Super freak* - Rick James

Another Liverpool striker retires. This time, it is Peter Crouch.

Opposing fans would call him 'freak' - due to his height. He was tall for a footballer! And if you see him outside, you wouldn't believe that this was one of the best footballers England had in recent times. He may seem to be a freak to some but to us, he is a super freak!

Despite his height and lanky figure, he was a technically accomplished player. Sure, he had a lot of headed goals but that was not all with him. His control of the ball was excellent. And he was such a likeable person!

And who can forget his robot dance? I even blogged about it here.

He helped us win the FA Cup in 2006, scoring the winner against Manchester United on the way to the finals and providing the assist to Stevie G in the finals.

Such a pity he ended up only with the runners-up medal for the 2006 Champions League. I felt that Liverpool was unlucky then -going behind to a deflected goal made all the difference.

He was a faithful player for us - but he started to lose his place in the team when Torres joined.

He went on to play for other clubs but he is always fondly remembered by us - and he said that his spell in Liverpool was his best.

Here is a tribute to him - his best 10 goals for us:-


*This is one of his signature songs - and it was sampled by MC Hammer in U Can't Touch This.

The Kid* - Peter Paul and Mary

Fernando El-Nino (The kid) Torres announced his retirement from football.

He will always be remembered fondly by many Liverpool fans - like yours truly. Even though he left us to join Chelsea, we are willing to forgive him. He was after all in my view the last real no. 9 that we have had in the likes of Fowler and Rush.

Look at some of his goals here:-

 

So sad he did not win anything with Liverpool - but at least he won the FA Cup, the Champions League and the Europa League with Chelsea. And he won the World Cup and the European Cup with Spain. So I'm happy for him - and thankful for those wonderful moments that filled me with joy and delight seeing his wonderful skill.

*This was actually a cover version of a song by Buddy Mondlock - released as late as the 1995!

What a relief* - Lee Sera

WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS OF EUROPE!!!!!!!!

I have not watched a Liverpool game 'live' all season. At the end, a part of me felt that it was a good thing i didn't as the outcome was too painful - losing it by 1 point. So i did not plan to catch the finals too. i didn't. In any event, i was too tired having so much work to do and having to wake up early for church so i went to sleep. I did wake up in between to check the results. When i found out that we have won, to be honest, I'm more relieved than ecstatic. So unlike how I felt way back in 2005. Too many false dawns. Came so close too many times and it has hurt so much. 

But I am happy, definitely! And happy for Klopp - who has been a losing finalist for so many times - the last 2 being with Liverpool. And i'm happy for Salah - who had a miserable finals last year hopefully erased. And i'm happy for Milner - who surely must have thought that his chance to win a champions league medal was over after losing last year. And i'm happy for the whole team - who worked so hard throughout the season. This is the least that they deserved.

Maybe I'll start watching them play live again next season.

*This Korean song is taken from the OST of Tomorrow With You.

I swear* - All-4-One

Would anyone swear on his own daughter's life? Well, he might, if he was truly desperate! Of course, the other view is that he would do that because he is really convinced about what he is swearing about. But still, to bring in your daughter's life?

That's how much Harry Kane values getting credited for a goal that was given to his team-mate. Instead of being contended that his team won because of that goal, or taht his team-mate did all the work to strike the ball so well, he really wanted to be credited for that goal because it apparently grazed his shoulder(?) or some part of his body as it was going into the goal. It clearly was not a significant contribution as the ball was clearly going into the goal.

But no. He went all the way to lodge a claim to be credited with that goal. Swearing on the life of his daughter. Man, he really is desperate to win the golden boot award!!!!

The result? Well, he got it! And perhaps it may help him to win the golden boot award. But at what cost? He was instantly ridiculed by not just fans but fellow players and former football greats! Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker made jokes about it. Other players joined it. What a desperate person he is.

And it didn't stop there. After his poor performance in the FA Cup semi-finals last weekend, even the FA made fun of him, where Chris Smalling was apparently asked what he had in his pocket and the reply was 'Harry Kane'!

