Kop Of The Lark

Good Game / Bad Game

2010-04-26T23:56:00.000-07:00

BURNLEY VS LIVERPOOL REVIEW

On the road, this season, we have been nothing short of pathetic. We have scored less than Wolves in away matches in the league. Therefore, our first away victory in a very long time does suggest that things are only about to get better for us. With Steven Gerrard back on song and waiting to TEAR INTO ATLETICO it does look like the striker shortage may not be as big as an issue we thought it would be. Frankly speaking , first of half, was a complete disappointment. Burnley did have the better chances but after 36 games played , we did manage to find the little luck we required , which had been lacking since day 1

The second half was completely different from the first. Burnley did start off well but as they as "Form is temporary , class is permanent" and we started to dominate the game. Chances were being created, but there was no Fernando Torres to finish them off. It was starting to like 'another one of those days when nothing goes in'.

Cometh the hour, Cometh the Man ! Up stepped captain fantastic , Steven Gerrard and he broke the deadlock with a strike from distance , slightly lucky cos it deflected off court and left the Burnley Keeper standing and watching. When Steven Gerrard starts running the show , there is absolutely no stopping him, 57th minute STEVEN GERRARD SPECIAL !! Reminded me of Wembley '06 and how he saved us from a major major shocker.

As the game grew on a certain Italian with a slender frame who has been criticized for his injuries all season long was proving 17 million pounds to be a bargain. The Maestro played an absolutely ridiculous through ball for the intelligent Maxi Rodriguez to finish in style and grab his first ever Liverpool goal. It has been a long time coming and was a very well deserved goal for the Argentine who has been nothing short of fantastic for us. He was also said to be the key to the rout by Gerrard after the match. Aquilani continued exhibiting his wonderful skills on the ball but the fourth goal was for a player who deserved it for the hard work he put in. Told to play his favorite position from early second half, and Ryan babel did prove that he is a very capable striker. Down and out for much of the season but his revival from the bench to the starting line up has been all due to his hard work and desire to establish his future at the club.

Mixed emotions but in the a pretty good result, positives being none other than Gerrard firing on all cylinders . Lets hope we carry on with this form and absolutely TEAR INTO ATLETICO !!

LIVERPOOL UP FOR SALE

2010-04-16T04:53:00.000-07:00

Liverpool's controversial owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett confirmed today that they are looking to walk away from the club, and have appointed a new chairman to help find a buyer. The club confirmed the appointment of Martin Broughtonas chairman and also that Barclays Capital are to advise the Reds' current co-owners, Tom Hicks and George Gillett, on the sale of the club. "Liverpool Football Club today announced that Martin Broughton has been appointed as chairman with immediate effect," a statement on the Reds' official website reads. "The new chairman will oversee a formal sale process launched by current owners, Thomas Hicks and George Gillett Jr. "Following numerous expressions of interest from third parties, the club has engaged Barclays Capital to advise on the sale process. The club has the full support of its existing bankers for this process and has financing in place which will fully support the club's operations." Hicks and Gillett also confirmed that their tenure at Anfield was on the way to being over, and looked forward to Broughton taking the club forward. "Owning Liverpool Football Club over these past three years has been a rewarding and exciting experience for us and our families," a statement read. "Having grown the club this far we have now decided together to look to sell the club to owners committed to take the club through its next level of growth and development.

"We are delighted that Martin Broughton has agreed to take the position of chairman, working alongside the club's excellent senior management team.

"Martin is a distinguished business leader of excellent judgment and with a great reputation. He is a genuine football supporter and will seek to oversee the sales process in the best interests of the club and its supporters."

The club also insisted that plans for a new stadium would continue to go ahead.

Broughton, who became chairman of British Airways in 2004 and chaired the British Horseracing Board from 2004-2007, was delighted to have been appointed to his new role at Anfield.

