After waiting six long years, Liverpool finally ended their trophy-drought by beating Cardiff at Wembley to win the 2012 Carling Cup.
The match had to be decided by penalites after an exciting 120 minutes of football couldn’t separate the two teams.
Joe Mason took the lead for the Welsh side by nutmegging Pepe Reina in the first half. On 60 minutes Martin Skrtel poked the ball into the net after Downing, Carroll and Suarez combined to set up the chance.
The game was still locked at 1-1 after 90 minutes, so extra time was needed. Substitute Dirk Kuyt lashed the Reds’ into the lead in the 108th minute and it looked like the game was over.
But instead of focusing on possession and dominating the rest of the game, Liverpool seemed to go into defensive mode and allowed Cardiff to come at them in the final ten minutes.
After going 116 minutes without being allowed to win a corner, Cardiff suddenly won three in quick succession. From one of those set pieces Ben Turner managed to scramble the ball home with just two minutes remaining.
A tight penalty shoot-out ensued, with Liverpool just edging out their opponent 3 – 2.
There was some cruel irony as Anthony Gerrard missed Cardiff’s final penalty, and a few minutes later his older cousin, Steven, was hoisting the Carling Cup.
Monday, February 27, 2012
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Why do Liverpool Fans Still Hate Michael Owen?
I’ve never understood the whole ‘hating Michael Owen’ thing.
I’m a Liverpool fan for life.
But I’m still a Michael Owen fan.
I get tired of hearing the “Where were you in Instanbul” chants every time he plays against the Reds. Liverpool’s been to other big finals since his departure, what about those?
I’m not saying that I agree with Owen leaving the club. He should have stayed.
I don’t think that he should ever have been allowed to go, and the club should have been performing better in the league at the time. But neither of those two things happened.
Owen should be regarded as an Anfield legend – he scored 118 goals for Liverpool, which is seventh on the list of the club’s alltime goalscorers.
I’ll always remember the 2001 FA Cup Final as “The Michael Owen Final” (in the same way that 2006 was Steven Gerrard’s final)
I heard a Liverpool fan going off the other day about how Owen left Merseyside for LFC’s biggest rivals: Manchester United! Shock horror!
Except he didn’t leave Liverpool for Manchester United!
He went to Real Madrid.
Just like Steve McManaman and Xavi Alonso.
You’ll never hear Alonso being jeered when he comes to Anfield.
From Madrid Owen went to Newcastle, and when they were suddenly relegated to Division One, he issued a ‘please come get me’ to Premiership managers – understandable for a player of his stature. It’s not as if he begged to go to United, Sir Alex pounced on the opportunity.
And I know the animosity mainly stems from Owen wanting to leave at one stage when Liverpool was achieving next to nothing and a lot of average players were being bought. It must SUCK to be such a class player and still be in a team with players like Igor Biscan, Milan Baros and Salif Diao. I can’t blame him for wanting to leave that.
Just like I wouldn’t have blamed Stevie Gerrard for going to Chelsea when the team had a crap manager and the players around him were nowhere near premiership-quality.
The difference is that Stevie didn’t go and he will go down forever as a Liverpool Legend and Hero, nothing will diminish his status. And his loyalty, passion and dedication deserve nothing less.
I’m not saying Owen should be thought of in that category, that reverence is reserved for life-time servants like Gerrard and Jamie Carragher. But I do feel that it’s short-sighted to suddenly hate Owen because he no longer plays for the club we love.
I’m a Liverpool fan for life.
But I’m still a Michael Owen fan.
I get tired of hearing the “Where were you in Instanbul” chants every time he plays against the Reds. Liverpool’s been to other big finals since his departure, what about those?
I’m not saying that I agree with Owen leaving the club. He should have stayed.
I don’t think that he should ever have been allowed to go, and the club should have been performing better in the league at the time. But neither of those two things happened.
Owen should be regarded as an Anfield legend – he scored 118 goals for Liverpool, which is seventh on the list of the club’s alltime goalscorers.
