Reds All Set To Roar

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REDSALL

SETTOROAR

Your essential guide to Liverpool FC’s 2010/11 season

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SPORT Tuesday, August 10, 20102 ★★★★

REDSALLSETTOROAR

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DIEGO CAVALIERIPosition GoalkeeperHeight 1.91mWeight 86 kgD.O.B. 1 Dec 1982Town of Birth São PauloNationality BrazilianTotal games 8Total goals 0● Diego Cavalieri signed fromPalmeiras in July 2008, penning afour-year contract with the Redsto act as understudy to PepeReina in goal.

GLEN JOHNSONPosition DefenderHeight 1.82mWeight 70 kgD.O.B. 23 August 1984Town of Birth GreenwichNationality EnglishTotal games 35Total goals 3● England international GlenJohnson is an attacking right-backwho arrived at Anfield in June2009 after spells with West Ham,Chelsea and Portsmouth.

ALBERTO AQUILANIPosition MidfielderHeight 1.86mWeight 77 kgD.O.B. 7 July 1984Town of Birth RomeNationality ItalianTotal games 26Total goals 2● Alberto Aquilani is a centralmidfield playmaker who arrived inAugust 2009, on a five-year deal.As a 16-year-old, he spurnedadvances from Chelsea andArsenal to stay with Roma.

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Liverpool to reclaim their place inthe pecking order but with theprospect of new investment comingin from the Far East, coupled withthe work that has gone on sinceHodgson took over, things might notbe so bleak.

When he was appointed on July 1,Liverpool’s board choosing him overFrank Rikjaard, Didier Deschamps,Manuel Pellegrini and Kenny

Dalglish, Hodgson might havewondered what he was lettinghimself in for.

The prospect then was very realthat Fernando Torres and StevenGerrard would seek pastures newbut, after hearing the new man’splans, they gave Hodgson the boosthe and every Liverpool fan hoped forby reaffirming their commitment.

“I made it clear I simply needed to

concentrate on the World Cup, thenhave a decent holiday with myfamily,” said Gerrard. “I wanted thechance to meet Roy privately and,having done so, I’m very impressedwith his plans for the future of theteam.

“Expectations are rising andrightly so. We have got a goodmanager and have brought somegood additions to the squad.

ANFIELD. One of football’srevered cathedrals, astadium that issynonymous withphenomenal atmospheres

and fabled nights.Generations of supporters have

been brought up on tales of howtheir fathers and grandfatherswitnessed games that have gonedown in history, their love affairwith the Liver Bird cemented bydramatic, romantic and heroicvictories.

Last season, though, Anfieldrarely resembled the rocking,swinging arena many expect it to be.Bar games against ManchesterUnited, Everton and Benfica, it wasflat and funereal; the fizz fizzled outquickly as great expectations faded.

Having been expected to challengefor the title, two defeats in the firstthree games – coupled with a poorsummer in the transfer market – setthem off on the wrong foot andLiverpool, of course, never evenmade it back into the ChampionsLeague.

Internal politics, terrible injuriesand desperate form – there were 19defeats in total – ensured Liverpoolslipped from the second place theyhad secured so thrillingly theprevious season down to an abjectseventh, their lowest finish since1999.

That ultimately led to a parting ofthe ways with Rafa Benitez; if hisreign ended under a cloud and somecritics were disenchanted with himby the end, it would be grosslyunfair to overlook his achievements.

Much was made of the factLiverpool had been trophy-less since2006 but appearances in the latterstages of the Champions Leaguebecame commonplace under Benitezand twice he oversaw campaignsthat yielded record points hauls.

However, it wasn’t enough. Thebig push over the finishing line toclinch that elusive 19th league titlefailed to materialise and Benitez isnow overseeing operations at InterMilan, as Liverpool embark on a newera under RoyHodgson.

But what will thisnew era bring? Afterall, Liverpool go intothe 2010/11 season withnobody expecting themto challenge for firstplace in any way, shapeor form and they findthemselves belowManchester City in thebetting for the title.

Many are evenpredicting Liverpoolwill struggle to get intothe top four, given Cityhave bucked the trendof being frugal andTottenham have momentum behindthem after obtaining a place in theChampions League last time out.

Everton and Aston Villa,meanwhile, both have progressivesquads and their respectivemanagers, David Moyes and MartinO’Neill, have designs ongatecrashing the party that involvesEurope’s biggest names.

True, it will be no easy task for

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Title marchLiverpool 2 Queen’s Park Rangers 1,August 19, 1978LIVERPOOL’S march to their 11th FirstDivision title began with a home winover the West Londoners.

Paul McGee was the QPR player whonetted past Ray Clemence. At the otherend, a 27th minute strike from KennyDalglish and Steve Heighway’s goal 14minutes from time won the points forthe Reds in front of 50,793 fans.

Tuesday, August 10, 2010 SPORT 3★★★★

DANIEL AGGERPosition DefenderHeight 1.91mWeight 79 kgD.O.B. 12 December 1984Town of Birth RosenhojNationality DanishTotal games 115Total goals 7●Denmark international DanielAgger is a cultured centre-backwho arrived from Brondby for afee of £5million in January 2006,after winning the double at home.

STEVEN GERRARDPosition MidfielderHeight 1.83mWeight 83 kgD.O.B. 30 May 1980Town of Birth WhistonNationality EnglishTotal games 532Total goals 132●Steven Gerrard MBE is theReds’ inspirational captain andarguably the most completefootballer in the world. Power,pace, touch and a winnersmentality to boot.

FERNANDO TORRESPosition ForwardHeight 1.85mWeight 78 kgD.O.B. 20 March 1984Town of Birth MadridNationality SpanishTotal games 116Total goals 72● Spanish striker FernandoTorres signed for a club recordfee of approximately £20 millionin July 2007 after spending thefirst 12 years of his career withhometown club Atletico Madrid.

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Your essential guide to Liverpool FC’s2010/11season

Hopefully there will be a few morebefore the window closes. I don’t seewhy it can’t be a successful season.”

Sentiments echoed by Torres.Having been left vexed by the sightof his old club Atletico Madridlifting the Europa League lastseason, the striker simply wantedsatisfying Liverpool could give himthe platform to win medals.

He might have a full complement

of international honours but his clubcabinet remains barren yet, readingbetween the lines, it is clear to see heis optimistic that will change duringthe course of the next 12 months.

“I really appreciated that Roycame out to see me while I was onmy holidays,” said Torres. “He toldme about his plans and what hewanted from me and I appreciatedthat. I hope he will be the right man

to reach the targets of LiverpoolFootball Club.

“I am really looking forward toworking with him.This is the bestclub in the country so the targetsand expectations are always high.Hopefully we can stay at our level.At Liverpool the aim is to fight forevery title.

“It was difficult last season but weare sure we can improve. I am really

happy to be back, really happy tostay with all my team-mates. Mycommitment and loyalty to the cluband to the fans is the same as it wason my first day when I signed.

“I am looking forward to thechallenge ahead. I know that onetrophy here means more than threeor four with another club. This wasmy target from the day I came andit’s still my target. Hopefully we canfeel this sensation this season.”

