A real Christmas cracker...

With hopefully some champagne to follow come May? Ooooh, let's hope so...!

Two of our best performances of the season to cap off the end of what's been a faith-renewing year for Liverpool Football Club. Who'd have thought it considering where things stood twelve months ago?

If you cast your minds back, it was on December 30th a year ago that we drew 0-0 with Manchester City; a game we should've won but could not find the back of the net to save our lives. That result - followed hotly by that gobsmacking Titus Bramble equalizer in the 1-1 draw against Wigan on January 3rd - were when even the most optimistic of Reds realized their rose-tinted specs were decidely of the "beer goggle" variety. We flattered to deceive (mainly ourselves), and any boozy dreams of winning the title in 2008 felt downright silly only 3 days' in. There was disappointment of course but also a bit of embarassment; who the hell were we kidding anyway? It was over, wasn't it? I mean it disn't take much to convince one that if we couldn't beat the likes of Wigan with both Torres and Gerrard in the side, we'd never win anything with players like Benayoun and Lucas?

There was also the ongoing farce between our owners and Benitez. The Dubai lot stringing us along like a lovesick teenager. The evaporation of any hopes for a new stadium anytime within the next 5 years. Transfer sagas that made us look complete naifs.

But it's turned around now and thank god for that. We can all only guess at what had made it do so - I threw some ideas out there already in my November 21 post. But the most important part is that the boardroom tempests are no longer overshadowing what's happening on the pitch and the people that matter - players, manager/staff and the supporters - are all pretty much on the same page and moving forward together. I won't say everything's perfect (not at all) and how different the story would be if some of those nailbiting wins early this season had been draws or losses. But if we can't take heart from the steady progression we've made (much less believe both #19 and I'll say it, #6, are distinct possibilities) then ffs, please go find a club where wallowing in misery is the norm - there are plenty around at the moment.

Yes, there were some moments in 2008 that should be confined to the scrapheap of history but boy, there were also some absolute beauts:

• Babel's scuffer against the Mancs after that great buildup from Masch & Kuyt!


• Fernando's double against the Bitters!


• Mascher's belter against Reading (and brilliant "f*** you" celebration after)!


• The humilation of Wenger's kids at Anfield!


• The so perfectly appropriate deflected winner from Xabi against the Chavs!


• The euphoria of one seemingly impossible comeback win after another! (and making it look easy)


• Topping the Champions League group in style!

Oh, and did I forget to mention again that we're on top of the league by 3 points?!

Baby!!

We're getting there, folks - we are getting there. It's as the great Lester Freamon once said (as any fellow The Wire devotee will know):

"We're building us a case, piece by piece... and all the pieces matter."

So savor those shiny pieces from the year that was ... and roll on the ones to come in 2009. If things continue along the lines of 2008, we are in definitely in for a good 'un.

A very happy and healthy new year to one and all!

Back in NY...

Would love to say it's great to be back but that's only sort of half true, especially as it was absolutely freezing upon my return. I was on holiday for eight lovely days in my adopted home of Curacao. It's a wonderful place - the mosquitos certainly think so too this time of year - and even the U.S. and Russian militaries have taken a shine to it in recent months as a loud-talking fellow named Hugo lives a mere 20 miles south over the water. But I really love the island, and if nothing else it will always get props from me for making that bright blue stuff our own Russian Paul drinks post-match at the bar. (Anything that turns an alcoholic beverage into something you feel insecure drinking without a radioactive suit on is alright in my book.)

The only negative is that we've got no cable/satellite/internet service where we stay down there - who needs it when looking at an expanse of sea? - but that leaves me pretty much Liverpool-deprived for the duration. I was thankfully able to keep up to speed with the West Ham match thanks to the kind texting service of an 11th St. Kopite (who probably needn't have bothered considering?!) and by swiping a friend's Blackberry when I could to check the OS and the LFCNY forums. Whew - talk about roughing it!! But even down there, someone must've recognized my plight as I espied a young migrant worker on the flatbed of a truck wearing a 2002 away replica top - can't tell you how much that brought a smile to my face. Come to think of it, I've only seen about 4 locals wearing replica tops over the years (baseball's the bigger sport down there, Dutch island or no): one Barca, one Holland (with van Horsehead on the back but I'll forgive - at least it wasn't a Manc or Madrid shirt) and two - count 'em two - Liverpool shirts. Great island or what? :-)

