Can I please be Nando?

I have totally not been keeping up with the blog of late, partly because of exams, partly because I'm lazy and partly because there's not really much football on. Anyhow, moment of the game last night (aside from the Nando hatrick and Dahveed scoring) was this:

I might do a proper report later, but don't hold your breath. My laziness knows no bounds.

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The Liverpool skillz train...

Ok, so when I did the Valencia post, I promised I would do a Liverpool one too, and this is it. First off, we can start with a recent bit of skill, because it is practically orgasmic.

That goal has got to be one of the best worked things I have ever seen. Nando's ball control, Stevie's composure. Just guh. I love them.

Anyway, one of my favourite playes in the squad is without a doubt Fernando Torres. He has skills beyond what is expected of any striker. He's capable of scoring, yes, but that's not all he does for the team. He is tall and strong, able to hold off defenders and in his first season in the Premier League, he was on fire. He became the highest scoring foreign player in a debut season, proving his class with a range of different goals. He was also one of the most important players for his country at the Euros. He scored the winning goal in the final, ensuring Spain got their first silverware for 44 years.

And of course, you can't mention skillz without mentioning Steven Gerrard. The midfielder has often been the saving grace for Liverpool, with influential performances in the games that truly mattered. He makes last ditch tackles, scores goals, commands the midfield and all with ease. There's no wonder he's a fans favourite with performances that win his team games and boost morale.

Then we have Xabi Alonso. Easily one of the best passers in the game, Liverpool's midfield suffers without his presence. In the CL winning season, the partnership he formed with Gerrard saw them control games from midfield, and his dip in form coincided with a poor run for Liverpool too. As well as this, he scores from his own half.

And then we have Daniel Agger. Due to injuries, we've not seen much of Dagger in the past season and a half, but his talent and importance to the team are undisputed. He is also capable of unleashing a fierce shot, as West Ham will tell you. Or you could just watch this:

There's basically so many skillful players in the Liverpool team, I would find it virtually impossible to show them all, but that doesn't mean I rate them any less. Pepe has been our most consistent keeper for years, the rest of the defence is solid and does a great job keeping the goals out, and the midfield is one of the best in the Prem on their day.

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????

I see a pic of Nando looking like this:

Yet still, I choose to focus on this:

I don't understand. Have I really become so obsessed with short dark Spaniards, that I just ignore anyone else? And ditch the team loyalty while I'm at it? Well, if it helps, I still want Nando to win this shizz.

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I need to stop (epic post alert)

I don't even know how many of the most recent posts I've done have had something to do with Valencia in some way or another. I guess it's just because I haven't been seeing so many Liverpool games lately. I miss the CL, it needs to hurry up and come back so I can watch them play and remember what I'm missing out on. The last time I saw a Liverpool game live on the telly/internetz was Boxing Day, which is way too long ago. I know that I spend a lot of time ranting about Valencia on this blog, and this is because I see them play almost every week. Although it may not really seem like it sometimes, Liverpool are and will remain my first team. It's just that lately, I've been thinking about what would happen were they to play Valencia at any point in the future, and I think I can safely say I would not know what to do. I don't want either team to lose, but I want them both to win. Impossible, huh?

Anyway, seeing as I haven't really paid much attention to them lately, I figured I'd do a post on all my recent (and not so recent) memories of Liverpool just to let them know that I still love them and I'm still very much a fan. I guess the best place to start on this post is the beginning. I first started watching Liverpool when I was 11 years old. It feels strange that I have been following this team for nearly half my life. It all began with Michael Owen, as you will most probably remember from this post. In fact, it was so long ago, the Liverpool site doesn't even give results back that far. It starts from 1999. I became a fan in 1998. Back then, I didn't understand much about football. I think it's pretty safe to say, I understood nothing. It was just this sport I watched from time to time, but the more I watched, the more I fell in love. I don't even remember too much of my first few years as a Liverpool fan, I was still learning about the game and the players. All I seemed to care about back then was the looks, the talent didn't even cross my mind. I'll be the first to admit that when Steven Gerrard first made it into the Liverpool line up, I wasn't particularly a fan. It wasn't until the 2000-2001 season I finally started seeing past the looks and to the talent. That was the season Liverpool won the UEFA Cup, Worthington Cup (now the Carling Cup) and the FA Cup and it's probably one of the first memories I have firmly embedded. Michael Owen was still my favourite player at that time. Steven Gerrard became my new favourite the season Rafa came to Liverpool and Owen left for bigger things. The Real Madrid subs bench mainly. I never did understand that decision :(

