What did Maria Ozawa have to do with Istanbul la?

Precisely. They have already annihilated the other big sides bar Chelsea. It took guts not to build a wall in front of goal but instead to exchange punches with the biggest heavyweight in the league, in their own back yard no less. I realise that compliments are rare after a defeat but I personally feel the lads deserve a pat on the back for a fighting display. There's no rule saying you can't recognise effort. We put in a performance but ultimately did not get a result but it wasn't for the want of trying.

This is where I feel expectations need to be managed. I get a sense that it changes after each game. Given the squad we have, I feel we're punching above our weight (or perhaps this is actually what we're capable of). Either way, it just shows what a great job we've been doing despite fielding players who have come under intense criticism and scrutiny like Allen and Henderson. Incidentally, our midfield has looked much stronger since Gerrard got crocked and I think it's admirable that the 2 players I mentioned in particular have played through all the criticism and are still as committed to the club. Having superstars is one thing but I'd prefer to have players who want to play for the club. Henderson in particular dismissed any notion of leaving despite being linked with a move away from the club and he is now an integral member of the squad.

Brendan Rodgers has done a great job at coaching the lads. Some of them have improved immensely. The fact that we are scaling dizzying heights from just a season ago is testament how much work he's put into his job. Fans wanted us to challenge for the top four and that's exactly what we're doing despite having a squad which on paper, is weaker than the clubs around us on the table. This just means that the team is playing well as a unit. Glad he's been offered a new contract.

Aye, that would have made no sense. Firstly, we paid a lot for Hendo and offering him plus cash would mean taking a huge loss on the lad. Secondly, the lad was yet to be given a fair shot in a position he favoured. Just look how well he's done without Gerrard in the squad.

There were some murmurings much earlier on about how FSG were stingy despite sanctioning the sizeable purchases of players like Carrol, Allen, Downing and Henderson. Thing it we need to remind ourselves that they have always said they would spend when it made sense and I think the signing of Carrol specifically has made them even more prudent. This isn't to say however that they will not spend at any cost.

Last season I was trying to point out that development happens in stages and FSG's first priority was to trim the fat and that led to an exodus of players such as Dirk Kuyt and Maxi Rodrigues. We needed to bring out wage bill down to improve our cash flow and we did. We suffered initially as the likes of Henderson had to now fill in for Dirk Kuyt who was an Anfield favourite but we're doing pretty well now. The next thing FSG wanted to do was to invest in young talent which we have acquired in the likes of Ilori, Countinho, Alberto and so on. Now FSG have begun to show how serious they were about keeping hold of star performers by offering Suarez a huge contract after repeatedly rebuffing offers for him and Brendan Rodgers a sweeter deal. FSG have always maintained that it will be a long journey and they weren't planning for instant success and so far, they've kept true to their word. Well, if you forget the stadium extension for the time being but I've no doubt that if we continue to improve, it's only a matter of time we'll have more seats on the terrace. So far, I'm glad that we are in the hands of FSG as I can already see them delivering what they promised a step at a time.

Didn't realise Skrtel made 0 tackles.

http://hereisthecity.com/en-gb/2013/12/27/...ing-statistics/?

Every fan will claim that refs are biased against them mainly because they don't remember the moments refs made dodgy decisions in favour of them. Skrtel for example could have given away a hatful of penalties by now. Still, it doesn't change the fact that Lee Mason was awful this morning but to suggest a conspiracy against any one team is far fetched.

Skrtel has in my opinion, never been really strong in the air. He doesn't win that manner headers in the opposition box and when he's defending, most of the headers he wins is when the opposition players has his back to him. In my opinion Kolo Toure is the strongest defender we have in the air. He was a giant against Stoke, winning headers against much bigger players like Crouch, Huth and Shawcross.

Despite what some are suggesting, I do not see the Chelsea game as a make or break. What's important is that we stay within touching distance and ensure we win the bulk of our home games since we'll be playing the big sides bar Man Utd (who we have already beaten at Anfield) at home during the 2nd half of the season. Having said that, coming away from Stamford Bridge with a result will of course and a welcomed bonus.

I'd like for us to carpe the whole damn season

If I were to ask you last season if you thought we would be title contenders this season, would you have said "yes"? Fact of the matter is that we've come a long way since then, and in such a short time I might add.

You speak of financial prowess and I agree but instead of inheriting an oil tycoon looking for a hobby, we have businessmen looking to build a profitable club. Is Man City or Chelsea profitable? Both clubs make losses each year despite winning titles. Can't remember the number if times I've repeated FSG's model for success. It isn't instant and it will take awhile but we are headed in the right direction. Already our wage bill has been reduced significantly, sponsorship deals have been signed, not just globally but regionally. Standard Chartered and Warrior are global sponsors but we also have sponsors specific to a country or region like Courts and Honda. This is a big improvement from the days of Gillet and Hicks. Are our owners not spending? Yes they are but not foolishly, not anymore at least. The willingness to pay top dollar for Suarez to stay is testament of this. It also sends a clear signal to the footballing world that if you're good enough, we will renumerate you. FSG won't pay premium prices, they've already said that unless it makes business sense. I agree with them completely on this because the last thing I'd want to see is the club accumulating massive debt again. Many I feel fail to really understand how close we were to administration. FSG's contracts are performance based. They didn't succumb to Sterling's demands and instead offered him a contract that motivates him to play well, instead of paying him in hope that he will.

