giving, as Liverpool crashed out with a 3-2 defeat after extra time to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Liam saw his heroes defeated, in what would be his final days.

Liverpool never made a trip to Moscow—but even if they had, it would have been without Liam's support.

Liam passed away on a sunny day of 5th of May, 2008.

What I learned?...

What makes us a Kopite?

Is it just watching Liverpool always win?

Or is it criticizing Liverpool as an uber-crap team when results aren't favorable?

I really wonder time and again after the filth our fans talk about almost everywhere, bar some sane ones.

People, or rather Kopites, just can't learn the power of believing or trust.

It's really disturbing to think as to what Liam's reaction would have been after our crashing out in the 2007-08 campaign from the Champions League.

I did not feel that bad, because we had another year/s to challenge for the Champions League title.

I felt worse, because it was Liam's last chance to see us being the "Kings Of Europe."

There was no next year for Liam.

My support, no matter we lose 4-0 or 10-0, will remain the same.

Why should it change? I see the yo-yo moods of Kopites and pity that they haven't learnt from Istanbul or Wembley or from Liam.

Believing is all that matters, even till the end.

Call me a sack of shit or a deluded dreamer, but it still stands true—rather than focusing on negative's we should look at the positive's.

It makes a hell lot of difference in the atmosphere surrounding the club. Progress is made by being positive, not ranting and reveling in the negative.

I put myself in front of Liam's eyes, a Kopite whose support for the club was unflinching and pure of heart, considering his request to his father being to bury him in a Liverpool shirt.

It's a message to Kopites to stop the crap-talk, because you're not only bringing a bad-name to others but also destroying Liam's would-be Reds.

At least bring yourself in front of Liam's eyes and then complain whether Rafa is the right man for Liverpool or not.

Liam didn't have a chance to complain, and wouldn't have given the chance. Why, then, should we?

Who are we to question the man who has bought us a Continental title and an English Cup title?

I'll be patient, even if it takes two to three more years, because I've been given good health thanks to the Almighty.

While, everybody's changing (in terms of support), I don't feel the same and never will.

As ever, "In Liam and Rafa's Liverpool I Trust."

Sources: liverpoolfc.tv and The Northern Echo.

Picture: Liam Harker

Just Another Weekend For Liverpool: It's Fight, Not Flight

Kr.Abhimanyu VINAY RAJPUT — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 18:33:40 -0400

What is the difference between watching the events unfold as they occur, either in a stadium or on TV, than reading it in words from any media platform?

None?

No, it's the difference of not being to the Moon and still talking about your first— perceived—Moon walk.

Our last encounter, which re-instates our "Comeback Kings" status, at the Reebok Stadium against the Trotters, was missed by me on TV.

Well, partly to say the least.

I got to see us fall behind, and making a mental note of how many times should we concede from set pieces this season, only to see Glen Johnson putting scores level before the interval.

That's the last bit of action I watched, as a sick stomach diverted my attention to an important health issue, and the bad feeling residing that I missed my first Liverpool FC comeback in years.

(Liverpool's first comeback win under Rafa Benitez was against Fulham at Craven Cottage, in 2004-05 season.)

Bolton are a good enough side; add the tackling machismo, and the Trotters can prove to be a handful as Sean Davis realized after his second booking.

Yes, Sean. You get paid in cards for being overtly physical, because this is football not rugby.

So, with the Bolton "physical" tradition continued, you would definitely expect Liverpool to fully exploit the one-man advantage.

Really, not kidding here.

Ask Wigan Athletic or Manchester City (perhaps don't ask Arsenal) about having to go a man down while leading the score-board.

Still interesting to note here is, the headlines you get to read.

"Liverpool scrape past ten-man Bolton."

"Bolton undone by sending off"

"10-man Bolton put up a brave fight"

Making you consider, that after five years of assembling and being number one in Europe, is a joke and, well, you still aren't supposed to win against a team with a man down.

If you do, it's lucky.

Perhaps, Liverpool make their own luck count.

The "Johnson" Effect

Experiment: To buy a full-back from Portsmouth FC.

Theory: Liverpool FC need to buy an attacking full-back after the imminent departure of Alvaro Arbeloa to Real Madrid CF. One probable replacement happens to be Pompey's Glen Johnson. But due consideration has to be taken for a possible transfer with fee being in excess.

After all, the player is valuable to the latter club.

Procedure:

1) Liverpool to make a size-able bid for the 24-year-old right-back/wing-back.

2) Portsmouth to accept the bid along with other clubs interested in signing and hence bidding for the aforementioned player.

3) Negotiations are continued for a possible transfer.

4) Player agrees terms of contract.

5) Liverpool announce the signing, beating rivals towards securing the player's services.

Observation:

Serial Number	Name of the Player	Club From	Club To	Fee
1	Glen Johnson	Portsmouth	Liverpool	£18m

Precaution:

1) Player not worth his fee and can be a failure.

Inference: The signing was successful with possible doubts over the future outcome.

Special Note:

An anomalous success from the signing, contributing two goals in four appearances.

Both the goals resulted in the player's team winning.

Possible outcome can be termed as the Johnson effect.

Why?!

Possible question: Why the previously/above stated stupidity?

Liverpool undergo a transition each season.

Possibly due to new signings from the transfer window and hence a renewed gelling time for the team.

Or, other sides getting better than the Reds.

While, thanks to the highly generous owners in the form of Gillet and Hicks, Rafa Benitez can't make mega-buck signings every fortnight like City, but one thing stands true.

One of the signings per season, stands out. Hence a good addition per season, would result in a squad with good depth.

Last year, Keane signing was a failure, highlighted to every possible extent.

But add N'Gog (who hasn't dazzled us but still impressed with 3 strikes to his name) and Albert Riera, there seems to be parity restored.

Fast forward to this season, Glen Johnson and possibly, Aquilani, could be the two good signings.

And Glen is fast proving to be a good one.

Or, at least his two goals answer that.

Liverpool's right flank, the attacking full-back and the industrious winger, are a perfect combination, even though they aren't as flamboyant against the best combination's in the world.

Last year's, Alvaro and Kuyt combination found the back of the net 13 times combined (Kuyt contributed 12 goals to that tally of 13).

This year itself, Kuyt is behind (after four games) the new right back as Glen has struck twice, one more than the winger.

The combination has contributed in 3 goals in 4 games.

That ain't bad.

Isn't it, Des?

The Vital International Break

I used to dread a term last season—"The International Break."

Remember the time, when Liverpool were without Torres and Gerrard coupled with an equally disturbing, yet inevitable, home/away draws that cost us the title.

I, for once, am warming up to the idea.

Without any major headlines, like "Liverpool player being stretchered off the field," I think after a yo-yo start to the season, this break is vital to finding our 4-0 form.

Okay, not 4-0, but winning form.

At least, we have an experiment in the form of Burnley at Anfield on 12th of September, for putting in an inference to our title credentials.

So, it's the same time of the year minus the mid-season timing.

Can Liverpool hang on to put up a fight for the title?

Or is that another false dawn at Anfield?

I, for once, think it's shaping up to a fight.

Because you rarely see a Liverpool side resign to a defeat, resulting in flight.

A simple "L" (considering flight and fight are separated by a single letter, 'L") will define our season, come May.

I prefer the word fight without the "L" in between.

Are Liverpool "Stok"ing Fire into Their Dampened Title Race?

Kr.Abhimanyu VINAY RAJPUT — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 11:14:47 -0400

Football is like an unknown candy. You won't always like the flavor, but then you did buy it.

Football results are the same. Like an expensive candy being bought from the market store, you never know what you're in for.

The defeat at White Hart Lane was exaggerated to an extent, as if Liverpool were already out of the title race or are in May, pot less.

Lucas, despite his fine performance, was branded as non-Alonso-like, and Liverpool were deemed to lose or be doomed, the very least, without Alonso's services.

And this was after the first game.

I wonder what will happen midway through the season, as it unfolds.

Panic?!

The interesting thing to note is how a result psychologically plays with the fickle minds of the fans or et al.

And media plays along, as if it were the famed piped piper leading a hoard of the unenlightened beings to the inevitable and most sought-after truth.

With reports being rife about a certain rumor, well, the media will certainly make you sure that an impossible event is inevitable.

But, yes, we dance along to the media's tunes.

Concerning Liverpool's defeat to Spurs on opening day, there are two possible and sane reasons of why we couldn't continue our previous 4-0 scoreline form.

Firstly, a good amount of the core squad were given extended leave.

And secondly, Liverpool's centre-backs were having a harrowing time.

Not only in containing the Spurs attacking gang but also with the injuries sustained by the unfortunate collision during the match.

It was really sickening to see that happen.

However, seeing an 18-year-old Ayala coming on for a nail-crunching defender like Skrtel was shocking.

On the contrary, despite the defeat, the teenager produced a fine display, strengthening my belief in our club's ability to produce world-class players.

Ayala is not of Carra's mold already but in time, after his fine display at a hostile ground, was encouraging.

But most importantly Rafa believed in the youngster to put on a show.

With Spurs having displayed a classy first-half performance, I felt that it wasn't our day—and so it wasn't with the final scoreline being 1-2.

Johnson proved a point for us and, more importantly, for Rafa, who dished out a figure of which we all know, what he's capable of.

But last night's over-the-board performance really proves that Arbeloa to Johnson is a great transition.

Plus, add Johnson as an English to the Spanish Liverpool, it seems that Johnson and Liverpool are a match made in heaven.

This alone hints that Aquilani could be another good or great signing, after our Keane debacle.

While I may be called a fool for not noting Xabi's absence causing midfield creativity issues, Xabi is the past.

If we still, like the media, start comparing the Liverpool-plus-Xabi of last year and Liverpool-minus-Xabi of this year, well, it would be plain stupid.

Rather, Lucas Leiva's improved performances are surely to be noted.

Being a 22-year-old Brazilian and being booed by the faithful isn't much of a positive.

But you do get the stick for performing badly in the worst manner, considering the fast and impatient times of football.

I, however, question those who criticize and write him off; as such, where were these people when Lucas filled in for Xabi Alonso at Old Trafford?

We know the result.

Where were these "critics" when Lucas produced a fine display in the Champions League draw against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, when he inspired a mini-comeback with his deflected goal—contrary to this, many might argue that it was a deflected goal, but, if you don't try for a shot, then the ball isn't going to end in the back of the net on its own.

Lucas is primed, if he continues to play well, to be the "next" Liverpool midfielder.

I'm not tuning to a Samba dance, but I'm keeping faith for the first Brazilian to have scored for us.

"Stoke"d Apart?!

When your team blows its league opener in the most unkindly manner, it's quite frustrating to see that happen as a supporter.

But if the team makes a thumping deal out of it in the very next game, you do feel all the preseason optimism coming back.

Stoke is the only team, aside from Arsenal, to have held Liverpool twice in the league last season.

And here they were, down 1-0 already to a Torres opener in the fourth minute itself.

Another fantastic performance from Stevie G, and Johnson meant that three points from the fixture wasn't an issue.

But how many (goals) before the full-time mattered.

Ninety minutes and 4-0 up, with N'Gog and DK also joining the party, it seems we have added the much-needed fuel and fired up our dampened title charge.

Considering the response, it seems as if the Spurs defeat was a thing of the past.

Funny how a result changes everything.

But as a universal truth, wins make us proud and defeats make us learn.

We made a lot of mistakes last year, and the Stoke result surely means that we are clearly a much better (and having learned from miserable draws) side along with the progression made.

