Justice for the 96

Paul Tomkins: An Absolute Gun Writer.

2008-01-09T00:01:00.000-08:00

It's an end of the pitch where the difference is made, and an area where Benítez got it spot-on when winning La Liga. Get it right in this position, and you can win trophies and titles.

Yes, step forward Pepe Reina: to my mind quite possibly the best goalkeeper Liverpool have ever had. (Oh, and that lad Torres isn't bad either, at the other end of the pitch.)

I've heard Benítez say that praise can weaken you, and in many ways that is true; certainly when it comes to the first flush of success. But on the whole he doesn't buy weak characters who are prone to having their heads turned by a few kind words. And while Torres is winning the headlines, Reina, with a phenomenal 49 clean sheets in 87 Premiership matches, deserves all the plaudits that come his way.

If a striker had 49 goals from 87 games (plus plenty more in the Champions League) you'd call him world-class. But of course, a keeper can obviously only keep a maximum of one clean sheet per game, not to mention that in some matches he will have no chance of stopping a goal. So to have a rate far better than one every two games is outstanding. (Then again, he could get a clean sheet without ever making a save but I imagine such instances are rare.)

Reina will be the first to admit that the defence, midfield and even attack play their part, but they'd also point out how much they can relax with him behind them.

For me, he mixes Grobbelaar's gymnastic agility with Clemence's concentration and composure. But he also –– and this is a crucial distinction over any of his forebears –– has a fair bit of Jan Molby's ability with the ball at his feet. His inch-perfect passing from the back, along with his super-quick thinking, is a big factor in turning defence into attack. It sets him apart from the rest.

While he's no midget, the only thing he lacks to make him truly invincible is the really imposing frame of a taller keeper such as David James. (Or, indeed, the girth of Molby: with which he could quite literally fill the goal.)

Last season Reina made a couple of bad mistakes, as do all keepers, but Petr Cech has made as many gaffs in his last two games as did Reina all season. Over his two and a half seasons, the Spanish keeper has made precious few serious errors, and is on course for his third successive pair of Golden Gloves for the most clean sheets.

Let's also not forget the manager's role in organising the defence at set-pieces. Despite a couple of goals conceded from free-kicks recently, for the first time in the league this season (a situation not helped by the absence of Hyypia as well as Agger to injury, and Crouch to suspension, and also due to some poor clearances more than marking issues). The zonal marking system still has a remarkable record for the Reds. Chelsea have been leaking goals from bad man-marking, United conceded two in one game at West Ham, and Spurs have conceded five in their last two matches.

It's very difficult to foretell who will be a success, and to what degree. I've been wrong about players before, as I'm sure everyone has. I felt Cissé and Morientes could succeed; I still don't think either were ‘failures', given that the former scored a decent amount of goals and played a part in the European and FA Cup successes, as well as the 82-point league haul, while Morientes played his part in the latter two of those three achievements. But Cissé never lived up to his price tag and potential, and Morientes never lived up to his reputation.

But with Fernando Torres I felt the most certain I've ever been of any player succeeding. Having said that, I still thought it would take him longer than it has to settle. So that's been a bonus. Other big signings, like Collymore, Clough and Diouf started brightly only to ultimately fail, but no-one has started their Liverpool career this well for years, spread over half a season. And it's no fluke.

I feared I might have gone too far over the summer in comparing him with Thierry Henry, and while they are different players (despite some similarities), Torres has the ability merit the comparison. Now he has to show the Frenchman's consistency, season after season.

The Christmas period, and the Manchester City game in particular, has perhaps shown one of the toughest parts of adapting to life in England: lots of games in quick succession. Even Sam Allardyce, a stereotypically old-style English centre-half from the ‘70s and ‘80s as a player, but one who tries to adopt an enlightened modern approach as a manager, says that there is too much football played at this time of year, and that you wouldn't ask the same of racehorses.

Being a striker is all about lots of movement, whereas being a defender is often about taking a few steps here and there; reading the game, rather than running. So strikers feel it more. While Torres coped well on the whole, scoring three goals in four festive games, he wasn't as devastating as he can be.

Of all Torres' many qualities, my favourite aspect of his game is the way he takes the ball onto his left side, despite being right-footed. Sometimes he'll do it to get away a left-foot shot, other times he'll still use his right foot. When he does use his left, he can score goals, as he has against Derby, Reading and Fulham.

