Keeper beats Keeper

In Everton's 1-2 loss against Bolton Wanderers Everton's keeper Tim Howard launched a back pass from his box that took a bounce over Bolton's keeper Adam Bogdan to score his first goal of the season(tongue & cheek). A game where the weather played a factor, the ball seemed to be swept up by the wind landing in the goal just out of reach of the flailing Bogdan. A keeper scoring a goal is a sight not seen very often....truly spectacular.

Liver n' Onions: Bellamy Blasts Back

Emerging from the holiday season a slight bit heavier, I recollect on the football feast that has taken place weeks prior to the new year. The holiday season is always a crowded one, where depths of squads and the fitness levels of players are tested. As for the Red side of Merseyside, Liverpool faced  a schedule that  pitted them against manageable opposition, only to emerge with a draw 0-0 draw against Wigan, and a one all with Blackburn. Hardly the Christmas/ Hanukkah wish of the Liverpool fan. Liverpool is a team that of late has struggled to put chances away, and when Liverpool faced Newcastle United on friday they would be without leading scorer Luis Suarez out due to suspension. 

One of the highest scoring fixtures in the Premier League era, former Newcastle player Andy Carroll would be looking to continue that trend leading the line for Liverpool in the Uruguayan's absence. A stop-start career since moving to Liverpool for a phenomenal fee of 35 million pounds, Carroll would relish the opportunity to sink  the magpies. Having been robbed of winner last week by Blackburn's keeper Mark Bunn, Carroll's frustration continued into this game as he mustered only one real notable chance but his header rocketed back off the bar.

The two teams came into this game 1 point different with Newcastle sitting below Liverpool in 7th. Newcastle scored first with a freak- like goal headed on initially by Yohan Cabye, resulting in a ricochet off of Liverpool's Daniel Agger and into the back of the net. Oh no…here we go again I thought as a less than spectacular record at Anfield this year has left me a skeptical and bitter man. Liverpool have been the embodiment of mediocrity of this season dropping valuable points against lesser opposition. This said my woes where short-lived as Liverpool leveled via Craig Bellamy blasting a loose ball of a corner past Tim Krul in goal. Without many notable saves from either of the keepers, this game looked destined for a draw, which would have made it 5 draws in the last 6 home games for the Reds. With one of the best defenses in the Premier League, breaking down the center back pairing of Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel has proved a tough prospect.

Solid defending paired with a lack of scoring has been the formula for the bountiful draws that the reds have incurred his season. A formula foiled as once again Craig Bellamy hit a peach free kick that dodged traffic on its way into Krul's net. Bellamy had an immense game on the wing, starting in place of Maxi Rodriguez who performed well in the 1-1 draw with Blackburn, yet dropped this weeks dropped to the bench. 

Possibly the signing of the season, Newcastle's Demba Ba nearly leveled the match reaching a slide rule pass in the box which he chipped over Reina from a tight angle, but the Super Slovakian Skrtel was there to clear it off the line with emphatic style.  

Liverpool's central two of Charlie Adam and Jay Spearing operated well, with Spearing sitting the farthest back making the formation almost a  4-1-4-1 at times. Spearing was back from his Red card suspension and nearly paid the price for his tenacity again, as Cabaye straighten his leg and went studs up on a 50-50. With Newcastle deserving of being a man down, yet receiving no punishment Liverpool remained dominant in the center of the pitch. Adam was withdrawn and to the roar of fanfare from the crowd captain fantastic himself, Steven Gerrard emerged. Looking to put the injury woes of this year behind him Gerrard started the new year off right putting the game out of reach for Newcastle in the 79th minute running on to a Henderson pass and nut-megging Krul from an acute angle. Gerrard's goal made it 5 goals in his last 5 appearances against Newcastle, and now with a score of 3-1 the game was out of reach for Newcastle.

With the transfer window now open It's only natural that Dalgleish would look at his squad and take stock. The team has depth in most areas but with the injury sustained to Lucas and a Gerrard struggling with fitness and age, I wonder if some more reinforcements are needed. I have heard links with Fulham's Clint Dempsey, possibly looking to leave Craven Cottage in search of the next level. Versatile, hard working and an American International his introduction would be a seamless fit. American owner John Henry has brought footballing awareness to the States with his acquisition of Liverpool and with an American poster-boy of Clint Dempsey's stature, I would expect the American viewing audience to increase. Just say that the deal happened shits and giggles sake that would mean that with Landon Donovan returning to Everton on-loan,  come the Merseyside Derby on February the 25th we could see the best current American players face off against each other…Tasty.

Luis Suarez  is facing a possible 8 game suspension and Andy Carroll is struggling for form, plentiful draws, and a lack of goals being scored should be a sign to add another striker to the ranks. For me a loan deal might best suite the team as Craig Bellamy and Dirk Kuyt will get their chances.  Rumors of swoop for Villa striker Darren Bent  has graced the pages of nearly every English news publication, the last couple days and it's a rumor I welcome.  The unsettled English international left Sunderland for Villa after just a short spell with the black cats, and now could be move again.