Anyway, dire game or not to start December (and a not so much better one 5 days later), I return to Brooklyn with us sitting atop the league table! Though by god you'd never know it from the moaning in some quarters. Could we play "prettier" football - sure. Should some players step up more - no question (though I think they're starting to get the idea going by late at Ewood Park and in Eindhoven). But I'm not quite sure what people expect. How many seasons have gone by that we've complained - with begrudging admiration, mind - about other teams grafting (or, if you want to be less kind, spawning) their way to the title? I can certainly think of about a dozen jammy Lampard deflections and last-minute ridiculous winners that nonetheless helped the Chavs and Mancs to their respective titles in recent seasons. I'll guarantee you that as "luverly" as Arsenal were in their "invincible" season, there were some less than fabulous performances along the way even though few of us could name them off the top of our heads. But with twelve draws - only one less than we had last season btw - how could there not have been?

So why are Liverpool the only club seemingly exempt - even by some of our own supporters - from doing it the less than 100% aesthetically pleasing way?

Perhaps we expect - no, demand - the best every time out as the "knowledgeable fans" that we purport to be. There's not really anything wrong with that ... well, except for the fact that there are always dips and sways along the way to a title and always will be. That's the way it works. The trick is sometimes as much about minimizing the damage when not at your best as pummelling your opponents when you are. No surprise that the evergreen Sami Hyypia and Jamie Carragher have been our best players in recent games while others have been getting slaughtered. I only pray that when Jamie's hung up his boots and is pointing out the various honours he's won to Mia and James that there's a Premiership winners' medal up there on the shelf next to the rest (alongside knees and hip bones preserved in fomaldehyde, no doubt).

Seems hard to fathom that the dips and sways are forgotten about or seem a complete surprise; especially since we've been mainly a team of sways and dips in the league for too much of our recent history. So, long and now short - we're almost at the halfway point of the season, folks, and we've not seen the best of most of our players yet. A reason to be cheerful if ever I've heard one. Let's just take a deep breath, sit back and try to enjoy the thrills and spills to come.

Just one last word about that West Ham game. While certainly not one for the record book, the efforts of the club and the Spirit of Shankly group before the match on behalf of the Michael Shields' appeal must be acknowledged. Tremendous work all around - here's hoping he will be released soon. This, along with the JFT96 protest last year, really keep things in perspective. And frankly, it's incredibly reassuring to see that this high a level of integrity and principle remain to make such a public statement as many other things around the club have been compromised. To be perfectly honest, I can't think of another club that would take such a stand. (And will just add that Sue Johnston once again shows why she is a legend! Well in, Barb.)

Should be a cracking game - and Xmas party - at the weekend. Will check back in a few if not sooner.

I'm still getting the hang of this blogging thing. So far, I either end up with 10 ideas for what to write about or none - and the 10 can end up producing zilch as well as I can't decide which to use. So if you see big gaps in dates on here, this will be why - just letting you in on the process as it's bound to happen again and again!

Anyway, another international week gone by - thankfully once in which Torres didn't get crocked for a change - and another two home games to look forward to. We continue rolling along and I've no reason to think that Fulham tomorrow won't be a good three points earned - no disrespect meant as they're doing alright so far this season. But even minus Stevie G., we are more than a match for them. I think you can pretty much pick the starting 11 yourself if you're playing along at home.

Which brings me inadvertently to ... not all that long ago, with a midweek Champions League match, we knew we'd see wholescale changes in the league match immediately before. How times have changed. The league is undoubtedly the priority this year - I've always questioned when it wasn't. In my mind, the difference this year that makes it a realistic goal vs a pipedream is the confluence of a few events:

• Established starters with another year's worth of invaluable physical and mental experience behind them - they know what's expected in both mind and body, and are better able to deal with those demands


• Half of the squad returning to Merseyside full of confidence after picking up baubles of some color/size this summer


• Two great signings in Keane and Riera, both players with prior Premiership experience who were able to hit the ground running; and


• The backroom staff additions of Sammy Lee and Mauricio Pellegrino amongst others - the sense of a true "red machine" incorporating all parts of the playing and training personnel is palpable.

