Scousephile

A Road to Mecca

2011-11-09T14:56:00.001-05:00

MP RED Interview with Jan Molby

2010-01-01T22:50:00.000-05:00

Liverpool, Texas

2009-12-28T18:51:00.003-05:00

Liverpool, Texas is a 47-minute documentary about the American takeover of Liverpool FC. This is a non-profit film dedicated to Liverpool FC and the 96 fans who passed away at Hillsborough in 1989. So we do not aim to buy or sell copyright of this video. It is available to view or download on the Internet for free.

Credit List
This documentary uses source camera material filmed by Sky Sports, CNN, CNBC, BBC, Fox, Setanta, Liverpoolfc.tv, Supersport, The History Channel, Horizons, Spirit of Shankly, Tiscali Sport, The University of Texas at Austin, Tinapa, Purelfc, The Mirror, ACUTV, Dave Roberts interview, the Ste Jayy Production ‘In his own words’, Sportoccord, EPL News and footage of Liverpool fan’s at the Benitez march and Anfield.

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http://www.engagemedia.org/Members/reds/videos/Liverpool_Texas_2009.mp4

Joseph O'Connor @ Baruch College Fall 2009

2009-12-18T04:14:00.001-05:00

Liverpool, Texas (2009)

2009-11-29T05:49:00.001-05:00

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Kop Last Stand

2009-11-14T16:55:00.001-05:00

Gerrard - Clay Pigeons

2009-11-14T16:52:00.000-05:00

Liverpool's 12th Man presents the 09/10 away kit

2009-11-14T16:51:00.001-05:00

The Ultimate Search: The Powerhouse

2009-11-14T16:48:00.001-05:00

Steven Gerrard Interview

2009-11-14T16:45:00.000-05:00

The Power of X - Beckham Gerrard Zidane

2009-11-14T16:08:00.002-05:00

Liverpool FC 2 vs 0 Manchester United - Season 2009/10

2009-11-08T22:09:00.001-05:00

Atletico Madrid - 2008/09 Season - Scouse Paul Adventures

2009-11-08T22:08:00.000-05:00

Doughnuts - Scouse Paul Adventures

2009-11-08T22:03:00.000-05:00

Kevin Keegan Autograph - 1970s - Scouse Paul Adventures

2009-11-08T22:02:00.000-05:00

Infamous Armani Suits - May 1996 - Scouse Paul Adventures

2009-11-08T22:01:00.001-05:00

Bobby Wilcox Tribute - February 2009 - Scouse Paul Adventures

2009-11-08T21:59:00.000-05:00

Madrid - 2008/09 Season - Scouse Paul Adventures

2009-11-08T21:57:00.000-05:00

West Ham United 2 vs 3 Liverpool FC - Season 2009/10

2009-11-08T21:55:00.000-05:00

Liverpool FC - BBC Video Montage

2009-11-07T23:42:00.001-05:00

Liverpool FC - History Montage

2009-11-07T23:38:00.000-05:00

My Passion, My Love, My Life LIVERPOOL Football Club!

2009-11-07T23:30:00.000-05:00

Wayne Rooney The Diving Shrek

2009-09-05T13:05:00.001-04:00

Hypocrite United

2009-09-01T23:11:00.001-04:00

Home and Away - Everton vs Liverpool - 1984 Milk Cup Final

2009-08-22T16:51:00.002-04:00

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Welcome to Manchester The story of 'that' Tevez Poster

2009-08-22T16:49:00.000-04:00

Rafa on the attack

2009-08-13T11:14:00.002-04:00

Every pre-season Soccernet writes off the chances of Liverpool winning the Premier League and every year the e-mails flood in to tell us we don't know what we are talking about. Yet despite the annual protestations from their fans, the Reds have never won the Premier League; but this year it could be different.

Rafa Benitez's team were only four points off lifting the trophy last term and with arch-rivals and reigning champions Manchester United weakened by the departure of FIFA World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo that gap looks easily surmountable.

Liverpool's excellent record against their top four rivals last season was undermined by a string of disappointing home draws against the lesser lights of the league. Benitez has since decided the solution to this problem is to employ more attacking full-backs and has spent £17m recruiting England defender Glen Johnson in the transfer window.

The 24-year-old was something of a marquee player for former club Portsmouth and will certainly provide attacking impetus for Liverpool. He has been a regular in the England team under manager Fabio Capello and will add much needed width on the right side of a team that lacks a natural right winger.

At left-back, Benitez is likely to ask Argentina youngster Emilano Insua to provide the threat. The technically proficient defender has had a good run in the side in pre-season and is a much better option than Andrea Dossena.

But Liverpool's title aspirations don't rest on the overlapping runs of Johnson and Insua, they hinge on the fitness of star striker Fernando Torres. The Spaniard's injury problems following Euro 2008 meant he was in and out of the Liverpool side last season and he has endured another long summer after travelling to South Africa to take part in the Confederations Cup with Spain.

Despite the return of Andriy Voronin, who spent a productive year in the Bundesliga with Hertha Berlin, and Benitez's vocal support of David Ngog, the 25-year-old remains Liverpool's only real threat up front. As such, Benitez is likely to once again push talismanic captain Steven Gerrard up in support of Torres - a combination that proved hugely effective last season.

But with Gerrard advanced, Xabi Alonso lost to Real Madrid and his £20m replacement from Roma Alberto Aquilani out for eight weeks with an ankle injury, Liverpool could be left exposed in central midfield: a position where they were so strong last season. Brazilian youngster Lucas, who has yet to impress many fans at Anfield, would be called upon to partner Javier Mascherano, who has had his head turned by Barcelona, but the 22-year-old doesn't have the same aura about him as his predecessors.

Still, Benitez is confident that his team can kick on from last season's second-placed finish and it seems that the manager's focus has now shifted from his early successes in the UEFA Champions League to lifting a first Premier League title for Liverpool - especially after last term's run in with United boss Sir Alex Ferguson.

