General Football/Soccer Talk

PS: Guiza scored.

I wonder if QPR will become the new Chelsea/Man City now that they're in the Premier League.

Considering their owner is the 6th richest man in the world with $31.1 billion.

Hahahaha

The World's Greatest Whiners
For All Its Artistry, Barcelona Has Prospered by Working the Officials; 165 Free Kicks in 11 Games

Even if you can't tell one European soccer club from another, it's not difficult to see what's exceptional about FC Barcelona. This team plays with a dizzying combination of talent and artistry that you don't have to be a soccer snob to recognize.

But on Tuesday, as Barca takes on Madrid in the second leg of its UEFA Champions League semifinal, this superclub seems to be doing some serious and possibly lasting damage to its reputation. The problem stems from the comportment of its players lately, which falls into three distinct subcategories:

1) The sort of crying, whining and petulant foot-stomping one might expect from a toddler.

2) Frequent appeals to a righteous God to be spared persecution by infidel referees.

3) A tendency to react to any impact with opposing players by writhing around like Desdemona on her deathbed in the final act of Verdi's Otello.

This crescendo of complaining, which dominated headlines across Europe last week after Barca's 2-0 win over Madrid, seems to be part of a calculated campaign to get better calls—or to speed the process of getting opposing players tossed. Some observers say it has conveniently come at a time when Barca's potent offense has slowed a bit and the team has become increasingly dependent on scoring from free kicks and set plays.

But what's really surprising about this burst of histrionics is how well it seems to be working. Through 11 games in the Champions League this season, Barcelona has committed 127 fouls, or 11.6 a game, while its opponents have been called for a tournament-high 165 fouls, or 15 a game. In other words, Barcelona's opponents are called for nearly four additional fouls per game, a disparity matched only by two other teams among the 32 in this year's tournament.

Barcelona has also received just 12 bookings and one red card, compared with 27 bookings and three red cards for Real Madrid. Fellow semifinalist Manchester United, which also holds a 2-0 lead heading into the home leg of its match with the German club Schalke, has received fewer yellow cards than Barca. But Man U has been whistled for 145 fouls, which is significantly more than the 122 for its opponents. Madrid hasn't fared much better: its players receive a card for roughly 21% of its fouls (compared with 16% for Barca).

True, they bitch a lot. Against Madrid, Messi was fouled the most but never whined to the ref. But the behavior of Busquets, Alves, Pedro, etc, is fucking annoying as hell.

So after spending £1 billion in 2-3 years Manchester City have finally qualified for the Champions League.

On the bright side if Liverpool beat Tottenham next up we'll go 5 points clear of them in 5th place with 1 game left.
Absolutely unthinkable earlier in the season considering we were in the relegation zone at one point when Hodgson was in charge.

Since Kenny took over we're second only to Chelsea in points gained.

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That's not the first time he's kicked a team mate. I guess Man City want him so Balotelli has another crazy person to keep him company.

In other news:

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/latest-n ... -year-deal

Dalglish signs three-year deal

Fenway Sports Group and Liverpool FC today confirmed that Kenny Dalglish has been appointed as Team Manager.

Dalglish, who was initially given the job until the end of the current campaign, has signed a three year deal with the Reds. It was also announced that First Team Coach Steve Clarke has put pen to paper on a three year contract.

Principal Owner John Henry said: "Kenny is a legendary Liverpool figure both as a supremely gifted footballer and successful manager. Since returning in January he has shown extraordinary leadership and the ability to bring the best out of so many people associated with the Club. It was obvious to us very early on that the atmosphere surrounding the Club had been transformed by his presence. No one else could have produced such a response. Therefore, I'm delighted we have agreed to a new contract. We didn't need nor want to look elsewhere for the right man to manage the team.

"Working closely with him, we've seen first-hand his love for the Club and his determination to do whatever is necessary to produce a winning side again. He has a unique relationship with our supporters and embodies everything that is special about the Liverpool way of doing things. Liverpool enjoys a global standing within the sport, but having Kenny in the dug-out will help us in our efforts to bring the best available talent to the Club as we continue to move the club forward.

"I'm also pleased we have reached an agreement with Steve Clarke, as his contribution to Kenny's backroom team has been significant over the past four months."

Chairman Tom Werner commented: "It was extremely important that we enjoyed a period of stability after some difficult times and Kenny has done a tremendous job over the last three months in bringing the whole Club back together. It's clear how much the players have responded to his leadership, his man management skills and knowledge of the game and that sense of optimism now runs throughout the Club. We have a clear vision of the way a Liverpool team should play and the way the Club should be run and Kenny's inspirational effect on the senior squad and his keenness to involve and feature the younger players from our Academy set-up sits perfectly with that way of thinking."

