Torres goes to Stamford Bridge.

Torres off to Stamford Bridge for $50 millions? How true?

No way! Torres has pledged his future to Liverpool after the red hot striker insist "many more years at Liverpool" before considering leaving.

I seriously do not know how this story surface. Unless there is truth that the Liverpool boardroom wants to sell the striker to raise fund for new recruits, this news should not be anywhere but real. Chelsea may have put an offer for Torres but was rejected by Rafa or this story was just a rumour.

The probability in Torres leaving for Chelsea is as Cristaino Ronaldo leaving for Liverpool. This bid by Chelsea goes to show how much Chelsea is afraid of facing Torres. Torres has scored two times against Chelsea. One at Anfield which was nearly the winning goal until Liverpool was robbed by a man called Rob Styles. Torres's second goal against Chelsea was in the Champion League at Stamford Bridge which nearly knocked Chelsea out if not for the own goal by Riise.

So far, there is no further confirmation on other transfer targets except for Andrea Dossena who is close to joining the Reds. The transfer of Gareth Barry is at a deadlocked while David Bentley, Michael Johnson and Stewart Downing are also being linked to Anfield. Xavi Alonso's days at Anfield are numbered after Real Marid and Juventus expressed interest.

The transfer activities going around for Liverpool has rather be slow and hope to see more new faces before the Euro 2008 starts next week.

Benitez already writing off title bid for 2008/09?

I read an article about Rafa not thinking about title next season but getting close to the Big 3.

As a Liverpool fan, I fully know where Rafa is coming from. Chelsea has spent 15 millions on a right back while Liverpool signed a right back for a free transfer. In the terms of signing, Liverpool has already fall behind Chelsea.

As for the rumour about Barry, Liverpool is offering players exchange plus cash. Does it this tells you? Liverpool must sell in order to buy. The backroom crisis has not been resolved. Money is an issue. No big budget to spend. So Rafa needs to spend wisely. He knows that he can't compete with Chelsea who are spending big after 2 seasons without sliverware.

Rafa is smart not to talk about title. In my opinion, he will talk about winning title if Liverpool is near their rival by Christmas next season. This is lessen the pre-season expectation on Liverpool and their players.

I strongly believe that money is an issue now. If Rafa was given limitless money to spend, I'm sure he will go for Daniel Alves for the right back position.

So far, there has no been reliable source to indicate that Liverpool is closing on the next players.

Let's hope Hick will sell his shares to DIC due to the constant pressure from the Liverpool supporters. It is only with DIC can Liverpool move ahead of the likes Man Utd, Chelsea and Arsenal.

Manchester United - King of Europe 2007/2008...sad to say

The Red Devils has done it again in Europe since 1999. The match ended 1-1 after normal time and the matches was decided by penalties kick.

After retaining the EPL title, Man Utd went on to beat Chelsea again for European Cup. How Chelsea must be hated Man Utd now.

The match started with both team contended to test each other out. However the man of the moment Ronaldo headed United into the lead only for Lampard to equalized seconds before the half-time whistle. That was how the match ended.

Being a neutral, I certainly hope that Chelsea beat Man Utd so that the Reds won't achieve the double. Sadly for me, it was not the case. Man Utd has proven to the best club in England and now in Europe and they look set to be crowned the best in the world when the World Club Championship begin later.

As a Liverpool fan, we should be the one facing Man Utd in last night final instead of Chelsea had not for Riise's own goal. Liverpool deserved to be the finalist over the two legs. I am confident that we could have beaten Man Utd last night if we are the ones in the final.

Having said that, I congraluate Man Utd for their achievement in Moscow last night.

Liverpool Transfer News

Few days ago, Steven Gerrard expressed his view on the summer transfer :

"The time to act is now, not in January when we're already too far behind. Look at Chelsea. A day after they've lost the league, what do they do? They spend £16 million on a full-back. "

"That's the kind of ruthless approach to transfers the Liverpool fans and players want to see, making the signings the manager wants.

"The manager knows where we need to strengthen and the players and fans have faith in Rafa – but he needs the backing to act on his plans.

"There's no point us waiting all summer again and then possibly missing out on the players we need.