The duo have rarely seen eye to eye and their sparing leapt to a new level in January when Rafa delivered his pre-prepared rant of "facts" against Ferguson at a press conference, lambasting his rival for host of indiscretions he had listed on a sheet of A4 paper. Ferguson responded by calling the Spaniard "disturbed".

When Benitez delivered his diatribe, Liverpool were seven points clear of Manchester United and sitting atop the Premier League, but the very next day they drew 0-0 at Stoke and went on to win only once in the next five league games as their advantage was whittled away.

Although Benitez said at the time that his comments did not have an effect on his team's performance, it is clear that their dip in form coincided with the increased pressure he placed upon them and, having learned from what he must now privately admit was a mistake, is unlikely to do the same thing this campaign.

The Liverpool manager has so far refused to rise to Ferguson's pre-season taunts that Liverpool have no chance of winning the league and will do well to match last season's achievement.

If the Reds' attacking full-back approach can turn one or two of last season's home draws into victories, or Benitez can stop himself from mouthing off and frittering away a healthy lead, then the Reds have a good chance of finishing top of the pile this year. If Liverpool can do both together then they have a fantastic chance. And that, Mr Benitez, is a fact.

Copyright - ESPN

Far more to Premier League than Fergie vs Rafa

2009-08-13T11:12:00.000-04:00

This might just be a historic season in the English Premier League - and not just for ESPN. Should Manchester United and Liverpool shoot it out for the title as they did in 2008-9 then these bitter rivals will be battling to be the first team to reach 19 titles. Last season saw United knock Liverpool off, to place it in the colourful terms of Sir Alex Ferguson, "their f*****g perch" as English football's most successful club in domestic league football. Now, United can make it four in a row for the first time ever, while Liverpool can end 20 years without a league title.

But to see season 2009-10 as the red teams of Merseyside and Manchester attempting to construct loftier perches is to ignore a number of variables. Before the other members of the league's elite are brought into the picture it must be said that both of last season's top two have suffered troubled close seasons.

United have lost World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo and Argentina striker Carlos Tevez. The first left as expected, the latter with rancour for his former paymasters. On the face of it, neither have been replaced like for like. In their place have arrived Antonio Valencia, Gabriel Obertan and, infamously, Michael Owen, a trio that bear the hallmarks of risky business. Either unwilling or unable to spend the £90m banked for Ronaldo plus some unwanted reserve players, Ferguson claims to have withdrawn from the transfer market in protest at the high prices. That seems somewhat rich considering the amount he received for one player.

Rafael Benitez, a sworn enemy, has his own worries on transfer business. Having staged a coup d'etat to remove Rick Parry from the boardroom and be in control of buying and selling, he has expressed his frustration at the cupboard being bare. Glen Johnson arrived for a sizeable sum as did Alberto Aquilani, for £20m of the £30m paid for Xabi Alonso by Real Madrid, who also picked up Alvaro Arbeloa for considerably less. Two in, two out, but the replacement of the much lamented Sami Hyypia has been harder for Benitez, for whom the financial concerns of owners Gillett and Hicks have tied his hands. Benitez enters the season with his fingers, and probably much else besides, crossed about the fitness of Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres.

And it's a similar story for both Chelsea and Arsenal. New Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti has been able to add just Yuri Zhirkov of note to a highly experienced and still very powerful squad while Arsene Wenger has been flogging off his African stars to Manchester City as youth continues to be favoured at the Emirates. Chelsea may look like old stagers, yet the spending of years gone by leaves them with a group of players able to withstand the rigours of a chase for honours

It is City who provide the burning question of the pre-season; can their free spending bridge what looked to be the great divide in the Premier League?

A cool £78m says they might just do it. And, despite the failure to tempt John Terry, much of that cash has been spent on capturing players from what look to be their immediate competitors. Tevez's arrival at Eastlands has already been used to cock a snook at United while Arsenal have received £41m for two African players who may or may not have seen better days while Aston Villa's Gareth Barry has been prised away.

Everton may have resisted several City overtures for Joleon Lescott but David Moyes has not been able to add to a squad that last season made the best of threadbare resources.

At Tottenham, wheeler-dealer Harry Redknapp may be looking longingly at City's spending as his own squad looks top-heavy. He posseses a wealth of attacking options yet has an injury-prone backline. That said, his transfer business may not yet be complete. In fact, a combination of his and Daniel Levy's previous record almost confirms that.

Below that lies a morass of what ifs and maybes. Roy Hodgson's Fulham were the surprise package of last term so cannot assume that role this season. In any case, their European ambitions in the newly-branded Europa League may preclude a strong domestic campaign. Across London, Gianfranco Zola won hearts at West Ham with a season that made fans forget the club's parlous financial position. Can he repeat that success while the club's future position looks no clearer?

The Hammers are by no means the only club in financial schtuck. Portsmouth's position is more troubling. The players that won them the FA Cup are leaving in droves with replacements in short supply. A small squad and questions over the club's ownership point to a doomed campaign.

There, most expect them to be joined by Hull City, who hung on to a second season in the top division by the thinnest of margins. Phil Brown's descent last season from media darling to shunned loudmouth matched the performances of his team and he has been unable to attract much in the way of fresh talent to Humberside, perhaps because of his team's late season, maybe because of Hull's location but also, it is suggested, because of the manager himself.

Last season saw Tony Pulis achieve survival with comfort and calm at Stoke City yet that serves as no guarantee for 2009-10. Again, Pulis has struggled, or at least delayed, adding to a squad that surprised many. He will not be able to offer that element this season. Second seasons are rarely as easy as the first for clubs of Stoke's stature.

Lancastrian football is in vogue. Eight teams hail from the old county of Lancashire but away from Manchester and Merseyside there are four teams with similar aims. Burnley's Owen Coyle has returned his milltown club to the big league for the first time since 1975. His team, made of Football League veterans and players who previously failed the Premier League grade, will have to show all the cup-fighting skills they showed in the League Cup, FA Cup and play-offs last season if they are to achieve survival. Should they do so, they can provide the good news story of the season.

