New Season Is Coming!

New season has come. That means the new battle has begun. Because we’ve Champions League coming up also. After five seasons, finally we could get the chance to play in Champions League again. It’s so relieve. That’s why Liverpool FC need consistency in every game this season.

A lot of changes happened in Liverpool FC squad in pre-season. We’ve lost our vital player last season: Luis Suarez, whose got transferred to Barcelona. When I heard the news, frankly it didn’t surprise me at all. After incident in World Cup, when Suarez bite Italian player, I gave up on him. That’s the third times he’d done that. It’s kinda hard to forgive him, even though he was our top scorer last season.

So, when I heard Suarez’s transfer, I only response: Oh, well. I know it’s gonna be tough to find a player like him. In football, there’s no man alike. Suarez had made great, unimaginable, superb, and sometimes ridiculous goals last season. I’m really grateful for what he’d done for Liverpool FC. Thank you for having three awesome years with us.

So, what’s next then, after losing our top scorer? Liverpool’s manager, Brendan Rodgers, has come up with eight new players (when I post this blog). They are Adam Lallana, Rickie Lambert, Dejan Lovren, Emre Can, Lazar Markovic, Javier Manquillo, Divock Origi, and Alberto Moreno. Those players mostly are midfielder and backs. We only have one new striker: Rickie Lambert, while Origi is going back to Lille for one year.

To be honest, I don’t know most of them. I only can recognize Lallana and Lambert, who play for Southampton last season. Actually, Lovren was also in Southampton, but his name did’t ring me a bell. From all of those players, I’m really excited when Liverpool FC signs Lallana. He play really well last season for Southampton. Tough and determined player. I remember Liverpool FC vs Southampton’s match. Lallana was the motor of Southampton game. When he moves and get the ball, I always said to Liverpool FC players: Stop him! Stoooopppp hiiimmm! So, when I heard that Lallana is coming to Anfield, I'm really excited. Unfortunately, he got injured in pre-season, so he won’t be able to play in Barclays Premier League’s first match.

Anyway, there has been a bunch of analysis of what Liverpool FC's gonna be this season. In the midst of a lot of saying that we haven’t found a player that match the capability like Suarez, I’m pretty confident about this season.  Yes, I do think we need more strikers, at least one more with a great skill. We can’t depend ourselves to Daniel Sturridge. He’s a great player but we need another one, so we have plenty of choice in the front line. But, looking at the squad today, there’s a lot of room to grow for another players. Philippe Coutinho and Raheem Sterling couldn’t be stop, and continue to blossom in every match. Jordon Ibe has proved himself as one of the contender that need to be watch out in pre-season. They are young players that always amaze me in every game.

Liverpool FC has done a good job in pre-season with 5 wins and 3 losses. Yes, it wasn’t a straight wins. But, I’m pretty satisfied with it. And how about this season? Well, Steven Gerrard has decided to retire from England’s national team, that means he can focus on Liverpool FC. Both Liverpool FC’s new and young players have shown their best in pre-season. We’ve won the last pre-season match against Borussia Dortmund with 4-0. Lovren and Manquillo caught my attention on that match. Well done, lads!

So, facing the new season 2014/2015? Just bring it on! Reds army is marching and coming for you! We are ready!

LFC Tour 2013 (First Half)

Liverpool got a corner. At first, I saw Downing already took a position to had one. But then, he canceled it. When I saw to the other side of the field, apparently Gerrard whose take the corner.

In these videos you will see Gerrard's movement on the pitch. Yes...I frequently take some shoots of Steven Gerrard, hehehe. You probably already know what my reasons are. What more reasons I can say? He is our Captain Fantastic :D.

45 minutes went by so quickly. Liverpool leads 1-0. In the second half Liverpool add a goal from Raheem Sterling on minute 88. I'm sorry I can't upload until the end of the game, because the duration of my shoots in second half were over a minute. As I told you before, I can't upload a video that have a duration up to 2 minutes. All I can say is I'm very happy that Liverpool FC got the chance to visit Indonesia and know more about Liverpool FC fans in here. I'm really looking forward and can't wait to have them here again on the next tour. If Allah permit me, I also really..really..want to watch Liverpool FC match in Anfield someday. YNWA.

