May this Christmas end the present year
In a cheerful note and make way
For a fresh and bright new year.
Here’s wishing you a
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Friday, December 23, 2011
Merry Christmas from Red's Fury™ – LFC Fans Blog
Rumour Mill: Liverpool keeping tabs on Real Madrid’s German star
Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has laid down a stark ultimatum to his Germany international midfielder Mesut Ozil that he will be on his way next summer unless there is a marked improvement.
Liverpool are keeping tabs on German international Mesut Ozil after his career at Real Madrid became uncertain.
The German World Cup star has been hit by heavy criticism after his performance in the La Liga defeat to rivals Barcelona.
Damien Comolli will keep an eye on developments and if Real signal they are willing to sell, then the Reds’ director of football will propose a deal.
Liverpool’s hand will be stronger if they qualify for the Champions League, although failure would not rule them out of the running for the 23-year-old.
Real paid Werder Bremen £12.4million for Ozil after he starred in the 2010 World Cup.
At the same time, Madrid is still keen on holding on to Ozil, as they still believe he’s a world-class player, who perhaps needs to get the same patient treatment Karim Benzema got when he struggled during his first year with the Spanish giants.
This story has been reproduced from the media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club or Red's Fury™ blog.
Source: People
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Suarez Saga: Hung Drawn and Quartered
At long last the FA made a decision on Suarez and his alleged racist comments towards Evra, it really is so amazing how long it has taken to come to a conclusion. I obviously feared he would be found guilty but the harshness of the punishment is unbelievable, obviously the FA are making a strong statement to UEFA on their stand against racism in this country and they were determined to make an example of someone, and unluckily for Suarez he was the man they were looking for.
Suarez has been treated harshly since his arrival in this country, constantly being brought up is his handball on the line in the World Cup to biting a players’ ear, his remarkable talent and great play being secondary to these incidents. But the incident with Evra seemed lightweight, it was like Evra’s word against Suarez and yet the FA has hammered Suarez with a fine and an eight match ban. There is players that end other players careers with bad challenges and don’t receive as harsh a ban.
Liverpool have backed Suarez throughout the whole affair and I suppose you would expect that but with such a case as this the clubs’ integrity is at stake here and yet even after the recent verdict they are still supporting their man. The club seem outraged by the decision with the statement they have produced regarding the decision and it will be interesting to see their next move as they look set to retaliate.
Evra is no angel with a history of controversy and this makes this all the more strange how the FA believe his word against Suarez. If he was angry with what Suarez said during the game, then why did he not tell the referee during the match instead of complaining after the game, most “men” would deal with the matter on the park not go crying to officials after the match, can you imagine Souness acting in this way, me neither.
This ban could have a massive effect on the rest of Liverpool’s season as they will not want to lose their star striker for such a long spell. With Liverpool chasing a top four spot, they will need all of their star players available. But more worrying is Suarez being labelled a racist, mud sticks and even if he appeals and gets off with it, the footballing public won’t forget and this stigma will be attached to a wonderful player because one man decided to get him into trouble.
Suarez has been hung out to dry by the FA as they have drawn the whole episode out far too long and they are now going to ban him for about a quarter of the remainder of the season. I just hope Liverpool stick by Suarez and make a stand against the FA because this has not been handled in the right manner, it seemed the FA had made up their mind a long time ago and Liverpool need to do what is right and not be bullied by them. Watch this space, but whatever happens Luis Suarez will never walk alone.
Written by Jamie McLaughlin, who writes for Anfield News
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Extended Match Highlights: Wigan 0-0 Liverpool
* By pressing play on the video, you’ve agreed with the English FA rules and regulations on its broadcasting. This video is googled and for personal viewing only. Red's Fury™ does not host or upload this material and is not responsible for the content.
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Video Interviews: Show Luis Suarez Racism Appeal In Public
Former Football Association chief executive David Davies tells BBC Breakfast that the FA's charge of racism against Liverpool striker Luis Suarez is "perhaps the most difficult disciplinary case the FA has had to deal with in modern times" due to "the language and cultural issues" surrounding it.
Davies describes the Uruguayan's eight-game ban as a "tough verdict" and believes "the message will go around the world that the FA are serious against" the issue of racism.
More video on Luis Suarez ban:
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Wigan 0-0 Liverpool: Reds rue missed chances
Liverpool had to settle for a point after being held to a goalless draw by Wigan Athletic at the DW Stadium on Wednesday night.
After an open first half, in which both sides had their goalkeepers to thank for keeping the score level, the Reds were awarded a penalty five minutes into the second period after Gary Caldwell handled an effort from Luis Suarez.
However, Charlie Adam's low effort from 12 yards was saved by Wigan goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi.
Liverpool continued to press in search of a winner, but they were ultimately to be left frustrated by an inspired display from Wigan's custodian.
Having watched his side win so comfortably at Aston Villa on Sunday, Kenny Dalglish opted to make just two changes to his starting line up for the short journey to Wigan - Maxi Rodriguez and Dirk Kuyt replacing Craig Bellamy and Jonjo Shelvey.
Liverpool have been highly impressive on the road so far this term, and that victory at Villa Park was their fifth in eight contests away from Anfield in the Barclays Premier League. With that in mind, Dalglish would have no doubt have called on his players to pick up where they left off.
A spirited display helped Wigan hold Chelsea to a 1-1 draw at the DW Stadium last time out , but the Reds quickly set about taking the game to their hosts.
Adam smashed an early free-kick into a Wigan wall before good build-up play presented Jordan Henderson with the chance to test Al Habsi from just inside the area.
