Saturday, September 30, 2006 . 9:57 PM

After a good run of home wins which saw them beat Newcastle, Tottenham and Galatasaray, the Reds were looking to extend their winning run against Bolton at the Reebok Stadium. However, Liverpool's poor away form continued to haunt them as they failed to pick up any points at all.

In an overly physical and scrappy match that saw a few injuries and several bookings, chances were few and far between. Neither team could manufacture a clear-cut chance to take the lead. Bolton, with their characteristic physical play, looked to injure as many Liverpool players as possible as Abdoulaye Faye hauled Gerrard to the ground after 15 minutes, earning a yellow card in the process, then looked to give Dirk Kuyt a concussion as he headbutted the Dutchman from behind, giving him a gash that required 8 clips to temporarily stop the bleeding.

30 minutes into the game, the linesman decided to make the game more interesting. Jose Reina caught the ball from open play and looked to launch it up the field, running to the edge of the box as he always does. Unfortunately for him, the linesman either forgot to put on his contact lenses, or left his brain at home today, and he signalled for a Bolton free kick to be taken just outside of Liverpool's penalty area, as he deemed Reina to have handled the ball outside of his box during his kick. Television replays showed later that the linesman was indeed suffering from myopia and dyslexia. We wish him all the worst in his recovery.

Gary Speed took the free kick, blasting the ball into the far corner. Why Reina dived in the opposite direction is a mystery. Sam Allardyce, who cheats in transfer dealings by accepting "bungs", also managed to somehow cheat his way to gaining the lead. (We spotted large bundles of cash sticking out of the referee's and linesmen's pockets as they were jogging up and down the field, probably explains the raising of the flags for offside when Liverpool clearly were not.)

Liverpool only had three worthy attempts on target in the first half, an Alonso shot that hit the post, a Gerrard volley, and a Kuyt header, both saved by the keeper. During the first half, it was clear that Benitez had got his tactics wrong, fielding Gerrard on the left and leaving the in-form Crouch and Luis Garcia out of the first team.

However, Benitez did not seem to think that he had done something wrong tactically, making no changes at the break. Liverpool came out in search for the equalizer, but looked lame and short of ideas as their attacks broke down. They could not find a way past the Bolton defence, and time was running out.

Then Bolton struck again. With their second shot of the match, (Bolton only had two shots in the entire match) Ivan Campo did a Umit Karan, rising above Steve Finnan to head the ball to the underside of the bar. The ball bounced over the line before bouncing out again and the linesman, who seemed to have lost all the effects of myopia and dyslexia, (probably cured by the wad of cash in his pocket), waved his flag fiercely to signal the goal. 2-0 to Bolton.

With that scoreline, Bolton were content to sit back and park a bus in front of their goal, limiting Liverpool to long shots that mostly went off-target. Liverpool did not have the creativity to penetrate the defence and whenever the ball landed in the Bolton box, it was quickly smothered by the goalkeeper or cleared by a Bolton defender. Eventually it came to a point where Bolton were just running down the time with their substitutions, while a desperate and frustrated Liverpool never came close to scoring.

Liverpool lacked the creativity in attack, and the solidity in defence. Even with Sami Hyypia and Jamie Carragher at the back, the club's most successful parternship, they still shipped 2 goals today. Rafael Benitez must remedy this situation if he wants to make a credible charge for the premiership title this season.

Player Ratings:

Jose Reina - 4
Another very poor performance from Reina again. Should have saved Campo's header as it was right at him. Every other club's keeper looks assured and confident but Reina never looks that way. His dive in the opposite direction in an attempt to save the free kick just affirms his poor judgement as a keeper.

Steve Finnan - 6
Failed to deal with Ivan Campo's aerial presence for the second goal, but had a credible performance.

John Arne Riise - 5
Wasted a few chances, and looked shaky in defence as his mis-headed the ball a few times, and nearly let Kevin Nolan through on goal through a mistake.