Historic rivals Blackburn flirted with the drop last season before the arrival of Sam Allardyce who has made a team in his own image. He will hope to follow the curve of his days at Bolton, where Gary Megson continues to play a game of Allardyce-esque football that achieves results but wins few admirers. Over at Wigan, Roberto Martinez joins Owen Coyle in being a Premier League managerial rookie and will want to be able to play the passing game that he espoused at Swansea City. That will need to be matched with a strong defence, as West Brom found out last season.

As a former Latics player, Martinez was the sentimental choice to replace Steve Bruce at Wigan and the native north-easterner will be taking his contacts book of Latin American players with him, to the detriment of his former club. A permanent successor for Roy Keane at Sunderland, Bruce has a comparatively large budget that could make sure that this is not another battle of survival for the region's remaining top division club.

Bruce may well be casting a not-so envious eye on another of his old clubs in Birmingham City, where Alex McLeish is a manager seemingly under threat despite a successful promotion campaign. With Barry Ferguson and Lee Bowyer in their ranks, Birmingham could be the bad boys of the division. Joining them in elevation last season were Wolves, back after a five-year absence for only their second season in the Premier League. Promotion specialist Mick McCarthy was similarly versed in relegations while with Sunderland and has plenty to prove.

My colleagues and I have tried to develop the various themes that await in the new season in the articles you can see linked in the right-hand column. We hope you enjoy our guide to the new season. Below are our predictions for 2009-10. Feel free to add your own in the comments section and we can all laugh at ourselves when we reconvene in May.

John Brewin:

Premier League top four: Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City
Premier League relegation: Portsmouth, Hull City, Birmingham City
FA Cup: Liverpool
Carling Cup: Manchester City
Europa League: Rubin Kazan
Champions League: Real Madrid
Player of the Year: Fernando Torres

Dale Johnson:

Premier League top four: Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City
Premier League relegation: Burnley, Portsmouth, Hull City
FA Cup: Everton
League Cup: Manchester United
Europa League: Werder Bremen
Champions League: Chelsea
Player of the Year: Wayne Rooney

Jon Carter

Premier League top four: Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal
Premier League relegation: Burnley, Portsmouth, Wolves
FA Cup: Chelsea
League Cup: Manchester City
Europa League: Villarreal
Champions League: Real Madrid
Player of the Year: Fernando Torres

Dominic Raynor:

Premier League top four: Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal
Premier League relegation: Burnley, Hull City, Portsmouth
FA Cup: Manchester City
League Cup: Tottenham Hotspur
Europa League: Twente Enschede
Champions League: Chelsea
Player of the Year: Fernando Torres

Copyright - ESPN

How will the Premier League unfold?

2009-08-13T10:58:00.003-04:00

Chelsea and Manchester United set the tone for the battle at the top of the Premier League in a Community Shield encounter liberally sprinkled with spice and confrontation.

The traditional quartet will jostle at the sharp end of the table - but can anyone break up the cartel of the so-called "Big Four"?

Can Liverpool end a 20-year wait to bring the title back to Anfield? Who will emerge from the pack? Who will consolidate? Who will be condemned to a season fighting for survival? It will all unfold once the top-flight campaign commences next Saturday.

Time to polish off the crystal ball and study the prospects of those hoping to make an impact in the Premier League in 2009/2010.

ARSENAL

Arsene Wenger heard the first strains of discontent from the previously unquestioning Arsenal support last season after four years without a trophy. Is potential now simply a cover for under-achievement at the Emirates?

For all that, there is still no-one better to guide Arsenal's fortunes - although a meaningful title pursuit and at least one piece of silverware is required.

Wenger has done superb business to take the best part of £40m off Manchester City for Emmanuel Adebayor and Kolo Toure, although £10m recruit from Ajax Thomas Vermaelen will be expected to toughen up a defence regarded as having a soft centre.

Andriy Arshavin's genius was underscored last season, while Robin van Persie is a glorious talent when fit. Big season for Theo Walcott - with the incentive of a World Cup at its conclusion.

If Wenger can add a midfield enforcer (surely the return of Patrick Vieira came from the realms of romance rather than realism) then Arsenal may last the pace better than last season.

Will be attractive and dangerous - but the cups remains their best bet. Not title winners.

Verdict: Fourth.

ASTON VILLA

Big season for Villa and boss Martin O'Neill. Sixth place was not exactly a disappointment last time out, but they faded spectacularly late in the season and made no serious impact in the cups, the tame Uefa Cup exit causing particular consternation.

O'Neill has stuck to his tried and trusted policy of investing mainly in English talent, with Stewart Downing arriving from Middlesbrough as the highly-experienced and influential Gareth Barry moves to Manchester City.

Fabian Delph comes from Leeds United with rave reviews but no Premier League pedigree - so he is one for the future as opposed to one to make immediate impact.

Expect the usual O'Neill template of pace, power and width, with Ashley Young the jewel in Villa's crown. O'Neill will also surely have addressed the reasons why Villa fell off the cliff after threatening the Champions League places.

Dangerous on their day, especially away from home, but I expect more of the same in terms of league placings with more emphasis on success in the cups.

Verdict: Top Six.

BIRMINGHAM CITY

Birmingham City were functional as opposed to spectacular in winning promotion last season, but that will matter not one jot to their experienced manager Alex McLeish. The means justified the end.

Now the real battle begins and Birmingham have been busy working the markets. Joe Hart is a sound signing on loan from Manchester City in goal, but Barry Ferguson never cut it in the Premier League with Blackburn Rovers in his prime, so it takes a leap of faith to imagine he will do it now - although it is one McLeish is happy to take for a player he knows well.

