Oh, at the moment I am enjoying being a Liverpool fan! What about winning against Newcastle five goals to one – in an away game on St James’ Park?

The season of 2008/2009 has been very, very interesting! In both ways, kind of. New, exciting signings have arrived to Anfield in the form of e.g. Albert Riera, Robbie Keane, and Andrea Dossena but really only Riera has been the success we long for. Other players, such as Philip Degen has got very little time on the pitch, in Degen’s case due to injuries and a fantastic Alvaro Arbeloa. David N’Gog is another signing made by Rafael Benítez, and he has not yet shown that he is worth to stay.

Other, young players have advanced from below. The likes of Stephen Darby, Jay Spearing, and Nabil El Zhar have joined from the reserve-team.  I was personally impressed by the right-back Darby’s performance against, was it PSV, when he came on and did a decent job for us. Daniel Pacheco is another player that has shown his worth, but only in pre-season – however, he is born in 1991 and has the whole future ahead of him!

The more experienced players have been reliable so far. Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard continue to produce good displays and José Reina, Daniel Agger, Dirk Kuyt, and Xabi Alonso have also impressed! Last season’s signing Martin Skrtel was exceptionally good before the injury against Everton, but Dani Agger has not let anybody down with his play. At least not me.

Steven Gerrard the best player according to me! Has scored several important goals, and his hammer for a right-foot is still there! Our captain, no matter if he is accused of beating a man, is the best captain one can ever have! By the way, I think the thing at the pub is greatly exaggerated. Top-level all hours all days, every week – a must to give him a trophy to justify that he remained here!  When Fernando Torres comes back from the injury, the duo can be given back to us in its full glory, and the League trophy is within our eye-sight!

A Happy New Year I wish you all,

Sincerely yours

Twentytwo tired players will enter St James’ Park in about ten minutes hence.

Eleven of these are the Liverpool squad: Reina; Carragher, Agger, Hyypiä, Insua;Lucas, Mascherano; Benayoun, Babel, Gerrard; Kuyt.

STREAMING THE GAME HERE [enter the code: 5000]:

[kml_flashembed movie="http://www.ustream.tv/flash/live/1/414293" width="400" height="320" wmode="transparent" /]

Note that neither Xabi Alonso, Robbie Keane nor Albert Riera start today, even though they did great performances against Bolton two days ago. They are probably tired, and Rafael Benítez is not afraid to make changes, as we know…

Tough game though, Magpies’ starting men; Given; Edgar, Enrique, Coloccini, Taylor;Gutierrez, N’Zogbia, Guthrie, Butt; Duff, Owen. Two ex-Reds in the XI in Michael Owen and Danny Guthrie! Owen will pose the greatest threat to us, and the strong central defence in Fabio Coloccini and Steven Taylor will be a hard nut to crack for an alone Kuyt up front. The flanks will be the key today, Yossi Benayoun and Ryan Babel key men! Steven Gerrard will have a tough game I think.

Coloccini, left, forms a strong central defence with Taylor.

Prediction: 2-0 victory. Kuyt and Benayoun scores. Gerrard with a double assist.

Note that Martin Skrtel is back on the bench, but Fernando Torres once again has to follow the game from the stands/TV.

Gutierrez (left)!

Watch out for The Spiderman: Jonas Gutierrez, he is tecnhically skilled and fast!

Bye for now,

sincerely yours

A strong performance by the Reds, with old Robbie Keane finally showing why he cost 20 million pound sterling. With Chelsea winning over West Bromwich 2-0, Liverpool were poised to win if to stay on top of the Premier League.

Rafa finally back, to his left Rick Parry (chief executive).

Liverpool was led once again by Sammy Lee, but Rafael Benítez was back at the stadium at least, and we saw Fernando Torres and Martin Skrtel both on the stands, signing autographs. The team Lee led out was the following, not quite as I had wanted it: Reina; Carragher, Insua, Agger, Hyypiä; Benayoun, Riera, Alonso, Gerrard; Keane, Kuyt. So, a 4-4-2 for the first time since Torres played I reckon. Happy to see Emiliano Insua, but a bit dissapointed by the fact that Liverpool chose Sami Hyypiä instead of Stephen Darby. Keane and Dirk Kuyt up front, a combination that earlier had not worked too well.

From the first instant Liverpool dominated. Jamie Carragher was a good ‘fill-in’ for Alvaro Arbeloa, and Sami Hyypiä seemed calmer than ever. Xabi Alonso dominated the midfield together with a strong Steven Gerrard, and on the flanks both Yossi Benayoun and Albert Riera were lively. Keane and Kuyt up front seemed good, and had a lot of ball in the build up phase.

One of the better – Benayoun – against Gavin MCcan of Bolton.

Bolton seemed not as good as they should (were said to be on a good run?) and Johan Elmander was no threat as he was all alone against four Liverpool players in defence. Gary Megson had decided to play 4-5-1 without Kevin Davies – which we Liverpool fans thank him for since it meant Bolton had no attacking play at all. No, José Reina was left alone, and I bet he was not even needed… But, we could not have known that before the XIs were made official.

