spencer

Scary thing is that if Reina gets injured, Dudek is the replacement.

6th goal of the season Commentators said Recreativo have the option of buying him for 4m euros.

Usual self-serving rubbish. Claimed our debt is now 90m, maybe even a 100m. Claims DIC will borrow the money to build the ground just like he would have done. Because he believes DIC will borrow to finance the takeover, their offer is not much different to what his was. Actually didn't seem to know much about DIC's plans which surprised me.

All I could think last night was - Thank God he's not with us any more. Sutton outplayed him by a country mile. Cracking game though - both goalies played really well to keep the score down.

or a case of 'Giz a job'!

Bizarre comment! - the way Riise reacted to the headbutt from Menegazzo made me proud to have him as a Liverpool player. Few others in the modern game would have behaved in the same way. And, as has been said, how often does he get injured anyway?

As I said initially the only deal I could see being under review in the specified timeframe was Cisse's and the Evening Standard mentioned it: "Of particular interest is the probe in Marseille into Richard Bettoni, who is accused of money-laundering and working as an agent despite not having a FIFA licence. Bettoni's clients include Manchester United striker Louis Saha and Liverpool forward Djibril Cisse, and their costly transfers in 2004 ? Saha cost £11m from Fulham and Cisse £14m from Auxerre ? are among those Lord Stevens intends to examine more deeply" Don't think, though, that Liverpool themselves are implicated in any way.

Jan 2004 - Jan 2006, so only Cisse's deal counts, GH's last transfer - nothing earlier than that.

Have to say, I thought it was a big mistake to mention '8 clubs' still being investigated, since all the hacks and pundits (and fans like me) will have a field day speculating on the teams involved. They should just have said the inquiry was being extended for another two montsh and left it at that.

Can't really see us being involved. The only pre-Rafa transfer within the timeframe is Cisse's and since I can't imagine anything underhand with Rafa's deals, unless anyone knows of anything dodgy with Djib's move, then it's unlikely we are one of the eight.

"Lord Stevens' inquiry into football corruption has been extended by two months to investigate 39 transfers. The former commissioner of the Metropolitan Police examined 362 transfers which took place between 1 January 2004 and 31 January 2006. The 39 transfers involved eight clubs and need "further investigation" before Lord Stevens will "sign them off". My guess: Southampton Portsmouth Bolton ManU Chelsea Arsenal Newcastle Boro Only deal of ours in that timeframe that I can envisage might require further investigation is Cisse's, can't imagine any of Rafa's deals being remotely shady.

What excites me is the overall concept. At the moment Anfield (the district) is a depressing place to live and to visit. Not an area you would want to spend any time in. The redevelopment isn't just the ground but the whole surrounding area including the sadly neglected Stanley Park. Hopefully after the redevelopment the area will actually become something of a tourist attraction and bring jobs and prosperity to the whole area as well as giving us a ground to be proud of. As for nostalgia for the current Anfield, it already bears no resemblance to the stadium I first visited as a kid (boys pen, of course!), so I have no qualms whatever about it being replaced.

More interesting comments from McClaren in the Guardian: "He runs about 13k," said the England manager. "The average for a midfielder is about 12k. I've seen Crouch do 14k, or just over that. He runs the most of anybody in our team. You'd think it would be a midfield player but it's Peter Crouch. For a striker that's a phenomenal amount of work he's getting through. "He's got great touch with his back to goal, he brings other players into play. Give him the ball and you can trust him, but he's also an aerial threat. He's got many, many qualities. Twice in the Greece game he was the one who laid the ball off in midfield and the one who finished the move in the end. He's a loper; he's effective in his runs into the box." Sounds like the England manager at least is convinced of Crouch's abilities.

Does anyone seriously want the likes of the Glazers, Abramovich, or Beresovsky running the club? It's not just the money, it's also the right people and I'd rathe carry on as now than see the club sell its soul to the highest bidder. We are a very successful club at the moment with every prospect of great years ahead after making some shrewd signings in the transfer market; I don't see any reason tp panic or cry doom and gloom. As for West Ham - they may think signing the two Argies a wonderful coup - but wait till the devil comes to claim his due.

