Leaderboard

Work-rate. Incisiveness. Nous. I don't ask for much. This is how it's gonna be. Build from the ground up. After a much improved display and decent result at Fulham, we move onto the second of 4 away games in succession (the first being the trip to Bergamo) when we visit the 'Grand Old Lady'. Like a grand old lady, it's seen better days decades ago and now stinks of piss. Countless times this season, Everton have come up against an equally shit opponent, dragged them down to their level and beaten them through experience. They and Ashley Young got a massive helping hand against Forest, who were denied 3 penalties. Forest's cry-arsing statement afterwards will not have helped their cause, as PGMOL don't take kindly to being called out for their shitness. They of course think they are doing a great job, and are backed up by Howard Webb's book of bullshit excuses. It seems as though every time Everton are staring at the abyss, there will either be 3 sides shitter than them, or they'll come up against an opponent having a stinker. We are absolutely not the former, and we absolutely must not allow ourselves to be the latter. Last season's fixture finished goalless, mainly thanks to the woodwork (the goalposts in this instance!) and the goalkeepers. For us, Darwin, Lucho and Mo all hit the frame of the goal, and for them it was Davies. The goalkeepers were kept busy, although the clearest opportunity fell to Everton debutant Maupay who somehow found Ali's arm when he had pretty much the entire goal to aim at. Bobby had a couple of efforts saved, and was still yet to score in a derby. Incredible really that for the best part of 8 years he was the central fulcrum of our attack yet never registered a goal in a derby. The blooshite were denied a late goal by VAR, who deemed Coady to be offside at the far post from a Maupay cross-shot. This was a far more clear-cut decision than the 'point of Sadio's elbow' decision by David Coote on VAR a couple of years earlier that denied Hendo a stoppage time derby winner (this was the game where Coote forgot that Virg had been recklessly crippled by T-Rex Arms). Fuck off Coady. We'd had a shit start to the season, especially away from home, so a point was better than nothing. Still shit though, considering Fat Frank was in the dugout for the blooshite. Our last game at Fulham saw an improvement in our general play, and more composure in attacking situations. We must do everything we can to get this game under control. Don't do anything that lets Everton off the hook or gives them a head of steam. Hopefully Everton's good fortune was used up against Forest. We should have everyone that was available for Fulham available again for the derby. I want maximum motivation, concentration, attitude and application from first minute to last. No excuses. Dominate them, control them, finish them. 3 points please. Get it done!

At my age watching my reds since 1971 i can get very reflective quicker after losing my shit, or worshiping at the Anfield Altar. For me the Title race is run, we will finish 2nd or 3rd. I will enjoy our run in and hope that whatever happens we give JNK something to enjoy, more moments he can look back on. Some will only want to reflect on the season once its over, for me personally that's too late,, Why? because he will be gone by then. Don't get me wrong i want us to win out and see what happens, I want to win the PL for him as much as the next fan, i am just relaxed about it whether it happens or not I look on it like this. Imagine just for a second Klopp was staying to see out his contract. Expectation and the desperation drops, we don't chase the Fairytale or the Hollywood ending, and after last seasons debacle he and the lads had to endure then deliver this: Much changed Squad, New Midfield additions Bajetic, Matip Thiago out all season. Literally EVERY player be missing through Injury for significant periods Encounter countless officiating errors that are beyond belief in key games Consistently give goals away either first or equalisers Only keep 9 clean sheets in 33 games..... Lose one of you strikers because some cunt kidnapped his father! BUT Win a trophy. You will flutter around at the top of the table, possibly winning the League, at least going close. After 33 games you will have only lost 2 Morally Discover that Kelleher is a really top class back up keepe See who this Quansah lad is that none of you had heard of, and how fckin good he is Emergence of Bradley which will see twitter virgins want Trent sold! See Dom look every inch the new Gerrard for a portion of the season when he carried us very early on. huge potential Endo after a shaky start work it out and became a cult hero and looks a fckin steal Macca at 6 now at 8 now doing what we expected him to do even though he looks knackered after a warm up! Joe Gomez being Injury free and fucking sensational every game wherever he played Robbo and Virgil getting their Mojo back The development of Danns, McConnell, and Clarke....... Just because we shit the bed twice v Man Utd (no lack of effort, just Composure and game management) and Palace at Home ("one of those that even City get") we are moping and groaning why? because Klopp is going. That is the only reason. The pressure and emotion we are putting on ourselves, its actually impacting negatively on the atmosphere sometimes when we want to celebrate a generational manager Klopp will be disappointed at the end of the season if we don't win the title, not for himself, but for us, the players, everyone he holds dear, which is why we are so desperate to win for him. I am trying to look at it from HIS perspective. If this very young squad can develop as they should, we are going to be in for a fantastic next few years, they are Klopp players he will get all the reflective glory and deservedly so. I for one am proud of the lads (still 5 to go) despite what happens, as i look around at the other Squads in the PL there is none as powerful and talented as ours, (when they are all fit). We are challenging them on their "Mentality" but they love Klopp as much as we do, we are ALL trying too hard, human nature. Take his departure out of this and what a fuckin squad we have, and what a season we have had given last season and the adversity this season. Look how thin City Squad is now, Chelsea's full of kids and big time knobheads, Arsenal, relatively lucky with Injuries but thin as fuck... We have world class players, we have young players who will be world class players. The sooner we get off the Fairytale train and get on board relishing and celebrating the young talent that is Klopp's legacy the sooner we can enjoy the last few weeks of him. We all want it for Him, but lets look at what we have achieved this season despite all the setbacks, Injuries, Officials, Finishing, Conceding... but lets celebrate what we have done, and relish what they could do in the next 5 years..... and go out celebrating the Man we will miss

