You gotta keep up with current events mate. Birmingham won the league cup meaning they get one out of six alloted spots. Since they are unlikely to finish in the top 6, this means that we're looking at the top 5 teams qualifying for Europe.

Tickets will range from about $50 to $300 depending on which zone. To be confirmed later.

We should. I'm planning to coordinate with MyRAWK and some other reds from JB, Penang and Malacca as well. There will already be plenty of banners but more won't hurt

Try asking again in May. Probably the second half of the month.

Which is exactly what Petre said.

I think the article is flawed. The author refers to Adam as though he is the only decent player in Blackpool. When he runs out of steam, they lose. When he doesn't pass well, they lose. So the rest of the team does nothing the whole game?

This post has been edited by Duke Red: Apr 14 2011, 07:02 PM

Today, the Kop remembers 96 reasons why we should not be silenced. The fight for justice continues

JFT 96 - Never Forget.

---

Added on April 15, 2011, 7:56 amKenny Dalglish, Liverpool FC manager

---

Added on April 15, 2011, 8:02 amSteven Gerrard, Liverpool FC captain

---

Added on April 15, 2011, 8:03 amJohn Henry, Principal Owner

---

Added on April 15, 2011, 8:06 amA beautiful poem from an Evertonian.



This post has been edited by Duke Red: Apr 15 2011, 08:06 AM


Attached thumbnail(s)


Attached image(s)

Gone But Not Forgotten.


Attached thumbnail(s)

Brucie's account.


Bruce Grobbelaar: I heard the crowd at Hillsborough cry 'Please help us..'
By Luke Traynor on Apr 7, 09 11:58 AM in Journalists

THREE times the ball sailed over into the Leppings Lane end, and three times dying fans pleaded to Bruce Grobbelaar for help.

The Liverpool goalkeeper will never forget those hopelessly crushed faces that stared out at him against the terraced cages.

On one occasion while fetching the ball, a desperate fan even managed to cry at the South African: "Please Bruce, try and help us."


Getting increasingly frantic, the goalkeeper tried to flag up his growing concerns to a nearby policewoman.

But he got the non-committal reply: "There's nothing I can do."

Finally, after the goalkeeper had retrieved the ball for a third time, he managed to persuade referee Ray Lewis to stop the game.

Bruce, now 52, remembers being startled how full the central pens were becoming as he took part in the warm-up.

He recalls: "The sides weren't that busy and before the match they were thinking of delaying it by 20 minutes because not everyone was inside.

"In the early minutes of the game, I could still see people's faces crushed against the fence. Three times they were screaming at me to try and get something done.

"I could see there was a problem.

"Anybody who was there at Hillsborough, the memory will stay with them forever. They went to watch their team to bring joy to them."

After the match was stopped, the teams filed back into the dressing room where they were told there would be a delay of 30 minutes.

Bruce says: "We tried to keep warm, but fans started coming in screaming and crying, saying five or six people were dead.

"It was horrific. It's hard to comprehend what had happened. This was not what we thought was going to happen.

"The journey back to Merseyside was very quiet and subdued. We were hearing more and more people had died.

"In Liverpool, Kenny and the coaches had a word with the counsellors who said, 'Get the guys to speak to the bereaved families.'

"It was a stroke of genius what Kenny did and as well as helping them, it helped us.

"Hillsborough not only touched us, but it touched Tranmere Rovers fans and Evertonians. I went to see people in so many hospitals, I even travelled to one in Yorkshire.

"We all went to a few funerals and I attended the cathedral Mass. We realised that Liverpool the club would be there a lot longer than the players, management and its fans."

After Hillsborough, Liverpool forgot about football for almost three weeks, cancelling fixtures as the city went into mourning.

Bruce even told John Barnes, the winger who in his own autobiography admitted 'getting smashed on brandy on the coach ride home', that he was considering quitting the game.

Liverpool played their first competitive game at the start of May against Everton at Goodison, which almost fittingly ended 0-0.

Soon, with the players' thoughts away from the game, and the pressure of winning lifted, the Reds started playing their best football of the season.

Bruce says: "The games after the tragedy were difficult, but in a way playing seemed second nature and we produced some of our best stuff.

"It was almost as if we had to do it for the fans. We showed the world what Liverpool FC could do.

"I thought we should have left the FA Cup after Hillsborough and not carried on in the competition. But it was fitting that we played Everton in the final and that we won.

"If we had drawn I'm sure both teams would have shared the trophy in memory of those who died."

Bruce remained at Anfield until 1994 and he believes the tragedy created an even stronger bond between players and club.

Now, the goalkeeper spends his time in the UK and South Africa where he runs coaching sessions with children.

In August he will move to Canada where his wife has got a job.

