Official Liverpool Thread

[therockbox]

Yeah, it's nasty. Those gold bits look shit.

[therockbox]

Just 1-0? From the sounds of it we should've won by 3 or 4 goals at least (although Mark Lawrenson predicted we'd win by 3, so we were cursed), and I hope that we don't get into the rut of creating a shitload of chances but not taking them. Seems like the same sort of thing happened at 'Boro last week as well.

Bring back Owen~!

[pigeon]

Another shiny trophy there tonight. Nice to see Carra lift one too.

I hope Owen comes back, but I don't want Cisse to leave.

[therockbox]

Cisse should've come on earlier, we were crying out for some pace. Morientes just seemed like he didn't care again, but hopefully he can turn it around soon.

Sissoko looks like he's going to become an awesome player, whereas Josemi is shyte. Hyypia's a bit too slow, we desperately need another centre back before the transfer window closes.

[pigeon]

Yeah Momo has been really impressive so far. He's fast becoming one of my favourite players. Could turn out to be one of the best signings made by anyone this summer.

[Summers]

Momo is a fucking demon.

He's brilliant.

Cisse also proved his worth, without him you'd of lost, IMO.

[therockbox]

Yeah, Cisse was the match winner. I thought we'd brought him on to late, but that's why I'm not a manager >_>

And it looks like we may be getting Owen after all;

Liverpool are expected to open formal talks with Real Madrid for the transfer of Michael Owen over the weekend.

The European champions have remained tight-lipped about their objectives ahead of the European Super Cup in Monaco against CSKA Moscow. However, they believe they can land the former player before the transfer deadline for as little as a £4million down payment.

It is understood the 25-year-old and his advisors are not interested in Newcastle's club record bid for the England striker, leaving the way open for Liverpool to end weeks of speculation by declaring their hand.

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez will insist the Anfield club do not pay over the odds for a player they were forced to sell to Madrid for just £8million last summer, when Owen made it clear he would not sign a new contract and left Liverpool to get the best price they could.

Real Madrid were able to sign the striker for a knock-down price because Liverpool were unwilling to allow Owen to wind down his contract and leave for nothing as Steve McManaman did when he moved to the Spanish giants.

It is understood Liverpool have already had preliminary talks with Madrid and Owen's advisors, and believe they can secure the player for around £10million.

Liverpool are still owed £4million from the deal which took Owen to Spain, so that would instantly be cut from any asking price. It is thought the Merseysiders would be happy to then pay a £4million down payment and then a further £2million in instalments over the length of a four-year contract for Owen.

Owen's return, which could be confirmed while he is with England preparing for next Saturday's World Cup qualifier with Wales, would delight his international colleague Steven Gerrard.

Gerrard has said: "Fingers crossed. It's obviously up to the Liverpool manager but everyone knows what I want."

Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry said: "There has been plenty of speculation and we will see next week. It's always encouraging when a player says he wants to come to Liverpool."

[therockbox]

Rafael Benitez insists he will never spend money for the sake of it and that he'll only buy players who are good enough to help Liverpool win trophies.

As the Reds prepare for their return to Premiership action this weekend Benitez has explained the reasons why he failed to bolster his squad on transfer deadline day and revealed he has plans to make amends in January.

The boss admits it was frustrating not to bring in at least one more new face but believes the strength in depth of the Liverpool squad is still a lot healthier than it was in May.

"We have three or four months to get through. In January we need to reinforce the squad. We were thinking about a right-winger and centre half, everyone knows that, but when people say we left it until the last minute, that's not true," he says.

"We worked all summer. We never wanted to pay more for a player than his value. We didn't want to sign players we didn't need.

"We tried, but because of circumstances, the clubs wouldn't sell. If a club is willing to sell without a fight, maybe the player isn't good enough. When the club tries hard to keep him, you know you're trying to sign someone of high class.

"Simao is an example, as is Milito and Figo. We watched Simao for a long time, but we were looking at others first because we didn't know if he was available. We decided to try and Benfica said yes. We thought we had control of the situation. Then they changed their mind.