The foundations are in place and the parts required to execute the plan are stronger than ever, so what's to chop and change on anywhere near the scale as was needed for basic survival in past seasons?

Anyway, should be a good one tomorrow and always nice to see Super Dan, even if his departure from the club wasn't the most pleasant. He'll always get a decent welcome at Anfield.

I hope to put something else up (or modify this one) before Turkey Day and a much-needed vacation but if not....have a good one and come on you Reds.

The audacity of hope...

I am a cynic by nature - anyone who knows me can vouch for that! Not that I don't want to believe the best of people and situations ... I absolutely do. I know it's just the way I deal with the possibility of the worst happening - like it will make things hurt less.

Well, the cynic - for a few days anyway - has been well and truly humbled.

I don't mean to get political, nor will I attempt to make too many comparisons between 22 very well-paid guys kicking a ball around and millions of people of all physical, social and economic stripes turning out (and in) to participate in the single most important event of my lifetime ... how the hell could you?!

I just know that I worried incessantly that things would not go as I or we (many of us anyway) hoped. And my refuge from the "real world" - our game against Atletico - up until that 94th minute, was feeling like a sorry harbinger for what to expect later that evening.

I admit - I was bricking it.

But lo and behold:

WHAM! ... the ref gives a penalty (ssh back there) - Stevie slots it home!

SOCKO! ... Florida and Ohio go blue! and;

BOFFO! ... Pennsylvania and Virginia do too! Election called - even on Fox News!

REE-EEE-FRIGGIN'-SULTS!!

One was down to near flawless execution from start to finish, the other - well, not so much. But both were undeniably the by-product of hard work, graft and never giving up when the odds seemed insurmountable.

There's still a lot to be done on both fronts...both are still near the beginning of their respective journeys. And while it's easy to point out what did (or could) go wrong, the Reds are still joint top of the league and joint top of their Champions League group.


And a man who most thought didn't stand a chance in hell of getting near the presidency will be in the White House come January.


Holding on to hope? Audacious as hell. But by gosh, it sure does feel good.

You betcha!

The week ahead...

After the week behind...



I admit I am still disappointed by Saturday's result against Tottenham. Some will say it was preordained that Harry's men would take points off the league leaders - us! - but I don't know if I believe all that. We were all over them. The goals were a bit on the jammy side. But it can't help but feel that we threw it away...

But I object to the fact that some people want to paint anyone feeling that way as being a gloom-and-doom merchant. Who doesn't know that we hadn't lost in ages and we played some of the best football so far this season? And of course I don't think "Oh my god, we're doomed I tell ye, doomed!"

We've very much still on the march. But when Spurs stepped up in that last 20 minutes (as they did against Arsenal), I feel we didn't respond in kind - that's what hurt. Particularly as our strength so far has been giving 150% until the final whistle was blown. Of course you have days where things just go against you, but this wasn't that. That was Stoke.

In any event, onwards and upwards. It's now about how we respond and looking ahead. We have Atletico at Anfield to look forward to tomorrow night, when we can claim our place in the round of 16 with two games to spare. Hopefully Fernando will get a run out in front of the followers of his former club that travelled over, and a chance to shine in front of the ones of his current club that adore him. A chance for the boys to make right what they know was a wasted opportunity at White Hart Lane. And here in NY, a chance to say goodbye to an 11th Street stalwart before he makes the move Down Under - we'll miss you, Kev!

Oh, and there's the little matter of electing a new leader for this country as well. As much as I obsess over my beloved Reds, a result on that front tomorrow night will be the one that truly counts - both here and far beyond.

Come to think of it, if a loss to Spurs is the only thing I have to be disappointed by this week, I'll be absolutely thrilled.

Come on you Redmen!
(And come on you black man!)

Matchday rituals - part 1

It's 6:30am - kickoff not for another 3 hours but who could sleep anyway?

