Liverpool 2002/2003 - The Year of the Reds

[blackmissionary]

We were a bit lucky to get out of that with a win JLC, but I'll take the points anyway, don't know what Venables thought he was doing having Viduka on the bench. But after seeing that 16 year old Rooney kid score that goal for the Toffees against Arsenal, I've given my 15 year old brother up until his 17th birthday to achieve something in his life or else end up a nobody like me.

Currently reading "The Nuclear Survival Handbook - living through and after a nuclear attack" 2nd Edition by Barry Popkess (1985)

[JLC]

We are the only team undefeated in the Premier League. To win at Leeds without Gerrard and Henchoz and Heskey and Owen coming on as a Sub is a good effort. Sure it isnt as good as the drubbing we gave Leeds last year but the points are what counts. Last year we were flying but had a bad patch around Christmas. This year we are on top of the League but have played no where near our best form.

jlc

Essendon 2000 premiers
2001 runners up
2002 fifth
2003 ????
The slide continues

[JLC]

Just another Victory against Totenham. It was a bit disappointing that we could not keep a clean sheet. Our defence looks shaky when we dont have Henchoz at centre back!! Babbel should be back soon which will sure up the defence.

Daio is getting better with every game and looks like a real weapon in midfield. Baros also adds a touch of excitement when he comes off the bench. Owen is also back in top form which is great to see!

We are also doing well in the Champions League. Valencia at Anfield will be the acid test.

jlc

Essendon 2000 premiers
2001 runners up
2002 fifth
2003 ????
The slide continues

[JLC]

I think Liverpool in full flight are very entertainiung to watch.
I think the problem is that Robbie Keane was showing a tendancy to make the most out of the situation and hence the refs are tending to overlook his claims. The commentators made mention of that during the game and said that Owen in the past had a tendancy to do the same.

I dont think it will a blight on the game at all if Liverpool wins the Premier League. They have a great mix on Internationals and the additions of the Sengalese duo of Diouf (African footballer of the year) and Diao add a bit more flair to the team. We have also done very well in the Champions League last year and have made a good start this year.

At the end of the day we are sitting at the top of the Premier league and havnt even reached anywhere near our best form. Diouf and Cheyrou are still settling in to the English style of game. Babbel is coming back from injury. Henchoz and Heskey have had a few injuries. Milan Baros is also finding his feet in the game.

jlc

Essendon 2000 premiers
2001 runners up
2002 fifth
2003 ????
The slide continues

[JLC]

Was the League Cup between Southampton and Liverpool entertaining ? Or did the fact that Liverpool won 3-1 sour the entertainment ?

Only one team has beaten Liverpool this season in all competitions and that is Valencia. Valencia is a high quality team so there is no disgrace in lowering our colours to them.

This weeks game against Middlesborough away from home should be a good challenge for the Reds.

jlc

Essendon 2000 premiers
2001 runners up
2002 fifth
2003 ????
The slide continues

[JLC]

I didn't mean to come across as sarchastic. Last year Liverpool was bagged for that reason and the players took great offence to that. Sure we have a good defence but we do score plenty of goals at the same time.

I think there is nothing more exciting than watching a Liverpool counter attack and goal. Defence quickly swings into offence.

Once the team gels more they will start getting a bit more flair.
Diouff and Cheyrou are two very exciting prospects as is Baros. I think after Christmas Liverpool will start firing. I just hope we are still in the Champions league at that stage.

JLC

Essendon 2000 premiers
2001 runners up
2002 fifth
2003 ????
The slide continues

[JLC]

This is an article about Danny Murphys thoughts:

Murphy: We're really up for the title

Danny Murphy insists that while Liverpool are nowhere near as free-flowing as Arsenal, his team still have the ability to go the distance in the Premiership.

Liverpool travel to the Riverside Stadium today four points clear at the top but the England midfielder claims you won't be hearining anyone within the Anfield camp boasting about they can go the whole season unbeaten.

"To say we are not like Arsenal in full flow is fair, but who is?" asks Murphy. "People are comparing us to a team who are probably playing as good football as any team in a long, long time. Our strengths aren't Arsenal's strengths. Our strengths are keep it tight, make sure we are defensively right. But we have tried to create more width this season. We have played more courageous football, having a go at teams more, creating more chances then I can remember.

"Some of the questioning of us is unfair because we are top of the League with 30 points after 12 games. If we carry on with that type of form we will have 90-odd points. Psychologically, we are right for it. That's our primary objective, ahead of the Champions League. Because we haven't won the Premiership before, the desire here is immense. I can feel that throughout the players and the staff. We really want it."

"Everyone is realistic here, down to earth. There is no point talking about how good we can be because we haven't achieved that much. We haven't won the Premiership or Champions League like Manchester United. There is no point shouting from the rooftops how great we think we are because it can rebound.

"Within Liverpool, we have too many astute people to let that happen. Thommo and Sammy Lee have won everything. They have spotted when things like that creep in - like players causing ructions - because it can create problems as proven at other clubs and here over the years. It doesn't happen here now. Here now, we have a good bunch of lads. The gaffer insists all the lads mix. You don't get the French-speaking ladson one side and the English lads on the other."


Essendon 2000 premiers
2001 runners up
2002 fifth
2003 ????
The slide continues

[JLC]

Actually i watched the Liverpool v Middlesborough and it was pathetic. I dont understand why we went in so defensive ?? They started Heskey on the wing area and left Owen up front one out ??
They hardly created any chances and only brough Baros on when the game was all over basically. I realise that we have Champions League during the week but surely Cheyrou, Diouf and Baros can get more game time. They also miss the creativity of Jari Litmanen

Chris Kirkland will be putting even more pressure on Dudek if he makes anymore costly mistakes like that.

I just hope we can bounce back

Essendon 2000 premiers
2001 runners up
2002 fifth
2003 ????
The slide continues

[JLC]

Heskey doesnt appear to be a true striker in the sense of the word. He seems very relunctant to take players on and doesnt shoot as often as a striker would. He doesnt seem to have a good goal sense like Owen, Baros or Hasselbank or Van Nistlerooy etc etc

The good teams can play well against any opposition. Chelseas problem in the past is that they can beat Liverpool and Man United etc and get good results but then they will go lose to the crap teams the next week.....lol

Im still in shock that Man United are playing so crap. I know Roy Keane is the soul and heart of the team. But when you have world class players like Veron, Beckham, Giggs and Van Nistlerooy you should be doing way better. They need to go out and buy another gun striker as too much reliance is placed on Van Nistlerooy and Solskjaer. Forlan has been disappointing so far. I still think they will bounce back when Keane comes back into the team.

Tottenham with Keane and Sheringham and when Anderton comes back will have a good team. I know that Liverpool always seem to struggle as White Heart Lane.

jlc

Essendon 2000 premiers
2001 runners up
2002 fifth
2003 ????
The slide continues

[JLC]

Lol now we are out of the Champions League We better at least beat Sunderland this week at Anfield although what consolation will that be......not much really. By the way for someone of Owens class he sure misses a lot of penalties ?? Luckily he scored off the rebound against Basel.

Yup i will be going for Tottenham to beat Arsenal this week for sure. Sol Campbell im sure will be loving this game....lol lol

I think Diouf needs to return to the team and play maybe as an attacking midfielder. Baros needs more match time and they need to play with two strikers minimum. Playing with one striker up front is crazy if you ask me.

jlc

Essendon 2000 premiers
2001 runners up
2002 fifth
2003 ????
The slide continues