"...Lucas has been a dyed in the wool Liverpool fan since he was a kid. "His heroes were players like Kenny Dalglish and Graeme Souness and, of course, if this move comes off, it will be a dream come true for him...." Getting to be a recurrent theme this transfer window.

Well the Feyenoord spokesman just said as far as Feyenoord are concerned, Kuyt is now a Liverpool player. Good enough for me. The spokesman actually gave quite a long interview about Kuyt and could hardly have been more positive about the player and has no doubt he will be a big success in the PL. Also gave the impression that DK has always seen Liverpool as his dream club - yet another boyhood fan? Feyenoord fans will be gutted though.

Many have been writing yesterday's game off as meaningless but in fact it was fascinating to watch two teams in transition tactically and both teams are likely to play very differently this coming season than they have in the previous two. Liverpool have gone from having virtually no width to having fast outright wingers on both wings and the difference was there for all to see in Cardiff and it was a pleasure to behold. Chelsea yesterday looked like the Houllier/Owen Liverpool, no width at all (despite Robben playing) and constant long balls to a fast striker running behind the opposing defence. I much prefer our new system and I really fancy our chances (especially if we get the extra centre forward we've been trying for).

What a contrast between the way Sissoko coped with his dreadful injury (and still does considering he doesn't have his full sight back) and the way Ballack wimped off the pitch at the first opportunity as soon as he realised what he was up against.

Which thread is this in on RAWK? It's on their transfer forum: http://www.redandwhitekop.com/forum/index.php?topic=122446.0 His comment on the match: "Just back from the game. Middlesborough where so s**** lol had a good laugh about it maybe 1 chance (shot) in 90 minutes totally crap. Kuyt played a decent game first half he wasnt that involved in the game good passes and workrate but not really shown. 2nd half he played like we where used from him worked hard good passed nice duals and good skills plus he scored a goal from an corner (volley) and we won 2-0 So nothing new from Kuyt he played like he always does! dont sign him plz

Well the guy I'm following on this is Feyenoordfan on RAWK (for obvious reasons!). He said this today: "About the newcastle people that are watching him today. He said in an interview: I know they are here to watch me play. but if i still need to prove myself to them id rather stay here or go to a club that knows what im capable of. So i guess that rules newcastle out. Anyway im off to the game ill give a little report about Kuyt today how he played etc for you guys" Does seem quite a pointed dig at Newcastle, doesn't it?

Let's hope he gets the Real Madrid job - they deserve each other.

what an amazing game - possibly the worst goalkeeping display I've seen at top level - God knows what Schwarzer was sat there thinking. As for Poll, he was a bit unlucky because the Croats were a nightmare to referee, and it's possible FIFA got it wrong on Simunic and he hadn't been booked earlier - have to wait and find out. Really enjoyed it though and the Aussies deserved to go through - and great for Harry to get the key goal. Kind of game that will get Australians more and more keen on 'soccer'.

Well, Rafa puts a genuine desire to play for Liverpool high on the list of criteria for signing a player, and though I knew Bellamy was supposed to be a Reds fan, it could not be clearer from that interview that Bellamy is as big a fan as any of us. And he obviously realises it won't be a cakewalk to get a regular place. Good stuff - very encouraging. Have to laugh that he's on his honeymoon but saying signing for Liverpool is just as big a moment as getting married - he might get an earful when he gets back to Greece!

Rule seems to be, beating a Brazilian at football gets you nothing, murdering one gets you the CBE

Shame - but interesting - when this was posted in the transfer thread yesterday, I was dimissive it because it included Didi and I couldn't envisage him leaving: I don't tend to quote from other sites, but this from a very reliable poster. I'd say that his track record is probably almost as good as Elisha's: "Your ins and outs are: In: Pennant, Aimar, Defoe, Paletta, Aurelio, Alves, Gonzalez. Out: Traore, Warnock, Hamann, Cisse, Dudek."