One-footedness, and a proclivity to do anything possible to use the favoured foot, is a weakness in football. Some can get away with it: Patrik Berger was perhaps the best I've seen when it comes to a Liverpool player somehow working space to shoot on his favoured side, but if he'd used his right foot as well, he'd have been even better.

Torres' very first Liverpool goal, against Chelsea, summed up his unpredictability: the position of the ball clearly favoured a left-foot shot. But the problem was that doing so would take the ball closer to Cech, and any curl would possibly take it wide of the post; a right-foot shot could have the ball curl past the keeper and in towards the far post. Which is what he did. To perfection.

At the time I feared the finish (unlike the way he beat the defender) was less a clever decision and more a case of the Spaniard wanting it on his favoured foot. But the more I see of him, the more assured I am that it was sublime thinking, and that he'll always use the foot that the situation requires. For me, this is one of the most important things in a striker. It makes him impossible to suss out. While Torres' form may dip from time to time, he's as far from a one-dimensional forward as you can get.

How many times has he faced a defender and turned him square-on, only to breeze past him to the left? As well as the Chelsea goal, there was the run for the opening goal against Portsmouth, and the superb individual strike at Pride Park. The defenders know that they must stop him running onto his right foot, as he can do what he did in Marseilles: drift past players in the blink of an eye and finish with supreme accuracy. But that leaves them open to a left-side burst.

The willingness to use his left foot not only bamboozles defenders, but it also doesn't allow keepers to set themselves. His goal against Fulham came from an early left-foot shot. Against Derby at Anfield he also pulled a shot back across the keeper with his left foot.

Sixteen goals at the halfway point for a player who doesn't take penalties (unlike the others in the top-scorers' chart) is a great return, particularly as he's also missed quite a few games through injury.

I had a lot of correspondence about Torres over the summer, with fans expressing their doubts. But for me there was never any question he was the real deal. The comparisons with Morientes were as lame as you could get: both talented Spanish strikers called Fernando, but one infinitely more suited to English football.

Sometimes you have to pay a lot of money for top quality. But even at £20m, Fernando Torres looks a bargain. Other times you can find a gem for a far cheaper fee, as was the case with Pepe Reina, at just £6m. With these two young Spaniards, the Reds' should have years of success at both ends of the pitch

Liverpool FC's first team squad.

2007-12-12T02:30:00.000-08:00

Alot of you would know most if not all of Liverpool FC's first team Squad. But do you know the small facts about them? Where they were born? Their first professional team? Where they moved to Liverpool from and when?
Well for all of you who would like to know more about the incredible players at Liverpool FC please read on:

Pepe Reina:
Full Name: José Manuel Reina Páez
Born: 31 August 1982 in Madrid, Spain.
First team: Barcelona FC. Made his Debut at just 18 years of age in the semi final of the 2000-2001 UEFA cup against Liverpool FC.
Bought from: Reina was purchased from Villareal in the summer of 2005 with manager Rafa Benitez claiming he was the best keeper in Spain.
Interesting facts: Pepe Reina is an unbelievably good penalty stopper. In his first year at Villareal he saved 7 out of 9 penalties, but it is not just his penalties that he excels at. In his first two years at Liverpool FC he was awarded the Barclays Golden Gloves. His Father, Miguel Reina Santos, was a former goalkeeper for Ateltico Madrid, a team which is interested in signing Pepe.

Steve Finnan:
Full Name: Stephen John Finnan
Born: 24 April 1976 in Limerick, Ireland.
First team: Birmingham City. He only made a few appearances and moved on to Notts County where he attracted the attention of higher placed clubs.
Bought from: Steve was bought from Fulham in the summer of 2003 and while many right backs have been bought since this time none have succeded in ousting him from this position until the highly versatile Arbeloa was bought.
Interesting facts: Steve is the only player to have played in every English football league and Conference.

Sami Hyypia
Full Name: Sami Tuomas Hyypiä
Born: 7th October 1973 in Porvoo, Finland.
First Team: MyPa. In his first season with the club the won the Finnish Cup
Bought from: Sami was bought from Willem II in 1999 after he was spotted by a TV cameraman and recommended to the Liverpool Coaching Staff.
Interesting facts: He first played in England for Newcastle during a short loan spell but the North England club did not sign him permantly.