Rituals: surf, post to forum(s) and shower. Check the DVR settings for the 10th time to make sure the game is captured. Procrastinate between choice of 4 or 5 shirts to wear. T-shirt or replica? Recent or retro? Long or short-sleeve? Home or away? Or no "colors" at all? It's a lot to think about first thing so I usually try to sort it the night before. (But always end up reconsidering regardless.)

Reading material: Metro/Arts/Sports sections from the Times, RAOTL and/or BOSS. And think about an LFC book as well but realize it's too much (and who am I kidding anyway).

Start feeling ill - the intensity of which is in direct proportion to the magnitude of the match. Never quite sure whether it's really nerves, the slightly awful Chock Full O' Nuts coffee I made or a little of both. Hope it passes as it makes me worry about an hour on the train. (It never passes and have managed the trip just fine up to now.)

Get the bag ready and get the hell out of Dodge, invariably a few minutes late. Queue up the tunes on my Liverbird-skinned brick of an mp3 player and walk/run to the subway. Almost always The La's or the Fabs - just makes sense.

And as I make my way through the streets of Brooklyn (and then Manhattan on the other side), I love to let my mind think of the thousands around the globe doing the exact same thing as we all make our way to the establishment of our choice to watch the game, always finishing off with thoughts of those making their way to Anfield or whichever ground is hosting the Redmen today. It's a beautiful thing, those thoughts - we are all indeed on the march in Rafa's army.

Alright - enough of this waxing rhapsodic. And as a result of it, I'm already running late...off to shower.

But one last thing before I go - LET'S BEAT THESE CHELSEA B*ST*RDS!

Have a good one, wherever you may be. Hopefully we'll have a big love-in later.

Be still my beating heart...

Seriously!! Watching Liverpool these last few games has really not been good on my 44-year-old ticker.

Another come-from-behind win left late and while it's been pretty damn enjoyable punching the air with my fist and wearing a grin all weekend long, there are clearly reasons to worry just a little bit.

Left back is still a problem, with Andy Doss having probably the worst game of his nascent Red career. Say what you like about Jamie Carragher (well, don't really because he'd thump you) but I bet he'd tell you the first and foremost thing a defender should be able to do is *defend* - it feels as if all bar him have forgotten that! As many have already said, we do that at the Bridge on Sunday and it's all over, Rover.

I'll give props again to the never-say-die spirit we possess at the moment. But we've got to also acknowledge that we've had our share of breaks (thankfully Xabi's legs not being two of them): this has enabled us to play "catch up" when needed so far. It's provided for excitement to be sure but more than one or two gray hairs and some chawed-off fingernails as well.

This squad is playing some of the most expansive football we've seen in ages with pretty much every player contributing to the attack. Growing pains (and cheap conceded goals) are to be expected while the newer fellows learn to pick and choose their moments better to bomb forward and the veterans get back to their established rhythms now that internationals are over for a while.

Anyway, let me not be too negative - no need to panic as I believe November and December will see us settle down considerably. While part of me will miss the drama, the rest of me - my heart anyway - will be relieved.

Has Rafa got a point about internationals?

Or is it just bitter griping? I don't know - it does sometimes come across a bit Fergie-esque (sorry, gaffer) as the usual arguments of "you knew they were international players with these schedules when you signed them" and "every other top team has the same problem" can be made.

But the man clearly has a reason to be upset as once again, we ship off Torres nicely packaged in bubblewrap, and he's returned to us in a cardbox box with the sides kicked in, and a faint rattle heard when you pick it up.

The timing is unfortunate (though I'm not sure there ever is a good time) as obviously we've been on a flyer. As such, Rafa laid into del Bosque about why Torres needed to play both games in this past round, making the point that bigger players play too many games as is and do they really need to be in the squad when a powerhouse like the European Champions face off against minnows? (The funny part here being which of Estonia or Belgium - the team against whom FT picked up the injury - Rafa is calling a small team. Probably both!)

