Liverpool FC Forum

by **marcus.c** » Thu Dec 09, 2004 1:22 pm

Roman Abramovich had just parked his Russian tank on my beloved Anfield front lawn. Well, Highbury can breathe a little easier these days as Abramovich and Jose Mourinho have turned their attention towards the Red enclave of Liverpool and making overtures to bring Stevie G over to Stamford Bridge's lap of luxury.

But for my money, Steven Gerrard must stay. It is not just simply a case of cold hard cash - in this case, $120,000 pound per week to wear a blue shirt. What Gerrard really wants is success. That means Premiership titles, Champions League exposure, the works.

Pompous as it may sound, but Anfield was quaking when Gerrard announced earlier that he is seriously considering a move should Liverpool continue to stagnate instead of making positive strides forward.

The Kop had been held at ransom by their standard bearer who is desperate to polish some serious medals instead of a plastic Treble. It may be a blackmail but I had my doubts whether Liverpool can still have the pulling power to hang on to their prized asset when success is less than forthcoming?

Step forward Rafael Benitez and accept the applause. He deserved the kudos not just for engineering the spectacular 3-1 victory over Olympiacos which guaranteed passage into the KO phase. And not just for making sure that children can still buy Gerrard shirts at the club's megastore, but for making Anfield believe that there is a good football team in their colours once more.

Gerard Houllier's often expressed view that the corner had been turned was so repetitive and without tangible results that the I had wondered had the French spin doctor made it back to square one by adding up the number of times he had given such familiar quote.

But the silent, stonic and strong Spaniard went about his job quietly and produced this masterpiece of a match to keep Gerrard from defecting and to keep bums glued to their seats.

Ahhh and there was nostalgia in the air on another electric night at Anfield as talk was all anbout 1977, St Etienne and David Fairclough last gasp sucker punch when the Reds needed a 3-1 score to overturn the French.

Twenty-Seven years on, there was a sense of deja vu as Liverpool fell behind to a Rivaldo free kick and needed to win by two clear goals to advance and that would prevent Gerrard from leaving during the January transfer window.

Somehow you could the gears in Benitez large football brain whirring into life amid the din in the stadium. His two masterstroke sub - Pongolle and Mellor, ushered in the storybook conclusion. Much as it was the players who battled and scraped, it should never be forgotten that it was the Spaniard who pulled the strings so expertly behind the scenes. Houllier never tanslated his beautiful theories into practice. But his successor had quietly rallied his players around him and produced majestic results even when the squad has been severely depleted.

Gerrard got to stay for this is no false dawn under Benitez. You'll be a fool to give it all up for a cushy assignment.

This match also proved that the club has a very bright future. Young players like Neil Mellor are rising to the occasion in big games like these. Under Benitez, the Reds have a very positive attitude and real mental strength. Benitez has all the credibility to bring glory back to Anfield. This should convince Gerrard to stay. Gerrard is the pivotal and influential figure. We all know he graduated from Liverpool's youth academy. He is the soul of Liverpool. Gerrard is the spine of Liverpool and I am convince that all these improvements under Benitez should point to a very bright future for my beloved Reds.

by **Roger Red Hat** » Thu Dec 09, 2004 1:28 pm

awww sweet!

by **chiggz_likes_owen** » Thu Dec 09, 2004 5:28 pm

by **The_Rock** » Thu Dec 09, 2004 6:31 pm

Mellor has impressed me with his positioning. If he improves his fitness, he will score loads of goals as he is a natural goal scorer.

I admit, i was very harsh on ponggole, but after a run in the team, he is finally showing his potential.

Just one word. Great......

by **marcus.c** » Fri Dec 10, 2004 10:44 am

Mellor and Heskey jas pretty similar style of playing, the only difference is that Mellor can score, while Hesky can't

by **addicted norwegian** » Fri Dec 10, 2004 11:19 am

marcus.c wrote:Mellor and Heskey jas pretty similar style of playing, the only difference is that Mellor can score, while Hesky can't

I allow myself to disagree a bit with you comparing Heskey and Mellor. They are totally different when it comes to skills, as imo Mellor could be referred to as "a fox in the box" and Heskey`s main force is when given possession of the ball when he`s outside the box

by **Big Niall** » Fri Dec 10, 2004 1:00 pm

Mellor and Heskey are totally different, one of them is a footballer, the other is an £11m tax write off.

by **82-1074641017** » Fri Dec 10, 2004 7:34 pm

Glory at Anfield here is what i say

We will never win the league :angry:

by **chiggz_likes_owen** » Fri Dec 10, 2004 8:04 pm

Roberts wrote:Glory at Anfield here is what i say

We will never win the league

Please tell me this isn't you sh*t :grinning:

by **marcus.c** » Sat Dec 11, 2004 6:00 am

addicted norwegian wrote:Mellor could be referred to as "a fox in the box" and Heskey`s main force is when given possession of the ball when he`s outside the box

While, Mellor takes it chances well but Heskey? Lets just say that a mid-fielder of Gerrard quality is most certainlyable to score more goals then Hesky.

Mid-fielders is about providing and strikers is about scoring. I mean, what is the point of asking a striker to have excellent hold up of the ball outside the box (which btw, Heskey only knows how to chest it down for opponents) but not scoring consistently?

Heskey is a waste of money....

by **marcus.c** » Sat Dec 11, 2004 6:02 am

Roberts wrote:Glory at Anfield here is what i say

We will never win the league

I hope you will be glad to eat that s**t up if Liverpool were to win the league

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