Torres is not alone in dreamingthat dream. Joe Cole did not leaveChelsea to swell his bank balance, hecame to bolster an alreadyimpressive CV and stalwarts such asJamie Carragher, Dirk Kuyt andPepe Reina are aching forsilverware.

It would undoubtedly be foolish atthis stage to say a change ofmanager means Liverpool willsuddenly leave their travails behindand can be expected to bustle upChelsea and Manchester United inthe spring.

There are still doubts aboutcertain areas of the squad – not tomention its depth if injuries strikeagain – while some are suspiciousthat the first sign of things goingwrong will lead to meltdown again.

Too many abject performances,like at Portsmouth and Wigan,Wolverhampton Wanderers andBlackburn Rovers, still singe the

memory and there is no doubtLiverpool have a lot to prove.

Mind you, if they happen to getany impetus behind them early on –coming through the opening twofixtures against Arsenal andManchester City would certainlyhelp – there is no saying what mighthappen.

Talking to the players and judgingon the atmosphere at Melwood, thereis a determination to right thosewrongs; watching Roy Hodgson’s RedRevolution could make forenthralling viewing.

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Liverpool 3 Manchester City 1,August 19, 1989LIVERPOOL kicked-off their 1989-90season – their last title-winning campaign– with victory over Mel Machin’s team atAnfield.

John Barnes’s seventh-minute penaltyput Kenny Dalglish’s team in front. Adeflected effort from Andy Hinchcliffelevelled matters before the break onlyfor Peter Beardsley on the hour andSteve Nicol in the final minute to net.

City stumped

GLAD TO BE HERE: StevenGerrard is committed to the club

REPORTING FOR DUTY: Training at Melwood (above) apre-season team shot (left), a thank you for Rafa Benitez(above) and Roy Hodgson with his summer signings (right)


REDROY’SREVOLUTION

JOE COLEPosition Attacking midfielderHeight 1.75mWeight 76 kgD.O.B. 8 November 1981Town of Birth IslingtonNationality EnglishTotal games 0Total goals 0● Roy Hodgson's first signing asLiverpool boss, Cole penned afour-year deal at Anfield afteragreeing a free transfer switchfrom Chelsea. Capped 56 times byEngland.

MILAN JOVANOVICPosition Forward/WingerHeight 1.83mWeight N/AD.O.B. 18 April 1981Town of Birth Bajina Basta, FYRNationality SerbianTotal games 0Total goals 0● The tall Serbian internationalsealed a free transfer move fromBelgian side Standard Liege thissummer, after being courted bythe Reds for much of last season.

SOTIRIOS KYRGIAKOSPosition DefenderHeight 1.93 mWeight 88 kgD.O.B. 23 July 1979Town of Birth TrikalaNationality GreekTotal games 21Total goals 1● A cult-hero at Anfield since hisarrival from AEK Athens for£1.5m in August 2009, 'Soto'impressed during a difficult debutcampaign with a string ofdominant performances.

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DURING what was one ofthe most dramatic andhectic days of his life, thefoyer of Liverpool'sMelwood training retreat

helped Roy Hodgson find amoment's peace.

As members of the media hungaround for interviews andLiverpool's players waitedpatiently for introductions on July1, Hodgson paused when walkinginto his new place of work andstarted to study the words of aninspirational quote from BillShankly which adorn the wallnearest the entrance.

For those who are not familiarwith the inscription, it reads:“Above all, I would like to beremembered as a man who wasselfless, who strove and worried sothat others could share the glory.Who built up a family of peoplewho could hold their heads uphigh and say ‘We are Liverpool.’”

Hodgson might have had placesto go and people to see buteverything could wait; having justaccepted the biggest challenge inhis 34-year managerial career, this,perhaps, was the moment he fullyrealised what was expected andwhat lay in store.

While most football clubs reverestar players, with Liverpool themanager has always been king,ever since Shankly grabbed theReds by the scruff of the neck in1959 and shook them into such aformidable state they became, toborrow his words, a bastion ofinvincibility.

At this moment in time,Liverpool are anything but that;beaten 19 times in all competitionslast season, many are wondering if

they will ever climb such headyheights again and the challengefacing Hodgson is bigger than ithas been for 50 years but the newman in charge is not fazed – notwhen there is such a gloriousopportunity awaiting.

“I think that type of legendarystatus that managers haveachieved hereis somethingthat can beinspirational.But in football,we have to becareful, asturning backthe clock canbe dangerousand what BillShankly reallydid was givethe club afooting.

“He gave itthe platform totake off withfuturemanagers. It would be foolish forany manager coming into the clubto try and compete with the greatsof the past; we can only praisethem for the work they did and wecan only, in some way, hope tocarry on their work and be

inspiredby it.

“It's amagnificentjob, one I amhonoured to havebeen offered. The board ofLiverpool Football Club havechosen me to be only the 18thmanager, and that says an awfullot about how this club operates.

“I am confident that as long asthe quality of the players remainsthat would be expected atLiverpool Football Club and aslong as we try to maintain thegood work ethos of the players –you know, sweating blood for theshirt – I see no reason why wecannot win things in the future.

“I can't pretend that thesituation isnotsomewhatdifferent tothesituationsRafa Benitezand GerardHoullier hadwhen theyfirst came tothe club. Myjob will tosome extentbe to steadythe ship butthere is nodoubt thatthe club's

ambitions remain as high as theyever were.”

Clearly, the opportunity to sailthrough some tranquil waters willbe welcomed by everyone atAnfield following last season'smaelstrom but Hodgson is not so

naive to think that the payingpublic will settle for chugging

along, picking up points hereand there.One of the common complaints

during the last 12 monthssurrounded the predictability anddullness of Liverpool's play andHodgson realises he has a duty torestore the swagger and panacheand get Steven Gerrard, FernandoTorres and Joe Cole playing inharmony.

“The club has style, it hasalways had style,” he pointed out.“You can see the club has alwaysplayed in the right way. A passinggame, a way in which players workvery hard for each other, a waythat means when players lose theball they get back and help theteam as soon as possible.

“That ties in very nicely withmy philosophy of how the gameshould be played. There will beabsolutely no conflict of interestwhere that is concerned. I wantLiverpool to play as Liverpool havealways played and we'll work hardon the training field to get that.”

There is no disputing that allHodgson's thoughts will be gearedtowards transforming Liverpool'sfortunes but, from time to time,there is little doubt he will reflecton the position he now holds.

After 34 mainly nomadic years,spent largely coaching clubs inScandinavia and mainland Europe,he now has one of the biggest jobsin football.

You only had to study his bodylanguage on that first day to seewhat it meant to him and while hewants success on the pitch, it isjust as important to the 62-year-oldthat those fans who religiously

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Forest on fireNottingham Forest 1 Liverpool 0,August 16, 1992AFTER losing out in an amazing seven-goalthriller with Leeds United the previousSaturday in the Charity Shield, Liverpoolkicked-off the Premier League era in frontof the live Sky TV cameras the followingSunday with defeat at NottinghamForest.

A Teddy Sheringham goal fired pastdebutant keeper David James settledmatters before a crowd of 20,038.