Surely, the Reds have "Stoke"d in a fire to rekindle the title hopes and possibilities of achieving it after 19 years of wait.

Note from the Author: David G's analysis of the Stoke City game.

Life: Nature's Greatest Gift and Why We Take It for Granted.

Kr.Abhimanyu VINAY RAJPUT — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 11:44:56 -0400

Life, I realized is not something you gain or lose everyday like money on a casino floor table.

Life is earned at birth and lost at death; the course which it takes is the way the owner deems it fit to follow.

The question of why we earn our existence is because the humans have rightfully earned their place on this planet by waging a long battle called Evolution, against the environment and other living creatures fighting for survival.

The answer of a life well earned is answered by our death, and of what we left behind.

Did we leave behind a legacy for other’s to follow?

Did we leave behind a trail of wrong doings that other’s make example of “How not to lead a life?!”?

Most of all did we take life or our very own existence for granted?

Probably no one else can answer the question of “How well are you leading your life?”

There are no instruments or detectors or even a scale to place you on a rank of how good you’re doing.

All of us have a lil’ voice to let us know “what we are doing?” and “how well we are doing?”

But some of us fail to hear the inner voices’ calling and take the most terrible path to learn the gruesome realities and rules of life.

We make ourselves as the objects of struggle and pain, which may or may not lead to good result.

So, should we all struggle and learn everything the hard way?

No, we have a mind that has evolved for years and revolutionized the way this world is heading.

We have tools of better understanding, communication and thinking, that have taken us this far.

And so, we can learn from the failings and successes of our fellow beings of what it means to have lived such lives.

Possibly most of us ignore the importance, unless we explore the limits of curiosity by asking.

The human child learns a lot by asking “Why?”, and that is what separates thinkers from the rest, when their curiosity turns into a habit.

If this still does not mean anything, then

Ask an athlete, the importance of a career when he/she fails to achieve the fitness required for a “Make or Break” career tournament.

Ask a decade old manager managing a club (for the past ten years), who has risked his health or well being and family to finish without a medal for the team, in his cabinet.

Ask an Olympic hopeful, the importance of four years of hard work and dedication but failing to make a cut for the finals, because of an untimely injury.

Ask a star club player, the importance of missing a season because he failed a simple drug test.

Ask a tennis player, the importance of weeks of grueling preparations because they took their lesser known opponents lightly on that fateful day.

Ask a debuting player, the importance of a day when he/she faces the real test and fails miserably to give his/her best on their day of days.

Ask a football striker, the importance of a moment when he/she misses the most important scoring opportunity that might have won the match for his/her’s team.

Ask a 100m Sprint World Record holder, the importance of a second because he/she wasn’t quick enough at the Olympics by a second.

Ask a F1 driver, the importance of a thousandth of a second when he fails to take the pole position in a season defining race.

If we get answers to such questions, probably we will be happy with what we can get out from our lives and not wait for what it can give us.

This is life, the greatest gift of nature that we take for granted.

Article dedicated to my best buddies Ravi Jaiswal and Bhushan Raut, who left for the heavenly adobe, a cruel end to such promising lives.

To the Reader : Please donot award a POTD to this piece.

B/R Unknowns: David Gore, A "Diamond In Rough"

Kr.Abhimanyu VINAY RAJPUT — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 03:39:25 -0400

I did not join B/R because of a facebook ad of Bleacher Report or on someone's recommendation.

I joined B/R because of this.

An article, that I felt, truly crediting an underrated player Dirk Kuyt and recognising his talent.

The writer was David Gore.

David Gore was born in 1983 in Wirral, Merseyside.

This meant he was born in one of Europe's biggest football cities Liverpool.

It wasn't long enough before David would have had to choose between the obvious two.

You are either a Red (Liverpool FC supporter) or a Blue (Everton FC supporter) on the Merseyside.

David became a Red.

And the Kopite embraced Bleacher Report with the same kind of warmth that is felt in his articles.

David Gore, in my opinion, made a great debut seven months ago with an article that put Liverpool city as a nation inside a nation (UK).

The lines really speak for themselves "it’s always looked out to the sea rather than in to the land".

Followed up with this was a brilliant piece that coincided with a personal tragedy of his and Liverpool FC's famous club anthem You Will Never Walk Alone.

This gave us a hint of what would be published from David.

The Friendliest Derby? , Kuyt of Patience With the Doubters, The New Revival of Liverpool FC, Gartside and the Great FA Own Goal , Xabi Alonso Is Owed an Apology, Liverpool and Valencia: The Rafael Benitez Parallel, Rafael Benitez: Freedom of the Press?, No One Likes Rafael Benitez, But We Don't Care ,The Dark Cloud Of Hillsborough.

Such brilliant pieces followed.

Research and judgement put in each of the above articles goes on to show the amount of effort David puts in his pieces.

These aren't just rumor mill or just poorly articulated articles stating the obvious facts but innovative ones that actually open a new window of football in the person who is reading them.

And any person can make out the faith that David has in Liverpool FC, Liverpool players and Rafael Benitez.

David truly symbolises what Liverpool FC stand for, today.

No matter what, I still love to pass by David's profile to and go over his brilliant pieces again and again.

David Gore's style of writing is an enchanting one that encapsulates you with the brilliant and honest approach.

Truly David is one of my God-fathers on B/R and who wouldn't love to stand for such a brilliant but humble writer.

Many people on B/R might not be acquainted with David but I'm glad that I know the David from Wirral.

It's a loss, if you haven't read this person's great pieces.

David on 20th of May published an article highlighting Roy Hodgson's work at Fulham FC, leading them from a relegation favorite side to a berth in Europe, naming him as Diamond in the Rough Footballing world mine.

David, is certainly a diamond in the Rough B/R world mine.

My top five David Gore Articles:

The Dark Cloud Of Hillsborough

Liverpool FC: The Song

Liverpool: The City and Its Club

Rafael Benitez: The Transfer Truth

Roy Hodgson: Diamond In The Rough

I Have Felt Like "God"! Have You?!

Kr.Abhimanyu VINAY RAJPUT — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 03:08:12 -0400

"There's a God in all of us".

Do you agree?

You would probably disagree with this especially if you're an atheist.

But I feel a God inside me.

There's this human and God part fluxed in me by some superficial combination of glue called flesh, blood, and bones.

How have I felt it?

When I achieve something impossible (standards that are not achievable by my efforts).

However the "God" part is most felt by me when I score a goal in any game of football.

Not an impossible task but quite an exhilarating experience, equivalent to the feeling of "God" like.

How does it happen?

I have some reasoning of my own.

The Human "Part"

We all are humans, there's no denying this fact.

A miracle of nature, a human body is the intricate and most magnificent combination of the soul and the body.

(Soul here refers to the little voice inside you, guiding you, questioning you and probing you all the time)

The human body is just like a machine that has to be worked upon (by exercising and practising), continuously cleansed (like bathing everyday), and needs to be supplied with energy everyday (by eating food).

But the human machine can be perfected.

The saying "Practice makes a man perfect" applies here to it.

The Human part (or machine) of me, takes to the field every time when I football.

In short the human body (or machine) plays football for me the way I want it to be played.

The body would help me in making runs, beat defenders and making an effort of shots on goal (all thanks to the legs).

But all the decision making is being instructed by the lil' voice.

The lil' voice inside me instructs the body to remember the practised runs, tricks to beat defenders and reviving those mindless shots on goals, and produce them again.

If all the efforts fall into place, the body remains a spectacle to a brilliant play and shot on goal.

For a moment the world stops and my eyes become witness to a sheer scintillating strike.

It takes a while before the display, witnessed by my eyes are converted to electrical impulses and zapped to my brain for interpreting "That's a goal, mate!".

Guess what happens next?

The God "Part"

The lil' voice (or soul) defines us.

Pure, untouchable and the most inexplicable form inside us, it expresses us and guides us.

It may take names for the human body that it represents but in its purest form, it remains the same since the existence of life.

Hence the lil' voice is actually the de facto conjunction with the God inside us.

The God part is revived by the lil' voice in me (after a moment of brilliance conjured by me), handing temporary control to express the true feeling called joy (as fellow humans express it).

It's such a misasmous and invulnerable feeling spreading through out my body (all thanks to an ever-reliant nervous system) like raging fire.

(This feeling is equivalent to the fact that you will jump off the roof with joy until you realize that you might hit the ground very hard)

The God part inside me wants to step out and express itself completely, but the lil' voice ends the complete control over there.

The message "I think that will do, mate" is the sign of God part vanishing until summoned again by my lil' voice.

The lil' voice however achieves in expressing a similar "God Joy" through body actions that fellow humans term it as "celebration".

My human "celebration" can be anything as to what my soul perceives from my God part.

In short, the feeling of God is expressed by my soul very fluently.

So I have felt like God, Have You?

Article dedicated to Josiah Herring.

Ten Scoring Moments That Shook the KOP This Season

Kr.Abhimanyu VINAY RAJPUT — Tue, 19 May 2009 18:44:47 -0400

Liverpool's title dreams are over for this season but all the while some of the players who wear the coveted Red jersey came up with absolute moments of brilliance. These players kept us in contention of a silverware, for this season, with their fantabulous strikes at Anfield. These strikes weren't any of those "Just another Ball over the line" but were moments which will go down the memory lane. Moments that all Kopites dream of. It's certainly a proud thing to have witnessed such moments.

Begin Slideshow

Liverpool Lines Run Deep: Kopites On Bleacher Report

Kr.Abhimanyu VINAY RAJPUT — Fri, 08 May 2009 07:02:26 -0400

"I would love to be there," exclaimed a fellow Liverpool fan standing close to me as Steven Gerrard slotted the penalty past Aston Villa reserve Keeper Guzan to make it 5-0 at Anfield on March 22.

I wouldn’t have agreed less with him as we live thousands of miles away from the team that we support day in and day out.

I remember my schemes of getting a glimpse of the holy ground, Anfield, as I learnt that Liverpool was just not across my nation (that being India) and the only possible means of transport to the city would not be by bus or car but by an airplane.

Anfield

My grandest scheme the ‘Trip to Anfield’ fund was then put into motion when I was 11 years old. Savings from any source of money, the biggest source being pocket money, were kept in a secret location by me for a grand collection.

But the Fund fell apart from loss of focus, thanks to the frantic spending on football accessories during my teens, and lack of sources of money. The Fund has been recently been revived by me to meet the impossible target of seeing Heaven(Anfield).

But I am not the only one with such experiences.

I wasn’t surprised to see a host Kopites passionately writing about the team they have stood by. B/R also has a host of writers who have been following and supporting the team through out the world from any part of the world.

So, I asked some of them three simple questions.

Q1) How did you get acquainted with Liverpool?

Answers to this question were quite amazingly varied as Kopites shared their bonding with one of the biggest clubs in Europe. B/R Scribe Myles Cameron, who resides in the United States, was an avid football player during his childhood.

His choice of supporting Liverpool FC was like being different from the crowd who were making the numbers for United. In the absence of a proper soccer league he, along with his friends, was always seen kicking the ball during lunch time and playing in the local leagues.

The want of emulating professional footballers led him to watch the English Premier League for guidance and example. But the choice of support of an EPL team was based on research and not accepting the herd mentality.

Myles chose Liverpool over Manchester United by examining history and reading about Legendary Managers Bill Shankly and Bob Paisley.

Bob Paisley

Bill Shankly

‘You Will Never Alone’ had such a ‘spine tingling’ and ‘heart pounding feeling’ that it was the final assurance to assure this Kopite, away from the holy land, to support the Red’s.

