March 20, 2011 - Sunderland vs Liverpool.: 0:2 - LFC quickly bounced back from Europa League elimination.

LFC Player of the Game: Luiz Suarez still...

Game Summary:

After the disappointing losing tie against Barga of Portugal in final 16 of Europa League, Liverpool took little time to bounce back by getting a vital victory over Sunderland at Stadium of Light, one of the toughest fields to gain victory. Suarez was again the creative force of the team as he has provided a magical 2nd goal that basically ended all hope of Sunderland come back. In Europe, Suarez was ineligible to play for Liverpool as he was Cup-tie after playing for Ajax in Europe this season, and this explained why Liverpool had such difficulty to score in Europe compared to domestic league. Suarez provided flair and dribbling ability that Liverpool has been lacking before his arrival. Carroll made his 1st league start for Liverpool and he was unfortunate for not scoring his first goal for the Reds after his header cleared off the line by Sunderland defender. Carroll needs time to gel with teammates and regain his form; however, his performance so far already suggested he will provide heading and ball-holding ability up-front. He and Suarez should develop into a lethal partnership as Gerrard believed. Spearing played well in the game and has proved to be a worthy back-up for the Reds. As Liverpool still do not possess natural wingers, King Kenny gradually prefers to play 3 up-front with 3 central midfield supporting behind the 3 strikers. This could be a wise move, as forcing non-wingers playing the the wing could have adverse effect in overall efficiency of the team. Liverpool badly needs natural wingers who can provide accurate crosses to Carroll. Until then, we will never see the best of Andy Carroll, the future and presence of Liverpool and England No.9. My hope is someone like Ashley Young, a natural winger with pace and crossing ability, will come this summer.

Starting line-up: (4-3-3)

Reina

Carragher Skrtel Agger Johnson
Merieles Lucas Spearing
Kuyt Carroll Suarez

Goals: Kuyt'34 , Suarez '77

March 6, 2011 - Liverpool vs Manchester Utd.: 3:1 - King Kuyt Hat-Trick!!!!! Red Devils & Nani Crashed HARD!

LFC Player of the Game: King Kuyt + Luiz Suarez

Game Summary:

Liverpool was well rested with one full week of rest before facing their bitterest rivalry as the Reds were determined to take hard revenge against the Red Devils for the 0-1 loss in the FA Cup 3rd round which knocked the Reds out from FA Cup a month ago. With Kelly and Agger still out, the partnership of Carragher and Skrtel in the central of defense never give me confidence. The unfortunate injury of Auerlio during the early minutes had ironically solidified the Reds defense as it pushed King Kenny to play Kyrgiakos in CB with Carragher switched as RB and Johnson to fill the void in LB for Auerlio. It avoided Ferguson's troop to attack LFC weakness by adopting ariel attack led by Berbetov without defensive protection as Kyrgiakos' strength in defending header has always bailed LFC out against ariel attack and headers. In all honesty, Liverpool was extremely fortunate to face United without their leading CB Vidic, Ferdinand and Evans. Smalling and Brown were never capable of containing the sensational Suarez, who had produced a super-star performance throughout the game with his sizzling dribble, clever movement and flair which had all been missing elements in LFC games for over two decades! Kuyt may have stolen the headline for his first hat-trick in his Reds career. Kuyt's hard work had paid-off in this important encounter as he had produced a "Gary Lineker-like" performance with all 3 goals scored within 3 yards out! In fact, Liverpool had never have any player scored a hat-trick vs United since Peter Beardsley more than 20 years ago! Kuyt was striker by nature, but he had been transformed into a right wing to accommodate Torres' lone-strike game since El Nino's arrival. Now with Torres gone, Kuyt could be given more chances to play as striker again as both Carroll and Suarez can play with a striking partner. Although Kuyt had scored all 3 goals, Suarez was instrumental in all 3 goals. Who can forget the opening goal when Suarez dribbled past three United players before sliding a half-shot past Van Der Sar. Even without Kuyt stole his goal, Suarez's slow shots could also have gone into the net. With Carroll finally recovered and made his awaited debut in 2nd half and took little time to make his presence felt with his aerial power and strength, the long anticipated striking partnership of Carroll and Suarez could soon be materialized. By then, LFC faithful should say "Fernando Who?"

Starting line-up: (4-3-1-2)

Reina
Johnson Carragher Skrtel Auerlio

Gerrard Lucas Maxi

Meireles

Kuyt Suarez

Goals: Kuyt '34, '39, '65

February 27, 2011 - West Ham Utd. vs Liverpool: 3:1 - 8 game unbeaten run ended as tiring troop was out-performed!

LFC Player of the Game: Luiz Suarez, still...

Game Summary:
No question that Liverpool is lacking of strength in depth. After the tiring Europa encounter against Sparta Pargue three days ago, Liverpool players left with no energy against a rejuvenated West Ham side who tried very hard to fight for survival. Liverpool still tried to play recently effective formation 3-4-2-1. However, with Kelly, Kyrgiakos and Agger all out injured, Liverpool had so much trouble contained the athletic Hammers forwards. Parker and Hitzelberger had also out-played Gerrard and Lucas in the central midfield. Suarez was still the one and only dangerous attacking threat from the Reds. Despite a poor 1st half, he produced moments of magic and almost helped the team to tie the game. After 8 unbeaten games in the league and Europe, Liverpool finally faced a minor set-back.

