Mid Season 2014/2015 of Liverpool FC

Mid season has come to an end and we’re facing new year. At the end of 2014 Liverpool’s position is in 8^th. Not good enough. We were facing some problems. Daniel Sturridge has a series of injury. After had an injury in August, he had another injury, and another injury. We were really struggling. Sturridge was our 2nd top scorer last season, after Luis Suarez, so his role is very important for us. Unfortunately in the other side, our other strikers, Rickie Lambert, Mario Balotelli dan Fabio Borini haven't showed their best performances yet.

I admit this season is not as smooth as last season, but we're still fighting. We have been in an even more worst position before. No matter where LFC's position, I will always support them. Nevertheless, there are some issues that I want to stress about LFC's performances until mid season 2014/2015. We are pretty bad when facing set pieces, either it's from corner kick or free kick. That is our weakness and in the first three months our opponent used that weakness very well. Every time we have set pieces, my heart's beating very fast and somehow I always have a bad feeling about that, which then result in a goal. That hurts.

Overall our weakness this season is still the same like the last season. It's in the back. And unfortunately, our manager Brendan Rodgers didn't recruit a lot of players in that position when transfer window opened last summer. We recruited a lot of midfielders than defenders. And that cost us. When Rodgers recruited some new midfielders in transfer window, I was just hoping that he did the right thing and could make LFC more competitive. But, it wasn't. After our second match this season, we're really have to fight hard.

Fortunately, when we're entering December, it gets better. Lazar Markovic and Emre Can have shown what their capable of, even though I think they could do more. Sterling, whose done a great job replacing Sturridge's role, continue on showing his determination and great skills. Along with Adam Lallana, Philipe Coutinho and Jordan Henderson. Even though in the other side, our new strikers still haven't showed their best performances, but we're getting better. And I hope it will continues better and better. In this winter window transfers, I'm hoping Rodgers will recruit top defenders. We really need to fix our defense line.

In the mean time, there is also a big news coming from LFC's captain, Steven Gerrard. He will leave LFC at the end of the season. It's a heartbreaking news, even though I know someday sooner or later it will come, but it still make me in shock. When I knew the news for the very first time, I don't know how to react on that news. A denial, maybe. Until 2-3 days later, finally I can embrace Gerrard's decision and accept that it's his time. This is the time when he will leaving LFC, at last. I can not imagine how LFC would be without him, because my love for LFC grow along with his performances on the pitch. First time I know and love LFC is because Michael Owen, but it continues to grow along with all of the LFC players from more than 15 years ago until now. That includes Steven Gerrard, of course. I know his retirement will open the door for existing players and young players to come forward and show their best. A few young players from Academy already had the chance to show their performances, like Jordan Rossiter, and I think Rodgers need a player like him to fill our loss.

Anyway, we still have about six months to end this season very well. I know we have to work hard. As long as all of the players have a great collaboration and understanding among each others, I think we will be fine. Keep on marching, Reds!

You'll Never Walk Alone!

Michael Owen's Retirement

Every morning I used to read football news in Detik website. When I read it this morning, I found a shocking news. Michael Owen has decided to retire at the end of 2012/2013 season! Oh my God...I am stunned, shocked. Really.. I don't know what to say. For you who already read my post about Liverpool FC must've known the reason.

Michael Owen was my 'first love' in football world. Because of him, I become a Liverpudlian until now. Even later when he got transfered to Real Madrid (which make me sad and disappointed), but I always hope the best for him. His career in Real Madrid was only last for a year (CMIIW). And then he moved to Newcastle United and Manchester United. Later, this season he almost couldn't get a club. Fortunately, Stoke City want to take him. I've got to admit, after Liverpool, Owen didn't play much like before. He often got some bad injuries and it did affect his performances. And now he decides to retire, that makes me really sad.

Actually, one of Liverpool senior players, Jamie Carragher also has decided to retire at the end of this season. Long ago, Owen and Carragher were roommate. But, when it comes to Carra, I don't feel the way I feel like with Owen. I respect Carra for his dedication for Liverpool FC, but I don't have this emotional connection with him. Owen did.

I know football players have 'a limitation' to play. But when THE day come, sometimes I just don't want to admit it. When it comes to Gerrard, maybe I will be very, very sad...

PS: You can read retirement statement from Owen in here
Pic from thehdwallpaperz.com

YNWA

You'll Never Walk Alone...