'You Will Never Walk Alone' Sung by Liverpool Fans.

On the contrary, B/R Analyst Jamie Ward had never any immediate football influence from his family when he was growing up. All the more his father hated football and his brother was a ‘Fair weather’ fan who would change teams every season before realizing the ultimate truth that he did not like football.

But that did not deter this Kopite from kicking the ball in the garden or against the garage wall and watching football on television whenever he was allowed. Most of his childhood hours were devoted towards learning of how to control the ball at a speed and teaching himself to return the ball with one touch.

Hard work of this sort would later make him fan of Steve MacManaman - as his usual position on the field was on the wings due to his pace and good ball control - and Kop Legend Bruce Grobbelaar as he loved playing in front of the goal.

His moment of support came in the form of a second hand items in a box.

He was only eight when his father came home with a box containing a 1975 Liverpool FC home kit, match day scarves, a commemorative mirror of Anfield and old Liverpool match day programmes.

That was enough to make him a red supporter. Jamie’s support began by watching the reds on television.

Although his first memories of Liverpool were the FA Cup Final defeat to Wimbledon and the 1989-89 league title loss to Arsenal and Michael Thomas.

Michael Thomas Scoring the most important goal for Arsenal.

Arsenal won the 1988-89 League Title at Anfield.

But changing teams was not an option for him despite seeing his team failing to win a trophy in his first year of support. His unflinching support paid off, in the form of being mesmerized by players like John Barnes, Ian Rush, Peter Beardsley, Ray Houghton and John Aldridge, who he secretly believed was Ian Rush's brother.

If that was not it, he loved the way Liverpool played under Kenny Dalglish and still remembering him jumping up and down near the touchline. Hillsborough unfortunately slipped away from his attention during those times as he knew nothing of Liverpool’s successful history and their rivalries with other clubs.

But as he actually started to understand and appreciate football and the way Liverpool played, it coincided with Liverpool’s decline. He still wonders to this date, if his support was a bad luck for the club.

But 22 years from the day of his introduction to the box of items, ask him which team he supports. His answer would have been the same, be it when he was eight or twenty nine years of age.

However B/R Scribe Johny Riley had a family divided between Liverpool and Everton FC supporters. So it was only a matter of time of choosing between the two.

His uncle got to him first, telling him how important it was to support Liverpool FC. It was quite an influence for any Kopite to have.

But the Kopite to have the most influence on choosing Liverpool FC as his team, is B/R Scribe Jay Blackburn. His love affair began when he was seven and was convinced by an Anfield Insider.

He spent most of his childhood in a local pub as his mother worked for long hours. And that was how he met the Anfield insider, who was well known to his mother as he was a regular visitor to the pub and lived quite near to Anfield.

He might have not been a supporter of any club, let alone Liverpool, but football was the mainstay of his times. This was reinforced with the fact that his uncle played for the Arsenal youth team and was good friends with George Best.

Although Liverpool were certainly a great team in those days, as he had seen them lift their first of five European Cups, but it was a phone call and later a personal confrontation from the Anfield insider that convinced him.

He recalls the day of the phone call as “running around an empty pub like a lunatic” as he was being chased by the landlord’s Labrador. His lunatic run was interrupted by his mother who placed the receiver of the phone to his ears.

The voice on the other side was the same squeaky voice of the Anfield insider. Such was the impact of the conversation that he “proceeded to run around screaming and hollering like a lunatic again” except the fact that the Lab wasn’t chasing him now.

A few days later the insider confronted him in person along with his friend, who also happened to be a certain Ireland international and Arsenal Player, as they came for lunch and pint in the pub.

It served as a pivotal moment for this Kopite to support Liverpool FC for life. And if you’re wondering who the insider might have been, then it was the then Liverpool FC Captain and English International Emlyn Hughes.

Emlyn Hughes lifting Liverpool's First European Triumph of 1965-66

Q2) How have you been supporting Liverpool since then?

Support has never been an issue for Kopites. If you’re wondering then just ask Myles who never fails to miss a Liverpool FC match, be it a UCL or EPL match, on TV.

The support doesn’t stop there reading, writing and visiting the Official site of Liverpool FC satiates this Kopites support hunger. But it’s the visit to Anfield that still hasn’t been fulfilled for Myles.

Although he has been to Europe on many occasions, and even had discussions with people about Liverpool FC in pubs and other places, he has never set foot on the Holy Land. He dreams of watching his beloved reds from the Kop with his wife and child.

All the while Jamie’s support for Liverpool was something he was proud of, even though others around him did not share the same view about his passion. However in his own way he was the most passionate supporter of the club, not for moment realizing that how big it would one day become.

But all was not well on the other end. Jamie was never allowed to buy new football shirts or any other form of memorabilia as he was told that the things that were bought were good enough for him.

But that did not deter the eight year old from getting a hold of an old Liverpool shirt from a boot sale and he wore it every year. Other than that he would just watch them at every opportunity he could have.

On TV thanks to SKY, as it came out, or listening to his club’s football play on the radio at his friend’s house. His real contributions, towards the club, started when he was in his late teens as he started to earn and pay for his own things.

Nowadays Jamie contributes much more in the form of memberships, football shirts from the club shop and subscription of LFC.TV. Being a through and through Red, Jamie would defend the club to the death against anyone who criticizes the club unjustly.

That’s one of the reasons Jamie’s articles carry positive message so as to promote a good image for people who may read them and wish to join the support of the club. But Jamie is also a Football Purist who won’t blindly support the team if they seem to cross over the line from right to wrong.

As he approaches his thirties he feels that his passion for the club increases on a daily basis. Although his twenty two years of support has been a roller coaster ride, with many lows rather than highs, he is quite excited about the resurgence of the club under manager Rafael Benitez.

His dream move to permanently settle near the banks of Mersey in Liverpool were halted by the birth of his son, but he still hopes of those days when he would regularly visit Anfield (or Stanley Park) for watching the team he has supported for twenty two years.

However the most important thing on his list is to get a tattoo of the Shankly gates across his shoulders and a liver bird on his chest, just close to his heart. But for Johny supporting the Reds has been “at times with one eye peaking out from between my hands”.

His early days, especially in school, were spent between a crowd of Manchester United fans as his family had moved to Lancashire after his birth. He still remembers the resistance he, along with fellow Kopites and a handful of Bolton fans, put up against the Manchester United crowd.

Even at the university the numbers of Kopites were outnumbered but nevertheless he, along with fellow reds, was always watching the team in the bar. Fast forward to the present and Johny gets irked by the media bias against Rafael Benitez and Liverpool as he observes that the major British media outlets are located solely in London and Manchester makes a fair press an “elusive mistress”.

One of the reasons why this Kopite joined Bleacher Report. Following Liverpool for so many years, superstition has not been an out of context for him.

He felt guilty for not watching the Champions League final of 2007 from the same location as he did in 2005.

Contrasting Emotions: Liverpool were the beaten finalist against AC Milan in 2007 in another European Cup Final.

But had Liverpool got themselves through to this year’s final in Rome, you definitely could have a good guess were Johny would have seated himself for it. Yes that’s right, 85 miles to the same bar as he did in 2005.

For Jay being a Kopite has been like “Contradictions and Opposites”. He has felt the highest of highs of our incredible successes and the lowest of lows of our heart breaking tragedies.

He feels that he is a part of a dying breed of Liverpool fans that were around the good times and bad. The transition has been of a replacement of Kopites of yester years being replaced by the new ones who haven’t seen Liverpool lift a League Title.

Jay feels that the fan of tomorrow has never experienced the total and complete domination of the team in the English league as it was during his times. It’s one of the reasons why Jay feels that Liverpool should win the trophy so that tomorrows fan would be able to see a Liverpool captain lift the trophy or see the team taking to the pitch with a guard of honor by the opposition on the last day of the season.

Q3) How would you describe the experience of being associated with Liverpool?

When you are supporting one of Europe’s biggest clubs it can be both triumphant and heartbreaking at times.

Myles certainly knows that.

Even if his childhood was spent in enduring taunts and ridicule from his friends (whenever Liverpool lost a match, especially against Manchester United), Myles never lost his cool. Listening constantly to remarks of how “Liverpool have never won and will never win the Premier League”, does not make him angry or even get frustrated.

Rather Myles gives his detractors a broad smile while simultaneously thinking of Liverpool’s 18 league titles, 5 European Cups and the ‘Miracle’ of Istanbul. As Myles grew older, such taunts became less of an issue.

All the while Myles has met many Kopites throughout Europe with some of his best friends in college being Liverpool FC supporters. But a defeat can ruin a perfect day for him, so does a victory which can make his week or a year in the case of Liverpool’s double, this year, over Chelsea and Manchester United.

Steven Gerrard makes it 2-1 from the spot at Old Trafford en route to a 4-1 against Manchester United.

Fernando Torres makes it 1-0 as he heads the ball past Petr Cech.

Liverpool won 2-0 against Chelsea FC at Anfield completing a famous double over Chelsea

In the end if as long as his ‘Mighty’ reds continue play, he knows that he will never walk alone. If Liverpool’s victory does make one Kopite very happy, then you can always guess that it’s Jamie.

Jamie’s support for Liverpool is a “24 hour thing”. Ask him were does Liverpool FC prioritize in his list of important things.

It’s Numero Uno.

Jamie’s girlfriend is still in awe at how much it affects him and his mood when Liverpool win, lose or draw. That’s not all, she pretends not to be with him in pubs when Jamie is jumping up and down, and screaming with joy in a crowd of complete strangers.

25th of May, 2005 always remains one of his best nights of his life.

Steven Gerrard Lifts Liverpool's Fifth European Trophy in Istanbul on 25th May,2005.

Liverpool FC staged one of the most sensational comebacks in a European Final, when they overturned a HT deficit of three goals against AC Milan.The tie was decided on Penalties which Liverpool won by a margin of 4-2.

He considers the night of Istanbul and the day when he became a father as “Life changing experiences”. Apart from his family, nothing has lasted 22 years in his life.

So the emotion’s he has experienced all along the way has tied him to Liverpool FC for life. He feels proud about being associated to the people who make Liverpool ‘Special’.

Support On A European Night at Anfield.

This picture was taken during Liverpool's European Title winning Campaign in 2005.

Also seen in the picture is the famous banner "MAKE US DREAM".

The clubs anthem "You Will Never Walk Alone" speaks volumes for him. However Jay’s association, who feels the emptiness and sadness surrounding the club, in regard to, Hillsborough and Heysel tragedies which he witnessed during his times.

Liverpool fans display 'Amicizia' (means 'Friendship' in Italian) towards the away section fans of Juventus.

Liverpool and Juventus were drawn against each other 20 years after the Heysel Tragedy in 1985.

The 20th Anniversary of the Hillsborough Tragedy

Jay is not the one to shy away from expressing his disgust at seeing the so called Liverpool fans making airplane impressions at Old Trafford. He feels that being a Liverpool fan is like “all the emotion that you can feel being wrapped up into a little ball and have the Liver bird stamped on it”.

For Jay, Liverpool will always be more than just a football club. Association with Liverpool has been bad for Johny’s blood pressure.

Having witnessed the greatest UEFA Cup Final (Liverpool FC 5-4 Deportivo Alaves), greatest European Cup Final (Liverpool FC (pen) 3-3 AC Milan) and the greatest FA Cup Final (Liverpool FC (pen) 3-3 West Ham United), Johny is hoping for the most incredible comeback in the English Premier League.

