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Liverpool Midfielder Charlie Adam Could be Wildcard for Scotland as they Seek EURO 2012 Qualification
Liverpool FC have a long history of players who have made significant contributions to the Scotland national team. The list of Anfield legends that have starred for the Tartan Army include Graeme Souness, Kenny Dalglish and Alan Hansen.
If Scotland are to qualify for EURO 2012 they will need a new hero, and Liverpool midfielder Charlie Adam could be the wildcard for Scotland as they look to upset the odds and reach the Poland/Ukraine tournament.Scotland are currently third placed in EURO 2012 Qualifying Group I behind Spain and the Czech Republic. The Scots are 10 points behind Spain who have already sealed automatic qualification, and are two points behind the second placed Czech Republic.
Scotland could move into a playoff place with win at Lithuania on Saturday, as long as the Czechs lose to Spain the day before.
Wile that scenario is not that unlikely, to seal a playoff spot Scotland must defy the odds during the final qualifying round on October 11. On the final match day the Czech Republic travel to face Lithuania, while Scotland will face World Champions Spain in Alicante.
Everton v Liverpool: 5 Memorable Merseyside Derbies
Liverpool will be traveling to face Everton this weekend looking for their third straight win.
Whenever these two Merseyside neighbors meet, a weight of hype, emotion and history always engulfs the media buildup.Here we look back at five memorable derbies played between Everton and Liverpool.
5. KING’S CORONATION – EVERTON 1 – 0 LIVERPOOL, 28 October 1978.
Everton played host to Liverpool and were desperate to end a seven year winless run against the red half of Merseyside.
London-born midfielder Andy King fired home a rocket from outside of the area to spark rapturous celebrations among the vast majority of the 53,131 crowd.
Liverpool would go on to win the league title that season, but for one day Everton had the bragging rights in the city of Liverpool.
Everton Goals in Merseyside Derby: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kpqpk0tOHx4
Everton vs Liverpool kicks-off Saturday’s great English Premier League show
Where else will English Premier League fans start their Saturday than at Goodison Park? Everton vs Liverpool has been scheduled for a mouth-watering lunch time kick-off.
Fortunately for the Reds, they’ve returned to normal form in time for Saturday’s Merseyside derby. Kenny Dalglish’s revolution suffered a big blow in September when Stoke City and Tottenham Hotspur forced Liverpool to accept two defeats on the trot.
But last weekend, wicked goals from Charlie Adam and Luis Suarez against Wolverhampton Wanderers brought Liverpool back in business. Just as match-day 7 is about to unfold in the English Premier League, the Merseyside Reds can look upon themselves with quite enough confidence.
They have 10 points and they seat 6 places above local rivals Everton. Note, however, that the latter have a game in hand.
Kuyt “disappointed” about losing his place in Liverpool’s competitive squad
Due to the expansion of Liverpool’s squad, Dirk Kuyt has to work harder to earn 90 minutes of football in a game this season.
“I'm disappointed to be out of the team,” Kuyt recently told the press in England. “From childhood, I've always been disappointed when I'm not in the team because I'm desperate to be involved and make a good contribution.
“But it also makes me very determined too. I need to continue to prove myself, train as hard as possible and, when I do play, make sure my performance is of a high standard.”
Dirk Kuyt has appeared in 5 different matches in the English Premier League but he is yet to open his goal scoring account in that competition. In the League Cup, however, the Dutch man netted an important strike as Liverpool hanged on to defeat Brighton & Hove Albion 2-1.
Liverpool’s terrible Wembley Stadium fact: Gerrard keen to break the curse
Statistics related to the Wembley Stadium simply expose an odd truth about Liverpool. Some may even call it “shameful”…
The Merseyside Reds have a jinx to break and “Captain Planet” is keen to help his team reach the new Wembley at last. Manchester United can boast of having made 11 trips to the new home of English football even though there have been mixed results. Chelsea, meanwhile, have played at Wembley 9 times already since the stadium opened 4 years ago.Take Liverpool’s local rivals Everton and check through their records. You will find that the Toffees have featured at Wembley a couple of times. Interestingly, as many as 60 different clubs have entered the new Wembley stadium. But out of this long list, the name of Liverpool is nowhere to be found!
