Manchester Derby - Title-Deciding Game! But only for one Manchester...... CITY.... LOL

It is a rare phenomena to witness a football club finish second best after collecting points that's decent enough to win a title across all the major football leagues. Current league leaders, Liverpool have 88 points with just three games to play and Manchester City with 86 points with a game in hand, which gives them the slightest of advantage over their rivals. 

Liverpool can go on and finish 2nd in the league even after collecting 97 points from 38 games played, provided Manchester City get the job done against Manchester United in a late game on Thursday morning. 

United who started relatively well under the care of Solksjaer, is now in the darkest of times as they suffered major setbacks in games that should have been won easily. Having faced FC Barcelona in the Champions League Quarter Finals and suffering defeats in both the legs, United's form has seen a major downfall. 

It was typical United when Solksjaer hinted that there are certain players that will see the 'OUT' sign when the new season starts in August. 

To me, the title race is far from over because the possibilities of both, Liverpool and Manchester City choking at any point of the remaining matches are high, especially City. 

City will face a daunting task when they travel to Old Trafford to face a wounded United team that's eagerly looking to finish top four by collecting maximum points from the remaining matches. The race for top four is now down to Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United, who are not far behind from each other in terms of points and goal difference. 

Tonight, 24 April 2019 at 3:00am (Malaysian time), All Liverpool fans across the globe will turn their unwilling support for their arch rivals, Manchester United to get the job done against a stubborn City side that looks way beyond determined in securing the title for the second consecutive season. 

Having played a game more than City, Liverpool will have to wait until Friday night to resume match day 36 as they square off against Huddersfield. 

Throughout this season, the Reds have suffered just one defeat, that too in the hands of City. As a fan, I am extremely proud looking at my team's improved performance from all aspects and finally having found the missing pieces in the puzzle. Van Dijk has been the greatest thing that Klopp has done for the team and his work rate and defensive skills has been immense! 

He looks almost unstoppable at all situations and to be honest, I can't remember seeking an attacker or any player for that matter, dribble past the big Dutch defender. As always, Liverpool's front three has been spectacular all season although Mo Salah has seen restriction on his freedom to run past defenders, a routine he was heavily enjoying last season. 

When you block Mo Salah, know that we have a MANE hunting down your ass! The Senegal forward was handed the freedom of Salah and without doubt, he was a bomb at it! Mane often maintains a great composure in front of goal and the lad does possess a set of amazing goalscoring skills, like the one he scored against Bayer Munich in the Champions League Last 16, second leg tie at Munich. 

Is it finally our year or are we going to chant the same old lines again? I hope not though. Let's hope for a favourable result from tonight's Manchester Derby! 

Solid Reds March On!

2019 started rather slow for Liverpool, after surrendering a 10-point lead at the top of the table to rivals, Manchester City following a dramatic end to 2018. The Citizens have now leapfrogged Liverpool to first place, only with a narrow one-point lead.

City, although leading just by a point, it doesn't make them any lesser of a favorite to go and nick their sixth Premier League title, but with Liverpool looking to end their 30-years wait of tasting Premier League medal, things may well go down to the wire.

It was typical Liverpool when they carelessly dropped points against Leicester City, Everton and West Ham United in the league, all of which should have been easily dealt with. The current Liverpool squad looks dangerous as ever, but at times, they do remind me of the old Liverpool that I don't wish to utter a single word about.

Under the supervision of Klopp, Liverpool have seen some serious improvements in major areas that can highly contribute to being a serious title contender. To me, the buy that has made Liverpool reclaim their comfort zone at the top of the league after some inconsistent spells over the past few seasons is Virgil Van Dijk!

He's such a beast! I seriously can't recall any player from the opponent team going pass VVD in an open play. That's how phenomenal he has been, what an investment! The big Dutchman is a top value buy, so much of a complete player that any team would dream of having.

Liverpool is currently enjoying the best period of any football they've played in recent years, especially after a handsome victory over German giants, Bayern Munich in the Champions League, second leg tie at Munich on Thursday morning.

Once upon a time, Bayern's home turf, Allianz, was regarded as the most challenging and toughest venues for opponents, and escaping a small defeat was also the rarest! But, I am mesmerized with the change now. Beating down Bayern, that too at their home ground, was hard to digest but what a win man!

This year's Champions League Quarter Finalists are not a surprise package, but still it is missing some top guns that we thought would make it, such as Athletico Madrid, Bayern Munich and PSG.

Ronaldo and Athletico, still a better love story than Twilight. The Portugese star outclassed them at La Liga with Real, doing no less with Juventus this time round.

My cards are on Liverpool to win the Champions League this season! It's happening, it definitely is. Mark my words as I'll be happily putting up a new blog post when they win it. Let's pray.