Good stuff, Dave. For me, Gakpo has really stepped up. His speciality is picking up the ball on the edge of the attacking third, turning and bursting forward through tight spaces. We need to use that better with the movement ahead of him. He can then install himself as the Bobby replacement, linking the last phase of attack. On your excellent point (made on the pod, too) about the "moment" the ball is played during a VAR check, this is absolutely crucial. If my memory is correct, there are 24 frames per second in digital video. If you filmed a foot kicking a ball, the "contact" will cover virtually all 24 frames - and sometimes more, depending on the type of strike. Now, when two people are running (sometimes in opposite directions, so, unscientifically "twice" the speed!) the offside line shifts massively in a split second. So, the moment the "pause" button is pressed is VITAL. Yet, pundits and journalists never seem to talk about it! There is an arbitrary "press pause there" mumbled by the VAR, and then the lines are the only thing that is analysed! But if a few frames are rewound of moved forward - the boot will still be in contact with the ball ("the moment the ball is played") yet the lines will be in completely different places. VAR is a shambles and it has had a detrimental effect on the sport. Lastly, I just wanted to mention that Alisson corner. My mate used to referee in a Christian league. He loved it. Yes it was physical and competitive, but when it came down to contentious decisions, it was so easy because nobody cheated - if you touched the ball last you admitted it. Sometimes they'd be so honest that there's be a disagreement: "Mate, I did touch it, it's a corner." / "No, you didn't, I did, it's a goal kick..." I couldn't help but think of that league when I saw Alisson touch that ball over. Everything about him wanted the ref to give a corner. So, I think almost subconsciously, he took the goal kick he never wanted to a daft place when our players weren't even in the right positions. I'm not saying he wanted it to result in a goal, but he was defo uncomfortable with gaining an unfair advantage and was prepared to conceded possession. His heart belongs to Jesus, and there's nothin we can do about it!

Wife and daughter are out, so made souvlaki and chips for me and the boy. Slow cooked lamb leg and various accoutrements.

