Life after God

[AussieOchoa]

That'll be a nice change to the story, good luck to toddzy

 

[pistolped7]

I will be updating for November and December first thing tomorrow, will probs reahc January or February.

And very much looking forward to toddzy's update.

 

[toddzy]

I have the details in the PM so I'll try and fire away at it tomorrow. Though I don't want to sound a ****, my story with strikerv9dutch will be my priority. I hope my update are still good enough though mate. Looking forward to it a lot, I know how much your enjoying being at the Kop so it'll be good to be a part of it.

 

[pistolped7]

You don't sound like a ****, obviously I don't expect you to prioritise this, it's no rpobs mate. And I know you'll reach a number of readers' high standards, you're a great writer. Besides, I wouldn't want you to prioritise this over my favourite story

---------- Post added at 12:17 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:07 AM ----------

Liverpool to sign Ochoa
Mexican keeper packs bags for Merseyside​

Ochoa to swap Acapulco for Anfield​

Mexico and Club America keeper Guillermo Ochoa has revealed to BBC Sports that he has arranged a deal to join Liverpool on December 31st. Club America later stated that the deal was worth £11.5M.
Ochoa will likely challenge Pepe Reina for the number 1 jersey, with Ochoa unlikely to settle for a place on the bench. However, some say that this is the beginning of Reina's way out of Anfield. Gabriel Batistuta has rubbished these rumours, saying that both players will remain at Anfield for 'years to come'.​

Has Batistuta unearthed a diamond, or has he blown upwards of £10M? Leave your comments below.​

 

[AussieOchoa]

:wub: OCHOA :wub: He is defiantley worth that money, great signing :wub:

 

[toddzy]

Colin Todd meets the man in form - Jonjo Shelvey​

The famous 'Kop'​

Last updated by Colin Todd​

As I sit here, in my new office, at this new club, I am truely honoured. Liverpool Football Club. The name ouses history. You speak of there name you think of players. Kenny Dalgleish, John Barnes, Robbie Fowler, Fernando Torres. Players you would only associate with a great club. ​

Requested by Gabi (we go by first names now, nicknames if I push it), I jumped shipped from BBC. Don't get me wrong, I love the BBC. But my love for Liverpool is much stronger. Sure, you can argue its less work, one interview a month, easy work, easy money. These were not on my mind. Watching Liverpool week in, week out was.​

And so, my first interview. It was a tricky choice. I trecked around Anfield for several weeks, looking for the right player to interview, or even a coach. But, the real story was unravelling right under my nose. Jonjo Shelvey. Who I hear you say? For a fan who reads this page whom is not a Liverpool supporter, this would be your expected response, no doubt. But, this young man is rated as a future England superstar. Aged just 20, the boy some say is flawless. I'm one of these.​

Joining in summer of 2010 from Charlton Athletic for an initial fee of £1.7million he's waited in the shadows patiently. He was slowly given more time by Roy Hodgson. Now, as we sit at the end of November, I get to meet the lad. ​

Jonjo Shelvey - To the top? Only time will tell.​

CT - Jonjo, as my first interviewee, be kind, I am nervous. It is a pleasure to meet you.​

*Colin extends a hand to Jonjo and smiles. Jonjo returns the gesture.*​

JS - I've seen a lot of your work Colin, so it may be you that needs to be kind on me (laughs). But thank you, it is a pleasure to meet you, and welcome to Liverpool.​

CT - (laughs). Thank you Jonjo. Your the in form man no doubt. You sem to be in your element next to Steven Gerrard at the heart of midfield. As a Liverpool fan, I can only dream of playing next to him. But for you, what is it like?​

JS - Steven Gerrard is no doubt the best central midfielder in England. His stature is un-matched. To play with him, to call him a friend is something people can only dream of. He's helped me a lot. We work together closely in training and he shows me things that I was maybe unaware of or not doing correctly.​

CT - I agree, no bias involved though (they both laugh). What was it like jumping from Charlton, being the big fish in a small pond, to Liverpool, where at first, you could of been seen as the small fish in the big pond?​

