Liverpool versus Manchester City? 'It's King Kong versus Mickey Mouse'-Joe Bernstein

[WhiskeyJar]

Picked it up from the Mail Online:

 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1305072/Liverpool-versus-Manchester-City-like-King-Kong-versus-Mickey-Mouse.html

--------------------------------------------------

They both like to wind up Manchester United, from installing giant Carlos Tevez posters to quoting 'facts' about Sir Alex Ferguson.

 

But the reality for Manchester City and Liverpool as they lock horns tomorrow in a match of huge significance is that their biggest rivals are each other.

 

Barring any sudden and unforeseen demise of Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal, there is only one place available in English football's elite top four, and both the 'kamikaze' spenders and penniless aristocrats want it.

 

City represent 'new money', and lots of it, with £1billion already invested by Abu Dhabi trying to make the club a major force.

 

Liverpool, despite a seemingly never-ending takeover saga, retain a worldwide cachet and loyalty that City can only dream about: 209 international fan clubs, more than two million Facebook friends and an estimated 150million who would call themselves Liverpool fans.

 

To their glee, those fans' favourite players, Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard, will be in the away dressing room tomorrow night - two global names City wanted to buy to add glamour to their brand, but failed.

'It makes you wonder why the Abu Dhabi owners bought Manchester City rather than wait to buy Liverpool,' said one senior figure at Anfield.

 

'If they had spent the £1bn on Liverpool, they would be sitting back now with the best team in the world. 'When you look at the two clubs, it's King Kong versus Mickey Mouse.'

 

Given Liverpool's failure so far to sell the club and a deadline looming in October to pay back the £237m owed to the Royal Bank of Scotland - Chinese tycoon Kenny Huang withdrew his £350m offer for the club on Friday - City would be outraged at being mocked, particularly as their spending has saved the game during a recession.

 

They have spent in a way never seen before in the English game, not even by Chelsea's Roman Abramovich.

 

Having broken the British transfer record in 2008, on their first day as owners, to buy Robinho (£32.5m), and given Mark Hughes millions to spend on players like Craig Bellamy, Shay Given, Joleon Lescott and Wayne Bridge, they are now ready to offload them to accommodate an influx of mainly foreign stars.

 

New boss Roberto Mancini has spent £130m in this window alone on Mario Balotelli, James Milner, Yaya Toure and a couple of now injured full-backs.

 

Stephen Ireland, sold to Aston Villa last week as part of the Milner deal, did not pull any punches when he spoke about City on his arrival at Villa Park.

 

'There are lots of faces there who don't feel that much for the club. I guess he (Milner) must think the grass is greener on the other side. He is going to get a shock soon.'

 

Last season, City's unprecedented investment meant they finished above Liverpool for only the second time since 1968, only to find Tottenham nip in and take fourth spot.

 

Yet Emmanuel Adebayor's quandary typifies the problems the City project has hit so far. A £25m fanfare signing from Arsenal just a year ago, the Togo striker - now linked with Real Madrid - found himself on the bench at Tottenham on the opening day and is likely to serve as Balotelli's stand-in this season.

 

'Being sat on the bench for the first game of the season was tough for me,' said Adebayor. 'But I'm not going anywhere at the moment. I love the challenge of making it at City.

 

'I had a chat with the manager after the Spurs game, which was good. There is no pressure for me to leave. What I am going to do is keep enjoying my football.

 

'I don't want to look too far into the future. Who knows, by January maybe the manager will tell me to leave, or maybe I will ask to leave. This is football. What we are trying to establish takes time. It makes everything easier when you keep the same manager and the players know how to play together.

 

'Chelsea have had the same group for seven or eight years. The Manchester United players know each other, look at the way Patrice Evra and Nani have learned to play together.'

Massive club: Kuyt was stunned by the level of support Liverpool had in South Africa

The City owners, however, have not invested so heavily merely to be on the fringes of Champions League qualification. They bought the club mainly as a vehicle to promote Abu Dhabi, a Gulf state increasingly relying on tourism and the hosting of major events.