MAXI RODRIGUEZPosition WingerHeight 1.80 mWeight 73 kgD.O.B. 2 February 1981Town of Birth RosarioNationality ArgentineanTotal games 17Total goals 1●Arrived at Anfield in January ofthis year from Atletico Madrid,and starred for Argentina at thissummer's World Cup. Yet toreally find his form at Anfield.

DIRK KUYTPosition Winger/ForwardHeight 1.84 mWeight 83 kgD.O.B. 22 July 1980Town of Birth KatwijkNationality DutchTotal games 200Total goals 51●A £10m signing from Feyenoordin the summer of 2006, Kuyt hasfirmly established himself as a keyplayer for both club and country.A fans favourite due to his tirelessworkrate in every game.

RYAN BABELPosition Winger/ForwardHeight 1.83 mWeight 73 kgD.O.B. 19 December 1986Town of Birth AmsterdamNationality DutchTotal games 129Total goals 20● A big-money signing from Ajaxin the summer of 2007, Babel canplay as a wide-midfielder or as acentral striker. Part of Holland'sWorld Cup squad this summerbut needs a big season at Anfield.

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follow the Reds’ fortunes everyweek can feel proud of their teamagain.

“Liverpool Football Club, to me,is one massive family,” he said. “Itis so important to the people here.You see thatin everyfootball matchthat you playhere. I havebeen luckyenough to behere on a fewEuropeannights.

“When theysing ‘You’llNever WalkAlone’ beforekick-off, it isvery difficultnot to getcaught up inthe warmth,emotion and passion. There arevery few teams who have such aclear motto.

“Clubs have tried to imitate thatsong title and they try to sing thesame song but Liverpool personifyit. When you hear them sing it

here, you get the feeling that thewords are true. They live themotto.”

So what are the aims? Wellaware that every man who hasheld this position since Shankly

has won atrophy,Hodgson hasno intentionsof breakingthe sequencebut, equally,he is not thekind of manwho will bemakingoutlandishstatements.

“All I cando is promiseto work hardand do mybest,” hesaid. “It

would be stupid to make ludicrouspromises. Put it this way – I will bevery disappointed if people don’tsay ‘he’s working hard and he istrying to do his best for the club’. Iwould be devastated if they saidsomething else.”

ROY’SBOYS:Hodgsonunveilsthree newsignings inJovanovic,Wilsonand Cole

FAMILIARFACE: Royalsoresignedleft-backFabioAurelio

Cally winnerBlackburn Rovers 1 Liverpool 2,August 24, 1963IN WHAT was to become club legend BillShankly’s first top flight title-winningcampaign, Liverpool grabbed both pointsin a tight game at Ewood Park.

Ronnie Moran saw his 65th minutepenalty saved by Rovers’ goalkeeper FredElse but the Liverpool defender noddedhome the rebound. Ian Callaghan’s strike10 minutes later proved to be thematch-winner.


REDROY’SREVOLUTION

JAVIER MASCHERANOPosition MidfielderHeight 1.74 mWeight 84 kgD.O.B. 8 June 1984Town of Birth San LorenzoNationality ArgentineanTotal games 138Total goals 2● Established himself as one ofthe world's top holdingmidfielders following his arrivalfrom West Ham in January 2007.The Argentina captain is part ofthe spine through the side.

LUCASPosition MidfielderHeight 1.79 mWeight 73 kgD.O.B. 9 January 1987Town of Birth DouradosNationality BrazilianTotal games 121Total goals 5● Arrived in 2007 as reigningBrazilian Footballer of the Year,and has become a regular atAnfield. Answered his critics lastseason showing real consistency.

DANNY WILSONPosition DefenderHeight 1.87 mWeight 79kgD.O.B. 27 December 1991Town of Birth LivingstonNationality ScottishTotal games 0Total goals 0● Heralded as the next big thingto come out of Scotland, Wilsonwas Young Player of the Year withRangers in the SPL last season,and has signed for the Reds for aninitial fee of £2m.

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AMID the excitementgenerated by the arrival ofJoe Cole and StevenGerrard’s pledge ofcommitment, a transfer

took place at Anfield that almostwent unnoticed.

Danny Wilson’s arrival onMerseyside from Glasgow Rangersmight not have caused too much of aripple outside the city boundariesbut in time, it could be that thisimposing young Scot’s performancedemand a wider audience.

Big things are expected of Wilsonin the future yet that should notcome as a surprise, when youconsider that he played his part inhelping Rangers land the ScottishPremier League and Scottish LeagueCup last season.

Aside from that, Wilson also wontwo variations of Scotland’s YoungPlayer of the Year award and, forgood measure, made a significantentry into the record books as hebecame the youngest man from hiscountry to play in the ChampionsLeague.

No wonder, then, Roy Hodgsonwas so happy to sign him; a deal wasfirst mooted in the spring while RafaBenitez was at the helm but onlymaterialised last month after thatinitial interest was resurrected.

The speed at which it wentthrough might have caught Wilsonby surprise – he was hastilywithdrawn from Rangers’ pre-seasontrip to Australia to seal the deal –but the maturity with which the18-year-old speaks suggest he knowswhat lies in store.

“The last 12 months have beenamazing,” said the young man fromLivingston. “It was around this timelast year I was in Northern Irelandwith Rangers’ reserve team playingin a tournament; after that it stilltook time to get into the first teamsquad.

“I went on to play 24 games and it

WilsoncouldbeanothergreatScot forRedsDefender’s maturity is a major asset

was just amazing. To get this moveto cap it all off was just fantastic.Every club has got quality playersbut sometimes you just need to begiven a chance.

“There was never any point whenI didn’t think I could play at thatlevel. But I am only 18; I’ve onlyplayed a few games and I’ve got somuch to learn but I am lookingforward to learning here.”

It is often said that Liverpoolteams are significantly better forhaving some kind of Scottishinfluence coursing through it andthe club’s history is littered withmen from north of the border whohave gone on to become giants.

Unfortunately, there has been noGreat Scot since Gary McAllister leftat the end of the 2001/02 campaignbut if Wilson can go on to enjoy halfthe impact of some of his illustriouscompatriots, he will be in line for astellar Anfield career.

“I’m very aware of Liverpool’sstanding within the game,” saidWilson, who could eventually costthe Reds £5m. “As soon as I heardthere was interest I got very excitedbut, at the same time, I didn’t wantto get ahead of myself.

“But once I knew there was achance of coming to this club, Ithought to myself that I definitelywould. Everybody knows Liverpool,no matter where you go in the world,as a football club and a city.

“They have won five EuropeanCups and 18 league titles and you

just can’t argue with a record likethat. I’m just absolutely delighted tobe here and I’m going to do all I canto make a success of things.”

Wilson first pulled on a Red shirtin the 1-0 friendly defeat againstBorussia Moenchengladbach andimpressed with the maturity heshowed on the ball, not to mentionin his positional sense.

He is, unquestionably, ambitiousbut Wilson is also a realist andknows he will have to spend timelearning from the more experiencedfigures. Should opportunity knockhowever, he will be ready.

