CHAMPIONS LEAGUE MATCHDAY 3

Ok ,there was something wrong woth server earlier...I apologise guys .So Im just gonna put up Ejaz's post here. Oh and for Chelsea Well done Loks.

Like the Googenheims said in the Titanic. "Bring the ebst clothes and the finest wine.Let us go down in style.

So I will gel my hair, wear my perfume and my Agassi Nikes and go down in style. Bring on the Bashing. We are ready

From The Kop End

Liverpool Crouching for Besiktas
Ejaz Khan

Liverpool loss to Besiktas has been a shock of extraordinary proportion, as the Reds now certainly have one foot out of Europe’s elite competition. Once again, Sami Hyppia scores at the wrong end, and hopefully he won’t get his third against Arsenal on Saturday. Hopefully he won’t be playing at all. Rafa should seek the services of the Oxygen tent that helped speed Rooney’s recovery from a similar metatarsal injury, and keep Agger in Intensive care, because his return is vital. Rafa should consider throwing the likes of Jack Hobbs into the thick of things, I’m sure the teenage defender, cannot do any worse than the ageing Finn. The biggest problem in this all important fixture is the absence of one name in the starting lineup, that of Peter Crouch. Fans are besides themselves with theories as to why he does not feature so often for Liverpool. Surely he is fit and ready, patiently waiting his turn. It was the same problem last year in the Champions league final, the instant he came on, the Reds looked to score, and his height causes problems for the best defence, anywhere in the world. So why keep him languishing on the bench, when ANYONE can see his an asset to the club. Steven Gerrard’s bullet header into the top corner yesterday, came shortly after Crouch was introduced, and one has to wonder, as was the case in the Champions league final in May, if he came on earlier, would it have been a different storyline.
Ifs and buts don’t change the scoreline, and I’m pretty sure Peter Crouch will most certainly be losing patience. Sure, he might feel obligated to Rafa for sticking with him through his lengthy barren spell during his early days at Anfield, but surely he doesn’t have to payback with Bench time. Crouch is a wonderful footballer, and contrary to the common misconception, his strength is with the ball at his feet, hence the “Crouchinho” tag. We saw with his hat-trick against Arsenal last year that his quick feet are proportionate to his height - right up there ! Has there been a breakdown in the relationship between Benitez and Crouch ? Is the Tall Man on his way out? Speaking of which, I really hope that John Arne Riise is going to Villa, and if they don’t buy him, I beg Rafa to pay them to take him. He is so average that It amazes me as to just how he sustains his place in the team.Aah Yes, by default, there’s no one else to compete with him for his place, so I guess its ok, being in the team as an outball specialist. Seems to throw further than he passes, I think most Liverpool supporters will agree that one spectacular goal a season is far from below par for Liverpool, and thanks , but no thanks Riise, go well and Take Sami Hyppia with you please ! The most positive aspect to come out of last night’s loss is that Steven Gerrard has managed to demonstrate that he still has that fight and bite in his game. He tackled all game, he made himself available to collect balls from the defense and was almost at the end of a good number of chances,a nd scored a sublime header. Basically, last night we saw the Gerrard we know who can turn on the style and his header was top-class. There is one concerning factor that troubles me somewhat…That Liverpool have this uncanny ability to make ordinary opposition look great. Besiktas were beaten by everyone else in the group, and Liverpool made things difficult for themselves. I must say there supporters provide quiet a blanket of noise and the tin can that hit Jermaine Pennant must have scared his socks off. I would rather he pull up his socks, Pennant is another player who can’t seem to take the ball forward and for all his step-overs and trickery only manages running parrarel to the poles, as does Javier Mascherano whenever the opposing team invitingly allow him to come forward. I think he has been worked out now by most team, he just can’t get forward or be any assistance in attack. Dirk Kuyt did virtually nothing all night and Voronin couldn’t take the few chances that cames his way. Steve Finnan seems to have lost a couple of yards overnight, so Rafa has his work cut out ahead of Arsenal on Sunday. All in all a poor performance from the Reds, and they will need to work extra hard against the Gunners who will be looking to exploit the disappointment of the Besiktas loss. Not an easy time in Rafa’s tenure, by any means, the fans wait to see what character the Reds are made of ,once again….