1988 – The Dollywood Foundation Parton originally launched the organization in her home county of Sevier County, Tennessee, with the goal of decreasing high school drop out rates. She then started the Buddy Program, in which Parton gave $500 to every seventh and eighth grader who finished high school. According to the organization, the initiative was successful and the dropout rate declined from 35 percent to just 6 percent. 1989 – $500 scholarship Parton offered a $500 scholarship to every student in Sevier County who wished to attend Hiwassee College. 1991 – Eagle Mountain Sanctuary at Dollywood The 30,000-square-foot aviary managed by the American Eagle Foundation shelters the largest collection of “non-releasable” bald eagles. Parton’s efforts to preserve the bald eagle earned her the Partnership Award from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 2003. 1995 – Imagination Library The Dollywood Foundation’s Imagination Library began sending one book per month to each enrolled child in Sevier County from birth until their first year of school. The library was founded in honor of Parton’s father, who was unable to read. As of now has given away 224,000,000 books. 2000 – The Dolly Parton Scholarship Every year, the $15,000 college scholarship is offered to five high school seniors in Sevier County, Tennessee. According to the Dollywood Foundation, the scholarship is awarded to those who “have a dream they wish to pursue and who can successfully communicate their plan and commitment to realize their dreams.” 2007 – Benefit concert for new Sevier County hospital The concert raised $500,000, and both Dollywood and Parton’s Dixie Stampede dinner theater pledged $250,000 each to the project, for a total of $1 million. LeConte Medical Center, the new hospital and cancer center in Sevier County, opened in 2010 and features a 30,000-square-foot Dolly Parton Center for Women’s Services. 2016 – Telethon after devastating East Tennessee wildfires The Smoky Mountains Rise: A Benefit for the My People Fund, which aimed to help residents hit hardest in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, raised more than $13 million. Chris Stapleton, Chris Young, Kenny Rogers, Lauren Alaina, Alison Krauss, Reba McEntire, Cyndi Lauper and more appeared at the event. 2016 – My People Fund To continue her wildfire relief efforts, Parton launched the My People Fund, which provided $1,000 a month for six months to families whose homes were completely destroyed amid the natural disaster. The fund also donated around $8.9 million to those in need. The initiative still helps residents pay for rent and utilities, plus food and mental health resources. 2016 – Special Merit Scholarship Parton awarded a $30,000 scholarship to two-year-old Evey Johns in celebration of Imagination Library’s accomplishment of shipping out one million books per month. 2017 – $1 million donation Following the release of her I Believe in You children’s album, Parton donated $1 million to the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in honor of her niece, who was treated for leukemia at that hospital. 2020 – Coronavirus efforts Parton donated $1 million to coronavirus research at Vanderbilt University, which helped fund Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine. Moderna’s vaccine is 94.5% effective against coronavirus, according to early data. 2021 – Middle Tennessee Flooding Relief Parton and her Smoky Mountain businesses raised $700,000 to help residents impacted by the catastrophic flooding in Middle Tennessee in October 2021. Parton chose United Way of Humphreys County to receive and distribute the donation at the suggestion of her friend and fellow country music legend Loretta Lynn. 2022 – Dollywood Education Coverage The Dollywood Co. announced in February 2022 that it will cover 100% of tuition, fees and books for any employee who is furthering their education. The investment in employee education was made via Herschend Enterprises, Dollywood’s operating partner. The program is available to all seasonal, part-time and full-time employees at Dollywood Parks & Resorts. Herschuend’s GROW U. offers more than 100 fully funded diploma, degree and certificate programs with 30 learning partners in areas including business administration and leadership, culinary, finance, technology and marketing. The company also provides partial funding — up to $5,250 per year — for 150 additional programs in fields including hospitality, engineering, human resources and more. Employees can enroll in the program on their first day of employment. 2022 – Pediatric Infectious Disease Research Donation Parton made yet another $1 million donation to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville in June 2022, this time aimed at helping pediatric infectious disease research. The donation will aid Vanderbilt’s Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases to continue its effort in understanding how viruses and bacteria cause disease, understanding and preventing resistance to antibiotics, diagnosing and treating infections in children with cancer and more. 2022 – Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy Parton received the Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy in 2022. The award, presented by the international family of Carnegie institutions to honor innovative philanthropists, debuted in 2001 and is normally awarded every two years. It was not issued in 2021 due to the pandemic. And many, many more. Fell free to add your own. She could also knock up a decent tune and sing a bit...

The Reds season is still alive after a much needed win at Fulham got their title challenge back on track. Goals from Trent, Gravenberch and Jota sunk the Cottagers in what was a more comfortable win than many expected. TLW Editor Dave Usher is joined by Julian Richards and Dan Thomas to look back on this game as well as previewing the midweek trip to Goodison. There's also a heated discussion on refs, VAR, Forest's bizarre statement and the impact officiating has had on this year's Premier League. View full article

Zoned out of all this new manager stuff but I read The Athletic article today. Apparently this fella is a big personality and players love him. That’s half the battle won. You need a bit of that. Look at the league now. Klopp, Guardiola, Arteta. All dominant managers who transcend their clubs really. Even Emery and that fat twat at Spurs. Cult of personality.

62% of teams he’s ever managed against.