"If we do that we'll just end up going through the same experience as previous years. "It hurts more and more when we get to November or December every season and have to accept we’re out of the title race again.

"Every year seems to be following the same routine. The manager asks for more support in the transfer market in January, while we're all saying to ourselves this should have happened the previous summer.

"The only way to achieve this is to give the manager the kind of backing which gives us a chance. You only get better when you improve the quality in the squad."

It seem that his voice has been heard. Liverpool confirmed their 1st signing with the capture of Swiss right back Philipp Degen on a free transfer from Borussia Dortmund.

He is relatively unknown player to many and hope he justify Rafa's decision to sign him.

On the other hand, Liverpool is also linked to Udinese's left back Andrea Dossena and Espanyol's right wing Alberto Riera.

I am just wondering how is the transfer involving Gareth Barry...

In the meanwhile, stay tune for more transfer news

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My Pain, my regret and My Unfulfilled Dreams

As I am writting this blog, I can already feel the sadness and regret.....

It has been almost 3 years since I played football. Playing football has been a part of my life since the age of 10. I was 12 years old when I took up football seriously. If you can remember my old posts, football has won me many friends. During my secondary school days, I was a part of the school soccer team. Not many chinese players are able to get into the team. I was one of the fortunate ones.

After secondary school, I went Shatec. I went for a trial with the Shatec team but was not selected. This turned out to be a blessing in disguise because when I went over to the then Le Meriden Changi Hotel for my attachment. I went for their football training and I impressed the coach with my skill and goals during the training. I can recall how my team mates lavished praises on me and even my team goalkeeper was fearful when facing me. Hence I was selected for the team to participate in the Inter- Hotel soccer tourament in 1994. I was thinking this tourament could be a centre stage for me to impress football scouting in order for me to be selected for bigger clubs.

However, I destroyed the dreams by my very self. Three weeks before the touramant, I went to participate in a 7-A side tourament held nearby our ex -house. I even faked MC on that day just to play in that 7-A side competition. I was injured. My ankle was dislocated. I went on to play despite the pain with my ankle heavily bandaged. Yes, I scored a penalty to win the final but I was unable to play in the Inter-Hotel competition. I informed my coach about the injury and he looked quite upset as his star striker could not played.

The day came when the tournament began. The match took place at Farrer Park pitch. I travelled with the team and was named a subsitute. I knew I have not recovered fully but I insisted to be included in the team. It was against Allson Hotel (If I can still remember). I could not remember the details of the game but I did came on to play during midway through the second half. I can recall the pain on my ankle when I passed the ball. I knew it was bad. Then came a magic from me. I laid a defence spitting pass to one of my teammate and he ran to score.

I was very happy that I contributed to the goals. I think we drew 1-1 or won 1-0. Sadly for me, that was the last match I played for the hotel as I could not play due to further to the pain. It was a blow for me as I could not show my true potential. I regretted deep down inside my heart.

The last competitve match I played was when I was with the Liverpool Fan Club team. We travelled to Malaysia for competition with our Malaysia counterparts. That was in 2001. The following year, we had the same compeition held in Singapore.


My gal arrived in 2003 and I stopped playing until that fateful day on Mar 2005 where I tore my left knee liagment that require two surgeries. One to remove the tore liagment that blocked the movement of my left leg and the second surgery to reconstruct my knee. The two surgeries was done in 2005 and 2006 respectively.

Now whenever I passed by the field near my block and see people playing soccer, I can't help but feel painful. I wonder if I did not tore my liagment, I would be able to play up to today. It was on this very field which many people know how good I am. The Malays and Indians respected me on the field.

I'm regaining at least 50% of the strength on my left knee but the pain is still there. My cousin has invited me to play leisure football with his church friends on weekend. I am very keen but just afraid to try. What if I got hurt again?

Do you know what my unfulfilled dream is? It is to represent or club or Singapore in soccer. This is a regret that will stay forever in my life.


I have two nicknames given by my teammates. They are :


MichaeL Owen as my English name is Michael and I used to possess the pace and lethal finishing as him.
The "Great" Sammy Lee. I was given this nick coz I'm a small size lad like him. Haha





Robin Van Persie. No one gave me this nickname just that I felt like my current side view of my hairdo looks like it. Hahaha

Portsmouth - FA Cup Winner 2007/2008

Congratulation to Portsmouth FC for winning this season FA Cup after a 1-0 win over Cardiff City.