Liverpool FC vs Indonesia XI (Coutinho Goal and Indonesia XI Counter Attack)

The game just started 10 minutes, and Coutinho already scored a goal for Liverpool. I didn't realize when I record the match, I would record Coutinho's goal. So when he did, I was soooo excited. After scored a goal, Coutinho spontaneously went to the back of the net and had his celebration over there. Huff....I just wish that he could come to my side of pitch, at that time. :D

Indonesia XI were playing really well, too. In some time they were manage to penetrate inside Liverpool area and made Liverpool FC players have to defend very deep. Indonesia XI made some great opportunities, too. Unfortunately, it didn't end with a goal.

Pre-Match Liverpool FC vs Indonesia XI (Part II)

Hello again! It's really nice to say HI! to all of you again :). It's been...errrr, how many months I have disappeared? Ooow..five months. Wow, time went by so quickly. Didn't realized I have gone that long. So, where have I been?  Finishing my research for my master degree. Period. And after it's all over a few weeks ago, finally I can update my blog again. I'm soooo gIad I could come back again :D PS: Actually I have prepared some drafts to post since August, but I haven't got the time to add some writings.

Btw, let's begin again to what I left off five months ago. We're gonna (still) be talking about LFC Tour in Indonesia. Yes, it's been a while, but I have to finish what I started. Even though, I really..really want to talk about Liverpool performances this season, some of Liverpool players like duo Suarez-Sturridge, Coutinho and Henderson, also Luis Garcia's retirement. But...I still have works to do: to finish my story about the first LFC Tour in Indonesia.

Anyway, these videos were taken right before the match. All of Liverpool FC and Indonesia players came out to do some trainings. Again, all of Liverpool FC players had their training on the other side of pitch where I stand. Unlucky me :(. But, I still manage to capture some of their actions from my cam.

As I mentioned before, Liverpool FC bring some new players to this tour. When all of Liverpool FC players had their training, Vetri asked me which one is Iago Aspas, new recruit from Celta Vigo FC. I tried to zoom in and found him doing shuttle runs. Even though he did a good work on tour, unfortunately he didn't manage to keep his position lately. Anyway...after warming up around 30 minutes, all of players went back to changing room. And then, 10 minutes later, they came back to the pitch. Without a doubt, we sing along Indonesia Raya (Indonesia national anthem) and You'll Never Walk Alone to start off the game.

Pre-Match Liverpool FC vs Indonesia XI (Part I)

Today I'm gonna upload some videos from Liverpool vs Indonesia XI that held at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in July 20. That day was the day that we've been waiting for, all this time. Finally, we could see Liverpool play right in front of us, after we could only watch them on television for so long.
As you can see some of Liverpool players had their pre-match training. Liverpudlians were already packed inside the stadium few hours before the match began. I arrived at Gelora Bung Karno at 5.30 pm, and went straight to gate V, while I tried to contact Vetri who hasn't arrived yet.
By the way, conjunction with LFC Tour 2013 was Ramadhan, month of fasting, and a lot of Liverpudlians had their break fasting while they were queuing. Even the rain in the afternoon didn't discourage Liverpudlians passion. Anyway, it took one hour for me, Vetri and Candra to enter Sector 9-11. When we were already inside the stadium, we chose to sit in front, just like when we watched open training session the day before.
When we had settled with our seats, I took some snaps with my handycam (I'm sorry for the blurry pictures). Some of Liverpool players who were had their training yesterday longer than the other players, already sat on the bench. They are Raheem Sterling, Jordan Henderson, Andre Wisdom, Martin Skrtel, Fabio Borini, Martin Kelly.

And then around 07.30 pm, Liverpool's first team entered the field to have their training, followed by Indonesia XI. Spontaneously all of Liverpudlians sang along You'll Never Walk Alone and the other chants, over and over again. And also not to forget sang along some of Indonesia national songs. At that time, I felt really happy because I could be joining with other Kopites.

