Preview: Birmingham vs Liverpool.
Liverpool travel to St Andrews for their next Premier League outing, hoping to take more than the point that Steven Gerrard’s strike earned them the last time out.
Birmingham refused to succumb to any of the teams in the big four at St Andrew’s last season and that is a record manager Alex McLeish would love to extend as he prepares to sign a new contract. Birmingham should count their blessings and perhaps note that McLeish is defending a 16-game unbeaten Premier League record at home, not the easiest of feats to enjoy in England.
Team News:
Birmingham: New signing Alexander Hleb will have to wait for his debut as he picked up a minor injury on international duty. James McFadden also limped off during Scotland’s last gasp win over the Liechtenstein but should be fit. Nikola Zigic may return to the starting lineup after scoring in both games for Serbia.
Liverpool: Fabio Aurelio and Dirk Kuyt are definitely out meaning that one time blues target Paul Konchesky should make his debut. Joe Cole will serve the last game of his ban on Sunday. This would leave a selection dileema for Roy Hodgson on the right flank. Although Maxi should start, Dani Pacheco and Ryan Babel are outside bets. Paul Konchesky should start at left back while, new-boy Raul Meireles could start in central midfield.
Tactics:
Birmingham: Birmingham’s approach last season was straightforward and largely predictable, but that did not mean teams could counteract their tactics easily. This season things will be different because of the added quality McLeish has at his disposal. That could certainly be a case in point here. Chile international Jean Beausejour has been the subject of some glowing reports from McLeish and the temptation to throw the £4 million signing in at the deep end is strong, although his visa clearence may be a problem yet to be adressed.
Liverpool: Babel, David Ngog, Milan Jovanovic and Fernando Torres are all going to have to be at their best to break down Birmingham’s defence. It was their backline strength last season – particularly at home – that helped City have such a good season and there is no reason why they cannot repeat that this year so Liverpool need to make the most of the few opportunities they are likely to get. Steven Gerrard and Raul Meireles would also need to add some much needed dynamism to the midfield.
Match Pointers:
The last six Premier League matches between these sides have been drawn – if this finishes level it will equal the record for consecutive draws between two teams.
Birmingham’s last nine top-flight home wins have been by a single-goal margin.
Liverpool have won once in their last 10 away games and have managed eight goals in their last 13 (including four against Burnley).
Verdict: Although St. Andrews isn’t the easiest place to score, I would still expect a 2-1 victory for the Reds. YNWA.
Liverpool move for Raul Meireles.
The Guardian reports that Liverpool have moved swiftly to replace the outgoing Javier Mascherano by the F.C. Porto star Raul Meireles. The Portugal international midfielder, 27, is expected to sign for the Anfield club this weekend as Roy Hodgson seeks to compensate for the loss of the Argentina international. The signing would represent a coup for Liverpool. Meireles is not only a key man for Porto but also the Portuguese national side where he has made 38 appearances and scored six goals.
The Telegraph states that Meireles had been lined up by Barcelona, should they have failed to land Mascherano and sources at the Camp Nou revealed that Meireles would now be joining Liverpool instead. Liverpool will reinvest the majority of the Mascherano money in Meireles, with a deal that could rise to as much as £17m. Both Chelsea and Barcelona had watched Meireles last season and the player was understood to want a move to an elite European club after six years of success with Porto.
Meireles had been strongly linked with a move away from Porto and a departure appeared inevitable when he was omitted from their Europa League squad last week. Porto manager Andre Villas-Boas was resigned to losing the player and it was reported that Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson also wanted him to replace Owen Hargreaves. Ferguson had been impressed with his work-rate, passing, tenacity and ability to control the tempo of a match.
He came close to joining Jose Mourinho at Internazionale last season after the Italian club agreed to exchange winger Ricardo Quaresma with Porto but the deal broke down after Quaresma refused to return to Portugal.