There's no question that the issue of conforming the international calendar *has* to happen sooner rather than later. Just off the top of my head, why not leave April and May open strictly for qualifiers? If you're talking 48 teams for Europe, what about twelve groups of four, matches to consist of the usual home and away ties (3 each) - group winners automatically go through. A short, sweet, condensed format would heighten interest as well as keep teams from trying to grind out draws to eke their way into qualification.

Anyway, it's worth a thought. Sure players would be tired after the end of a long season but everyone would be in the same boat. But something's gotta give - we shouldn't have to keep slapping duct tape on our players because of international duty, especially at this point in the season.

Thanks, lads...

Sometimes it just needs to be said.

In a week where the "real world" has been completely depressing and utterly demoralizing, the Redmen have injected a timely hit of unbridled joy. Sunday's turnaround against Manchester City was nothing short of uplifting. What made this comeback particularly special - still early in a new season already full of pretty special moments! - is that at halftime two goals down, I genuinely knew in my heart that we weren't done.

It's way too soon for title talk and all that nonsense; we're not even a fifth of the way through the season. But what it most certainly is not too soon for - what it's absolutely vital to laud and praise - is the "belief" that is coursing through this team, our manager and the supporters right now. That feeling that we can - and eventually will - overcome whatever obstacles that might be thrown up in front of us. No promises that every setback will be overturned - hopefully people are more realistic than that? - but what a tremendous comfort that feeling is right here; right now.

As someone on Red and White Kop posted yesterday:

"Liverpool is my light, my escape, my ray of sunshine in these difficult times."

Preach on, my friend - preach on.

It's the Blues Snooze Revue...

...Comin' right at you!

I've just dated myself considerably with that reference to an awful early 1970's U.S. kids' program. It wasn't quite as soporific as "Barney" but would certainly run it pretty darn close. You had poor actors dressed up as a big frog, hippo and owl singing about friendship, manners and nice stuff. It did as advertized on the label (so who am I to complain) but boy, give me the anarchy of Looney Tunes any day.

Honestly though, as bad as that show was, how preferable that would've been to watch this past Saturday if you are an Everton fan.

Another terrific display from our Redmen was matched by a pretty shocking one from the blue half of Merseyside. If you can count on these games for nothing else, you can be certain both players and fans will be passionately up for it. Well, Moyes & Co. obviously seemed to forget what it's all about this time around - and when he leaves the pitch with his hair still redder than his face, something's clearly wrong.

With so very little fire in the belly (though a fair amount of the usual nonsense being sung in the stands), it was almost a feeling of "thank goodness" when little Timmy Cahill was shown his red card as you might have otherwise forgotten that this was a derby. The look on the Blues' faces after Torres scored his second (much less his third, but we'll not go there) said it all: you'd expect to see mouths open in anger, frustration or even shock - all you saw were pursed lips; barely a visible reaction anywhere.

Oh, except from those headed towards the exit after 62 minutes.

You can't feel too sorry about the club being trapped in a bed of its own making, but Moyes - up until recently at least - had his players fighting and scrapping for every little bit they could get. The old "Dogs of War" are looking like anything but right now. And you sort of feel that if they willingly cede that trait of theirs, they've really got nothing else.

Anyway it's a(nother) great win for us to be celebrated and gloated over as long as possible - the DVR getting as much of a workout from watching Torres' goals as Babel's recently against the Mancs. So while you've got such fine entertainment to relax to, think about the poor Blues who only wish they could dig anything comparable.

Old Barney episodes actually might not be a bad idea - if I were an Evertonian, I'd take watching a big purple dinosaur over a bunch of blue sheep and diving loons any day.

BOSSmag! And other 'zines...

Not to single any one particular publication out as it's not fair because I love them all - I'm a longtime subscriber to Red All Over The Land as well - but the folks at BOSS have done such a great job, I'm going to give them their due.

What I really dig is their "bantamweight" approach, i.e., small and lean vs the traditional 8-1/2 by 11" 'zine, which can sometimes feel a bit padded out. It's also earned major style points in my book for the great photography (courtesy of John Johnson - check out his great photos from the big SOS march before the Man U game) and its distinctive overall design. Did I mention it's a terrific read as well? Well, I have now!