The eve of battle is upon us as Liverpool will face Manchester City tomorrow at the Etihad, a game that can be viewed on ESPN. Don't be surprised if you see  Steven Gerrard start from the beginning, proving once again his importance to the team against Newcastle. I think Dalgleish might go with Carroll and Kuyt up top together, with Downing and Bellamy on the wings. I see a tight game that ends in a 2-2 draw with some late heroics from a Liverpool player to salvage a point. Another draw is not what we're looking for but against City at the moment I would take anything.

That's your Liverpool fill for the week so enjoy it like you enjoyed your mothers pumpkin pie. Stay tuned for next weeks addition of Liver n'Onions

CR7 and his New Nike Mercurial Vapor Superfly III

A great day for defenders as NIKE has announced the new camouflage boot that Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo will be wearing. The design on the boot is intended to deceive defenders in thinking that he will turn one way, yet turning the other. Thought it was hard to defend against the man who terrorizes defenses like it was nothing...well the terror has been taken to the next level with the Nike Mercurial Superfly III. Seems a bit fowl if you ask me.

Mumbai's Red Army + Awesome Video

Had to post this video I found online because it's awesome and is a perfect example of the globalness of football. It features the songs of Mumbai's Red Army supporting Liverpool with the passion you'd expect from a Scouser. The video is rad and the songs follow suit, check the video below.

The Euro 2012 Lowdown

Having fallen of the wagon a bit when it comes to posting I return to you with a post on the news regarding Euro 2012. With the draw of the groups occurring  last friday, football fans can now salivated or dread...over matches to come.

First Adidas has released the ball that will be match ball for the entire tournament. Introducing the Adidas Tango 12:

Check the video

A throwback to the ball used in the 1978 Euro Championships, reemerging two years later in the Euro's held in Italy and then again in the 1984 version of the tournament in Spain.

Here are the groups:

 

     Group A                    Group B             Group C        Group D
      Poland                        Netherlands           Spain            Ukraine
      Greece                        Denmark                Italy             Sweden
       Russia                        Germany              Ireland           France
   Czech Republic             Portugal               Croatia           England

If you want the Match Schedule hit the link.

I will be making my predictions on who will progress through the groups and up to the final as we get closer to the start of the tournament.

Fifa 12 Christmas Advert (Video)

The latest edition of funny football commercials, represented here by this Fifa 12 Christmas commercial featuring Wayne Rooney,  Gerard Pique, Jack Wilshere, Tim Cahill and Kaka. The best part is when Pique says, " I don't want socks." Classic.

Check the video:

Liver n' Onions: Lamenting the Loss of Lucas

Excuse me while I wipe the tear from mine eye caused upon the news that Lucas Leiva has been ruled out for the entire season with a ligament injury.

This comes as a massive blow to Liverpool as he has been the most valuable player for the Red's this season. The looming absence of the midfield rock poses a stern test for Manager Kenny Dalgleish in how to replace the defensive steel that the Brazilian provides in the center of the park.

Watching the midfielder hit the deck after a  seemingly soft challenge in Carling Cup action against Chelsea Tuesday night was a gut-wrenching sight to any Liverpool fan. Scans revealed damage to the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee rendering the midfielder a mere spectator for the rest of the season.  Used in an anchor role for Liverpool along side new signing Charlie Adam. A partnership that looked to keep paying dividends on the back of their win at Chelsea in the league a fortnight ago, and most recently the 1-1 with Manchester City. Lucas' role allows Adam to play more expansive, breaking forward quite often seen in the two matches previously mentioned. The defensive security the Brazilian provides is integral to this Liverpool side, closing teams down with lighting pace.

The question now is how does Dalgleish fill the void in midfield.  Charlie Adam is not a defensive midfielder by any stretch of the imagination, and neither is  Jordan Henderson… really. Maxi Rodriguez is out of the question, though he may get more starting opportunities, and Gerrard operates best sitting behind the striker.  Gerrard has made just five appearances this season, having had a after recovering from a groin operation in April, set back further due to an infection. So without the Liverpool captain Dalgleish has to dig a little deeper. Dalgleish has recalled 19-year-old  Jonjo Shelvy out on loan with Blackpool, but he lacks the premier experience to shut down the abundant talent in the EPL. Jay Spearing, though young has done well when asked to play the midfield role for the Red's and you should expect to see him start against the lower ranked teams in the league. The seemingly excessive summer purchases of midfield oriented players' now looks a stroke of genius by the Scot, as the options are anything but scant. But that said none really posses that defensive mindset that players likes of Lucas, Gattuso and Daniel De Rossi posses, as the role of defensive midfielder's seem to be becoming obsolete.  Jordan Henderson has been struggling on the wing since his move from Sunderland, so  assuming of the Lucas role could be some redemption for the young player. This is how I see the line-up shaping out:

Reina

Johnson     Agger       Skrtel      Enrique

Kuyt     Henderson     Adam      Downing

Carroll    Suarez

The return of Gerrard should change this, but until then I see this happening. Also prepare to see Luis Suarez up top on his own with Dirk Kuyt sitting behind him, prepared to help out the midfield when necessary.

Lucas will undergo surgery, but is not be expected back by the end of the season. Once the laughing stock of Liverpool, Lucas has evolved tremendously into a player would be first on my team sheet each week.  A couple years ago if someone asked me who on my team I would gladly have just up an vanish I would have said him, or David N'gog. Now I love his role and how he plays it, making his absence from the starting XI that much harder to bare.