James McFadden has top-flight experience in attack, but the real wild card is club record signing Christian Benitez, who arrived from Mexican side Santos Laguna for a fee that could rise to £9m. Unknown quantity and much will depend on how he adapts, especially with a chequered injury history.

Roger Johnson, a £5m buy from Cardiff, was a good performer in the Championship and he is another whose development in the Premier League is key to Birmingham's hopes. May just have enough to stay up.

VERDICT: Season of struggle.

BLACKBURN ROVERS

Sam Allardyce negotiated a route to Premier League survival for Blackburn last season, and expect them to nestle comfortably in and around mid-table this time, despite the loss of Roque Santa Cruz to Blackburn.

Allardyce's tactical approach may be an acquired taste for some - it was certainly not acquired in Newcastle - but he fashioned a system to suit Blackburn. El-Hadji Diouf, Benni McCarthy and Jason Roberts should give them a threat up front, while Ryan Nelsen and Christopher Samba will operate within the no-frills defensive framework Allardyce demands.

VERDICT: Mid-table comfort.

BOLTON WANDERERS

Gary Megson fights a permanent - and mostly losing - battle for the affection of Bolton fans, but he kept them up last season and will have high hopes of repeating the feat.

Sean Davis will provide experience in central midfield, while keeping hold of the coveted Gary Cahill is a coup for Megson. He will now have assistance from new boy Zat Knight.

Kevin Davies will be his usual physical self up front, and it is highly unlikely many Bolton games will have the purists purring, but the thick-skinned and combative Megson will be supremely disinterested in that small matter.

Whether Bolton fans like him or not, I expect Megson to retain their Premier League status once more.

VERDICT: Tough but survivors.

BURNLEY

Fantastic story and the return of one of football's great old clubs will add real romance to the Premier League - but how will they fare?

In Owen Coyle Burnley have one of the best young managers in the game and it is a tribute to both him and everyone at the club that Celtic's attentions were deflected as Turf Moor basked in the after-glow of promotion.

Coyle is a disciple of the passing game, but realism suggests he will tailor this style for the top flight and bank on Steven Fletcher, a £3m buy from Hibs, to bring goals south of the border.

Wade Elliott is already being tipped as a Premier League star of the future, while all men of a certain age will keep an eye on how 37-year-old Graham Alexander copes with the Premier League.

Expect some great occasions at Turf Moor this season - and nothing more than a gut feeling tells me tee-totaller Coyle may just celebrate survival.

VERDICT: Staying up but only just.

CHELSEA

Carlo Ancelotti is the latest manager through Stamford Bridge's revolving door and needs to make a fast start as the legacy of Guus Hiddink's masterly spell in charge remains fresh in the memories.

If Chelsea's players respond to Ancelotti's urgings and the big players - John Terry, Frank Lampard, Didier Drogba and Michael Essien - stay fit, then they will be serious contenders for every competition.

Chelsea's attempts at big-spending have been thwarted by Real Madrid, but Yuri Zhirkov is a gifted left-sided player and Daniel Sturridge was a real talent in the making at Manchester City.

Miserly in defence, versatile in midfield and powerful in attack, Chelsea also possess the concrete-clad mental strength needed to last the whole course.

If Ancelotti makes the transition from Serie A and AC Milan to the Premier League, Chelsea will be the team to finish above to win the title.

VERDICT: Second.

EVERTON

The FA Cup final and fifth place in the Premier League was a superb return for an Everton squad ravaged by serious injuries down the spine of the team - Phil Jagielka, Mikel Arteta and Yakubu - and built without the aid of a huge budget.

The motivational and organisational skills of manager David Moyes and the resilience of his squad must not be under-estimated, but financial circumstances make it almost impossible to forecast a similar league finish this term.

Chairman Bill Kenwright has been unable to bring major investment to Everton, while close rivals Villa, Spurs and particularly Manchester City have splashed out. It leaves Moyes to perform a trick which gets more difficult with every passing season.

Everton's determination to keep Joleon Lescott away from Manchester City shows they still have ambition, but without the money to fuel that ambition it is hard to see another fifth place this season.

VERDICT: Top Ten.

FULHAM

Roy Hodgson used all his years of expertise to take Fulham to seventh and a place in the Europa League last season - a superb effort and one that made him a candidate for Manager of the Year.

Hodgson built an attractive side on sound defensive principles and they are especially formidable at home. He will hope to keep central defender Brede Hangeland beyond August, while Danny Murphy's experience and tactical awareness keeps things ticking over in midfield.

With Hodgson in charge Fulham can expect more of the same this season.

VERDICT: Mid-table security.

HULL CITY

Phil Brown's feat in keeping Hull City in the Premier League last season should have been heralded as a miracle - but some of the lustre of the achievement was lost because of an astonishing collapse that brought only one win in their last 21 league games.

Brown was heavily criticised for his infamous half-time team talk on the turf at Manchester City, and even his celebratory survival sing-song at the KC when Hull lost to Manchester United but stayed up was used as a stick to beat him.

It will be even tougher this time (surely there cannot be another miracle start?) and Brown has had trouble tempting his top transfer targets to Hull City, with Michael Owen, Habib Beye, Bobby Zamora and Fraizer Campbell all going elsewhere.

Defender Michael Turner is admired by many top clubs, so it will be an even bigger test of Brown's managerial abilities this time around. He may at least be able to call on £5m signing Jimmy Bullard at some point this season as he recovers from another serious knee injury.

Great support that graced the Premier League last season, but a very long road ahead, I fear.

VERDICT: Relegation.

LIVERPOOL

Hopes have never been higher that the title will be reclaimed after a 20-year barren spell - but was last season the great missed opportunity or the primer for the Premier League crown?

Liverpool lost only two league games last season and still finished second. It was too many home draws that did for them and they cannot afford a similar failing this season.

Glen Johnson is a sound, if expensive, recruit at right-back, but it is in question whether the gifted but fragile Alberto Aquilani can make Liverpool's midfield tick over in the manner of Xabi Alonso, now a part of the Real Madrid re-fit.