Daniel Agger
Full Name: Daniel Munthe Agger
Born: 12 December 1984 in Hvidivre, Denmark.
First Team: Brondy IF. He won the Danish Cup in the season of 2005.
Bought from: Daniel was bought from Brondy in the winter of 2006. He is currently the most expensive defender Liverpool has ever bought and at £5.8m he is the most expensive footballer sold by a dutch club. He is regarded by many as one of the worlds best young center backs.
Interesting facts: In 2004 Agger was named Denmarks "Talent of the Year" after a comanding season at just 20 years of age. Daniel Agger is not just fond of tattoo's he is also a tattoo artist.

John Arne Riise
Full Name: John Arne Semundseth Riise
Born: 24 September 1980 in Alesund, Norway.
First Team: Aelesunds F.K. After just 1 season as a senior player he moved to AS Monaco.
Bought from: Riise became Liverpool's first signing during the 2001 transfer window in the summer, when he moved from AS Monaco.
Interesting facts: Riise has scored the fastest ever goal in a League Final when he volleyed home in the 45th second of the match against Chavski. in 2004-2005 Riise was Liverpool's top scorer away from home.

Harry Kewell
Full Name: Harry Kewell.
Born: 22nd September 1978 in Smithfield, Sydney.
First Team: When he was just 15 years of age he was offered a trial by Leeds United. He made his debut for Leeds at just 17 years old.
Bought from: Kewell was bought from Leeds United at a time where Leeds were in financial strife and selling top name stars to fund the club. He snubbed offers from AC Milan, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Manchester United and Arsenal to join his beloved Liverpool FC.
Interesting facts: Kewell is the only Australian-born player to win a UEFA Champions league in 2005. (Craig Johnstone was born in South Africa) Kewell scored on his debut for Australia in a 1-1 draw with Iran.

Steven Gerrard
Full Name: Steven George Gerrard MBE.
Born: 30th May 1980 in Whiston, Merseyside, England.
First Team: Liverpool FC at just 8 years old. Steven played for Whiston Juniors and was noticed by the Liverpool staff at a gala day.
Bought from: Gerrard is a rare breed of footballer. He has never signed for another club although there was speculation 2 years in a row he would leave Liverpool FC for Chavski.
Interesting facts: Gerrard is the only player in history to Score in the Carling Cup Final, FA Cup Final, UEFA Cup Final and Champions League Final. During the ages of 14 and 16 Stevie only play 20 games for Liverpool due to growth spurts.

Fernando Torres
Full Name: Fernando José Torres Sanz
Born: 20th March 1984 in Fuenlabrada, Madrid.
First Team: Fernando first played for Atletico Madrid. He joined the club at just 11 years of age after impressing in his local league with 55 goals in a season.
Bought from: Fernando was bought from Ateltico Madrid and is the most expensive player Liverpool has ever purchased at a reported £26.6 million.
Interesting facts: At aged 14 he was rated the best player for his age in the world at a Nike cup featuring teams from AC Milan, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Manchester United. His debut came at just 16 years of age, and in his second ever game he scored his first goal for Atletico Madrid.

Andriy Voronin
Full Name: Andriy Viktorovych Voronin
Born: 21 July 1979 in Odessa, Ukraine.
First Team: Borussia Mönchengladbach. But after being relegated in his first season he moved to Mainz.
Bought from: Voronin came to Liverpool on a free transfer from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer of 2007.
Interesting facts: In his 3rd season with Mainz he was the leagues second highest scorer with 20 goals. At international level he plays in midfield.

Yossi Benayoun
Full Name: Yosef Shai Benayoun
Born: 5th May 1980 in Dimona, Israel.
First Team: Hapoel Be'er Sheva. He was offered a professional contrat at Ajax but as his family had failed to settle in Holland they returned home to Israel where he played for Hapoel.
Bought from: West Ham United in the summer of 2007. He was seen as an ideal replacement for departing flair player Luis Garcia.
Interesting facts: Benayoun made history by scoring the 500th goal in Liverpool Champions League history.

Fabio Aurelio
Full Name: Fábio Aurélio Rodrigues
Born: 24th September 1979 in Sao Carlos, Brazil.
First Team: Sao Paulo. He came through the youth ranks and represented his country at all youth ages.
Bought from: Valencia. Bought in 2006 by Rafa. Benitez knew Aurelio well after 5 years of managing Valencia. In his first interview with the Liverpool Echo he said "I am going to a new club in which the trainer knows me, to see if I can conquer the objectives I have set myself. The most important moments I had in my career were the titles (with Valencia) and that was with Benitez. He trusted me and he continues to trust me and that is what I value more."
Interesting facts: Aurelio ruptured his Achilles Tendon after receiving a pass in a match against PSV Eindhoven. There was no opposition player within 5 meters of him when this happened. Hu currently holds an Italian passport allowing him to play in England without any work permits.