“If you ask any player, they wouldrather play than not,” he said. “I’mnot going to say I deserve to pushout star players out of the team. Iunderstand it will take a while butmy aim is to do as well as I can.”

byDOMINIC KINGLiverpool Reporter

Heskey a hitLiverpool 1 Bradford City 0, August19, 2000IN A memorable campaign which was tofinish with three cups in the Anfieldtrophy room, Gerard Houllier’s teamopened the 2000-01 campaign with asingle-goal win over the Bantams.

Emile Heskey’s goal midway throughthe second-half was the differencebetween the sides. Markus Babbel, NickBarmby and Gary McAllister made theirdebuts for the Reds.

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GREAT SCOT: New signing Danny Wilson makes his Reds debut against Borussia Monchengladbach


JAMIE CARRAGHERPosition DefenderHeight 1.85 mWeight 83 kgD.O.B. 28 January 1978Town of Birth BootleNationality EnglishTotal games 630Total goals 5● A staple of Liverpool's defencesince his debut in 1997, 'Carra' isthe club's vice-captain, andseventh in the all-time appearancelist. A living legend.

DAVID NGOGPosition Winger/ForwardHeight 1.90 mWeight 76 kgD.O.B. 1 April 1989Town of Birth GennevilliersNationality FrenchTotal games 56Total goals 11● Signed for the club as a19-year-old in 2008, and led theline alone in Fernando Torres'absence for much of last season,the young Frenchman has amassive future in the game.

PEPE REINAPosition GoalkeeperHeight 1.88 mWeight 92 kgD.O.B. 31 August 1982Town of Birth MadridNationality SpanishTotal games 259Total goals 0● Has established himself as oneof the world's top keepers sincesigning from Villarreal in 2005,breaking all kinds of records inthe process. Hugely popular inthe dressing room and the stands.

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by JAMES PEARCESports Reporter

‘Snake’desperatetoaddattackingvenomJovanovic makes pledge to bring goals to Anfield

LIVERPOOL fanswould be forgivenfor not gettingcarried away by theacquisition of

Milan Jovanovic.After all, the

memories are still freshfrom the last time theReds captured a foreignfrontman in his late 20son a free transfer.

Andriy Voroninarrived at Anfield in thesummer of 2007 withhigh hopes following asuccessful spell inGermany with BayerLeverkusen.

However, within ayear the pony-tailedUkrainian had beenpacked off on aseason-long loan toHertha Berlin and thenafter returning toLiverpool he was finallysold to Dynamo Moscowin last January’stransfer window. HisuninspiringReds careeryielded just sixgoals in 40appearances.

Jovanovic isdetermined toensure historyisn’t about torepeat itself.

The Serbiainternational,who hadpreviouslyspurned theadvances of RealMadrid, says hehasn’t come toMerseyside to stand onthe periphery and enjoyone last bumper pay day.

After four impressiveyears at Standard Liegein Belgium, Jovanovicinsists his best days lieahead and he is on amission to play astarring role for theReds.

“Twenty-nine is nottoo old to join a bigclub,” he said.

“When I was 26, twogood clubs tried to signme, and every year Imight have gone to abigger league.

“But I stayed atStandard. I never cried.I was very strong. Iknew that if I was lucky,the right move wouldcome eventually.

“I turned down Real

Madrid 18 months ago,when Predrag Mijatovicwas the sportingdirector. I think 99 percent of people said theydid not understand whyI did it.

“If Real call, they sayyou have to go. Butmaybe I am special. Ithought if I went there itwould be as an ordinaryplayer, but if I stayed inBelgium, where I feltgood, then I was a star.

“I have no regrets. Iturned them downbecause I didn’t want tobe on the fringes. I willnever go somewherewhere I only get to playa small part.

“I want to be happysomewhere, I want to bepart of the team, and I

am only looking forwardto playing withLiverpool. It will be ahard competition for meto get into the startingXI but I’ll try my best.”

Jovanovic, who canplay on the left wing orup front, found the netan impressive 52 timesin 114 matches for Liege.

The fans’ favouriteearned the nickname‘The Snake’ for hismovement and his goalshelped them clinch twoBelgian titles. Back inJanuary his efforts wererecognised when he wascrowned the JupilerLeague’s Player of theYear.

Jovanovic furtherenhanced his reputationat the World Cup finalsin South Africa thissummer when he

grabbed the winner inSerbia’s group stagevictory over Germany.

Having agreed to signfor the Reds when RafaBenitez was in theAnfield hot-seat, therewas some speculationduring the tournamentthat the Spaniard’sdeparture could lead tohim reneging on thepre-contract agreement.

But he put pen topaper on a three-yeardeal following theappointment of RoyHodgson and insists henever had any doubtsabout the move.

“Liverpool is one ofthe best clubs in theworld with a bighistory,” Jovanovic said.

“I knew this was oneof the best opportunitiesI’d get in my career.

“Rafa was managerwhen I signed but themost important thing

for me was beingat Liverpool.

“During theWorld Cup Ireceived a lot ofcalls from otherclubs but I wasalways cominghere. I couldn’twait to starthere.”

He may havebeen Benitez’ssigning butHodgson made nosecret of hisdelight at havinga player of

Jovanovic’s quality onboard.

Now the frontmanwants to repay the faithshown in him by theReds’ new boss.

“My main thing nowis to show Roy Hodgsonthat the club hasn’tmade an error inbringing me here,” headded.

“The coach isfantastic. He speaksvery openly with us andtries to put across hisideas clearly. Heemphasises a lot ondiscipline.

“I hope I will learnmore. I accept thecoach’s words and nowit is up to me to showhim I really can doeverything he asks ofme.”

Carney dramaSheffield United 0 Liverpool 1, August31, 1946A DRAMATIC last-minute goal fromdebutant Len Carney was to ultimatelyprove priceless in the season for GeorgeKay’s Liverpool side.

The forward’s 90th minute strike onthe opening day earned them the twopoints instead of one and the followingyear they claimed their fifth League titleby just a single point over ManchesterUnited and Wolves.

DETERMINED: Serbian striker Milan Jovanovic says he’ssigned for Liverpool to score goals, not sit on the bench



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WELCOMETOANFIELD

JAY SPEARINGPosition MidfielderHeight 1.68 mWeight 70 kgD.O.B. 25 November 1988Town of Birth WirralNationality EnglishTotal games 7Total goals 0● A product of the LiverpoolAcademy, the diminutive Spearinghas been at the club since the ageof eight, and captained the YouthCup win in 2007. Will be lookingto break through this season.

DAMIEN PLESSISPosition MidfielderHeight 1.93 mWeight 77 kgD.O.B. 5 March 1988Town of Birth Nouvelle-aux-BoisNationality FrenchTotal games 8Total goals 1● A tall, ball-playing midfielderwho made his debut againstArsenal in 2008. Plessis will lookto break into the first team thisseason after a tough 2009/10.

KRISZTIAN NEMETHPosition DefenderHeight 1.79 mWeight 72 kgD.O.B. 5 January 1989Town of Birth GyorNationality HungarianTotal games 0Total goals 0● Signed from MTK Hungaria in2007, the lively striker was a starfor the title- winning reserve teamback in 2008. Spent last season onloan at AEK Athens and likely togo out on loan once again.