Liverpool's title hopes rest on manager Rafael Benitez refusing to become distracted by Manchester United, as he did so pointlessly last season, and on the well-being of Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres.

If this world-class pair stay fit and play in the manner that propelled Liverpool so beautifully through the last three months of last season, then all the optimism and expectation is justified, despite a stuttering pre-season.

VERDICT: Champions.

MANCHESTER CITY

The great unpredictables - even when they are backed by the biggest transfer fund in British football. Such finance brings pressure and Manchester City and manager Mark Hughes need to make a fast start.

Make no mistake, they are a better squad than last season but they will be judged on how swiftly Hughes marshalls those new recruits.

Gareth Barry is an excellent common sense signing, while Carlos Tevez will provide attacking verve and industry. Kolo Toule is a steady performer, but question marks remain over the expensive Roque Santa Cruz (fitness) and Emmanuel Adebayor (consistency.)

Stephen Ireland is as influential as any of the big-money buys - an outstanding midfielder - and do not expect Craig Bellamy to accept his time is up as he fights for a place with Robinho, Tevez, Santa Cruz and Adebayor.

The big worry is central defence, which is why Everton's Joleon Lescott was pursued with such vigour. How Hughes strengthens in that area will be crucial - but still an unknown quantity.

VERDICT: Europa League places and cup contenders

MANCHESTER UNITED

Old Trafford is now a Cristiano Ronaldo-free zone - but where there is Wayne Rooney there is hope and Sir Alex Ferguson will have a glint in his eye as sets his sights on a fourth successive Premier League and passing Liverpool's record of 18 titles.

Ferguson must find a way of compensating for Ronaldo's departure, but not many predicted signing Michael Owen from Newcastle United would be part of his solution.

This could yet prove a master-stroke and he will provide competition for Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov, while Antonio Valencia has already shown his promise in pre-season.

Rooney carries so many of United's hopes on all fronts this season, but he has the ability and confidence to cope.

But how will the elder statesman Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes fit in? Will Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic stay fit? Will Ben Foster finally succeed Edwin van der Sar in goal?

The biggest question of all is how the old master will shape his side without Ronaldo. How Ferguson does it will decide the destiny of their season.

It is the most hazardous of occupations to predict United will not win the title, but a quartet of Premier League triumphs may just be beyond them.

VERDICT: Third.

PORTSMOUTH

Not huge amounts of good news here. Glen Johnson and Peter Crouch gone, more departures possibly in the offing and all pre-season plans shrouded in the uncertainty of a protracted takeover.

Throw in the bad publicity of David Nugent and Marc Wilson being fined two weeks' wages after a "serious breach of club discipline" on a trip to Portugal and you get the idea. Optimism is in short supply.

The Harry Redknapp era, when players like Crouch and Jermain Defoe were arriving and the FA Cup was being paraded, seems an age away and the highly-respected Paul Hart faces a huge task to stop the slide.

Pompey simply have to hang on to keeper David James and the creative force of Croatia's Niko Kranjcar in midfield otherwise this season will be a long haul, probably into the Championship.

VERDICT: Relegation.

STOKE CITY

To visit the Britannia last season was to sample Premier League life in the raw - something that also applied to Stoke City's opponents. Noisy, atmospheric, exhilirating and the main reason Tony Pulis's side stayed in the division.

Stoke, backed by feverish fans, made it a harrowing afternoon for many Premier League sides, although there was more to them than Rory Delap's much-publicised long throws.

Pulis built a side in his own image and likeness. Hard-working, honest, uncompromising, and it was a winning formula for survival.

The Britannia may not be such a culture shock this season, but I still back Stoke and Pulis to have enough about them to maintain their Premier League staus.

VERDICT: Staying up again.

SUNDERLAND

Just survived last season, but a shrewd choice of manager in Steve Bruce and a big transfer budget that he will manipulate wisely means they can look forward to better times this season.

Bruce has excelled in the past in the transfer market, utilising contacts abroad while scouring for talent at home. He may be a Newcastle United fan, but Sunderland are in safe hands.

Darren Bent has been derided for his time at Spurs, but he scores goals and is a wise acquisition, while former Marseille captain Lorik Cana will add (and this is putting it politely) steel in midfield. Fraizer Campell is a promising talent, and if either he or Bent forms a partnership with Kenwyne Jones then Sunderland could be in business.

VERDICT: Top ten.

TOTTENHAM

Harry Redknapp's shrewd manouevres in the transfer market and the use of the forces he inherited meant good progress was made by Spurs last season - now there will be expectations that he will build on that platform.

No close season is complete without hectic transfer activity down the Lane, and the addition of Kyle Naughton to Spurs' array of right-backs is a shrewd move. He was widely regarded as the most promising young defender outside the Premier League when he was at Sheffield United.

Luka Modric will again be the brains of the operation while we can expect to see Peter Crouch and Jermain Defoe reunited once more in attack after their brief partnership at Portsmouth. But what of Robbie Keane? Surely the happy wanderer will not find himself surplus again?

Central defence is a worry, not because Spurs lack quality but because they lack good health. Ledley King, Jonathan Woodgate and Michael Dawson are all troubled by injuries, hence the outlay of £8m on Sebastien Bassong from Newcastle United.

Spurs have talent but will they have the consistency? If they do, expect further improvement.

VERDICT: Top six and potential cup winners.

WEST HAM UNITED

Gianfranco Zola made a promising start at West Ham last season - no surprise there given his pedigree, style and personal dignity.

He has footballing principles that appeal to the Upton Park psyche and with the astute Steve Clarke at his side, expect West Ham to settle comfortably towards the middle of the Premier League.

Nothing in the way of serious big-money signings in the new frugal era, but plenty of quality sprinkled around Zola's squad in the shape of keeper Robert Green, Scott Parker, Mark Noble, Jack Collison and others.