Sami Hyypia - 6
Average performance, but he was caught out of position for the second goal.

Jamie Carragher - 6
Liverpool's best defender. Wanted to take the responsibility of lifting the team himself when they looked to be going nowhere.

Jermaine Pennant - 5
Not effective at all, did not make good runs or crosses and was terribly off the pace in the game. I am still not convinced that he is the right-winger for Liverpool.

Steven Gerrard - 6
Tried to carry the team on his shoulders, but lacked form. He has not been playing well this season. Drifted in an out of the game and could not influence the outcome.

Xabi Alonso - 6
Had several good shots on goal, but could not manufacture the chance for Liverpool to score. Xabi's creativity looks to have abandoned him.

Mohamed Sissoko - 5
Terrible performance. Did not put in his characteristic strong tackles, which Benitez always praises him for. Cannot pass to save his life and has a very, very poor first touch. Benitez should stop trying to fit him into the team. Needs major improvement.

Dirk Kuyt - 7
Looked lively up front, led the line well for the first half. Nearly got a goal as well.

Craig Bellamy - 6
Yet another game in the premiership where Bellamy has failed to score. Seemed to lack confidence in front of goal and failed to score when he had the chance.

Substitutes:

Peter Crouch - 6
Could not influence the game after he came off the bench, first touch was poor and he failed to link up with Bellamy.

Luis Garcia - 6
Had a few good ideas but failed to execute them.

Boudewijn Zenden - 6
Failed to influence the game as he came on to the left flank. Looked short of ideas.

Final Score: Bolton Wanderers 2-0 Liverpool

Archangel's Man Of The Match: Gary Speed

"You'll Never Walk Alone"

Archangel

Thursday, September 28, 2006 . 8:14 PM

Prior to the start of the match, Galatasaray manager Eric Gerets said that Liverpool's home stadium Anfield was "holy ground" and that he would have loved to play there, for Liverpool, just once, at least once, in his footballing career.

His words reflected the squad's awe as they stepped into the "holy ground", a great contrast to their Ataturk Stadium, dubbed "Hell" as a way to describe the atmosphere opposing teams and fans feel when they enter the stadium.

Unfortunately for them, this awe carried on to and affected their gameplay. Rafael Benitez, naming a very positive and attacking lineup, was always going to take the game to Galatasaray and this was evident already in the first minute as Liverpool pushed down the left through Luis Garcia and earned their first corner. Galatasaray were taken aback by Liverpool's attacking spirit and possibly by the Anfield atmosphere, and could not make anything out of their few forays into the Liverpool half in the first half.

After 8 minutes, Liverpool were awarded for their positive play with a goal. Fabio Aurelio crossed in a wonderful curling and dipping ball from the left, and all Crouch had to do was tap it in. 6 minutes later, Pennant stole the ball from a Galatasaray defender after a poor clearance and drew out the keeper before crossing the ball to Luis Garcia, who headed the ball into the top corner of an empty goal. Liverpool were 2-0 up and cruising.

Galatasaray did threaten, albeit very sparingly in the first half, with Sabri doing especially well from the right, producing many fine crosses, although Hakan Sukur was unable to get on the end of them. Eric Gerets responded to Galatasaray's poor play in the first half by putting on two substitutes during half time, Hasan Sas and Umit Karan; two more attacking players for the visiting team.

With Sabri continuing his brilliance down the right hand side, Hasan Sas and Sasa Ilic pulling the strings in midfield and Umit Karan always a threat aerially, Liverpool started to look uncomfortable as the Turkish club began to play their best football of the night.

Not before Liverpool scored again though, and what a crucial goal it was from Peter Crouch. Steve Finnan worked very well down the right hand side, tackling and dribbling past two Galatasaray players before producing a good cross to an unmarked Crouch in the area. Taking one moment to gauge the flight of the ball, he swivelled on his left foot and, with his back to goal, produced a stunning bicycle kick into the bottom corner of the net, leaving goalkeeper Mondragon standing in shock.