I went to my first live game at Anfield at the start of the 2002-2003 season. Well, I say start of the season, it was actually the pre season friendlies against Lazio on 30th June 2002. I still remember the game (sadly), Lazio won 1-0. I was sat right near the match control room, and saw the goal really rather clearly. I think I swore, but that may just have been the Kop letting the Lazio players know what they thought of that scoreline. This was the season Liverpool beat Manchester United to lift the Worthington Cup. I remember watching that final, I went crazy screaming when Owen scored the second. Sadly, that year, Liverpool finished 5th, just outside the Champions League places, meaning they had to be content with a place in the UEFA Cup for the following season.

The 2004-2005 season is the next one I have big memories from. Rafa B arrived at the club from Valencia (and I think that's another reason I like Valencia so much, they gave us Rafa) and performed miracles to get Liverpool to the CL final. Who could forget that? It had everything. Drama, goals, lucky breaks. At half time, 3-0 down, I really thought that was game over. A small part of me still believed they could do something, ANYTHING to lift the cup, but I didn't think it would actually happen the way it did. I was ready to put my pyjamas on and go to bed when Gerrard got the first. I decided to sit and watch a bit more, and when Smicer got the second just minutes later, I just KNEW that cup was coming home to Liverpool for good. In a crazy 6 minutes in the second half, they got the score back to 3-3. Since then, I don't think I have been as nervous about any game. The FA Cup final the following year came close, as did the Spain-Italy shootout in the Euros in 2008, but Liverpool-Milan tops them all for me. I got so drunk that night, I think I turned up to my exams the next morning with more alcohol in my bloodstream than I had blood. Probably why I failed them really...
They finished 5th in the Prem that year, and only the CL win gave them entry to the competition the following year, on the condition they played from the very start and qualified. Everton weren't best pleased of course, but who gives a shit? They got knocked out of the first qualifying games of both the CL and the UEFA Cup. There's only two teams in Liverpool boys. Liverpool and the Liverpool reserves. The great man Bill Shankly said so himself.

Rafa's second season at Liverpool brought more silverware, this time in the form of the FA Cup. The final that is now known as the Gerrard final because our captain was immense. Say what you like about the man, but his heart and soul goes into every game he plays and you can see how much each win means to him. I would say something cliche along the lines on 'cut him open and he'll bleed Liverpool red' but er...duh! We all do. If you don't, go to the doctor. Seriously, there's something wrong if your blood is not red. The game was again, full of drama. It had many similarities to the CL final the previous season, and the scoreline was the same come the final whistle. Two seasons in English football, two trophies. Not bad going for a newbie.

The 2006-2007 season saw Liverpool once again reach the CL final, where they would once again meet AC Milan. Sadly, this game didn't quite end the same way as their previous meeting. In all fairness, Milan deserved to win the 2005 final and Liverpool deserved to win this one, so justice was served. Over that summer, the boss was busy in the transfer window and the start of 2007-2008 saw a new arrival at the club. Fernando Torres. His first season in the Prem was an absolute blinder. He was easily the best player for me personally that season. He became the highest foreign scorer in his debut season, an honour which had previously belonged to Ruud van Nistelrooy. Had it not been for Cristiano Ronaldo and his many free kicks and penalties, Torres would have been player of the season. He was outstanding in every way that mattered. And then, to top off a great season with Liverpool, he went on international duty with Spain and scored the winner in the Euro final, giving Spain their first major trophy in 44 years.