Young players have been secured on long-term contracts while all at West Ham will hope the outstanding Dean Ashton can finally rid himself of injury.

VERDICT: Middle of the road with cup ambitions.

WIGAN ATHLETIC

Steve Bruce's departure was a blow to Wigan, but chairman Dave Whelan has attracted someone regarded as one of the brightest and most imaginative managerial talents in the game in Roberto Martinez.

Martinez is unproven at Premier League level, but his Swansea City side won rave reviews for their cultured approach and it will be intriguing to see if the Spaniard can transport this to the top flight.

He suffered a grievous loss when Antonio Valencia went to Manchester United, but he has placed his trust in two of his Swansea City old boys in the shape of striker Jason Scotland and gifted midfield man Jordi Gomez.

James McCarthy was regarded as a major prospect in Scotland with Hamilton while Wigan fought off interest from old boss Bruce at Sunderland to sign Honduras midfield man Hendry Thomas.

Wigan will aim for survival again - and if Martinez achieves this he can regard it as a job well down.

VERDICT: Lower reaches but staying up.

WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS

Just like Burnley, another great old name returns to the Premier League and we should welcome them with open arms.

Mick McCarthy's wise leadership and experience will be a huge help this season - as will the passionate Molineux crowd, although there will be times when they have to stick by their side in adversity.

McCarthy will hope Kevin Doyle's £6.5m arrival from Reading as partner to the prolific Sylvain Ebanks-Blake will give Wolves the firepower to keep them up.

Andrew Surman's ability to make the leap from Southampton to the Premier League will also have an influence while Michael Kightly is another they will lean on.

McCarthy is realism personified and he knows survival is the aim as they return to the elite - anything else will be a plus.

VERDICT: Fighting Birmingham for final relegation place.

Liverpool should be title favourites, no matter what Sir Alex Ferguson says

2009-08-10T11:21:00.000-04:00

Somewhat unbelievably, the most cantankerous old man in football, Sir Alex Ferguson, has already dismissed Liverpool’s hopes of winning the Premier League. Yet if the Overlord of English football feels it necessary to lay into Rafa Benitez’s side without a ball of the new season being kicked, it surely only means one thing: Liverpool are a major threat to Manchester United’s hegemony.

Ferguson’s critical assessment - “Liverpool have just had probably their best season for 20 years, finished up with 86 points and still finished four adrift. It will be hard for them to match that, let alone improve. Other teams will read Liverpool better” - is borne out of fear. For while the Anfield club have just lost a key figure in Xabi Alonso, it does not come close to the impact United will feel without Cristiano Ronaldo.

Liverpool fans have been ridiculed in the past for their regular pre-season refrain of ‘This is our season’, but 2009-10 really could, and should be. Never will they have a better chance of ending their league title drought, never will they be better prepared.

Benitez has improved his already formidable defence with the signing of Glen Johnson, and if he replaces Alonso with the exciting Alberto Aquilani and then uses the rest of his transfer budget to sign a striker and/or an out-and-out winger, then I believe Liverpool will win the Premier League by five or six points.

United, going for a record fourth consecutive title, will badly miss Ronaldo, no matter much they protest otherwise. You cannot take the Portuguese’s goals, assists and general aura out of a team and not weaken it. Replacing Ronaldo with Luis Antonio Valencia is akin to trading in a Ferrari for a BMW. Valencia is very good, but he will not score 20+ goals this season and that will put extra pressure on Ferguson’s strike force.

While United fans are now pretending they were never that bothered about Carlos Tevez, the departure of the Argentine has weakened their front line. An awful lot is resting on Dimitar Berbatov, one of last season’s most underwhelming signings, and Michael Owen, one of last season’s most underwhelming footballers.

United simply do not look the force that Liverpool do, no matter how much Ferguson tries to talk himself, and anyone who’ll listen, into it.

Chelsea will be the team to push Benitez’s men closest, and with a strong, settled side rejuvenated under the command of the now departed Guus Hiddink, they will start the new campaign infused with confidence. But the priority at Stamford Bridge is to win the Champions League, and while Carlo Ancelotti has the squad to compete on all fronts, I feel they will fall short of Liverpool.

Arsenal’s fate is reliant upon their next moves in the transfer market. If Arsene Wenger adds the commanding centre-half and defensive midfielder his team needs, they could launch a sustained title bid. However, with injury concerns over the returning Tomas Rosicky and Eduardo, and major upheaval at boardroom level, the environment at the Emirates does not seem conducive to success at present.

Will Manchester City break up the Big Four cartel? The potential is certainly there, and with their summer outlay, that should be the very least of their ambitions. However, I still feel it is unlikely. Mark Hughes has a massive job on his hands moulding his new-look squad into a cohesive unit, and whether he can handle the rampant egos in his dressing room, coupled with the elevated expectation levels foisted upon him, is highly debateable. I expect Hughes to be gone before Christmas, and replaced by Jose Mourinho.

Predictions are almost designed to make you look foolish, so with a heavy heart here is my top seven for the 2009-10 season:

1. Liverpool
2. Chelsea
3. Manchester United
4. Arsenal
5. Tottenham
6. Everton
7. Manchester City

Club-by-club preview: Liverpool

2009-08-09T14:07:00.001-04:00

2008-09 Record

Premier League 2, FA Cup rnd4, Carling Cup rnd4, Champions League QF

Manager

Rafael Benitez His eccentric behaviour — silly spats with Sir Alex Ferguson he could never win; his inexhaustible internal politicking and some rum selections — distracted from what was Liverpool’s best season of the century. Still, what he’s building may yet be special.

Artists or artisans?

There is no more thrilling Premier League combination than OJ Gerrard and Fernando Torres. Doubts remain over Liverpool’s defensive prowess but since Dirk Kuyt turned provider they look more balanced and more potent than ever.

Crowd puller

Fernando Torres Had Torres not suffered two hamstring injuries last season, Liverpool might have overhauled Manchester United. In the end he had to settle for 14 goals from 20 starts to confirm he is one of the most fearsome strikers in Premier League history.