I’ll always remember the 2001 FA Cup Final as “The Michael Owen Final” (in the same way that 2006 was Steven Gerrard’s final)
I heard a Liverpool fan going off the other day about how Owen left Merseyside for LFC’s biggest rivals: Manchester United! Shock horror!
Except he didn’t leave Liverpool for Manchester United!
He went to Real Madrid.
Just like Steve McManaman and Xavi Alonso.
You’ll never hear Alonso being jeered when he comes to Anfield.
From Madrid Owen went to Newcastle, and when they were suddenly relegated to Division One, he issued a ‘please come get me’ to Premiership managers – understandable for a player of his stature. It’s not as if he begged to go to United, Sir Alex pounced on the opportunity.
And I know the animosity mainly stems from Owen wanting to leave at one stage when Liverpool was achieving next to nothing and a lot of average players were being bought. It must SUCK to be such a class player and still be in a team with players like Igor Biscan, Milan Baros and Salif Diao. I can’t blame him for wanting to leave that.
Just like I wouldn’t have blamed Stevie Gerrard for going to Chelsea when the team had a crap manager and the players around him were nowhere near premiership-quality.
The difference is that Stevie didn’t go and he will go down forever as a Liverpool Legend and Hero, nothing will diminish his status. And his loyalty, passion and dedication deserve nothing less.
I’m not saying Owen should be thought of in that category, that reverence is reserved for life-time servants like Gerrard and Jamie Carragher. But I do feel that it’s short-sighted to suddenly hate Owen because he no longer plays for the club we love.
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Bellamy Shows his Value to Liverpool
One man’s misfortune is another man’s gain.
Luis Suarez’s ban has been a nightmare for Liverpool, except maybe for Craig Bellamy.
In the Uruguayan’s absence, and due to the inconsistent form of Andy Carroll, the Welshman has been handed the chance to become the Reds’ main sole striker.
And he hasn’t wasted his opportunity; he has put in some very lively performances, being a constant threat and irritation to defenders.
The 32-year-old has also eclipsed Dirk Kuyt in the pecking order, matching the Dutchman’s hard-working effort, but far exceeding him in raw pace and natural ball skill.
Bellamy has scored eight goals since his move from Manchester City last summer, including two in his last two games. His recent goal against City in the Carling Cup semi-final was probably his most important so far as it helped send Liverpool to Wembley for the fist time since 1996.
He is at an age when most pundits start looking for a striker’s replacement, but Bellamy’s performances seem to indicate he is enjoying turning back the clock as he still has the passion, pace and panache of a player in his prime.
Luis Suarez’s ban has been a nightmare for Liverpool, except maybe for Craig Bellamy.
In the Uruguayan’s absence, and due to the inconsistent form of Andy Carroll, the Welshman has been handed the chance to become the Reds’ main sole striker.
And he hasn’t wasted his opportunity; he has put in some very lively performances, being a constant threat and irritation to defenders.
The 32-year-old has also eclipsed Dirk Kuyt in the pecking order, matching the Dutchman’s hard-working effort, but far exceeding him in raw pace and natural ball skill.
Bellamy has scored eight goals since his move from Manchester City last summer, including two in his last two games. His recent goal against City in the Carling Cup semi-final was probably his most important so far as it helped send Liverpool to Wembley for the fist time since 1996.
He is at an age when most pundits start looking for a striker’s replacement, but Bellamy’s performances seem to indicate he is enjoying turning back the clock as he still has the passion, pace and panache of a player in his prime.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Suarez Banned for 8 Matches. What Now for Liverpool?
‘Suarez banned for eight games’ screamed the roadside banners this morning as it would have on the headlines of major sports dailies around the world.
It’s taken a little over two months and this outcome has been one that every Liverpool fan and indeed the club would have dreaded since the FA officially charged Suarez with making a racist and offensive remark towards Manchester United’s Patrice Evra a little over a month ago.
His scrapes with footballing authorities in the past reads like a charge sheet for a profligate teenager who knows his skills are enough to mitigate against serious reprimands but I dare say it would be short-sighted to see him as a racist on the basis of his previous misdemeanours or for his recent spat with Patrice Evra.