It was an entertaining open game. In the end, class and experience made the difference. Cardiff made life difficult for Pompey but a goalkeeping error by Enckelmann allowed Kanu to hook the ball into the net.

It was Portsmouth's day and it was Harry's day. They will be playing in the UEFA next season.

How I just wish that the holder of the Cup is my Liverpool FC.

English Premier League - Liverpool should be BPL Champion

As I take a close look at the EPL table, Liverpool drawn 13 matches. Out of these 13 drawn matches, Liverpool could have won 5 of them.

I can recall how Rob Syles robbed Liverpool a victory against Chelsea. Then Liverpool dominated the game against Birmingham but could not scored. Liverpool could have won Arsenal at Anfield only to allow Cesc Fabregas to equalise in the last 10 minutes of the game. Away victory against Man City and Blackburn could have achieved if the ball did not strike the woodwork or if our striker had put on the scoring boots.

Imagine turning these 5 matches to victory, it will give Liverpool extra 10 points. This will mean 86 points. Liverpool could have put pressure on Man Utd. Better still, we could have win the title or finish second.

I am proud of what Liverpool had achieved this season. More away wins than any other top 4 teams.

Life is Hell without BPL

So what'w now? EPL has just concluded lat night. The only matches left are the FA Cup Final,UEFA Cup Final and the Champion League Final. These matches will be shown over the next 2 weeks.

But what exactly left after these finals are concluded? Euro2008? I did not subscribe as the matches are all shown from 12am onwards. Though it is a mere $10.70 to activate the channel, I think I will most likely miss more than half of the matches.

There is a song from New Kids on the Block that goes"Where do I go from here......" Yes. It's true. Three months without BPL is sure a toture for me. Watch DVDs with wifey? Yes. I will do that but not much DVDs to last for 3 months and I do not think we will watch DVDs for consecutive days on Saturday and Sunday.

It seems that the EPL only started yesterday. I remembered when Liverpool thrashed Derby 7-0 and top the table. Now, the season has ended.

Tell me, how should I spend my Saturday and Sunday nights? I'm desperate for an answer.

Play fantasy football on my PC managing Liverpool? It's boring.

I just imagine what my life would be for the next 3 months.

English Premier League 2007/2008 - Congras Man Utd, Don't Cry Reading and Birmingham

Finally it's over! After 8 long gruelling months of agony and joy, the outcome was signed, sealed and delievered. There can only be one Champion and there will be 3 of them relegated.

My heartest congraluation to Fergies's Man Utd for retaining the title and showed us why they are best in England once again. While Reading, Birmingham and Derby will sing their own rendition of "Don't Cry for Me Argentina" as they face life in the Championship.

Despite thrashing of Derby 4-0 and Blackburn 4-1 respectively, both Reading and Birmingham could not survived the dread drop. Reading was so close to staying up until Murphy scored the only goal at Fratton Park with 13 minutes remaining. It was heartbreak for the Brums and Royals. Over at the JJB Stadium, the title was made sure when Ronaldo scored from the spot and Giggs scored the 2nd goal. Over at the Stamford Bridge, a late goal from Davies ensure that the title does not decide by goal difference.

Middlesbrough scored the biggest win of the season by thrasing hapless Man City 8-1 after Dunne was sent off early in the 1st half. Elsewhere, the fight for the final UEFA spot was also decided on the last day when Everton won 3-1 against the Magpies.


Of course not forgetting my team, Liverpool. The Reds signed the season off with a pleasing 2-0 win away to Spurs. Voronin and Torres scored the goals. Torres broke Ruud Van Nisterooy's record at his debut season. It was a magnificent achievement for Torres. I am sure that more will come from El Nino next season.

I thoroughly enjoyed this season very much with the title and relegation going down to the final day.

Once again, I saluate Man Utd for being the Champion of England. The Red Devils are certainly history maker and they are one title short to equal Liverpool's record of 18 titles.

Before I end my BPL 07/08 blog for now, let me let off a friendly warning to Chelsea and Man Utd, Liverpool will be there next season. We will win the league next season!!