Liverpool's Robbie Fowler and Sami Hyppia lift the UEFA Cup Title.

It's a bird ! No, it's a plane ! No, mate that's a Steven Gerrard goal bound strike !

Steven Gerrard struck a sensational 30 yard screamer against West Ham in the final minutes of stoppage time of the 2006 FA Cup Final.

Liverpool would win the tie on Penalties

It’s often frustrating but sometimes inspiring for Johny. However he is glad that he is a Liverpool FC fan.

Even I wouldn’t agree less.

One of the Greatest 'You Will Never Walk Alone' sung by Liverpool fans after Liverpool defeated Chelsea FC en route to their first European Final under Rafael Benitez in 2005.

The Crazy Habit of Awarding POTD's

Kr.Abhimanyu VINAY RAJPUT — Tue, 05 May 2009 23:54:31 -0400

"What are you doing? Picking another writer's article isn't going to make you a good, or any sort of, writer," said one of my friends who was watching my activity on the computer screen. I couldn't respond.

That was four months back as I was hobbling toward the dream of writing my first article on Bleacher Report. But after 10 articles, 548 comments, and thousands of article reads (of other writers) later, I know my response.

Why do we click on the orange "Pick of the Day" button? Is it that we expect a favor to be returned by the same writer? Is it because the writer happens to be our favorite, so reading doesn’t matter at all but picking does? Or is it because we loved the piece as it stated an obvious fact about our team?

I think most of us would say "no" to the above questions. But then why do we do it?

There are a few reasons, although they are based on my personal experiences, that rule our habit.

It’s a well researched article

Some articles are based on facts and numbers, but that doesn’t mean the article is just all numbers and no words.

Due credit should be given to a writer who has strained his/her eyes for hours and has gone through a whole lot of data (either relevant or irrelevant). Dishing out facts is one thing, presenting them in a way that even a five-year-old can understand is another.

Examples: Jamie Ward’s Media Myths: Rafa Benitez and His Transfer History With Liverpool Football Club and T.A's The NFL's Top 10 First Overall Draft Picks

It’s the sort of an article that makes your day

Articles should be recognized that attempt humor and somehow make your day. Due credit should be given to a writer by acknowledging their creativity of linking things that go unnoticed by the public, and presenting them in the best possible humorous manner.

Examples: Sergey Zirkov's The Tale of Roddick Hood and The Men in Whites and Zahi Sahli’s Transfer Rumors & Realities: Extraordinary Transfer Buzz

It’s an article that opens a new dimension of writing in your brain

How many times has B/R come up with something that has changed your way of thinking about writing? I think it’s quite close to thousands of times if you are an avid reader.

There are some articles that you would love to read twice and find the true meaning of what the writer is trying to say. And then it would be "Hey! I can think like that." Due credit should be given to a writer for opening a new way of viewing the writing world.

Example: Saraswathi Siriginia’s Sea of Voices

It’s an article that touches you the most

There are some articles that bring out the best true feeling straight from the heart: personal experiences, either of joy or sadness, which instill in your heart mixed feelings.

Due credit should be given to a writer for sharing such an experience in any presentable writing.

Examples: Todd Civin's "You Came in 14th, Dad...How Great Is That?", David Gore’s The Dark Cloud Of Hillsborough, Pete McKeown’s To an Athlete Dying Young, and Paul Swaney’s The Story of a Smile at Wrigley Field

It’s an article that educates you on how to write on B/R

Articles that guide you on your way to become a better writer shouldn't go unnoticed.

Greatness is achieved by sharing it with others. One of the best ways is to share the secret of writing a good article. It surely rubs off on a host of others.

Due credit should be given to a writer for being selfless and encouraging others to improve the art of writing articles in a better way.

Example: Leroy Watson’s The Three E's of Bleacher Report: Educate, Engage, and Entertain

In the End

I remember one of my favorite English teachers' advice when I asked her what it would take to be William Shakespeare, "You see, you can’t be Shakespeare but what you can be is a Shakespeare in your own way. Even if you can’t achieve that, at least help others achieve the Shakespeare inside them."

Even if I can’t be a good writer I can at least help others become one by crediting their hard work and good writing by awarding a POTD. It’s the least I can do on Bleacher Report.

Call it crazy or just plain "nuts" but I just love distributing POTD’s. If my friend asked me the same question of how good a writer I will be if I credit other people’s work, I know my answer.

That’s the crazy habit of distributing POTD’s.

The Introduction of a Lazy, Hypocrite, 'Idiot' Writer: AVR

Kr.Abhimanyu VINAY RAJPUT — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 20:43:56 -0400

As our fourth semester is coming to an end , I thought of taking a no holds barred interview of a fellow student's friends.

Just to get an insight of what his friends thought about him.

Well, I did interview three of my batch mates or so called friends of a person.

And that person is Abhimanyu Vinay Rajput.

Well, to begin with,

Abhimanyu Vinay Rajput (as the Institute knows him to be )

AVR (as he himself portrays himself on the Internet)

Rajput (as his batch mates know him as)

Sabu the fouling fanatic monster (as his football mates know him as)

is currently in his fourth semester of a eight semester Bachelor of Technology course at National Institute Of Technology,Rourkela.

Well, it's an Engineering degree and he is on the path of becoming a Metallurgical and Materials Engineer.

So after interviewing his three so called friends I concluded that Abhimanyu Vinay Rajput or AVR or Rajput or Sabu the fouling fanatic monster is a lazy , hypocrite and an 'Idiot' of a writer.

Here are some excerpts of the interview that I have divided to categorize the person himself.

The LAZY PART

Interviewer (INT): Well what is the best quality that Rajput exhibits ?

First Person: He's quite lazy. I learned that trait from him.

Second Person: Yup, that's right , he can cement himself to the bed for hours. I followed him and got nearly flunked in some of the subjects.

INT: But if he's lazy how does he pursue other activities, say like playing football?

Third Person: What , does he do that?

I never heard of him playing football.

INT: But isn't he a part of group of footballers who actually play under the lights in the stadium every evening?

Second Person: Can't say? I have never seen him in shorts though.

Third Person: Or seen him wearing boots.

INT: OK. Let's say about the other activity like He writes for Bleacher Report?

First Person: What? He works for a bleaching company and writes reports on them.

Third Person: Ha! I knew he was somewhat associated with them, look how bright his clothes. I mean the ones he wears.

INT: No, no. Bleacher report is an on-line open source writing website were you write articles about the sport you follow !

Second person: Uh Huh! Well fact of the matter is he doesn't own a PC or a lap top.

INT: So how come he dishes out articles?

First Person: Well using laptops and PC's of his friends.

INT: Has he ever used yours?

Second Person: Never! He is too lazy for that!

INT: So how come he churns out articles and that also from his friends PC's if he is too lazy?

No response .

The HYPOCRITE PART

INT: Well moving on, it's heard that Rajput supports Liverpool FC and...

First Person: What's Liverpool FC ?

INT: Well it's a famous English Club having a fan base around the world.

Third Person: Oh! Yes, I have heard of them. They play for a person named David and are based in Manchester.

Second Person: No! You are quite wrong about the David part, they play for a person named Ferguson and are based in a Park.

I think it's named as Good soon Park. They are the current European Champions.

First Person: Yes, and they also have a player whose won a great award.

INT: Fernando Torres, is it?

First Person: No, it's Ronaldo.

Get your facts straight!

We are Liverpool fans we know that.

Second Person: That's the least we would know about a great club from United States.

INT: But Cristiano Ronaldo is the world player of the year , plays for Manchester United and Liverpool are based in England.

First, second, and third person shout in Unison 'NO!'

First Person: I am talking about Ronaldo the Brazilian who plays for Liverpool and he's won an award called Balloon door.

Second Person: And Americans speak English so it's definitely in United States.

INT: Well, Okay let's talk about Rajput support towards Liverpool?

First Person: Huh ! I have never seen him do that.

INT: But he does!

Third Person: He is too lazy remember , so he is quite lazy to support

INT: How do you know that?

Second Person: That's a fact! How can a man support a Club?

INT: By watching matches and rooting for them to win?

Second Person: Oh! Yes he could do that. I thought of physically supporting a club, well he's not a weightlifter you know.

INT: Well, he is known to stand throughout the match while watching Liverpool play?

Second Person: Because there are no sitting provisions in the Common room!

INT: But your common room has plenty of chairs?

First Person: Afraid that he might not break them and pay a fine!

First, second, and third person laugh in unison.

The IDIOT WRITER PART

INT: Well, let's get back to Bleacher report where Rajput is a scribe...

Third Person: What ?! He is a scribbler!

INT: No, no. It's just a writer ranking.

Second Person: Ah! He scribbles in Bleacher report!

INT: Well, let's forget that shall we?

First Person: How can he become a writer? He is such an idiot. I have heard he always has a book called dictionary or something called the saw us to help him out in words.

INT: But he is well known on B/R .

Third Person: Who won't be when he is scribbling everywhere!

INT: Ah, Well he is known to be an avid reader. Isn't He ?

Second Person: Yea, I heard it from someone that he saves links or something called as pieces which he likes into his FTP.

INT: Wow! Isn't that great that he saves other works.

First person: That means he is not a writer but a reader.

Third person: But what an idiot who saves other peoples work.

Second person: If I read that much I would have become a Bleaching Reporter myself. I also heard that he reads some 20 articles or so in an hour. So he is stealing stuff from other people.

INT: It's Bleacher Report!

Second Person: Yeah, Whatever!

INT: And all his works are quite different from others!

Second Person: No, I mean copy and paste from thousands of writers. And presto, you have a new article.

First Person: That means he is an idiot who is a writer!

INT: Well I think that would be enough. Thanks for sharing your views on him.

Second Person: Oh! Anytime.

First Person: Yes, A friend in need is an enemy indeed.

Third Person: Very well said!

So the conclusion I drew is Abhimanyu Vinay Rajput is a Lazy, Hypocrite, and an 'Idiot' writer.

Firstly, Abhimanyu Vinay Rajput would like to thank his friend for inspiring him to write an article considering the fact that End sems are just round the corner.

Secondly, He would like to state that this piece is a poor attempt towards humor.

Thirdly , He would like to state that this is not a complete biography of himself.

Fourthly , He would like thank B/R ,B/R writers Zahi Sahli , Sarah S , Shyam P , Marie O ,TJ , William Berry , Goutham , Pete , John Louie , T.A. , Ryan , The Destroyer , Todd , Mike , Long John , Daniel Barber , Nan Reddy , Dann Khan , Hao Meng , Sergey Zirkov and the Liverpool FC Community writers Jamie Ward , David Gore , Mike Menace , Barney , Myles , Danny Stewart , Ankit Munjal , Jay Blackburn , Johny Riley and others for opening a new window inside his brains about sports.

He would also like to apologise to B/R Writer Rohini Iyer for his insipid and caustic comments.

Lastly, he doesn't think that writing as a third person is nuts. Just ask Yoosof Farah.

The Co-Community Leader Campaign: The Results

Kr.Abhimanyu VINAY RAJPUT — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 16:13:17 -0400

The results are in and the votes have been counted for the election of co-community leader Of Liverpool FC community !

Members of Liverpool FC community were asked to vote for a new co-Community leader.

The following candidates were nominated and received votes from the members :

Candidate Votes

Michelle Alves 3
David Gore 2
Matt Binks 0
Jamie Ward 16
Abhimanyu (AVR) 9
Johnny Riley 1
Danny Stewart 1
Choon Yau Toon 0
Brian Hill 0

And the Winner is Jamie Ward!

