mars

Got to agree with that. Plessis looked very composed considering - hope he gets more opportunities to show what he can do.

Skrtel Gerrard Torres

In case anyone didn't know, del Toro has directed Hellboy 2 - thought the first one was entertaining but not great; the sequel looks a lot better - trailer at HELLBOY II - The Golden Army - Official Website - In Theaters July 11th.

Loved that - and I'd add Syndicate (original version), Master of Magic, and Chaos Engine. You might want to check out SPEEDBALL 2 - TOURNAMENT • official site for the latest version of speedball.

It all comes down to form, I think. If Carragher is playing well then he'll be one of the first on the team sheet. However, there have been a few times this season where he has looked poor in comparison to other seasons, in which case I'd go with Agger and Škrtel (assuming recent performances are good indicators). We are lucky to have a difficult decision.

Morientes - thought at the time he was going to be brilliant. Hyypia being past it last season - actually ashamed of that one. I'm not going to concede on Pennant though - watch this space.

Who stood out for Chelsea? I'd say Alex or Belletti - I think we created a few decent chances against a very good defence. I don't think Crouch could have done any better with the headers. Considering who couldn't play, I wasn't optimistic before kick off. Of course I'd rather we had won, but a draw (and looking the better team) wasn't too shabby.

Going to agree with you - I'm surprised, too.

1. Collect Underpants 2. ? 3. Profit 2. might include "build stadium" but I am not a DIC insider so can't be sure.

Me too :(

Benayoun Pennant Lucas

Couldn't agree more. Great leveller the FA cup, as my Dad always tells me.

"Major obstacles remain in the way of DIC gaining a financial interest in Liverpool, however, not least Hicks's insistence that he has no intention of selling up. There is also doubt over Gillett's determination to attempt to oust his business partner by agreeing terms with DIC. Gillett and Hicks both have an option to purchase the other's stake in Liverpool, although the former would require backing from Dubai to achieve that goal." Football: Liverpool ponder move to buy out Hicks | News | Guardian Unlimited Football Is there another source for the bit in bold? If true, what Hicks says might be irrelevant.

"Both Moores, who became honorary life president of Liverpool under the terms of the takeover, and the chief executive, Rick Parry, have blocked attempts to load all of the debt on to the club amid concerns at annual interest payments of £30m. Under the terms of the loan it is anticipated half will be burdened on the club and the rest secured against Kop Holdings, Gillett and Hicks's parent company, although that still represents a U-turn on their promise to use their own funds and not to adopt the Glazers' handling of Manchester United. The Americans will still require a further £300m loan at a later date to complete work on a proposed new stadium." from Football: Liverpool ponder move to buy out Hicks | News | Guardian Unlimited Football Hicks added: "I have not received any offer to purchase the club from the DIC or anyone else, much less accepted any such offer. Nor do I have any intention of doing so. "Whoever is behind this false report, the facts are that I and my family have always been, and remain, fully committed to co-owning the club; that no-one in my family has ever indicated any intention or desire to sell our stake in the club; and that we expect and intend to be co-owners of the club, and to actively and enthusiastically support the club's manager, players and fans for many years to come." Hicks is a businessman - he is economical with the truth (actually he has probably asset stripped it).

I agree. I applaud the effort but if these protests worked then the Glazers would have sold Man United ages ago (it was hilarious when it they were bought but doesn't seem quite so funny now). If G&H sell I think it will be for financial reasons alone.

It's like asking whether scientists will find evidence for the existence of dark matter - I haven't got a clue. My ignorance is immense. We could go from frying pan to fire, we could end up with ideal owners. The only fact I can base an opinion on is that one member of DIC is a Liverpool fan (I saw a photo of him at a game). I would rather have owners who actually supported the club, but that doesn't guarantee a shiny new stadium and big signings. "A £500 million purchase price would enable the two Americans to ride off into the sunset with a profit of £75millon each." This would be sickening.

Ho ho ho!

"Sources close to the ex- Tottenham striker and former Footballer of the Year believe he is eager to end his self-imposed exile from football and take a top manager's job." Klinsmann was linked with Chelsea and Spurs - wonder why he didn't get either of those if he is so keen to get a top job? (Telegraph article from Sept http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2007/09/26/sfntot126.xml).

Mascherano Torres Benayoun

I wish debates in the Houses of Parliament were this good (Cameron: Brownie you definitely implied Balls should be sacked" Gordon Brownie: Cameron, you are a bellend, a total prick!" All: Balls sack, Balls sack and so on and on and on :D )

I changed the bit in bold. I know almost nothing about the world economy except that experts seem to be worrying, Northern Rock is a mess and there is talk of recession. Would any owner of Liverpool go ahead with an ambitious stadium project given the uncertainties? Is there anyone on the forum who knows something about economics and can give me some idea of the risks involved?

Sometimes you lose a battle to win the war. "Surrender" is the wrong word in my opinion - it was an organised retreat at worst. If Gerrard and Torres hadn't started I would find it difficult to disagree with "surrender". At least it wasn't nearly as bad as the performance against Marseille, and there were a few flashes of brilliance (pity the Kewell shot didn't go in - build up was fantastic). I won't defend all aspects of Rafa's team selection and formation, but given the physical nature of the opposition (if I was managing Reading I'd be telling players to go in hard) taking off Torres and Gerrard was just a sensible precaution.

You're right, Cath, a bad day at the office. If the ref had had a better game I think the outcome would have been different.

Rio in "Not a twat" shocker.

While the above remains a possibility I am going to delay the panicking and despair.