At 3-0 up, Liverpool probably thought it would be all right to take their foot off the gas pedal. How wrong they were. Just like the revival of Liverpool in the Champions League Final of 2005 in Istanbul, the Turkish champions started a remarkable comeback of their own. In the 50th minute, another great cross from Sabri was met by Karan, who headed it out to the left, where it was promptly crossed back to the no. 99, who produced a wonderful header that Reina had no chance of saving.

Just 5 minutes later, Umit Karan was again the recipient of another fantastic cross, bulleting his header past Reina to make the score 3-2. It was game on, and Liverpool were looking shaky in defence, especially since their defence was breached twice in 6 minutes in the same manner; Daniel Agger could not cope with the aerial presence of Karan.

Liverpool could have made the game more comfortable, but Steven Gerrard, having seen his drive saved by Mondragon earlier in the game, missed an open goal as he hit the ball onto Mondragon's knee after the goal was exposed and at his mercy. He must be wondering what he has to do to score this season.

Despite a nervous finish, Liverpool managed to hold on for the victory. It was a worthy 3 points gained at home against worthy opposition, but obvious cracks were exposed in the Liverpool defence. One will have to wonder how Rafael Benitez will attempt to remedy the situation, and after that performance, wonder if Daniel Agger, given his aerial weakness, really is a long-term replacement for Sami Hyypia.

Player ratings:

Jose Reina - 5
Unconvincing and poor performance from the keeper. Given his 10-match "trial period" given by Benitez after horrible errors against West Ham and Everton, I'd say that he has failed already. Should have saved at least one of the goals from Umit Karan. Looked unconvincing when he came for crosses and punched when he should have caught instead.

Steve Finnan - 8
A very assured performance from the right back. Got his overlapping runs spot on and defended very well. Set up Crouch for his wonder goal with a sweet cross after taking the ball away from a defender, dribbling past one more in the process.

Fabio Aurelio - 7
Brilliant cross from the left hand side opened the scoring, and he nearly created another chance with another sweetly struck cross. Looked a little weak in defence though, as he suffered lapses in concentration.

Jamie Carragher - 8
Carragher is getting back to his brilliant best, covering very well for the inexperienced Daniel Agger and defending with his heart on his sleeve. Good performance.

Daniel Agger - 6
Looked inexperienced in the heart of defence and was at fault mostly for both goals as he could not deal with the aerial threat of Umit Karan.

Jermaine Pennant - 7
Slowly rediscovering is form in a Liverpool jersey, he looked dangerous running up the right flank and getting his deadly crosses in. Set up Luis Garcia well for the second goal.

Luis Garcia - 7
Whenever Luis Garcia plays you know Liverpool's attack is always going to be something special. Excellent attacking performance from the Spaniard, but he needs to work on his defensive awareness and cover.

Steven Gerrard - 7
Was very unlucky not to score after a marvellous drive that Mondragon barely managed to save, and missed an open goal later. Drifted in and out of the match, and he never really got full control of it. We've certainly seen Stevie G in better form than this.

Xabi Alonso - 7
Quiet game for the Spaniard but did his job well defensively in the absence of Momo Sissoko. Could not cope with the increased number of attacking players after the break though.

Dirk Kuyt - 7
Linked up well with Crouch up front, and hand a nice shot saved by the post, from which Gerrard was unable to score his open goal. Very intelligent play from the Dutchman.

Peter Crouch - 8
After a long absence, Peter Crouch was back to prove a point. And prove it he did, in style, with two very well-taken goals. Nearly got a hat trick as well. Looks to build a partnership with Dirk Kuyt.

Substitutes:

Mark Gonzalez - 6
Was ineffective after he came on, and injured himself during a long sprint. Still does not look the player he was in Spain.