Work-rate. Incisiveness. Nous. I don't ask for much. This is how it's gonna be. Build from the ground up. So now we focus only on the league, not only needing to make sure that we take care of our business, but also hoping the other two contenders shit down their own leg at some point. All 3 have made a right bollock-up of their European quarter finals. Our failure was the disaster at home to Atalanta. City did not put Real Madrid to bed at the Emptyhad. Arsenal showed 'inexperience' against one of the weakest-looking Bayern sides in recent memory. The first is entirely on us. The second is another example of an Ancelotti side being on the ropes but getting the rub of the green at the crucial time. The last is just making excuses to justify yet another European campaign for Arsenal ending on a damp squib. Taking care of our business starts with making sure we take all the points at Fulham. We didn't manage to do that on the opening day of last season. Fulham had just returned to the top flight, and had also been shorn of one of their key players in the previous campaign when Fabio Carvalho joined us. That deal had basically been agreed the previous January, but Fulham couldn't get a replacement across the line so late in the transfer window so the Portuguese stayed put, and continued to look like a player that might really impress in the top flight. They still had Mitrovic up front though, and he had been a true goal machine in the Championship. He continued that form in this game, proving to be a real handful all match. He opened the scoring with a towering far post header having outjumped Trent, and got a second via the penalty spot after the softest of fouls by Virg. In between, Darwin got us an equaliser following a nice move, when Big Game James' pass around the corner got Mo into space down the right. His cross was met by Darwin at the near post with a 'trademark Usher finish' (his words, quite literally, as I'm certain he said as much in his match write-up!). Following Mitrovic's penalty, we were chasing an equaliser again, and found it late on when a ball over the top was contested by Mo and a defender. The defender could only flick it to Darwin who mis-controlled the ball perfectly for Mo to fire home the loose ball. Both sides had hit the woodwork in this game already, and we did so near the death when Hendo fired a 30-yarder onto the bar after Harvey played the ball out to him. 2-2 it finished. Dropping points to a newly-promoted team was not an ideal start to the season, and it wouldn't be until our 4th league game of the season that we would register a victory. Fulham are a difficult side to call. They can look awful and really be got at in some games, and in others they are a real handful. We've had 3 tough games against them already this season, and Craven Cottage is a ground Jurgen has yet to win at. It's not like the days under Rodgers and Kenny when the likes of Sturridge and Maxi were netting hat-tricks. Earlier in the season they were struggling to replace Mitrovic's goals (he'd take the mercenary route and grabbed the Saudi oil money), and players like Jimenez and Muniz weren't looking like the answer. Muniz has slowly settled in, and behind him they have players like Wilson, Willian and DeCordova-Reid who all have an eye for goal. What we badly need at the moment is a return of our ruthless streak, alongside the ability to create something from open play. We need our players to play with tempo, and when we get bodies forward and in numbers, we need to start making the right decisions and be precise and composed at the critical moment. Everyone that was available for the Atalanta game should be available for this one. I would seriously consider putting Mo on the bench, with the idea of using him when the Fulham defence begin to tire later on. In recent weeks, he hasn't been able to make much headway when up against defenders who still have enough gas in the tank. The penalties make his stats look OK but the eye test tells a different story. He's still more than capable of making a telling contribution. We just need to put him in when the conditions are right to make hay with what he can bring. We play this game after City and Arsenal have played their games so we'll either be playing catch-up or have the opportunity to make a real dent in their aspirations. The focus should be each game though, not the bigger picture. Maximum motivation, concentration, attitude and application from first minute to last. 3 points please. Get it done!

A bridging loan too far?

This is Britain. There is no corruption here. Just 100% old fashioned British honesty and integrity.

GET A DIFFERENT TEAM LEAKED!!

Excuse me while I wipe a tear from my eye having listened to the last bit of this episode in which the lads reflected on Klopp's European era. Beautiful sentiments from Chris and the perfect summation from Dave - It's been the most fun he, and many of us, have had watching Liverpool, ever. Shame John B had to ruin it all by banging on about the Nazis ;) In all seriousness, I was fortunate enough to be at most of the big European games under Klopp, home and away, and it's almost impossible to describe how special they were - Dortmund, City, Roma, Barcelona, Spurs in Madrid and even Kyiv; occasions that will live with me forever and which we should all be grateful for. Fans of practically every other club would kill for just one of those nights; we had loads, and the glorious memories will last long after the increasing pain of this season has passed. If, like the lads, I had to pick my favourite European goal under Klopp, it would probably be Divock's in Madrid. I was right behind the goal where he smashed the ball past Hugo Lloris and will never forget the feeling of knowing that we had definitely won a sixth European Cup. That I was surrounded by mates and celebrated with each and every one of them only added to the magic. The following morning it was back home via Alicante and I'm pretty sure I didn't stop smiling for the entire journey - and for the rest of that summer. Thank you Jurgen. It's been one hell of a ride. X

‘We are treating more adults than ever in NHS mental health’ Yeah, unpick that and ask why? Years of struggle, stigma and demonisation through you and the compliant media. Reducing ‘illness’ to an homogeneous whole so you can posture on a ‘hard work pays off’ platform while you benefit more than anyone from ‘benefits’ of government largess. Tax loopholes, write downs, front end investment, all ‘benefits’ this government doesn’t seem to have a problem with and they cost far, far, far fucking more than some broken people whose lives are utterly fucking miserable due to policies, actions and words of you and your fucking ilk, you rancid, vapid, vicious, little shit imp. Fuck off.