Liverpool summer signing Coates determined to become a key figure at Anfield
Since his £7M transfer from Nacional to Liverpool, defender Sebastian Coates has not captivated the public in England.
In an interview with LFC Magazine, the youngster recalled his decision to move away from his motherland. Coates, who was voted as the best young player at the 2011 Copa America, was quoted as saying:“The biggest attraction was the challenge: to come to an unfamiliar place, a huge club, and make a name for myself. So far in my career, I have been very lucky to play for Nacional, to play in the Copa Libertadores, to win the Copa America.
“There has been a lot of success in a short period of time but I have achieved that in a place where I am most comfortable. Now, I am here, in a different country, in a different league, with different team-mates.”
Inspirational Liverpool Captain Steven Gerrard Could Return for Carling Cup Clash
Liverpool’s talismanic skipper Steven Gerrard has been sidelined with a groin injury for six months now.
Gerrard has developed a reputation over the years for digging Liverpool out of trouble and driving them on to success through sheer force of will.Memorable Gerrard moments include;
• With Liverpool staring elimination from the 2005 UEFA Champions League group stages in the face, Gerrard fired home a blistering strike to ensure progress to the knockout stages.
• In the Final of the same 2005 UEFA Champions League tournament, Liverpool found themselves 3-0 down at half-time to AC Milan. Gerrard scored the first goal, then won a penalty to drag the game back to 3-3 and Liverpool would go on to win a penalty shootout.
• Liverpool won the 2006 FA Cup Final on another penalty shootout after a 3-3 draw with West Ham United. Gerrard equalized to bring the game to 2-2 early in the second half, and fired home a dramatic last minute equalizer to force extra time.
Liverpool players under pressure to perform after Stoke and Spurs blunders
Liverpool’s 4-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur was the most shocking score line at the weekend. A repeat of that fiasco against Brighton will mean an early end to their Carling Cup aspirations.
Last weekend, the Merseyside Reds were expected to achieve a much better result after losing 1-0 to Stoke City on match-day 4 of the English Premier League. But the way they fell to London rivals Spurs was too alarming to be true. An early Luka Modric goal set the tone for the hosts. Jermaine Defoe eventually doubled Tottenham’s lead in the second period before Adebayor scored a brace. Charlie Adam and Martin Skrtel’s dismissals had visibly spoiled the game for Liverpool.
Kenny Dalglish had preached about sticking together ahead of the game but what he witnessed at White Hart Lane was nothing like what he wanted. In a post-match interview, the Liverpool coach singled out his flops as the reason behind the horrifying defeat.
‘King’ Kenny Dalglish Must Dig Deep as Liverpool Endure Difficult Spell
Liverpool fans had shown genuine excitement at the start of this season about the prospects of their team. A raft of new signings had made a positive impact and the club had began the season unbeaten, a run that included a 2-0 win at Arsenal.
However, the first blow against the Anfield club was struck last week when they were beaten 1-0 at Stoke City.Rather than show a quick recovery from that blow, this past weekend Liverpool suffered a 4-0 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur, and will now be without Martin Skrtel and Charlie Adam. The duo will be suspended after being sent off at White Hart Lane.
What should be worrying for Liverpool fans is that rather than grit his teeth and fight, it appears Dalglish could be equally likely to adopt the victim mentality that has become so prevalent in today’s game.
Dalglish showed disdain at the two red cards at White Hart Lane rather than focus on his team’s failings, and discussed in depth the fact he did not agree with the penalty given at Stoke. It would likely be more effective if the manager focused on why his team did not score at the Britannia Stadium, or the fact that Jonathan Walters burned Jamie Carragher for pace to win the penalty.
Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish backs “everybody to stick to together”
The main formula at Liverpool is to stick together, according to optimistic manager Kenny Dalglish.