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RARING TO GO: Liverpool’s biggest signing of the summer, Joe Cole, limbers up in training for his new club

Cisse strikesTottenham Hotspur 1 Liverpool 1,August 14, 2004FOLLOWING a 2-0 win over Graz AKin midweek, Liverpool kicked off theirPremier League campaign under newmanager Rafa Benitez by sharing thespoils at White Hart Lane.

Frenchman Djibril Cisse netted hisfirst goal for Liverpool to give thevisitors the lead just before half-timeonly for Jermain Defoe to fire in anequaliser 13 minutes from time.

PPAASSTTCCAANNBBEE


NABIL EL-ZHARPosition WingerHeight 1.70 mWeight 67 kgD.O.B. 27 August 1986Town of Birth AlesNationality MoroccanTotal games 32Total goals 1● The first ever Moroccan to playfor Liverpool, El-Zhar has flirtedwith the first team since signing inOctober 2006. Could well go outon loan this season.

STEPHEN DARBYPosition DefenderHeight 1.74 mWeight 64 kgD.O.B. 6 October 1988Town of Birth LiverpoolNationality EnglishTotal games 5Total goals 0● Another Liverpool Academyproduct, Darby made his debut vsPSV Eindhoven in December2008, and is looking to establishhimself under new boss RoyHodgson.

MARTIN SKRTELPosition defenderHeight 1.91 mWeight 81 kgD.O.B. 15 December 1984Town of Birth HandlovaNationality SlovakiaTotal games 79Total goals 1● Formerly of Zenit StPetersburg, the Slovakian hasbeen a regular throughout histhree years on Merseyside. Atough, no-nonsense centre-half aanother fans favourite.

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The day a young Cole took Anfield by storm

OCTOBER, 27 1999.Autumn is turning towinter and a crowd of44,012 are packed insideAnfield for a Monday

night match between Liverpool andWest Ham.

Gerard Houllier's men areleading an unremarkable contest 1-0thanks to piece of opportunismfrom Titi Camara when theHammers get a chance tobreakaway; the ball falls to a youngboy who looks as if he should be athome preparing for school ratherthan leading a fightback.

As the attack moves towards thecentre circle, with West Hamshooting into the Anfield Road endgoal, suddenly this diminutivefigure pirouettes in possession andin the blink of an eye threeLiverpool defenders are leftsprawling in his wake.

Though the move breaks down,the majority of the crowd rises toacknowledge an outrageous piece ofskill; 11 years on, Liverpoolsupporters are hoping suchmoments are about to become thenorm after the man responsible forsuch impudence decided to becomea Red.

Joe Cole has been a thorn inLiverpool's side on plenty ofoccasions during the interveningperiod but now, following his freetransfer move from Chelsea, he hasa glorious opportunity to revive acareer that some felt was in dangerof stagnating.

Given that Cole played asignificant role in helping Chelseato land the Premier League and FACup last season, it may seem odd tosay such a thing but it is impossibleto dispute the final 12 months of histime at Stamford Bridge was farfrom harmonious.

Despite scoring a fabulousback-heel at Old Trafford, many feltboss Carlo Ancelotti was suspiciousof Cole's talents and the playerhimself felt under significantpressure to produce magicalmoments at the drop of a hat.

There will, of course, be pressureon him at Anfield but a full andfrank discussion with Roy Hodgsonleft him in no doubt that whencrunch time arrived for him tomake a decision on his future, thebest option, for so many differentreasons, was to head to Merseyside.

“I had a chat with the gafferabout football and was impressedwith him,” Liverpool's new number10 reflected. “The club has hadSpanish and French managers overthe last few years and I think it's abreath of fresh air to get anEnglishman in.

“The club finished seventh lastyear which wasn't good enough andhe explained where the club wantedto go. I jumped on board becausewith the players we have here and

the players we are looking to bringin, it's definitely going in the rightdirection.

“A couple of years ago, I basicallymissed the full season and I missedthe start of last season, too. I justnever got a run in the side and itwas only at the end that I felt fit.The most important thing for me isto string seven or eight 90 minuteperformances together and getcomfortable in this team.

“Last year I felt physically fine, itjust always felt that I had to domore than I had to keep my place inthe team. I've spoken to Roy andexplained the type of player I am. Ineed to be playing 90 minutes butthe more I do that, the moreconfidence I will get to play thatone, key pass.

“I don't want to be thinking Ihave got to play that one killer ballin the first 30 minutes or I will becoming off. Roy has given me thatconfidence. He believes in me. Withtime to settle and games to build myfitness up, I am sure I can get back

to the right levels and firing on allcylinders again.”

Despite interest at various stagesfrom Manchester United, Arsenaland Tottenham, Cole – who wasaware that Liverpool first madeplans to sign him back in January –has no doubts that leaving Londonwas the correct thing to do.

“I know I have made the rightdecision,” he insisted. “I could havestayed at Chelsea because the fansloved me and I won things. But Iwanted to challenge myself andwhen I knew Liverpool wereinterested it was a no-brainer.

“This is a massive club. I tried totake everything out of the equation,take the financial and location sideout and just thought in footballterms. I thought about thesemi-final of the Champions Leaguein 2005 when I ran onto the fieldand the hairs on the back of myneck stood up.

“I was thinking about playing inthat atmosphere every week andthat swung it for me. That's thething I am looking forward to. Youtalk to Liverpool players and talkabout the European nights. Iexperienced it as an opponent andit was immense.

“To go out there and play in thatatmosphere every week will bephenomenal. It's all about us andbeing together as a team and havingthe spirit which can take you

forward. If you add that to thequality players we've got here wecan go do well, I'm sure.”

Lively, affable and a naturaloptimist, Cole is confident lastseason's travails will be left wellbehind once the squad Hodgson hasinherited – and reshaped – clicksinto gear and his ambitions to addto a medal haul which includesthree Premier Leagues and two FACups can be fulfilled.

“I am used to playing with worldclass players,” said Cole, who alsohas 56 England caps to his name. “Iam excited about playing withFernando, who is as good as anyoneout there. Obviously I know Stevie(Gerrard), Jamie Carragher andGlen Johnson from the Englandset-up.

“Then you've got Pepe (Reina),Alberto Aquilani and MaxiRodriguez. The names just roll offthe tongue. The important thing isto keep everyone fit and if I can playfootball and keep fit, it will be great.I will need a little bit of time tosettle in.

“I know the fans are great withplayers if they give 100 per centevery game and that is what I amgoing to do. I am proud to beplaying for this club and will givemy all in every training session andevery game to help the club besuccessful and put some pots in thetrophy cabinet.”

GOOD TO TALK: Joe Cole gives his views to the media shortly after signing in at Anfield this summer

RREEDDSS’’FFUUTTUURREE


ONELASTHURRAH?

KINGKINGdominic

JONJO SHELVEYPosition MidfielderHeight 1.80 mWeight 70 kgD.O.B. 22 February 1992Town of Birth RomfordNationality EnglishTotal games 0Total goals 0● Signed from Charlton Athleticfor £1.7m this summer, Shelvey isone of the brightest prospects inEnglish football, his style of playoften drawing comparisons withSteven Gerrard.