So far, City have not been able to dent Liverpool's status as a global brand, let alone United's. And that is despite their two rivals both being burdened by a huge debt placed upon their clubs by American owners.

 

Liverpool forward Dirk Kuyt said: 'I went to the World Cup in South Africa with Holland this summer and the support for Liverpool there was unbelievable.It doesn't matter where you are in the world, everyone knows Liverpool. You can't say the same at the moment about Manchester City.

 

'The players feel they are at a historic club, but for us to be part of that history, we need to win trophies.'

 

Despite the £300m spent by City in transfer fees alone, Kuyt would not swap their squad for Liverpool's.

 

'When I look around and see Stevie, Fernando, Pepe (Reina), there is no reason to fear anyone. This team have been together many years. We have played in the Champions League final (2007) and been runners-up in the League.

'We have been through good times and bad times together, and this helps. You saw last week against Arsenal, when we deserved to win with 10 men, that our team spirit is very good.

 

'We have to forget last season's disappointment and go for a topfour spot. A win at Manchester City would be a massive statement.'

 

Manager Roy Hodgson's newest recruit, holding midfield player Christian Poulsen, was wanted by City before his move to Juventus in 2008, but he raises eyebrows when asked if City could be mentioned in the same breath as Liverpool.

 

'You can't compare their history with Liverpool or Manchester United. In Denmark, Liverpool is number one and I am sure it is the same in other places.'

 

If the penniless aristocrats win tomorrow, Sheik Mansour may regret not biding his time and choosing Anfield over Eastlands.

 

But if his 'kamikaze' spenders come out on top, Tom Hicks, George Gillett or whoever is Liverpool's next owner will know there may be a new irresistible force coming to blow them out.

-----------------------------------------------------------

[Guest Numero Veinticinco]

Not often I like something I read in the Mail. I like it because it's biased to my support. That said, there's not a lot that can be pointed out to be wrong in that. We are penniless and we are massive. It's galling to see a club like City spending that much (mainly on players worth half of what they paid and a quarter of their salary), but it's their right to do so. I just hope our situation improves soon.

 

These American's have been so damaging it's unbelievable. They could yet destroy this club forever.

[RedinSweden]

The only thing I strongly disagree with in that is the assumption that the top three is nailed on. I think only Chelsea look like definites for top four finish. Arsenal or United could conceivably miss out.

[Guest Numero Veinticinco]

The only thing I strongly disagree with in that is the assumption that the top three is nailed on. I think only Chelsea look like definites for top four finish. Arsenal or United could conceivably miss out.

 

Can't see it, RiS. I think it's a pretty safe assumption that United and Chelsea will take two of the top three spaces - if not two of the top two - and that Arsenal are likely to take one of the top four. It's not inconceivable that Arsenal could have a season like we had last year, but their attacking football wins them enough games against the average teams in the league that they are very likely to get enough points for a top four.

[Captain]

The only thing I strongly disagree with in that is the assumption that the top three is nailed on. I think only Chelsea look like definites for top four finish. Arsenal or United could conceivably miss out.

 

What, the mancs not making the top four? No. Fucking. Chance.

 

In fact, I'll be very surprised if they don't finish in the top two.

[goatboy59]

City's spending has saved the game?!?

 

Go fuck yourself.

[paddyberger15]

The only thing I strongly disagree with in that is the assumption that the top three is nailed on. I think only Chelsea look like definites for top four finish. Arsenal or United could conceivably miss out.

 

No chance of that RiSley. Between Chelsea and United for the title, Arsenal not that far behind in third, maybe 6 points or so, then it's A.N Other for 4th. Unlikely to be us, it will likely be between Spurs and City.

[paddyberger15]

City's spending has saved the game?!?

 

Go fuck yourself.

 

I know. You have to snigger.

The thing is though, that will be the horseshit that Citys fans will be spouting and if and when they do break into the top 4 and/or win something, they will actually see it as an achievement...."we've saved the game we 'av, we're a big club aaaaaare".