Mohamed Sissoko - 7
Came on to add some muscle to the midfield after they were being bombarded by Galatasaray's attackers. Put in some strong tackles and managed to defend Liverpool's lead.

Craig Bellamy - 6
Was used as a tactical sub just to waste time. His pace unnerved a few of the Galatasaray defenders though.

Final Score: Liverpool 3-2 Galatasaray

Archangel's Man Of The Match: Peter Crouch

"You'll Never Walk Alone"

Archangel

Wednesday, September 27, 2006 . 2:22 PM

Ah well... Good things don't last forever. If only I could spend everyday like this... Then again, maybe not. It's too boring. Which cues another cliche, you can't have too much of a good thing. Haha.

It's back to school tomorrow! First lesson is free period liaoz (unless Miss Wu decides to do something, which is highly unlikely) then have to go through the crappy MCQ papers for Chemistry and maybe even get back our Math Papers before GP... Where there is a 99% chance that we will NOT get back our GP papers... Even though they were our first papers we completed. Somehow... GP teachers are slow markers.

It's funny, I recall a saying in the bible, "And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last." (Luke 13:30) GP seems to follow the latter.

Tomorrow's a short day... Thankfully. I don't think I would have been able to stay awake the whole day given that I am going to wake up and watch the Liverpool vs Galatasaray Champions League match tomorrow morning and possibly write a match review straight afterwards... Maybe Brands will help. Hahaha!

Hmmm have been restricted from computer games already by my mom... Although I would have stopped playing by now...

I wish people would stop getting my name wrong... It's Han Yang, not Hanyang!!! Omg. Even after I've told them, they still make the same mistake. Lol... Tells you how important I am in their eyes right.

I just realised that I have such a sad social life. I did not go out at all for all of these 6 days, except to school on Friday and the following Monday to play soccer... Of which I enjoyed the first game but wasted my time for the second game.

The only time I did go out was after the shitty Math S paper on Thursday, and that was to Queensway with Alvin Yeo and Tubahead, having dinner after that. That doesn't count, does it?

Haha I feel sorry for Pengfei for that failed class outing... But you can't expect a really quick reply, especially when you sent the sms only the day before...

Come to think of it, even if you did send it a long long time ago, not everyone may have replied. The chalet thing has seen no reply after I sent my email out a few days ago... Sometimes people should just stop adopting a wait-and-see attitude and be proactive for a change... It gets irritating when people actually do support your decision but do not want to speak up, hoping that someone else with the same opinion will speak up so that they can confirm their support without embarrassment. Come on! What's there to be embarrassed about? If you want it, just say it. You don't have to wait and see whether anyone else wants it or not... Ultimately you lose out because you never made your stand.

Okay maybe I'll go take an afternoon nap... Perhaps I'll do a Math Paper after that. Hahaha! Or I could practice Tatakau Monotachi :P (thanks Jon Teo for sending me the score... it rocks!).

"You'll Never Walk Alone"

Archangel

Tuesday, September 26, 2006 . 1:22 PM

Added the music player today... You have to press "play" after selecting a song, if not the previous song will continue to play... Apparently the player does not support m4a files so I had a limited choice of songs as I could not select those in my iTunes library... Talk about Apple/Windows non-compatibility...

Will continue to "beautify" this site...

"You'll Never Walk Alone"

Archangel

Sunday, September 24, 2006 . 10:03 PM

Hello everyone!

This is my very first blog alone, your number one blog for crap, nonsense and most importantly, Liverpool match reviews! Yes.

Do visit my other blog! (which I share with Chicken and Jon)

This blog is still under construction, so please bear with the shoddy workmanship and lack of interactivity (how much interactivity can a blog have anyway). No comments box (cos there was some error in the coding) so use the tagboard! ...while I try to get this going.

Will add a music selector soon and maybe some alternative backgrounds... Expect some major revamping after the A levels! Yeah.

"You'll Never Walk Alone"