New stadium? Believe it when you see it!!
Chris O'Keefe
Liverpool fans were today greeted with the news that the new stadium design, that was unveiled in the summer and seemed to be favoured for its unique design, is to be scaled down amid fears of funding difficulties.
The news was broken by chief executive Rick Parry, who has recently come under fire for his stance (or his anonymity) during the spat between Rafa Benitez and owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett. Whilst that argument seems to be put to bed, the stadium rethink is sure to anger Liverpool fans expecting a stadium of the highest order to replace their beloved Anfield.
Parry tried to put a gloss on the news by suggesting that the stadium issue was still further developed compared to the same time last year. However, a glance at a number of fans forums reveal a great dissatisfaction with both Parry and the owners of the club. Many, who were originally sceptical about the club leaving Anfield, were swayed by the unique and extraordinary design of the new ground. Reneging on this plan may be seen as a lack of commitment to the club on the part of the new owners.A decision on any revised plans by designers AFL of Manchester and Dallas based HKS is expected in the New Year.
Picture: icliverpool.co.uk
Torres and Liverpool hark back to yesteryear
Liverpool 4-0 Bolton Wanderers
Chris O'Keefe
at Anfield
There is no secret around Anfield or indeed the red half of Liverpool, the league title is high on the agenda. However, after much of the unrest of recent weeks off the field, the performances on the field have suggested that England most successful club may yet deliver again.
This latest demonstration came with room for improvement in some areas a hint of luck that Nicolas Anelka didn't bring his shooting boots in the first half of the game. That said Liverpool were too strong for Bolton and created a number of chances to score even more.
The greatest sign that fans are being converted was on leaving the ground. Hearing one fan shout to another a friend of theirs to "go for a pint" and then quickly compare Fernando Torres' finish to arguably the greatest player to put on a red shirt at Anfield, Kenny Dalglish.
Sami Hyppia headed Liverpool in front after 17 minutes from a free-kick from Steven Gerrard. It seemed from this point Liverpool could build, but they endured some nervy moments during the first-half, none more so than when Jamie Carragher and Pepe Reina collided and Nicolas Anelka had the goal at his mercy.
As an observer at the ground I turned away, it's a goal, surely? No! The fans at the Anfield Road End made sure Anelka didn't forget it. A cheer almost as big as Hyppia's opening goal! Bolton had missed a chance to get back into the game and it was all downhill from there. Torres all but made sure of Wanderers fate.
The Spaniard - who looked a yard faster than his opponents - latched on an inch-perfect through ball from Steven Gerrard and gently lifted the ball over Jussi Jaaskelainen. Instantly, it was clear that Liverpool fans, commentators in the press box and even the former players watching on would compare the finish to Dalglish's winning goal in the 1978 European Cup Final against Bruges. Not a bad comparison for a player still in the opening days of his Liverpool career.
In the context of the game, as Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez acknowledged, it was an important moment that forced Bolton to gamble and open up spaces for Liverpool in the second half. So it proved, with Liverpool having greater territory and maintaining posession far longer after the break.
Liverpool's third came from the penalty spot after Peter Crouch was fouled by Abdoulaye Meite. Steven Gerrard stepped up to convert his second penalty in a week. Liverpool could now afford to take off their record signing.
Torres received a standing ovation from an appreciative Anfield crowd. He was truly the outstanding performer on the day and like money very well spent. Such was his impact, he seem to overshadow Peter Crouch, whose future is far from certain at Anfield.
Dirk Kuyt, who came on for Torres, had a shot saved by Jaaskelainen, but he could only parry it into the path of Ryan Babel. It was Babel's second goal in a week after his finish at Newcastle. It was Liverpool's 21st goal in five games. The scoreline didn't flatter Liverpool. It was fitting for a largely, if not completely dominant performance and Bolton manager Gary Megson offered no defence to suggest otherwise. He said that it was a "poor day" for Bolton, but that the team would pick themselves up from this result.
He added: "There will be no knee-jerk reaction. Given Nicolas Anelka's status it was a poor miss, but there were many other things that didn't go for us. I'm most disappointed about the first goal as we didn't get our best headers on it. You learn from adversity and we'll see how we react to this."
Rafael Benitez, on the other hand, was happy with how his side were patient in their approach and how the campaign has gone so far. He said: "The team had confidence and you can see that in the number of chances we are creating. We're trying to keep the momentum, but we're in a good position, much better than last season."
Liverpool travel to Reading next weekend before crunch matches with both Marseille in Europe and Manchester United's visit to Anfield on the 16th of the month. Bigger tests lie ahead but the confidence of Liverpool's play suggests they believe they can cope.
