Yeah but you'll have to queue early as there is limited time.

We're playing a little too deep and there is an obvious gulf in midfield. Whenever we have possession, we look like we're in a rush to get the ball forward when we should be biding our time, moving up the park gradually.

Poulsen needs to stop playing altogether.

The mood in here swings like our weather.

Let's put things in perspective here. King Kenny is playing this over two legs knowing that we play hosts after having visited Portugal. Thus, he took a cautious approach by pairing Poulsen with Lucas, playing a deeper midfield than usual. He has also gven starts to Cole, Kyrgiakos and Spearing. We don't and cannot start our best 11 at all times or there won't be a need for a squad of 22. We didn't go to Braga looking to end the job there. We took a more cautious approach and honestly, a 1-0 away loss isn't bad at all.

Despite our less than impressive run of form this season, particularly under Hodgson, we've managed to take 10 points combined off Chelsea, Arsenal and Man Utd, the most amongst the "big four". The complexion of things could be really different had we persisted with Hodgson and it is highly doubtful if we would have taken 6 points from Man Utd and Chelsea.

King Kenny has turned Anfield into some semblance of a fortress it used to be. If it were up to me, which it isn't, I'd offer him a permanent contract right now. Think about the positives, and in such a short time no less. Houllier and Rafa came to Liverpool with 5 year plans. Kenny needed an immediate improvement with the players he had. We cannot realistically expect to win all our games in convincing fashion.

By virtue of playing Spearing, Lucas and Poulsen, the intent was clearly not to batter Braga into submission but rather to slow down the pace of the game, knowing that the onus is on the home side to get a goal. Even when they did, it was prudent not to overcommit and throw bodies forward because a one goal disadvantage heading back to Anfield, isn't particularly daunting.

I'm guessing it's because he's asked about Liverpool each time he's interviewed?

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Added on March 12, 2011, 9:12 amAh picked up on this quote from Torres. "People aren't honest in the world of football". This much is true eh?

This post has been edited by Duke Red: Mar 12 2011, 09:12 AM

Dude, all I see is the news.

Is there another link? I'm just getting the news and cricket.

Got it. Thanks! Come on you reds!

Another goal from Morgan. Sterling and Suso have impressed. Sterling is good on the ball but I think he needs a little more football intelligence.

What a turn of events.

The feed sucks.

Nice. Our hopes and prayers are with the people in Japan.

Here we go. Coverage from the game yesterday. Seems a small section of away fans had one too many to drink eh? I do recall the stadium announcer stating that queues for booze were really long. Then again, maybe they were just classless?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/...er-Anfield.html

Click on the Masters Football thread?

Watching our legends take to the 'pitch' once again yesterday was nostalgic. Of course the quality of football churned out was nowhere near the standards one would have expected had they all been in their primes but the sight of Fowler finding the corner of the goal with a well placed left footed finish, Mark Wright barging opponents off the ball, Patrick Berger prancing past players, Rob Jones going into challenges uncompromisingly, Steve McManaman going on mazy runs, though far and few in-between, and even Stephen Henchoz's trademark huffing and puffing brought back memories.

I couldn't help but wonder how strong a squad we could have put out if they had all been in their prime. Paul Jones only played 2 games for us but he was a reliable pair of hands for Southampton. Rob Jones was one of the best English rightbacks I've seen but had to retire from 27. Stephen Henchoz when paired with Sami Hyypia formed an almost impenetrable wall in front of our goal. Mark Wright was a full fledged England international signed from Derby and if I may say, was similar to Sami Hyypia. Patrick Berger was one of our better left wingers in my time as a fan. Steve McManaman glided past defenders with ease. Fowler is still one of the best finishers I've seen in football. Phil Babb... well.

Since you brought this up, thought I'd give a little more insight into what I think of this. To answer your question, yes, Liverpool fans did sing YNWA. Those that knew the lyrics anyway. The singing was incoherent and untimed. The LSCM ensured that they hogged the limelight but "reserving" a number of seats opposite from the VIP box but they were more interested in showing up other Reds in the stadium rather than uniting us. If there is one thing I personally hate about the situation in Malaysia, it's that Liverpool fans are largely, segmented. Neither MyRAWK nor Liverbirds Malaysia get along with the LSCM for political reasons. I personally do not like the way the LSCM is run and I think the onus is on them to unite ALL Liverpool fans, being the official club and all. I think it is their responsibility to bring us together but instead, they are driving us further apart. To join is in itself a challenge. I tried to sign up 3 times years back and each time, was told to go to the club house in Shah Alam. What the hell is wrong with bringing the forms along for me to sign since we're meeting up in person anyway? I'd jump at the chance to sign an fan up. To me, it exudes arrogance but that's just me. Liverpool is about family and this is one of our core values. Unfortunately, some place pride above it. I cannot bring myself to be part of something I think represents all that is wrong.

