*FENCES/}

don't look up just let them think

there's no place else you'd rather be in now

you can't turn back

because this road is all you'll ever have

Music saves our souls

If you let me I could, I'd show you how to build your fences

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Saturday, February 23, 2008, 10:41 AM

The title race hots up

Hello everybody,

KK, just finished doing my essay to be submitted today through the IVLE, huh, still slacking and the class gathering during the March hols should be on a Tuesday afternoon at Kenneth LIM's house, more details will be up soon later this week

Erm, now is time to talk about soccer?
The title race is indeed hotting up with more than half of the EPL season finished, many people and pundits alike are saying that the title race is now down to only 3 teams: Man Utd, Arsenal and Chelsea. They have discounted the fact that Liverpool is still in the title race.

For me, being a Liverpool fan, I must personally admit that the title is out of out reach this season, and a more reasonable target will be a third or fourth place champions league spot. Even after spending 22million pounds on Fernando Torres in the beginning of the season, Steven Gerrard leading the midfield together with Javier Mascherano, and Jamie Carragher commanding the ever strong and mean Liverpool defence, why isn't it that Rafael Benitez has not found a winning team that has a consistent form?

Is it about the much criticised rotation policy?

Or is it that some of our players lack the quality to compete with the stars of Man Utd and Chelsea?

So, let me take a look at some of out signings this season.

Fernando Torres (22million): Of course the hefty 22million price tag indeed is very demanding as he is the most expensive player that Liverpool had bought. He has been impressive so far this season leading the club's scoring charts. He has pace, trickery, technique, dribbling, and most importantly finishing. ( 6 stars)

Yossi Benayoun (5million): I was particularly pleased when Liverpool signed him for 5 million. He has been impressive too with 2 hat-tricks already. His dribbling is much better that Luis Garcia's, same for his crossing. One may see him as lacking the strength to go past strong full-backs in the game, but he has the agility to dribble past and evade them. ( 4 stars)

Ryan Babel (13.5 million): He has been in great form for Liverpool this season, his pace enabled him to catch up with that of the premier league. He has normally been used as a left winger as a replacement for Harry Kewell who has yet to discover his form after being injured for most of his time in Liverpool. Still yet to see him excell as a striker. ( 5 stars)

Lucas Leiva( 5million): This promising defensive midfielder has indeed a great potential to be like Javier Mascherano, a great accquisition by Rafael Benitez! He has performed well also during the 3-0 win over Sunderland by playing as a left winger.(5.5stars)

Andriy Voronin (Bosman transfer): I didn't really know much about Voronin until Benitez signed him on a free transfer. Looked impressive at the start like a free-scoring striker, during Liverpool's 1-0 win over Toulouse FC with a great chip. He has the pace, but not the real great techinque required of a really and truelly world-class striker. I still don't get it why it seems Benitez prefers him to Crouch.( 2stars)

Martin Skrtel (6.5million) : The most expensive defender in Liverpool's history, costing 6.5million. Seemed to be adapting well in the English game and developng a good level of understanding with Jaime Carragher in central defence, as seen in the 0-0 draw with Chelsea, where Liverpool showed a cutting edge. ( 4stars)

It seems that there are still many positions to fill for Liverpool to mount a serious title challenge against Man Utd and Arsenal.

What Liverpool needs:

A left winger

A right winger

A striker

A right back

A left back

I feel that the owners need to really lend their financial support on Benitez, not just relying on his tactical brilliance to win the game.

My heart | My soul | Lies in Anfield