Torres Win Derby For Liverpool

Liverpool seized the initiative in the race for fourth place with a 1-0 victory over local rivals Everton at Anfield.

Fernando Torres scored his 21st league goal of the season to extend the gap over their fifth-placed neighbours to five points, putting qualification for next season's Champions League firmly in their hands.

The Spanish striker, and the Liverpool team in general, carried a constant threat, and Everton were not allowed any time to get comfortable on the ball and build attacks.

Dirk Kuyt had several chances to double Liverpool's lead, sending one header off target and having another shot blocked by Tony Hibbert. He got on the end of an impressive one-touch move involving Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher and Torres, but the Dutchman sent his volley wide of the mark.

Liverpool captain Gerrard was also unlucky not to score, as his well-struck volley from a Torres nod-down crashed off the foot of the post.

Everton, without Tim Cahill or Andy Johnson, had their chances severely hampered by the under-par set pieces of Mikel Arteta, and lone striker Yakubu was well marshalled by the big centre-back pairing of Sami Hyypia and Martin Skrtel.

The visitors made a brighter start to the second half, with Leon Osman getting in front of his marker at the near post but could only head his effort wide.

However, it was Liverpool who still dominated possession and created more chances, with defender Joseph Yobo making two vital blocks in 30 seconds from shots by Alonso and Lucas Leiva.

As the match moved into the closing stages, Everton failed to mount any real fightback, and Howard was forced into making a spectacular save from another solid Gerrard strike from distance in the last minute of normal time.

With only six matched remaining, Everton can almost certainly finish no higher than their current position, where they are still odds on for another season of UEFA
FanFootball: Liverpool - Everton 1-0, highlights

LIVERPOOL-EVERTON Derby Amical..

Cu peste 200 de confruntări directe de-a lungul istoriei, derby-ul dintre Liverpool şi Everton face parte din categoria celor mai importante confruntări din fotbalul mondial.

La finalul săptămînii, oraşul va fi din nou în sărbătoare. Stadionul „Anfield” va găzdui al 205-lea derby local. De altfel, cele două formaţii fanion ale urbei au împreună 27 de titluri de campioană, ceea ce clasează Liverpool pe primul loc în clasamentul celui mai titrat oraş din punct de vedere fotbalistic. Statistica arată că Liverpool deţine un uşor avantaj în precedentele întîlniri, obţinînd 78 de victorii, faţă de cele doar 64 ale rivalilor de la Everton.

Cunoscut în prezent drept Merseyside Derby, duelul dintre Liverpool şi Everton s-a numit în trecut şi The Friendly Derby, datorită relaţiilor cordiale dintre cele două galerii. Dovezile în acest sens au fost destule de-a lungul timpului. În 1980, galeriile celor două echipe s-au unit şi i-au călcat efectiv în picioare pe suporterii formaţiilor Wrexham şi Bury, echipe ce jucaseră în deplasare în aceeaşi zi contra echipelor fanion ale oraşului Beatleşilor.

După tragedia de pe stadionul “Hillsborough”, în urma căruia 96 de suporteri ai „cormoranilor” au decedat, suporterii celor două formaţii au unit cele două stadioane printr-un lanţ de fulare albastre şi roşii în semn de omagiu faţă de fanii decedaţi. Revenind la timpurile noastre, derby-ul de la sfîrşitul săptămînii se anunţă unul foarte încins. Liverpool şi Everton se bat umăr la umăr pentru locul patru, ultimul care asigură un loc în Liga Campionilor. Şi vorba aceea, “Frate, frate, dar brînza e pe banii...'

Greatest You'll Never Walk Alone..

Arsenal-Liverpool si AS Roma - Manchester United, cele mai echilibrate sferturi de finala ale UCL..

Dintre cele opt echipe ramase in cursa pentru marea finala de la Moscova, Manchester United, Chelsea Londra, FC Liverpool, Arsenal Londra, AS Roma, FC Barcelona, Schalke 04 si Fenerbahce, patru vor parasi cea mai importanta competitie intercluburi a Europei dupa disputarea dublei manse eliminatorii din 1/2 si 8/9 aprilie, informeaza site-ul oficial al competitiei.Invingatoarele din partidele Fenerbahce-Chelsea Londra si Arsenal-Liverpool vor disputa prima semifinala a Ligii Campionilor, in timp ce a doua semifinala se va juca intre castigatoarele din partidele AS Roma-Manchester United si Schalke 04-FC Barcelona."Mi-ar fi placut sa evitam echipele din Anglia, dar statistica ne arata ca era greu de evitat o intalnire intre echipe din Anglia si ni s-a intamplat tocmai noua" a declarat directorul executiv al lui Liverpool, Rick Parry. Oficialul londonez este de parere ca partida cu Arsenal va fi una foarte interensanta mai ales ca cele doua echipe urmeaza sa se intalneasca si in campionat.Keith Edelman, unul dintre directorii de la Arsenal, a afirmat ca Liverpool este o echipa puternica, cu un parcurs de exceptie in Liga Campionilor dar ca are incredere in sansa cormoranilor de merge mai departe in prestigioasa competitie europena, mai ales dupa ce au eliminat campioana en-titre, AC Milan. Secretarul clubului Manchester United, Ken Ramseld, s-a declarat multumit de faptul ca echipa sa a picat cu AS Roma.Dupa ce in sezonul trecut Roma a fost eliminata de Manchester United in aceeasi faza a competitiei, dupa ce i-a administrat un neverosimil 7-1 pe Old Trafford, italienii sunt de parerere ca de aceasta data "sunt schimbati" si ca istoria nu se va mai repeta.

What's Ronaldo Doing??

Have a guess... Caption comp anyone?
What's with that retarded looking face?

Fred The Red: 'HEH HEH you wussy boy, let me have a look at what's under your skirt!'
Ronaldo: 'You can try! But I'll tell Sir Ferguson:))!'

Reason Why Enghlish Football Is So Popular..

One reason why the Premiership is so popular is because the way English football works, which is the 'blood and thunder' style, compared to most continental leagues such as Serie A and La Liga. It is fast paced and intense, making it a joy to watch for many. Serie A in comparison, is much more tactically disciplined and slow and therefore, not as often entertaining as the Premiership.

There is also a diversity in styles between the teams even though they all play at break-neck pace. You have the technically gifted Arsenal to the gritty Bolton, unpredictable Tottenham and somehow, laughable Newcastle United (at the moment it seems :P). Therefore it makes viewing a pleasure at times because even though the 'top 4' dominates the league, it still makes individual matches interesting and intriguing.

Lastly I believe that it has got an advantage over other leagues because the Premiership is made into a marketable product which makes it look 'tasty and delicious' on the outside. It is marketed well and with the number of stars currently plying their trade in England, it makes it even more engaging and attractive. Just look at the amount that each clubs receive from TV revenue yearly. I don't have the figure with me but it surely is much much more than the La Liga or Bundesliga.

Look at the shenanigans going on in Spain regarding the TV rights and you'll understand why the English league is the preferred league. It's much more well-run and more presentable than the rest.

Do you agree with my view on English football??Let a message and tell me your opinion:)

The Official Team Photo..

It looks to me as though they are all smirking at Rafa's goatee beard!

Who cares, though, as long as we win the league.

The Greatest Match Ever Played..

Cea mai frumoasa finala de Champions League a fost declarata ca fiind cea dintre AC Milan si Liverpool.