 

I have no problem with long suffering fans of any clubs enjoying their moments of success, ultimately that is what we all want for our clubs, why we frequent sites like this to chew and debate the issues, why we follow the team and why your club is for life, but for anybody to say that City have been anything like a saviour for the game and for their fans to claim any kind of respect for their eventual 'achievements' will be the biggest atrocity perpetrated on an already dead and soulless game.

 

If you thought the advent of SKY Sports, all seater stadiums, Richard fucking Keys, the Bosman ruling, Agents, Agents for Referees and the Premier League weren't bad enough, City are about to takes crimes against football to a whole new level and their place should be at Nuremberg, followed by public execution.

 

Respect is earned and class is learned. Lots of people in football have forgotten that, both inside and outside of the game.

[zigackly]

The only thing I strongly disagree with in that is the assumption that the top three is nailed on. I think only Chelsea look like definites for top four finish. Arsenal or United could conceivably miss out.

 

I think that's very unlikely this season RiS.

 

The Mancs, for all that they do not have the money to flash that they used to, will still spend much more than us this season on a squad that was playing football light years ahead of us last. You can look at it on paper and say that man for man our first team is better and their depth is certainly less than the likes of City and Chelsea, perhaps even Tottenham, but what they have which carries them through is a wealth of experience in a squad which is inculcated in winning trophies and going out with the confidence to get a result, even after a bad game or two. I don't think we'll see them fall away until the likes of Scholes, Giggs and van der Sar retire, and even then they will have passed on a degree of it to the younger generation who are already improving and starting to learn that mindset and assurance. Our best hope there is Ferguson no longer being in charge.

 

Arsenal had a woeful season with injuries last season, arguably as bad or worse than ours and yet with a host of good or very good youngsters to call on they still never got drawn into a battle for fourth at any stage and their style of football will pick them up a lot of points against the cackers in the league even if the decent teams or the battlers can often have a good day against them. I can see them being quite a lot better than last season, even if they have approximately zero chance of winning the league. I think they are quite a way ahead of City and Tottenham and don't expect them to be drawn into a CL qualification scrap; if anything they might get a surprise second.

 

The big unknown in all this is us. We have the tools in our team to beat anyone if we get the approach and confidence right, and even if our star players are out we have enough internationals in the team that we should be capable of grinding out results against most of the league if we're not having the type of group nervous breakdown we clearly suffered from last season. The question is whether Hodgson really can "steady the ship" and get the players to perform as a unit with a recognisable style and shape and some confidence to go out and get the results we need. If we perform to the level I believe we should be capable of and have some luck with injuries for once, then who knows; it's not inconceivable that we could be fighting for a top three place.

 

On the flip side if nothing really changes from last season we could easily do much the same or even slide further down the greased ladder. We have two very difficult challengers for our top four spot in Tottenham and City and it would be premature to rule out teams like Villa and Everton from having a great season as well.

 

Most likely scenario for me is a big three and a not so big three with Chelsea, Mancs and Arsenal clear of the other pack of us, City and Tottenham who will be vying for fourth.

 

Decent article by the way, I thought. Shows that we still have so much potential if we could only get rid of the poisonous cunts in the boardroom and stop haemorrhaging cash on toxic debts. Never mind a new stadium and investment in the squad; I would happily snap your arm off for a nine point deduction, a cheap sale to responsible owners just to get rid of the debt, and being able to spend what we could under Moores and Parry again. We could ride out the next couple of years like that until the FIFA financial regulations come in, which would eventually put us back on a much more level footing with the new money clubs who don't have much better stadium capacity than us and have nowhere near the worldwide "brand" we do.

[Jim MM]

Mickey Mouse always does ok for himself and King Kong dies from a bad fall.

[gkmacca]

I don't see the point of this sort of thing. Okay, my values make me hate clubs like Chelski and Man City, but so what? If they can do it they'll do it - what does tradition have to do with the here and now? It won't win three points tomorrow.

[goatboy59]

Mickey Mouse always does ok for himself and King Kong dies from a bad fall.

 

Oncw went to see King Kong at the Phil (the film - it wasn't a concert, like), the old b/w version, and as Kong comes rampaging through the forest a young lass behind me turned to her boyfriend and says "as if".

