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!

Shed Tears of Joy

I learn a lot today. About life and how we suppose to live when everyone underestimate us. Funny how I learn it from watching sports. It began on watching Singapore Open Series, Simon Santoso vs Lee Chong Wei in the afternoon.

Every badminton addicts probably already know how great Wei is and of course he becomes everyone's favorite, maybe. In the opposite, Simon who always lose against Wei becomes the underdog.

But when I watched the game, I could see how patient and focus Simon is. He played the game with nothing to lose, it looked like there’s no pressure on him even though it’s the final and he must against the number 1 rank in the world. In the second set, Simon was a little bit out of control when Wei managed to gain 6 points consecutively, but Simon manage to control the game again in the end. There were some rallys went on, and because of showing some patience, Simon succeeded on winning the rally. Not every rallys, but he did most of them. What he did, blew me away. He gave the element of surprise on how he put the shuttlecock in some places that even Wei hard to reach it out.

Simon Santoso after winning Singapore Open Series/photo by gettyimages

Badminton game isn’t just about smash, drop shot, or lob, but it also about the tactical decision. You don’t play and thinking like: as long as I can tackle the shuttlecock and give it back to the opponent. You have to play smart in order to gain every point. And that what I saw in Simon’s game. He was vicious, focus, patient, and smart. And I’m so happy that finally Simon won against Wei and became the champion in straight set. His reaction when he succeed to get the championship point is priceless. Relieve, happy, unbelievable.

The next match that I watched, of course it’s Liverpool FC vs Manchester City. The match was held at Anfield. This match is one of important games for Liverpool FC in order to running for the title. Even though Liverpool FC hasn’t been lose this year, won 9 games consecutively, and on the pole position, we still considered as the underdog. I’m not blaming them for it. City is one of the best contender. They won the League two years ago.

Meanwhile, Liverpool FC’s  goal at the beginning of the season is only to get back to the top 4 so that we can play in Champions League next season. And looking at Liverpool FC players probably they won’t believe the position that we are right now. Yes, Liverpool FC has top well-known players like Steven Gerrard and Luis Suarez. Daniel Sturridge was on his way too at the beginning of the season, and look at him now! He is one of our best strikers, made a great duo with Suarez, keeping Liverpool on track when Suarez couldn’t play because of the punishment he got from last season.

And if we’re talking about Liverpool FC, we don’t just talking about those players, but also ALL of the players, the staffs, and supporters. All of Liverpool FC elements have done a great job so far. The players skill are flourishing and developing really great. Hands down to Brendan Rodgers and the staffs whose maximize the potential of each player.  Looking at them now, there’s no doubt that all of the players have given their best.

LFC celebration against City at Anfield, Sunday (13/4)/photo from indonesia.liverpoolfc.com

And in today’s match against Manchester City, Liverpool FC players determination was really outstanding. Today’s match is really special, not only it’s a big match, but also we, Liverpudlians commemorate Hillsborough. Before it began, there’s a minute silence for remembering it. So, yeah, it’s an emotional match for Kopites.

When the match begin, Liverpool FC leads 2-0 in first half. But in the second half, City manage to make it tie 2-2. It was soooo intense. My heart won’t stop pounding. Adrenaline always rushes when you are watching the game, isn’t it? But, Liverpool players won’t giving up and always try to do their best. Until, blunder from City’s back, Kompany, giving us the opportunity to make a lead. Coutinho scoreeeeddd!!! Oh my Goooddd…… I’m really thankful for that! 3-2! And I shout: Keep it alive, guys!

But the drama doesn’t end there. Injury time is 5 minutes! (OMG!) and Henderson was red-carded when we still have to play in 2,5 more minutes. Anything can happen in that time. Continuously, I told them to hang on. Maybe some of supporters also said that to them, to hang in there in couple of minutes. The atmosphere in Anfield is remarkable. Reminds me of the night of the Champions League semifinale Liverpool FC against Chelsea in 2004/2005 season. When we led 1-0 and the injury time was 6 minutes! It was sooo tense!!

photo: indonesia.liverpoolfc.com

And when it finally ended, I was sooo happy. Gerrard even shed the tears (of joy) in the end. He look like couldn’t believe that we won the match. Then, all of the players on the field gathered around and as the captain, Stevie fired up his teammates. After the game, Stevie said that the match felt like the longest game he ever went through. But hey, we still have 4 final matches coming up. And to keep our dream alive, we have to go through it and win it. All of the matches that Liverpool FC has been through this season is because all of the hard work they put on it since day one.

When everyone thinks you’re the underdog, just shifted it to a motivation, to do better and giving it all out. Maybe you don’t reach your goal everytime, but at least you already do the best and give it all you can do. Just be patient, keeping up the hard work, and keep doing the best, because I'm sure someday you will get the reward. 

And when you have succeed, it would be the best feeling you ever have and it’s okay to shed your tears. Tears of joy. I shed tears of joy along with the players today. :) #KeepItAlive #MakeUsDream

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.

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.

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.