Int’ls Wind Down, Reina Writes a Book, and Other Monday Notes

By: Ed | October 10th, 2011

reinaspain

The last round of Euro qualifiers, as well as a pair of matches in South America, take place tomorrow, leaving us in a mess of anxiety about the international break finally being over, the hope that everyone returns in full health, and Manchester United’s visit on Saturday. As johnnysingapore pointed out the other day, we’ll do it all again in November, but getting through each round of internationals feels like a victory.

* Charlie Adam’s Scotland side kept their chance at qualification alive on Saturday with a narrow 1-0 win in Liechtenstein, leaving their meeting with Spain tomorrow and the Czech Republic’s visit to Lithuania as the playoff deciders in Group I. Adam played 76 minutes and is expected to start again tomorrow; I’d guess Scotland hopes will rely as much on Lithuania as they do their own match, as any sort of result in Alicante would be surprising. Rumor has it that Victor Valdes will leapfrog Pepe Reina and get the start in goal for Spain, with a number of other changes expected for the hosts as well.

England’s the only squad with Liverpool players involved that have finished their campaign, meaning we can expect to see plenty of familiar faces tomorrow. Just hopefully in small doses.

Euro 2012 Qualifiers

Macedonia v. Slovakia 6:45PM BST/1:45PM EST
Sweden v. Netherlands 7:15 BST/2:15PM EST
Bulgaria v. Wales 7:05PM BST/2:05PM EST
Spain v. Scotland 7:45PM BST/2:45PM EST

World Cup 2014 Qualifier

Paraguay v. Uruguay 11:45PM BST/6:45PM BST

International Friendly

Mexico v. Brazil 2:30AM BST/9:30PM EST

Those last two are the most worrisome—Luis Suarez, Sebastian Coates, and Lucas won’t return to Liverpool until Wednesday evening at the earliest, and in the case of Suarez it’s sure to come on the heels of a decently-sized shift on Tuesday night. There’s less concern about Coates, who isn’t first-choice right now for club or country, but Lucas didn’t feature against Costa Rica and will likely see minutes in Mexico. Tired legs and a long travel day just three days before facing United isn’t exactly how we’d have drawn it up.

Anyway, ESPN3 has most of the matches, and you can check out the normal streaming sites if you’re interested in following the action tomorrow.

* Pepe Reina might not see the pitch tomorrow, but he’s been in the news over the past few days as excerpts of his autobiography slowly found their way out. The book’s out now, and the official site has run a free chapter that talks about his reaction to the win in Istanbul and transition to life in Liverpool, and it all wraps up on a very optimistic note.

What’s less pleasant (but not entirely surprising) is the revelation of how close Reina was to leaving at the end of last summer:

“I went from elation one minute to depression the next as the realisation dawned that Liverpool were going nowhere fast. When I signed my contract in April 2010 I hoped that better times were just around the corner, a feeling that was fuelled by the promises of improvement from people at the club. It didn’t take me long to feel that their promises were hollow. I felt betrayed. Our owners were at war with each other, the club’s debts were spiralling out of control and a change in manager had failed to dispel the feeling that we were on the road to nowhere.

“Arsenal had made their determination to sign me clear by offering £20 million, a phenomenal amount for a goalkeeper. Part of me felt that I was well within my rights to consider my future even if I did so with a heavy heart. When Liverpool received the bid, they rejected it. This was not because I had been told that I was too good a keeper to leave. The reason I was given was quite different – and it left me feeling down. I was told that my continued presence was crucial to the sale of the club. I was simply a bargaining chip in the sales process.”

Given the way things stood, you could have hardly blamed him, or anyone else for that matter, for seriously considering an exit. There were still some significant casualties from the period of time; Fernando Torres’ reasons were largely born out of the same situation, and I’d guess a handful of others were more than open to a move. Thankfully things changed relatively quickly, with FSG taking over and, at least according to nearly all of you, successfully changing the way the club did business.

* As we get closer to Saturday there’s going to be plenty of talk about the team and who’s available, with some of you already sparking the conversation over the past few days. One of the focal points is the potential return of Steven Gerrard, and the offal asked Jordan Henderson about where he sees himself fitting when the captain’s back to full fitness:

“I am not really worried about that (Gerrard’s return), I think it’s part and parcel of football. Obviously Stevie is a massive player and is going to play in most games, but I just need to concentrate on what I need to do and make sure I work hard every day in training. Given the opportunity, I need to take it and make sure I stay in the team. Obviously the derby is a massive game and everybody wants to play in it, so I was a little bit disappointed not to start, but the team did brilliantly and got a great result and I was fortunate to come on as well. There were still a lot of positives to come out of the game and hopefully I can start the next one.”

