Do Liverpool accept Mascherano’s dedication?

I really enjoyed myself last night when I was watching Barcelona tear Manchester United apart. There is a time in the game when it was now 3-1 and the cameras focused on Sir Alex Ferguson sitting in his sit and looking like he has no clue what is going on, that was priceless. Manchester United simply had no answer at all to Barcelona.

There is no denying that this is arguably the best club team we have ever seen and it will take something special to beat them. Did Manchester United honestly think they could beat them? I waited and waited to see if any Liverpool fan was at Wembley yesterday so that they could display a “L.F.C 5 TIMES” banner to show Manchester United that we are still the kings of Europe in England.

Javier Mascherano started the game for Barcelona at centre back ahead of their captain Puyol who later came on as a substitute when the game was wrapped up. Credit to Mascherano for playing well through out the game in a position he is not too familiar with. After the game Mascherano came out and said, “I know some Liverpool supporters were disappointed after my exit, they were a little bit sad with me, but this is for them.”

I know many fans are still angry and may forever be angry with Mascherano for dropping us when he decided he wanted to go to Barcelona. So do we accept his dedication and forget about how much he hurt us when he went to Barcelona?

Let us not forget that he has just helped beat our biggest rival in Manchester United and any team that beats United is a friend of mine. On the flip side though, Mascherano is lucky to have a Champions League medal now as he would not be in the great Barcelona side if it were not for Puyol’s injury. Mascherano has spent most of the season on the bench for Barcelona as he can not get a place in their starting eleven.

Liverpool FC Team Up With Honda

Liverpool FC yesterday announced a three-year partnership with Honda Motorcycles, the number one motorcycle and lifestyle brand in Thailand. The deal is part of the club’s objective to increase commercial revenue, with a particular focus on the lucrative Asian market.

The Reds will also provide A.P. Honda Co. Ltd with a powerful marketing tool as they look to exploit the club’s fervent following in Thailand. A.P Honda Co. Ltd. President Mr. Chiaki Kato is honoured to have struck an affiliation with Liverpool, and believes the deal will prove fruitful for both parties.

“Honda Motorcycle is the number one motorcycle brand in Thailand and after demonstrating strong business growth this year, we are launching our new fun lifestyle marketing campaign called ‘Discover Your Fun’” he said.

“We look forward to kicking off this campaign through an innovative partnership with Liverpool FC.”

“Over recent years, we have supported a number of campaigns in football including being an official sponsor of Liverpool FC’s Asia Tour 2009 in Thailand and sponsoring the live broadcast of World Cup 2006 plus Euro 2008.”

“On the occasion of the 25^th Anniversary of A.P. Honda Co. Ltd, I am honoured to announce Honda as Official Partner to one of the world’s most famous teams.They are supported by many football fans in Thailand. Honda Motorcycle will be using the team to bring the ‘Discover Your Fun’ campaign to fans throughout Thailand.”

Reds MD Ian Ayre echoed Kato’s comments: “We know that Liverpool FC has a strong fanbase in Thailand which was highlighted by the excitement generated by our Tour to the country in 2009.” he added.

“This partnership with A.P. Honda Co. Ltd will enable us to engage with that fanbase in a fun and exciting way through the ‘Discover Your Fun’ campaign. We look forward to a long and successful association with one of Thailand’s leading lifestyle brands.”

“The “Discover Your Fun” campaign is the brand message by A.P Honda Co. Ltd inspiring people to have an element of fun in their lifestyle. The campaign will be included in the promotion of a range of motorcycle models to engage with the young target audience.

“As a lifestyle campaign based on style, image, personality and community, A.P. Honda Co. Ltd will be demonstrating that they are about more than just the technology in the motorcycle.”

Ian Ayre has already transformed Liverpool’s fortunes since his arrival in 2007, and this deal looks to be another in a long line of lucrative marketing opportunities uncovered and exploited by a man at the top of his game. We have a lot to thank Ian Ayre for already, but if he keeps pulling deals like this out of the bag he could well be every bit as important to the club as the players on the pitch!

Summer Sale So Vital As Liverpool FC Plan For A Bright Future

Kenny Dalglish is rightly bullish about his chances of attracting top class talent to Anfield this summer.

Liverpool’s pulling power is unlikely to be dented by their absence from the Europa League next season.

In truth the biggest challenge facing Dalglish and director of football Damien Comolli over the coming months isn’t strengthening the squad, it’s getting rid of a huge amount of dead wood.

Owners Fenway Sports Group has made no secret of their horror at discovering Liverpool’s annual wage bill is in excess of £100million.

Unsurprisingly, they want better value for money and with no European football next season the size of the squad needs to be slashed back. The Reds have had a dozen players out on loan this season and few have a part to play in the future.

The only one who will considerably boost the kitty for transfers is Albert Aquilani but Juventus are continuing to stall over a deal for the midfielder.

Names like Philipp Degen, Nabil El Zhar and Emiliano Insua may feel like blasts from a past fans would rather forget but they remain Liverpool’s property.

Injury-plagued right-back Degen has spent the season at Stuttgart, while Moroccan El Zhar has been at PAOK Thessaloniki in Greece. Galatasaray have had the services of left-back Insua but none of the trio have been snapped up on a permanent basis.

Then there’s French defender Chris Mavinga who was signed by Rafa Benitez in 2009 but didn’t make a senior appearance before being farmed out to Racing Genk this season. Mavinga made headlines earlier this month when his reckless high boot shattered the jaw of Standard Liege’s Mehdi Carcela-Gonzalez.

Once they’ve been dealt with Dalglish has Roy Hodgson’s mess to sort out as he tries to find homes for keeper Brad Jones and left-back Paul Konchesky. Liverpool will take a hit as they have no chance of getting back the £6million wasted on the pair.

Other decisions will be trickier as the manager weighs up the merits of youngsters who have been out on loan to gain valuable experience.

It’s difficult to see where Stephen Darby fits in following the rise of fellow Academy graduates Martin Kelly and John Flanagan. Dalglish will also have to consider the merits of Daniel Ayala, Nathan Eccleston, David Amoo and Daniel Pacheco.

If dealing with all that wasn’t enough, there are also the fringe players who remained at Anfield for the duration of the season.

If Liverpool is serious about reclaiming their top four status there can be no room for the likes of Milan Jovanovic, Joe Cole, Christian Poulsen, Sotirios Kyrgiakos and David Ngog.

Liverpool complete signing of Marveaux

Liverpool have agreed the signing of Rennes winger Sylvain Marveaux, after the pacy Frenchman settled a pre-contract agreement at Anfield to sign for a free transfer in the summer.
Marveaux had featured in over 100 appearances for the club primarily as a left-winger. The diminutive 24-year-old stands at just 5ft 7, but offers a creative spark that caught the attention of Liverpool’s Director of Football Strategy Damien Comolli.
Marveaux has already revealed that he will depart Rennes in th...