However, in the first minutes Bolton fought back. I must admit that I had some bad feelings, even though I believed in a relatively easy victory. If Liverpool would not score in the first half Bolton might just make it the whole game. But the important break came in the 26th minute. Daniel Agger took Albert Riera to the side, and whispered in his ear. This after some failed corners. Ten seconds later Riera appeared on the first post and toed 1-0 before a surprised Elmander, and Jussi Jääskeleinen had no chance. Vital goal! And Riera knew it, as he celebrated.

Riera!

Relief swept upon me and all doubts disappeared! Not only I knew that Bolton had to go more offensive now, and doing so results in openings for the opponents, and giving Liverpool openings at Anfield with the scoreline 0-1 in the a** (as the Swedish idiom says… more or less…) is not a very nice situation… Except for Liverpool, of course…

Oh yes, Bolton had an uphill struggle worth the name of it. Gary Megson must have known that he could not keep the wolf from the door much longer. But his team managed to hold Liverpool to the half-time whistle. The first half had looked perfect for The Reds. The possession must have been around 70-30! This half had really shown a team worth winning the Premiership (a little bit more edge and the scoreline might have been 3-0 already by this stage).

Celebrating his personal comeback!

Second half was as good! Even better! Robbie Keane scored in the 52nd minute after a lovely little through ball by Gerrard. A great left-foot shot in Jääskeleinen’s right top corner, and 2-0 to ‘Pool. The third also came, four minutes later, as José Reina quickly started the game after a freekick, which was wasted by Bolton. Reina threw the ball instantly to Alonso who had acres of free space to go on. And he did. Ten fifteen yards into Bolton’s half he dropped the ball to the right for Benayoun who played the ball on one fantastic touch to Keane who flicked the third home! A great goal from Liverpool, and I immediately said “that is Reina’s goal” to my dad.

Silencing all critics – me as well!

 Two goals in the space of four minutes for the Irish national captain. It was his night. The rest of the second half was really nothing special. Everybody waited for Lee to substitute Gerrard, Carragher, Keane or Alonso to rest them (another game tomorrow, Newcastle).

Gerrard was picked out in the 73rd minute, after Riera who left in the 69th, and before Kuyt who left in the 77th. Lucas Leiva came on for Gerrard, Nabil El Zhar for Riera, and David N’Gog for Kuyt. I cannot stand seeing N’Gog and El Zhar on the pitch. At least not El Zhar, who I regard as a second divison player, without potential to develop into anything better – sell him. N’Gog has shown more quality, but needs more time on the pitch and loaning him out would be an alternative in January…

When the substitutes came on Liverpool dropped some of the domination, but controlled the game and by the time the whistle sounded all of us Liverpool fans felt very much glad to see us perform like champions.

Great display by Insua!

Am impressed by young Insua, he will be a world-class left-back in a couple of years if he develops due to his potential! Once again of of the best on the pitch! Keane of course among the better players, today with clinical finishing! Gerrard and Alonso are the perfect midfield pair, and with Javier Mascherano soon 100% fit after his sickness nobody misses Mohamed Sissoko, ey? Riera made maybe his best game so far in the Red shirt, and Benayoun was alert. Hyypiä and Agger trustworthy in the central defence, and Carra did a good job (no more than needed, no less) as well. The substitutes showed little, El Zhar tried but is not enough at this level. N’Gog still falls out of the games, and Lucas shows little offensive qualities.

Flying Dutchman?

Man of the Match clearly Robbie Keane, closely followed by Emiliano Insua and Steven Gerrard.

The MoM!

Good game, lads.

I now publish the results of the voting on the poll “an you see Liverpool go all the way in the League this season?” and it seems that us fans are very positive:

Maybe we are justified, as shown by Liverpool yesterday!

Boxing Day! Hope you all got nice gifts yesterday, maybe some Liverpool stuff (I did!)? You have probably eaten loads and loads of great food, and today you just want to relax, sit back and take it easy. Tell the lads in the Liverpool squad that, ey. Today at 3 PM (Latin, for: Post Meridiem=after noon for those who did not know…) Liverpool and Bolton kick off in the first of the Holidays games.

One of the better games between Bolton and Liverpool ended 4-0 to Liverpool. Steven Gerrard scored an absolute cracker, hitting the ball from the edge of the penalty area up into Jääskeläinen’s left top corner. But I do not think it will be that easy today. The last fight ended 2-0 to Liverpool after goals from Dirk Kuyt and Gerrard. A bit funny that the table is turned now, before we even have met teams such as Newcastle.

Gerrard putting the last game beyond all doubt after a great chip by El Niño.

Bolton has signed the Swedish national team forward Johan Elmander for a record fee, around 10 million pound I think. He will be a great threat today with speed, power, and his working capacity. Also to it, is some injuries and absentees. Alvaro Arbeloa is injured, and Martin Skrtel is most likely not to be 100% fit yet. Philip Degen is still sidelined and Andrea Dossean is said to have caught the flu. Fernando Torres is near a come back if we are to trust good old Sammy Lee, and finally Rafael Benítez is back from the surgery and will lead his, and our, team out on Anfield as we clash with The Trotters.

