pigeon

1 George Best

2 Diego Maradona

3 Zinedine Zidane

4 Johann Cryuff

5 Kenny Dalglish

6 Paolo Maldini

7 Jim Baxter

8 Ronaldo (BRA)

9 Alfredo Di Stefano

10 John Barnes

resisted the urge to put Torres on, but ask me again in a few years

You'd find it hard to take a third champions league final in four years seriously?

I'm leaving for Athens in about 12 hours, absolutely can't wait. Have put a tenner on Robbie Fowler getting a goal, know it's extremely unlikely but you have to dream, eh?

We want sex! (dyslexic reds on tour 2007)

He's still shit though.

Anyone fancy a trip to Athens?

Reds begin legal battle to sign Mascherano

Jan 8 2007

By Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo

LIVERPOOL have begun a legal battle to complete the transfer of Javier Mascherano.

Mascherano played for Brazilian club Corinthians after the World Cup in August 2006, just before his switch to West Ham.

West Ham have agreed to allow the 22-year-old to leave, Mascherano has agreed a move to Anfield and Liverpool want to sign him, and it's hoped FIFA will assess his case on this principle.

Lawyers will argue no-one is suffering but the player.

Poor result on Saturday, but the blow of going out of the cup was softened by the brilliant protest made by Liverpool fans at the start of the game. The noise was unbelievable (I've seen it on the TV since and they have definately turned the crowd noise way down) while the ground chanted Justice for the 96 for the first 6 minutes.

Fair play to John Motson for mentioning it and (briefly) explaining what it was about, but shame on Mark Lawrenson for ignoring it.

I usually trade mine in at CeX these days. I think they pay slightly more than Gamestation.

Bellamy is the only player with a £6m buy out clause we have been linked with to my knowledge.

This would be the £6 million release clause that doesn't exist and was created by the press I assume?

Bellamy is the only player with a £6m buy out clause we have been linked with to my knowledge.

Nice to see we're back on everyone's shitlist again after a quiet few weeks

Liverpool

1. What is the best thing that can happen this season ?

Winning the league

2. And the worst thing that can happen this season ?

Losing Rafa Benitez

3. Your team's young player to watch ?

Momo

4. Most important player ?

Gerrard

5. Who would you like the team to get rid of ?

Traore and Cisse EDIT: Warnock too

6. Is Benitez the right man for the job ?

Of course

7. Have you got any advice for him ?

He doesn't need any

8. Which teams are you especially looking forward to defeat ?

Everton Man Utd Chelsea

9. Which opposing players will get the most stick ?

Gary Neville, Michael Essien, Phil Neville

10. What place will your team get ?

1st

I just saw them live tonight (not by choice, I worked at the gig) and they did indeed suck.

12 Liverpool fans were stabbed the last time we were in Rome.

Wasn't reported at all though.

Benítez signing a signal of intent

By Oliver Kay

IF RAFAEL BENÍTEZ is preparing to leave Liverpool, he is going about it in a strange way. Despite interest in his services from Inter Milan and Real Madrid, last week the manager cited deals that he had set up for two young South Americans as evidence of his long-term commitment to the club. Now he can point to a third, with Fábio Aurélio, the Brazilian defender, scheduled to arrive on a free transfer from Valencia.

Liverpool have all but finalised a pre-contract agreement with Aurélio, who will move to Anfield after his deal with Valencia expires on June 30. He is said to be delighted by the prospect of being reunited with Benítez, under whom he spent three seasons at the Spanish club.

The 26-year-old left back is expected to challenge John Arne Riise for a first-team place, raising doubts about the futures of Djimi Traoré and Stephen Warnock, even though Traoré signed a new four-year contract last summer.

Aurélio, who has been watched by Manchester United this season, will become Liverpool’s third signing for next season, with more to follow once Benítez learns how much money he will have available to bring in a right winger and a centre forward.

The manager is known to be concerned about the club’s financial position, but by setting up deals to sign Mark González, the Chile winger, and Gabriel Paletta, the young Argentine defender, as well as Aurélio, he has made statements of serious intent.

The Liverpool board may take some comfort from Inter’s insistence yesterday, before their Champions League tie against Ajax, that they have no intention of replacing Roberto Mancini as coach, but at Anfield there is a strong belief that Benítez, for all his non-committal comments, will stay. The line whispered from within the boardroom is that the club share the manager’s ambitions.

In the meantime, Liverpool’s aims extend no farther than victory at home to Fulham tonight. They have won only once in their past five matches, tumbling out of the Champions League and slipping to a distant third in the Barclays Premiership, but the visit of Fulham, without a victory in 15 away matches this season, should provide his forwards with an ideal opportunity to cure their scoring ills.

Robbie Fowler is the least culpable of Liverpool’s forwards, but, still looking for his first goal since returning in January, will be hoping that history will repeat itself. He scored against Fulham on his debut in his first spell at the club — in a League Cup tie at Craven Cottage in 1993 — and, more memorably, five times in the return game at Anfield. “I never like looking too long at the past,” the forward said, “but that was an amazing night.”

Fowler will hope to be restored to the starting line-up as Benítez runs out of patience with Fernando Morientes and Djibril Cissé. Morientes is attracting interest from Fenerbahçe as well as at least one Spanish club, but Liverpool have yet to receive a firm inquiry for his services.

Fulham hope to welcome back Wayne Bridge only two weeks after he strained ankle ligaments playing on the same ground for England against Paraguay.

LIVERPOOL (possible; 4-4-2): J M Reina — S Finnan, J Carragher, D Agger, S Warnock — L García, S Gerrard, D Hamann, H Kewell — R Fowler, P Crouch.