And so we get to the present season. The closest run race for the title I can remember in years. It's not just a two horse race this year. And the best thing of all...Liverpool are one of those horses. Sitting pretty at the top, they've had some memories to be proud of so far this season. Beating Man U and Chelsea for starters. This is the most points Liverpool have gotten against the other teams in the big 4 since Rafa B arrived, and there's still 3 more games to go! Fingers crossed it all goes well, and this IS the year we win #19. I know I can't wait to see how this will all pan out. Despite all the frustrations against the likes of Stoke and Fulham this year, it's the best I've seen Liverpool play in a long time. They're more confident, it's the strongest team I remember watching in my 10 years as a fan and they're hungry to win things. Ok, so that last point is not much different from other years, but this season, they're showing that hunger on the pitch and (mostly) getting the results when it matters. And when they don't, the other contenders (mostly) slip up too.

I realise this post is about 55000 words long, feel free to wake up now. I just felt the need to get all this off my chest because see for yourself how much attention Liverpool have been getting lately. Ever since I started working weekends, it's basically been...none. I promise I will try to change that.

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<3 Nando

Nando. Well, what can I say about him other than just total ♥ for the boy. His debut season in the Premier League was just phenomenal, and defenders just did not know what to do with themselves when he was running at them with the ball at his feet. TBH, other than shit their pants, I don't think there's much they can do. He's a brilliant striker for a lot more reasons than just scoring loads of goals. He holds the ball up well, he's all over the pitch and isn't scared to help out in defence. Aside from that, he's not selfish. If there's a player in a better position to score, he will pass the ball. Just look at the first Spain-Russia game from the Euros for evidence of that.

He's so much of a threat to teams, he's constantly getting fouled, and this makes me sad. I know it's a part of football, but come on, pick on someone else once in a while huh? Sadly, he's been suffering a lot with hamstring injuries lately, and it breaks my heart every time I see him limp off the pitch near tears. Nando, we still love you and don't ever rush back, please take the time to heal properly.


Also, can I just say how good Liverpool red looks on him. I know he's spent most of his professional career at Atleti, but seriously, it's like he was made for Liverpool. I hope he stays for many years to come, we could win big things with him in the team.

As well as being adorably cute and a good footballer, he's also a popular member of the team, and you always want someone who gets on with everyone playing for your team. I just can't get over how quickly he settled in, and I'm pretty sure that he's going to remain one of the most successful debutants in the PL for many years to come.

There's so much more I want to write about, but I honestly don't know where to begin. He's one of those footballers I admire for their skills more than for their looks. That's not to say I don't find him attractive, because he is a good looking guy. Its just, when he's on the pitch with a ball at his feet and he's scoring goal after goal, I don't even notice the looks. I'm just blown away by how good this boy is. Bearing in mind he's only 24, he's already one of the first names on the teamsheet for both club and country when he's fit and I'm sure we haven't seen the best of Fernando Torres just yet.

Also, he has one of the coolest songs I have ever heard sung at a stadium. Just in case you don't know it already, here:

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Liverpool phail sometimes.

There are times when being a Liverpool fan is incredibly stressful. Like tonight. Nando again didn't get a chance to play against his former team, ruling himself out in favour of recovering 100% and helping Liverpool advance in the Premier League.

The game wasn't all that eventful for the most part. I don't even really want to say too much about it because it was a disappointment. Liverpool had many shots on goal, far more than their opposition, most of which came from Daniel Agger, but none led to a goal. Instead, it was Atletico Madrid who took the lead, Maxi scoring late in the first half.

The second half was more of the same. Liverpool continued dominating possession, but could not find the goal. It was their defenders that were proving the more attacking force, Daniel Agger missing several more good chances. Liverpool were also denied a penalty when the ball hit Perea's arm inside the box, appeals waved away by the referee. They were lucky not to concede a penalty later in the half, the referee having a nightmare evening. He made very few right decisions all night, and the most controversial of the night was when Steven Gerrard was felled in the penalty area and he showed no hesitation in pointing to the spot. The captain made no mistake, slotting the ball in deep into extra time to even up the scores and ensure that both teams still have a chance of topping the group over the coming weeks.

Poor Dagger had an awful time, dislocating his finger during the second half, but the Dane simply went to get it popped back in and carried on playing like nothing had happened. ♥ for the boy.