But Liverpool always has a special place in his heart.

"Now, there's not much loyalty in football. Apart from Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher, there's not many local lads stay at clubs, it's all about chasing the money," he says.

"I'm still a big Liverpool fan and I always look for their results first. If I'm in South Africa, I make sure I wear a Reds jersey of some sort."

---

Added on April 15, 2011, 8:22 amOlder fans need to remember and younger fans need to know about it. I can only hope that newer fans read about Hillsborough as it is an important part of our history. It isn't for publicity that we remember our fallen comrades each passing year, hoping for justice to finally be served. It is also the reason why we ban the S*N and I find it offensive that posters still quote the paper. Sure we weren't there but it shows disrespect to those that were. I implore that all Liverpool fans do some reading. The solidarity shown during Hillsborough between fans and players exemplifies what the club is all about. It personifies what it means to "Never Walk Alone".

This post has been edited by Duke Red: Apr 15 2011, 08:22 AM

I may not be a fan of his managerial style but he had definitely embraces the club's culture. He read about Shankly and he was so absorbed, he truly empathized with the families of the victims of Hillsborough and their plight for justice. Says a lot that he still has a house in Liverpool.

---

Added on April 16, 2011, 7:13 amIt was bound to happen some day but although it will be a bitter pill to swallow, I don't support Liverpool purely because of success. I've been taking stick from our more illustrious rivals for years now, especially in the 90's. I can take more. What matters is that my faith in my club shall never waver and that's something no one can take away.

This post has been edited by Duke Red: Apr 16 2011, 07:13 AM

Well put indeed. Our own fortunes should always be the priority. If Arsenal want the title, they'll have to earn it, just like anyone else.

I think many still share your sentiment but not me. I don't intend to start a debate on this again but unless the Henry and bunch are willing to give Rafa a free reign again, disharmony is waiting round the corner. I truly admire him for his desire to absorb everything about the club and embrace our beliefs, but King Kenny is doing a good job despite inheriting a thin squad and I see no reason to rock the boat. Well unless he isn't appointed full time like you say.

This post has been edited by Duke Red: Apr 16 2011, 11:15 AM

This statement completely undermines what Dalglish has done since taking the helm. You aren't even taking into account the reason why Rafa had problems when he was in charge. How do you suggest resolving the issue of wanting complete control? The fact that he had lost the confidence of players still at the club like Kuyt, Gerrard, Carra, etc?

Did you expect Dalglish to get us into the Champions League? When he took over we were darn near the relegation zone and now we're 6th. Immediately after his reappointment, morale improved amongst the players and fans. The team responded with some very positive results including league wins over Man Utd and Chelsea. Taking into consideration the state we were in when he took over, Dalglish has done an amazing job. To suggest that someone else replace him if he's considered for the hotseat permanently is showing a lack of appreciation in my books.

Hmm looks like we'll have to reignite this discussion after all.

What do you mean when you say Rafa attempted to revive the boot room culture? The boot room was where Shankly and this assistants would meet to discuss match tactics and so on. Far as I remember I don't recall reading openly about Rafa doing the same. It also meant that Liverpool preferred to promote from within. Rafa brought Sammy Lee back into the fold but Gerrard Houllier called upon Phil Thompson.

"Better than the good old days"? I certainly hope so but it's a huge claim to suggest that Rafa can rival the success of Shankly, Paisely and Fagan. If anything, Rafa's football philosophy contradict Shankly's and even Dalglish's. "Pass and move, it's the Liverpool groove". “Football is a simple game based on the giving and taking of passes, of controlling the ball and of making yourself available to receive a pass. It is terribly simple.” These are the philosophies the Liverpool I know is based on. I don't subscribe to anyone who over analyses the game to the extent it become a chess match. Maybe I'm old school and unwilling to embrace "modern football" but if Dalglish's appointment has proven anything, it's that we can play simple football and get results. Players under Dalglish are given so much more freedom. It isn't by coincidence that the likes of Mereiles, Lucas and Agger are playing their best football currently.

I will not discount what he attempted to do with the academy but like many of his ideas, he couldn't work his way around the roadblocks. He and Mourinho strongly suggested that the FA adopt Spain's policy of allowing a club's second team to play in the lower leagues. This was met with objections from those in the lower tiers.

Rafa has to realise that wherever he goes, he'll have to adapt to local politics and practices. Yes, one can admire him for wanting his way but in the end, it has only proven to bring disharmony to the clubs he's managed thus far. Falling out with owners at Valencia, Liverpool and Inter Milan. It isn't mere coincidence mind you. I do realise he's a big fan and I am touched by how he's come to empathise with the victims of Hillsborough but we cannot allow our emotions to cloud our judgment. It doesn't matter how smart a man everyone thinks he is if he isn't willing to play by the rules. With owners investing huge wads of cash these days, they will always want some degree of control over a club. Rafa as you know, constantly demands for support i.e. money which means that chances are, he'll be managing a club with owners who want a say. If he doesn't change his ways, he'll find himself managing mid-table teams.