"We also tried to sign centre-backs, but their clubs said no. Clubs think because we've won the Champions League we've got a lot of money. They put a £7m values on players who are no more than prospects.

"If you look at our squad now compared to last May, we've signed very good players and improved. We couldn't find the right players for the right and at centre-half, but because we're European champions, only certain players are good enough to play for us.

"If people want me to buy players to finish in the middle of the table, I can, but I want to win trophies. I will only buy players to do this.

"I have a lot of confidence we will have a better team this year. People may not agree with my decisions, but when I spend a lot of money I want it to be on one of the best players in the world."

[pigeon]

Loving the new articles on the Liverpool website.

HOW LFC FANS CHANGED FASHION FOREVER

Dave Hewitson 22 September 2005

Liverpool supporters are famous for creating the best flags and songs in football but did you know they were responsible for kick-starting a multi-billion pound men's clothing industry? Let author Dave Hewitson explain.

There's been a lot of reminiscing of late and a fifth European Cup triumph brought back thoughts of glory days gone by. Twenty-one years is a long time but for those of us old enough to remember, visions of Brucie's wobbly legs and Barney's penalty will forever be etched in our minds.

Another personal highlight of that week was a visit to a small town on the outskirts of Rome. The reason for said visit was to acquire the latest Sergio Tacchini tracksuit which you couldn't buy in Liverpool; blue with red piping. God was in the detail. Now a new film, 'The Business' captures that look. Cockney geezers running around in Tacchini and Fila evoke fond memories of days gone by for me and many fellow football fans but don't be taken in by the South London accents. This look had a decidedly home grown flavour back in the late Seventies and early Eighties, as it was here on the streets of Liverpool that it first emerged.

As the reds conquered Europe, bringing home the biggest of trophies, the fans conquered the continent, bringing home the best of sportswear. Those were the days my friend.

Eighties casuals: tracksuits, tennis shorts, wedge haircuts and Adidas trainers. In the mid-Eighties, teenagers across the length and breadth of the country had bought into the look. Every club in the land was sporting a firm of casual dressed fans but where and when did it all begin? And, more importantly, who was ultimately responsible for starting a youth cult that - despite going unnoticed by the nation's media for years – ended up spawning a multi-billion pound sportswear industry that dominates high streets all over the world?

The answer to all three questions can be found here on Merseyside. Let's rewind to the summer of '77. Liverpool FC had just captured the first of their five European Cups and the crowd on that glorious occasion partied the night away in their flared jeans and shirts with fly away collars, scarves hanging from the wrist.

By the time the new season was upon us, a select few were taking a razor blade to the collar to create a granddad shirt [no collar] or were raiding their arl fella's wardrobe for '60s small collared shirts. The scarf had been discarded and narrow jeans or cords were worn but most important of all, Adidas Samba trainers were adorning many feet. The Samba was the most expensive style from an all-black range, which included Bamba, Mamba, Kick and V.I.P.

Those great pictures of Liverpool's first European Cup triumph in Rome were to be the last time we would see flag waving, scarf wearing and flared jeans all in the same place and upon the same person.

Developments over the next six months were hasty and by 1978 it was noticeable that this wasn't just a passing fad.

Within months Samba was the must havetrainer, coupled with a pair of straight jeans, preferably Lois. To top off the look, a new effeminate hairstyle was taking shape. The wedge was short on one side but having a long fringe to the other. The cut would become synonymous with the early Casuals but the actual roots of the hairstyle can be found on the cover of David Bowie's 'Low' album, which featured a picture of the idol himself sporting a wedge-style cut. On Merseyside, Bowie and Roxy Music were held in high esteem, being played in all the under-18's discos. The kids copied the hairstyle but this would be the only direct influence any music would have on the culture.

The collective name 'Casuals' did not appear for a few years (The Face magazine in 1983 to be precise) so here on Merseyside this new breed of trendsetters where called straights, squares or smoothies. The scene however went totally undocumented nationally for approximately five years which maybe had something to do with it being northern based and unattached to any musical scene. While the daily newspapers concentrated on hooliganism, there were no such things as men's magazines to spread the word.