JS - I think that's a fair statement to make. At Charlton, I had great 2 years. Breaking into the side at 16 was truely amazing. But when I came here, it was exactly like you said, the small fish in the big pond. I looked around at training. Torres, Gerrard, Kuyt, the list goes on. I had to pinch myself and simply uttered the word wow. But Roy (Hogdson) was great, as well as the coaches. They knew I would possibly struggle so they tried to help with that. But I straight away developed a friendship with Martin (Kelly). We share a flat together now.​

CT - You spoke of Roy there. I for one agreed he should have went. Are the reports true the players did too?​

JS - If I'm being honest, there was a split camp on the decision. Some felt something fresh was needed, other felt like Roy should be given a chance.​

CT - What did you think?​

JS - I thought he maybe should have been given a chance. He gave me one, it would have been nice to see the favour returned to him.​

CT - Reports are linking him with a return to Italy, with the vacant Juventus job. Good move?​

JS - Certainly. Juve are a great club and Roy is a great manager. If the reports are true I wish him all the best.​

CT - Maybe we should talk about your November then, Anderlecht. A great goal after coming on from the bench. How do you think it went?​

JS - It was great. Playing in the CL is always a great honour.​

CT - You took your goal well.​

JS - Yeh I only had one thing in my mind when it arrived, shoot.​

CT - You left the keeper with no chance. You justified a start against Aston Villa no doubt. You netted again. Great feeling?​

JS - It's always a great feeling to score. But after the faith from the gaffer, I think I repaid the faith, don't you think?​

CT - Certainly, a match rating of 7 from BBCsport highlighted that. You mentioned the boss there, Gabriel Batistuta. How has he been?​

JS - I really admire him. His English isn't perfect yet, but he is certainly making a lot of effort to try and speak in it. He knows basics, we hear 'Pass!', 'Shoot!' on a pretty regular basis.​

CT - Must be great for the strikers having him around though.​

JS - Yeh, no doubt. Fernando (Torres) and David (N'Gog) have already said how happy they are. There games will benefit, we can all see that.​

CT - Back to you though, you started the next game, against Arsenal. You once again netted and recieved a match rating of 8.2 from BBCsport. How'd that feel?​

JS - It was great, it really was. Arsenal are such a big club and I was quite nervous before the game, but I don't think it showed on the day.​

CT - Definitely. Your next couple of games though, you didn't have the same influence. Fair to say?​

JS - Yeh I'd have to agree. I struggled to have the same effect. Luckily though Fernando and co stepped up.​

CT - IT was a terrific hat-trick he netted against Burnley. Should he have netted 4?​

JS - It was a dreadful penalty. No offence Fernando but it really was (laughs.)​

CT - (laughing) I was extremely suprised. But nevertheless, a hat-trick. An England call-up on the way, Jonjo?​

JS - I can only hope so, it would be an honour, it truely would. I'm still only 20, my best years are yet to come.​

CT - That's what Liverpool fans across the globe wanted to hear! Jonjo, its been a pleasure. I wish you all the success in the world this season and the future.​

*Colin sits forward and extends a hand to Jonjo. Jonjo again returns the gesture.*​

JS - Its been my pleasure, Colin.​

And with that, my first interview. Jonjo didn't come across as nervous, something that I was taken a-back by. He is a star, no doubt. England watch out for him, he is going to set the world stage a-light.​

Colin Todd. ©​

 

[pistolped7]

Oh, toddzy, that is simply fantasic! Great interview, mate!

 

[toddzy]

That took me an age! Just PM me the details for December

 

[pistolped7]

Will do, but I wanna update Nov/Dec first, not done it in a wee while.