[Jim MM]

Actually, who's the monkey and who's the rodent in this analogy?

[Antynwa]

The only thing I strongly disagree with in that is the assumption that the top three is nailed on. I think only Chelsea look like definites for top four finish. Arsenal or United could conceivably miss out.

 

You didn't just write off Man United did you?

 

Did You?

 

:wallbutt:

[WhiskeyJar]

You didn't just write off Man United did you?

 

Did You?

 

:wallbutt:

 

Done that so many times....everytime came back to bite me in the arse. Not this year though......

[RedinSweden]

We'll see. I am not saying they won't, just that it isn't as cut and dried as before.

[Monster Masch]

A whole load of Mancs have got on to me before today's match saying "We'll definitely win the league now that we can win a match without Rooney now."

 

I was like, when exactly did you last do that?

 

Today proved it even more.

[kingkenny78]

Those cheeky, chirpy cockanees have called us 'Mickey Mousers' for years.

 

'Kill the fackin' Mickeys' being an often heard urge on match days.

[George Costanza]

We'll see. I am not saying they won't, just that it isn't as cut and dried as before.

 

C'mon RIS you should know better. They'll be there or thereabouts in the title race in April. They may be a squad getting weaker and older but referees and opponents will endeavour to make sure they finish high up.

[ngogswilly]

The Manc cunts will finish in the top two this year. Purely via jammy 1 goal wins and dodgy ref decisions.

 

If they didnt get the dodgy ref decisions I'd bet they'd miss out on roughly 6 points a year. And I reckon whoever finished third this year will finish within 6 points of 2nd.

[kingkenny78]

Yep. Same old same old at Craven Cottage today.

 

Vidic tries to remove an opponent's shirt in the box in full view of the ref and Fulham get fuck all. Shortly after there's a ball to hand by Duff in his own box and the cunt's falling over himself to whistle for a spot kick. Makes you want to vom.

 

Paranoid ? Moi ?

[ngogswilly]

Yep. Same old same old at Craven Cottage today.

 

Vidic tries to remove an opponent's shirt in the box in full view of the ref and Fulham get fuck all. Shortly after there's a ball to hand by Duff in his own box and the cunt's falling over himself to whistle for a spot kick. Makes you want to vom.

 

Paranoid ? Moi ?

 

Yeah sometimes I think to myself I'm being a bit paranoid. But i've simply seen too much shit go on now over the last 10+ years.

 

Its probably just about money really. They're the Premier Leagues biggest asset.

 

The Cunts

[kingkenny78]

Yeah sometimes I think to myself I'm being a bit paranoid. But i've simply seen too much shit go on now over the last 10+ years.

 

Its probably just about money really. They're the Premier Leagues biggest asset.

 

The Cunts

That wasn't a dig by the way mate.

 

I'm always banging on about the mancs being the 'establishment' team ( they're certainly Sky's and salivating hairy hands Keys' team )and how refs, season in, season out, always seem to favour them.

 

That and the whole Sir Alex, Sir Bobby and Sir Matt thing. Whilst our Bob and Bill, plus it should be said, the King, go largely unrecognised.

[ngogswilly]

That wasn't a dig by the way mate.

I'm always banging on about the mancs being the 'establishment' team ( they're certainly Sky's and salivating hairy hands Keys' team )and how refs, season in, season out, always seem to favour them.

 

That and the whole Sir Alex, Sir Bobby and Sir Matt thing. Whilst our Bob and Bill, plus it should be said, the King, go largely unrecognised.

 

Ah yeah no worries I got that mate.

 

Thats a great point actually you make. Its almost as if SKY etc... think the Mancs are the only team with history. Crazy stuff.

[ChunkyMonkey]

It is. How blatantly Sky have tried to downgrade our team and club over the years via their links, programme intro montages, etc. just astounds me. The recent altering of LFC banners should have been shocking to me but it just wasn't.

 

I fucking hate Sky with a real passion. And Andy Gray just dreams of the day he gets to give Ferguson a nosh.