This is so different from other players who truly celebrate their team-mates goals. Firmino, Liverpool number was remembered when he shielded his team-mate's Mane's goal bound shot into goal. he could have physically pushed it in and claimed it for himself - and apparently got a goal bonus (45,000 pounds, i think) but he didn't. The Liverpool trio are well known of being so unselfish and really playing for the team, no for individual glory.

*A hit song back in the early 90s, when you can hear it being played daily on the local radios in London.

Send in the clowns* - Judy Collins

Someone sent me this after last weekend's game:-

I think it portrays the team very well! We have a bunch of clowns at the back!

After taking the lead at 3-2, we gave up 2 points by conceding another comical goal close to the end in added on time!

This morning, we performed slightly better. Our keeper was better and he even saved a penalty (albeit a poorly taken one). But the defence still leaves much to be desired.

Sigh... what is Klopp up to? Everyone knows our weakest link is in the defence but he hasn't done anything to strengthen it, has he?

*This song was written for the musical, 'a Little Night Music'. this song has been recorded by many popular artists and is considered a jazz standard

The dream is over* - Story of the Year

So 9 months after winning the Premier League for Leicester against all odds (see my post here), Ranieri gets the sack!

In an interview yesterday, he said that his dream has died. It's ironic that a man who made so many people's dreams come true and who has inspired millions not to give up on their dreams now finds his to have died.

Was it the right thing to do? What is 'right'? Unfortunately, in today's EPL, he can be considered fortunate to have lasted so long!!! But some fans wouldn't mind being relegated if he was still their manager.

The debate will go on but all should be able to agree that the EPL has lost one of the most charming, humourous, passionate managers.

Let me end off with something light-hearted...

*A song taken from the 4th studio album of this American rock band.

Here we go again* - Paramore

And so the English Premier League resumed last weekend! Here we go again!!!!

But what a way to start it for Liverpool.

I was at Colombo and was searching for a place to watch it - but in the end, duty called and i had to give it a miss. What a pity for it appeared to be a cracking game!!!

At least i managed to catch the highlights online.

They looked really good - and although the scoreline suggest a close game, it really wasn't so.

It is really heartening to see the fighting spirit and the sharpness of our attacking force. Mane looks like a really good buy, someone who will fit into Klopp's team and adopt his philosophy.

It was also pointed out that how many players (a newly bought player) would run to his manager to celebrate his debut goal by jumping onto his manager's back???

Pic taken from fourfourtwo.com

Klopp has really brought a feel-good factor back into the team.

This season is really interesting and quite open. Favourites are City but United is threatening. Exciting times ahead!!!

*It was the acoustic version of this song that made me fall in love with this group!

It's the same old song* - Four Tops

England got knocked out of the Euro 2016!!!

Photo taken from SkySports web site

Well, was it a surprise? On hind-side, it really shouldn't be. Sure, we have some pretty good players this time round. The addition of the fresh exciting youngsters increased the hope that this time round, it will be different.

But unfortunately, we have to weigh that in together with the fact that they had Hodgson as the manager. So in a way, i am glad that England had to suffer such a terrible and embarrassing defeat. It finally stops us from dreaming and realise that Hodgson is clearly not the man for the job.

He had so many good players to pick from - but he insisted on flops like Sterling and Wilshere. Rashford was used sparingly. Mr. Dependable Milner just had a cameo.

He had no team - it was like he was still experimenting.

So in the end, it's the same old story. England disappoints again. Perhaps there is a slightly different tune this time round - it is hard to find excuses this time round. No untimely red cards, no unlucky penalty shoot-outs, no wrong calls by the referee.

*Their 1965 hit single

Against all odds* - Phil Collins

What an amazing achievement!!!!

Well done!!!! Against all odds (i read that it was 5000 - 1 chance of them winning it)!

Most of the neutrals i know are so happy for them. What a lesson for all of us too - to believe in the impossible, to aim for the stars, to achieve the unthinkable.

And I am very happy for Claudio Ranieri!!! As one headlines read - who said nice guys don't finish first?

The way how he was treated by Chelsea was really bad. I guess it is some poetic justice that it was Chelsea who prevented Spurs from winning this morning's game and thus giving the title to Leicester.

