Europa League Reds 3 FC Gormel 0 (4-0 agg)

What a strange night it was yesterday. Walking to the ground with a T shirt (emblazoned with YNWA etc )It felt like I should be going out for a meal on holiday somewhere exotic not to a footy match against one of Europe`s less salubrious clubs from the far reaches of Belarus (home of Olga Korbut). A holiday atmosphere was prevalent at a reasonably packed Anfield as the Kop went through it`s repertoire of songs (obviously practising during the hols). No Anfield flag though, maybe he was on holiday too. There was no place for Andy Carroll as Borini made his Anfield debut and Joe Allen sat in the directors box.

Looks like Rodgers second Swansea connection is on his way here.Daniel Agger, the source of so much speculation in recent days was at the heart of the defence alongside Skrtl. Was this a statement of intent by Rodgers with Man City supposedly bidding for his services??Equally was Carroll`s exclusion (not even used as a sub when 3-0 up) an indication of his impending departure back to his Geordie shores? The Kop made their feelings known as they gave Carroll a magnificent round of applause as he warmed up and also went into a rendition of "Agger`s going nowhere.." late on in the game. I`ve never heard so many Agger songs sung in one game considering he didn`t really do much. He didn`t really have to though such was the limpness of the opposition. Not keen on the Kop`s rendition of Stevie Heighways chant with Danny Agger substitued. Bordering on sacriledge if you ask me. Also significant was the "Dalglish" chant that emnanated form the Kop. No signs yet of an acceptance of Brendan Rodgers. Fans, however are notoriously fickle. It won`t be long before Anfield rings to the sound of Brendan Rogers. Most of the play first half was at the Annie Road end with the opposition hardly threatening at all. It had an air of a game that was already done and dusted even though we held a slender 1-0 lead from the away leg. Liverpool hardly got out of second gear as they created several chances. Luis Suarez was employed on the left as Borini seemed to have a roving role up front. Stevie G too was further forward than last week. Both these factors led to two of Liverpool`s goals.Suarez wriggled along the bye line and his resultant effort squirmed away to Borino who marked his debut with a shot directly back to where it came from, inside the keepers right hand post.

Borini and Lucas Celebrate as the Italian scores on his Anfield debut. First thoughts were "if only" If only we had a "Johnny on the spot" to put his foot through the ball when many of Suarez efforts squirmed away last season. The second goal was also an assist from Suarez, this time the simnple ball played for Gerrard who had a simple task.Simple. Now there`s a word. Bill Shankly liked simple. maybe Brendan Rodgers does too. So 2-0 at half time. Job done. A further goal that came from nowhere made the score 3-0 on the night, a very comfortable win. Glen Johnson this time was the man on the spot as he thundered a shot from outside the box well beyond the Belorussian keeper.Suarez was tricky all night, much as down to the quality of the opposition as anything else. Reina in the Reds goal had a couple of shots from range to deal with which seemingly stung his fingers as he could not hold onto them. Gerrard hit the post in the last few minutes as the game drifted away.A presentation at half time to Jamie Carragher in honour of his 700 th appearance last week was made at half time. The Kop seized on the opportunity for humour as they "booed" Carragher when in possession. He had come on as a sub with 13 minutes to go. Liverpool played well against average opposition without really breaking sweat. What this tells us about the coming season I can`t fathom at the moment. The draw today has paired us with Scottish opposition (Hearts) which should ensure our participation in the League phase. Next up, Leverkusen! My daughter has already got her Sami shirt ready for Sunday. She says she`s wearin it backwards so his name is on the front. What a loon!! Incidentally, it was nice to see a full house at Woodison for Tony Hibbert`s testimonial (17000).

Season`s a coming

I love the Summer but life ain`t perfect and the only thing wrong with Summer is no proper footy!I don`t count the Olympics footy, or the Euros, even the World Cup! Why? Becuse I`m Once a Red always a Red. Liverpool FC don`t play in these competitions.Simple just like Shanks said. Footy is a simple game overcomplicated by coaches.friendlies bore the pants off me , except the last friendly which is really just a chance for the squad to say hello to the fans before the real business end of the footy commences. A decent win against Gomel has set us up nicely this season. A good run out next Thursday followed by the Leverkusen game on the Sunday is just what the Doctor ordered. I`m fast getting withdrawal symptoms. Every new season brings renewed hope. That`s the beauty of football. It don`t matter how much cash Chelski,Shiteh,Manure or Arsewank have spent (didn`t mention Spurs cos don`t even count them stalkers)we can still believe that last season was just bad luck . And so it was to to a degree. In hindsight the signings of Carroll, Downing , Henderson all have turned out poor in terms of our league position. This season however we will have Leiva back, Gerrard not struggling for fitness, the addition of Borini and possibly Allen and Dempsey. I remember last season not as a failure though. that`s cos I`m a real supporter. To get to the two domestic cup finals is something only teams can aspire too that`s why I was never as pessimistic as some of the died in the wool spoilt cry babies that want to spend £25m at the drop of a hat if we are outside the top four.If that Andy Carroll header had counted against Chelsea we would have won the FA Cup and Carroll would have been a God.I still think Carroll has a lot to contribute to this squad and don`t want to see him leave. He is just now starting to show what he is capable of. forget the fee. the fee was over inflated due to the circumstances of the transfer and is meaningless. Carroll , Borini, Suarez and Dempsey would be a very useful strike force to have. A few more goals from the midfield wouldn`t go amiss next season as were were woefully lacking in that department. It is a fine line between success and failure. We played some great stuff at times last season and remember we played against most teams who had an extra man (woodwork) and of course against Manure 13 men (Howard the Duck Webb) The new manager has a big taskon his hands. I`m not talking about getting top four or winning the league. His tough task is the daily management of an institution. With all due respect to Swansea and Reading, they ain`t Liverpool. I think he will be ok. I think the Reds will have a good season this year without taking the Prem by storm.Then again I think that every season. Why? Because I`m a REAL supporter. remember.