It’s of no surprise that some of the top clubs of Europe have been scouting the player as he is renowned for his reliability and consistency. The 5 ft 10 midfielder is a box to box player but has an all-round strong midfield game. He is an excellent short-range and long-range passer, is not afraid to make a challenge and has an impressive shot. The added bonus of Meireles is that he is equally adept at playing a holding defensive midfield role or in a more offensive position. This would allow Liverpool to play stars like Steven Gerrard in various positions according to the opposition.
Hodgson is looking to bring in modern-day footballer who can both create and defend which is what Meireles is. With Javier Mascherano set to depart, the Reds need more central midfield cover and the Porto star can effortlessly play in a deep or advanced role. He is very much an all-action midfielder which appeals to Hodgson as he looks to improve the Liverpool squad which failed last season. Meireles would be a superb acquisition for Liverpool as they look to strengthen this summer.
The man in contention – Ola Toivonen !
Yes, so let’s get started.. Today’s papers claim PSV Eindhoven’s chief, Marcel Brands has sent a ‘hands-off’ cry to Liverpool to fend off interest in their star striker Ola Toivoven. And star he is, his blonde streaks and strong built led to a girl drool next to me and ask the inevitable “Is he Achilles from Troy ?” Oh well, if he does sign, I hope he has the same impact !
Okay back to business, this comes as a stark contrast to his previous claims that PSV would listen to fair offers for their striker. Early reports of this bizarre U-turn surfaced in the consistently inconsistent Dutch Press. Yes Yes, you got it ! The same Dutch press who confirmed that Afonso Alves was the next big thing in the Eredivisie, after a certain Ronaldo left their land for pastures new. So good were they at confirming the prospect’s talent that they convinced Gareth Southgate to lose his job at Middlesbrough. Ah I feel for that lad. Okay so a closer look at this guy’s profile …
At first look you’d say he’s tall, and yes he is. Standing at 6’4″ he’s probably the Premier league’s response to Zlatan Ibrahimovic and they’re of the same nationality too. Okay, so what led our beloved old bloke, Roy Hodgson to go out and confirm his interest in this boy ?
Toivonen was one of the highlights for PSV last season, notching up 24 goals at his stay at the club. He packs a ferocious right foot and is also capable of using his left at times, when in tight spaces. His decision-making is generally good, and his delivery cannot be faulted. Also one of the major reasons for his choice over other candidates is his adaptability. He can play as a striker, on the flanks or as an attacking midfielder. This definitely counts in his favour, as he cannot expect to be playing, week in, week out as our target man in the presence of Fernando.
So with these key attributes at his disposal, how could Roy pass out on him ? So it was decided, Sammy Lee was sent back-packing with a pair of chopsticks and his favourite sushi to go see Toivonen in action, and was the little tellytubby pleased ! Lee spoke in high praise of the towering Swede to Roy, so much so that the Anfield boss was in attendance to see Toivonon destroy the Scottish defense in a 3-0 friendly.
Then came along sweet old Harry. It was reported that Tottenham had shown keen interest in the coveted forward(He always gets his English nose in our way). However, how serious is this interest is yet to be seen. Reports are surfacing from the club, that Liverpool have made a formal bid of 9 million pounds for the man.
And now, for ‘The Special One’ ! There have been whispers in Spain, that Mourinho is concerned of the lack of cover for Gonzalo Higuain, in the form of a no.9, to lead the attack in the Argentine’s absence. French striker Karim Benzema has far from impressed his gaffer, leading to the Portuguese’s interest in the Swede. Typical of the French I tell you..
Okay, time to round up.
So where exactly does that leave our little Spartan ?
In the red and white shirt of PSV for yet another season, or in the cold harsh winds of North London, or as yet another addition to the Madrid Galacticos, or as a crowd pleasing Kop idol ?
We’ll know, in time ! 🙂
The enigma that is Joe Cole.
The enigma of Joe Cole is one that has flattered to deceive many early onlookers of the young Englishman’s fortunes. Whilst undoubtedly being a man of talent, the former West Ham prodigy has failed to live up to the early hype he once promised. Cole received national media attention as a schoolboy, when he famously scored 7 of the 8 goals the England youth team scored against Spain in a match. The lad was long touted as one of the hottest young talents in the nation and finally put pen to paper on a deal taking him to Stamford Bridge in 2003.
