Liverpool Season 2008/9

[johntheclaret]

Was a lost of speculation in the press this week C_P but this story seems to have squashed that rumour


Thanks to Skysports.

Kuwaiti group rejects Reds link

Al-Kharafi distances himself from takeover talk

A Kuwaiti business group said to be in talks with Liverpool over a proposed takeover has come out to reject any such reports.

Widespread speculation on Friday suggested the club were in discussions with Kuwaiti billionaire Nasser Al-Kharafi with regards possible investment in the Anfield outfit.

There has also been widespread reports this season that the club's American owners could be willing to call time on what has been an eventful tenure on Merseyside.

However, it would appear any potential sale would not involve the Kharafi Group, whose vice president Loay al-Kharafi has now distanced his company from such an idea. He said reports are "not correct."

Nasser Al-Kharafi was ranked by Forbes magazine in 2008 as the 46th richest man in the world, with an estimated fortune of $14 billion.

[JK]

Spewin!!

[johntheclaret]

bit of a blow to Chavski, Carvalho has been one of their consistent performers this season in my opinion.

CARVALHO ABSENT FOR ANFIELD CLASH

Chelsea will be without defender Ricardo Carvalho for Sunday's trip to Liverpool.

The Portugal international is still troubled by a hamstring strain but winger Salomon Kalou should be fit after sustaining a minor knock against Middlesbrough in midweek.

Midfielder Michael Essien (knee) and Joe Cole (knee) are sidelined.

Xabi Alonso, Dirk Kuyt and Albert Riera are expected to return to Liverpool's starting line-up.

All three started on the bench for the midweek 1-1 draw at Wigan - although both Kuyt and Riera came on during the match - as manager Rafael Benitez rested key players ahead of the Chelsea showdown.

Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres were substituted at the JJB Stadium with Benitez claiming they were tired, but both should start against Chelsea.


Teams:

Liverpool (from): Reina, Arbeloa, Skrtel, Agger, Hyypia, Carragher, Dossena, Aurelio, Benayoun, Babel, Alonso, Mascherano, Lucas, Gerrard, Riera, Torres, Kuyt, Keane, Cavalieri.

Chelsea (from): Cech, Hilario, Taylor, Ferreira, Bosingwa, Terry, Alex, Ivanovic, Mancienne, A Cole, Lampard, Ballack, Mikel, Deco, Kalou, Malouda, Drogba, Anelka, Stoch, Belletti

[JK]

WOOHOO!!! Na na na na na na na na naa na naa

Great result tonight ... Although must admit we copped a fair advantage when Lampard was sent off (even though he was doing **** all) by a shocking, shocking decision ... How he cops that rubbish decision and the refs miss seeing that dirty ******* dog Bosingwa kick Yossi in the back is beyond me!!

Much better football by the boys than we've seen so far this year.

Question? Whats happened to Peta Cech? Obviously he's still good, but he was great pre-injury (certainly wasn't to blame for their goals tonight either btw)

[smithy]

Lampard decision was terrible, equal to the decision against Finnan last year against Chel$ki as well.

Benyoun has really impressed me lately, I reckon he's warranted an extended run of starts.

Gerrard deservedly got booked for diving but him and Torres were outstanding up front.

Lampard sending off regardless, Liverpool still totally outplayed Chelsea for the entire match.

[drebin]

WOOHOO!!! Na na na na na na na na naa na naa

Great result tonight ... Although must admit we copped a fair advantage when Lampard was sent off (even though he was doing f*** all) by a shocking, shocking decision ... How he cops that rubbish decision and the refs miss seeing that dirty f****** dog Bosingwa kick Yossi in the back is beyond me!!

That was a disgraceful "non" decision by the ref but it doesn't help when the linesman completely ignored the kick as it happened in front of him!

[devilsadvocate]

WOOHOO!!! Na na na na na na na na naa na naa

Great result tonight ... Although must admit we copped a fair advantage when Lampard was sent off (even though he was doing f*** all) by a shocking, shocking decision ... How he cops that rubbish decision and the refs miss seeing that dirty f****** dog Bosingwa kick Yossi in the back is beyond me!!

That was a disgraceful "non" decision by the ref but it doesn't help when the linesman completely ignored the kick as it happened in front of him!

I blame the linesman too - disgraceful oversight.

[devilsadvocate]

Lampard decision was terrible, equal to the decision against Finnan last year against Chel$ki as well.

Benyoun has really impressed me lately, I reckon he's warranted an extended run of starts.

Gerrard deservedly got booked for diving but him and Torres were outstanding up front.

Lampard sending off regardless, Liverpool still totally outplayed Chelsea for the entire match.

I agree with all of that. Although it was a terrible decision, Lampard's sending off didn't really change the game. Liverpool were by far the better side and totally deserved 3 points.