Elmander scored in his first game, against Stoke.

I personally hope for the following squad: Reina; Darby, Insua, Carragher, Agger; Mascherano, Alonso; Babel, Riera, Gerrard; Keane. Having Torres on the bench feels like the most we can pressurise him into. If he is not match fit I think he should not start, since his style well out on the pitch requires a lot of energy.

I want to give young reserve-team captain Stephen Darby a chance, he looked really good against PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League and his young defender colleague Emiliano Insua was superb against Arsenal and will start today in Fabio Aurelio and Andrea Dossena’s absence. Maybe we will see Sami Hyypiä play to neutralise Kevin Davies in the air, to stop Davies from providin Elmander with the through ball flicks.

Insua.

In midfield Javier Mascherano and Xabi Alonso continues to dominate the central parts together with Steven Gerrard, and on the flanks I have chosen Ryan Babel and Albert Riera – two quick and technical players who can cut the Bolton defence open. Note that I would put Kuyt on the bench. I think his defensive qualities are not needed, and I think Babel could do more damage to Bolton than Kuyt would.

Better choice than Kuyt?

It is very imporant we win this game, and Rafa should not be afraid of going offensive! Chelsea play at the moment against West Bromwich and have the lead (1-0 by Didier Drogba, who headed his first goal of the season into the net already in the third minute…), so we really have to win to stay in front of them. Honestly I feel that we already should be nine points ahead of them (draws against Fulham, Stoke, Hull, and West Ham) but what can we do about it?

I predict that we win comfortably, by 3-0. Goals by Babel, Gerrard, and an onbrought Torres! And I expect us to stay in top of the league – and since Chelsea at the moment has 41 points and we have 39 points with one game less played I think all of you know exactly what we need.

I did not get what I wished for yesterday, neither David Villa nor Joaquin was dropped off in Liverpool by Santa Claus, but today I read that Fernando Torres might be back against Bolton, in tomorrow’s Anfield clash! That is some Christmas gift!

Long time no see.

 Torres has been away for a while now, and it would be the perfect Christmas gift if he would return now, as we have several games now around Christmas. The tight schedule (games: Bolton on December 26th and Newcastle the 28th, and Preston North End on the 3rd of January) can provide problems if a squad cannot provide cover for injuries, tiredness, etc. and if Torres returns (even if only half-fit) we may use him as a substitute to unburden Keane, or maybe try to play with two forwards again.

Torres, who has missed 16 games (!) due to thigh injuries, may so give us both cover and edge up front as he returns to a team that is entering the tough Christmas period in top of the Premier League. Liverpool in top of the league by Christmas was something we saw last time 16 years ago (I was barely born by that time…). Promising it seems, but in the last three games on Anfield we have only managed three draws, against Fulham, West Ham, and Hull City – that is not impressing, and with Chelsea playing West Bromwich we most probably have to win to stay in top. Something which Javier Mascherano has commented on:

Mascherano against Bolton (in the form of El Hadji Diouf) at Reebok Stadium.

“We know we have to improve at home, if Chelsea or some of the other contenders drop points it’s better for us but we can’t keep relying on that. We need to think about our own form and to take the three points from every game we play. That is always our aim.”

He has also said that:
“It’s difficult to explain why we can win away from home and not at home. We need to get our confidence back at home and a good way of doing that would be to beat Bolton.”

And I cannot else but agree with him. A victory is necessary. Let us hope that Torres recovers to help us win that game.

Today is Christmas for us in Sweden! I know you people in e.g. the US or UK celebrate tomorrow, but for me it is today – so, happy Christmas!

 My wish-list for Santa Claus follows here:

Defenders:

• Sergio Ramos, 23 years, Real Madrid, right/central
• Wayne Bridge, 28 years, Chelsea, left
• Gareth Bale, 21 years, Tottenham, left

Midfielders:

• Ashley Young, 23 years, Aston Villa, winger/striker
• David Silva, 23 years, Valencia, left winger/second striker
• Joaquin Sanchez, 27 years, Valencia, right winger
• Matias Fernandez, 22 years, Villareal, left/second striker
• Angel di Maria, 20 years, Benfica, winger/attacking midfielder
• Thiago Neves, 23 years, Hamburger SV, attacking midfielder

Strikers:

• David Villa, 27 years, Valencia
• Robin van Persie, 25 years, Arsenal, second striker/left winger
• Michael Owen, 28 years, Newcastle

This list is not complete, I think I have the complete list on another computer, see. But, Santa can read our minds as I saw on the news yesterday (he also uses Einstein’s relativity formula to bend time and space to get a total of six months to give away all the Christmas gifts) so I do not have to worry, ey?

Well, have some nice food to ingest – but you will hear from me here at REDWALK soon again. Happy happy, and merry Christmas, and remember that you’ll never walk alone!