That's all people and a big 'Red' congratulations to our new community Leader Jamie Ward.

Abhimanyu Vinay Rajput, on behalf of Jamie Ward and the Liverpool FC community, would like to thank the following people who voted in the election of the Co-Community leader

Abhimanyu Vinay Rajput would like to apologise to Steven Ho, as his vote was counted as void as it was casted after the closing hour.

He would also like to thank Jamie Ward for giving him the opportunity to publish the results and wishes him the best as his role of community leader of one of the biggest communities of B/R.

The original artwork in the main article picture was produced by the incredibly talented Kit Nelson. If you would like to see more of his Liverpool Football Club inspired work Click Here or go to his website by clicking here

An Interview with Paul Tomkins on the Liverpool We've Seen So Far

Kr.Abhimanyu VINAY RAJPUT — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 07:25:54 -0400

Paul Tomkins is an English football columnist and author who writes solely about Liverpool FC.

He has so far published seven books on the same, with his latest book ‘Compendium’ reaching the top bestseller lists on many Internet booksellers website most notably on Amazon.

The famous Reds writer also writes weekly columns on liverpoolfc.tv.

His well researched and well observed articles have made him an established writer amongst the Liverpool fans.

Following him ever since he started writing again for Liverpool FC , Paul Tomkins has been a constant source of inspiration and sometimes an eye opener on some myths or alike.

An Interview with the writer himself wouldn't have been a possibility( As I live Thousands of miles away from England ).

However , thanks to the Internet, the writer himself took time out of his busy schedule and provided his views on the questions that I asked him through E-mail correspondence.

I asked the following questions:

Abhimanyu Vinay Rajput (AVR): Liverpool have drawn a lot of matches this season (just like the previous season) but still are in contention for the Premier League title.

What is the difference in the team as compared to the one that finished fourth last season?

Paul Tomkins (PT): I think the team is one year older; as a fairly young side, that can mean 10% improvement just through time alone. They are more experienced and the team is more familiar with one another.

Riera has also added width to the left, although most of the other new signings have yet to work out.

Maybe this has inadvertently helped, in keeping more familiarity.

I think Liverpool got a good start and that built confidence and belief, although the inevitable dip hit harder than usual, as United were on an unbelievable run at the time that put Liverpool's slips into sharper focus.

I also think that although games have been drawn, a few more have been won and fewer lost, and in particular against the top teams.

AVR: There have been a number of additions to the coaching staff like Mauricio Pellegrino and Sammy Lee.

Do you think this has been one of the reasons why Liverpool are playing so well ?

PT: Possibly. It's hard to tell what impact these men have as we don't get to see their work, which mostly takes place at Melwood.

But I think both are the kind of men we want at the club: winners, with good attitudes.

It's important that a manager has the men in place to support his vision, both above him and below him.

AVR: There have been a number of matches when Liverpool have gone a goal or two down and won such games by scoring more goals. We all know about the miracle of Istanbul. But Liverpool have been showing the mentality of not accepting defeat from then on.

What could be the possible reason behind such comebacks?

PT: I think Benítez has bought a lot of strong characters, sometimes at the expense of more skillful alternatives who the fans might have wanted.

Dirk Kuyt might not have the talent of someone like Ricardo Quaresma, but Kuyt will keep going right to the very last minute, whereas Quaresma (and his ilk) seems more wrapped up in himself.

So it's probably no coincidence that Kuyt has scored so many of the late goals.

Players like Mascherano, Torres, Alonso and Skrtel never give up, while Gerrard and Carragher will always give 100%.

AVR: Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres are two world class players. But often Liverpool have been labeled as a side that cannot win matches without these two players.

How true are these notions?

PT: I think the Reds have won numerous games without these two this season. But it requires a bigger effort from the other players, and that can't be maintained over a longer period of time.

Eventually you miss your best players, and it's a miracle that Liverpool have been challenging for the title at all considering Torres has missed so many games, and those he has started have often seen him at only 60%.

Gerrard has also missed a few key games, and yet we've got by without him, such as away at Real Madrid; but the longer he's missing, the more it will be noticed.

These are the players you build your team around, so you need them to play 90 percent of the games, not 40 percent.

AVR: It's been quite an uneven playing field for Rafael Benitez. Wenger had 7 years with Arsenal , Ferguson more than two decades at Old Trafford and Chelsea on a spending spree when he arrived to manage Liverpool. Five years on ,

Do you think Rafael Benitez is rightly the best manager in Europe(or even England) as Marca , La Gazzetta Dello Sport and AS claim him to be ?

PT: I don't know, as it's hard to compare them all, given the different situations at different clubs.

I find it interesting that he's so respected on the continent when some Liverpool fans still have doubts.

I personally think he's a top-class manager, and as good as anyone else out there, but in his own unique way.

Ferguson has had more time and money, Wenger more time, and Chelsea have spent far more money.

Despite all this, Liverpool have progressed domestically and are deservedly ranked No. 1 in Europe based on a five-year period. Liverpool's squad costs only around 60 percent of those at United and Chelsea, so he's doing a great job.

AVR: Since Liverpool have drawn against weak teams but literally thumped teams like Real Madrid and Man United.

So are Liverpool big match performers?

PT: Paradoxically, I think it's actually easier in the big games. There's less expectation to rout the opposition, and more space to play in.

At Anfield, the atmosphere is ten times better when the crowd knows it must play its part.

When the Reds beat Sunderland 2-0 it was like a morgue, and at times the lack of noise has hindered the team. Contrast that to even the Villa game, when the crowd was buzzing, partly because it was a better opposition.

Similarly, a draw was no good to Villa, so they left space to attack, making for a better game.

The team clearly feels more pressure when they're expected to beat a lesser side, who often pack the defence; so Stoke might not be anywhere near as good as Villa, but at least Villa made a game of it.

I do think that in time, a player like Daniel Pacheco, when he's old enough, could be helpful for that little bit of magic in the final third.

But of course, had Torres played in more of those draws, it stands to reason that a few more would have been won, as he's someone who can beat any defence with his skill and pace, and someone who puts a lot of his chances away.

AVR: Rafael Benitez is known to have a very calm demeanor and remains emotionally detached from the game when it's being played. From the decisive goal against Olympiakos to Villa's 5-0 thumping, the reactions are same (or none at all).

Does that have any influence over the way Liverpool play in a perfect manner?

PT: I think his personality is an important factor. Manchester United, by contrast, may be more expressive as a football team, in the mould of Ferguson, but also hot-headed and petulant like him.

So you get the good and the bad parts of a manager's mindset.

AVR: There are some Liverpool players who actually don't get the deserved recognition.Dirk Kuyt and Xabi Alonso are such players.

Why do you think is it so ?

PT: Kuyt, obviously.

Although, Alonso has many admirers.

Arbeloa and Aurelio have gained recognition in recent months.

Kuyt can have some horrible games, but I fully understand why he plays every week.

Not only is he fit enough to do so, but he sets the tone and pace in terms of effort, whereas someone like Alonso sets the tone and pace with his passing.

When Kuyt chases a lost cause, he forces defenders to make mistakes; with Torres and Gerrard also working as hard, they pick up the pieces.

AVR: Even if Liverpool wins the title this year by some fortune, would they be able to defend it the coming year?

PT: I doubt it. Not initially, at least. A year after their first success, Valencia finished 5th. But then they came back stronger, and I'd expect Liverpool to do the same.

I think it'll be hard to come down from the high of winning the 19th title, whenever it comes, and other clubs will spend more money to win it back. But hey, let's win it first before worrying about defending it!

AVR: Jay Spearing is one of the youth players who impressed even in a subs role against a club like Real Madrid.

Do you think that Liverpool's youth system could produce another Owen, Gerrard or Carragher ?

PT: I think Spearing and Darby could be more like Carragher: not world-class players at a young age, but with the right attributes to improve as the years pass.

I don't see an Owen or Gerrard from the home-grown lads, but Pacheco, Nemeth and Dalla Valle all seem to have something very special.

Time will tell if they can develop as expected and handle the pressure.

AVR: Lastly, how do you feel about our chances this year for lifting the Premier League title in 19 years ?

PT: Well, it's immediately before the Fulham game as I answer these questions, so this weekend's results will have a big bearing. I still think United are favorites, given their one point advantage, game in hand and extra experience.

But the momentum looks to be with Liverpool right now, and that's how Arsenal won it in 1998.

I also think United will feel more pressure if it's Liverpool breathing down their necks; they know that losing the title to the Reds would be a massive blow.

Ferguson would hate it more than anything, and Rooney has already said as much.

Maybe they'll worry too much about it, although they should be too professional.

Abhimanyu Vinay Rajput would firstly like to thank Paul Tomkins for answering the questions amid his busy schedule.

Secondly, to Wikipedia for helping him out in the Introduction.

Thirdly, to Rafael Benitez, his staff and the Players of Liverpool FC for giving us hope on our latest title charge in 19 years.

Would You Stop Writing on Bleacher Report If You Did Not Get The Expected Reads?

Kr.Abhimanyu VINAY RAJPUT — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 02:06:53 -0400

I am not a great writer. No, wait, let me rephrase that, I am not a good writer. It’s a fact rather than a confession. What are the reasons for this? I don't think there are any, I just know that I am not.

I hate to write stuff on a continuous basis which generally is described as being lazy. I am however always on the prowl to read articles on B/R—even if I don’t really get a full understanding of what’s being published. So I generally don’t expect pick of the day's from readers of my articles or a host of praises in the comments that are posted on my pieces.

To be more precise, I don’t expect a great number of article reads on the work I publish here on Bleacher Report.

But I don't think I am the only writer on B/R in this situation. Bleacher Report has a host of writers who are churning out great stuff but unfortunately they don’t seem to get the read count their quality of work would suggest. Yes, it might be argued that after sometime they will get the proper recognition, but I don't think that always happens.

I have come across articles that are very well written but, despite being published days ago, they only have double digit reads.

At the same time, controversial articles—that are poorly written and state the obvious facts that are seen in every other article on the same subject—get a much greater comment and read count.

Would this not deflate the confidence of any writer and stop him wanting to write another piece? The mentality might be "I am not going to get a good number of reads, so why bother to write another one?"

I am not just talking about newbie contributors who are still trying to adapt to the Bleacher Report world, the same could be said of some established writers. B/R columnist Zahi Sahli was thinking of—or possibly already has—ending the "Rumor and Realities" Series.

What could be the reason for this? Most probably the same as before; not a great number of reads.

But the style of Zahi's writing coupled with great humour and the information he provides—which wouldn’t require you to go searching for it all over the Internet—was quite amazing in my opinion. In short, reading Zahi’s "R and R" series inspired other writers to go on and write good stuff of their own. It certainly did that to me.

But here we are talking about ending the series on the basis that their was not enough reads and comments.

The Question

So the question arises: If a columnist was ending a series on the basis of low read count; what about newbie writers who have just began writing on Bleacher Report? Well, I just don’t know the answer to that because in the end it depends on the writer’s belief in his writing. But I certainly know my answer.

I may stop writing but I definitely am not going to stop reading or commenting on other peoples great articles. As for the case of poorly written articles on Bleacher, it did end the enthusiasm of writing for some.

Liverpool Community leader Barney Corkhill commented on an article a while back and said that a writer had left Bleacher Report because she got replaced in the rankings by a blog writer who was continuously churning out irrelevant or very poor articles.