 

[AussieOchoa]

Fantastic interview, this story just keeps getting better and better

 

[pistolped7]

Liverpool - Nov/Dec Update
Just two losses in 13 games for the Kop

Shelvey has made himself a key player this winter

Liverpool have ended 2011 in stunning fashion, winning 10 from 13, a run which sent Liverpool through to the last 16 of the Champions League, the Carling Cup semis, the FA Cup 44th round and 2 points off the top of the table...but they're still 5th.
They do however, have a game in hand, so Liverpool could actually be...whisper it...genuine title contenders. After Roy Hodgson led Liverpool to second last year, Gabi Batistuta may actually go one better. Liverpool must improve against bigger teams though, as they lost to Man Utd and R. Madrid.

Matches in the EPL unless stated otherwise.

2.11.2011 (UCL)
Anderlecht 1-4 Liverpool
Jovanovic, Meireles, Shelvey, J. Cole

5.11.2011
Liverpool 4-0 Aston Villa
J. Cole, Kuyt, Shelvey, Skrtel

9.11.2011
Liverpool 2-1 Arsenal
Jovanovic, Shelvey

19.11.2011
Manchester Utd 3-2 Liverpool
J. Cole, Meireles, + G. Johnson Injured

22.11.2011 (UCL)
R. Madrid 2-0 Liverpool

26.11.2011
Liverpool 3-0 Burnley
Torres x3, Torres missed penalty

29.11.2011 (League Cup Qtr Final)
Fulham 0-3 Liverpool
J. Cole x2, Torres

3.12.2011
WBA 1-3 Liverpool
J. Cole, Meireles, Shelvey

7.12.2011 (UCL)
Liverpool 3-0 Napoli
Gerrard, Torres, Jovanovic
Liverpool qualify for 1st Knockout Rnd

10.12.2011
Fulham 4-4 Liverpool
Shelvey, Torres x2, Carragher

17.12.2011
Liverpool 5-0 Swindon
Torres, Jovanovic, J. Cole, Meireles, Gerrard, Skrtel sent off

26.11.2011
Bolton 1-2 Liverpool
J. Cole, Shelvey

31.12.2011
Swansea 0-2 Liverpool
Meireles, Torres, Torres missed penalty

An impressive winter period, and we expect Liverpool will continue this in 2012.​

 

[toddzy]

Although I already knew the scores, some good results there. Really enjoying the switch to Liverpool mate. Its started a genuine interest in them IRL now, so congrats! Lets hope the turn of year is kind to you . Signing update soon ?

 

[AussieOchoa]

Unlucky about the two losses, but u can definatley go on to win a lot of things now

 

[pistolped7]

Cheers guys. Yeah, toddzy, same here, I really hope that sale goes through now and gets those dirty useless twats Hicks and Gillett out! I've only signed Ochoa so far wub: is right, striker ), but I want another centre back as Carragher is rejecting all my contract offers :S Will update on that front later...

---------- Post added at 01:47 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:29 PM ----------

I'm oing to update on a thrilling Carling Cup semi against Spurs at White Hart Lane, Guillermo Ochoa's debut! :wub:

---------- Post added at 02:24 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:47 PM ----------

Carling Cup Classic at the Lane
3-3 draw gives Liverpool slight advantage

Defoe celebrates Tottenham's first

Another classic League Cup match tonight at White Hart Lane, as Spurs and Liverpool battled to an exciting 3-3 draw.

The travelling Kop fans were celebrating after just four minutes when youngster Jonjo Shelvey netted after Stevn Gerrard's through ball found the in-form midfielder, who blasted it past Gomes.

Tottenham equalised after 12 minutes, when Jermain Defoe combined with strike partner Edin Dzeko to play a cheeky one-two past Daniel Agger, who had another horrid game tonight, before sliding past the helpless Guillermo Ochoa.

Tottenham took the lead soon after, and it was Defoe again on the half-hour mark. Gareth Bale crossed the ball in, Dzeko won the header, cushioning it down for Defoe, who proceeded to stroke the ball past Ochoa.

Liverpool hit back through Fernando Torres on 34 mins.Jonjo Shelvey was the architect, as he dinked the ball over the head over Younes Kaboul, before Torres latched onto it and then he dinked it over Gomes.

2-2.