Till then, see you on 16th August for the 2008/2009 season.

English Premier League - Liverpool's Summer Exodus

As we approach the last round of 2007/2008 this weekend, many clubs are preparing for next season. Liverpool is no exception. Kewell will be leaving the club after a injury -dogged career at Anfield. Riise and Crouch may leave.

I am sad to see Crouch leave Liverpool as he provide Liverpool with a different attacking option. If he leave and signs for another BPL team, he will be a threat to our defence. Crouch wants to play regular football which Rafa could not promise. If there is offers for Crouch, Liverpool will sell.

As for Riise, his senseless own goal against Chelsea was the last straw for Rafa to sell him. He is pecking order after Aurelio and Alveroa. I could see Riise going to Villa as a swoop for Barry. I think it is better for Riise to leave.

I would love to see Roque Santa Cruz or Berbatov to play alongside Torres if we can raise the money from the sale of Crouch. That will be a dream strikeforce.

Apart from Aaron Lennon, Gamdt Pedersen and Bentley, I would hope to see Martin Petrov attacking from the left side of Liverpool's midfield. If we can't get Pedersen, then we get Petrov or vice versa. Likewise for Lennon and Bentley, either one will be great for the right midfield slot. I do not see Pennant remaining in Anfield.

My choice for Liverpool XI :

1) Pepe Reina

2) Stven Finnan

3) Gareth Barry

4) Carragher / Martin Sktrel

5) Daniel Agger

6) Steven Gerrard / Xavi Alonson

7) Javier Mascherano / Youssi Benayoun

8) Aaron Lennon / Ryan Babel

9) Martin Petrov / Gamst Pedersen

10) Fernando Torres

11) Santa Cruz / Berbatov

I believe with this line up, we have pace on both wings and will counter the threat of Man Utd's Ronaldo and Nani.

English Premier League -Final Victory at Anfield

It was a match where Liverpool have nothing to play for. With the exit of the Champion League and the 4th spot secured, the Reds will end the season empty handed.

So the final match at Anfield this season is a reward for the every faithful Reds fan. Liverpool did not disappoint the fan when they dominate the game. It was stalement at the interval.

However, it was Torres that got on the score sheet after some defensive error by the City's defender. Torres beat Dunne for pace and slot past Hart for the only goal of the game. It was Torres's 23 goal in his debut season.

After the match, the Liverpool player's did a lap of honour is saluate to the fans. There were some missing players which might be a signal of them leaving Anfield this summer.

I am looking forward to see what signings Rafa will make.

Champion League 2007-2008 - Liverpool's Moscow dream over

Pictures tell a thousand words. Frank Lampard's joy and Riise's agony. These two contrasting mood showed that Chelsea has finally avenged for their two losses to Liverpool in the Champion League semi-final.


In the end, it was Riise's own goal in the 1st leg proved decisive. Liverpool would have march to meet Man Utd had not been Riise's own goal. Torres cancelled out Chelsea's away goal advantage to make it 1-1. However, Liverpool fell apart in during extra time to concede two goals.


Though Liverpool achieved what they could not achieve for the past 3 years - that is to score at Stamford Bridge, they ended up the losers. While Avram Grant achieved what Jose Mourhino could not achieved -that was to beat Liverpool in the semi-final of the Champion League.


Liverpool were the much better side of the two legs. They controlled the 1st leg and could not score 2 more only to be denied by Cech. Last night, it was Cech who came to Chelsea's rescue again to deny Liverpool two certain goals.


Liverpool can only look back to the 1st leg for that last minute own goal. Many people will point fingers at Riise for the elimination. I was very furious with Riise. However, people make mistake. I score an own goal in a friendly match during my secondary days. It was very similar to how Riise score the own goal. The ball was whipped in from my right, I do not how and why, I miskicked the ball and the ball flew past my goalkeeper.


Yes, I admit I'm feeling painful about the defeat. I believe Liverpool will come back stronger and fitter for the next season. I hope they will give Man Utd and Chelsea a better fight. Bring on Chelsea in next year Champion League Final. We will beat you 1,2,3.


Liverpool, Walk On..Walk On...with your heads up high.