The 08/09 Liverpool F.C. Thread

[SeoulFire]

Yeah...all kidding aside it was a pretty fun year. Liverpool had a great run but just could not do what they needed against the lesser sides - for which I am happy!

I would gladly lose both games every year if the end result was the League title. Contrary to what the waiter says...the best team did win.

Next year will be fun as well I think.

[Mightyfire89]

Originally Posted by Bagor

LOL! Relax. Who's trolling? There's no EPL thread so this was as good a place as anywhere to put considering theyre now tied for titles with a little add on re. comparison of European champion titles.

Congrats on your two victories and losing fewer games.

Typical Man U supporter arrogance.

[Jagger]

Yeah, of course, I'd gladly swap the two wins over Man U for winning the title, sweet as the 4-1 win was. In fact when I was watching Liverpool in the 80's that used to happen a lot. LPool would take the league but struggle against the Red Mancs. I'd gladly take the same situation again.

Perhaps I'll be able to repay Bagor a back handed compliment next year. Hey, you never know!

[Nuje]

Originally Posted by Jagger

Yeah, of course, I'd gladly swap the two wins over Man U for winning the title, sweet as the 4-1 win was. In fact when I was watching Liverpool in the 80's that used to happen a lot. LPool would take the league but struggle against the Red Mancs. I'd gladly take the same situation again.

Perhaps I'll be able to repay Bagor a back handed compliment next year. Hey, you never know!

DISCLAIMER - It's 4am, and I may have had a bit to drink, hence the time it is, and me being awake!

In the history of English football, Manchester United had tied Liverpool several times over both teams' history (until it got to 7, where Liverpool ran away with it, and haven't been touched until now) but have never pulled ahead. I personally think that Rafa Benitez is a very good manager, and that Liverpool are at max. 2 players away from being not only a contender for the league, but a team that will make it difficult for those guys 52.8ish kms to the east every single week.
I don't believe that Rafa is a Spanish Bill Shankly, or Bob Paisley, but I think he can match up to Mr. Ferguson as a manager in every aspect. He's definitely matched up to him as a strategist twice this year. As far as the "mind games", thanks to Rafa's "outburst" as was exaggerated (as usual, whereas Fergie complaining about referees and the schedule, which is prohibited by the respect campaign as far as I know, is just him stating the truth, right?) by the media, Rafa's mug was all over old trafford in banners, held by Man U fans. Must've felt like a home game for him almost.

Rafa's been called the guy who can win in an elimination setting, but can't do it in a situation like the league, where endurance is key. He did well this year I thought. Winning in the UEFA champions league where you were down 3-0 at half-time....it was a few years ago, but if anybody else were in charge of that team, I don't think that we would've seen what we did.

All I'm saying is that if Liverpool can acquire some additional depth (also, Dirk Kuyt showing a good 10 goals like what we saw about 21 hours ago would be wicked, but if not, an extra striker, and moving Dirk to midfield would do) then in my opinion, Liverpool is not only a competitor for the league next year, but a favourite. I feel the starting eleven is better than anything anybody else in the league can field. I'm looking forward to next season something huge. Until then, there's still a game against Tottenham next weekend to prove a point....and....well...I've lost my train of thought.

[/slightly alcohol influenced rant..?]

[Nuje]

Last game of the season. This game technically meant nothing. Regardless, it meant something to the fans, so the team came out and played. Sami ran out onto Anfield for the last time as a Red, to much applause at Anfield, at On the Rocks, and anywhere Liverpool supporters watched. Strong squad came out. Carragher on RB, and Skrtel and Agger in the centre with Aurelio rounding out the defense. Alonso Mascherano, Gerrard, Kuyt, Benayoun & Torres to round out the rest of the squad. One of the best squads Liverpool can field made absolute easy work of the Spurs. No doubt this squad will likely improve. That, as mentioned earlier, bodes well for next year. Hope to see you all next year in next year's thread (which Locke promised to start again next year) and hopefully also at On the Rocks. YNWA, have a good summer everyone!

[united]

Good season for Liverpool. Obviously not what you guys had hoped for but some bright spots for next year. Fortunately for my team you still have Benitez in charge though!