Needless to say, the segregation at the stadium was obvious. To be honest, I don't hold Malaysian Liverpool fans in the same regard I do the locals in the UK. In fact, we are far far behind. We talk about being the best and throw it in the face of our opponents each time. We are not the best. The ones you see on TV stood at the Kop, they are the best as far as I'm concerned. What frustrates me the most is that fans here put themselves up there on the very same pedestal. No way, we have a lot to learn. We can't even get the simple things right. How many times has the word "Kop" been misused by one of our own? How many have referred to themselves as Scousers? A colleague of mine was once on the phone with a representative of LFC for business reasons and he told the bloke on the other end that there are plenty of Scousers working here. Seriously? Were you born in Liverpool? Do you live there? You can be a fan of Liverpool but what gives you the right to claim you are Scouse? More so knowing that Scousers are a proud bunch.

As far as I'm concerned, I am on a constant journey for education. I want to learn more and more about the club. It's when you stop learning that you stop growing and sadly, I've seen many who think they don't need to know more. How can you proclaim to be the "best fan" if you aren't open to learning more about the club? They are the best fans. We aspire to be. Being the "best fan" doesn't just entail shouting at the top of your voice each time we score, or even staying up into the wee hours of the morning for European games. Yesterday there were posts from LFC fans in Japan. Before this, I've posted what the lyrics to YNWA mean to some. We see LFC fans from around Europe congregate at Anfield each year during the Hillsborough memorial service. You read about fans diggin into their life savings for a ticket to Istanbul. I once was at a viewing and we tried to collect donations for Hillsborough, and hardly anyone was willing to shell out even 10 - 20 ringgit? Yet you dare to put yourself on the same level as those that do so much more? Liverpool is about togetherness, it is about belonging to a family, and a family looks out for one another.

I'm sorry if this post offends any of our own but I think there is truth in everything I've said. The next time you want to refer to yourself as "best fans in the world", ask yourself what you've done to deserve this title. Ask yourself what you've done to be at the same level as those who sang YNWA at half-time in Istanbul, as those who commemorate Hillsborough despite being thousands of miles away?

I myself have some way to go, and I hope you will join me on this journey.

YNWA.

This post has been edited by Duke Red: Mar 15 2011, 10:00 AM

It isn't just me then. What brings my blood to a boil is that I met them 3 times during viewing events and each time, no form. Instead, they expect me to go all the way to Shah Alam during working hours as you quite rightly pointed out to sign up. Really? It is that hard to carry a bunch of forms with you wherever you go?

The thing is the LSCM have pissed many people off, including rival fan clubs, sponsors and outlets (for viewing parties). I know some of these outlets owners and sponsors personally and none have a kind word to say, such is their reputation. I'm sure members could care less. All they want is to watch the game with other fans and I'm pretty sure they are unaware of what happens behind the scenes. Bill Shankly thought us all to be humble. Despite his sharp wit and stature, he always had his feet firmly grounded and he always endevoured to bring the club and the fans closer together. I cannot say the same for the LSCM. They officially represent all Liverpool fans in Malaysia and it is disheartening to know that instead of practicing our very core values, they are more interested in elevating their status and image, and throwing their weight about. Humility indeed.

Seriously, I'm no Einstein but if I ran a club and I knew there were other fans out there so passionate they are willing to set up their own, I would find a way to unite everyone and give everyone a voice. Isn't that what Liverpool is all about? Do the fans not have a voice? They see everyone else as a threat and not an opportunity. A very short sighted point of view if you ask me. This dictatorship style of management is what sickens me. Hopefully in the not so distant future, a change will occur and more forward thinking people will take the lead. Out with the old, in with the new. Until this happens, all Liverpool fans in Malaysia are destined to walk alone.

This post has been edited by Duke Red: Mar 15 2011, 11:34 AM

With regards to the Carra tackle, keep things in context because all arguments need boundaries. It doesn't matter if Roy Keane had bludgeoned Steven Gerrard during a game 10 years ago. It doesn't matter that Rafael could have obliterated Lucas had the latter not jumped over his tackle. What matters is that none of this changes the fact that Carra's challenge was poorly executed and if you believe that the accusers say, malicious. What pisses me off is allegations that he is a dirty player despite a severe lack in evidence to back this up. A mate of mine (a manc) even had the audacity to suggest it was intentional because he wanted to cripple Man Utd's chance of winning no. 19. Yes, Carra intentionally wanted to cripple a fellow professional despite no priors, and having his own leg broken before. Yes, he intentionally wanted to sideline Nani and risk suspension in our remaining games.

My verdict once again:- Yes, bad bad challenge. No, he isn't a dirty player.

True but this isn't the point of my argument. Some will, some won't but I believe those who do register want to be part of not just a club, but a movement. They want to be united with other brothers in arms, not to position themselves as better fans than those who haven't registered. Whether you want to be part of it or not is entirely up to you, but since there is a club out there, they should at the very least respect our core values.

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Added on March 15, 2011, 11:51 amI believe it's down to our culture. Let me provide a simple illustration. I walk into a pub in Australia and have no problems chatting anyone at the bar. You can't say the same here as people here are largely, territorial. People here do not understand the concept of respect. It is like I said earlier. I don't think that a good majority of fans in Malaysia can claim to be on par with those in the UK simply because they cannot put their personal egos aside, and live values that preach about humility and respect.

This post has been edited by Duke Red: Mar 15 2011, 11:51 AM