Game: Liverpool vs Sunderland 25th September 2010 (H)

Liverpool welcome Sunderland to Anfield on Saturday in what many are saying is a pivotal game on the back of their shock defeat to Northampton in the Carling Cup. The game was drawn at full time, with 2 more goals in extra time, taking the game to penalties. Liverpool subsequently crashed out 4-2.

At this point it seems Roy Hodgson needs to pull a rabbit out a hat as he tries to lift his demoralized troops. However, one can only wonder at his decision to leave out most of the senior squad, not even including Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres or Jamie Carragher on the bench. Roy had earlier challenged the youngsters to prove that they were stars by defeating Northampton, however this proved to be a most unwise move given the lack of experience on show.

Fast forward to Saturday and one has to wonder if the senior squad has what it takes to deal with an attacking Sunderland, with the likes of Zenden, Cattermole, and especially Bent, previously the subject of speculation about a move to Liverpool.

Torres (undoubtedly one of Liverpool's generals) is currently an enigma. There is a lot of speculation about him including doubts about match fitness, desire, tiredness, injury worries, confidence etc. The question must be asked: is the amount of media speculation affecting his concentration or confidence? He has shown small flashes of his best, contrary to what the rest of the press might say, including mazy runs, creating penalties and assisting goals.

It will be interesting on Saturday to see if Hodgson decides to drop his brand of seemingly very cautious play and actually go for the throat. In most people's opinion, this is a must, as Liverpool continue to languish at the bottom of the Premiership table.

A little less conversation, definitely a lot more action please.

Breaking News - Tom Hicks Sighted At Deutsche Bank New York

A New York Liverpool fan has Tweeted the news that Tom Hicks has been sighted going to Deutsche Bank in New York.

The news has already caused a flurry of activity around the web with supporters groups already planning the next email campaign.

This could be bad news for Liverpool Supporters everywhere as Tom Hicks continues the grim fight to retain control and possession of Liverpool Football Club, the most successful club in British football.

However, the news may not be all bad. With Hicks' growing list of enemies, and his poor performance in obtaining credit recently, he may find that fewer and fewer banks or credit institutions are willing to take him seriously.

One can only hope.

Get Behind The Reds Now!

Over at http://www.empireofthekop.com, a storm is brewing. A letter, drafted by the site owners aims to keep Tom Hicks from refinancing his debt to RBS by using an outisde institution called Blackstone Associates.

They would like all red fans with access to email to send a copy of the letter to show that we will no longer sit down and take it. By putting pressure on Blackstone and letting them know what we are capable of (The Sun Boycott for example), we hope to prevent Hicks from taking full control of Liverpool again.

Click the link above and get in on the action now!

Lets do it!

UPDATE 20/09/10
Do not send any more emails. See this post instead.

The Meireles Mentality

New Liverpool FC signing Raul Mereiles has been quoted as saying "I came to Liverpool to win trophies". Roy Hodgson's £11m signing has also revealed that another part of the reason he came to Anfield was because Roy Hodgson worked so hard to get him.

The Portuguese midfielder, signed from Porto just before the end of the transfer window, also lauded the club's fans, saying "I played at Anfield with Porto and I lost 4-1, but I remember the supporters were great. Everybody in Portugal says the Liverpool fans are the best supporters in England.

"I have also played at Chelsea and Manchester United, but I can say the Liverpool fans are the best".

For most Liverpool fans however, this flattering praise is not needed. All that is required to play in red is heart, soul, and the desire to succeed, whatever the cost. And for Meireles, uttering the afore-mentioned words about winning trophies couldn't have been a smarter move, honest or not.

Alex Ferguson - It's all Rafa's Fault

Sir Alex Ferguson has hit out at former Liverpool coach Rafael Benitez by claiming its the Spaniards fault that Liverpool are in the mess they are in now. This should probably be interpreted as a reference to the playing squad as the club have announced they have satisfied the Premier League's requirements to continue meeting their wage bills and other financial commitments.