Liverpool's best start to a top-flight season

What could have been crazy week with such difficult ties against Napoli in the Champions League final group stage matches and meeting fierce rivals, Manchester United in the Premier League, all odds were against Liverpool but what great show of character by the Reds as they nicked both the games with impressive wins. 

Needing a victory against the Italian giants to progress to the knockout stages, Klopp had to serve the best line-up he possibly could against an adamant Napoli side, which he succeeded it without doubt. Liverpool sealed a narrow win through a Mo Salah goal in the early minutes of the game. It was enough to put the 5 times European Champions in the knockout stages of the tournament, and they will now face an even more competitive team, a team that's held a strong and handsome record in both, Europe and Bundesliga, Bayern Munich.

We can expect a feast of goals in the first and second leg of this draw, especially with a revamped Liverpool side that's looking promising enough to knock down any team that comes their way.

Now, let's turn our attention to the blockbuster showdown from last weekend's match, where two of the most decorated teams in the Premier League went head-to-head. 

Manchester United are currently having a crisis of poor performances and failure to deliver results with such a star-studded team, and it just got bad to worse as they had to square off with a rock solid Liverpool side. 

Liverpool were clear favourites going into this feisty tie with their arch-rivals, that too at Anfield, your cards are surely on the Reds! Liverpool's front three of Salah, Mane and Firmino proving to be deadly as always, causing problems for a lacklustre Manchester United side. 

Mane's brilliantly taken goal was cancelled out by a tap in by Lingard after an error of judgement by Liverpool's number one, Allison. Lingard's equaliser revived the slightest of hopes of a comeback but it was not too long, when Klopp made a substitution that changed the entire complexion of the game.

He took out the hardworking Keita, and brought in the energised, Shaqiri, who scored a brace to bag a big win for the Reds against United after almost 5 years. Now, that's a long wait!

Klopp brought in his A-game, Shaqiri excitingly waited at the sidelines to come and make an impact, and man, that was some impact by the Swiss genius.

Not sure if Mata and Pogba would have made big differences if they started, but one thing for sure, Fabinho bossed central midfield! Another lad that stole the show, Robertson. After Gerrard, I could possibly only think of Robertson who brings so much passion, drive, eager to win and dedication to the game.

great week capped by Liverpool going into a busy boxing day fixtures! YNWA 

Not a Ronaldo kind of start

Cristiano Ronaldo's staggering summer move to Italian giants, Juventus for a reported $110 million may have been the talk of the town, but his performances speaks otherwise. It has been a tough start for the Portugese star at his new club and it was clearly reflected when he failed to hit the back of the net for several games - a very unusual sight and a painful one too, well at least for his fans. It definitely is a celebration for all Messi fans.

It took the former Real Madrid star nearly 320 minutes to score his first league goal for Juventus and he did it with the simplest of tap-ins. Ronaldo doubled his tally shortly after as the Bianconeri beat Sassuolo 2-1 in Seria A several weeks ago.

The relief on his face was so obvious as he tore away in celebration after breaking his duck in the 50th minute. At the age of 34, I can't see any player coming close to matching Ronaldo's enthusiasm, determination, passion and commitment towards goal. So much eagerness to be on the score sheet and the type of energy that Ronaldo brings is just way beyond words could ever describe.

Ronaldo conceded several goal-bound misses, which is very unusual as well for his standards, but coming off the mark against Sassuolo was quite enough to a put smile on his face.

It's a second homecoming for the Portuguese star after Juventus was drawn in the same group as Manchester United in this year's Champions League group stages. Just as much as every fans would be expecting a grand homecoming for the former Manchester United star, a huge upset was in store when Ronaldo's debut in the competition ended after just 28 minutes as he was sent off for pulling an opponent's hair in controversial circumstances - but his teammates forged on to register a 2-0 win over Valencia.

The 33-year old star left the field crying after being shown the harsh red card but it was back to business for Ronaldo as he scored a scuffed effort to break Frosinone hearts in the 81st minute during the mid-week Seria A clash.

The marching orders that Ronaldo received against Valencia at the Champions League was his 11th time in his career.

Dream start for Liverpool

The Liverpool back-four that was once branded as the most vulnerable among the top four teams in the Premier League, is now the most threatening and strongest in the league. The entry of the bulky Virgil Van Djik from Southampton during last season's transfer has given the Reds a huge boost, especially a much more convincing defensive wall that's now capable of holding up against any teams. 

Defensive issues has been Liverpool's major loophole over the years, but now it is merely looking a topic not to be talked about. The departure of Martin Skrtel, Daniel Agger and Jamie Carragher left a huge worry factor in the Anfield outfit and it was time Liverpool invested on players that would guard the goal at its best. 