However, it was just two minutes before Tottenham retook the lead through Younes Kaboul, who headed Gareth Bale's corner kick past Daniel Agger at the near post. Guillermo Ochoa was furious with the Dane, and the Liverpool fans shared his disgust.

So, half time at the Lane, and it is 3-2 to the home side.

Tottenham came out in the second half full of life, but Liverpool's new keepr was on show, and he single handedly won a draw for the visitors.

Ten minutes into the second half, and Luka Modric spectacular long-range effort was tipped over the bar by the flamboyant Mexican. He celebrated the save in an equally flamboyant style.

Ochoa celebrates keeping Liverpool within a goal of Spurs

Ochoa continued to keep Spurs at bay, making stunning save after stunning save, the pick of the lot being when he tipped Edin Dzeko's one-on-one shot around the post...even though he was behind Dzeko when he hit it. He made up for the poorly struck kick by chasing back and making the best save of the season so far.

Liverpool finally began to pressure the Spurs defence, and got a vital equaliser through Fernando Torres' penalty.

Liverpool nearly won through Milan Jovanovic, but a fantastic save from Gomes kept the scorres level.

Then, on the counter attack following, Guillermo Ochoa made a stunning double save from Dzeko and then Defoe, before the ball was cleared by Martin Skrtel.

A man-of-the-match award for Defoe, but my MOM award goes to Guillermo Ochoa. What a signing. It could be a while before Pepe Reina plays for Liverpool again.​

 

[toddzy]

Colin Todd meets Mr.Liverpool - Steven Gerrard​

I catch up with Steven Gerrard (above).​

Steven Gerrard. Whats the first word that comes to my mind? Liverpool. The club runs through his veins. He sweats passion for the club and demonstrates this on a regular basis. But whats he like up close and personal? Finally, I find out.​

Steven is a cult hero. An icon. He led England at the 2010 World Cup. It says a lot about in my opinion. A boyhood hero of any young Liverpool fan. He's my hero and I'm 45. We'd arranged the interview for after training and would meet in the bar for Admins at Anfield. I arrived early and purchased a pint, I wasn't driving, so why not? I assumed Steven would be, so I got him an orange juice instead.​

Steven walked into the bar. The whole room looks at him. He just has this arouma. I stand up to greet him and shake his hand fircely. I really must look like a tool. But I didn't care, this was Steven Gerrard.​

I gestured Steven towards our table where he noticed the differances in our drinks. He smirked and took a seat willingly.​

CT - Steven Gerrard. A true honour it is to finally meet you.​

SG - (blushing). Thanks Colin. I believe I ordered a pint (laughs).​

CT - (laughs) I must have forgot, Steven. Wow, I know this sounds childish but I am amazed to meet you.​

SG - Your too kind, Colin. Maybe we should start the interview (laughs)?​

CT - *nodding* Sure thing. You've lifted the cup for one of our CL wins. Is that the greatest moment of your career?​

SG - Without a doubt. To lift such an iconic trophy is what dreams made of, surely? As a young scouse lad it's what I dreamed of, that and lifting the WC. I've achieved both.​

CT - That picture of you lifting the trophy is my computer wallpaper. Do you feel pressure being adored by so many?​

SG - No, never. Its an honour to have the support of Liverpool. To be as loved as I am makes it all the better. Especially you, Colin.​

CT - (now blushing slightly) What went right at the WC?​

SG - Many things. We were together as a team. Possibly the right tactics. I don't know. I'm just delighted that we achieved such an epic victory. The winners medal I have will never be lost.

CT - You knocked out Argentina in the WC, beating new manager Gabi Batistuta's Argentina side. Have you joked about it yet?​

SG - (laughs) Several times. He still is a bit down about it, but he takes it on the chin. You gotta' love Batistuta though, it is an honour to call him 'gaffer'.​

CT - (laughs) Friends not foes I assume. December, Steven, Good month?​

SG - Great month. It finally feels like things are coming together under Gabi.​

CT - You netted twice this month, against Napoli and Swindon. Would you like to be scoring more?​

SG - Scoring goals is a big part of my game. I know they will come. Aslong as we are winning though that is the main thing surely.​