A young Joe Cole
This was the apparent beginning of the end for the young playmaker. The arrival of Jose Mourinho and his new look Chelsea signings meant there would be competition for places in the starting eleven which in turn provided restricted time for the attack-mined midfielder. Moreover, the defensive 4-5-1 formation adopted by ‘The Special One’ meant Cole would be plying his trade on either wing, much to his disappointment. It wasn’t easy for anyone, let alone a young Joe Cole to displace established stars such as Damien Duff, Arjen Robben and Shaun Wright-Phillips from the Chelsea line-up, but taking advantage of injuries to several key players, Cole cemented his position at Chelsea. Important strikes for both club and country led many to believe that the once coveted midfielder had finally realized his potential to be up there as one of the greats.
Lets face it, from the moment he was old enough to lace up his first set of football boots, it was inevitable Joe Cole was going to be something special. He is a playmaker who enjoys the feel of the ball, toys with it almost affectionately and then releases passes to his team mates that are designed to hurt the opposition.
However, that was not for a certain Ancelotti to see as the former Milan gaffer had other plans which frankly, Joe didn’t really fit into. Ancelotti’s idea of Chelsea meant strong bodies in midfield dictating the pace of the game and Joe here was no Hercules. Joe also made it clear to the boss that he believed he no longer possessed the required pace to take on opposing full backs as he once did, and asked for a more central role, in which he could support the strikers. But the ever-presence of Chelsea talisman Frank Lampard meant he would be pushed further down the pecking order.
Finally the English midfielder got his chance in Chelsea’s 5-0 demolition of Blackburn Rovers at Stamford Bridge after an injury sidelined the midfielder for a long spell. He dictated the midfield and generally treated the Blackburn defence as if it were a rag doll. For the rest of the 90 minutes Cole was in his element, spraying long and short passes of masterful accuracy, re-discovering his old West Ham form.
Joe in action for Chelsea
However it was all to late for Chelsea to see. Cole rejected a new contract from the Blues, making him one of the most sought-after free agents in the market. After a long period of thought and discussion it was announced Cole would be joining Liverpool F.C. in a 4-year deal.
Suddenly there was an air of positivity flowing through the city. And why not, Cole possesses all of football’s most sublime skills. He is artful, scheming, wondrously tricky and never less than in complete control of the ball. The arrival of Cole meant Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres had another reason to stay at the club.
So as it was expected all eyes were fixed on the new guy’s debut in a Red shirt and by no means did he disappoint. Although his opposition weren’t of the highest standards, Joe put in a wonderful debut display against Robotnicki F.C. effectively laying down the assist from a sublime cross.
However his league debut wasn’t so inspirational. Starting in his preferred attacking midfield role behind the striker, Cole went into the game against Arsenal with much enthusiasm. This was thought to be the real test of Joe’s calibre. Moving around the pitch, he struggled for possession and unfortunately was sent-off following a rash tackle on Laurent Koscielny late in the first half. So his KOP league debut ended in much disappointment.
He promised much more and was soon to deliver. Liverpool’s next game was a Europa league game against Trabzonspor. Fielding a weaker side, Joe was once again the highlight of the game. Neat touches, creative passes and an array of tricks filled his schedule on the day, and it wasn’t surprising Liverpool’s only breakthrough came from an inch perfect pass by the midfielder.
So what could really be made of this ?
Although just a few games for his new club yet, it is these Jekyll and Hyde performances that confuse the minds of onlookers. Many believe that Cole will now finally realise his true potential at a club where he feels loved, and for Cole’s sake, I pray he does.
So what’s all the fuss about Javier Mascherano ?
So the round about confusion at the red half of Merseyside is mainly surrounding the long prevailing transfer saga of Mascherano. So whats all the fuss about it you ask ? Sell him, get the cash and buy another one. Well that’s where the problem begins.. The former River Plate man well-known for his combative heroics at the heart of midfield is irreplaceable or almost so. Such are the exploits of El Jefecito that he made his senior international debut before playing a single minute for River Plate’s first team. Former Argentina coach and legend Diego Maradona shares the same view as he has repeatedly stated that his selection is merely Mascherano and 10 more.