We have lost a writer who could have given us a host of different views from the articles that she would have written if she had not taken the decision to leave.

Conclusion

I don't think anybody can guarantee possible solutions to such problems because there are writers who are going to market their articles by spamming the bulletin boards of other writers and they are not going to stop doing that.

Ask Saraswathi Siriginia and you will know what I am talking about.

To counter this, I think articles that deserve some recognition should be passed on to fellow writers I think would appreciate them. Jamie Ward proposed this in his article on the very same subject.

Sometimes I feel like all my hard work has just been dumped into the nearest Rubbish bin. It’s a common phenomenon that occurs around me during my lab work as well but then we can always hope for the best.

Because this isn’t just any site, this is Bleacher Report.

The Rise of a 'Torrific' Liverpool!

Kr.Abhimanyu VINAY RAJPUT — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 20:25:46 -0400

Madrid-based journalist Sid Lowe reported the following from the Spanish Capital last season for the Guardian:

'Half time at the Santiago Bernabéu, Real Madrid versus Lazio, the final group game of this season's Champions League. 80,000 people reach for their tin foil sandwiches, giant batons of bread stuffed with ham, and glug from flasks of wine. High above them, at each end of the stadium, the giant screens flicker, with the highlights from the night's other games. A slim, athletic blond-haired striker in red dashes past two defenders and coolly slots the ball in the net.

The bloke next to me stirs. "Bloody hell!" he says, "was that Fernando Torres?!" Uh-huh. There is a pause. "I hope we don't get him in the next round", he adds. And, with that mixture of incredulity and fear, he had said it all.'

Unfortunately Liverpool drew Internazionale Milano F.C. in the round of 16 last season.

But the Italian champions were dispatched 3-0 on aggregate without any major hassle for the Liverpool defence.

And even if Inter did play both the legs with a man down after just half an hour of each of those ties , they hardly looked a side to give the five-time winners of Champions League a run for their "trophy".

Fast forward to a year from then and the Reds drew a side like Real Madrid that should have been played long ago when their prolific striker was firing on all cylinders.

THE SPANISH MEDIA SPEAKS !

No sooner when the Merseyside club drew the Madrid based giants, the pro-Real Spanish media started to tip Madrid (on the basis of Real's great league form) to make it through to the quarter finals.

How wrong would that prediction be ?

After the first leg at Madrid, when Liverpool scored a goal through a set piece, the same media would label Liverpool as a "cautious", defensive side playing in the most "negative" spirit of the game.

Although they failed to notice that Liverpool were without Steven Gerrard and a struggling Torres (who was substituted with half an hour of play left and Liverpool managed to score without him).

In short Liverpool's success was labelled as "Lucky" and "Undeserving".

The media ignored the fact that Madrid's best chance was when Robben's shot was tipped away by Reina and Xabi Alonso came close to scoring a sensational goal from nearly his own half that was well saved by one of the world's best stopper Iker Casillas.

After two weeks of uninterrupted criticism from the pro-Real media, during which the same media even took a potshot on European nights atmosphere at Anfield, the answers were finally delivered.

4-0. That's that.

And it could have been even more if Casillas had not made some world class saves.

So the Spanish media made not only one but many mistakes with two being the most notable ones.

Firstly , they criticized a team—that had pumped in 119 goals last season—for being too defensive.

Certainly, Rafael Benitez must have taken a note of that.

Yes, the Spanish game is of better quality when compared to it's English counterpart (which is more direct) but it's tempo has numerous breaks between its flow.

So the obvious solution (against a Spanish side) was to play at a tempo they couldn't cope up with. The result being six shots at goal in six minutes of the game.

Secondly, they forgot that Fernando Torres could feature against his former rivals.

Torres played, saw the Madrid goal, and scored.

His celebration (in front of the away stands) was a mark of what the pro-Real media had done to him during his stay at Atletico.

The pro-Real media used to scoff and gleefully berate one of Europe's finest talents. He was in short a comic figure and was always a butt of all jokes aimed at Atletico.

So in all 10 appearances the rojiblanco scored once against Real with former his team (Atletico Madrid) failing to beat their local rivals.

And here he was at Anfield having scored after just 16 minutes and liberating himself in front of the same fans who once mocked him back at home.

As one of my friends put it last night "Teams all over Europe will now be 'Torrified' ". Certainly the rise of Torres has also seen a rise in a "Torrific" Liverpool.

Scoreline Torres (and Liverpool) 1 pro-Real media (and Real Madrid) 0.

DAS IST ANFIELD !

Tony Barret of the Liverpool Echo noted in his column (which was titled 'THIS IS ANFIELD...TAKE THAT!') :

''This is Anfield – so what?” was the clarion call of Spanish newspaper and unofficial Real mouthpiece Marca on the morning of yesterday’s game.'

Sad to see Marca making a fool out of itself.

Anfield is Anfield. After even more than 100 years of it's existence the stadium still holds one finest European memories of all times for Liverpool.

The fans (and the Kop especially) make it even more memorable.

It seems they tend to forget that the mighty Blues (Chelsea FC) fell twice at the same stadium.

The great Juventus were also made to feel that they were still playing on earth.The same side that had conceded just two goals through out their campaign (before meeting Liverpool) conceded two goals in a single match.

The venue was none other than Anfield.

Maybe last night's performance was a stark reminder of what the Anfield cauldron can do to visiting teams.

Even Liverpoolfc.tv columnist Paul Tomkins noted (in his latest piece 'TOMKINS ON MADRID MAULING') that : 'Liverpool could have scored six goals in the first six minutes'.

No wonder the the plaque in the tunnel leading to the ground says 'This is Anfield'.

May be the Spanish media should have heard or read Bill Shankly's famous quote about the plaque 'This is Anfield:

"It's there to remind our lads who they're playing for, and to remind the opposition who they're playing against."

Just before the match I put emphasis on the Anfield factor by changing my Orkut profile headline (as I always do before great matches like the one before the Chelsea-Liverpool League clash my headline was 'The leaky bridge of Stamford Bridge' and we won, fortunately) to 'LO and BEHOLD. DAS IST ANFIELD !'('DAS IST ANFIELD' is 'THIS IS ANFIELD' in Deustche).

If that wasn't enough then a 'Torrific' Liverpool proved my emphatic Orkut Headline.

Great Philosophies : Power Shift From Capital

Kr.Abhimanyu VINAY RAJPUT — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 19:28:31 -0500

The sacking of Luiz Felipe Scolari indicates how precarious the situation has become at Stamford Bridge in the absence of trophies.

Three managers in the space of two years is a statistic no club is proud of. However the impatience of not winning trophies has clearly turned out to be a vital issue.

But the West London based club is not the only capital side to have sought for a change in management as non-capital based clubs are ruling the roost everywhere.

Or as it seems at least in the so called “Big Five” leagues of Europe.

Be it in England, Germany, Italy, France, or even Spain .

Capital sides are struggling everywhere. Real Madrid, Atletico, Hertha Berlin, PSG, Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham, or Roma. You name it and they are quite equally tactless of their footballing displays.

The ongoing season of these clubs in their respective leagues exposes their weaknesses against other non-capital clubs.

Larger in number non-capital clubs might be, but football is quite an even level playing field for all teams.

A closer look on the leagues of the “Big Five” gives a much clearer picture.

Premier League : REDS And DEVILS .

The English Premiership has five clubs from the capital this season. The lowest number in the Premier League but unusually a high number of representatives from a capital in any league around the world.

Arsenal and Tottenham in the North.

Chelsea and Fulham in the West.

And West Ham in the East.

But the rosy picture ends here.

For the first time no London club could feature in the top three thanks to the resurgence and rise of non capital sides.

While Chelsea and Arsenal look to consolidate lost ground for the title race, West Ham and Fulham are striving to achieve a decent mid table position. And the battle for survival continues for Tottenham as they try to avoid the drop from top flight football since their promotion to the 1^st division in 1978.

As Liverpool and Man United take their rivalry to the next level another non-capital side, Aston Villa, is in a marvelous position to claim the third spot. This would mean an automatic qualification for Villa to the Champions’ League group stage of 2009-10, their first since their 1982-83 European triumph.

Even in terms of trophies Man United and Liverpool have together amassed 10 trophies in total since 2004-05, which is better than the combined seven of all London clubs during the period.

However one event is quite interminable—with the exception of Arsenal FC—which has been the appointment of managers.

15 managerial changes have been effected by the London clubs—who are still in the Premiership—between the period of 2003 and to the current season with the sole exception of Arsenal.

A statistic London club sides wouldn’t be proud of.

LIGA BBVA : Barça “The Catalan goal scoring machine”

Consider the following numbers: 21, 16, and 12.

No these aren’t the La Liga, Copa del Rey, Supercopa de España, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, Inter-Cities Fairs Cup or European Super Cup titles that Barça have kept in their trophy cabinet at Camp Nou.

These numbers are the goals scored by Samuel Eto’o, Lionel Messi, and Thierry Henry in the Spanish League alone.

So Barça are undefeated in their last 23 matches, have scored 68 goals—just eight short of last season’s 76 in 38 matches—and have a 12 point lead over 2^nd placed Real Madrid.

This would bring any person in the world to the conclusion that other teams should start playing for other positions in the league table except No. 1. But then there are 15 more matches to be played.

Pity is the right word that is felt towards teams entering Camp Nou.

But the trend is similar to last year’s Madrid’s 31^st La Liga title. It seems as if out of the two—Barça and Real—are destined to plunder each other and the league every consecutive season.

Both sides have earned two titles each in the past four years and have been either winners or runners up for the past ten years (Real Madrid CF have won it four times , FC Barcelona have won it three times , Valencia CF have won it twice and Deportivo de La Coruña once).

The gap created by Barcelona, this season, is quite anomalous.

However Real are not only the capital side that’s struggling. Atlético Madrid have just won one trophy—the 1995-96 La Liga title—in their last thirteen years while Real have safely tucked away five trophies in their cabinet for the last five years.

Compare that to Barcelona’s five(2 La Liga titles, 2 Supercopa de España and UCL once), Sevilla’s five (2 Uefa Cup , 1 Copa del Ray , 1 Supercopa de España and 1 European Super Cup title) and Valencia’s four ( 1 La Liga , 1 Supercopa de España , 1 Uefa Cup and 1 European Super Cup title).

Another statistic that Madrid side clubs wouldn’t be proud of is the number of managerial changes they have effected in the past five years.Real Madrid have alone changed managers a record nine times in the last five seasons (Vicente Del Bosque to Carlos Queiroz in June 2003, Carlos Queiroz to José Antonio Camacho in May 2004 , José Antonio Camacho to Mariano García Remón in September 2004 , Mariano García Remón to Vanderlei Luxemburgo in December 2004 , Vanderlei Luxemburgo to Juan Ramón López Caro in December 2005 , Juan Ramón Juan Ramón López Caro to Fabio Capello in May 2006 ,Fabio Capello to Bernd Schuster in June 2007 and Bernd Schuster to Juande Ramos in 2008).

And the story doesn’t end there with Atletico also not far behind with five managerial changes.

It's quite an unending story for Madrid based clubs.

FUßBALL-BUNDESLIGA : The Hoffenheim Story Continues.

Yes, TSG 1899 Hoffenheim were playing in the fifth division when FC Bayern Munich were racing towards a record 16^th Bundesliga title during the season of 2000-01.

No, Hoffenheim have not featured in the Fußball-Bundesliga before since it's inception in 1963.

