Yoss we can!

LFC got back on track with a routine 2-0 home win. Sunderland did their best to frustrate and kept it goalless at the break. But Yossi said "I'm not having that" and ran at them until they gave in. I've been so impressed with him since Christmas and he's been head and shoulders ahead of the rest. He caused the black cats no end of problems and even managed to grab a poachers goal when Fulop fumbled a N'Gog effort. He linked up well with Kuyt, Gerrard and N'Gog and is clearly relishing the extra attacking responsibility he's been given with Torres out injured. Can we beat them? Yoss we can.

Sunderland parked the bus looking for a draw, after seeing so many teams stifle us effectively this year. It was up to us to break them down and Yossi took the lead in that department. David, or Charles as Jamie Redknapp likes to call him, scored his first premiership N'Goal for the club and put in an impressive performance. Riera sent over a lovely cross from the left for Gerrard to head back into the danger area and N'Goals finished from 6 yards out. How refreshing to take the lead in a match rather that having to chase a game? I wouldn't say he looked like the second coming but he showed some of the potential that the staff have invested in. He has a nice touch, decent pace and links up well with others. He still looks a bit slight and could do with some work in the gym this summer.

Javier Mascherano was pretty deadly at right back. Sky and Setanta were perplexed by the decision but he's played on the right before for River Plate. He's quick, reads the game superbly and is a great tackler. He made a few marauding runs up field and even hit the side netting with one shot. The next time that we have three right backs injured, Arbeloa, Darby and Degen, we should stick him in there. Maybe he would have been a better option there against Boro.We have a week off until the next Madrid game. I'm hoping that some or all of Torres, Arbeloa will be back fit by that stage. I'm sure that they're undergoing intensive treatment. We do have the away goal lead which is huge but it means nothing unless we keep a clean sheet. Javier had a great match in the first leg and we'll need him to be at his best again here. That's why we'll need Arbeloa fit so Javier can return to his usual post. We're in pole position but it isn't over and we can't take anything for granted.

Raul Albiol is being linked again with the fee being £13m. Arbeloa is yet again being linked with a move back to Spain, with Atletico willing to pay over £7m for him. I think he's improved on last year and has been steady if unspectacular. He's quicker than Finnan but doesn't cross as well. If he does go, I hope we get a top quality replacement in.

Adam Hammill is trying to impress the boss while on loan at Burnley. Seb Leto's loan at Olympiakos could be in trouble after a training ground bust up.

Rafa raids Real

Liverpool only won because Real are in fact shit, according to the pundits. Despite the fact that they were on a superb winning and goal scoring run, beating all comers, it only took Liverpool 90 mins at the Santiago Bernabéu to expose them as the muck that they are. Poor Andy Gray was inconsolable on Sky after the match.

The talk beforehand had Gerrard to start. As it happened, he only made the final few mins. Torres took a knock in the first few mins and didn't really get into the game afterwards. It was down to the supporting cast to make the headlines.

Yossi won it 1-0 for us with a header from a superb Aurelio free. The Israeli has really come into his own in the last few months and was superb last night. Playing in behind a lone striker really suits him more than playing wide. Man of the match for me but there were others who ran him close.

Dirk had another huge Champions League showing. All of the defence did well and restricted Real to a few chances. Pepe did well when called upon. Xabi and Javier were brilliant. Xabi tried one of his trademark efforts from his own half. Iker managed to scramble back and turn it over.

It was a huge result to get the away goal and keep a clean sheet. I do fancy or chances to go through and I fancy our chances against any team in Europe. I think that we have an aura and reputation that scares the opposition. They know that Rafa is the master of the two legged tie. Our reputation precedes us and works for us the way it does for Utd in the premiership.It's off to the Riverside on Saturday afternoon. They are never easy opposition for us and are one of those teams that we struggle against. I fear that we may be looking at another draw what with Torres out injured. At least Gerrard will be back to start then.

Ben Blackmore on the Setanta site posts a top article on Rafa. Contrast that with this shit. Matthew Sayed in the Times has an article praising the contribution of Gerrard. According to him, it's all down to Gerrard and Rafa has had nothing to do with our trophy haul since his arrival. What bollocks?

Transfer fiction writers Tribal football are linking us with a move for Raul Albiol in the summer. He's a young player who'd be an addition as he can play in defence or midfield but it raises more fears of an Agger departure. Kerrison revealed that he rejected a few moves to Europe. Was one of them from us?

Anfield Road.com have a great article on why it's best not to believe everything that you read in the press. That's been emphasised this week with all of the Rafa to quit rumours amid talk of bookies suspending betting. The boss quashed all of that rubbish with his post game press conference.