Down in the domestic turf his performances have seemed to be no different. Always one of the hardest players the eye can spot, Masch has put in numerous match-winning displays for the club. With MOTM displays in the centre of the park, Masch has won over the hearts of his peers and the KOP faithful alike. So how could Liverpool let go of such a prized asset at such a crucial point in their history ?
Mascherano’s loss would indeed be a big one to any manager on the planet. The Reds manager has repeatedly stated that the arrival of Poulsen is merely to give us options for the long season. His arrival means nothing to the Masch transfer saga.
IF were down to me, I’d say we keep the guy for his contracted 2 years, so that he can help us win some silverware and then at the end of it, if he really wants to leave, let the guy go. All in all, we get our trophies, he gets his new atmosphere, Everyone Happy. YNWA.
A short clip of The Monster’s abilities:
The Royvolution Era
So everything seems to be going on well at Merseyside. Roy Hodgson as new man in charge, committed futures of the star duo, English wonder-boy Joe Cole penning down his future to the club. A renewed form of optimism buzzing among the KOP faithful. People across the continent have varying views of the revolution taking place at Anfield, some positive, and some uhhh… well here are my views why to take on the new season with a renewed vigour:
1. The man in CHARGE ! Roy has a profile that wouldn’t really say much of his credentials as a manager. Keep aside his bad outing with Inter and Blackburn and you would find a man of whom the supporters have always sung praise of, whether it be Grasshoppers or Fulham. He brings in a rich blend of knowledge and experience to the club while also being well-recognized to bring the best out of his players. Just ask Bobby Zamora !
2. Steven Gerrard: I for one, am of the opinion that you could travel across the entire continent and yet fail to find a more inspirational captain than the man himself. Take nothing away from the Liverpool skipper, on his day he’d command a starting berth in any midfield across the planet. His heroics are well documented across the minds of many who witnessed the “MISSION IMPOSSIBLE” at Istanbul. Captain Fantastic, always Fantastic !
3.Fernando Torres: ONE of the most feared strikers on the planet, El Nino needs little introduction to even to seven-year old. Lethal finishing, an exceptional burst of acceleration and a knack for leaving defenders to dust are some of the assets the 26-year old is blessed with. IF Liverpool go a long way this season, don’t be surprised to see this lad at the centre of all the action.
4. Pepe Reina: Hailed as “The Best Goalkeeper in Spain”, by former Reds manager Rafael Benitez, Pepe is undoubtedly one of the best signings made by the Spaniard. Lightning-quick reflexes and world-class distribution are just some of reasons he’s held so highly at Merseyside. Always putting in match-winning displays, Reina was one of the first key players to commit their future to Liverpool after a disastrous campaign.
4. Strength in-depth: As a scouser, it would be hard to say I didn’t enjoy seeing our bench against Arsenal. Not only was it blessed with Internationals, but we could actually afford to keep the 20 million Italian out of our bench, a massive improvement to last years league game opener where our bench consisted of the untried pair of Daniel Ayala and Martin Kelly, flops like Andrea Dossena and Voronin. Strength in Depth was what we were crying out for last season, and that is what we have achieved.
5.The Youth: IT has long been forgotten that the Melwood Academy has produced some of the greatest talents this nation has seen – Robbie Fowler, Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher just to name a few. But for the last few years only Stephen Warnock has been a notable graduate through the ranks. However the new prospects of the academy seem bright. Dani Pacheco- the undoubted star of the U-19 championships has a definite bright future, so as his academy compatriots Ayala and Kelly. Suso seems a special talent so as the pair of David Amoo and Tom Ince. I pray that these prospects achieve their true potential and take the league by storm.
So as you can see there are more than a few reasons to be optimistic about the upcoming season. Hope we make it to the best of our potential. YNWA.
Right Off The Kop 