MARTIN KELLYPosition DefenderHeight 1.91 mWeight 77 kgD.O.B. 27 April 1990Town of Birth BoltonNationality EnglishTotal games 4Total goals 0● Another youth team product,Kelly starred on his full debutagainst Lyon last season but injurywrecked his chances to progress.Looks set for a big future.

STEVEN IRWINPosition DefenderHeight 1.73 mWeight 66 kgD.O.B. 29 September 1990Town of Birth LiverpoolNationality EnglishTotal games 0Total goals 0● A versatile youngster who canplay across the defence or even inmidfield, Irwin has captained thereserve team under JohnMcMahon and is part of the nextgeneration of Anfield talent.

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Carraawareofexpectationsbeingskyhigh

Jamie determined tobring back happy daysEVERYTHING changes yet

nothing is different;Liverpool Football Club hasbeen radically overhauledsince Jamie Carragher took

part in his first professional trainingsession 14 years ago but there is oneconstant.

While three managers and dozensof players have come and gone since1996 and Melwood – the Reds’ famedtraining retreat – has been revampedbeyond recognition, the ethosaround English football’s mostsuccessful institution has neveraltered.

So when Carragher hearssuggestions that – on the back of awretched campaign which yielded 19defeats and saw their place in theChampions League relinquished –Liverpool may have to lowerexpectations, his reply is typicallyforthright.

“I’m pretty sure in my first year,we’d only just got a full-time physio,”Carragher, a veteran of 630appearances, reflected. “Now, forexample, we have got a massivesports science department.

“But there is one thing that willnever change. Liverpool will alwaysbe expected to do well and thepressure for us to be successful isjust as intense as it was all thoseyears ago; it might even be more. Itwill be like that for years to come.”

Liverpool, after all, are the biggeststory in town; whether it is talkabout ownership matters,discussions about players oranalysis of performances, interest inmatters at Anfield has mushroomedsince Carragher graduated out of thenovice ranks.

No matter that the club has beenwrapped in a financial straightjacketfor the past two years or the squadlacks the depth of some of theirrivals, Carragher is well aware thatwhen the first ball is kicked, none ofthose factors will matter.

Great interest, of course, meansgreat expectation but rather thanworry about it proving to be aburden, he is confident it will be acatalyst for a revival; August 15 willsee them start with a fresh page andthe opportunity to atone.

“We have got to look forward withgreat excitement,” said Carragher.“Last season never went well but we

have got to forget about it and put itbehind us. Just like when RafaBenitez and Gerard Houllier camein, everyone got a lift.

“That’s just the way it is. We arenot a club that changes managerevery couple of years. But it’s notjust that. We have made a couple ofgood signings, like Joe Cole. Notonly that, two of the best players inthe world have just committed theirfutures.

“That is absolutely massive andhas given everyone the kind of liftwe needed. We have got to be positiveand I see no reason why we can’t dowell but the proof, as always, will be

provided by the performances weproduce on the pitch.”

Something they rarely did as acollective last season; the fall fromsecond to seventh place wasunsightly and caused huge disquietyet Carragher does not think the rotwhich set in will prove terminal.

As bad as Liverpool were lastseason, it was only after they lost toChelsea at Anfield on May 2 that itbecame mathematically impossibleto qualify for the Champions League,which suggests the ground they haveto claw back is not that great.

Provided Roy Hodgson does notfind himself juggling the kind ofinjury problems that decimatedBenitez’s final year at the helm andLiverpool’s abject away form iscorrected, logic says they will be inthe thick of a fight for a top fourspot.

“You have got to remember thatright until the end, we were still inwith a chance of getting into the topfour,” Carragher pointed out.

“It was a nightmare in so manyways but we still were not that far

away. I know people are writing usoff and saying we have got no chancebut I’ve no doubt that we willimprove.

“We are not the type of club thatsays we are going to do this or that.But now is the time for everyone tocome together again and show thatwe can leave last year’s form wellbehind. There will be new ideas,different voices on the trainingground and all that helps.”

If there is a spring in Carragher’sstep and an enthusiasm in hiswords, it comes from the fact heknows that apart from helpingLiverpool recover as a collective,there is also a personal battle to win.

With only four months to go beforehe celebrates his 33rd birthday,critics will be wondering how muchlife there is in his legs or if Hodgsonconsiders easing him out to use acentral defensive axis of DanielAgger and Martin Skrtel.

Yet to think he will accept abit-part role is inconceivable; flickthrough the pages of any Liverpoolhistory book and you will see thereis a chance he will move up tosecond place in the list of the club’sall time appearances if he stays freefrom injury.

Reputation alone, however, willnot convince Hodgson to stick withCarragher and the man himselfknows that.

“You never know what mighthappen,” said Carragher. “Last yearafter a few games, the whole worldhad written me off and said I wasfinished.

“But in the second half of theseason, along with (Javier)Mascherano and Pepe (Reina), I wasprobably one of the most consistentplayers and when you look at howthe defence played, we managed tokeep 18 clean sheets.

“That’s gone now and you have todo it all again. There is going to be achallenge and it has always been thecase that players will want to takeyour place but you just have to beready for the challenge.

“I played every week for Rafa forsix years but I’ve got to prove myselfagain. Even if Rafa had still beenhere that would have been the case.There will be a time when I don’tplay 50 games a season but I’ve nointention of it happening this year.”PREPARATION: Players stretch their legs during training

EXCLUSIVE


LAURI DALLA VALLEPosition ForwardHeight 180cmWeight 73 kgD.O.B. 14 September 1991Town of Birth KontiolahtiNationality FinnishTotal games 0Total goals 0● The young Finn has long beenthe talisman for Liverpool'sAcademy side, and is set to stepup to the reserves this seasonunder John McMahon.

NATHAN ECCLESTONPosition ForwardHeight 1.78 mWeight 66 kgD.O.B. 30 December 1990Town of Birth ManchesterNationality EnglishTotal games 2Total goals 0● The pacy Manchester-bornforward made his first team debutagainst Arsenal last season, afterexcelling for the Reserve team.Quick but also with bags of talent,he knows where the goal is.

DANIEL AYALAPosition DefenderHeight 1.91 mWeight 84 kgD.O.B. 7 November 1990Town of Birth SevilleNationality SpanishTotal games 5Total goals 0● Plucked from Sevilla as ayoungster, Ayala broke into thefirst team last season after a stringof impressive performances atboth youth and Reserve teamlevels.

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First of manyLiverpool 3 Blackburn Rovers 0,September 1, 1900A COMFORTABLE win over theirLancashire rivals on the opening day ofthe 1900-01 season set Liverpool ontheir way to the first of theirrecord-equalling 18 LeagueChampionships.

A crowd of 20,000 was at Anfield tosee first-half strikes from Tom Robertsonand Charles Satterthwaite put the hostsin command. A late goal from SamRaybould wrapped up the two points.