"I am excited and honoured to be taking up this position," he said. "Liverpool is a great club with a fantastic history. I will run this sale process in the right way, for the benefit of the club and its fans. "Liverpool is one of the world's greatest clubs and my aim is to try and ensure that we find new owners who are able to build on the club's recent improved financial performance in order to help deliver sporting success." Jay McKenna, a representative of Reds supporters' group Spirit of Shankly, welcomed the news. "I think fans will most certainly be pleased that Tom Hicks and George Gillett have finally done what we've asked them to do for quite a while now and that's put Liverpool Football Club up for sale," he told Sky Sports News. "They haven't been fit and proper owners, and they've been allowed over the past couple of seasons to allow Liverpool to stagnate and stand still. "Hopefully this will be the beginning of the end of their reign at Liverpool Football Club but it's certainly not the beginning of the end for questions for fans and they'll continue I think. "We'd like to see proper owners brought in. Owners who will do the right thing for Liverpool Football Club, who will stick to promises and won't tell us lies. "We'd like to see owners who let Liverpool Football club move forward on the pitch rather then talk about shennanigans off the pitch."

POTENTIAL BUYER - Yahya Kirdi

Syrian businessman Yahya Kirdi has revealed he's in advanced talks to buy Liverpool.

A number of potential investors have been linked with a move for the Anfield outfit and now former Syria international Kirdi is ready to end Hicks and Gillett's time on Merseyside.

Former Celtic player Andy Lynch has been brought in by Kirdi to act as a go-between in the deal and he is hopeful a takeover could be completed soon.

"Talks are on-going with Tom Hicks and George Gillett and are at an advanced stage," Lynch told the Daily Mirror.

"The planned buy-out will have massive implications for Liverpool. Liverpool aren't the force they were so this is just what they need.

"I've been to Anfield on business recently and I'm acting as the go-between in the whole deal.

"Hopefully it's not too much longer before it's all done and dusted."

Liverpool Vs West Ham United Preview

2010-04-15T09:00:00.000-07:00

West Ham United have struggled away from home all season and have not won on the road since beating Wolves on the opening day.

With their Premier League status on the line they face a tough trip to Anfield, a place they have not won at since 1963.

Following two draws in their last two games, Liverpool's chase for the fourth Champions League spot looks to be petering out. The Reds however will be no pushovers, having won eight of their last nine home games and having lost just twice there all season.

In 14 Premier League visits to Anfield, the Hammers have netted just four goals and their best hope of points could come from a goalless draw in this game after three of the four points they have garnered in previous visits have come from stalemates.

On their last visit to Liverpool two weeks ago, the Irons secured a valuable point at Everton and the same result here would be hugely important for the east London side.

England hopeful Carlton Cole is confident West Ham can continue their recent revival and maintain their top flight position.

Cole said: "We had a good result against Everton last week and on Saturday we had an even better result at home. I think we can build on this and get more points on the table with more wins.

"Obviously Liverpool are a good side as well, but hopefully we can go back up to Merseyside and get another result."

Luis Boa Morte has returned to reserve-team action, but a first-team return is unlikely to come this week. The Hammers are still without Scott Parker, who is suspended, but they have no fresh injury concerns.

Liverpool's star hitman Fernando Torres is battling to recover from a knee injury and with a Europa League semi-final in the same week he may be rested for this encounter.

Reds manager Rafael Benitez said: "We will be ready to play against West Ham and to do well. The players know how important it is to progress and try to be in the top four."