Point is that I think Rafa micro manages too much so much so the players resemble pawns on a chess board whilst Dalglish let's them play.

Indeed. I do like Rafa for integrating himself with the club and personifying everything we hold dear, I really do. When I saw pictures of him weeping during the Hillsborough memorial, I shed a tear. It's heart warming to know that we have a former manager who still cares so much.

However, I don't see a fit for him at the moment. King Kenny is here for the moment and deserves a permanent deal. This is clear to almost everyone. We should not undermine what he's done and what he's going to do. I am fully behind him and I see no way either of them is going to settle for a lesser role now. Now that's he's back on the market it is almost certain that he'll receive offers from other clubs if we don't give him a contract. The players look happy and so do the fans. Anfield is buzzing once again and confidence is high. King Kenny exudes confidence and each word he utters oozes of class. He still is our most revered players ever, more so than Stevie G and he's well respected as manager by players and fans alike. He is a living legend and he's not done anything to change that fact. I thoroughly enjoy watching us play under the King. Long may he rule.

Was it Rafa that brought Dalglish back in an ambassadorial role? I can't recall. If he did then I suppose it's the same reason he re-signed Robbie. To win the hearts of the fans and boost morale. Liverpool as you say has always been about promoting from within and bringing former players back into the fold. Dalglish, Rush, Souness, Evans, Sammy Lee, Thompson and so on. Was it because they were the best we could find? No it was and still is because we've always valued those who are Liverpool through and through knowing that they'll do what's best for the club instead of focusing on boosting their careers. We as fans value the fact that the club always has a place for former Reds as we are largely a sentimental and closely knit bunch. The connection the fans have with the players are Liverpool is not easily rivaled. Robbie was only a shadow of himself when Rafa re-signed him but we welcomed him as we would have a $50 million pound world class forward. Rafa understands us very well, that much I will say.

The bootroom was lost under the reign of Souness who literally tore it down, but I think the culture was lost when they brought Houllier in. It was the first time a new face was appointed manager.

Despite what some Newcastle fans might say, Dalglish didn't have that bad a time after Liverpool. He got Blackburn promoted, turned them into Premier League highflyers and won the title for them. In his first season at St. James Park, he guided them to 2nd and secured a place in the Champions League. In his second season the club finished a disappointing 13th but they did make the FA Cup final and they did beat Barcelona in Europe. With Celtic, he won the Scottish League Cup before being appointed Director of Football. Not so bad me thinks.

It is arguable if Dalglish doesn't have the same kind of long term vision Rafa has but that job can rest with football directors. The difference between the two may be that whilst Dalglish trusts those around him to do their jobs well, Rafa prefers everything to be done his way.

---

Added on April 17, 2011, 3:37 pmI disagree. I think that we both have our points and are learning more through this discussion. I haven't paid much attention to the academy and hyperyouth obviously has. I've learned stuff. Sorry you don't see it the same way.

---

Added on April 17, 2011, 3:40 pmAs for saying that we should let the owners make the decision it's a given. Not like we expect our opinions to matter to them. However it doesn't hurt to have an opinion. I personally find discussions like this more insightful that transfer speculation. Each day it's "we need this player, we need a winger", etc.

This post has been edited by Duke Red: Apr 17 2011, 03:40 PM

They weren't trolling.

That being said, we will obviously play to win but not for anyone else other than ourselves.

The ref for tonight is Andre Marriner. His only known controversy was accusations by Fergie he was swayed by the crowd into making a questionable decisions in our 2-0 triumph over the two seasons ago.

Find it annoying that retards think we'd throw this game and lose out on the millions we stand to earn from being in Europe. Makes we wonder if some people actually understand anything about the game other than the fact there are 22 men kicking the ball about a grassy box.

Also, without a European spot, players will be less inclined to sign. It is vital we catch up with Spurs. Then again, we aren't actually linked to any major names. I like the fact that Kenny's playing the kids but he has been forced to more than anything. Spearing had an awesome game but it's been said that Newcastle want him in exchange if they are to sell Enrique to us. He'll link up with Danny Guthrie if he goes. Flanagan and Robinson has good games as well and I'm hoping that in the next couple of years, they develop even further. The lads are so young and "innocent" that Kenny had to give Flanagan a pep talk after he knocked out Carra.

If you're referring to Dez Corkhill, he's an executive producer on sportscentre or something. Also does punditry and hosting. He isn't a former Liverpool player that I know.