CT - Certainly. Jonjo Shelvey netted twice as well. He spoke kind words of you last month. Whats your opinion on him?​

SG - Jonjo is a great kid. He has a lot to learn here at Liverpool, but I'm sure you know he's under my wing (laughs). But in seriousness he is a great young player, the future looks rather bright for him.​

CT - You appear to have a close bond with Fernando Torres on field. Is it the same off?​

SG - Yeh Fernando is a great lad. We've strated playing golf together recently, which is a nice escape.​

CT - You say escape, can you expand what you mean by that?​

SG - Just from the pressures of football. Sometimes it just gets too much and you need to get away.​

CT - I see. Can this Liverpool squad win the league?​

SG - Under Gabi, I feel we can, I really do.​

CT - You should have whispered that (laughs).​

SG - Oh no!(laughs).​

CT - Well Steven, I've loved every minute of this. Mr.Liverpool, Thank you kindly.​

*They shake hands. Steven downs his untouched orange juice.*​

SG - *wiping mouth* Thank you Colin. Good luck with your future interviews.​

As I left for my booked taxi, I couldnt help but admire the man I had just met for the first time. He was truely a legend. Steve Gerrard-Gerrard I shouted as I left Anfield and threw both hands in the air. I heard a fellow fan continue the song.​

Colin Todd. ©​

 

[pistolped7]

Brilliant once again, toddzy. Cheers for rubbing the WC defeat in! XD

---------- Post added at 03:39 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:06 PM ----------

Liverpool win Carling Cup semi
Kop will travel to Wembley in February

Liverpool players celebrate with fans at final whistle

Liverpool are going to be competing in the season's first major tournament final, as they will travel to Wembley next month to play Manchester United after the Kop beat Spurs 3-0 tonight in the semi-final second leg.
Liverpool got a lead after the half hour, with Stephan Lichtsteiner haeding into the back of the net, after he broke away from his marker to meet Danny Wilson's cross at the back post.

Guillermo Ochoa was again on top form for the Kop, stopping Edin Dzeko from equalising.

Shortly after the break, Liverpool doubled their advantage through Fernando Torres, when he went on a lovely solo run, put the ball through the legs of Bassong and then past gomes. He got another on 78 minutes, when he smashed his 35 yard strike into the top corner.

So, Liverpool willl play Manchester United, who beat Arsenal, at Wembley on February 26th.​

 

[toddzy]

Woohoo. And the Reds go marching on!

 

[pistolped7]

Lol, I'm well chuffed, but my recent form hasn' been great, defence are, to put it lightly, pish.

---------- Post added at 04:05 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:45 PM ----------

Justice for the 96!
Reds fans stage sit-in protest after Sheff. Wed. Cup clash

Liverpool fans stage sit-in protest after cup game in honour of those who died in the Hillsborough Disaster

In tonight's FA Cup clash between Sheffield Wenesday and Liverpool, football took a backseat, as this was the first time Liverpool had played an FA Cup match at Hillsborough since the 15 of April, 1989. Why is this important? That day, 96 Liverpool fans were killed after a human crush forced them against the barriers. Fans flooded onto the pitch, and the game was abandoned.
Liverpool fans have long blamed the disaster on the incompetence of the South Yorkshire Police Force, and have always protested against the injustice that the '96' (victims) received. But today's protest was a massive one.
The match began with Liverpool opening the scoring through Fernando Torres, who celebrated by taking his shirt off to reveal a white shirt which said on it: "Justicia para los 96". I'm sure you could translate that.

Sheffield equalised after 64 minutes through Nathan Modest.

Liverpool got the winner through Joe Cole...95 minutes into the match. Sendind the Kop fans into raptures, Joe Cole took off his black armband (which all the players and staff of both sides and officials were wearing) and kissed it before throwing it into the crowd.

Three minutes into the game, while the game was played, the fans of both sides fell deadly silent for a minute, signifying the moment that the match that day was abandoned.

After the game, Liverpool fans staged a sit-in protest which lasted until 10pm that evening. The game finished at 5pm.

