Liverpool Football Club 08/09

Kuyt keane on Robbie!

Liverpool will discover their first European opponents of the new season when the Champions League third round qualifying draw takes place in Nyon tomorrow.

Rafael Benitez's men are top seeds in the draw but with not all of the 18 third round entrants receiving a seeding, there is the possibility of the Reds being paired with Atletico Madrid, Galatasaray or Slavia Prague.

With many of the second round ties still to be decided 46 teams will enter the third round draw, which takes place from 11am on Friday morning.

The third round games will take place on August 16/17 and August 26/27.

The teams Liverpool could face in the qualifying round:

Atletico Madrid (Spain)
FC Sheriff (Moldova) or Sparta Prague (Czech Republic)
Drogheda United (Ireland) or Dynamo Kiev (Ukraine)
Levski Sofia (Bulgaria)
Slavia Prague (Czech Republic)
Galatasaray (Turkey)
Inter Baki (Azerbaijan) or FK Partizan (Serbia)
Vitoria SC (Portugal)
NK Domzale (Slovenia) or Dinamo Zagreb (Croatia)
Beitar Jerusalem (Israel) or Wisla Krakow (Poland)
Standard Liege (Belgium)
FC Twente (Netherlands)
Tampere United (Finland) or Artmedia Petrzalka (Slovakia)
Aalborg (Denmark) or FC Modrica (Bosnia)
SK Brann (Norway) or FK Ventspils (Latvia)
Anorthosis Famagusta (Cyprus) or Rapid Vienna (Austria)

Hopefully get one of the teams in bold. Though wouldn't mind Atletico, I'm sure Frank will be pleased.

Atletico would pretty much knock you out

Diego scouse humilator > oirish wankjob

L.r.d wrote:Atletico would pretty much knock you out

Diego scouse humilator > oirish wankjob

Another clever, well put together and well thought out comment by Lard

You stalking me is getting very tiresome just like your comments.

Atletico would indeed be tough opponents and a trip to Eastern Europe or Turkey at this stage of the season is always welcome.

What happened to the good old days when we used to play TNS in the Cl qualifiers?

CUP FINAL HEARTACHE FOR RESERVES

Liverpool Reserves saw their hopes of picking up where they left off last season end in disappointment as they slumped to a last-gasp defeat against Manchester United in the Lancashire FA Canterbury Senior Cup final.

Gary Ablett's side, which comprised a number of youngsters fresh from the club's Academy, battled throughout a pulsating encounter but eventually went down to a 3-2 loss after goals from Nathan Eccleston and Jordy Brouwer had twice drawn them level.

Ahead of the match hopes had been high that they could go on to secure what would have effectively been a quadruple triumph as the match was a delayed final carried over from the 2007-08 campaign.

And with a trophy at stake an expectant crowd packed into the County Ground prior to kick-off hoping to see some of the future stars of both Liverpool and United produce a showdown to remember.

They were not disappointed.

Both sets of supporters were treated to some entertaining football early on with United creating the first chance of the game on two minutes when Rodrigo Possebon drilled a 20-yard effort just over the bar.

Liverpool responded and should have taken the lead three minutes later when Andras Simon broke the offside trap to race clear; but despite rounding the keeper he overran the ball and the chance went begging.

It was end-to end stuff even at this early stage of the contest and Frazier Campbell must have wondered how he hadn't put United in front soon after, when he saw his low effort cleared off the line with the goal gaping.

Such a fast-paced start to the game would be hard for any side to maintain and the contest eventually settled down into an intriguing battle, with United enjoying the majority of possession while the Reds looked a constant threat on the counter attack.

Indeed, the only thing lacking from an enterprising opening was a goal and that duly arrived on 28 minutes when Tom Cleverley was on hand to guide the ball into the far corner after some good work by Campbell on the right side of the penalty area.

It was a blow for the young Reds but they responded in the right manner and they could have levelled within minutes of the restart when Jordy Brouwer looped a header inches wide of the far post.

Gary Ablett's side continued to probe for openings and five minutes before the interval they dragged themselves level courtesy of a
sensational strike from Nathan Eccleston.

The top scorer in last season's Academy side showed just what he is made of when he jinked in from the left and unleashed an unstoppable 25 yard drive into the top corner to leave Ron Robert Zieler with no chance.

It meant the Reds began the second-half in buoyant mood but despite some good attacking play early on they were undone on 51 minutes when a lightning break down the left saw Campbell cross for David Gray to restore United's lead.