UP FOR THE FIGHT:Jamie Carragher isrelishing the new season


THEROADTODUBLIN

MARTIN HANSENPosition GoalkeeperHeight 1.88 mWeight 79 kgD.O.B. 15 June 1990Town of Birth N/ANationality DenmarkTotal games 0Total goals 0● Danish youth internationalgoalkeeper Martin Hansen joinedthe Reds from Brondby in thesummer of 2006. Yet to make thebreakthrough, he’s proven to havesafe hands at Reserve level.

PETER GULACSIPosition GoalkeeperHeight 1.91 mWeight 83 kgD.O.B. 6 May 1990Town of Birth BudapestNationality HungarianTotal games 0Total goals 0● Hungary Under-21 keeperGulacsi signed for Liverpool inAugust 2008 after a successfulyear on loan.

VICTOR PALSSONPosition MidfielderHeight 1.67mWeight 76 kgD.O.B. 30 April 1991Town of Birth ReykjavikNationality IcelandicTotal games 0Total goals 0● Icelandic midfielder VictorPalsson made the move toMerseyside from Danish outfitAGF Aarhus in January 2009.Tasted first team football thissummer during pre-season.

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IF EVERYTHING goes to planLiverpool will be striding out inDublin for the Europa Leaguefinal on May 18 next year.

However, the road to the AvivaStadium in the Irish capital for RoyHodgson’s men promises to be longand winding.

The Reds will have to battlethrough a staggering 19 matches ifthey are going to triumph in UEFA’ssecondary club competition.

And the final takes place some293 days after their Europeancampaign began in the Macedoniancapital of Skopje against FKRabotnicki.

The Europa League carriesneither the prestige nor thefinancial rewards on offer in theChampions League.

It means playing on Thursdaynights in some of the continent’sbackwaters and having countlessleague fixtures shifted back toSundays.

It will also place a real strain onthe club’s playing resources asHodgson, who led Fulham to lastyear’s final, looks to secureprogress in Europe withoutjeopardising the Reds’ push for atop four finish in the PremierLeague.

That all begs the question, isthe Europa League really worththe hassle?

The answer from Liverpoolmidfielder Lucas is emphatic.

Having come so close lastseason, when a late strike fromAtletico Madrid’s Diego Forlanat Anfield dumped them out inthe semi-finals, the Brazilian isrelishing another shot at it.

“Europe is so important to

Liverpool,” Lucas said.“It is not the Champions League

and we have to get used to it but itis still a competition that we wantto win, even if there is such a longway to go.

“Personally, Ienjoyed thecompetitionlast season andit was just sucha shame thatwe didn’t go allthe way. Wewere so close tothe final but itjust did nothappen for us.The way wewent outagainstAtleticosummedeverything up –a late goal in extra time.

“The Europa League is veryimportant to us because we have gotto try and win a title of some sort.”

Last season the Reds dropped into

the competition after failing toprogress from the group stage of theChampions League for the first timein six years.

They responded positively as theydefeated Unirea Urziceni and Lillebefore overturning a 1-0 first legdeficit against Benfica with amemorable 4-1 home victory.

However, the dream ended in thesemis againstAtletico and asLiverpool’splayers layprostrate onthe Anfieldturf there wasno convincingJamieCarragher thatthe EuropaLeague isn’tworthwinning.

“It is still achance to winsilverware andthere are some

great teams in it,” Carragher said.“From the moment we went into

the competition last season, I wasabsolutely desperate to win it. Younever know which final is going to

be your last. Four years is too longfor Liverpool to go without winninga trophy.

“The Premier League andChampions League are notoriouslydifficult to win, so if you get achance to win something else, be itthe Carling Cup or whatever, youhave got to take it seriously.”

Carragher and skipper StevenGerrard were part of the Liverpoolside who lifted the UEFA Cup in2001 after a remarkable 5-4 victoryagainst Spanish side Alaves.

The win completed the club’sfamous cup treble and is one of thehighlights of Carragher’s career.

“At the time I was moreinterested in winning the FA Cupbut looking back I would have to saythe UEFA Cup was the biggerachievement,” Carragher added.

“How many players get to winEuropean trophies in their career?Someone has got to win the FA Cupevery season but how often doEnglish clubs get to the final ofEuropean competitions?

“When we played in it underGerard Houllier, the competitionwas probably a bit stronger than itis now. The Champions League hadnot expanded but we were still able

to do the business.“Everyone accepts that the

Champions League is biggerthan the Europa League but itis still a brilliant competition towin.”

Having only finished seventhin the league last season,Liverpool are only in Europeafter the FA and the PremierLeague refused to grantcash-strapped Portsmouth aUEFA licence.

Now the challenge is to makethe most of their opportunity.

by JAMES PEARCESports Reporter

LLuuccaassaaiimmssttoobbeeEEuurroo lluucckkyycchhaarrmmMidfielder has eyes on Europa final in Dublin

THE AVIVA Stadium isbuilt on the site of theold Lansdowne Roadground in Dublin.

It was opened in Maythis year at a cost of£340million and has anall-seater capacity of50,000.

It hosts internationalrugby and footballfixtures and is Ireland’sonly UEFA EliteStadium.

Excitement is alreadygrowing ahead of nextMay’s Europa Leaguefinal as it will be the first

time Ireland has hosteda European club final.

Due to UEFA rulesagainst corporatesponsorship outside thefederation, for the finalthe stadium will bereferred to as the‘Dublin Arena’.

Irishare smilingaheadof next year’s final

Walton blitzedLiverpool 8 Higher Walton 0,September 3, 1892LIVERPOOL’S illustrious history beganemphatically when they thrashed HigherWalton in their first-ever competitivematch.

Jonathan Cameron, Joe McQue andJohn Smith all struck twice whileteammates James McBride and MalcolmMcVean were also on target in theLancashire League game.

BRAND NEW:The Aviva Stadium

in Dublin


THOMAS INCEPosition WingerHeight 1.78mWeight 68 kgD.O.B. 30 January 1992Town of Birth StockportNationality EnglishTotal games 0Total goals 0● Son of former Liverpool starPaul, young Ince has excelled withhis fleet-footed wing-play forLiverpool's Academy sides. Alsoknows how to score.

DANI PACHECOPosition ForwardHeight 1.68 mWeight 65 kgD.O.B. 5 January 1991Town of Birth MalagaNationality SpanishTotal games 7Total goals 0● Spanish starlet Pacheco signedfrom Barcelona's fabled La Masiaacademy in 2007, and has starredfor Spain's U19 team at thissummer's EuropeanChampionships.

JACK ROBINSONPosition DefenderHeight 1.68 mWeight 67 kgD.O.B. 1 September 1993Town of Birth LiverpoolNationality EnglishTotal games 1Total goals 0● Left-back Robinson becameLiverpool's youngest ever playerwhen making his debut at Hull inthe last game of last season. Amassive leap from Academy intothe full senior squad.

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IT TAKES around 90 days to buildup, but the optimism of a footballfan can just as easily be dashed inthe space of 90 minutes thesedays.

A summer spent dreaming of glorycan quickly turn into a season spentfearing the worst; such is the “needit now” nature of the modern game.

