Steve Finnan Signs New 3 Year Contract

According to http://liverpoolfc.tv/, the 31 year old Steve Finnan has signed a new 3 Year contract. The deal lasts until 2009, with an option for a further year.

This is a brilliant re-signing for Rafa Benitez and Liverpool. Stevie Finnan for me is the best right back in the Premiership, and is constantly underrated. He bombs down the right wing and provides excellent crosses into the box, while doing his job on defense. Stevie never puts a foot wrong and I don't think I saw him make a mistake at all last season. He is Mr.Consistent, Mr. Reliable; what else can you say about Steve Finnan?

Liverpool Announce Stadium Plans

Liverpool Football Club have announced the plans for a 60,000 seater stadium that will open in 2010. It will be expandable up to 75,000 -ish depending on local transport infrastructures around Stanley Park, the site where the stadium will be built. The center piece for the design is the 18,000 seater Kop, which remains a single-tier stand to keep the atmosphere from the old Anfield into the new Anfield. It will cost an estimated 300 million pounds to begin, with future fees rising with expansion.

I think the stadium plans look fantastic and completely revolutionary. The southwest and southeast corners of the ground have glass openings so people can see inside it from the outside. I especially love the Kop, with its 18,000 capacity, but moreover is that it is closely packed together and seems to rise up from the ground and hang over the field, giving a unique atmosphere. The other stands, from looking at the plans, were 3 tiered, and too rising sharply from the earth to give the feeling of being right on top of the pitch. Whatsmore is that this stadium is one of a kind and asymmetical, meaning that this new stadium cannot be mistaken for some other ground on the planet.

Learn Your Liverpool Songs.

Here is a list a Liverpool songs most supporters should learn. Each song is accompanied by a link and the lyrics.

You'll Never Walk Alone-( Club Anthem-this is a must)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxOljLMB-dg

"When you walk through a storm

Hold your head up high

And don't be afraid of the dark

At the end of the storm,

Is a golden sky

And the sweet silver song of a lark

Walk on through the wind

Walk on through the rain

Tho' your dreams be tossed and blown,

Walk on, walk on

With hope in your heart

And you'll never walk alone

You'll never walk alone"

Fields of Anfield Road

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2e548_liverpool-fc-playersthe-fields-of-a

"Around the Fields of Anfield Road,

Where once we watched the King Kenny play (and could he play!)

Stevie Heighway on the wing,

We had dreams and songs to sing,

Of the glory, round the Fields of Anfield Road."

(There are more lines usually sung in the pub but not in the stands, so I will not post it right now)

Poor Scouser Tommy (This song takes a LONG time to learn, so be patient. It also doesn't help that the Kop sings this thing at about 3000 miles per hour. )

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-bWm7lXkYs

Let me tell you a story of a poor boy

Who was sent far away from his home

To fight for his king and his country

And also the old folks back home

So they put him in the Highland division

Sent him off to a far foreign land

Where the flies swarm around in their thousands

And there's nothing to see but the sand

Well the battle started next morning

Under the Arabian sun

I remember the poor Scouser Tommy

Who was shot by an old Nazi gun

As he lay on the battle field dying (dying dying)

With the blood rushing out of his head (of his head)

As he lay on the battle field dying (dying dying)

These were the last words he said

...Oh... I am a Liverpudlian

I come from the Spion Kop

I like to sing, I like to shoutI go there quite a lot (every week)

We are the team who plays in red

A team that we all know

A team that we call Liverpool

And to glory we will go

We've won the League

We've won the Cup

We've been to Europe too

We played the Toffes for a laugh

And we left them feeling blue

Five Nil !

One two

One two three

One two three four

Five nil !

Rush scored one

Rush scored two

Rush scored three

And Rush scored four!

Ohhh Campione

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVhEGscydc0

"Ohhh Campione

The one and only

We're Liverpool

They say our days numbered, we're not famous anymore

But Scousers rule the country like we've always done before."

We've Got the Best Midfield In the World

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayivhplxuwM

"O-o-o-o-o-o

We've got the best midfield in the world

We've got Xabi Alonso, Momo Sissoko, Gerrard and

Mas-cher-an-o-o-o "

Liverpool vs. Crewe Alexandra Preview

I am extremely happy that it's the weekend and another game is upon us. For the second Pre-Season friendly of the new campaign, Liverpool goes away to Crewe Alexandra at 3 PM GMT (10 AM EST) on Saturday, July 13th. The likes of Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher, Xabi Alonso are expected to make their debuts for the first time this season. The new signing Andriy Voronin, and possibly Sebastian Leto could feature as well, so hopefully we get a nice look at these players.

Rafa will probably only play his stars for 45 minutes again like he did last week to not risk injuries. It would be needless at this point to push the players when there are still a load of Pre-season games to get fit. We should expect to see many young kids again, with Lindfield and Spearing getting chances to prove themselves.