So, a team that hasn't played in the highest football league of the nation and featuring for the first time in it, would have been a relegation favorite.

But unfortunately former Hoffenheim alumnus Dietmar Hopp's—Founder of SAP—financial backing has reaped huge rewards for the Baden-Württemberg side.

They were the Autumn-Champion or "Herbstmeister" before the winter break for the current season and are currently leading the league table by a point over 2^nd placed Bayern Munich.

Although they are without their Bosnian sriker Vedad Ibišević—who has scored 18 goals (highest goal scorer till now , 2^nd placed Patrick Helmes has scored 15 goals) and had seven assists to his name—for the rest of the season, they are still winning matches.

Even if debutants like Hoffenheim are leading the table, capital side Hertha BSC Berlin are also not far behind. After years of mid table positions or near misses Hertha are just two points behind leaders Hoffenheim.

So there is a realistic chance for the founding club of the DFB (Deutscher Fußball Bund or German Football Association) of a top three finish.

Although going by their last five years positions—10^th , 10^th , 6^th , 4^th and 12^th—a decent position would be quite a good result.

And while Munich have been filling their cabinet ,of not only regional but, with European titles Hertha have little to show for—2 German league titles in 1930 and 1931, one Uefa Intertoto Cup in 2006 and three times DFB Ligapokal winners—even though they are the only capital side in the League.

Bayern's quest for another Bundesliga could get tougher as Hertha Berlin, VfB Stuttgart, Bayer Leverkusen, and SV Hamburg look to consolidate good finishes.

Although Leverkusen's 4-1 hammering of Hoffenheim at Rhein-Neckar Arena could have made the task of going to the top easier for Bayern but they still have to play a determined Hertha side at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin.

With 19 more match days left, The Hoffenheim story continues.

LEGA CALCIO SERIE A TIM : A "Milan" Affair.

Remember the year of 2006.

Serie A scandal, Italy World Cup winners and Juventus (the most famous and successful Serie A club with a record 27 Scudettos) for the first time since 1929 were not playing in the top flight division.

Everyone in Rome was happy especially fans, players and everyone associated with Associazione Sportiva Roma or simply AS Roma. The general feeling being that the following 2006-07 season was theirs for the taking.

But far north of Italy somewhere near the central region of Lombardy in a city named Milan some club association was having a different view of the following season.

And no it isn't Associazione Calcio Milan I'm talking about (who had to start the following season with a negative balance of -8).

F.C. Internazionale Milano were preparing a stellar idea to take full advantage of this priceless opportunity. The Nerazzuri would promptly seal one of the most comprehensive title winning displays in the history of Serie A.

30 wins, 7 draws, 1 loss and 80 goals scored meaning title won with five games to spare.

And since then the Nerazzuri haven't lost this habit. They have won two Scudetto's in a row and look to tighten their grip on a 3^rd in as many years.

With the arrival of Jose Mourinho the Black-Blues have accrued a seven and eight point lead over 2nd placed and 3^rd placed Juventus and AC Milan respectively.

While Roma have still to make up for the lost ground—after being placed outside the Champions League spot at 40 points—Juventus and Milan look to at least have a say in the title race.

But Roma have been consistent with the trophies arriving to their cabinet with 2 Coppa Italia and 1 Supercopa Italiana along with decent Champion's League runs in the past 2 seasons.

On the contrary the Milan city has witnessed 3 Scudetto's, 2 Coppa Italia and 3 Supercoppa Italiana titles from Inter and 1 Scudetto, 1 Coppa Italia, 1 Supercoppa Italiana, 2 Champion's League titles, 2 Uefa Super Cups, and 1 Club World Cup title from AC Milan in the past five years.

With non-capital sides like Genoa and Fiorentina surging towards a decent spot in the top five, Roma will have to overcome such colossal challengers.

Whatever the outcome of this week's Derby della Madonnina , the Scudetto could definately head to Milan.

Although who will be the happiest – either the Black-Blues or the Red-blacks – only the end of the season might decide.

Ligue 1 Orange : The "LYON" ic Tide

The following Equation is valid for Ligue 1 :

Ligue 1 - Olympique Lyonnais = no league champion between 2002 to 2008.

Yes, Les Gones have won the Ligue 1 title a record seven times in a row.

And whats even more surprising is that they have achieved this with four different managers: Jacques Santini in 2002 , Paul Le Guen from 2003 to 2005 , Gérard Houllier from 2006 to 2007 and Alain Perrin in 2008.

So a four point lead over 2nd placed FC Girondins de Bordeaux under a new manager is not surprising.

But after years of struggle capitol side Paris Saint-Germain or PSG look to be in a good position to have a shot at the title.

And the newly formed capitol outfit (PSG was re-founded in 1970 ) are managed by none other than former Lyon boss Paul Le Guen.

Other than that the two times Ligue 1 ( in 1986 and 1994 ) have won Coupe de France twice ( in 2004 and 2006 ) and Coupe de la Ligue once in the last five years.

Not bad for a capitol side.

With just 2 points separating 2^nd from 5^th position only time will decide the Ligue 1 Champions.

But for the moment it's a Lyonic tide.

Great Philosophies: Believing is All That Matters

Kr.Abhimanyu VINAY RAJPUT — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 15:57:22 -0500

Monday was a disappointment of a magnanimous nature.

Liverpool were five minutes away from their second Merseyside derby victory of the season over Everton when all of a sudden, the Blues equalize.

It reminds you how much a derby can be unpredictable, especially considering Everton were on a good run of games—with the undeniable fact of some good away form—and Liverpool being usurped at the top of the table.

It’s a thought that can hardly cheer up the sullen mood of even the most optimistic red.

But it’s not the end of the road because the Reds still have 16 more matches to play.

When the match ended, my disappointment over Liverpool’s failure turned my attention towards a long forgotten talk that me and my father had many years ago.

The Talk

It started as an inquisitive but naïve question on the subject of the missing fingers on my father’s right hand. He lost those fingers—and permanently disfigured the others—when he was inspecting a machine and someone unknowingly turned it on.

This not only happened before mine or my sister’s birth; but also before his marriage to my mother.

However, some 25 odd years on from the accident, my father has become one of the best experts in the garment industry.

In this talk, he rightly pointed out to me that “Believing is all that matters, no matter whatever the world thinks of you or the verdict it has decided on you.”

It’s a lesson I have always remembered during the most unfavorable times of my life.

“Champions League knockout stage, here we come “

Four minutes from being eliminated from the group stages to being “Kings of Europe” seven matches later, the title-winning Champions League campaign of 2004-05 had everything one could want from emotions to goals.

The Road to Istanbul was a topsy-turvy journey into an unknown oblivion. Every match had emotions hidden somewhere that would be cherished for many years to come.

Considerthe first few minutes of the friendship display to the travelling Bianconeris for the first leg of the quarterfinal, or the six minutes of added time against Chelsea during the second leg of the semi-final, or the six minutes of madness at Istanbul during the final.

But to be able to feel those emotions of such a high order, the team would have to earn it to play the matches. The success of the campaign has to be directed toward a single goal that set a benchmark for “believing” in the team.

Roll back to the last match of the group stages, Anfield on the eighth night of December in 2004, and further assurance won’t be required.

By the end of the 27th minute, any chance of getting past the group stages looked bleak, with the Greek opposition going into a one-goal lead through the Brazilian play-maker Rivaldo.

But fast forward to the seconds of the 86thminute, when Anfield exploded.

Steven Gerrard’s 20-yard rocket screamed into the bottom corner and sent out a clear message to other European oppositions: “We are coming.”

Captain “Fantastic” gave us a reason to believe. Since then, we haven't looked back.

The Song

One of the reasons that Liverpudlians feel so special is the atmosphere they create. But a song makes it even more special for each and every occasion.

Gerry and the Pacemakers wouldn’t have believed that their 1963 single "You'll Never Walk Alone" would be a spark for a red revolution. Every single moment, be it during grief or jubilation, the song has been a great companion.

Really, the song has been an inspiration for any Liverpudlian around the world.

Even the great Shanks would have been proud to have the name of the song being encrusted on the “Shankly” gates. No rock or pop song can lift anyone’s spirit’s like "YNWA" does.

If I have ever felt let down by the red’s form or even a result; a quick play of the song reassures my belief in the club.

In The End

We can talk for ages of what we know and how great we are. Lengthy speeches containing great support or great beliefs do the rounds everywhere.

But in the end, words can be considered not as affective as actions.

Wherever you are or whoever you are, tuning on your television to any sports channel that broadcasts your team's match or taking great pains just to get a seat in a stadium, is enough for any believer.

If the scoreline isn't always favorable to the Merseysiders, I still would want a glimpse of how my team is playing even during the most unfavorable conditions. At least I stuck to the team for the whole 90 minutes and believed for the best result possible.

It's time to stop talking and start believing because sometimes silence yields gold rather than silver.

Is Robbie Keane Going the Fernando Torres Way ?

Kr.Abhimanyu VINAY RAJPUT — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 20:59:28 -0500

Sunday's game against Arsenal was marred by the controversial card, but the game did produce two fantastic strikes by two totally different forwards. While Van Persie's goal was sensational, Keano's belter was nothing short of it either.

But it's not the comparison of Van Persie and Keane or their strikes, but of El Nino and Keano. Both are strikingly different individuals.

Keane, a boyhood Liverpool fan, joined the Reds at £20.5 million this season from Spurs, after netting 23 goals including 15 in the premier league. While El Nino would also be acquired around £20 million he would come with a great reputation after netting 15 goals for Atletico for them in the previous season.

But Torres' arrival was last year and Keano was still playing for Spurs. There's also the age difference, with Keano being born in 1980 while Torres was born in 1984.

So the blond 6'1" Madrid-born Spaniard has nothing in common with the 5'8" Dublin-born Irishman. And neither do they share the same scoring record for their first season in their respective careers at Liverpool, at least for the moment. Keano has had a slow start while Torres was already terrorizing defenses not only in the league but also Europe, as Porto and Marseille would be victimized by his exploits as a striker.

So apart from the fact that they both play in the forward position they have got not even an ounce of similarity.

Still, Keano's thrilling half volley against the Gunners bought back the memories of Torres' remarkable drive against Chelsea during his Anfield debut.

Goal from Torres!

Torres was known for his record scoring feats for Atletico and that was what he did during the 15th minute at his full Anfield debut.

Gerrard's 20-yard pass from almost near the half way line fell in the way of Torres splitting the Chelsea defense and leaving them to cover their flank on the left side.

Tal Ben Haim—the then Chelsea right back—backtracks to stop Torres but what surprises him is the Spaniard taking him head on. Most of the forwards tend to hold up the ball for further players to arrive in the box or defend the ball from losing possession by heading deeper towards the opposition goal.

Torres uses his first touch to keep possession while running towards the box but the second touch of his right foot completely stumps Ben Haim. Rather than holding up or shoot from a distance, Torres cuts towards the inside—rather than the outside—of Haim and into the box.

Haim can't keep up with Torres' pace and an equally confused Cech—with Essien and Terry pacing backwards towards goal—moves from his line to stop any goal scoring opportunity. Though Cech is in good position to stop any attempt on goal, it's Torres placement—for the far post—that gets the better of the Czech keeper.

The ball is hit with such good pace that it slides past Cech's outstretched left arm, leaving the far post to do the rest of the honors as a starstruck Terry and Essien return in time to see the ball cross the line.

A sensational goal—for quite a while from a Liverpool No. 9—leaves Anfield wild with joy.