Oh and my gooooooodness there are a shiteload of Reds fans in Banff. All English, but sheeeeesh there's a bucketload of them

[JK]

WOOHOO!!! Na na na na na na na na naa na naa

Great result tonight ... Although must admit we copped a fair advantage when Lampard was sent off (even though he was doing f*** all) by a shocking, shocking decision ... How he cops that rubbish decision and the refs miss seeing that dirty f****** dog Bosingwa kick Yossi in the back is beyond me!!

That was a disgraceful "non" decision by the ref but it doesn't help when the linesman completely ignored the kick as it happened in front of him!

I blame the linesman too - disgraceful oversight.

Normally you'd think the linesman the least of your worries doing something like that in front of the KOP

[Bully]

Lampard decision was terrible, equal to the decision against Finnan last year against Chel$ki as well.

Benyoun has really impressed me lately, I reckon he's warranted an extended run of starts.

Gerrard deservedly got booked for diving but him and Torres were outstanding up front.

Lampard sending off regardless, Liverpool still totally outplayed Chelsea for the entire match.

agreed i think alonso should have been the one to go off if any.... seen as his studs were showing and connected to lampards shin

[johntheclaret]

WOOHOO!!! Na na na na na na na na naa na naa

Great result tonight ... Although must admit we copped a fair advantage when Lampard was sent off (even though he was doing f*** all) by a shocking, shocking decision ... How he cops that rubbish decision and the refs miss seeing that dirty f****** dog Bosingwa kick Yossi in the back is beyond me!!

That was a disgraceful "non" decision by the ref but it doesn't help when the linesman completely ignored the kick as it happened in front of him!

What's worse, the FA have reviewed the incident and decided to take no further action.

Now what stinks about this decision is the fact that the ref did not book Bosingwa, so under the rules, the FA could have brought a charge.

If the ref had booked him, they could not take any further action.

now how is that for a ridiculous rule if there ever was one

[smithy]

At least I ain't the only one who thinks this.

Rafa and Lucas must be related

[devilsadvocate]

Not taking a shot here (for a change ), but what do you Liverpool lads think of Rafa?

-Great Manager?
-Reasonable Manager?
-Meh?
-He's Ordinary?
-He's absolute trousers?

Just interested because since he's quit with the rotation policy, the criticism has largely stopped.

[JK]

Not taking a shot here (for a change ), but what do you Liverpool lads think of Rafa?

-Great Manager?
-Reasonable Manager?
-Meh?
-He's Ordinary?
-He's absolute trousers?

Just interested because since he's quit with the rotation policy, the criticism has largely stopped.

To be fair I think the jury's still out ... He overachieved with an average lineup in his first season (in terms of the UCL), and he's nearly always been provided with less transfer coin than either he's wanted, or been told he can have.

He's probably the best Manager we've had since the Prem started (although Im not sure thats saying a lot lol)

[smithy]

Not sure DA, in saying that, I'd be shattered if he left.
As Mr Perm mentioned, he won the Champs League with a crap squad and it's taken him 3 seasons to get over his fixation with rotation.
He's probably taken a bit longer than say Wenger to get a grip of the EPL, cause when he was in Spain with Valencia, they were playing some of the best football in the world, they were AWESOME !
Season after season LFC are getting better with Rafa at the helm, given the budget he's sometimes had to deal with it was always going to take time to rebuild after the aweful squad Houllier left him with so I'd be very happy if they left him in control of transfers rather than Parry and signed a new 5 year contract.

ps - If he never played Lucas or Dossena again I'd be happy too.

[devilsadvocate]

ps - If he never played Lucas or Dossena again I'd be happy too.

That goes without saying

[devilsadvocate]

Interesting points you both raise. He has done well considering LFC's spending (or lack of).

Personally, I can't see him becoming a Fergie/Arsene equivalent for Liverpool, but time will tell I guess.

[Bully]

Not taking a shot here (for a change ), but what do you Liverpool lads think of Rafa?

-Great Manager?
-Reasonable Manager?
-Meh?
-He's Ordinary?
-He's absolute trousers?

Just interested because since he's quit with the rotation policy, the criticism has largely stopped.

To be fair I think the jury's still out ... He overachieved with an average lineup in his first season (in terms of the UCL), and he's nearly always been provided with less transfer coin than either he's wanted, or been told he can have.

He's probably the best Manager we've had since the Prem started (although Im not sure thats saying a lot lol)

personaly i think Gerrard Houlier was the best since the premier league started

[johntheclaret]

Not sure where you are coming from with this "lack of coin" idea.

Without checking it out, I think he has had plenty. Wasted quite a bit too (£20m for Keano with only a £12m return for the sale), and I am sure Pool fans can name a few more.

[smithy]

I think the lack of coin comment is mentioned when comparing the other top 4 teams.
Without looking it up, I think you'll find his spend vs monies received is quite good John.