During his time at Liverpool, former boss Rafael Benitez was hardly seen with a genuine smile. However, current coach Kenny believes that it won’t do any good for the team to dramatize situations. Last weekend, the Merseyside Reds suffered a huge setback by losing three good points to Stoke City in the English Premier League. This result appeared to be the biggest upset of match-day 4.
Liverpool absolutely need to bounce back so as to find the good rhythm which saw them defeat Arsenal earlier this season. Kenny expects unity to play a major role in his side’s hunt for a great domestic campaign. In an interview with the club’s official website, the Liverpool manager affirmed:
Ex-Liverpool star & flop Fernando Torres blames “slow and old Chelsea midfield”
After nine months at Chelsea, Fernando Torres can still not talk about enjoying serious progress as well as a good time.
Nowadays, only a few football fans talk about Fernando Torres without giggling. Since sealing a shocking £50M transfer from Liverpool to Chelsea in January 2011, the Spanish striker has found the net only once. “When I changed clubs, I knew it was going to be a slow process, although I didn't expect it to be so long,” Torres recently confessed in an interview with the English press.
But as if he was blaming the entire team for his failure to shine at Stamford Bridge, the 27-year-old continued:
Arsenal, Liverpool & co after the transfer window: what will match-day 4 produce?
There’ll be a host of interesting matches between September 10 and September 12. For the first time since the close of the 2011 summer transfer window, English Premier League clubs will be in action.
The matches that will draw more attention are those involving Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur—all for different reasons. At the very top of the English Premier League table, the Mancunian rivalry is boiling. Only goal difference puts the Red Devils above the Sky Blues; both can boast about possessing a perfect record thus far.
Liverpool and Chelsea—locked on 7 points—follow closely behind whereas Wolverhampton Wanderers are the early surprise package. Newcastle United are also doing well enough to earn the 6th spot in the table. The Magpies’ goalless draw against Arsenal on the first match-day apparently contributed in Newcastle United’s remarkable start.
Is ex-Liverpool and current Chelsea player Raul Meireles a “Judas”?
Raul Meireles is determined to clean up his image following his controversial transfer from Liverpool to Chelsea. But what do Merseyside Reds supporters think?
Raul Meireles is the second player to have quit Anfield for Stamford Bridge after Fernando Torres. The latter has eventually become the source of several jokes over the internet. For Raul, it is apparently important to be well portrayed among disgusted Liverpool fans. The Portuguese heated the Liverpool-Chelsea rivalry with a very late move on the last day of the 2011 summer transfer window. His switch delighted Blues supporters but sparked a host of angry comments among a portion of Liverpool fans.
A few days after his arrival at Chelsea, Raul Meireles addressed himself to Reds supporters via RTPN. The news sources quoted the midfielder as saying:
Why Wales and Liverpool Striker Craig Bellamy is Not the Bad Guy Most Fan’s Perceive
Craig Bellamy is commonly described as a talented player with a bad attitude. While fans with Bellamy on their team love him, it seems opposing fans love to hate the Welshman.
It is true that throughout his career Bellamy has been no stranger to controversy. During his last spell as a Liverpool player Bellamy allegedly assaulted teammate John Arne Riise with a golf club. Rise’s crime was reported to be not singing a song on Karaoke.Bellamy was also accused of sending abusive text messages to England legend Alan Shearer while the pair were teammates at Newcastle United.
Other incidents that have drawn media attention include slapping a fan who invaded the pitch, multiple spats with managers he played for and constant berating of referee’s and match officials. It is reported that after one game dealing with Bellamy, referee Mark Clattenburg asked the Manchester City coaching staff; “how do you work with Craig Bellamy all week?”
Final transfers: Bellamy to Liverpool, Meireles to Chelsea, Arteta to Arsenal
In a quick round-up of the latest action on the transfer market, deals involving Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal are highlighted.
There has been a return to Liverpool for Craig Bellamy. The controversial winger became an outcast at Manchester City but a 2-year deal at Anfield could see his professional career revive. In other news related to Liverpool, Portuguese midfielder Raul Meireles has united with fellow countryman Andre Villas-Boas by joining Chelsea. Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur got Scott Parker from West Ham United in a London switch whereas Arsenal made a late swoop for Everton’s Mikel Arteta. The £10M transfer saw Arteta pen a 4-year contract with the Gunners.