Open Training Session LFC Tour 2013 (Part II)

Apparently I can't upload video with over 100 megabytes capacity, so in result I can upload video only within one minute duration. These are two latest videos that were recorded in the end of open training session. After having a short break from training in locker room, Liverpool players came out again and gave last honor to the supporters before they're leaving to Hotel Mulia. I kinda disappointed because only Daniel Agger and Brendan Rodgers who greet the supporters in my side. The other players didn't take much effort to do so, including Gerrard. Hiks. Anyway, all of the performance and moments in LFC Tour give me a great memory to remember in my life. I hope they could come back again to Indonesia someday. YNWA.

Liverpool FC Tour 2013 (Simon Mignolet and Brad Jones)

Brad Jones and Simon Mignolet had their training on my side of the field, so I could see them easier than other players. From open training session, I would say Mignolet is a great keeper. Coming to Anfield from Sunderland, he is one of four new Liverpool players who join LFC Tour 2013. After watching open training session, I said to my brother that Mignolet is better than Jones. And when season 2013/2014 begin, the Belgian goalkeeper shows his skill. On two last matches against Stoke City and Aston Villa, he got clean sheet. When Liverpool play against Stoke, Mignolet did a great penalty save and from the rebound. So, no wonder if Liverpudlians chose him as the man of the match. I hope Mignolet could maintain his good performance throughout the season. YNWA.

Open Training Session LFC Tour 2013 (Part I)

Robbie Fowler is one of Liverpool legends. He's been active as Liverpool players in the 90's, and then got transferred to Leeds United and Manchester City. But on season 2006-2007 he came back again to Anfield before leaving to Cardiff City. Right now he become LFC Ambassador along with Ian Rush.

The video above was still at the open training season. While Liverpool players had their training, Rush and Fowler were approaching to supporters and gave some signatures. Rush was the first person who came to us, but I forgot to shoot him on my handycam. So when Fowler came, without a doubt, I push the record button. Unfortunately on those two occasions I didn't get the chance to get their signatures, despite they are standing right in front of me. How could that happen to me? It wasn't because I didn't try my best to get their signature. I already shout, calling their names, waving my Liverpool jacket, but it's not easy as it look. When Liverpudlians knew Rush and Fowler were coming for us, suddenly a bunch of guys-who at first standing behind me- pushing me forward. I barely couldn't breath. Just for trying to keep me alive, I try to hold on to the fence and make a room for my self. That kind of thing didn't only happen to me. Next to me, there was a boy, who looked miserable also. When Rush saw him, he shouted to supporters to take few step backs because there's a little kiddo in front. He's really nice, indeed. So when Fowler came, I decided to record that moment anyway, with still holding the fence.

Fortunately, Vetri got Fowler's signature on her jersey. He got help by his husband, of course. Vetri's husband, Candra, was the one who came forward. Aaahh, lucky her. I want one, too :p. Anyway, Vetri said that the jersey definitely become a memorabilia in her room. And btw, you could hear Vetri's voice shouting Robbie Fowler's name, hehehe.

Finally... I can upload a video from LFC Tour 2013 again. The video above was at the open training session at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium. Vetri and I chose the left side of the stadium, but unfortunately most of the players had their training on the opposite side. The players who had their training on our side were the keepers, Simon Mignolet and Brad Jones. But later, some of the players had training on the left side of the field too.
So..most of the time I really count on to 'zoom in' button in my handycam, so that I could see all of the players clearer. When I saw them for the first time, I couldn't stop smiling. Oh my God, they were just few meters away from me, not billion-zillion kilometers away (this is hyperbolic :p). Open Training Session was the first time I saw Liverpool players on Indonesian soil, after I only could watched them on television. So..that moment was so special to me. YNWA :)

Liverpool FC Tour Indonesia 2013 (Mighty Reds)

Actually I intend to post some videos on this post, but when I try to upload few videos, it always error. I don't know what happen with video uploading in Blogger in these few days. So I only got the chance to upload one video. I hope I can upload the remaining videos again very soon.

