Pool draw blue all

This had the feeling of end of season fare from us, It was another case of giving the B team a run out. Therefore I'm not going to waste too much time posting about it. The few notable points were the comeback, Pennant and Insua. To be 2 goals down with 30 mins to go and to fight back for a draw is always impressive. Granted it was only against Birmingham, but it was a B team who showed the fight. Pennant was man of the match and caused the defence lots of problems. Crouch was thankful and said that Pennant is a strikers dream. He may have given Rafa a selection headache but I doubt it. Maybe he'll come on as a sub. It was good to see young Insua get a run out. It's a year since we last saw him but he looks like he's come on in that time and was getting good write-ups for the reserves this year. Let's hope that he gets a few more games before the season's end. I would like to see him challenge for a first team spot next year.

If Birmingham were the undercard, then Chelsea are the main event. I hope that we can turn it around at Stamford bridge but it's going to be really, really tough. We need to score, something which we've struggled to do there recently. Chelsea are likely to be without Lampard after the tragic death of his mother but will be strengthened by the return of the amazing Essien. It's going to take some huge performances from our big players like Javier, Gerrard, Torres and Carragher. Torres to score a breakaway goal and then we'll hold on for the last 20 minutes. Nail biting times ahead.

I've heard this guy mentioned a good few times on the boards this season. He's a swiss international right back and is playing for Dortmund at the moment. Local radio in Liverpool were saying on Thurdsay that a deal is agreed and he will sign in the summer. Degen himself seems less convinced. Maxi Rodriguez of El Nino's old club was also linked with a move to Anfield this week. I think that he could do a good job for us on the right. The Atletico president, Enrique Cerezo, says Rodríguez's going nowhere. Ballague says that Rafa is interested in Silva at Valencia hence his interest in Bentley has cooled. Could be an interesting signing. As with all of the rumours that'll be knocking about over the next few months, it's a case of wait and see.

Some of the Sundays ran a story saying that DIC have offered Jose the managers job. DIC moved quickly to deny the story. This ties in with what they've said in meetings with the spirit of shankly union. It sounds like they will back Rafa if and when they get into the club. Let's hope it's soon.

Porto prevail

Sometimes you play well and lose. Sometimes you play badly and win. Sometimes you play well and the ref robs you, like what happened against Chelsea. Sometimes you play shit and get away with a draw. That's what happened in the Dragao on Tuesday when we drew 1-1. It was a fairly poor game and we didn't play well at all. It was one of those nights where nobody had a particularly good game. They started off like a rocket and scored with the eight minutes. We were suffering from shell shock but we did manage to get our act together somewhat as the half went on. Sami flicked on a Finnan cross and Dirk Kuyt was there to score from close range. It was an important goal at an imporant time.

In the second half Pennant got riled up, not for the first time. He was sent off for an idiotic tackle on Fucile. Porto players went down easy enough but there is no accounting for Pennants stupidity. It was a needless tackle and put extra pressure on the team. I doubt that Rafa was too impressed with that. We improved defensively after that and won a hard fought point.


But while a point away was a good result, the bad news that Xabi and Dagger are injured arrived today. While we have enough cover in central midfield, we could be a bit short at the back. Sami is short of pace but he'll do his best over the next four to six weeks. Sami isn't as accomplished a passer and tends to hoof the ball out of defence more. This has a knock on effect on our play which we'll have to try and minimise. We might even see Arbeloa play a few games there. Jack Hobbs might come into contention for the easier games. IT's going to be tough but we should be able to get through. We face Everton away on Oct 20th and then Arsenal at home a week later. I hope that we have them back at that stage but that would mean some quick healing is required.

Bring on Brum. Handy home win required.

Some teams make headlines - others make history

There are places I remember
All my life, though some have changed

This is a place I'll always remember. It happened two years ago, but yet again, the glory of Liverpool can be reborn in three weeks time. I can't speak, I barely slept, but I don't care.

To those of you who criticised D Agger after last week, I present exhibit A. I don't think that Sami would have done any better against Drogba last week as Drogba has destroyed him at Anfield before. I know that Rafa doesn't like to single out individuals but Agger, hero no.1, deserves to take a bow. He recovered from a tough night last week and was immense last night. The goal was one straight off the training ground and was as sweet a strike as you'll see. For me, he's the best young defender in the league.

For all of those who ridiculed Zenden, me included, hang your heads in shame. Over the two legs, he's really stepped up to the plate. He's not the best player and he knows it. He was only brought in as a squad player but when injuries strike as we have at the moment with Kewell, Garcia and Aurelio all injured on the left wing, then you need the squad players to fill the breach. Bolo did his bit. Some of his crossing was poor last week but he did better last night when he had Crouch to aim for. When it came to the penalties he stood up and took the first strike. Bolo's off in the summer but he'll leave some good memories behind. When we won two years ago we had squad players who stept up and played beyond themselves during the run to the final like Biscan, Traore and Smicer. Maybe Bolo is that player this time.

I've said it before, but I'll say it again - put your hands up for Dirk Kuyt. Ran himself into the ground, linked well and lead from the front. He was really unlucky to hit the bar with a header and scored a legitimate goal in extra time that was disallowed for no reason. Then he stepped up and scored his penalty. He loves this city, and it loves him.

Pennant take a bow. I've talked a lot about Jermaine on the blog. Since January, he's been fantastic. He a confidence player and he's now showing what he can do when he's on top of his game. He ran Cole ragged last night and put over some amazing crosses. Crouch was unlucky to see Cech save his header from one of them. I expect Pennant to build upon this form next season.

Pepe proved that he's the penalty master. He saved from Geremi and Robben to mean that Dirk could win it for us. Cech is the best keeper in England but I don't think Pepe is far off him.

Stevie hasn't had a great season by his own standards but he was world class last night. He took shots, made crunching tackles and passed sublimely. Probably his best game this year so far. Who says that he doesn't produce in the big games? Hopefully he'll show more of the same in the final. Where was Lampard? Javier alongside him was also amazing. I hope that if he hasn't been signed on a permanent deal already, that it's tied up during the summer.

Rafa is a Buddhist. His cross legged seat for the penalties was in stark contrast to Jose and his fist pumping antics. Rafa is Zen. He is also uncannily prophetic. Jose may now be finished in England. Rafa is only just getting going.

Fulham on Sat will be a real anti-climax after this. All thoughts will be on the final in three weeks. I've already booked the day after off work. I don't care who wins tonight as I think we can beat either team. Obviously it would be even sweeter to beat the mancs. Bring it on.

Nights like last night are what we, as fans, live for. Liverpool and Anfield have served up a feast for the soul. I'll think about it often.

Though I know I'll never lose affection
For people and things that went before
I know I'll often stop and think about them
In my life I love you more