Another big effort was required and Ablett must have thought his side were level for the second time in the match when Stephen Irwin's pass sent Brouwer clear but the Dutch forward got his angles all wrong and smashed an effort well wide of the left-hand post.

On 70 minutes the game should have been over for the Reds when Campbell found himself with the ball at his feet six yards from an open goal but he somehow contrived to smash his shot against the crossbar.

It was a huge let off for Liverpool and within seconds of the United miss they drew level once again when Brouwer was on hand to head home a free-kick from the left.

The match looked destined to be settled by a penalty shoot-out; but United had other ideas and when Cleverley broke down the left with three minutes remaining he cut the ball back to substitute Danny Drinkwater who cooly slotted home to win the cup for United.

Liverpool Reserves: Bouzanis, Scott, Irwin, San Jose, Huth, Kelly, Lindfield, Eccleston (Amoo 83'), Brouwer, Simon, Bruna (Kacaniklic 70').
Unused subs: Hansen, Metcalf, Pepper.

Manchester United: Zieler, Gray, Eckersley, Cathcart, Chester, Simpson, Possebon (Drinkwater 46'), Gibson, Campbell, Cleverley, Hewson (Evans 88').
Unused subs: Derbyshire, Amos, Eikrem.

Batmobile

It appears Silva and Quasimodo are going for the same sort of price Villa want for Barry - complete madness, if Benitez wants cover for the Olympic lads, then ffs Engelaar was available for peanuts and handled himself superbly in the Euro's....

Am i missing a trick here but Barry > Silva and Quasmera... crazy pursuit...

Silva > Barry > Quaresma

imo

Drinkwater....that is some name to have

Itandje rejects Galatasary move, holding out for PSG:
http://football365.com/story/0,17033,8652_3894983,00.html

You can tell he's scouse just by looking at him.

We drew Standard Liege for our qualifying round

Kimbo wrote:You can tell he's scouse just by looking at him.

You can tell he ain't Geordie cause he ain't a fat pile of lard

TORRES THRILLED WITH KEANE ARRIVAL
Paul Eaton 01 August 2008 #

Fernando Torres today admitted he is relishing the prospect of a deadly front-line partnership with new signing Robbie Keane.
Keane arrived at Anfield earlier in the week and made his debut for the Reds at Villarreal on Wednesday night.

Having arrived at the club for a hefty price tag himself one year ago Torres knows the expecations will be on Keane to deliver the goods - but he is in no doubts the Irishman will rise to the challenge.

"Robbie really wanted to come to us and you can already see he is going to bring us an enormous amount and tanash; hard work, goals and experience," said Torres.

"He will bring the level of the team up a notch. Keane has a proven record and great mobility and versatility. He can play on the wing or a bit behind the striker.

"It is very good for the team to have a player who can get in between the opposition's midfield and defence and score goals.

"The tactical lay-out of the team, and whether or not we are going to play two up front, is down to Rafa Benitez.

"When he signed Keane I'm sure he had a very clear idea of where he wanted to play him.

"But he is very adaptable. He could fill a number of different roles."

Meanwhile, Torres has also spoken of his desire to improve on a spectacular first season at Anfield.

The Spaniard netted 33 goals during a brilliant debut campaign with the Reds - but he is setting his sights even higher this time around.

"My aim is to score more than last season, that is what I am working towards," said Torres.

"I, at least, have to aim to equal last year's figure because it is very important to bring goals to the team.

"Getting my mind back on Liverpool after the European Championships will not be a problem. All of us Spaniards came back happy, full of confidence, and with a real desire to stay at the top and keep on winning. We want people to continue talking about us. We now have another chance to leave a mark with the Premier League and the Champ-ions League. I am coming into this season with all the desire and hope in the world.

"Like every season the expectation is huge. People are talking about us winning the Premier League again because we have been some way off for the last few years. It's 19 years since we won it. We also have to be among the best teams in the Champions League again. We are a very competitive side over two legs and I'm certain that we can go a long way."

Historicus wrote:We drew Standard Liege for our qualifying round

Rafael Benitez has declared himself satisfied following his side's pairing with Standard Liege in the Champions League third qualifying round.

The Reds will travel to Belgium for the first leg of the qualifier in two weeks time before the return clash at Anfield when they will be looking to book their place in the group stages of the competition.