Feuding with

Sir Alex Ferguson Silly old grudges die hard. For reasons still unclear, Benitez chose to play mind games with the man with a degree in mind games (University of Ochaye, 1986). ‘Do I think he is nervous?’ asked Benitez in January. ‘Clearly.’ Yes, clearly.

Squad analysis

Goalkeepers 1 Diego Cavalieri, 25 Pepe Reina

Defenders 2 Glen Johnson, 5 Daniel Agger, 12 Fabio Aurelio, 22 Emiliano Insua, 23 Jamie Carragher, 27 Philipp Degen, 32 Stephen Darby, 34 Martin Kelly, 36 Steven Irwin, 37 Martin Skrtel, 38 Andrea Dossena

Midfielders 8 Steven Gerrard, 11 Albert Riera, 15 Yossi Benayoun, 19 Ryan Babel, 20 Javier Mascherano, 21 Lucas Leiva, 26 Jay Spearing, 28 Damien Plessis, 31 Nabil El Zhar, Alberto Aquilani

Forwards 9 Fernando Torres, 10 Andriy Voronin, 18 Dirk Kuyt, 24 David Ngog, 29 Krisztian Nemeth

Players in Alberto Aquilani (AS Roma) £20m, Glen Johnson (Portsmouth) £17m, Chris Mavinga (PSG) undisclosed, Stephen Sama (Borussia Dortmund) free

Players out Xabi Alonso (R Madrid) £30m, Alvaro Arbeloa (R Madrid) £3.5m, Sebastian Leto (Panathinaikos) £3m, Jack Hobbs (Leicester) undisclosed, Sami Hyypia (B Leverkusen) free, Jermaine Pennant (R Zaragoza) free

If they were a movie star they would be...

John Travolta Doing quite well and everything, but still trading on past glories

Jonathan Northcroft's prediction: 2nd

My tip for the title until they sold Xabi Alonso. And what happens if Steven Gerrard or Fernando Torres gets injured?

Title odds 7-2

First six fixtures

Aug 16 Tottenham (a) 4pm

Aug 19 Stoke City (h) 8pm

Aug 24 Aston Villa (h) 8pm

Aug 29 Bolton (a) 3pm

Sep 12 Burnley (h) 3pm

Sep 19 West Ham (a) 5.30pm

Premier League preview No8: Liverpool

2009-08-09T13:52:00.003-04:00

Guardian writers' prediction: 1st Odds to win league: 11-4

Nineteen years have passed without league title No19 and still the prediction is that this could be Liverpool's year. But now the expectation is justified at Anfield and so high, so unforgiving, that not even Xabi Alonso's departure diminishes the demand on Rafael Benítez. Regaining the mantle of England's most decorated champions from Manchester United is imperative.

First, however, there must be caution amid the exultation. Benítez envisaged a summer of fine-tuning his squad after the first genuine title challenge of his reign but, despite the capture of Glen Johnson and impending arrival of Alberto Aquilani, it stands diminished. Alonso represents a serious loss from the spine of a first-choice XI that ranks alongside that of any Premier League rival and several other, albeit far less influential, players have been sold to raise funds. The loss of Alonso, however, does not have to be catastrophic to Liverpool's title prospects.

The club will undoubtedly miss the guile, technical ability and experience of a player who responded to Benítez's attempts to sell him last summer with arguably the finest season of his five-year spell on Merseyside. Of more importance is how Benítez spends the £30m he prised out of Florentino Pérez and Real Madrid for Alonso, a player he signed for £10.7m and valued at £18m 12 months ago on account of two injury-plagued but mediocre seasons; and whether Benítez will be allowed to reinvest Alonso's full transfer fee plus other monies promised this summer.

It is strange that the Liverpool squad has not been bolstered when it was lack of strength in depth, plus injury to Fernando Torres, that Benítez cited as the major reasons for falling four points short of United last season. In terms of numbers the arrival of Johnson and Aquilani, for instance, is offset by the departures of Alvaro Arbeloa and Alonso to the Bernabéu.

There remains time for strengthening and Liverpool indicated that the sale of Alonso might prompt a flurry of activity by securing a deal for Roma's playmaker Aquilani yesterday but it is unlike Benítez to leave money in his pocket should he have any available, as has been the case this summer. Cover is required at centre-half following Sami Hyypia's free transfer to Bayer Leverkusen while quality support for Torres and Steven Gerrard up front has not arrived seven months after Robbie Keane's return to White Hart Lane.

Given Benítez was promised £20m to spend plus whatever he raised in sales at the start of this summer – before the owners, George Gillett and Tom Hicks, secured a refinancing deal that involves repaying £60m of a £290m debt over the next 12 months – the Liverpool manager must have more than £40m at his dis- posal following Alonso's move. Should Aquilani overcome his injury problems and settle instantly – a prerequisite with the title at stake – a forward of the calibre of Valencia's David Silva arrive and defensive cover in the form of Sylvain Distin, for example, be brought in, then Benítez will have achieved his summer goals and Liverpool will embark on the new campaign wiser and stronger. But only Aquilani and a cheap defender would alter that assessment and raise further question marks over the Americans' financial might.

It is United, not Liverpool, who have lost more to the continued lure of Real Madrid and superior Spanish tax rates this summer and Sir Alex Ferguson could not ignore the foundation for Anfield's confidence even as he sought to dismiss their title credentials this week. "The thrust of the Liverpool team is really all about Gerrard and Torres," the United manager said. "If they stay fit, it improves Liverpool's chances."

Liverpool found a consistency that has long eluded them in the Premier League last season, even with Gerrard and Torres starting only 14 of 38 league matches together. Captain and talismanic striker produced 30 of Liverpool's 77 league goals last term, despite Torres suffering three hamstring strains that ruled him out of 14 league games. When fit, they represent Anfield's greatest hope. Injury to Torres or Gerrard would have a severe impact on the side but that argument applies to Wayne Rooney at Old Trafford.