Starting line-up: (3-4-2-1)

Reina
Carragher Skrtel Wilson

Kelly Gerrard Lucas Johnson
Meireles Suarez
Kuyt

Goals: G.Johnson '84

February 19, 2011 - Liverpool 1: Wigan1- Missed opportunity as Suarez's shots hit the post and the crossbar in his 1st start...

LFC Player of the Game: Luiz Suarez!!!

Game Summary: With Gerrard and Agger both out injured, Liverpool was forced to switch from their newly successful formation 3-4-2-1- back to 4-4-2/4-3-1-2 having to deal with Wigan speedy wingers. Key players such as Kuyt, Meireles and Lucas got fatigued for the mid-week international friendlies, Liverpool has to rely on Suarez to produce his magic against Wigan in his first start for the Reds and he didn't disappoint! Suarez has been a headache for the Wigan defense for the whole game. With his quick turn, speed and dribbling skills, Wigan defense can only stop him by fouls that provided the Reds several free-kick opportunities. Unfortunately, Suarez's low shots hit the post in the 1st half while his curving free-kick hit the crossbar in the 2nd half that could have turned the disappointing home draw into a 3 point well-deserved victory. Reds has still been undefeated for six games in a row and stayed at 6th in the league. Keep on going, Reds!

Starting line-up: (4-3-1-2)

Reina
Kelly Carragher Skrtel Johnson
Maxi Lucas Auerlio

Meireles

Kuyt Suarez

Goals: Meireles '24

February 12, 2011 - Gerrard declared his career belongs to LFC Forever!

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard admits Fernando Torres broke his heart quitting for Chelsea.
Gerrard, though, insists he bears his former teammate no grudge.

"I was heartbroken," Gerrard told the Daily Mail. "Absolutely gutted. But I also called him after he left.

"There are no hard feelings. I built up a relationship with Fernando and became his friend. He scored some fantastic goals and I have fantastic memories. I enjoyed playing with him. So you can’t go from one extreme to another and fall out with him, start criticising him.

"But he will also understand how I feel. Fernando is a bright person and he will understand that the Liverpool fans are upset as well."

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard says he "trusts" the club's new owners.
Gerrard admits he didn't enjoy the final days of the Tom Hicks-George Gillett era.

"The football club is much happier now," he told the Daily Mail. "It’s in a better place than it has been for a few years. We’ve got new owners, who I’ve spoken to quite a lot, who are passionate about what they want to do.

"I trust them, I trust them even more after what’s happened in the last week or so. And the way they’ve acted, coming towards the end of the transfer window, has impressed me. I was a bit wary at first because I was maybe a bit guilty of trusting the previous owners too much.

"This time I’ve taken a bit more time in judging them. But they’ve been brilliant so far. They have put the club back in a good place already and the last three or four weeks have been really positive. We’ve had some good results. The lads are smiling again. I’ve actually enjoyed going to work again."

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard says Kenny Dalglish is proving the ideal manager for the club.
Gerrard believes the veteran Scot is simply the right fit.

"It does feel right him being back," Gerrard told the Daily Mail.

"First and foremost, he’s a good person. He’s helped me throughout my career. The advice he has given me, even before coming back as manager. He’s always had time for me. Cared for me. I know how much he wanted this job and I’m just glad he got what he wanted.

"I feel he can take the club forward. As everyone knows, it’s a results business. But so far, so good, and I’d love him to get the contract extended.

"He’s brought everything together. Growing up, my experience of Liverpool was that you don’t hang out your dirty washing in public. For the last couple of years there’s been a lot of bad press. Non-stop.

"That’s not the way we want the club to be run. But Kenny’s come in and he’s lifted the fans and the players. I think you can see that in the determination they have shown in the last few games. The players are certainly playing for Kenny."

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has declared he expects to play out his career at Anfield.
In choosing to reject Chelsea, the bond has grown stronger and, at 30, he now says he will finish his career at the club.

"Since the speculation about Chelsea emerged I’ve been asked that question a lot," he told the Daily Mail. "And I’ve always held my hand up and said, yes, it did turn my head at the time, mainly because of a lack of success that we had had at Liverpool. And the interest was not just from Chelsea. It was from a number of big clubs, so of course it’s going to turn your head.

"But I’m well past that now. Well over it. I won’t be going anywhere else. I’m 31 this summer and I tell myself every day that I made the right decision. I’m pleased because, when I look back on my career, I have no regrets. I would have regretted leaving Liverpool.

"People on the outside, who don’t have the bond I have with the club, may not understand that. They will make judgments and say I could have won my trophies and earned more money if I had gone elsewhere. But that’s not important to me because I still feel I can win a couple more trophies with Liverpool and, if I do, they will mean an awful lot more to me.