This is my prediction for the Starting XI:

-----------------Reina---------------

----Arbeloa------Paletta---Carragher---Riise-

---El Zhar---Gerrard----Alonso------Leto

-------Kuyt---Crouch------

Second XI:

---------------Carson----------

----Finnan------Hobbs---Agger-----Threlfall

----Putterill------Sissoko---Spearing---Nemeth

--------Lindfield-----**the other Hungarian I can't remember****

Adam Hammill To Go On Loan To Southampton

According to BBC Sport(http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/southampton/6895736.stm), the young Liverpool winger has gone on loan to Southampton. Many big clubs, including Celtic and Rangers were interested in him and just shows how much of a reputation this kid is bringing.

I suppose this move is the best for Adam, as he wouldn't have gotten many games this year in the first team for Liverpool. He needs to be playing regularly to develop as a player and get a bit more cooler on the ball. He definitely has a future at Liverpool and I look forward to seeing what he can do during this for Southampton season and next season for LFC.

Benayoun will become Rafa's new Luis Garcia.

Though it's highly unlikely that anyone in the near future can come up with as many clutch goals as Luis Garcia did for Liverpool, Yossi Benayoun will play in much the same role as Garcia did. With the ability to play to on the right or left wings, and at rare occasions as a withdrawn striker, Benayoun is already a proven Premiership player who brings a bit of flair and imagination into the game.

I believe he will be competing with Harry Kewell for the left wing because he is effective there, as he can cut in to beat his defenders. He can also be quality cover for Pennant on the right, but at the moment it seems Jermaine has carried over last season's end of the year form into this pre-season, so I don't think Benayoun will replace him quite yet. Hopefully Yossi be a success at Anfield and give us some needed creativity near the goal area.

Which Liverpool Young Kids Can Make the First Team in the Near Future?

With the ever increasing pressure for Liverpool to put together a Premiership winning side, it is becoming more difficult for young players from the Academy or elsewhere to get chances in the first team. Here is a bit of a preview on some of Liverpool's brightest talents that should get their chances soon.

Craig Lindfield (18)- One of the hottest striker prospects to come out of Liverpool's academy since Michael Owen, Lindfield has the ability to finish anything that comes his way. Good in the air and very nimble with his feet, he was given a pre-season run out in 2006 and scored a nice left-footed goal set up by Robbie Fowler. During the 2006/2007 Reserve Season, Lindfield scored a remarkable overhead kick goal that left everyone gaping. he was also a vital part of the 2007 FA Youth Cup win, totalling 12 goals in all, including a penalty kick in the shootout win vs. Man Utd. One or two more years for this lad, possibly a loan deal out to a Championship side, and I can see him feature in Rafa's strike force rotation.

Adam Hammill (19)- A flamboyant winger who can play on either side, I believe the sky is the limit for this player. Hammill went out on loan to Dunfermline in the SPL for half of the 06/07 campaign and was a major part in their Scottish Cup Final appearance against Celtic. Hammill scored an absolute belter from 25 yards against Celtic in a league game that proved his quality, after he beat his man with a pair of stepovers. He became a fan favorite at Dunfermline and he surely will be one with the Liverpool supporters as well. He is rated so highly with the coaching staff at Liverpool, and he has been given a chance to prove himself in the 2007 pre-season.

Jay Spearing (18)- Well you can't say enough about this kid. The scouse Midfielder/Centre Back takes after the likes of Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard and goes 110% into everything he does. He is a hard nosed tackler and a fiery player, bringing bags of energy to the team. Though he was used as a central defender for the Youth Cup campaign, he is more suited to a holding midfielder's role where he can get stuck in to challenges all day long which is just as he likes. The former Academy Director, Steve Heighway ventured to say Spearing was ready for the first team this past year, and when Steve Heighway himself says that you know you are getting the highest praise from the Liverpool legend.

Some other notable up and coming players:

Steven Darby- Another product of the Liverpool academy, this right back made a surprise appearance on the bench against Galatasaray in a European Cup game last season, though he did not get to play. He will probably be used in some Carling Cup matches this year to get some experience, but time will tell to see how good he gets.

Paul Anderson (18)- Though not from the Liverpool academy, this winger made a name for himself in the 2006 pre-season but failed to actually break through to the first team. It is thought that the Liverpool coaching staff want him to bulk up so he doesn't get pushed off the ball as easily and can shove off some fullbacks he takes on. Anderson displays lightning pace, a good finish, and a decent cross on him.

Raymond Putterill (18)- Still actually an Academy player, he takes after Adam Hammill as a showboating winger that likes to put on a trick or two. Featured heavily in the Youth Cup, Putterill contributed immensely with his ability to take on defenders and deliver good crosses into the box. He is definitely one to watch out for in the next couple of years.

Adam Hammill goal vs. Celtic that I mentioned earlier:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5klTOt1J37k

Liverpool to Sign Babel?