Mighty Reds in action

Mighty Reds is Liverpool mascot. This video was taken before Open Training Session. You've got moves, Mighty! :)

LFC Tour Indonesia 2013

Liverpool FC finally has arrived in Jakarta, Indonesia. Finally they landed and played on Indonesia soil. Liverpool FC arrived in Jakarta on July 17, and they received a huge welcome from Liverpudlians. Even though the plane landed at 2 pm, Liverpudlians already wait in the airport since few hours before. Unfortunately, I couldn't welcome them because I have to work. But, reading the news in online websites make me smile that day, all day. 
Finally, finally, they come to Indonesia. Their first visit in LFC Tour 2013 and their first visit to Indonesia, after all these years. When the news came in April about LFC Tour to Asia and Australia, I just couldn't believe it myself. It felt like a dream. An amazing dream. For us, Liverpudlians in Indonesia, it's like a dream coming true. At last. Finally, we could see Liverpool play in front of us, in naked eyes.
On my last post, I told you that I was not quite sure that Gerrard would come also on this tour. But, when the days getting closer, LFC Tour posted the name of the players who will be joining on tour and then some pictures of Liverpool teams went on a plane at John Lennon Airport. And I just couldn't believe that Gerrard is on the list. And, I became more hysterical when I saw a picture of Stevie G walking in the runway, and bringing his travel bag. Later on, I posted a status on my Facebook: Steven Gerrard is on the list! OH MY GOD!! OH MY GOD!! OH MY GOD!!. Yes, I was very hysterical. There's no shame on admitting it. I feel like I go back to my teens age, when I become hysterical when it come to boybands, hahaha. Anyway, I'm just soooo happy that Liverpool finally could get the chance to visit Indonesia. And just couldn't wait to see them.
So, I will post some LFC Tour photographs and videos on this blog, with some stories behind them. It won't be only one post, but maybe several posts. So, let's start with this one:

This ticket is specially made for Liverpudlians who join Big Reds-Indonesia's Official Liverpool FC Supporter Club. The ticket price is IDR 400k, and you're not only get the ticket for the match, but also a ticket for Open Training Session and Big Reds scarf. So, Sector 9-11 is loaded with Liverpudlians from Big Reds, for sure.

Brad Jones and Simon Mignolet in Open Training Session. This is the best picture I can get, sorry, because I use pocket camera, not a DSLR.

Some players are finally having a training on my side of the field. They are Martin Kelly, Jay Spearing, Raheem Sterling, Andre Wisdom, Martin Skrtel, Jordan Henderson, Fabio Borini.

All of the pictures above captured before Indonesia XI vs Liverpool FC match. The match attended by more than 80.000 supporters.

The one and only, Steven Gerrard. I'm so pleased that he often spend his time in the right side of the field, so I can see him clearer. It just remarkable I can see him on field. :)

Indonesia XI gave Liverpool FC quite a hard time at some moments. I'm so proud with Indonesia XI. And of course, the match that give us an opportunity to see Liverpool FC play in front of us still make me speechless. The atmosphere in the stadium also unbelievable. The Kopites sing along Liverpool chants tirelessly, over and over again. I can almost imagine the atmosphere in Anfield. Just for that night, I felt like I'm at Anfield. And I still have a wish to see Liverpool live at Anfield. So, it's the time to save some money, Yogie! I will be coming to Anfield, sooner or later! :D

Look out the crowd after Indonesia XI vs Liverpool FC match. Even though the match has ended, a lot of supporters still on their seats. As for me, not to forget to take some snaps with one of my besties, Vetri, at the stadium. She is also Liverpudlian. Our last Liverpool moment together was Champions League Final 2005 in Istanbul. At that time, we were still in college, and we watched the final together only from television. So, of course, we shared the Istanbul experience and filled our hearts with joy when Liverpool won the final. Btw, I know about LFC Tour also from her. At first, I thought it was only a rumor so I didn't put high expectation. And when she told me that Liverpool FC really would come to Jakarta, I was sooooo happy. Thanks for letting me know, Pet, hehehe.