The Official Liverpool thread

[all_funkt_up]

Good stuff here. Never seen an ex-player write back to the club to address the fans. Here's a letter from Luis Garcia to Liverpool fans, written recently following his move to Atletico Madrid:

Dear Reds,

First of all I'd like to apologise for not having been back in touch
sooner, but I needed to take some time to take on board all the
recent changes and then to put down these words for you.

I'm sure you will understand.

I would rather this be a letter of thanks and gratitude, not simply a
goodbye.

Yes, that's right, gratitude, because that is the word that best sums
up my feelings for you all.

Taking the decision to change clubs hasn't been easy. Not easy at
all.

I've experienced three fantastic years at the club and in the city.
Three years in which together, the fans and the team, we have
accomplished some fantastic achievements, and I'm sure that these
successes will continue to be repeated in the near future.

You know that I like a challenge and that I don't just settle for
second best.

Back then Liverpool Football Club gave me the opportunity to be part
of an ambitious plan to put the Reds back at the summit of the game.

I think that together we managed to achieve that.

As I said, I do like challenges and in spite of the fact that at that
time I was playing for my home town club, one of the biggest in the
world, I wanted to be a part of that project that was being presented
to me by Liverpool, and so I accepted the challenge.

Now, after three seasons in the Premier League and having won some
major trophies, the chance came up for me to return to La Liga and be
part of a new project at a club I already knew.

The idea of enjoying things in a Spanish club like we experienced
together at Liverpool over these last three years appealed to me, and
that's why I accepted the offer.

I want to thank everyone working at Liverpool Football Club for how
well they have treated both my family and I, making us feel at home
from the very first day to the last.

I also want to thank the management, coaching staff and directors for
the opportunity they gave me back then to be part of such an
important and well-loved club as Liverpool. A club which has helped
me to grow as a footballer and where to date I have enjoyed the
biggest success of my career.

Without a doubt, this success has been possible thanks to the
outstanding group of players with whom Ive been able to share a
dressing room over the last three seasons.

I'm not going to mention anyone specifically, because I think that
the secret of this team's success has been exactly that: nobody
wanted to stand out above the rest and there has always been a great
togetherness in the squad, which made it into something more than a
group of players, it was a group of friends.

Thanks to all of you for your help and your friendship.

I've left until last the thank you which for me is the most
important: Thank you to the supporters.

Your support allowed me to settle quickly at both the club and in the
city, and you made me feel really at ease with you all right from the
word go; that's the kind of help that you notice most of all during
the difficult times, of which there have been a few during my time
here.

I'd like to especially thank you for making up a song for me and you
should know that every time I heard you singing it, it was like an
extra injection of strength and motivation, even helping me to
overcome pain occasionally during a game.

Your unconditional support is the thing that ensures that this team
manages to pull through in the most difficult circumstances; and I
can assure you that the whole squad is aware of this and thanks you
for it.

A football club isn't just made up of players, coaches and directors.
More than anything else it's the supporters who make a club, and that
perhaps is the ingredient which best distinguishes Liverpool Football
Club from every other team. The supporters.

Because if one thing has remained obvious to me after these few
years, it's that with supporters like you, Liverpool Football Club
will never walk alone.

I really hope that the club wins lots of major trophies in the
future; I'll be following it all from a distance, with the pride that
you can only get from having been a Red and played for the home team
at Anfield – a ground that every football fan must visit at least
once in their life.

Thank you for everything. Yours most sincerely,

Your friend, Luís García

[Punter]

Arrgh. Good stuff Luis

[all_funkt_up]

Another efficient performance on Saturday. Should have been more mind, but the goals will come.

Torres looking sharp and Voronin could yet be the buy of the summer. What a little humdinger he is.

[all_funkt_up]

......................Reina,

......Arbeloa Hyypia Agger Riise

Benayoun Sissoko, Mascherano, Leto

.............Crouch .... Kuyt.

Subs: Itandje, Finnan, Torres, Alonso, Pennant, Babel, Lucas

[all_funkt_up]

Oh and song of the weekend:

Keano - he wanks his dog Keano
And so does Andy Cole
And Chopra wants a go
Keano - he wanks his dog Keano

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrilliant

[all_funkt_up]

Well, Toulouse were shite werent they. Or were we masterful?

Hmmm

[slick]

Missed it AFU but well done and also well done Rangers as that was a tough tie over there.

Bar you know who I like to see all the Brit teams doing well especially Liverpool as the rags hate that even more.

I actually watched the Manc Derby in a Liverpool bar over in spain and it was just like being in a blue boozer, pity the power went 15 mins into the Liverpool v Chelsea match but at least they got to see the big one.

[Kiko]

Originally Posted by all_funkt_up

Well, Toulouse were shite werent they. Or were we masterful?

Hmmm

Liverpool did a professional job but it was more Toulouse being shite than Liverpool being great. Can only beat what is on front of you mind.

[Kiko]

Also - it was a very very nice touch from Liverpool giving the tribute to the young lad that died.

Very good to see in this day and age

[all_funkt_up]

Indeed Kiko. Putting human life before club rivalry, at the end of the day, it's only a game.

[slick]

Aye but the theme from Z-Cars doesnt exactly hit a nerve like Liverpools anthem does.

I was thinking the same thing when Everton played Blackburn, could u imagine what a lump 'you'll never walk alone' would have brought to everybodys throat in the same situation.

I know its only a song and its does not deter from the young lads death whatsoever but it would have had a far more emotional effect.

Tell the truth in the same situation i wouldent have been at either match but out looking to slaughter the cnut that did it but i suppose were all diffeerent.

[all_funkt_up]

I cant understand how his mum and dad summoned the strength to go to both games and stand by the pitch as the tribute was read out and the croud applauded. It must have been very very hard not to bubble over and burst into tears.

[Punter]

The whole city is behind them, i hope somebody comes forward with information soon. As you say AFU, that must be very tough to stand there without crying, i dont think i could of done it. Z cars at Anfield was appropriate tonight.

[Wittmann 44]

I know that its Derby and I know not even a handful of games in but where'e the rolling around on the floor with joy icon when you need it ?

Lose Kuyt up front and we'll really be motoring

[Punter]

As you say Wittmann it was only Derby but i'll give them a couple of too .
I went today and we didn't look that clever until will scored, with the 2nd in before ht we just enjoyed ourselves with them in the 2nd half. They didn't show much fight tbh, good stuff for us though.

Kuyt was the only one who didn't play particularly well today, i'm begining to worry a little over his goals per attempts ratio, maybe he just needs a few games on the bench.

Go on the Pool