Sebelum tertipu, postingan blog kali ini adalah soal sepakbola, khususnya soal saya sebagai fans Liverpool FC. Jadi buat yang emang ga suka bola dan ga minat buat baca postingan blog soal bola, maap aja dulu ye..tapi kalo emang ada yang pengen baca racauan saya soal bola, ya monggo aja,,,:)

Ngga tau kenapa hari ini pengen aja nulis soal bola especially Liverpool FC. Kenapa saya bisa jadi fans klub bola yang nun jauh di mato itu? Padahal Persija yang deketan juga ada. Tapi ngga tau kenapa saya malah ga suka dengan klub-klub Indonesia karena mereka itu bawaannya pas pertandingan berantemmmm muluuu...jadi males deh.hehehehe

Eniwei, pas di jaman SD saya itu sebenernya adalah seorang anak cewe yang mikir 'Itu pemain bola pada ribet aja deh satu bola kok ya direbutin dan dikejar-kejar, tar gw kasih deh tu setiap pemainnya satu bola biar pada ga berebutan'. Intinya: BUKAN penikmat bola! Pas ada pertandingan bola di TV saya juga cuma ikut-ikutan aja nonton, berhubung adek sama bokap suka nonton bola jadi mau ga mau ya ikutan nonton.

Sampai terus pas SMP atau SMA (saya malah lupa), saya ngeliat gambar Michael Owen (waktu itu masih main di Liverpool) di salah satu majalah remaja. Ngeliat tampangnya yang imut-imut, saya langsung suka dehhh...Hihihi maklum jaman ABG gitu biasanya yang diliat paling utama dari cowo kan tampangnya cakep.

Dari situ sebenernya saya belum terlalu merhatiin Liverpool-nya, saya lebih merhatiin Owen. Kalau pas ada pertandingan Liverpool atw timnas Inggris tapi terus Owen ga main, ya saya ga jadi nonton. Saya juga ga terlalu ngotot pantengin pertandingan bola sampe tengah malem, walaupun Owen maen. Pokoknya jam batas saya nonton bola maksimal jam 10 malem. Jangan harap saya bela-belain bangun tengah malem cuma buat nonton bola aja.

Intensitas saya nonton Liverpool mulai meningkat pas masuk kuliah, walau kadang suka bolong-bolong juga nontonnya. Baru di tahun kedua kuliah, pertandingan Liverpool akhirnya jadi salah satu agenda wajib. Liverpudlian (sebutan buat fans Liverpool) yang menyanyikan anthem You'll Never Walk Alone di setiap awal pertandingan akhirnya berhasil membius saya untuk jadi penonton rutin.

Ya, saya jadi suka sama Liverpool karena lirik You'll Never Walk Alone. Agak beda mungkin sama penonton bola lainnya yang suka sama suatu klub karena gaya permainannya. For me, You'll Never Walk Alone lyric has a really deep meaning. Check out the lyric at the end of this posting and tell me what you think? For me, no matter how many obstacles you will face, you'll never walk alone because there's always God with us even though maybe there's no one cares about you.

Memang lirik You'll Never Walk Alone ini aslinya bukan dari ciptaan para Liverpudlian. Di Wikipedia ada runtutan historinya soal lirik lagu ini, awalnya dari musikal Carousel tahun 1945, terus populer di kota Liverpool pas dinyanyiin grup Gerry and the Pacemakers. Walau di tangga lagu hits You'll Never Walk Alone ga bertahan lama, lagu itu tetep terus dinyanyiin sama Liverpudlian sebelum pertandingan mulai.

Saya juga suka dengan logo klub Liverpool yang (menurut saya) artistik. Beda sama klub lain yang desainnya kaku, saya ngeliat logo klub Liverpool lebih menarik dengan adanya Liver bird (simbol kota Liverpool) di tengah, dua obor di dua sisi untuk mengenang kejadian di Hillsborough, dan ukiran di atas teks You'll Never Walk Alone. Duh keliatannya payah banget ya alesan saya suka sama Liverpool, tapi memang itu yang mentrigger saya untuk menjadi Liverpudlian. Akhirnya alasan saya nonton pertandingan bola sekarang bukan hanya karena satu pemain, tapi saya mendukung klub sepenuhnya siapapun pemainnya.

Setelah Owen akhirnya pindah dari Liverpool ke Real Madrid tahun 2004 pun saya tetap menjadi pendukung Liverpool. Well, actually my heart's broken when Owen leaving Liverpool. But hey it's a football. Players and managers come and go. But I think I have to say thank you to Owen because he has introduced me to Liverpool. :)

So..here I am still become one of the Liverpudlians and have a dream to feel the atmosphere of Anfield Stadium and sing along with Liverpudlians, LIVE...

THIS IS ANFIELD!

When you walk through a storm

Hold your head up high

And don't be afraid of the dark.

At the end of a storm is a golden sky

And the sweet silver song of a lark.

Walk on through the wind,

Walk on through the rain,

Tho' your dreams be tossed and blown.

Walk on, walk on with hope in your heart

And you'll never walk alone,

You'll never, ever walk alone.

Walk on, walk on with hope in your heart

And you'll never walk alone,

You'll never, ever walk alone.