FULHAM (possible, 4-4-2): A Warner — M Volz, Z Knight, A Goma, W Bridge — S Malbranque, M Pembridge, M Brown, L Boa Morte — H Helguson, B McBride.

Referee: A Wiley.

Apparently we have Fabio Aurelio coming on a free in the summer from Valencia.

(Not Gay) Player A Talks To Football365

Friday February 24 2006

We tracked down Player A’s agent, who tells us that his client wants to give his side of the story. He won’t meet us in person, but says he’ll talk on the phone, so long as it’s down our man's pants when he rings...

By David Tarbox

So you want to set the record straight...

"I’m player A and I want to set the record well straight that I’m not gay, I’m just pretending that I’m gay. I’ve got a girlfriend, actually I've got two girlfriends, you know. And I fancy that Chantelle."

So what does pretending to be gay mean?

"I earn a lot of money and I like a laugh. I'm young, I'm just letting off steam when I do this. It doesn't mean anything, it's just a bit of a laugh. After a match me and few mates have a party, we pretend to strip off and have gay sex - surely you can tell I’m not gay, it’s just a laugh.

"Remember when you were a kid and you and your best mates would pretend to kiss, but put your hands over your mouths, it’s like that. It's just a laugh. As if we're really gay, like."

So this is just a bit of a laugh?

"Yeah, it’s like being wrong. You know, it’s funny being wrong. Like a gay Jackass. We spend a lot of time on the road, in hotel rooms and that. We get bored. We dare each other to do things. And everyone knows it’s not gay if you don’t touch.

"We gay slap, which is when we take pics on our mobiles, doing gay stuff, not really gay, just pretending. I’ve got pictures of me putting my penis in loads of people's mouths...it's just funny, just a laugh."

In recent articles it alleges oral sex was performed on you by Player B...that’s touching isn’t it?

"No, Player B had a fake mouth he bought from this sex shop, like a johnny for your gob. We were just trying to shock a few people at the party. My mate's got a blow-up man doll that looks like Iain Dowie, we take turns on it...we can’t be gay if we enjoy f**king a thing that looks like Iain Dowie, can we? Not that we enjoy it, because it's just a laugh."

And the mobile down the pants...

"I put my phone down my pants, Player B was going to ring me, but I got an SMS alert, for a game that a mate of mine was playing in...it was a goal alert. Can’t see how that can be seen as obscene. And definitely not gay."

Why would you go to such lengths to convince people you are gay?

"I blame the media, we're meant to be role models, so I pretend to be gay...it helps me to release my frustrations and express myself. Plus I’m a professional footballer; I try to do the best I can at whatever I do. Even when it’s a laugh, I want to get the best laugh."

Even when you’re pretending to be gay...

"Yeah, definitely, ask anyone who knows me, they'll tell you I’m a hard-working footballer, and I’m hard-working when it comes to pretending to be gay..."

When you're pretending to be gay, are you aroused?

"You mean erect?"

If you like...

"Yeah it’s a pretend...a pretend erection."

Right so it’s simulation? I mean it’s not a real erection, just a pretend erection?

"Yeah, like in football when you pretend to dive, or go down for a slight tap on the ankle. It’s the same thing, I’m pretending...it’s a made-up hard-on."

But where does this end...do you pretend in every part of you life?

"Er I’m not stupid you know, I read the Guardian, I can tell the difference...Can I ring you back?"

(Five minutes later the agent calls back. Player A will talk again, although the agent points out that his client is seeking help for his addiction)

So you were saying you're pretending to be gay. Do you think you are addicted to pretending you're gay?

"Yeah, I suppose I am. I wish there was a Gay Sporting chance run by Tony Adams...or HA."

HA?

"Homosexual Anonymous? Or something, I think it’s a new addiction...I need a gay Priory."

But that would mean you’re admitting to being gay, not admitting to pretending to be gay.

"Well, maybe a pretend Priory then.

"I’m pretending. I’m not gay. It’s not just me, it’s rampant in football. Look at what we do when we score goals...it’s part of the game. I think it’s got out of hand. Players need help at the end of the day. The manager and chairman must meet with the FA, and try and sort this out. I’m seeing a lot of youngsters coming through, making the same mistakes, and doing the same things. I think it’s a problem in football. We're all pretending to be gay, and it’s addictive."

Do you think we live in a society where people can be openly gay without fear?

"No, I’m pretending."

There's a guy from the redandwhitekop message boards who was at the AGM, and who understands all the balance sheets and accounts, who said that Morgan is either deliberately misleading us or basically just stupid.

If you're interested check it out here;

http://www.redandwhitekop.com/forum/index.php?topic=110449.0

MOMO CONDITION IMPROVING

Paul Eaton 23 February 2006

Liverpool Football Club have today reported an improvement in Momo Sissoko's condition as he recovers in hospital from a serious eye injury.

The Reds' midfielder is being cared for by top eye specialists following the injury he sustained in Portugal on Tuesday night.

A statement released by the club on Thursday afternoon reads as follows:

"We are glad to report there has been an improvement in Momo's condition over the past 24 hours, with the progress described as 'encouraging'.

"The player was examined this morning by a leading eye specialist who remains optimistic, despite reports emanating from Lisbon.

"Momo has been instructed to rest completely and will be examined again by the specialist next week."

(I hope it was a sign of respect anyway, just writing that down I realised it might be misconstrued).

Brilliant that today. Didi and Momo in particular were immense as were the whole team. Shame about Alan Smith though, hope he makes a speedy recovery.

Happy birthday Gary Neville, you inbred twat.

Man U tomorrow then. I hate games against them, there's just too much at stake. Even if we're winning I can't enjoy it until the final whistle. We are due a win over them though, so hopefully tomorrow will be our day.

source?

So happy!

The second coming of God.

Robbie Fowler for England.