Read more: Liverpool FC Official
* By pressing play on the video, you’ve agreed with the English FA rules and regulations on its broadcasting. This video is googled and for personal viewing only. Red's Fury™ does not host or upload this material and is not responsible for the content.
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Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Video Preview: Wigan v Liverpool
Roberto Martinez will give striker Hugo Rodallega as much time as possible before naming his side to face Liverpool on Wednesday.
Rodallega is Wigan's only injury concern ahead of the visit of the Reds after he suffered a knock during the 1-1 draw with Chelsea on Saturday.
Martinez will assess the Colombian's fitness over the next 24 hours before making a decision on whether or not to risk him in the tie.
Emmerson Boyce, meanwhile, has recovered from a hamstring injury but the game has come too soon for him and he will have to wait until after Christmas before making his return.
Liverpool have no new injury concerns ahead of the trip to the DW Stadium, although Kenny Dalglish must do without Jay Spearing, who is serving his three-match suspension. Other absentees are full-backs Fabio Aurelio and Jack Robinson, although neither would have expected to be in the starting line-up if fit. Dalglish will have a similar match day squad as Sunday at his disposal but may rotate a few personnel to freshen things up during the busy festive period.
Skipper Steven Gerrard is nearing a return to fitness but he is still not ready to take his place following the ankle infection that has kept him on the sidelines for two months.
Referee watch:
Northumberland official Michael Oliver will take charge of his 14th game of the season when the two sides meet. So far Oliver has shown 36 yellow and 2 red cards during games under his control. The 26-year-old has refereed both sides on one previous occasion this season with Wigan enjoying a 2-0 win over QPR in August and Liverpool knocking Brighton out of the Carling Cup 2-1 in September. Oliver was the youngest-ever referee to take charge of a Premier League game, aged just 25 years and 182 days when officiating Birmingham City v Blackburn Rovers on 21st August 2010.
Wigan (from): Al Habsi, Caldwell, Alcaraz, Figueroa, Watson, Diame, Moses, Gomez, McCarthy, Di Santo, Jones, Stam, Van Aanholt, McArthur, Lopez, Thomas, Sammon, Maloney, Crusat, Gohouri, Rodallega, McCarthy, Pollitt, Kirkland.
Liverpool (from): Reina, Johnson, Agger, Skrtel, Enrique, Kuyt, Adam, Henderson, Downing, Suarez, Rodriguez, Doni, Kelly, Carragher, Coates, Shelvey, Bellamy, Carroll.
* By pressing play on the video, you’ve agreed with the English FA rules and regulations on its broadcasting. This video is googled and for personal viewing only.
Match Prediction:
Liverpool played really well against Villa on Sunday and earned a well-deserved 2-0 victory, and against an inferior Wigan side there is no excuse for them to lose.
Wigan has allowed 30 goals this season, tied for third worst in the Premier League and have had difficulty keeping opponents from piling up the goals.
Dalglish's Liverpool team have a lot of quality, especially in the midfield, and will cruise to a comfortable win over Wigan in midweek.
Red's Fury™ Prediction: Wigan 0-4 Liverpool
This story has been reproduced from the media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club or Red's Fury™ blog.
Source: Setanta Sports
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Liverpool striker handed an eight-match ban and fine by the FA
Liverpool Football Club is very surprised and disappointed with the decision of the Football Association Commission to find Luis Suarez guilty of the charges against him.
The Football Association imposed the punishment, suspended for 14 days pending any appeal from the club, and a £40,000 fine after a ruling by an independent regulatory commission.
“It is key to note that Patrice Evra himself in his written statement in this case said ‘I don’t think that Luis Suarez is racist’.
“The FA in their opening remarks accepted that Luis Suarez was not racist.”
Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish was fuming at the decision by an independent regulatory commission following a three-day hearing last week.
Club officials will now study the written findings before formally deciding whether to appeal or not. But if he appeals and loses he risks being handed an even longer ban of up to 10 games. Read Liverpool FC Official statement on Luis Suarez here.
An FA statement said:
“Mr Suarez used insulting words towards Mr Evra during the match contrary to FA Rule E3 (1).
“The insulting words used by Mr Suarez included a reference to Mr Evra’s colour within the meaning of Rule E3 (2).
“Mr Suarez shall be warned as to his future conduct, be suspended for eight matches covering all first-team competitive matches and fined the sum of £40,000.
“The penalty is suspended until after the outcome of any appeal, or the time for appealing expires, or should Mr Suarez decide not to appeal.”
“Suarez didn’t have to be proven guilty “beyond the benefit of doubt”. This was not English justice, but a sports tribunal. He did not get given the chance to defend himself to a jury of his peers. He faced a small panel, that was not fully independent or without its agendas (such as taking on Sepp Blatter on the issue of racism, and perhaps using this to prove a point). The fact that this was such a tricky issue perhaps made the procedure insufficient; at least John Terry gets to go through a more established process.
“People are wrongly convicted of things all the time, especially with only verbal accusations. Cases are frequently overturned; initial guilty verdicts can be appealed, and are often successful.
“But once tarnished, it sticks.” – excerpt from The Tomkins Times
However, Suarez is available for tonight’s Premier League clash at Wigan but whether he is in the right frame of mind to play remains to be seen.
From an outside point of view looking into this verdicts on Suarez’s charges, it’s only one man’s words against another man. The committee setup by the FA has failed to provide a concrete evidences on the allegation. Luis Suarez will remained “innocent” until be proven guilty of serious offences beyond a reasonable doubt.
This story has been reproduced from the media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club or Red's Fury™ blog.
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