"It’s more important for me to share the success I have enjoyed, and hopefully will in the future, with the people who live around me, the people who care about me and love me. The relationship I have with them is that special."

February 6, 2011 - Chelsea 0: Liverpool 1- Take that Torres!!! 4 in a row as LFC gets back to 6th!!!

LFC Player of the Game: Everyone!!! Purely a team effort, but Carragher has been the stand-out as he came back from a 2-month injury and led his defensive line to perfection today, not to mentioned playing key role in shutting-out the traitor Torres highlighted by his signature shot block that denied Torres' potential game leading goal.

Starting line-up: (3-4-2-1)

Reina

Carragher Skrtel Agger

Kelly Gerrard Lucas Johnson

Meireles Maxi

Kuyt

Goals: Meireles '69

King Kenny's New 3-4-2-1 Formation Analysis & Preview of Gameplan vs Torres & Chelsea

Fantastic game vs Stoke. I think we could be better without Torres now as the team commitment and spirit is finally back without the self-minded striker. King's 3-4-2-1 formation remind me of The 3-4-2-1 or 3-6-1, whatever you like to call, adopted in the Champion Final vs AC Milan in 2005.

Reina
Skrtel Kyriagkos Agger
Kelly Lucas Auerlio Johnson
Meireles Gerrard
Kuyt

reminds me of the formation we used in the 2nd half 3 goal come-back vs AC Milan:

Dudek

Carragher Hyypia Traore

Finnan Hamann Alonso Riise

Garcia Gerrard

Baros

I even think King Kenny may watch back those old videos and take some reference from that. Benitez had done countless things wrong, but he did do something right to be fair. However, Benitez sometimes likes to give up something that's working and try some new stupid ineffective idea.The idea of this 3-4-2-1 is to press the opponent midfield, trying to out-number the opposing midfield and aiming for winning the midfield battle. Playing 3 CB can be effective to stop opposing teams with star strikers with one extra defender to perform double-team marking. The lone striker holds up the ball and drops back to assist the 2 AMF with good scoring ability in Gerrard and Meireles (Gerrard and Garcia in 2005) I actually think KING KENNY will use this formation vs Chelsea, but may be Gerrard will drop back to CMF and let Suarez to play in advanced attacking midfield role.

Reina
Skrtel Kyrgiakos Agger
Kelly Gerrard Lucas Johnson
Meireles Suarez
Kuyt

We will face the triple attack of Drogba and Torres with Anelka playing just behind. It's important we have 3 CBs to defend them. In Drogba, Terry, Invanovic and even Essien, Chelsea can have a few players good in headers and it's important that we keep playing K16 along with Agger+Skrtel+Kelly to defend their aerial attack! Chelsea is not particular great in the wings, especially on their right wing side, so Johnson can really attack more through the left flank. If we only play 4 MF, we probably could lose to Chelsea:Essien-Lampard-Malouda-Anelka (or Mikel).. since our MF cannot be as quality or as physical strong, it's important we out-number their MF by playing 6 MF to out-number their 4 MF. We need to press them early and stop them from create chances to strikers, as they don't have great wingers to trouble us, we need to bascially JAM-PACKING the middle, just like the way we battle AC Milan in 2005 final when they have great CMF but do not have wingers! Anyway, I do suggest Gerrard drop a bit deep to restrict the Chelsea MF as I think Lucas+Auerlio won't be good enough vs the Chelsea MF and they could be press and lose possession under the pressure of Essien/Mikel.

In attack, Kuyt may not trouble Terry and Ivanovic much, but his real function is to take Terry/Ivanovic out from their defensive zone and create space for Suarez and Meireles to attack. I think this may be an effective attacking tactics. For sure, when Carroll comes back, he will provide an extra dimension for us in attack.

I 101% support King's 3-4-2-1 plan. May be this won't be only used vs Stoke City, but rather a future plan especially after Carroll is fit. King's know we don't have natural wingers so he may stick with attacking the wing through wing-backs. Playing 1 extra CB, espcially Agger, to lessen our weakness in DMF as we all know Lucas isn't natural DMF and Poulsen is still average even if his form improving. There is no way to fit our new fantastic 4 in Carroll + Suarez+ Meireles + Gerrard with 4-2-3-1 that could bascially keep Meireles to the right MF that will never be effective as proven in some of the Hodgson's game. Therefore, playing 3-4-2-1 will be a great solution as Meireles and Suarez could play together with Gerrard just behind to direct traffic in the CMF, not to mention that even Joe Cole and Maxi can be more effective in those 2 AMF roles (being substitute for Meireles and Suarez) rather than forcing them to play wide on the wings. I do expect Carroll to start once he came back and Kuyt could take turn to start as CF depends on stamina and form.

The wing-backs will be very important in this formation with Kelly and Johnson being major key players in the game plan. When they need a breather, we may see Auerlio playing some more LB again while Johnson can also play some RB if Kelly needs a rest. In fact, when Carroll comes back and start as CF, may be Kuyt can help out a bit in RWB role.