An eight match ban and a £40,000 fine seems like a harsh sentence but there will be a bevy of commentators out there who would think that an appropriate sentence has been finally meted after what was perceived as a lengthy delay in deliberating the issue.
They would look at it as a significant statement for the fight against racism and one that has the potential to act as a deterrent for future misconduct of this ilk.
The FA contends that Suarez used:
“insulting words towards Mr Evra during the match contrary to FA Rule E3 (1). The insulting words used by Mr Suarez included a reference to Mr Evra's colour within the meaning of Rule E3 (2). Mr Suarez shall be warned as to his future conduct, be suspended for eight matches covering all first team competitive matches and fined the sum of £40,000.
The [penalty] is suspended pending the outcome of any appeal lodged by Mr Suarez against this decision."
Perhaps of more anxiety to them will be the fact that they will be losing a player who has assumed a dimension of irreplaceability at a time when they would need him the most. His loss may act as catalyst to a slide down the Premiership table where they may once again watch glorious European nights from the comforts of Anfield - wistfully reflecting on the if’s and why’s of another unsuccessful season or it might not be as cataclysmic as feared.
In Andy Carroll they have a striker who is not yet firing on all cylinders and has yet to justify the £35 million pounds paid to bring him to Anfield. He might yet see this as an opportunity to step up and fulfil an obvious potential that made critics tout him as the next Alan Shearer. A lot also depends on Kenny Dalglish at a time like this.
Will he see Suarez’s ban as the perfect opportunity to instil a siege mentality within his team or will Liverpool continue to dwell on a contentious incident that could completely derail their season?
Related posts:
The Brilliance and Impudence of Luis Suarez
Luis Suarez: The Complete Striker
It’s taken a little over two months and this outcome has been one that every Liverpool fan and indeed the club would have dreaded since the FA officially charged Suarez with making a racist and offensive remark towards Manchester United’s Patrice Evra a little over a month ago.
Signed as a support striker to Fernando Torres, Suarez soon became the focal point of Liverpool’s attack. He came to embody a dynamism on the third half of the pitch that Liverpool had lacked in previous seasons; seasons where they have quite frankly fallen short of their lofty standards.
The Uruguayan - gifted with an embarrassing assortment of technical skills has a suspect temperament that is unfortunately a flaw with most prodigiously talented footballers. And I think that it is that disposition that has let him down in a busy festive period that his club is likely to require his services the most.
The Uruguayan - gifted with an embarrassing assortment of technical skills has a suspect temperament that is unfortunately a flaw with most prodigiously talented footballers. And I think that it is that disposition that has let him down in a busy festive period that his club is likely to require his services the most.
His scrapes with footballing authorities in the past reads like a charge sheet for a profligate teenager who knows his skills are enough to mitigate against serious reprimands but I dare say it would be short-sighted to see him as a racist on the basis of his previous misdemeanours or for his recent spat with Patrice Evra.
An eight match ban and a £40,000 fine seems like a harsh sentence but there will be a bevy of commentators out there who would think that an appropriate sentence has been finally meted after what was perceived as a lengthy delay in deliberating the issue.
They would look at it as a significant statement for the fight against racism and one that has the potential to act as a deterrent for future misconduct of this ilk.
The FA contends that Suarez used:
“insulting words towards Mr Evra during the match contrary to FA Rule E3 (1). The insulting words used by Mr Suarez included a reference to Mr Evra's colour within the meaning of Rule E3 (2). Mr Suarez shall be warned as to his future conduct, be suspended for eight matches covering all first team competitive matches and fined the sum of £40,000.
The [penalty] is suspended pending the outcome of any appeal lodged by Mr Suarez against this decision."
They have been careful not to label him as a racist and rightly so but the argument that they word ‘Negrito’ which Suarez was alleged to have used against Evra connotes something different (friend) in South American lexicon is in my opinion as spurious as any claim that purports that the lad is racist. The word while ambivalent in its meaning in Latin America is clearly pejorative if used in the context of a tinder box derby like was witnessed on the 15th of October between Liverpool and Manchester United.