Liverpool-Last 5 results -

Liverpool 0-0 Fulham

Liverpool 4-1 Benfica

Birmingham 1-1 Liverpool

Benfica 2-1 Liverpool

Liverpool 3-0 Sunderland

West Ham United-Last 5 results -

WHU 1-0 Sunderland

Everton 2-2 WHU

WHU 0-1 Stoke City

WHU 1-3 Wolves

Arsenal 2-0 WHU

Probable Teams :

Liverpool- Reina,Johnson,Carragher,Kyrgiakos,Agger,Aquilani,Lucas,Mascherano,Gerrard,Babel,Maxi,Ngog,Cavalieri,Kuyt,Pacheco,Benayoun,Degen

West Ham United-

Green,Upson,Spector,Da Costa,Spence,Kovac,Noble,Faubert,Mido,Cole,Ilan,Stainslas,Daprela,Diamanti,Franco,Gabbidon,Kurucz,McCarthy

Players to watch :

Liverpool

Alberto Aquilani : The Italian is expected to play a part in the match which should be more than that of a late substitute. If he is song , Liverpool should expect a flury of passes and deadly balls in and around the opposition box.

West Ham United

Carlton Cole : The tall english striker is having a great season at West Ham. His role will be crucial as West Ham would look to play long balls to him , expect him to hold up play and create opportunities.

Prediction

After two consecutive draws, expect Liverpool to be back with a bang and amongst the goals. On paper it does look very one sided and it shouldn't be a problem for us unless something highly unlikely were to happen.

Liverpool 3-0 West Ham

'Gerrard

' Maxi

' Kuyt/ Aquilani

Is ALBERTO AQUILANI the next HARRY KEWELL?

2010-04-13T22:13:00.000-07:00

Alberto Aquilani - The man bought from AS ROMA for about £17 Million. He was/is considered as a direct replacement for Xabi Alonso.

Aquilani passed his medical(dont know how) and he signed for Liverpool Football Club on the 7th of August.

Initially it was thought that he would make his debut against Sunderland on the 17th of October, but Rafa Benitez opted not to play him until he was 100% fit. Aquilani's first game for Liverpool was a 2-1 defeat to Arsenal in the Carling Cup coming on as a substitute in the 77th minute.He made his long awaited Premier League debut coming on as a substitute(again). Rafa Benitez opted to start him against Fiorentina(Since we were out of the CL by then). From this day on, I thought that Rafa Benitez would select him in the starting line up in every match. But it was not to be. Aquilani's constant exclusion from the starting line up was sometimes due to sickness or a slight injury and yeah there were times when Rafa was just being stupid by not playing him.

When this happened(the sickness and injuries to Aquilani for which he was sidelined for 2 weeks), then came a thought in my mind. Is he becoming the next Harry Kewell? I mean they play well(Aquilani and Kewell) but their injury problems...damn.

Harry Kewell had an amazing first season scoring goals and had plenty of assists. But injuries after injuries made me and the fans angry. No doubt that he had potential to become one of the worlds best..(but) his injuries took the rough side. He was ultimately sold to Galatasaray.

Aquilani too has it in him to become one of the worlds best, but will injuries ruin his career ? We can only hope for the best. But I have my doubts over Aquilani's long term future. Will he be sold if injuries keep him out?

Im beginning to think that Alberto Aquilani is the next Harry Kewell.

WHATS YOUR SAY?

A Career Ending Decision - Michael Owen 7

2010-04-13T22:10:00.000-07:00

When, a young, bright, short English lad, more than a decade ago, was seen around sporting the greatest red kit off all time , in the grounds of Merseyside, he was tipped to be something really special. Special did he certainly turn out to be , only for one decision ,, a big big decision to put his fortunes into back gear. This is the story of a player who could've been 'The New God of Anfield' but turned out to be a mere 'Galactico Sub'. Potentially he was to become the leading goal scorer for England , he certainly would've but he has no one to blame but himself and his injury prone body and incredibly flawed decision making for him not even being amongst the top 3 on the England scoring charts.Yes, this is the story of Michael Owen, from the greatest ever goal scoring machine to a mere injury plagued player, his story maybe sad for a few, certainly not that sad after all.

In 1997 when Owen broke through to the Liverpool first team, it marked start of a really special player with the most gifted goal scoring technique. He scored on his debut in May 1997 and was their leading goal scorer from '97-'02. He helped them to the The Treble and alongside an ever maturing Steven Gerrard was seen as the future of England's most decorated club. His efforts won him the Ballon d'or in '01 his first major personal honor and most definitely his last as well.