Never heard of the cunt, but I'm going to watch a 10 minute YouTube video about his tactics then pretend I've been following his career for ages.

If we dont win the league its not because we have blown anything. We have had this league stolen from us, simple as that.

Mourinho is a cup manager at best now. His football is dated and boring as fuck, most definitely not sustainable to get anywhere close over a league season but could win you a cup from smash and grab tactics and favourable draws. He's also an odious cunt who has absolutely no place at Anfield.

If it facilitates a photo opp of himself and Szloboszlai dressed in similar clothing that could go with a caption of, ‘Hungary like De Wolfe’, I could probably get behind it.

Kudos to those guys. Out there defending the flag against any suggestions the country might not be filled with morons. It might be a minority in London scrapping with the police but they share views, at least in the same ballpark, as way too many others. A little girl drowned in the channel today because her parents believe the UK can give them a better life. They might well be right but, given the state of these fucktards, that’s more a reflection on what they’re fleeing from, than where they hope to stay. They did not listen, they did not know how. RIP little one. This world was never meant for one as beautiful as you.

He is awful but we like him.

I love that he runs off celebrating before it even hits the net. Quite brilliant. He was class today. We've missed him.

I dreamed of negative splits. For non runners he finished in 3:37:36 So pleased for him

Having a couple of weeks carb-free. Really missing beer, pasta and bread but necking loads of fruit, home made veg soups etc. And this: Skinless chicken thighs with chunks of chorizo, sliced red onion, mixed herbs and orange zest. No oil needed, carb free and well tasty.

You're probably the cunt who stepped on Paul's glasses.

I should neg this for its brazenness. But like most of our team, I just can't muster the fight.

The thing I like about going for someone who plays very similar football to Klopp is that we'll know fairly quickly if he's shit or not. Someone coming in and wanting to change loads immediately has the safety net of "he needs time to implement his methods" whereas this fella, if he's any good, should really be able to hit the ground running relatively quickly as the players are familiar with what he wants to do and it's just minor tweaks.

Don't like Slot, he looks like the fella who rapped on Barbie Girl.

Breaky from the hotel this morning. Sausages were very good beans in a pot which is good. No juice touching anything and can leave them no issues mushrooms tasty and never enough. hash brown crispy enough bacon- usual oily hotel type bread- sourdough nonsense Egg runny on top cooked further down the yolk. tomato- not cooked; just hot 7/10

That Forest owner is a hotheaded idiot. There was actually a relevant point buried in there but in expressing it the way they did they just made themselves look amateurish and small time. For none of the mainstream to be even mentioning the five massive 'errors' from Oliver that all benefited one team is negligence. They don't even need to mention the side gigs to UAE if they think that's implying something sinister, but ignoring it completely just makes them part of the problem. If there's no accountability then OLiver is going to keep doing what he's doing. Ultimately though all of this is the fault of Howard Webb. He's the boss, he's setting these low standards and it feels like he's just abandoning protocols that have been in place forever (like not appointing refs for games who are either compromised by geography or support).

VID-20231219-WA0028.mp4.220c08e94eac3270f3c079f415b69cb2.mp4

The Reds bowed out of Europe with barely a whimper. Technically they won on the night, but nobody was fooled by that as Atalanta out-thought and out-fought Klopp's side, who once again failed to muster a goal from open play. Chris Smith is joined by John Brennan and TLW Editor Dave Usher to briefly pick through the bones of this stinker before trying to lift the mood a little by reminiscing about some of our greatest European moments under Jurgen. View full article

Pork schnitzel from the fancy butchers in town, with potatoes bacon and leek (potatoes are undercooked in truth), peas and beetroot. Super

You're going a bit Gnasher here Rico. Go and watch Top Gun and have a slice of malt loaf.

And are you a nonce attracted to the site by the picture of lifetime fan's stepson?

Is right Stan.

I know in theory it's better for us if they'd stayed in but you can't help but enjoy those cheating cunts going out.

At being our best player on the pitch. By fucking miles.

What's all this shit he coaches like arteta? He was a manager before arteta was. It would be better to say arteta coaches like him. Fucking Legohead cocksuckers.

How much of a cretinous country are we that we've allowed a situation where the economy and NHS are shit, but we'll probably be voting on the glorious promise of scrapping human rights laws and withdrawing from international courts.

It will be like the good old bad old days. I wanted Hodgson sacked from the moment he was announced as manager.