Spectacular from Keane!

Keano—for the large part of the match he played—was booed constantly at the Emirates. That could have made him hit back at the fans.

Glimpses of Xavi Valero's (goalkeeping coach) constantly being on the mobile phone meant one thing: Benitez was passing on instructions from his home while watching the match on TV.

If one of Rafa's many instructions would have been to pass the ball forward and let Keano do the rest, then the dividends of such were duly paid in the 41st minute of the match.

A follow-up from a Clichy throw-in left Agger with the ball bouncing down in flight. The Dane would hit the ball so hard that the ball would land almost 60 yards away from the position of being hit.

Keano would follow up the ball by beating the Gunners' last two defenders—Gallas and Djourou—and the offside trap. Both the defenders fail to keep up with Keane's pace as he moved towards the Gunners' goal and a cautious but startled Almunia.

A determined Keane would pace up to the ball and on the second bounce he would incredibly balance his left foot and shoot a half volley—with all the power—with his right.

The ball would crash into the goal netting with great pace, leaving exasperated runs from Gallas and Djourou along with Almunia's hopeful dive meaningless. His celebration was quite indicative of the deafening voice of the traveling and the silence of the Arsenal faithful.

The technicality of beating the offside trap and hitting an already paced up ball at a particular landing is quite difficult. But the determination of silencing the opposition fans at a hostile venue can particularly make things possible, as in the case of the strike. No wonder the shot contained more power than the placement, reminiscent of the thought that not just anywhere but the goal.

Conclusion?

Yes, the drives are quite contrasting from one another other. While Torres' strike was all about placement of the ball, Keano made it up with his powerful right-footed shot at a hostile venue.

But one of these moments would have already marked a fantastic season for one of them. That, as we all know, is Torres.

So could it be the beginning of another spurt of goals from another player? It could be.

The confidence it brings in the players while scoring against good or better—in the case of Arsenal—results in a change of ideology and pattern of thinking. That is all that is required in modern football—a moment of complete brilliance from a player. The rest follows up.

As the new Keano song says:

“He wears the sacred No. 7

And with his pace the teams will be scared

He'll do a cartwheel and run towards the Kop

As he kisses the liverbird"

Let's wish the boyhood Reds supporter does the No. 7 jersey—once worn by Keegan and Dalglish—and the club proud.

But for the moment we hope to see more cartwheel celebrations and runs towards the Kop from the Irishman.

Rafael Benitez: The Manager We Know?

Kr.Abhimanyu VINAY RAJPUT — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 18:07:36 -0500

I am not Irish. No I don't live near any part of Great Britain. And I definitely don't subscribe the newspaper The Irish Times or daily visit their site for my daily news fodder. But after the passing second millennium the Internet has become a tool for producing rather 'out of the blue' results.

And so on 15th of December my search of Rafa Benitez gave me a result of Andy Hunter's “Benitez baffles the faithful” from the Irish Times. One read would be enough to ravage any of Liverpool's spirit to challenge for the title. The description of our latest comeback and Rafa's decisions against Premiership new boys Hull was quite deploring.

Let alone the fact that Liverpool pulled two points clear of Chelsea and avoided their first league home defeat since Man Utd's triumph 1-0 at Anfield on 16th of December 2007.

Overall the piece described Rafa as an arrogant and an erroneous manager whose tactics are not only peculiar but are quite flawed. And if that was not enough Hunter goes on to say that these flawed tactics do work as they did at Istanbul. But how much does Mr.Hunter know about Benitez? Or how much research and observation did he do before slapping Rafa with the Flawed Tactician Tag and an Arrogant personality insult?

“Master” Tactician?

David Prentice, Liverpool Echo's Columnist, noted in his column—after our success against Man Utd—that Ryan Babel's winner against Manchester United was the 50th occasion Rafa had brought on a player who had scored.

A tactician's part is not only sending out the right team but also bring in effective changes as the momentum of the match sometimes strays away from our plans. But only the right assessment of the flow of the game would result in a effective change. The manager would have to pick out the right player whose abilities would have positive influence for his team like Babel did on match day three.

So is Benitez flawed in the tactics department ? Certainly not. We all remember 25th may 2005 for being the greatest comeback against Europe's best. But we certainly forget the fact that it was the half time substitution of Dietmar Hamann, who did not take a penalty in the shootout let alone score in the match, that stopped Milan's domination of midfield.

Such was Hamann's influence on the game that the vital supply link between the midfield and the forward was disrupted within the few minutes of his introduction.

We all know what proceeded later which was christened as the "Six minutes of madness." And so our fifth European Success—with the final being regarded as the greatest game the competition had witnessed—Mr.Hunter, so methodically, in a highly frivolous manner labeled the success as an accident.

If his tactical brilliance is flawed then Messi's beleaguered look after the final whistle ,at Camp Nou on 21st of Feb 2006, was enough to prove how wrong Mr.Hunter is. Liverpool would comeback from behind to defeat the then title holders Barcelona at Camp Nou.

But the brilliance was of playing ,the then recent signing, right back Alvaro Arbeloa in a left back position. The reason being quite simple. Messi had the tendency to cut his runs towards the center of the field and Alvaro's stronger right foot could stop it.

Arbeloa kept Messi quiet during both legs of the round of 16. Liverpool would knock Barca out of the competition en route to another Champions League final in three years of Benitez charge.

Arrogance?

Labeling Benitez with Arrogant tag would even make Mourinho blush. Mourinho's ,of not shaking hands with the Liverpool boss after the teams match, was one of the hotly covered controversy. Successful he might have been but in the end Mourinho could not cope up with his over confident and pompous attitude towards his team being the best and his team being world class.

Chelsea were and are still a world class team but sometimes even great teams fail to produce results. And that was the Inter boss's downfall at his former club.

Compare the the post match interviews of Rafa with other league managers and you get to know by his tone and speech that the manager still knows his feet are still supported by the earth. The manager never points out a single star performer of the match—even if the player single handedly put his team out on top—but credits the whole team.

RAFALUTION

Rafa's philosophy revolves around loyalty, discipline, hard work, and sincerity towards football. No wonder the team has been able to turn around matches from losing positions about seven times this season alone.

Yes it might be argued that the wrong team was sent out but changes are as crucial when desperate measures are required to get points out of matches.

But this also involves the collective character of the team to bring about the change. As Rafa himself stated some seasons back that they were not looking for stars but players who had the winning mentality with the right approach to the game. All Individuals at Liverpool whether the back room staff or the players share the common ideology “Winning.”

Thats the kind of players and staff that are being transferred in to Liverpool since his arrival. Since then it's been revolution with the club moving in the right direction and after 4 years of toiling the first spells of success are being envisioned.

TRADEMARK: RAFA

Ever seen Rafa jump around or exult or even showing the slightest emotion when Liverpool score. No punches or no running on the pitch has ever been witnessed by any fan or captured by any live video archive.

When Liverpool scored the second goal through Garcia against Juve everyone associated with Liverpool—including me—were relishing the moment. But Rafa was at his feet—not because of the goal—but instructing players to get back to their positions before the restart. I still remember Martin Tyler's exclamation that Rafa Benitez is the only person associated with Liverpool FC who is not wearing a smile on his face.

Rafa has the ability, that most managers don't possess, to keep himself level headed even during the most electrically charged atmosphere.

The first Champions League Semi Final against Chelsea at Anfield was quite a test for the players , the fans and staff but after the fourth minute strike Anfield exploded but a glance of Benitez would have suggested as if everything was normal during that time.

If that wasn't it then the game against Olympikos was another insight into Benitez's calm demeanor. Gerrard's pile driver sent Anfield wild with celebration. The emotion was so infectious that Benitez was even hugged by a steward and a pat on the back was the compliment.

Being calm and level headed gives you an edge as a clear mind can make a better assessment of the game and get the better judgment out of a person. And Benitez has mastered this art certainly no wonder Benitez has never had any touch line bans or has displayed a celebration antic in his charge of Liverpool.

Epilogue

Manager's know the best for their teams not critics. Rafa's decision of not playing Keano has to be respected because he knew what the situation demanded against Hull.

Positive criticism is always accepted. But criticism for the sake of it—like one of many by Mr.Hunter—is not at all wanted. Mr.Hunter gets paid for the reporting not for managing so people expect that his pieces get the credit of every dime of what he earns.

Let's hope in the near future we don't have to deal to this sort of balderdash and hope people like Andy Hunter receive our voices of dissent.

So Mr. Hunter are you listening?

Liverpool Top of the League Table and Why I Am Proud of Them

Kr.Abhimanyu VINAY RAJPUT — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 23:57:35 -0500

I received a text message from a fellow "manc" friend just after we drew with the Hammers on Monday, it read: "You have just lost it mate."

Surely he must have been savouring the goalless draw at Anfield against a defensive West Ham, despite the fact that Liverpool went top of the league with a six and eight point gap over Manchester United and Arsenal respectively.

Despair

Disappointment would have been an understatement as we failed to grab three points from a team that has been at the wrong end of the table for most of the season. This was reinforced by the fact that West Ham got hammered 4-0 by Liverpool last season, despite the Hammers being in a better position than they are right now.

Nevertheless, we drew the game and now the same fans who rallied around the team against Man United, Wigan, Middlesbrough, and Man City are questioning the same team on their winning ability.

Booing was not the kind of response I had hoped for after the game, especially for a team that was still at the top of the table. If the performance against the Hammers was thought of as poor, then Man United's opening day draw against the Magpies or the Gunner's loss to Hull and Man City should be considered near dreadful.

A Better Position

The fact that a draw meant Liverpool stayed at the top of the league just goes to show the hard work the team has put in to be in that situation in the first place. If you witnessed the work rate of the players on the pitch, you could see they really were committed to grabbing the three points.

It's not just Kuyt, Gerrard, or Riera that do all the hard work, what some fail to see is the constant motion of Keane on the pitch. He definitely would have hoped for more goals at this stage of the season—as we all would have—but then it did take Crouchie 19 games to break his duck.

If Robbie's high work rate is taken in to account as a positive, then Berbatov is nowhere near him in that comparison. It reminds me of a comment from a commentator during one of Man United's games in which they were failing to dominate: "Same old Berbatov, hands on his hips when he can't get anything right."

From a personal point of view, I really love watching Robbie Keane play for Liverpool. Any boyhood fan getting to don his favourite club shirt and scoring goals would be a dream come true for anyone.

Where Robbie lacks in goal contributions, he makes up for it with his movement and positioning. But for me, Robbie will play a major role in the second half of the season.

Three Months Back

If someone had said to me at the start of the season that Liverpool would be top of the Premier League after 15 games and through to the knockout stage of the Champions League from a group containing Marseille, Atletico, and PSV, I would have said: "Yeah, and I'm going to star in the next James Bond film."

It's the belief from the players that gave us two great cup final victories in Istanbul and Wembley. But, in a campaign of 38 games, we need to have that same belief right through until the end of the season.

When Liverpool won the European Cup in 1984, I wasn't even born. When we last won the top flight title, I was only one. During the year of the historic treble, I was 13, but I had glimpses of the brilliance Liverpool are capable of.

I have memories that I will always enjoy re-living over and again because, in a way, along with other fellow Liverpudlians, I actually witnessed them unfold. Be it Olympiakos, Ataturk or Wembley, I will be forever proud to recall them and say out loud that ''I am a true Red.''

Liverpool on top of the Premier League—even though it might be short stay—happens to be one of those memories.