As one European Cup rolled into another, 1978 would see things on the clothing front advance apace. The staple diet of straight or drainpipe (drainies) jeans with Adidas trainers was gathering momentum. The make of jean changed by the month. Lois followed by Inega, Jesus, F.U.'s, Second Image, Fiorucci, Ritzy, Ciao, Flemings… the list was endless but the one defining factor was you had to have them before anyone else.

Footwear was to become obsessive; Pod, College, Kio's and Kickers all had their day between the '78 and '81 European triumphs. In the space of these three years it became essential to liberate Europe of the new and expensive Adidas trainers that were unavailable at home.

The season that accumulated in a trip to Gaye Paree had started off in less flamboyant fashion with a pre-season tour that took in Germany. It was on this trip that a new trainer, unseen in Britain, caught straying eyes.

The Adidas Comfort Strapover brought back from this trip would have kids on Merseyside asking, 'Where d'ya get yer trainees from?' Suddenly having that elusive piece of footwear before anyone else meant a Transalpino trip abroad. Transalpino, for those too young to remember, being a cheap student [under 26] rail ticket. The ticket had the destination written rather than printed on it so it was possible to purchase a cheap ticket to Le Havre or Ostend and then rub it out, replacing it with the wherever you wished to go. The Transalpino Rub-out became famous during these days.

The Strapover became the must have shoe of the winter. After a year of searching high and low for Adidas Forest Hills, Stan Smith and the Diadora Borg Elite, the stage had been set. The continent became a great source of inspiration and everyone looked forward to the next European Cup draw.

In April '81 Liverpool emerged from the hat to face Bayern Munich of Germany, home of Adidas, in the semi-finals. It was a dream come true for the new Adidas aficionados. See Liverpool through to another final and collecta brand spanking new pair of Adidas. The Grand Prix, Grand Slam and Trimm-Trab were all considered too expensive, by Adidas, for the U.K. market, but as the fans returned home laden with new Trabs, the kids on Merseyside would be screaming out for them. These lads with expensive taste in footwear were starting a style that was about to explode across the country. On visiting away grounds the home supporters could only envy them. Not only did they support the best team in Europe but they were the best dressed. Forget your Italian Paninari scooter boys [Versace, Armani], the look being created by these lads had a global effect on the sportswear industry. The look defined a generation and was the last great revolution in men's clothing. In 1982, Wade Smith in Liverpool became the first retail outlet in Europe to sell just designer sportswear. Importing the latest trainers, he had expectations of selling 26,000 in the first year but in fact sold 110,000! The store was copied up and down the land.

During the summer months of 1976 to 1980, Bjorn Borg swept aside all before him to conquer Wimbledon. Decked out in his Fila Settanta tracksuit top, Fila shorts and his Diadora Borg Elite Trainers, his style would have a profound effect on many. Trips to the continent now involved picking up a piece of tennis wear.

1980 had seen many a keen-eyed scouser tuning into TV coverage of Wimbledon, not necessarily for the tennis but mainly to cast an eye on the names being sported by the likes ofBorg, Jimmy Conners and John McEnroe. Come the end of the summer names such as Fila, Sergio Tacchini, Cerruti 1881 and even Nike (which wasn't a household name as yet) were implanted into the minds of many a design hungry scouser.

By the summer of 1982, Liverpool city centre was beset with teenagers walking around like the tennis stars of the day with Fila Settanta and Terrinda tracksuits, polo shirts, shorts and even designer socks. In fact as most tennis stars wore Italian makes, labels such as Sergio Tacchini with its Dallas tracksuit, Ellesse, Cerruti 1881 and Australian L'Alpina became massive. These styles would take us through the early '80s.

Even early exits in the two seasons prior to Rome '84 did not slow down this burgeoning culture. Summer holidays to Italy, working [sic] weeks away in Germany, visits to concerts and even a trek to Aston Villa's Euro win in '82 [three scousers in the team] ensured the goods kept arriving to these shores.

