OUR FIRST TEST
LIVERPOOL fans are falling into two distinct camps so far this season.
Either you reckon we've played woefully in our first three Premiership games and two European matches and stumbled to seven league points and Champions League qualification.
Or you you believe we're joint top of the league and have negotiated a very tricky qualifier against capable Belgian opposition.
At 2.35pm on Saturday, we will get the first signs that one camp was better informed than the other.
It's a big, big game on Saturday. As if any of you needed reminding.
It's the games against Man Utd, Chelsea and Arsenal which give us the best indicators if we are ready for a serious title shot.
A general rule of thumb is that if we are able to beat these three at home, and at least draw with them away, we are equipped to challenge for the big prize.
Last year, you'll all recall, we lost home and away to the Mancs, drew both to the Gooners, and drew both against the Russians.
Four points from a possible 18. Speaks for itself, doesn't it?
But win at home on Saturday, and we'll have a real basis for optimism.
Fate has dealt us a huge below with news emerging this week that our talisman Gerrard will be sitting this heavyweight clash out.
It could have been worse. We were buoyed by the report today that Fernando Torres is winning his fitness battle to be ready in time.
With both of them out, we would have had an uphill struggle on our hands. Now, with the Spaniard possibly leading the line, our chances rise by about 20%.
It's not as if United are playing particularly well. Rooney is out of form, Ronaldo is on the sidelines, Hargreaves is the new Darren Sicknote Anderton and Paul Scholes is infuriating the Red Faced One by his passable handball impressions of Diego Maradona.
Only the admirable Tevez and Darren Fletcher(!!) are pulling them through at the moment.
It's time for some individuals to step up to the plate.
We all know that Mascherano will work his arse off on Saturday. We all know Carragher and Skrtel will build brick walls on our 18 yard line.
We all know that Pepe Reina will perform with German-like efficiency between the sticks.
What we don't know is if Ryan Babel will decide to use the undoubted talent that God has given him. To want the ball and be positive.
What we also don't know is whether Xabi Alonso will grab the game by the scruff of the neck and use Gerrard's absence as a chance to play much further up the park and provide the incisive balls Torres and Keane need.
And what we are also currently unaware of is whether Rafa will play out of form players in positions which are unfamilar to them.
I presume Albert Riera is eligible to play, and will be inked onto the teamsheet, instructed to hug the touchline and give Wes Brown plenty to think about.
Keane and Torres up front, Riera and Babel out wide and let's go straight for the throat.
With a Spirit of Shankly march planned before the game - a protest against the hapless American owners - the atmosphere will be at fever pitch.
If we're all doing it on the terraces, it's not too much to ask the players and managers to give us every chance to get those three points that could give real belief to Liverpool fans all over the city.
Come on the Reds.
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its about time we stopped losing 0-1 at home to the mancs when they arent playing well. if everyone decides to get their finger out, we could well do them
come on boys.
looking forward to seeing riera, a little bit of balance in the side for once. i wouldnt mind giving pennant a go too. at home, he's worth the place.
stretch them, and make keane happy with a bit of service from the wings.
Pissed meself at this....off Everton Rivals.
50 reasons why people want some sort of medal
By marion ross - 05/09/2008 07:27
1. They speak as they find and are proud of it
2. They get up at 6.00am every morning
3. They haven't missed an Everton game for 30 seasons
4. They shagged a girl at a party, then sneaked out
5. They got flowers off their fella sent to the office
6. They were the only one to spot those bargain Jimmy Choo's in Cricket
7. They let on to Arteta in the Met Quarter
8. They were pissed out of their brain last night
9. They got an extra flim in their change by mistake
10. They were into the Manics when Richey was still around
11. They had a trial for Everton in '72
12. They sorted their Liege trip within 5 minutes of the draw
13. They stood behind Tony Wilson, giving him a knob'ead sign, on a Granada Reports outside broadcast
14. They got banned off some Liverpool website or other
15. They shouted "fuck off" when a band said "good evening Liverpool"
16. They went to 'San An' with 'Andy and The Lads', and didn't sleep for three nights
17. They got their 'tit' off someone out of Hollyoaks
18. They supported Oasis at The Lomax in '94
19. They hung with River Phoenix one night at The Viper Rooms
20. They read 'The End' before you did
21. They can get sorted for tickets any time
22. They did a line with an ex-Everton player only recently
23. They know the best 'hopper' pass to get in Orlando
24. They kept Steven Gerrard out of the school team
25. They don't take any shit, you know?
26. They don't hang around for the headline act
27. They own the only bootleg of Joy Division's first gig as 'Warsaw'
28. They once knocked back Sammie Rogers out of Brookie
29. They had a scrap with David Price, in school, but it got broken up
30. They were 'off me tits, la' at Creamfields
31. They could play for Everton if only they were fitter
32. They have 'angles' on every gangland murder in Liverpool
33. They are Nick Peet, of the Echo. Biggest fucking beaut in the city
34. They are Jade Wright, also of the Echo. Stop fucking bangin' on about that lad saying you have the 'third best tits in Liverpool'
35. They have bought all their crizzy prezzies by Bommy night
36. They wrote to the Council to get something done about the bins
37. They 'know this fella'
38. They come into work, even when they're at 'death's door'
39. They have a sister who is married to a 70's Liverpool star
40. They are in The Zutons
41. They wouldn't dream of getting a bus
42. They never pay their bills until 'the red one'
43. They play for a Sunday team who are top of the league
44. They 'ran' Chelsea in '78
45. They hang out, 'with the girls', like they're those ones off Sex in the City
46. They only buy clobber that's 'this season' (fuck's sake)
47. They lobbed a missile into the Road End in '81, hitting some wool on the head
48. They had the first pair of straights in the Breck Road area
49. They passed their test, first time, and found it a 'piece of piss'
50. They made 'Brewsters' on their house sale
I don't know what the other know-it-all mindless questioning Reds fans will be doing Saturday, but I'll be singing.
just tell me Bennett isn't reffing !
bennett isnt reffing!
johnny b red
you refering to me mate?
im very worried about benitiez and his ploys, but i'll still be singing , knobhead.