Liverpool have vowed to stand behind their talismanic striker and are already looking to study the full details of the verdict as soon as it is released by the FA. They have a 14 day period to appeal but will probably be aware that any appeal is likely to be doomed for failure especially with a football body that seems really intent on making a categorical statement against racism. Perhaps of more anxiety to them will be the fact that they will be losing a player who has assumed a dimension of irreplaceability at a time when they would need him the most. His loss may act as catalyst to a slide down the Premiership table where they may once again watch glorious European nights from the comforts of Anfield - wistfully reflecting on the if’s and why’s of another unsuccessful season or it might not be as cataclysmic as feared.
In Andy Carroll they have a striker who is not yet firing on all cylinders and has yet to justify the £35 million pounds paid to bring him to Anfield. He might yet see this as an opportunity to step up and fulfil an obvious potential that made critics tout him as the next Alan Shearer. A lot also depends on Kenny Dalglish at a time like this.
Will he see Suarez’s ban as the perfect opportunity to instil a siege mentality within his team or will Liverpool continue to dwell on a contentious incident that could completely derail their season?
By Abiye Opuamah from Talk EPL
Related posts:
The Brilliance and Impudence of Luis Suarez
Luis Suarez: The Complete Striker
Monday, December 19, 2011
Liverpool Beat Aston Villa - Bellamy Shines
On Sunday Liverpool traveled to Villa Park to take on an Aston Villa team who had been struggling of late, especially at home. Conversely the Reds have traveled well this season and have the fourth best away record in the League.
Craig Bellamy, who switched flanks with Stewart Downing, had a storming game and bossed the left side of the park. He linked up well with Luis Suarez and Jose Enrique.
He scored the first goal of the afternoon following a Downing corner, and he set up the second with his own great corner which was whipped in at pace. Martin Skrtel met the inswinger with an excellent header to put the Reds 2-nil up within 15 minutes.
The two quick goals effectively killed the game and the rest of the match proved to be quite a drab affair with Villa offering nothing at all going forwards.
Stewart Downing received vociferous abuse for the entire game from his previous club’s fans, but he could finally afford a smile at the end of the game with the points wrapped up.
Luis Suarez put the home defence under pressure with his trademark mazy runs and twice hit the woodwork in the second half. This brings Liverpool’s record of hitting the posts to 17 for the season; far beyond any other team.
In fact, Villa’s goal led a charmed life, with the woodwork, desperate defending and poor finishing all contributing to Liverpool not extending their lead.
But the day belonged to Bellamy who put in arguably his best performance of the season. For Villa it was another day of no goals, which it had been for four of the last five games.
Two-nil it finished and a good three points for the visitors, but there is still lots of improvement to be done in the final third. Wasted chances this season have cost the Reds many goals and a truckload of points.
Craig Bellamy, who switched flanks with Stewart Downing, had a storming game and bossed the left side of the park. He linked up well with Luis Suarez and Jose Enrique.
He scored the first goal of the afternoon following a Downing corner, and he set up the second with his own great corner which was whipped in at pace. Martin Skrtel met the inswinger with an excellent header to put the Reds 2-nil up within 15 minutes.
The two quick goals effectively killed the game and the rest of the match proved to be quite a drab affair with Villa offering nothing at all going forwards.
Stewart Downing received vociferous abuse for the entire game from his previous club’s fans, but he could finally afford a smile at the end of the game with the points wrapped up.
Luis Suarez put the home defence under pressure with his trademark mazy runs and twice hit the woodwork in the second half. This brings Liverpool’s record of hitting the posts to 17 for the season; far beyond any other team.
In fact, Villa’s goal led a charmed life, with the woodwork, desperate defending and poor finishing all contributing to Liverpool not extending their lead.
But the day belonged to Bellamy who put in arguably his best performance of the season. For Villa it was another day of no goals, which it had been for four of the last five games.
Two-nil it finished and a good three points for the visitors, but there is still lots of improvement to be done in the final third. Wasted chances this season have cost the Reds many goals and a truckload of points.
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