Liverpool fans’ passion for the club lured me here—new signing Sebastian Coates
Sebastian Coates is relishing his move from Nacional to Liverpool. The young defender has singled out Luis Suarez as the person who encouraged him to join the Merseyside Reds.
On Tuesday, Liverpool confirmed the signing of Uruguayan player Sebastian Coates. Following his transfer, the £7M boy spoke to the club’s official website about the things that pushed him to land at Anfield. Coates was quoted as saying:“Luis also told me about the history and the tradition of the club and now I feel very happy and excited to be here because I have left one great club in Nacional and signed for another great club with a fantastic history.”
With Nacional, Sebastian Coates won the Primera Division Uruguaya in 2009 and in 2011. He is now thinking about inspiring Liverpool to glory with the help of national team mate Luis Suarez.
Joe Cole to Lille: Five other Liverpool Transfer Flops
Former England midfielder Joe Cole has moved on loan to French side Lille. It is fair to say Cole’s time at Liverpool has not been filled with success.
Cole was England’s best player at the 2006 World Cup before his success tailed off at Chelsea, and it is fair to say his time at Liverpool was not a success either.The idea was that Liverpool would get him away from the talent laden Chelsea squad, give him more game time and his club and international career would get back on track. However, that is not quite how things turned out.
The Liverpool career of Cole so far has seen him play only 32 games, and the renowned attacking midfielder has produced a return of only three goals. He has not featured for England recently, and many observers believe his best days are already behind him.
Liverpool’s Kenny Dalglish taking Carling Cup seriously ahead of Exeter clash
Coach Kenny Dalglish is cautious but excited ahead of Exeter City vs Liverpool. This game is the highlight of the 2011/12 Carling Cup Second Round matches.
“We had a bad result last year against Northampton at home, and we'll do our best to avoid another bad result,” Kenny Dalglish said according to the club’s official website.“We want to do the very best we can in this competition and although there will be some changes in the personnel we put out, the attitude should be exactly the same as it was on Saturday at the Emirates.”
Kenny Dalglish may feature a host of fringe players against Exeter City on Wednesday. However, the iconic man insists that complacency has not and will not affect Liverpool. The manager kept revealing his thoughts, stating:
No Europe but Carling Cup is a must—Carragher ahead of Exeter City vs Liverpool
Despite Exeter's low status as a team, Jamie Carragher has branded Liverpool's Carling Cup match as "massive".
For the first time in almost 12 years, Liverpool will commence their League Cup campaign from the Second Round. The Merseyside Reds will come up against Exeter City and Jamie Carragher is ready to inspire his team to a great start as they aim to clinch the title come February 2012.Liverpool will be lifting their 8th Football League Cup title if they clinch glory this season. For Jamie Carragher, a triumph in 2012 will revive the memories of 2001 and 2003 while it will put aside the disappointment of finishing as a runner-up in the competition in 2005.
“Exeter is a massive game for us. We haven't been in the Carling Cup at this stage for a long time,” Carragher told Liverpool’s official website on Tuesday.
Ex-Liverpool striker John Aldridge backs Kenny and co for Carling Cup glory
Former Republic of Ireland and Liverpool striker John Aldridge has big wishes for the Merseyside Reds in the Carling Cup this season. The 52-year-old is gearing up ahead of the Exeter City match.
As a player, John Aldridge won the Football League Cup once. This triumph happened during the 1985/86 season when he was at Oxford United. A year later, Aldridge reached the Football League Cup final again. This time, it was with Liverpool.However, he and the Merseyside Reds lost 2-1 to eventual winners Arsenal in front of 96,000 spectators at the Wembley Stadium. John Aldridge is now hoping Liverpool’s current team will do what his side couldn’t do in 1987. The former player stated on Liverpoolecho.co.uk:
“The Carling Cup is a priority for Liverpool this season and that’s something we haven’t said for many years. We want to get to Wembley and this competition offers us a great chance of doing that.”