According to BBC Sport(http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/6285040.stm), Liverpool have put in a 10 million pound bid for Ryan Babel. It is still disputed as the whether Ajax have accepted this offer, and If were them I would never let this kid leave for any amount of money.

Babel is one of the hottest properties of European football at just 21 years of age. He can play either on the wing or as a striker, and he is very effective at both. Playing on the left wing, he can cut in on his right foot and produce shots, while he can also beat his man off the dribble. As a striker, he possesses the necessary qualities to be a front man and he has both power and pace and can win things in the air too. This would be a great acquisition for Liverpool and I for one am excited to the see if this kid can bring great things if he does come to Anfield.

Liverpool Pre-Season Schedule

A bit late I know, but here are Liverpool's fixtures for the 2007 Preseason.





vs. Wrexham- July 7th : ****This game has already been played. Liverpool win 3-2*****

vs. Crewe- July 14th

vs. Werder Bremen- July 17th

vs. Auxerre- July 20th

vs. Peterborough United- July 21st

vs. South China FC- July 24th

vs. TBA- July 27th

vs. Shanghai Shenhua- August 3rd

Port of Rotterdam Tournament- August 5th





Liverpool's big guns were absent for the friendly win against Wrexham, though Steve Finnan and Momo Sissoko did get 45 minutes in. Gerrard, Alonso, Carragher, and the other international players will most likely make their debut against Crewe on July 14th, while Fernando Torres will not feature until the game against Werder Bremen or Auxerre.

What Players Will Rafa Benitez Use This year?

This pre-season is underway for Liverpool Football Club and it once again brings about the excitement of a new Premiership and European Campaign. How will the new Benitez signings fit in to the Liverpool first team? Well, I think that is a question all of us want to figure out.

As most Liverpool supporters can point out right now, Rafa has an absolute plethora of central midfielders fighting for spots in the starting XI. Currently, there are 5 of them on the team- Alonso, Mascherano, Gerrard, Sissoko, and Lucas Leiva. Rafa surely will have selection headaches with this problem, though it is evident that he prefers a defensive minded central midfield to allow Gerrard to roam free on the right. Gerrard will most likely be pushed out to the right again allowing Alonso and Mascherano to stop all attacks down the middle of the park. Stevie G, though he prefers to not play on the wing, can still do a very good job there under Benitez's guidance as he is allowed the freedom to wander all over the pitch to do his job and bring inspiration to the team like he has done so many times before. Jermaine Pennant will give Rafa some problems on who to play on the right because he finally hit his stride about half way through the year, and he can give full backs nightmares out on the right flank. On the left of midfield, a fit Harry Kewell should be starting every game, but Liverpool fans haven't seen one of those in about 2 years. If Kewell can play like he did at Leeds he will be an automatic selection for Rafa because he can consistently beat his man almost every time and whip some some good crosses into the box.

The back 4 has surely been worked out already with Stevie Finnan, Jamie Carragher, Daniel Agger, and John Arne Riise making up one of the toughest units to crack in all of European football. Mr. Finnan, even at the age of 31, is without a doubt the most consistent right back in the Premier League as he effectively gets forward to provide quality services into the penalty area, while containing even the best wingers on the defensive side of the ball. John Arne Riise might actually be moved up to the left wing to allow Fabio Aurelio to get some games as he was hitting golden form before he tore his achilles against PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League Quarter-Final. Riise is a must-starter, be it at left back or left mid because he can provide moments of genius from his long strikes that is rarely seen anywhere. In the center of the defense, a Kop Legend already, Jamie Carragher anchors a unit that even the best teams in the world ( i.e Barcelona) fail to trouble, and he provides the leadership and determination lifts the team. Daniel Agger became first choice to Sami Hyypia during the middle of the year as the second center back, and class just oozes out of this young Dane. At 23 years of age he has the brain of a 30 year old veteran and reads the game without a problem.


A new look Liverpool strikeforce has been assembled for the 07/08 season with the additions of a club record fee 20 million pound Fernando Torrres, and the free transfer Andriy Voronin to the strikers Dirk Kuyt and Peter Crouch. Liverpool hero Robbie Fowler has been released, and Craig Bellamy has been sold to West Ham, leaving LFC with 4 strikers, enough I think for the many Premiership, Cup, and European games. Torres has got to be an automatic selection with his price tag- Rafa won't let him rot on the bench, and he needs to adapt to the English game. The second spot is open to Dirk Kuyt and Peter Crouch with Kuyt being the obvious favorite of Benitez as shown in his selection in the Champions League final pick to be the lone striker, despite Peter Crouch being Liverpool's top scorer. Kuyt likes to drop deep and link up with the midfielders to start attacks, while Peter Crouch is a target for crosses into the box at his height of 6'7". Crouchie is also capable of absolutely jaw dropping goals (link will be provided at end of article), and can get a goal out of nothing at the right time.

Spectacular Peter Crouch goal : vs. Galatasaray http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ANahEB3S2M