John Henry added: "This has been an exciting time in the history of the Club. The appointments of Ian Ayre and Damien Comolli and now Kenny represent a significant strengthening of our senior management team going forward. We face a huge challenge to take Liverpool back to the level its fans deserve and in an increasingly competitive environment, but I'm confident we now have the right people in place to do that."

Managing Director Ian Ayre said: "This is great news and it was an easy decision to make in the sense that there was never anybody else in the running. Over the last few months everybody has had a great opportunity to work together; the owners, Kenny, Damien and myself and it's there to be seen what Kenny and Steve Clarke have achieved together.

"I'm not surprised by what Kenny has achieved since he returned to the Club. It's an amazing achievement for him to have got us where we are but somebody who I respect a lot in football said to me once if you are going to pick a manager then pick a winner and that's what Kenny is. For a long time we have needed people here who really understand what this Club is, what it means to our fans and what makes it different to other clubs. Kenny knows that inside out and I think that's a key quality. He understands what matters at Liverpool and what needs to be done here."

Kenny Dalglish said: "I said when I took the job on in January that I was just happy to help the Club out for the remainder of the season. Now the owners have decided in their wisdom that they want me to stay a little longer and it's fantastic news for both myself and Steve Clarke that we have signed these contracts. Both John and Tom have taken their time to assess what was best for the football club and bring in the people they wanted to take the Club forward. They are both winners, but understand what the supporters want from a Liverpool side and the way that we should go about things. This is a unique football Club and I'm delighted to have the opportunity to help build something special here again.

"I want to salute the efforts of all the players as they have been fantastic and thank everyone at the Club for the welcome they have given me since I returned in January.

"I also want to pay tribute to Steve Clarke's input since we started working together as he has brought great experience and knowledge to the role. The players enjoy the training sessions, understand their relevance to our actual football games and have responded brilliantly."

Depending on who we sign this summer, I'm genuinely excited about challenging for the title next season.

Manchester United fans unveil '19 times' banner at Anfield

Manchester United fans attempting to ensure maximum enjoyment is wrung out of the club's record-breaking 19th title took their cause to Anfield on Sunday, unveiling a banner inside the ground before the Reds' game against Spurs.

United clinched their landmark 19th title on Saturday, finally eclipsing Liverpool's total of 18, and the club's supporters went to great lengths to ensure those at Anfield were fully aware of that fact.

Those responsible had a getaway car waiting outside the ground, plus fellow conspirators in the adjoining stand in order to get photographic evidence.

No worries. They'll only be ahead for a year.

Speaking of Liverpool though, we've been linked with Aguero and Juan Mata this week and have aparently made an approach for Eden Hazard.
Much happier that we can go after class players like these now with the new owners instead of signing corpses like Konchesky and Poulsen.

Aguero was linked to Chelsea and Juventus too...

And sorry to break your bubble, but Hazard said he wanted to join Arsenal.

Yeah, I heard he prefers Arsenal. Was just saying we were interested in him.

I would love Aguero. Juventus can't even afford £15m for Aquilani, so I doubt they will be in contention. Chelsea just spent £50 on a one goal has-been.
Real are aparently favourites atm because they're the only ones prepared to pay the €45m release clause, but Atletico would rather not sell to their rival.
It might depend on what Tevez does. If he leaves Aguero could go to Man City.

Should be an exciting transfer window in the premier league. $$$$

Yeah, wouldn't like to see Aguero with Real.

I have a feeling Aquilani will have a great season with you Reds.

I've seen a lot of fans saying that Aquilani should be sold. But I think he'd fit in perfectly with Kenny's new pass and move tactics.

We need another creative midfielder for when Gerrard is injured. Plus it would be better to have more squad depth.

trying to score tickets for real madrid's game here in LA in july. hope i get to go!

Conundrum: Birmingham City can still play Europa League, right?

Yeah. Bet they would give up that trophy to still be in the premier league though.

Yeah, no doubt

Apparently Blackpool could qualify for the Europa League as well through the fair play spot.

6 years ago today.

Flash

I remember when that was on, I had meant to watch it but I fell asleep. When I woke up it was half time and Milan were up 3-0 so I figured awell this one's over, but I couldn't get back to sleep so I kept watching. So glad I did now, was an amazing second half.

That was pretty amazing game, just something you don't see every other day.

Only couple days to the CL Final, so whose going to win/who you will root for? As a United fan, it's obvious who I'm gonna root for (wouldn't be that disappointed if Barca won, but this time I hope they don't).

Barcelona will win, but I don't really care anymore.

I admire Messi for what he does in the pitch, but I hate the guy. He always had boners (goals from another universe) against Arsenal. And he never really made his appearance for our national team.

I've never been a big Man U fan, but I did like them for a bit when Cristiano was there. I do like Park (gotta support the brothas) but I hate Rooney with a passion. Barca FTW