Liverpool fans have had to swallow a number of disappointing defeats this season, but none more so than today’s 2-1 loss to bitter rivals Man Yoo at Old Trafford. A lethargic Liverpool squad turned up second best against a side led by the in-form Wayne Rooney and Park Ji-Sung. The Reds have now recorded 10 losses in the league, a huge dent to their Champions League aspirations.

However, on paper at least, Liverpool are capable of going on a winning run all the way until the end of the season against lower-ranked teams while Tottenham and Man City still have big games against the top 3. At time of writing, Liverpool lie 6th, behind Spurs and City who have 1 and 2 games in hand respectively.

Liverpool fans at The Library, e@Curve. Photo by Tan Pei Ru.

On a positive note, it was encouraging to note the sizable number of Liverpool fans who showed up at the Library today for the live viewing. Despite the forgettable season, folks still stood strong behind the team and hoping for a repeat of last season’s 4-1 stuffing of the Mancs on their home turf.

We were also very encouraged with sales of the Shankly “50th Anniversary” and “Torresism” t-shirts during the event.

Haven’t got yours yet? We’ve fittings from XS (for the cute ladies) all the way to XXL (for the macho males) still in stock, but running out fast. RM 35 for the Shankly white, and RM 32 for the Torres red tee.

You can get them either from our next live viewing (to be confirmed) or arrange for a custom delivery (Poslaju or pick-up). For enquiries, feel free to post them on the forum or write to info@my-rawk.com.

A match that meant so much to Rafa and his Merrymen in RED especially after all the pre-match ranting by Albert Reira who likened the manager and his team to a captain and his sinking ship. Luckily, Gerrard and Torres were back in the starting lineup and things were looking up despite the negativity surrounding the RED half of Merseyside since the beginning of the season.

Liverpool started the match knowing that conceding another goal to Lille would probably a bridge too far as Liverpool would have to win by 2 goals due to the advantage of an away goal to Lille. Rafa opted for Riena, Johnson, Carra, Agger, Insua, Kuyt, Mascherano, Lucas, Babel, Gerrard and Torres due to the unavailability of the Italian prince, Aquilani due to a bug and Rodriguez due to ineligibility in this season’s Europa Cup as the latter had already represented Athletico Madrid. Anfield also had a special guest in the Argentinian legend, Maradona who was present to check personally on Mascherano and Insua. He was greeted in the Directors’ box by Maxi.

Liverpool started tentatively but managed to create an opening on the ninth minute when Lucas burst through to goal only to be clipped by Rami and the Ref had option but to award a penalty to Liverpool. Gerrard duly converted the penalty sending Landreau the wrong way to the delight of the Kop.

It was a good first half performance although Lille were dangerous on the break especially when 19 year Belgian, Eden Hazard broke free from the middle and duly charged through on a one-on-one with Pepe but somehow managed to deflect the chipped shot off his chin! What a let-off and what a save by Pepe to keep Liverpool ahead on the night and level on aggregate.

Just shortly after half-time in a lighting counter attack by Liverpool, Babel (yes, he played well and contributed defensively too!!) launched a clearance which evade Rami (who conceded the 1st half penalty on Lucas) which allowed Torres a clear run onto Landreau’s goal and with Cejdrou trailing in his footsteps, Torres with all the calmness of mind, dinked the ball over the on-rushing keeper to make it 2-0 on the night and 2-1 on aggregate sending the Kop into rapture and madness in celebration.

Eventhough Lille were 2-0 down on the night, they were in with a chance as another would draw the aggregate score level and they would go through due to the advantage of an away-goal and they were playing with confidence and purpose. There were several close calls during the 2nd half although they almost scored.

Kuyt unleasehed several shots from outside the penalty box and Landreau was upto to it and palmed them away for corners. In the final minutes, in a scene accumtomed to by the Liverpool fans, Kuyt disposed the Chedjou and turned to ball to Lucas who then immediately lashed the ball to Gerrard who unleashed his trademark venom shot which Landreau did well to palm it but fortunately for Liverpool, Torres was on hand to shot the ball over the keeper and his defenders on the line. Game over and Liverpool qualified for the quarterfinals of the Europa Cup.

It was a difficult match and fairly even and the difference was that man called Fernando Torres and if he had been in the opposition instead, then Lille could easily have trouced Liverpool. Kudos to Lille who played very well over the 2 legs and showed that the French (and some Belgians too) are on the up again.

We should also be thankful for Rafa as he manage to hold his team together and overcome a stubborn and technically and tactically well-honed team in Lille. Next up in the Europa Cup is Benfica in the quarter-finals who defeated us in 2006 in the champions league – expect another bruising encounter although we will have the advantage of playing at Anfield in the 2nd leg.

But first, Rafa and his merry men will have to deal with SAF at Old Trafford this weekend.

MyRAWK Shankly T-shirt

MyRAWK Torresism T-shirt

Modelled by our own club top scorer Allan Loh, MyRAWK’s Shankly 50th Anniversary white (RM 35) and Torresism red t-shirts (RM 32) are available in limited quantities from this Sunday 21 March onwards. Sizes are available from XS (suitable for the ladies) all the way to XXL.

SIZE CHART:  Slim Cut (female) – 32”
S – 38”
M – 40”
L – 42”
XL – 44”
XXL – 46”

Why the price difference, you ask? Because the Shankly white has an additional MyRAWK logo on its sleeve, plus the big “50″ at the back.

Either way, both are cheaper than your regular jug of beer, and helps the running of MyRAWK as a non-profit fan club, by the fans, for the fans!

Shirts will be on sale during MyRAWK’s live viewings (stay tuned for announcements), or you can contact us at info@my-rawk.com to arrange for custom delivery / pickup.

More info in the forum.

After the 4-1 win over Portsmouth, here are some interesting stats about the club so far:

• Liverpool have won their last seven Premier League games at Anfield and currently have a better home record than last season. (Hard to believe considering the season so far)
• Fernando Torres has scored a goal every 98 Premier League minutes this season. Wayne Rooney’s record is a goal every 95 minutes.
• Alberto Aquilani completed his first 90 minutes of Premier League football against Portsmouth. (And a MOTM award too. Hopefully we’ll see more of him next season)

Via Football365

MyRAWK Special Event: Man Utd vs LFC

Come join the MyRAWKites for the titanic clash between the fiercest rivalry in the Premier League! This time round, The Mighty Reds will travel to Old Trafford, Man Utd’s stomping ground for the showdown that might well help decide where the BPL championship will head to. It will be important for LFC to win the match as well, to get the fight for 4th spot and Champion’s League qualification back on track after a dismal run of games the past few weeks.

We will be gathering at The Library, e@Curve this Sunday, starting from 8:30pm onwards for the match. There will be prizes to be won if you take part in our Q & A. You will be able to buy MyRAWK’s limited edition t-shirts as well.  We will play tribute to Shankly in our 50 years anniversary t-shirt and show our awe for “El-Nino” with the first design in the “ism” series of t-shirt to be produce in tribute to the soul-and-hearts of the team.

Those of you who are in Malacca, can join our fellow brethren in the Historical City at The Taragon Restaurant , Lorong Hang Jebat, Melaka.

For more details on the t-shirts, contact us @ info@my-rawk.com or talk to us during the gathering.

Taragon Restaurant FB page

Google Maps – e@Curve

Are You RED Enough?

-MyRAWK-

Limited Edition Shankly 50 Years T-shirt.

Limited Edition Torres'ism' T-shirt