LIVERPOOL FOOTBALL FANS

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has said that Liverpool still remain the biggest test for him and his club. Manchester United have come a long way since Sir Alex Ferguson famously proclaimed that he would knock Liverpool off their perch.

They recently overtook the 18 record league titles Liverpool have been having for more than two decades. Manchester United currently have 19 league titles to their name, which is the current record. Liverpool do not seem to be in a position to reclaim their title anytime soon because of the dominance exerted by Manchester United and the arrival of Manchester City as a real player within the English football divisions.

Hence, there have been suggestions that Ferguson does not regard Liverpool to be the fiercest rival for him at this stage in his career and also with respect to the club’s position. However, Sir Alex Ferguson has dismissed such rumours by saying that Liverpool still remain a great team and it is always a pleasure to beat them. The two clubs will be making each other on the fourth round of the FA Cup. Liverpool had an easy way into the fourth round, but Manchester United came into this position after beating Manchester City 3-2 at the Etihad Stadium.

“You cannot dismiss the progress City are making completely, but at the moment the Liverpool game is still the one. The atmosphere at Anfield is terrific. You can work all your life to a point where you are challenged. Our results at Liverpool in the last two or three years have not been great, but both clubs will always have their moments, but it is such a great rivalry,” Sir Alex Ferguson said. Manchester United will have the opportunity to prevent another top four team from getting into the latter stages of the FA Cup.

Wow yes, what a season 1983/84 was! Strangely – in spite of their achievement – I always remember that team as a really good team, but suspended between the greatEST teams of 1978-79, and 1987-88. The first of those just needed Rush and Lawro to be the greatest ever in British football, while the second had seen King Kenny draw to the end of his playing career, and otherwise only lacked the creative bite of Souness.

What I remember most was watching the European Cup Final in our local Birmingham Working Mens Club in Smethwick. It was packed out, full of Villa-hating Baggies fans to a man, and I got a lot of stick! “You’re going to get scalped in Rome” was the verdict. They changed their tune somewhat during the game, and by the time Brucie went into his wobbly leg penalties routine, they were cheering us on. I got bought a lot of drinks! (I should explain that I lived in Birmingham by then, after being brought up in Liverpool till I was 15).

To all those Man United fans who say that our treble wasn’t as good as theirs, I would only say this : Is the League Cup any easier to win than the FA Cup? No, it isn’t. And if you had to give up just one of those three trophies, which would it be? Certainly not the League, or the European Cup, that’s for sure!

Phil Rigby
Devon

Liverpool FC is the English football club in plays its football in the Premier League. The club is based in Liverpool, England. It is thought to be one of the biggest clubs in England after having won the European title more than any other club in England. The club has also won 18 League titles, which has been bettered only by Manchester United. The club was formed in 1892 and it became a member of the Football League immediately. The club’s home ground is the legendary Anfield, although it was initially the home of Liverpool’s archrivals Everton.

After Everton decided to move out of Anfield in 1892, Liverpool was formed and they made Anfield as their home. The stadium has a total capacity of just under 46,000, but the interesting aspect of the Stadium comes from the largest stand of any stadium in Europe. This stand – called as the Kop – usually houses the most passionate supporters of the club. Everton and Manchester United are the two biggest rivals for Liverpool, although Chelsea have been included under this category most recently. The home strip of the club is an all-red unit and it has been the way since 1964.

The away strips of the club are usually made in black, while the third kit comes in the white colour. The most famous anthem of Liverpool has to be the “You’ll Never Walk Alone” anthem, which is easily sung before every home game. The 18 League titles that Liverpool have won was first started off with the win in 1900-01. They have also won seven FA Cups, with the most recent one coming in 2006. Other achievements of the club domestically include winning the League Cup seven times, and the FA Community Shield 15 times.

It is on the European front that Liverpool have been extremely successful. The club has won a record five European Cup, which is now called as the Champions League. This is a record for the British teams only. However, they are just four behind current record holder’s Real Madrid. Their most recent Champions League success came in the form of a win over AC Milan in 2005. The UEFA cup and the UEFA super cup have been the other successes Liverpool have achieved on the European front. Liverpool are one of the few teams to have done the treble of winning the League, League Cup, and the European cup. This achievement was staged in the 1983-84 season.

Their most recent treble came in the 2000-01 season when they managed to win the FA Cup, League Cup, and the UEFA cup.

Some of the most notable players who have represented Liverpool over the years include Ian Rush, Bruce Grobbelaar, Ian Callaghan, Jamie Carragher, Steve McManaman, and Steven Gerrard. Notable managers who have been responsible for shaping the history of Liverpool include Bill Shankly, Bob Paisley, and Kenny Dalglish. The former two led Liverpool to their most successful period in their history.

Highlights from the match in Istanbul. One particular of the most exciting finals in the background of the levels of competition. Amazing comeback by Liverpool Fc. Tune is called “London”, by James Newton Howard. (Part of the Blood Diamond Film Soundtrack) (I Feel) “Mission Not possible is accomplished”
Video Rating: 4 / 5