Accordingly, much of the build-upto the eagerly-awaited PremierLeague kick-off will centre on theneed for sides to make agood/solid/strong/flying start to thecampaign. Liverpool will entertainArsenal at Anfield on August 15hoping to hit the ground runningunder new manager Roy Hodgson.

But just how important is it to doso?

Last season, the opening weekendbrought with it talk of atitle-challenge, but ended in littlemore than a rude awakening.

Liverpool went down 2-1 atTottenham – the side who wouldeventually elbow the Reds out of thetop-four. A poor pre-season wasallowed to leak into the newcampaign; the Reds’ flat, lifelessdisplay at White Hart Lane was analarming precursor to a seasonwhich never got going, and endedwith them languishing in seventhplace.

Aston Villa would leave Anfieldwith victory a fortnight later andRafa Benitez’s side – despite asix-game winning streak inSeptember – never truly recovered.

The strange thing is Liverpoolunder Benitez traditionally enjoyedreasonable starts, often strugglingmore throughout late autumn andwinter. The Spurs reverse was theonly time in the Spaniard’s six yearson Merseyside that the Reds losttheir opening league fixture.

In 2007 they began the season witha run of 14 games undefeated, beforea 3-1 reverse at Reading in earlyDecember triggered a collapse. Theywould record just two leaguevictories between December 2 andFebruary 2.

A year later, it was a similar tale.Benitez’s side went ten gamesunbeaten until a defeat at strugglingTottenham on November 1, butwould see their title challengeunravel with a string of costly draws– especially at Anfield. They endedthe season four points behindManchester United – who had begunthe campaign slowly, with just onewin in their opening four games.

Indeed, strong starts seem to besomething of a Liverpool forte; lastseason’s opening day defeat was onlythe fourth time the Reds have beenbeaten on the opening weekend inthe last 34 years. Joe Fagan, KennyDalglish and Roy Evans were allunbeaten in opening day fixtures.But there is little guarantee that astrong start can be maintained.

In 1990/91 for example, Dalglishguided his reigning leaguechampions to a record-breakingeight straight wins to open theseason. Liverpool’s first defeat cameon December 2, in their 15th game.

Ominously, however, that defeatcame at Arsenal, who would go on tooverhaul the Reds in the second halfof the season, winning the title byseven points. Dalglish would resignin February of that season, andLiverpool, of course, have not wonthe league since.

Three years later, Dalglish’sreplacement – Graeme Souness –would also depart mid-season,

despite a strong start in which theReds won four of their opening fivegames; hinting at a title challengebeforeimploding asautumn turnedto winter. If abad start shouldnot be treated asa disaster, thenequally a goodone should notbe met with toomuch euphoria.

Obviously thealternativescenario is thata strong startenables a side togain momentumand confidence,which can see them through to asuccessful season. Liverpool in1987/88 equalled a top-flight record

(then set by Leeds in 1973/74 butsince beaten by Arsenal in 2003/04)of 29 games unbeaten at the start of a

season.Ultimately itwould be, of allteams, Evertonwho wouldbring an end tothat run, butLiverpoolwould have thelast laugh asthey romped tothe title,despite a latewobble.

How RoyHodgson wouldlove a similarstart to his

reign at Anfield. The former Fulhamboss has been dealt a tricky set offixtures to begin with; after hosting

Arsenal in the opening weekend’sstandout clash, Liverpool must travelto free-spending Manchester City thefollowing week, and face big gameswith Manchester United, Evertonand Chelsea in their opening tenmatches.

Hodgson would do well to takeheart from the early results of someof the Reds’ greatest ever managers;Bill Shankly, for example, lost two ofhis first three fixtures – and heavily,too – after taking over from PhilTaylor in December 1959, whilstLiverpool started so slowly underKenny Dalglish in 1985/86 that AlanHansen claimed the side was theworst he’d played in. They went on towin the Double that season.

It will give Hodgson heart to notethat history shows a sluggish startneed not be fatal to a side’s chances.After all, you get nothing for beingtop of the table in August.

byNEIL JONESSports Reporter

Slowstart isbestavoided...but setting pace no guarantee of glory

First day lossTottenham Hotspur 2 Liverpool 1,August 16, 2009IN what was to be a very disappointingcampaign for Liverpool, they fell to anopening day defeat at Spurs in front of35,935 fans.

A piledriver of a strike from BenoitAssou-Ekotto gave Tottenham the lead inthe first-half. Steven Gerrard levelledproceedings from the penalty spot after56 minutes but the home side secured allthree points thanks to Sebastien Bassong’sheader just three minutes later.

WE’RE BACK: Liverpool return to Premier League action when they entertain Arsenal this weekend


Liverpool FC2010/11 fixtures

Liverpool special designed by Nick Peet; Reds openers researched by Paul Snowdon

August15 Arsenal (h)16:00 SKY19 Trabzonspor (h) 19:45 EL23 Manchester City (a) 20:00 SKY26 Trabzonspor (a) 19:45 EL29 West Brom (h)15:00

September12 Birmingham (a)16:00 SKY15 Europa League group game TBC19 Manchester United (a)13:30 SKY22 Carling Cup R3 TBC25 Sunderland (h)15:0030 Europa League group game TBC

October2 Blackpool (h)15:0017 Everton (a)13:30 SKY21 Europa League group game TBC23 Blackburn (h)15:0027 Carling Cup R4 TBC31 Bolton (a)13:30 SKY

November4 Europa League group game TBC7 Chelsea (h)16:00 SKY10 Wigan Athletic (a)19:4513 Stoke City (a)17:30 ESPN20 West Ham (h)17:30 ESPN28 Tottenham (a)16:00 SKY

December1 Carling Cup QF TBC2 Europa League group game TBC4 Aston Villa (h)15:0011 Newcastle (a)15:0016 Europa League group game TBC18 Fulham (h)15:0026 Blackpool (a)15:0028 Wolverhampton (h)15:00

January1 Bolton (h)15:005 Blackburn (a)20:008 FA Cup R3 TBC12 Carling Cup SF 1st leg TBC15 Everton (h)15:0022 Wolverhampton (a)15:0026 Carling Cup SF 2nd leg TBC29 FA Cup R4 TBC

February2 Stoke City (h)20:005 Chelsea (a)15:0012 Wigan Athletic (h)15:0017 Europa League Last 32 TBC19 FA Cup R5 TBC24 Europa League Last 32 TBC26 West Ham (a)15:0027 Carling Cup final TBC

March5 Manchester United (h)15:0010 Europa League Last 16 TBC12 FA Cup QF TBC17 Europa League Last 16 TBC19 Sunderland (a)15:00

April2 West Brom (a)15:007 Europa League QF TBC10 Manchester City (h)15:0014 Europa League QF TBC16 Arsenal (a)15:0017 FA Cup SF TBC23 Birmingham (h)15:0028 Europa League SF TBC30 Newcastle (h)15:00

May5 Europa League SF TBC7 Fulham (a)15:0014 FA Cup final TBC14 Tottenham (h)15:0018 Europa League final TBC22 Aston Villa (a)16:00

Documents

Reds All Set To Roar