Xabi Alonso
Full Name: Xabier Alonso Olano
Born: 25th November 1981 in Tolosa, Spain.
First Team: Xabi came through the youth ranks at Real Sociedad, where his father was a former player.
Bought from: Real Sociedad in August 2004.
Interesting facts: Alonso played for Real Sociedad when just 19 years of age and Sociedad finished the season in second place behind Real Madrid. He is well known for scoring goals from his own half. in 2005 Alonso scored from his own half and it later transpired that a Liverpool fan had earlier placed a £200 bet on Alonso scoring from within his own half at some point in the 2005-06 season, and won £25,000 as a result.

Jermaine Pennant
Full Name: Jermaine Lloyd Pennant
Born: 15th January 1983 in Nottingham, England.
First Team: Notts County. However at 15 was purchased by Arsenal FC.
Bought from: Birmingham City in 2006 with Arsenal receving 25% of the fee.
Interesting facts: He gained notoriety in 2005, when he had to play a match while on probation, wearing an electronic tag, following a drink-driving conviction. He is part of an impressive record as being one of two players to score a hattrick for the same team in the same game. The other with him was Robert Pires.

Alvaro Arbeloa
Full Name: Álvaro Arbeloa Coca
Born: 17th January 1983 in Salamanca, Madrid.
First Team: Real Madrid C.F. However after 1 season with Real Madrid he moved to Deportiva La Coruna after there were no placeds for him in the team and chances were limited.
Bought from: Deportiva La Coruna. With Real Madrid getting 50% of the sale.
Interesting facts: He was the first number 2 to score a goal for Liverpool FC in 15 years.

Dirk Kuyt
Full Name: Dirk Kuijt (actual spelling)
Born: 22nd July 1980 in Katwijk aan Zee, Holland.
First Team: FC Utrecht, joined them at age 18 and immediately was in the first team.
Bought from: Feyenoord, in his first 3 seasons he scored 74 goals.
Interesting facts: Kuyt has only missed five games over seven seasons from 1999 to 2006. He has played in 179 consecutive matches with Utrecth and Feyenoord.

Ryan Babel
Full Name: Ryan Guno Babel
Born: 19th December 1986 in Amsterdam, Holland.
First Team: Ajax. After being rejected initially he came back to secure a professional contract some years later.
Bought from: Ajax. In the summer of 2007 Babel looked to be on the move to Arsenal but a late change of heart from both parties let Liverpool sign him.
Interesting facts: Babel can play at either Left, Right or attacking midfield aswell as a striker, which is actually his preferred position.

Javier Mascherano
Full Name: Javier Alejandro Mascherano
Born: 8th June 1984 in San Lorenzo, Santa Fe, Argentina.
First Team: He came through the youth ranks at River Plate.
Bought from: Currently on loan from West Ham United, but with an option to buy Benitez has made it clear he intends to keep one of the Worlds best defensive midfielders.
Interesting facts: Before he represented River Plate at senior level he was representing Argentina.

Jamie Carragher
Full Name: James Lee Duncan Carragher
Born: 28th January 1978 in Bootle, Merseyside, England.
First Team: Liverpool FC. Signed as a youngster he began his career at right back before moving to center back at the beginning of the 2004/2005 season.
Bought from: Nowhere. Jamie is currently the longest serving Liverpool player at the club.
Interesting facts: Jamie grew up supporting Everton. He earned a red card for throwing a coin back into the crowd at Arsenal.

Lucas Leiva
Full Name: Lucas Pezzini Leiva
Born: 9th January 1987 in Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil.
First Team: Gremio, making his debut at the age of 18.
Bought from: Gremio in the summer of 2007.
Interesting facts: Lucas became the youngest ever player to receive the Bola de Ouro which is awarded to the best player in the Brazilian Championship.

So there you go. Liverpool's first team squad with a few exceptions. There is no doubting the quality that is above and i really do look forward to the next couple of years when our youngsters come through the ranks.

YNWA

Steven Gerrard - The Worlds Best Player

2007-12-06T04:29:00.000-08:00

For my first ever blog on this site i have decided to dedicate it to the one and only Steven George Gerrard MBE.
Words cannot describe how good he is so here is a video of this supreme players passing, tackling, scoring and leadership skills.
Enjoy