Benítez finally got the measure of his "big four" rivals last season by taking 14 points from a possible 18 against the champions, Chelsea and Arsenal. Liverpool remained unbeaten in the league at Anfield all season, although their well-documented achilles heel – the seven draws at Anfield – continues to pain their manager. It is surely where a forward of Silva's ilk comes into the reckoning.

Johnson, desperate to seize his second chance at a top-four club following the disappointment of Stamford Bridge, appears a fine addition to the defence, able to provide adventurous support to Dirk Kuyt on the right and sure to improve defensively under Benítez's tutelage. Ryan Babel, having earned a reprieve from his manager this summer, will have to grasp his opportunity while greater responsibility will now fall on Javier Mascherano in light of Alonso's exit.

The Spaniard's sale means there is no prospect of the Argentina captain being granted his coveted move to Barcelona and much rests on his response. The title, however, may rest on Benítez's next moves in the transfer market.

Ins: Glen Johnson (Portsmouth, £18m), Alberto Aquilani (Roma, £20m)

Outs: Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid, £30m) Alvaro Arbeloa (Real Madrid, £3.5m), Sebastien Leto (Panathinaikos, £1.3m), Paul Anderson (Nottingham Forest, £250,000), Sami Hyypia (Bayer Leverkusen, free), Jermaine Pennant (Espanyol, free), Jack Hobbs (Leicester, free), Astrit Ajdarevic (Leicester, free), Shane O'Connor (Ipswich, free), Ryan Flynn (Falkirk, loan), Dean Bouzanis (Wrexham, loan)

Copyright - The Guardian

World Football Phone In: Fan Dedication Song 2009

2009-07-30T02:24:00.000-04:00

Frankly Mr Shankly World Football Phone in Poem

2009-07-30T02:22:00.001-04:00

Liverpool Fans At Stamford Bridge 2008

2009-07-29T23:05:00.000-04:00

Steven Gerrard - Season 2008/09

2009-07-29T23:01:00.000-04:00

Steven Gerrard - Liverpool Captain For A Reason

2009-07-29T22:58:00.000-04:00

Beşiktaş Fans

2009-07-23T22:47:00.000-04:00

Boom Boom Afridi

2009-07-23T12:25:00.000-04:00

Montreal, Canada - July 16 to July 20, 2009

2009-07-23T12:10:00.000-04:00

1977 - President Carter in Newcastle

2009-07-12T21:27:00.000-04:00

The Kop over the years...

2009-07-11T21:08:00.000-04:00

Liverpool FC - Where Amazing Happens

2009-07-08T11:41:00.000-04:00

Video 1

Video 2

We’ve Won It Five Times

2009-07-08T01:54:00.000-04:00

European Cup Final 1977 Rome
Liverpool 3 vs 1 Borussia Mönchengladbach

European Cup Final 1978 London
Liverpool 1 vs 0 Club Brugge

European Cup Final 1981 Paris
Liverpool 1 vs 0 Real Madrid

European Cup Final 1984 Rome
Liverpool 1(4) vs (2)1 Roma

UEFA Champions League Final 2005 Istanbul
Liverpool 3(3) vs (2)3 Milan

Fields of Anfield Road - Hillsborough Version

2009-07-07T22:52:00.000-04:00

Pepe Reina visit El Campus de Grado 2009

2009-07-06T12:23:00.000-04:00

Anfield Rap

2009-07-06T00:37:00.001-04:00

The King Pelé

2009-07-06T00:26:00.000-04:00

Football Focus - 20th anniversary of Hillsborough Disaster

2009-07-05T20:10:00.000-04:00

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Part 6

Part 7

Hillsborough for Dummies

2009-07-05T20:05:00.000-04:00

Match of the 70s - Season 1989/80

2009-07-05T19:21:00.000-04:00

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Match of the 70s - Season 1978/79

2009-07-05T19:18:00.000-04:00

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Match of the 70s - Season 1977/78

2009-07-05T19:10:00.000-04:00

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Part 5

Match of the 70s - Season 1976/77

2009-07-05T19:00:00.000-04:00

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Match of the 70s - Season 1975/76

2009-07-05T18:56:00.000-04:00

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Part 5

Match of the 70s - Season 1974/75

2009-07-05T18:50:00.000-04:00

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Match of the 70s - Season 1973/74

2009-07-05T18:46:00.000-04:00

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Match of the 70s - Season 1972/73

2009-07-05T18:42:00.000-04:00

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Match of the 70s - Season 1971/72

2009-07-05T18:38:00.000-04:00

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Match of the 70s - Season 1970/71

2009-07-05T18:35:00.000-04:00

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One night in May

2009-07-05T18:32:00.000-04:00

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Pakistan's road to glory

2009-07-05T18:06:00.000-04:00

Match of the 80s - Season 1983/84

2009-07-05T16:05:00.000-04:00

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Match of the 80s - Season 1982/83

2009-07-05T15:59:00.000-04:00

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Match of the 80s - Season 1980/81

2009-07-05T15:46:00.000-04:00

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Match of the 80s - Season 1981/82

2009-07-05T15:38:00.000-04:00

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50 years of Bill Shankly

2009-07-05T14:50:00.000-04:00

Buy Paul Tomkins excellent book Dynasty: Fifty Years of Shankly's Liverpool here.

Time of Our Lives - The Shankly Years

2009-07-05T14:01:00.000-04:00

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

UEFA Euro 2008 - Spain

2009-07-05T12:29:00.001-04:00

Rafa Benitez, LFC Manager (2004 - Present)

2009-07-05T12:27:00.001-04:00

FIFA Confederations Cup 2009 - USA

2009-07-05T12:25:00.000-04:00

King Kenny Dalglish: Return of a Legend

2009-07-04T13:13:00.000-04:00