The death knell of the '80s Casual was to be the 1988 Summer of Love, but that's another story for another time. In the meantime, whenever you next lace up that pristine pair of trainers you've just purchased, take a few seconds to reflect on glory days gone by and wonder to yourself that if it hadn't have been for us scousers, who knows what you'd be wearing now. Those were the days indeed.

Dave Hewitson is the author of 'THE LIVERPOOL BOYS ARE IN TOWN 1978/82: Where d'ya get yer trainees from?' which covers the rise of the culture in more detail. He also has a part in the design and production of the 80's Casuals range of T-Shirts. For more details about either the book or the t-shirts, email the author at HEWITSONDAVE@HOTMAIL.COM

[therockbox]

Momo's out of tomorrow's match with Birmingham

[lazy_arse]

"We also tried to sign centre-backs, but their clubs said no. Clubs think because we've won the Champions League we've got a lot of money. They put a £7m values on players who are no more than prospects.

[Summers]

Sissoko.

--

Oh, and Crouch isn't just a tall player. Great footwork, and good ball control. His height makes everyone think he just heads the ball.

Edited September 23, 2005 by Jay

[therockbox]

"We also tried to sign centre-backs, but their clubs said no. Clubs think because we've won the Champions League we've got a lot of money. They put a £7m values on players who are no more than prospects.

It's nice to see that Rafa won't be forced into buying overpriced players. Very sensible guy, and on the ball.

[therockbox]

Really dissapointed with that, we should've won the game. Cisse's attempt Gerrard's pass was awful (what a surprise), Crouch should've scored with two headers (one was cleared off the line), Gerrard hitting the post, Clapham clearing off the line, and the sheer fact we dominated them except for the 6 or 7 minute spell that they got their two goals in.

Reina needs to stop flapping at balls he can't reach, and Josemi needs to be sold ASAP. His idea of a tackle seems to be to body check the other player, or clip his heels once he's gone round him.

I don't know why Cisse remained on the right once we went 2-1 down, that was a stupid decision by Benitez - who seems happy enough the draw Premiership games.

I know it sounds melodramatic but I can honestly see us struggling to finish in the top 6 this year, let alone the top 4.

[The Slickman]

Im not a Liverpool fan but i must admit i have a soft spot for them , so i want them to do well . Watching the game tuesday i have made my mind up , Peter Crouch is a joke and if he is keeping a real talented player like Cisse out of the side , Rafa needs to rethink . Cisse is a top player and very unrated IMO , i think hes Strong , Fast and a great eye for goal . Peter Crouch on the other hand is just pathetic , he may aswell play in Europe for Everton because thats the level hes at .

[Summers]

Fuck you, you fucking cock. Crouch is good, I hope uo die.

[Asuka's Gonna Kill You]

Crouch aint too bad. He didn't exactly do all that much wrong in the game, and he has played some pretty good link up play since arriving. I don't rate him greatly or anything, but he's not as bad as you're claiming. Better than Cisse? Not in my opinion, but he's not shit either.

[therockbox]

Im not a Liverpool fan but i must admit i have a soft spot for them , so i want them to do well . Watching the game tuesday i have made my mind up , Peter Crouch is a joke and if he is keeping a real talented player like Cisse out of the side , Rafa needs to rethink . Cisse is a top player and very unrated IMO , i think hes Strong , Fast and a great eye for goal . Peter Crouch on the other hand is just pathetic , he may aswell play in Europe for Everton because thats the level hes at .

[The Slickman]

Im not a Liverpool fan but i must admit i have a soft spot for them , so i want them to do well . Watching the game tuesday i have made my mind up , Peter Crouch is a joke and if he is keeping a real talented player like Cisse out of the side , Rafa needs to rethink . Cisse is a top player and very unrated IMO , i think hes Strong , Fast and a great eye for goal . Peter Crouch on the other hand is just pathetic , he may aswell play in Europe for Everton because thats the level hes at .

You fucking idiot.

[Summers]

Shaun Wright Phillips was only hired by Man City Reserves because they wanted Bradley. So, they didn't see Shaun as anything special, right? Right. Now look at him, one of the best right sided players in the Premiership.

Peter Crouch is nowhere near being terrible, you twat.