'Zines in general are suffering as most people prefer to peruse websites, tv or even "high-end" glossy rags - sorry, mags - like FourFourTwo. A few 'zines have disappeared altogether - as hard as it is to find people to buy them, it's near impossible to find people to supply fresh content for them. Anyone who can write halfway decently about the Reds is either already churning out articles for these publications or blogging away in the hopes of establishing Internet fame (cough). There's also the chronic problem that everyone seems to think they're entitled to something for nothing, so getting people to reach into their pockets in the first place is a trick.

So my personal appeal - I know it costs a bit of money to have them shipped over to the U.S. but honestly, you know you'd spend that money anyway. And rather than run up your electric bill staying glued to Setanta or FSC for news, or surfing the web incessantly going to sites that tend to spout the same tired (usually anti-Liverpool) sh*te, why not put some money in the hands of the boys and girls who've soldiered on in time-consuming, barely break-even efforts all in the name of love for the club.

They're by us, for us. So won't you give them a hand?

There's no "I" in "team"...

Football is one of the most selfless sports out there. Sure you've got a role to fill and are expected to be able to fill it exceptionally well. Sure you've got an ego as you want to be out there, you want people to know how good you are.

But as we've seen this week between our two fixtures - most notably in the game against the Mancs last weekend - 11 men, none of them what you'd consider world beaters (bar Carra at his peak), all working together as a cohesive unit, are virtually unstoppable. Everyone did his part, we dispelled the myth of the "two-man team" and frankly, should've run up a bigger scoreline.

So why is it that - in a week that should've been dominated by stories praising this win for embodying the very qualities that most of us love about this game - did we instead get press headlines focusing on a loathsome millionaire crying about having to sell his club (at an asking price of twice what he paid 2 years ago mind) as the fans don't like him?

Or which of the two "top-class" defenders sent off for pretty obvious transgressions while representing his respective classless club, committed the more egregious foul?

And lastly, on the home front here in NYC, why did someone (I'll just call Mr. X) threaten to call the police because someone told him he was talking complete nonsense on an LFC forum??

Give me a break.

I just don't get it. How ridiculously ironic that a sport that draws devoted followers for its selfless commitment attracts some of the most selfish, self-absorbed f*****rs on the planet?

Too busy celebrating...

What a weekend - I'll be back with you good people shortly....

The ugly Americans...

And no, I'm not actually talking about these two jokers...

And I am not talking about the legion of knowledgeable fellow American Reds out there - c'mon, you should know better...I wouldn't do that.

I am, however, talking about a number of newish Reds from these parts, for whom "listening and learning" seem to have the same impact it would on a six-year-old who's just downed a bag of sugar.

There's a very selfish, impatient kind of support that seems to have popped up recently. For some newer folks, they've inverted - scratch that, perverted - the relationship they should have with the club. Instead of being grateful to have found Liverpool, it's now how honored LFC (and by extension, our supporters' club here in NYC) should feel that I found it and expecting a flipping red carpet to be rolled out. And feeling how the club should do more for me because I could spend my money on tons of other things. And worst of all, it's all about what I care to bring to the table and not really giving a damn about listening or wanting to learn from other supporters.

Well, I've really had enough and needs to be nipped in the bud at all costs. It's ruining traditions; it's ruining the level of discussion; it's ruining our support. I've always likened being a Red to being a guest with an open invite to a huge party. Just because you're made welcome doesn't mean you have the right to immediately lunge for all the crab legs on the buffet table.

Show some respect. And fucking stop it already!

Welcome to La Machine...

Got to be one of the coolest things ever!

Thousands turned over the course of the weekend to see "La Princesse" - a giant mechanical spider - make its way around Liverpool this past weekend as part of the ongoing European Capital of Culture celebrations.

It's great to see something that usually causes fright turned into something that brings joy and fascination. And the sheer size of her (evident in the picture above) made it as much a technological marvel as an artistic one.

