Footy Speak

After three successive defeats – without even scoring themselves – Liverpool are really on the ropes as they face an enormous week ahead of them, starting with a crucial Champions League clash with Lyon tonight.

And with Fernando Torres set to miss out once again through injury, Rafa Benitez will be pondering how the Reds are going to hit the back of the net for the first time since September 26th. The media love to eulogise about Anfield on ‘big European nights’ and how the Kop can suck the ball into the opponent’s net, and the team will need that support tonight more than any other time in recent history as they look to draw confidence from home comforts.

Lyon, despite a dismal 2-0 home defeat to Sochaux at the weekend, shouldn’t be underestimated. In Lisandro and Gomis, they have a frontline akin to the skill, tenacity, pace and strength of Rooney and Drogba. Behind them, the ever-willing Toulalan and Makoun will look to quell the force of Gerrard and with a makeshift strike-force consisting of either Kuyt, Babel or N’gog – patience could be the name of the game both on and off the pitch.

Liverpool can’t afford to look ahead to Manchester United on Sunday, otherwise their Champions League campaign will become as perilous as their Premier League assault.

Champions League Predictions

AZ Alkmaar 1-2 Arsenal
Liverpool 2-1 Lyon

Adebayor had until Wednesday, 6PM to appeal against charges for violent contact in the match against Arsenal the other week. He was accused of deliberately stamping on Robin Van Persie’s face. By not appealing, it seems that Adebayor has condemned himself to at least a 3 match ban. I think it would of been pointless of him to appeal however. This is beacause, the referee, Mark Clatenberg has mentioned that if he had seen the incident, he would of sent off Adebayor for violent conduct.

He is also charged, with regards to the same game for celebrating his goals in front of the Arsenal supporters, but not before running the whole length of the pitch. So that’s one of the 3 match bans settled (even though they don’t actually decide until Thursday (today)).

What do you reckon will happen? I think its awful that he’s going to get a 3 match ban. I think its ridiculous. No one can prove whether it was violent conduct or not – no matter how “obvious” people says it looked. At the end of the day – Robin Van Persie almost broke Adebayor’s leg with his two footed lunge, right before the aforementioned “incident” took place. Why should Robin Van Persie not get banned?

A lot to get through really, but I’ll keep it short!

Liverpool vs Burnley – Benayoun played an absolutely fantastic game, scoring a brilliant hatrick. Kuyt scored the other Liverpool goal in a 4-0, over the team which downed Manchester United.  Not only did Benayoun score 3, he set up Kuyt’s goal, well, sort of. Blasted a fantastic shot at the keeper, who couldn’t handle it. Being fair to Kuyt, he’s a striker, poaching is a must. If you watch the replays, you’ll see how he anticipated to keeper dropping the shot, and making sure he was the first to get there. Overall, a solid performance from the reds.

Chelsea vs Stoke – Pretty standard match this. Chelsea dominating possession after getting the equalizer. The keeper, keeps it level until the very last minute – and bang, something ticks off in his head and he’ll let a ball fly into the back of his net. One, he really should be saving. I’m not exactly sure where the 5 minutes of extra time came in this match. Well done to Chelsea for sticking at it though. Although, this seems to happen a fair bit with the blues, eh?

Manchester United vs Spurs – THIS game, was one of the best games, I’ve had the pleasure of watching this season. Dream start for Spurs, when Crouchy nodded down the ball, only for Jermaine Defoe to smash it in the back of the net, upside down! (bicycle kick) – After that ball nestled the net, the game was packed full of cation. My favorite moment of this game came at Manchester’s equalizer. I will never forget that footy moment. Let me explain further.

1.) Berbatov seems to dive (SEEMS!) – although the tackle was pretty ridiculous, two footed, from behind.

2.) The commentator decides to mention a certain Cristiano Ronaldo, and how Manchester United would be missing his services at this precise moment.

3.) Gigs steps up – and sends a beauty into the top-right corner – Cudicini seemed to get fairly close, but in reality, it would of had to be a pretty special save!

Thats all for now, take care and enjoy the rest of your weekend!

There will be no action this weekend due to an International break. But before going on this week’s break, Arsenal’s defeat through Manchester United is still afresh. There have been accusations from Arsene Wenger and Arshavin that Manchester United played anti-football, to break Arsenal’s free flow passing football. To add to Wenger’s frustration, Eduardo was banned for two matches by Uefa for diving in a Champions League qualifier match against Celtic.

Wenger also stated that, to play football the way United played against them, was a bigger crime than Eduardo’s diving. Such tactics can ruin the fun of the beautiful game, he believed. The good news for Wenger, was that his two key players, Nicklas Bendtnar and Denilson have successfully signed contracts with Arsenal. The details are not known but it is to be believed that the contracts will keep the two 21 year olds, at Emirates for at least another five years.

There was also sad news from the Manchester City camp, as they lost their best defender on the last day of the summer transfer window. The new summer arrivals forces 29 year old Richard Dunne, an Irish player, to leave the club for Aston Villa.

England were again the top spenders for the 2009 summer transfer window with a total spending of $715.1 million. Spain came second with $676.6 million, of which $355 million were spent by Real Madrid alone.