This also ties in with the fact that Fergie is quoted as saying "I don't know if Liverpool's current situation is anything to do with the financial position".

"In the last regime they spent a lot of money on players, far more than Manchester United did. They had a huge squad of players, so I don't know if the financial position is anything to do with it.

"I really don't know because I'm not there. So I can't judge what the impact of these things is."

Given the fact that Benitez had to sell to buy most of the time, these comments may be interpreted as slightly unfair, and almost illogical. Benitez is seen by a lot of Liverpool fans as an idol, given the fact that he brought home "Ole Big Ears" (The Champions League Trophy), for the fifth time, an occasion which meant that Liverpool would retain the trophy permanently. He also gradually improved their league position and points tally tremendously, with the exception of the 2009-10 season in which he bizarrely lost a lot of ground.

However, it can't all be attributed to Rafael Benitez. There was a top playing squad beneath him, however it seemed that for the majority of last season, there was no 'team'.

Was it really Rafa's fault? Did he lose the dressing room? The only people who know the answers to that question are those still inside the walls of Melwood, as well as the man himself. For most, it's not an issue; the man who brought home number 5 will always be special at Anfield.

Joe Cole - What Gerrard Deserves

Liverpool Playmaker Joe Cole has said he believes Steven Gerrard deserves the Premiership title.

"He's a tremendous player", he said. "I've known Steven since I was 17 or 18 and I obviously trained and played with him for England for 10 years so I know what he's all about".

Cole also said he would really like to help Gerrard make his Premiership dream a reality.

"But when you see him in a Liverpool shirt he's even better. A player like him deserves to win the championship," said Cole.

"I know that's what he wants over the next four to five years at the club.

"He's a fantastic player and if he plays well, the team plays well and it's up to me now to assist him and try and help the club move on."

Game: Manchester Utd vs Liverpool (Sunday 19th September) (Away)

One of the juiciest fixtures of the season is here. Liverpool travel to Old Trafford, hoping to leave with the bragging rights.

Last Season's Results

March 2009 - Manchester United 1 Liverpool 4
What a day this was as the reds went all out and destroyed the Devils 4-1. The scorers that day were:

Torres 28th minute
Gerrard (pen) 44th minute
Aurelio 77th minute
Dossena 90th minute

Highlights

Manchester United 1-4 Liverpool Highlights 14.03.2009 en Yahoo! Video

It was universally agreed that this was the Stevie and Fernando show with all the action in the midfield up to the front controlled by the terrible two. The team just oozed confidence and control that day, owing to the inspirational Captain and the greatest striker alive, and actually reminded me a little of the brash, swaggering, swashbuckling Liverpool of old.

October 2009 - Liverpool 2 Manchester Utd 0
The Reds couldn't believe their luck as once again they ran out victors at home courtesy of goals from David N'Gog and Fernando Torres.

Highlights

Fast Forward to Now
So, reports around the web are suggesting that Fernando Torres and Wayne Rooney will be the two most dangerous men on the pitch tomorrow. Myself, I can't bring myself to agree with this, owing to the fact that Fernando Torres has a way higher goal-to game ratio than Wayne Rooney. This makes Torres the most dangerous man on the pitch. If he really pulls it together. Recently, Torres has looked less-than-sharp, a shadow of the gloriously gifted player the footballing world knows him to be. But Liverpool fans also need to keep David N'Gog in mind. The young Frenchman has now bagged 6 goals this season, and is really turning out to be a promising prospect.

Bleak Prospects
Can Liverpool really walk away with a win tomorrow? Reports around all the major newspapers suggest that this hinges on one player - Fernando Torres. This could be cited as unfair and completely blown out of proportion when you look at a certain Frenchman's contribution to the club so far this season. Torres just needs a little more time to get his sharpness back and after all Roy Hodgson's priority here is to keep him fit and injury free, a difficult task at the best of times when taking care of the best striker in world football.

Prediction here:

Manchester Utd 2 - 3 Liverpool


YNWA