Some of the commissions the CoC folks have presented this year have been nothing short of amazing. From one here in the so-called "world's capital", we should be embarassed. "The Falls"? Get outta here - what about:

** An 8-foot clockwork cockroach to run a obstacle course in Central Park made up of oversize Starbucks and Dunkin' Donuts styrofoam coffee cups

** A huge robo-rat in the subway! From a distance, it looks just like your arriving train until it bursts into the station, fangs bared and giant claws scraping the length of the platform until screeching to a halt. (Whoa!!)

** Or the piece-de-resistance: a 30-foot-tall towering replicant of an NYU student on a Saturday night East Village pub crawl, wobbling through the streets on one shoe until finally passing out head first in the gutter at the southwest corner of St. Marks' and Avenue A.

Come on, Bloomberg! You're the art patron - get on it!

Be sure to check out La Machine's website for more photos from the event.

You will, you won't - you do, you don't...

Those words are a song by the fabulous Liverpool band, The Zutons, the title of which is ... hmm ... well, I bet you can guess. A couple of friends and I were singing it while bopping down Avenue A last weekend on our way to a party. The experiences of being teased - and teasing yourself with fantasies of what could be - are certainly familiar enough to pretty much everyone; that's part of what makes it a terrific song.

Well, by gum if those words aren't also the mantra intoned by Liverpool supporters for the last year in our ongoing romance with the potential saviors from Dubai. It's all kicked off again with fresh speculation that the club's about to be bought by the Sheikh, precipitated in part by the rumour mills on various fora and Amanda Staveley's interview (in the context of the Man City takeover) on FiveLive yesterday. When asked point-blank whether DIC/Dubai Holdings are still interested in purchasing LFC, there were no denials. That "for the right price", they are still interested. And like a starving man thrown the tiniest of crumbs, we are rapturous for one beautiful second.

Because this time, after so many false dawns, rumblings are that things may be coming to a head. Loans due come January that the banks - in their own pinch - will want repaid. Our fabulous new 60,000-seater stadium put on a ginormous Coleman cooler-full of ice, which makes pretty much everything else untenable. That, because they need to save their own skins, Hicks' and Gillett's greed will finally get knocked down to size and they'll be forced to sell up at a price more in line with what the club is actually worth (while they still make off with a disgusting £40-100mm a man in profit, depending on what you read).

Well, we've been here before, haven't we? What will it take to finally consummate this affair as we can't take it much longer? Knickers have been dropped to the floor....don't embarass us by making us openly beg even more than we already have - we've really suffered enough humiliation.

One of us...

"Scouser Montse" Benitez is definitely that.

It's already a few days old, but if you haven't yet listened to Radio City 96.7's interview entitled "The Real Rafa", what are you waiting for? Whether a PR masterstroke or a true statement of her feelings on the city and the supporters of the club, you will be hard-pressed to hear more Shanklyesque statments in your life. Heart-tugging stuff, trust me - and a big reason we still have our manager at the helm: of that I have no doubt.

Legend!

It's showtime...

To my fellow Reds: welcome to my blog - thanks for stopping by.

I won't get precious or go on here about how long I've wanted to do this and why you should bother reading as everyone and his mother blogs these days. But as I'm a fairly opinionated sort whose constant thoughts on things LFC seem of the slightly "old school" variety and tinged with more than just a little bit of Noo Yawk moxie ("whaddya mean you think that, are ya stupid?"), I figured I might as well give it a bash.

The main reason for doing this is my undying love for a football club far away and the city that gave rise to it. Its fanbase continues to grow worldwide with each passing season but with that comes the risk of wiping out what attracted those of us from outside the city to it in the first place. So while I will have talk on here about a specific Liverpool match or players, the manager or the fans, I also want to pose questions looking at where we're going and what signposts we as supporters should try to keep sight of while speeding forward in the quest for nos. 19, 6 and beyond. We all want success but not at the expense of "The Liverpool Way" becoming a catchphrase with no more hold on supporters than "Coke is it" has.

This club is the way it is and adored because of whence it came, so I will touch on that as well - 2008 European Capital of Culture, the birthplace of the best band ever and home to some of the finest folks it's ever been my pleasure to meet. There'll also be random bits and bobs on anything I'm particularly pleased or annoyed with in the football world to round it all out (so get ready).

So with all that said, let's get this party started! Welcome again and thanks for reading.