This reporter is in agreement with the fans. After all these years, it is time to reopen this case.

It is time to get Justice for the 96.​

---------- Post added at 06:34 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:05 PM ----------

Liverpool - Jan/Feb Update
Incredible Inconsistence

Anichebe puts Liverpool to the sword at Goodison Park

Liverpool have had a strange couple of months in this new year. In a year where the British sport is to flourish at the 2012 Olympics, Liverpool's mostly British side are making a name for themselves in 2012 to be incredibly inconsistent.
They suffered a very poor 4-0 loss to Arsenal, then they went and beat Chelsea, only to lose to Birmingham shortly after. Could the Kop remedy this before the Carling Cup final at the end of the month? We will find out soon enough.

For the Carlign Cup semi-final scores, look up the page. A Carling Cup final update will follow this.

January

7.1.2012
Blackburn 1-0 Liverpool

11.1.2012
Liverpool 1-0 Tottenham
Torres

14.1.2012
Liverpool 1-1 Wolves
J. Cole

24.1.2011
Arsenal 4-0 Liverpool
Vertonghen OG

29.1.2011
Liverpool 3-0 Chelsea
Carragher (pen), Torres, Meireles

February

1.2.2012
Liverpool 0-0 Man City
Kuyt missed penalty

4.2.2012
Leeds 0-1 Liverpool
Shelvey

7.2.2012
Liverpool 2-2 Stoke
Jovanovic x2

11.2.2012 (FA Cup)
Liverpool 4-1 Man City
Skrtel, J. Cole x2, Torres (pen)

15.2.2012
Birmingham 2-1 Liverpool
Shelvey

18.2.2012
Everton 2-1 Liverpool
Shelvey

22.2.2012
Liverpool 0-1 Porto


So, you can see for yourself the level of inconsistency from the Kop there, but a very bitter point will be those last two losses of the month. The first game, becuase it was against Everton, and the second because, under criticism that he was too gung-ho going forward, Batistuta tried being a bit more cautious, but then conceded in the 95th minute...even though the referee only allocated two minutes of injury time.

So, check out the Carling Cup update in 10 minutes...​

---------- Post added at 06:40 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:34 PM ----------

Almost forgot, here's the list of January transfers.

In

Guillermo Ochoa - £11.25M - Club America
Jan Verthongen - Newcastle Utd - £4M
Alexandre Lacazette - Lyon - Loan to buy

Out

Maxi Rodriguez - Bari- Loan to buy
Leandro Somoza - Feyenoord - £3.4M
David N'Gog - Inter - Loan to buy
​

---------- Post added at 07:00 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:40 PM ----------

Liverpool triumph in Wembley
Batsituta's side dominate Red Devils and deservedly win

Former Kop hero Michael Owen attended match and celebrated with permission from Gabi Batistuta

Liverpool have won this year's first major honour in the Carling Cup final, beating Manchester United by two goals to one. A man of the match performance from goalscorer Daniel Agger, and another great showing from keeper Guillermo Ochoa helped the Reds on thier way to their first league cup since 2001.

Liverpool took the lead in the 8th minute, when Daniel Agger's perfect free-kick was curled into the net.

Liverpool continued to pressure, but Edwin van der Sar did well to stop a number of Fernando Torres chances.

After the break, Liverpool made it two when Milan Jovanovic latched on to Daniel Agger's perfect long ball and slid it past Edwin van der Sar.

Things got worse for United, as Nemanja Vidic and Anderson were sent off for succesive bookings.

In the 74th minute, Man Utd hit their lowest point, as Guillermo Ochoa stopped Wayne Rooney's admitedly poor penalty.

Rooney got United a consolation goal in the 84th minute, but it was too late. Liverpool had already won their first major trophy since 2006.

Congratulations to Liverpool, our new Carling Cup champions.​

 

[Jugzy']

Gutted about Wednesday result

Good updates and btw how did Modest score ? He's ****

 

[pistolped7]

Cos my defence had a really **** day, pretty poor recently :S