Nuje, thanks for posting this year. I really enjoyed reading your level-headed and realistic thoughts throughout the year. It gave me good perspective. Hope for more of the same next year.

Locke, thanks for starting the thread. Hopefully we can have an EPL thread next season but regardless I'll be creeping next year's version of this one.

Jagger, you are obviously very passionate about your team. I learned an entire new language reading your posts. Funny stuff.

[Nuje]

Originally Posted by united

Good season for Liverpool. Obviously not what you guys had hoped for but some bright spots for next year. Fortunately for my team you still have Benitez in charge though!

Nuje, thanks for posting this year. I really enjoyed reading your level-headed and realistic thoughts throughout the year. It gave me good perspective. Hope for more of the same next year.

Locke, thanks for starting the thread. Hopefully we can have an EPL thread next season but regardless I'll be creeping next year's version of this one.

Jagger, you are obviously very passionate about your team. I learned an entire new language reading your posts. Funny stuff.

Hey, always welcome other fans if they're not being trolls.

Gotta mention, Rafa Benitez is a hilarious dynamic in the EPL. Almost nobody but Liverpool fans believe that he's a good manager. It's not this blind sort of stuff either. Just pure hilarity. I don't know many people in our club in Calgary that have a problem with Rafa, and every United fan I know is glad that he's around for the next few years, as they think he's 'rubbish' (I can't use that word without quotations, because it usually sounds goofy when said with a Canadian accent). I know 2 Chelsea fans that would take Rafa as their manager, but that's it. Very controversial manager as far as public opinion goes. It's great.

As far as Jagger's posts, that's very true too. It took me a few months to learn to properly understand scouse.

Definitely should be an EPL thread next year, as this one's got a bunch of visitors by supporters of different teams. I can kick that one off in August if you'd all like. Good summer to all of you!

[Jagger]

Originally Posted by united

Good season for Liverpool.

Jagger, you are obviously very passionate about your team. I learned an entire new language reading your posts. Funny stuff.

Coming from a United fan that is high praise indeed!

As for my passion for this team, it knows no bounds. I've followed the team for 35 years plus and the passion hasn't died since moving to Canada in 1992. I probably do write with an accent when talking about this team, unlike hockey or anything else really. I've adapted a lot since living here to make myself understood. However, I draw the line at football. It's our sport, you guys can adapt!!!!!

[Nuje]

I envy anybody who's followed Liverpool for 35 years...some tough years in the 90s, but you got the absolute priviledge of following them in the 80s. I was either not alive, or didn't speak English for the majority of the 80s, so I didn't really get into a team yet.
Good on the passion not dying. If you ever feel like associating with a bunch of fellow Scousers, and great Liverpool fans from all over, it'd be awesome if you came down to our pub for a game one of these days, even if you're in Red Deer (not all the starts are ludicrously early). Liverpool as far as I know are the only English team with an actual proper supporters club in Calgary. We can even be found on the team's website.

I learned about passion as far as sports teams go when I found out I was moving to Calgary. Supported the Flames since, and with Liverpool, while I didn't follow closely until several years ago, I did choose the team I preferred in my younger years (as Man U pissed me off severely). I do not deviate, and I hope that I will be able to one day utter the same thing as you about any team I support. As long as I live, my support will not change.

[Bagor]

Originally Posted by Jagger

I've followed the team for 35 years plus

I've been with the enemy for roughly the side time minus a couple or 3 years. Brought up on the Greenhoff brothers and Stuart Pearson vs Keegan McDermott, Hughes ........

[Jagger]

Originally Posted by Bagor

I've been with the enemy for roughly the side time minus a couple or 3 years. Brought up on the Greenhoff brothers and Stuart Pearson vs Keegan McDermott, Hughes ........

Whenever we played footy in the park I was always #11 Terry Mc!

I still remember Brian Greenhoff scoring a lucky winner in the F.A.Cup final in 1977 against Liverpool. I was completely devastated at the time.

Of course I also remember some great wins against your lot. Ronnie Whelan's stunning extra time winner past Gary Bailey in the League Cup Final comes to mind.

Good rivalry. Perhaps Liverpool will continue to give Man U a run for their money in the coming seasons.