As for being title contenders, it isn't Brendan's fault that the expectations of fans have been raised. He had first said that the goal this season was to improve over our league position over last season. I personally hoped for a top 6 finish but low and behold we found ourselves leading the league at one point, and this led to fans expecting us to challenge for the title. Was Brendan supposed to intentionally lose games to manage our expectations? No, we're adults with an understanding for the game and it is up to us to be realistic but sadly, I've noticed that expectations change literally every game which baffles me.

Like you I've been a fan for awhile now, since the 80's and I've seen the club decline over the years. Our mistake was closing our doors to the concept of globalisation, preferring instead to keep the club local and as a result we're years behind the likes of the mancs. FSG have embarked on a mission to correct this just 3 years ago and some fans are expecting us to suddenly compete with the likes of City or Chelsea financially. What? I do often wonder if these fans truely understand anything that happens off the pitch? Blaming the club out of ignorance is just plain stupid and I'm embarrassed to know that we have fans of that ilk despite proudly proclaiming to be the most knowledgeable fans in the world. FSG have been nothing but consistent with articulating their vision and the have so far delivered on everything they've said. Not their fault some fellas don't remember or understand what they've said they'd do.

If you compare our squad to our closest neighbours in the league table, we are punching above our weight. Players who have quote often been criticised are playing out of their skin. Pound for pound, our team sheet suggests that we don't belong in the top four. Last season we finished 28 points off the top with virtually the same squad, bar Mignolet and Sakho. Our current league position is testament of how much work Brendan has put in. I get the impression that some folk don't think about this. After all it's hard to take notice to what happens off the pitch if you don't even watch to see what's happening on it and you only look at the final score in the papers.

Are we title contender material? On paper, no, we are not but if anyone were to tell me we aren't playing like ones, I'd laugh in his face. The team has already shown improvement. Earlier in the season we would buckle in the second half of games. Now we're beginning to play well the whole game. We didn't get a result against City but we've played better than any other visiting team. This season we've scored more goals than anyone bar City. Sure, Suarez has played a massive part but we've also has 10 different goals scorers this season. How many clubs can say the same?

The problem is that there are fans who don't pay attention to the details because if they did, they'd note how far the club has come in the last 3 years.

No

It's like I've said countless times, we need to look at the times decisions have gone our way as well. It all balances up in the end. Skrtel for example could have been penalised multiple times this season for shirt grabbing, the same offence some fans are up in arms over that Kompany committed.

I think the problem with Skrtel is that he isn't athletic and he turns like a truck. This is why he's grabbing players, because the can't keep pace with them and he can't outjump them. Hence he relies on brute strength. I think it's fine to watch the player especially if you've lost he flight of the ball. After all, the eyes don't lie and you can tell from looking at your opponents face where the ball is and when it's coming but you're right that in the case of Skrtel it isn't as much about reading the flight of the ball as it is about clattering into the opposing player or playing tug-a-war with his shirt.

It's also important how and where the money is spent? City and Chelsea splurge mainly on players and wages which is why they make huge losses each year despite winning trophies. It's because of spending like this that Financial FairPlay was mooted. Unfortunately, the focus is usually on how much a club spends on players and not infrastructure like a new stadium and upgraded facilities.

FSG have always said they will not entertain the notion of deficit spending. In short, the club will spend what it earns and this is why they have worked aggressively to reduce overheads while increasing revenue. The more profit we make (gate earnings, tv revenue, commercial deals, merchandise sales, etc), the more the club will have to invest in players. It will take time because the books have yet to show a nett profit but when we do, the club will be far healthier than any of our rivals. Unfortunately deficit spending is a game for equity rich owners.

I've heard murmurings of us falling further behind our rivals but I think the owners are working on catching up with the likes of Man Utd and looking at the lucrative sponsorship deals we've signed, we are actually closing the gap in this respect. Results on the pitch may reflect otherwise but often, one needs to take one step back before taking two steps forward.

Nice piece from our Carra

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/...nt-retired.html

Was that really the first thought that popped into your head? I'm hoping it's nothing serious. Players in that shape just don't collapse from something as simple as exhaustion. God speed.

Just read it was nothing serious and he's been released. Thankful.

There has been a lot of talk about players to buy in the coming transfer window and Suarez's new contract. Surprisingly, we haven't discussed the new contract offered to Brendan Rodgers. It's an open secret that I've grown to admire him and I have great respect for his now as a manager and as a man. Here's an article that sums up my opinions on him.

http://www.thisisanfield.com/2013/12/brend...l-new-contract/?

I've always found it a little perplexing as to why some have criticised him for not having a plan b or for not being flexible. I've always seen him as one who wasn't afraid to make substitutions even early in the game, and one to give every player an equal opportunity to impress. I think he must already have used his full squad since taking over. Also, we haven't exactly been playing tiki-taka football this season and he's changed our game to suit the players we have.

Come one Brendan. The vast majority of us are behind you. Bring us the holy grail.

You do know that we don't disagree with you on his quality, or lack of it at the moment? He collapsed and this is always a concern amongst athletes who are in peak fitness. The least you could have shown was some concern rather than citing we should sell him because he collapsed. Not rocket science.

Not a matter of quality but rather attitude when it comes to Mario. He is a destructive influence in the dressing room and is constantly at odds with a fellow teammate or manager. The question is if he is worth the trouble and in my opinion, he isn't. Given that we have Suarez and Sturridge who was in red hot form before getting injured, will Mario be content with being rotated? I think not. If you ask me we don't need a world class striker but rather one who is a reliable squad player.