Klopp, often regarded as one of the most technical managers in football history, once again proved his tactics when he absolutely brought a huge rotation system to the line-up. The current Liverpool back-four looks deadly as how Manchester United would line-up those days, with the likes of Van Djik pairing up against a much more confident looking young lad, Joe Gomez and the two sprint kings on the flanks, Trent Alexander - Arnold and Andrew Robertson. 

At just 19 and 24 respectively, Trent and Robertson have tremendously matured in terms of reading the game so well like a veteran, providing opportunities that you would expect strikers to bury it easily. These two lads have certainly played major roles in Liverpool's key transformation and last season's triumph over major teams have proved likewise. 

Liverpool have bagged three wins in three in the new season, and the other talking point is definitely the clean sheets they have kept. Huge credits to Allison, the new recruit from Roma who has so far stepped up so well at the back and for making some amazing saves in the latest match they played, against a stubborn Brighton. 

Goalkeeping issue solved at the expense of Allison's arrival, giving Klopp a sense of relief that he can now expect no more careless mistakes. Allison is a world class goalkeeper, the type of clinical and physical movements he brings to the game would make a whole lot of difference to Liverpool's counter-attacking style. 

Just as good as the back-four is for Liverpool, they are no less effective in the front as well. We have seen Mane and Salah on the score sheets so far, soon Firmino will as well. The depth that this Liverpool squad have is insanely amazing. Finally, Klopp has the freedom to rotate his players knowing that even if he rests his first team, he can rely on a power-packed second team. 

We are yet to see Fabinho hit the ground and when that happens, imagine the intensity of the midfield. Naby Keita is already showing potential of living up to the expectations, and you know you have to when you're wearing the famous number 8 jersey. 

Klopp will definitely not be ready to rest the tireless James Milner because at 32, he is just everywhere and the type of energy and leadership qualities that he has is simply incredible. Milner is one of those versatile player that's been widely used to play in many different roles such as on the wing, midfield and full back. 

We hope to see more Shaqiri as the season progresses. We know how crucial Shaqiri's contribution can be to the current Liverpool playing style. Liverpool's quickness in counter-attacking has proven that finally they have players who are capable of making nothing into something. 

Liverpool's new-look midfield, a major threat this season

So, is it finally happening for Liverpool? Is it finally finally coming home? After relatively waiting for over 30 years now, can Liverpool's key signings finally step up to the gear and bring home the silverware? As much as I wish for that to happen, it still remains a doubt because they were not able to win major trophies even when they had the likes of Suarez, Sterling, Gerrard, Torres, Mascherano and a list of major game-changers. 

Liverpool have done well under Jurgen Klopp but the signings of Naby Keita and Fabinho could take them to the next level. Both the lads arrived precisely at Anfield during the transfer window to bolster Liverpool's midfield options. 

Over the years, Liverpool have suffered major problems at the back and midfield, but the arrival of Virgil Van Dijk helped boosts the confidence of the back four and it is starting to look even more threatening with the arrival of Keita and Fabinho. 

Klopp is a hero, a fighter, a coach that's never willing to settle for small achievements. His ambitious attitude was well implemented on Liverpool last season when he took them to the brink of Champions League glory with a midfield trio of James Milner, Jordan Henderson and Georginio Wijnaldum. Milner, in particular, was a revelation in Europe, although all three deserved credit. It was an impressive effort, a one that should go down memory lane because what are your chances when you have teams like Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Juventus and PSG competing in a single tournament. 

Klopp has upgraded his midfield. The arrival of Naby Keita from RB Leipzig has long been anticipated but that does not make it any less exciting. The signing of Fabinho from Monaco underlines the commitment to quality in the centre of the pitch. These two players, 23 and 24 respectively, will definitely be able to bring more depth and excitement to Liverpool's midfield play. 

Keita is a goal threat and a creative player too, one who will support the front three in the final third. He covers the ground quickly and wins the ball back high up the field. Fabinho is no lesser than that, he can provide the physical presence and possesses good vision on field, and certainly a much-needed holding midfielder for Liverpool. 

Klopp is clearly encouraged by the options now at his disposal and expects both men to fit in well. Keita is very sharp in challenges, good presence of mind in counter-pressing and one who always wants to win the ball ahead of his opposition teammates. 

Another close-season signing, Xherdan Shaqiri, from Stoke City, will certainly provide more attacking options for Klopp. Shaqiri's ability to squeeze in tight defensive walls makes him a huge threat, and his powerful shots and early visions are factors to look out.

Who will make way for Fabinho and Keita seems less obvious. Wijnaldum is vulnerable. At 32, Milner may be expecting to resume utility man duties after his Indian summer. Adam Lallana is back to help out but he is just as comfortable in the front three and his flexibility hints at another solution that the new signings could provide for Klopp. 