The hunger for success is good quality , but sometimes it does prove to be detrimental. Owen made the biggest decision of his career and decided to quit the Anfield outfit. Real Madrid's galacticos came calling, Owen went. 8 Million pounds, a legend in the making - GONE. His period at the Spanish capital can be defined as a waste of his peak years , with this started the sinking of a career which never reached the heights it was expected to.

His injuries had always been a problem once he left Merseyside , most famously , world cup 2006 when limped off in the first half 0f a match and remained sidelined for a very long time.

In the mean while he had left Madrid to mark an expected to the premier league. On 24th August 2005, he made the move, this time Newcastle United being his team. He joined them as their record signing for a staggering 12 million pounds. On 10 April '07, a year after joining, Owen made his first appearance for the club. A month later he was stretched off in game against Watford. After some time, Freddy Shepherd who was the chairman of the club announced that Owen could leave and demanded Owen to show the club some loyalty. So did happen as Owen committed his immediate future to the club . But the problems were never to end, in 2007, Owen suffered from hernia problem and required surgery. As a result, he had to do something which he had got accustomed to over the years- watch from sidelines.

2008-09 saw Michael Owen play more games than he had played over the past 3 years , combined. Great signs for him, great signs for the club, all of this was to end in what may be described as a complete shocker. A season in Newcastle United football history which saw them being relegated, Owen tried to help, but he was far past of his days in the red. In January , Owen was offered a contract extension which he rejected and decided to leave the club in the summer as a free agent. While Owen's future remained a major doubt, Newcastle's Premier League status became a bigger one. Ultimately,Owens former club enjoyed their league campaign over a decade and were arguably deserving champions, the toon went down but Owen decided to remain Up.

In 2009-10 Owen was a free agent, he made it clear that he wanted to remain in England and fight for honors. On 3rd July 2009 he made a decision that sent shockwaves through the whole of Merseyside. Liverpool's lad, their very own Michael Owen had decided to do something no scouser would've thought about even in his worst nightmares, he joined present champions and Liverpool's biggest rivals Manchester united on a 2 year deal.

The season started very well for Owen , as he was scoring for fun helping his team and himself to his first ever MANCHESTER DERBY victory. he even scored a hat trick in the champions league, but was eventually struck by injury again. Owen said that he wanted to win the league , therefore he joined United.

We love him alot but we cant help but not forgive him for what eh did. The respect and love will always remain, but without a doubt its got lesser than what it was. Finally to conclude, i would say that as Owen sits in his locker today with his injured foot, and i write about him here, one thing is for certain, he isnt winning the league anytime soon.

The Indian Scousers- The Beginning

2010-04-13T07:16:00.000-07:00

"Some people believe football is matter of life and death, I am very disappointed with that attitude. I can assure you, it is much much more than that."

-*SIR* Bill Shankly.

The greatest of them all, said this and for us scousers he certainly made a hell lot of sense.Well, To start off, we're basically a couple of young lads who live 'the red way'. We're Indians by ethnicity but we do call ourselves Scousers, The Indian Scousers.

The love goes back 14 and 12 years respectively, seems never ending, grows deeper n deeper , week in , week out. One fine day, i said to my mate, lets show the world whats different about us, what is that makes a Liverpool Lover different from any other soccer/football fan in the world, so we decided to come up with this. This isn't 'just a blog' , this is gonna show what a real scouser is , its gonna tell the world - you , why, in their fans, Liverpool Football Club, has the greatest support system in the whole world. Besides, we're obviously gonna have all the happenings listed with a detailed analysis of various issues surrounding our beloved Kop.

The Lark symbolizes hope and happiness, We, The Lark Lovers symbolize our hope in the greatest football club ever, our own club, Liverpool Football Club.

Just as the lark sang hymns at doors of heaven , the gates of Anfield, we, will forever sing :

"You Will Never Walk Alone"