Roman - take a look at him now!!!

* This song was featured on the soundtrack of the movie of the same name.

When you believe* - Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston

What a game!!!! And no, i did not watch it. I've stopped watching Liverpool games. Why? That's another story for another day. And if i had watched the game last night, Liverpool would probably have lost.

I did watch the repeat! And it was just as exciting and emotional!!! The manner how they never gave up but still kept on trying and trying and trying. Brilliant!

Let me just recap by showing the "live" updates from BBC Sports - which were pretty entertaining!

In less than 10 minutes, Liverpool were down 2-0. That meant that they had to score 3 goals!!! That was a lot to ask for. Was it all over?

But then there was a glimmer of hope after the half time break!!!

That was short-lived and did not last 10 minutes. It was back to having to score 3 in 33 minutes!!! Even tougher than Istanbul.

But do we have time for another miracle?

Yes!!!!

So we so many goalscorers on the pitch. Who will score???

But we still need one more and we are running out of time!

And then, it happened. And no it was not from a forward player. It was the other center back!!!

Can we hold on???

YES!!!!!

What made it even sweeter was that Dortmund played really well too. And they were such sporting losers.

What a game - from the moments before the game when the entire stadium was singing "You'll never walk alone" right to the end, with the players and manager applauding the fans, it was an emotional ride. I had tears rolling down my cheeks as i tried to imagine how it would have been to be there, at the Kop end, witnessing such a special and magical game.

Credit to our manager. He added so much entertainment by his pitch-side antics!!! Jumping around, screaming and shouting, applauding. There was the moment when Lovren was in Dortmund's box and had a lot of time but he simply skied his shot. Klopp just stood there, not moving at all but the "cha toe" look on his face was priceless and left me laughing uncontrollably!!!

Well, he got us us all to believe - and just like how he said end of last year, "We decide when it's over". They refused to say it was over - until they won it!!! Well done.

There can be miracles - if we only believe. And Klopp is making the players believe. That was evident last night. He is also making us believe!!!

*The theme song for the animated movie, The Prince of Egypt. It won the academy award for the best original song that year.

It ain't over 'til it's over* - Lenny Kravitz

What a game last weekend! I wasn't planning to catch but when i checked the score, i found out it was 3-3 and there was still some time left in the game. So i decided to watch the remainder of the match.

It was a roller coaster game! I found out that Liverpool led first.



But Norwich equalised with a wonderful back-heeled effort!

 

They then led by Naismith's debut goal!



Naismith played a part in the next goal when he was brought down by Moreno in the box resulting in a penalty which was duly dispatched by Hoolahan.



Henderson started the Liverpool revival by making the score 3-2.



Firmino then added his second to tie the game at 3-3.



That is when i come in - and i witnessed the appalling mistake by the Norwich captain gifting Milner with a one on one situation with Rudd. And it was 3-4 then!!! From trailing 3-1, we are now winning 3-4!!!



At the 90th minute, to our dismay, there were 5 minutes of added time!!! But surely we can hold on, can we? Well, we can't. 2 minutes into stoppage time, we conceded with a well taken Bassong's goal. It was painful to lose 2 points like that so close to the end.



But wait!!! It ain't over til it's over!!! And just before the final whistle went, Lallana scored our 5th goal which sparked wild celebrations!!!



Crazy! Madness! And just when i decided not to watch any more games, that vow did not last one game!!!

Just a foot note - Paul Parker, former Manchester United player who was one of the commentators for the match criticised the Liverpool players for celebrating at the end of the match, saying they should all be hanging their heads in shame. I thought that comment was very unfair. Sure, defensively, they were awful at times - but they are not celebrating the fact that they were bad. They did not give up and pushed on literally to the last minute, scoring FIVE goals in total away from home. They were down 3-1 and came back to win it 4-5 with almost the last kick of the match. Surely you can't deny them the right to enjoy the moment! If he was in that game, wouldn't he be celebrating too? Of course he would. But he chose to be negative about it. Ah well... he is a former Man Utd player anyways...