"I think there are two very important things about this draw," Benitez told Liverpoolfc.tv. "Firstly, the second game is at home which is really, really important. Clearly that makes a massive difference to play the deciding game in front of our own fans.

"I'm also pleased because the travelling isn't a problem. We don't have to go too far which is good news, especially when you look at some of the teams we could have drawn.

"People may say it's a kind draw for us but we will treat them with respect. We know some things about their team already but we will now watch more videos and get reports from our scouts before the first game.

"Of course we know about Oguchi Onyewu because he spent some time with Newcastle. Axel Witsel is a good young player and Wilfried Dalmat is probably the best player in their team. Alexandre Da Silva is a good defender as well, so we know they won't be easy opposition for us.

"Overall though it is a good draw and we are happy."

It is expected to be a number of days before dates for the two legs are confirmed. Stay logged on to Liverpoolfc.tv for further news.
===========

Ronny Rosenthal believes Liverpool will face a revitalised Standard Liege side when two of his former clubs lock horns in the third round qualifying of the Champions League.

The ex-Reds striker - who moved to Anfield from Les Rouches back in 1990 - feels Laszlo Boloni's side will provide Liverpool with a tough test when they travel to the Stade Maurice Dufrasne in two weeks time; but expects the Reds to come through the tie unscathed.

Speaking exclusively to Liverpoolfc.tv he said: "It's a very good draw for Liverpool.

"There were some tough trips in there so a short journey to Belgium will suit Rafael Benitez and his side and I think it is a comfortable pairing for them."

Liege are currently riding high following their first title success in 25 years and although Rosenthal has been impressed by their recent revival, he is confident they don't have the personnel to match Liverpool and feels they lack the European experience to have any realistic chance of causing an upset.

"They won the league last season for the first time since 1983 and it will be their first time in the Champions League," he said.

"They've got some good players in there too - although there aren't any really big names that people in England would know too much about.

"The Brazilian Igor De Camargo is a threat and they have couple of good young Belgian players like Steven Defour, but I don't think they will be able to cope against the likes of Fernando Torres, Robbie Keane and Steven Gerrard."

The 44-year-old admits his heart was torn when he first heard the draw and although he would like Liege to put up a good showing, he is keen to rest assure supporters that his true allegiance lies with the Reds.

"Obviously I want Liverpool to win and progress overall," he continued.

"But I wouldn't mind Standard getting a result in the first leg. I'm going to be going to the game in Belgium and I hope to be at Anfield too so it would be nice for both sets of supporters to have something to cheer- I just hope Reds fans are cheering loudest come the final whistle on Merseyside."

Who do you think is going to be your next signing?

Is Alonso finally staying now or will he be sold plus one more player and then you will bid for Barry?

Are you disappointed you have not bid for Silva or VDV who could sign for Real Madrid for less than £10m because of a clause in his contract.

look everyone it's Batman

Glenn Hysén wrote:look everyone it's Batman

Shouldn't he be beating his Mother or Sister?

Glenn Hysén wrote:look everyone it's Batman

I think he missed the answer to his questions the first 4,000 times we answered them

I can't wait to see what he says next

Glenn Hysén wrote:I can't wait to see what he says next

Do you think Torres, Fernando will suffer from Second season syndrome

Do you think Rafa will ever sign a good player?

Will Daniel Agger, Jamie Carragher or Martin Skrtel get picked this season

R.Keane wrote:Will Daniel Agger, Jamie Carragher or Martin Skrtel get picked this season

Cotr change your name NOW! I miss it.... Now I think your some kind of glory hunting Liverp0-0l fan

San Ricky Jol wrote:

R.Keane wrote:Will Daniel Agger, Jamie Carragher or Martin Skrtel get picked this season

Cotr change your name NOW! I miss it.... Now I think your some kind of glory hunting Liverp0-0l fan

It is better to believe in the truth than a myth ricky so for your sake the name stays

Let's hope coater doesn't keep changing his name - it's bad enough when Rai does it and he only has to chose between 3 different usernames!

R.Keane wrote:

San Ricky Jol wrote:

R.Keane wrote:Will Daniel Agger, Jamie Carragher or Martin Skrtel get picked this season

Cotr change your name NOW! I miss it.... Now I think your some kind of glory hunting Liverp0-0l fan

It is better to believe in the truth than a myth

So don't change in R keane but stick with good old Cotr ....