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Torres' grand homecoming...except not

It was the game many Liverpool fans had been looking to, as well as many Atletico fans. It was supposed to be Fernando Torres' grand homecoming, but an injury while on international duty with Spain ruled him out. He declined Atletico's offer to watch the game from a VIP seat in favour of continuing his recovery on Merseyside. Even without their star striker, Liverpool fielded more Spaniards than their Spanish league opposition. That's slightly embarassing for them, don't you think?

Anyway, to the football. The Atletico defence had some very shaky moments at the start, and had it not been for the uselessness of the Liverpool strike force, they could have got an early lead. The away kit is somewhat of a strange colour, it only looks good on certain people, and I spent the majority of the first half admiring the fact that Daniel Agger is one of these people. My god, I missed that boy and his tattoos. By the 15th minute, Liverpool had got their reward, Robbie Keane (yes, you did read that right) scoring the first of the game. The nerviest moment for Pepe Reina on the other hand was a poor header by Arbeloa, forcing the goalkeeper to spring into action and smother the ball before one of the incoming Atletico strikers put it in. After going 1-0 up, Liverpool seemed to stop playing for a while, sitting back on the ball rather than attacking. The referee wrongly booked Riera for diving late in the first half, it should have been a penalty kick.

The second half was pretty uneventful, Robbie Keane was withdrawn early on with a groin injury, and with the Chelsea game looming and Torres almost certainly out, Liverpool cannot afford to lose any more strikers. Atletico Madrid had a goal disallowed in the 55th minute, totally unfairly. Considering Liverpool's lead was from an offside position, it was not going well for the assistant referee in that side. They had more luck merely a minute later when Atletico crashed a shot against the post. Gerrard was substituted just before the hour mark with one eye on the clash with Chelsea this weekend. It was a very nervy second half, with Liverpool just needing to hang onto their lead in order to top the group. Unfortunately for them, they were unable to do so, and they can only take comfort in the fact that the referee's flag prevented them from losing all 3 points.

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Why, cruel fate?

Oh Nando. How my heart breaks for you. I am actually on the verge of tears for more than one reason. The full list is:

• Nando's out for at least 4 games, meaning Liverpool are missing their most dangerous striker for that long.
• One of those games is against Atletico Madrid - a game I'm sure he was looking forward to.
• As luck would have it, it would have been his return to the place that made him the footballer he is today. The Vicente Calderón.
• Stupid UEFA decided to wait until it was confirmed Nando is out of the game to reveal they have lifted the home ban on Atleti, meaning the game will go ahead as planned and not at a neutral ground.

I mean, really? You had to be that heartless? The poor boy was in tears leaving the pitch the other night, it was like he just knew what UEFA had planned. The selfish part of me cares about Liverpool and how they're going to cope with *shudders* Robbie Keane up front. The part with the heart...I just want to lash out and kill those bastards at UEFA for doing this.

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Effing internationals!

I am sick and tired of seeing my boys coming back from international duty injured. If it's not Dagger, it's Nando. He's one of our most important players, and I'm really starting to worry about the state of his hamstrings if they snap every few weeks. I really hope we don't have another Owen on our hands. God knows I love the man, but the injury problems are awful. Nando limped out of Spain's 2-1 win in the 16th minute. He was running for the ball and suddenly pulled up, not unlike the situation at Aston Villa. Unfortunately, this time we don't have an international break coming up. Oh no. We have Wigan, Atletico Madrid and Chelsea to look forward to without Nando. Can someone please ban hamstrings and metatarsals on footballers?

As if that wasn't bad enough, Ryan Babel was also subbed early in the Norway-Holland game following a bad tackle from Morten Gamst Pedersen. I'm starting to think that international games should be banned during the football season. Players cannot handle so many games in such a short period of time, and it never ends well. Failing that, Liverpool need to start pulling a ManUre/Chelsea. Ban their players from going away on international duty because they are 'injured'. The alternative is letting them go away and them have them missing vital games during the season.

The club v country debate is one that many people talk about, and for me personally, it's club before country every time. I don't care how damn proud it makes them to step out wearing their countries' colours, if they're coming back injured every time, then I'd rather they quit. I'm just selfish like that.

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