It is clear that Klopp's team can beat just about anyone in a one-off game. They showed their credentials in the Champions League and when they beat Manchester City three times in a single season. At their best, they can certainly beat the BEST! 

Liverpool also have something that they never for years now, depth. They have the ability to change things up if necessary. They can rest key players and still remain strong, allowing them to compete on multiple fronts as the fixtures will pile up - something that has been an issue in previous Premier League tilts. I just can't wait to see Fabinho and Keita hit the grounds! 

Clash of the football GODS - Ronaldo - Messi rivalry

Nothing remains at the end of the day, just like our lives and the people around us, the mobile phones we use, the memories we share with people so dear to us, our cars, jewelries and many more that. 

But, just but, if there is one thing that can never be easily erased is, the best thing that's ever happened in football history, the era of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. My god, these two football icons have clearly escalated the popularity of this amazing sport and more so, they've done the unthinkable that I can actually name you several amazing players from the past were not even able to tail even an inch to what these two football gods have done. 

We've seen some amazing rivalries in the past, Maradona - Pele, Ronaldo - Zidane, Roy Keane - Patrick Vieira, Johan Cryuff - Franz Beckenbauer, but question is, how are these rivalries anywhere near to C.Ronaldo and Messi? Who is actually better, Ronaldo or Messi? Are they both that good that they are incomparable to one another? 

Having won a combined ten Ballon d'Or/FIFA Ballon d'Or awards (5 each), to me, both of them are widely regarded as the two best players of their generation and among the best of all time. They are often regarded as the record-breakers, for a simple fact of breaking regular 50 goal barrier in a single season and have already scored 600 goals each for their country and club. 

Ronaldo, 33 began his professional career with Sporting CP, making his debut on 7 October 2002, and in 2003, the lad caught the attention of Sir Alex Ferguson, former legendary Manchester United manager. Believe it or not, he was only signed for $12.2 million. Ronaldo was becoming a fan favorite, popular among football fans across the globe, gaining global attention, and was even being compared to the likes of Eric Cantona and George Best, two of the best players United ever had! 

From a little boy who was not convincing enough to persuade his dad about his love, passion and desire for football, is now regarded as the best player in the world of football! If there is one thing that haunts Ronaldo till now, is the fact that his dad is no longer around physically to share his success. 

During his remarkable six years at Manchester United, Ronaldo has won all major titles, such as the FA Cup, UEFA Champions League and the prestigious Premier League trophies. He, then departed to Real Madrid in 2009, where success grew even bigger for the Portuguese! He currently holds the highest goal-scoring record for the club and is regarded as a "goal scoring machine".

Ronaldo has won almost anything there is to be won in professional football, except the World Cup! All former greats have won the World Cup in several occasions in the past, and if Ronaldo wins it this time, I don't think there can be anyone even after this generation can match what this genius has achieved in his entire professional career. 

On the other hand, we have Messi the Messiah. Messi, unlike Ronaldo, has spent his entire professional career at Spanish club, FC Barcelona. Messi was spotted at the age of 13 by Barcelona scout, Josep Maria Minguella, and promptly moved to Spain to join the academy. Messi was diagnosed with growth hormone deficiency at the age of 10, and upon joining Barcelona, the club paid for his treatments. 

Throughout the early years of his career, Messi had to endure the pressure of the tag, "The New Maradona". The Argentinian is very known for his dribbling skills, vision and clinical finishing. Statistics have proven that, Messi, being regarded as the greatest footballer of all time, is also one of the players that records least distance covered on field for a single match. 

Asked why, stats show that the lad is aware and visualizes the movement ball ahead of the next step which makes him to move freely on field. Now, not everyone could possess those kind of visualizing skills, well, that probably makes him a special player. 

Now, when it comes to national level performance, Messi seemed very average compared to Ronaldo. Messi comes from a team that has the likes of, Aguero, Dybala, Di Maria, Rojo and many more, but who does Ronaldo have? Alright, he has Quaresma. Who else? 

To me, Ronaldo's versatility gives him the edge over Messi and the goal-scoring records of course. Ronaldo can play with anyone, Messi needs certain, specific group of players to perform. 

Additionally, a leader is what describes Ronaldo's stand point in Portugal. He leads the team, and sometimes, all a leader needs is some pinch of ego and firmness. I believe Portugal's track record of recent years have greatly reflected the way Ronaldo has led the team as a captain. One good example would be the Euro 2016 triumph over France. 

Ultimately, Ronaldo who has the edge over Messi when it comes to goal-scoring records, leaderships qualities and major titles, I still believe there is no player bigger than the game itself! 

Ronaldo and Messi, embrace this magical football gods, enjoy the game and learn to appreciate the both of them.