It's also about time we had a bit of luck on our side. Just one week ago, we had so many good chances but failed to finish the game off and in the end, Rooney's scored with their first shot on goal (when he was out of the game until that point). But that's how football is - sometimes you have the luck on your side. And when you do, why can't you celebrate?

(note: pics obtained from all over the net)

*Written and produced by Lenny himself, this is one of my all time favourite songs.

Breathless* - The Corrs

What a wonderful night of football!!! The teams i supported in the English Premier League and the Spanish La Liga both won. They both won away from home. They both won against very good opposition. They both won convincingly. They both won by scoring 4 goals!!!!

Yes, Liverpool FC beat last year's runner-up (and the previous year's Champions) Manchester City while Barcelona beat their arch rivals, Real Madrid (also last year's runner-up).

For Liverpool, this should give them confidence as they have previously beaten last year's Champions, Chelsea, 3-1 away from home too.

For Barcelona, this meant that they go 6 points clear at the top of the table!!!

More importantly to me was the manner at how the games were won.

Barca played so well, with great class, a brilliant blend of individual skill and wonderful team-work. Slick passing leading to precise finishing. Luis Suarez bagging 2 - the first and the last.

Don't forget their goalie who made numerous wonderful saves to prevent Real from breaking the duck. Bravo to Bravo!!!

It was almost cruel when Messi was brought in as a substitute when Barca was leading 3-0!!!

But when i watched Liverpool play, it was more than joy. It was joy and excitement. The players were playing their hearts out, running until they were suffering cramps close to the end of the game, harassing the City players all the time that they could hardly play their own game, closing down the City players, chasing after every ball, playing with confidence - which led to accuracy.

I cannot remember when it was that i enjoyed watching Liverpool play.

Actually, i do. It was when Suarez was playing for Liverpool. That seems like so long ago.

I had resigned myself to a boring game (maybe even heart-breaking) and hoped that Barcelona (who were playing around the same time - starting 15 minutes earlier) would have given me some comfort and consolation - if they could beat Real at home. Well, Barca did keep me entertained with their stylish football - but it was Liverpool who just left me breathless.

I wished i could have watched both games but in the end, i chose to watch Liverpool. Maybe it's because i've been a Liverpool fan much longer than Barcelona.

This is a glimpse of things of to come. If only they can play like this week in week out - playing with all their hearts, chasing after every ball, passing accurate and confidently, without any fear or inhibitions. As my colleague said, we may rename the Kop End of Anfield to the Klopp End!!!! Why not - if we keep on Klopp-ering every team?

*Considered to be their signature hit after topping the charts all over the world including Spain and the UK.

I wanna be like Jürgen Klöpp* - Matze Knop

So it is finally confirmed - Jürgen Klöpp has joined Liverpool FC as our new manager!

So far, no one seems to be unhappy with this - except for fans of other teams!!! Well, we are quite excited about this. Not hoping for a quick fix, though but a new start to something good.

A lot has been said about him - but i discovered something new about him this morning. He is one who speaks openly about his faith and his belief in God. Here are some of the things he has been quoted as saying:-

'In order to answer this question (is there a football god) once and for all: although there is no football God, I believe that there is a God who loves us humans, just as we are, with all our quirks, and that's why I think he also loves football! But we have to score our own goals.'

'All of these really likeable guys who I meet week in week out at matches or in some cases even in training, have one thing in common: they have noticed at some stage in their careers that there must be more to life than championship and relegation battles. They relate how a relationship with God has changed their perspective.' 

'To be a believer, but not to want to talk about it - I do not know how it would work! If anyone asks me about my faith, I give information. Not because I have claim to be any sort of missionary. But when I look at me and my life - and I take time for that every day - then I feel I am in sensationally good hands.'

(Quotes taken from this link)

Wow! Nice. I want to be like him, to talk about my faith and want to do so!

*This German song (first ever in this blog) was written and released as a tribute to the newly appointed manager of Liverpool FC.

Time's up* - Ashley Tisdale

Bye bye Brendan. It's nothing personal. You've been a great guy but the time is right for you to go.

It has come to a point when it doesn't matter if i watch Liverpool play anymore. Even if i have the choice, i may choose not to. As to watch them play these days can be a much painful experience.

We stood by you from the start, hoping that you are the breath of fresh air we need.

We waited as you were given money and brought in new players. But for every Sturridge and Couthinho, there were the Lambert and Lovren. Thankfully, you managed to get Ings and Milner in for free before this season started.

But we still do not look like that is to be taken seriously. Sure, we almost won the league 2 years ago - but that was because Suarez made the whole team - including you - look good.

Your role which you played was making sure Suarez did not leave for Arsenal after 2012 season. You should have tried harder to keep him because without Suarez, we got to see Liverpool for what they really are. Let me quote Jamie Carragher:- "Liverpool are becoming Tottenham. They think they are a big club but the real big clubs aren't concerned about what they do"

So in a way, it was a good thing we did not win the EPL that year for we would all be duped in thinking that you are the answer to our prayers for a manager to bring us back to the heights we used to scale.

No doubt you are good - but just there yet. And so that is what Liverpool is now too.

We have given you time, money and our support. And now your time is up. Thanks for everything! Good bye.

* Only found as a bonus track on her Guilty Pleasures album (iTunes stores), written by Katy Perry.

The one* - Elton John

So its confirmed - Benteke will be Liverpool's new no. 9. The question is whether will be be a worthy no. 9 or not?

Pic taken from Liverpool FB page

We have had some hits but a lot of misses in recent times with our no. 9s, the most recent one being Lambert who is now at West Brom (to be honest, i felt he needed a bit more time). You can read about the good and bad no. 9s in an earlier blog post here.

I've never been a big fan of Benteke - but a lot of people are rating him highly - including one of the best no. 9 ever, Robbie Fowler (read his views here where he feels that Benteke is "perfect" for Liverpool).

As usual, i cautiously optimistic - but when Benteke does something like this (see the following video clip) on his debut, you can't blame me for being excited, can you?

Is he the one then? The one worthy to inherit the no. 9 jersey? I really really hope so!!!

*The first single from the album of the same name.

Sore loser* - Tom Chapin

And so English football resumes again!!!! Whoopie!!!!

An interesting game which was won in the end by a brilliantly taken goal by Alex Oxlade Chamberlain for Arsenal. A significant win for Arsenal?

But what amused me was Mourinho's reaction to the loss. He said that the "best team lost".

You can watch the interview here:-

Yeah, yeah, yeah - the best team just couldn't score against an organised defence. The best team conceded the only goal. The best team obviously was the team in blue, isn't it?

To be fair to him, he did congratulate Arsenal.

Let the football resume!

*Tom Chapin is a multiple Grammy Award winner, only for Best Spoken Word Album For Children. This song is from his album Billy The Squid - a "family" album.

Take my breath away* - Berlin

I had to stay up late to do work and i was already exhausted before it turned dark! And I had to wake up early to go for a tutorial. So when i found out that Liverpool was playing (around 4 am local time), i had to make the painful decision not to watch.

But i did wake up close to half 5 and decided to go and check out the last few minutes of the game. I stayed on to watch the highlights. It was so good. Suarez was so brilliant!

Taken from LFC's fb page

 4 goals! The first is a contender for the goal of the season!!! And the 3rd is the goal that will probably win the goal of the season if the first doesn't. It was sublime, his touches. He flicked it over the defender, latched on to it and sent to the to corner of the net. Watching it in slo-mo was like poetry in motion!!!

This guy is so so good! He is the top scorer of the league now - bearing in mind that he missed out quite a few games early in the season. But i am glad that he is now getting people to talk about him regarding his skills, regarding his football, regarding his passion, regarding his joy in playing in the no. 7 Liverpool jersey.

Just look at his stats for the game:-

Taken from LFC's fb page

Can i say it again? Brilliant!!! He will be a Liverpool legend, together with the likes of Dalglish, Keegan, Rush and Fowler. In fact, he is a legend already!!!!

*The song featured in the movie, Top Gun - seems to be apt when referring to Suarez!