I’m probably not alone in preferring that Henderson not feature on Saturday—it seemed like the right move last Saturday to give Dirk Kuyt the nod, and I feel similarly about United’s visit. The slate of internationals might change personnel a bit (and Henderson’s playing tonight for England’s U21s in Norway), but the best eleven right now doesn’t involve him. We’ve also had a remarkably difficult time playing the guessing game with Kenny Dalglish’s team selection, though, so it’s not completely out of the realm of possibility that Henderson could be involved come Saturday.

All that’s left now is a nerve-wracking day tomorrow, as we’ll likely watch everyone but Pepe Reina play a full 90 regardless of where their qualification hopes lie. Hope for the best, and in the meantime, if you’re not celebrating Canadian Thanksgiving or Columbus Day, you can just distract yourself by embracing all that nature has to offer:

Some Related Liverpool Posts:

Category: Euro 2012, International Duty, Miscellaneous, Team News, World Cup 2014

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NotTooXabi

Back from a little visit to the home of Abe Froman and plenty of Old Style. Norwich City and Rangers coming up soon, I'm giddy with anticipation. Who do we have this weekend?

Pepe has an obsession with petrol stations and ham/cheese toasties???
Bjorn

I do want to see maxi back on the bench and i rather see Henderson playing/aiming for the position C.Adam has got since he's not the defensive/holding midfielder that we want there in my opinion.
Purify_the_body

Sure, why not replace a slow, fat player who can't tackle with a slow, thin player who can't tackle? lol

Both those guys belong as the central, forward attacking midfielder of a 3-man midfield behind a lone striker, and if LFC don't want to play that formation they can both leave any time, even if we lose money on them.
Geoff Twentyman

What about Gerrard behind the lone striker - some of the best football I've seen in a while with him there....
KC

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/vide...

Watching videos like this makes waiting for the next game more enjoyable. I wish there were more videos showing the players its always funny and interesting
TrueRed

Arsenal and 20 Million Smackaroos are oxymorons.
lfc80uk

Really interested to see how the Hollywood Passing Machine aka Charlie Adam fares against the likes of Iniesta and Xavi if they play tonight! Should be interesting how many bad tackles he puts in. Ol 'Charlie may be seeing red tonight!
Purify_the_body

OH GOD
JPR

If 'arry's boys drove him mad I can only imagine what the Spanish Armada are going to elicit from the boy. Ole, Ole, Ole...... El Toro, muy peligroso! This game "could" mean something for Scotland, so Charlie will have to be a good (and smart) boy.
Suarez from the car park...

He'll be fine. He won't get anywhere near them.
JPR

He WILL be mightily impressed watching them! No?

They should run his ass in circles. That's if he attempts to play D at all.
Latortillablanca

i hope im wrong, but we may see the manifestation of overplaying players (see: starting suarez and lucas during carling cup fixtures...) against united... anfield don't fail us now!!!!!!
justin

If there was one auto-biography I'd like to read in the future it'd definitely have to be of Lucas Pezzini-Leiva.
mardia

Given everything that went down last year, it's impossible for anyone to really blame Pepe for reconsidering his options, but I'm so glad he decided to stay--but I'm even more glad the club is now in a position where his decision doesn't seem foolish. Onwards and upwards, as the line goes.

Of course, that starts with winning against United at home, and seriously, these international breaks will be the death of us. On that note, I know he could potentially be rusty, and I commend the manager and club with their cautious approach, but if there's anyone out there who genuinely wants Henderson to start over Kuyt and/or Gerrard, please come a little closer so I can kick you in the shins. I'm not hating on Henderson, I'm all for being patient, but a game against our most hated rivals is not the place for patience.

I'm trying to get myself excited about any of the games tomorrow, but I really can't be bothered. Denmark-Portugal sounds exciting, but I don't know if I'm at the point where I can watch Raul Meireles without shaking my fist and bitterly thinking of what could have been.
Purify_the_body

Indeed, if only Meireles could tackle, he might have been good enough for us. Good riddance and thanks for the 12m!
JPR

It's OK. We still have Charlie for the tackling.
KC

I definitely want Kuyt and Gerrard starting over Henderson but even though Hendo hasn't been that impressive so far, I have hope for him. My theory is that even though he's hardworking and quite talented, he's not steely enough. He needs to develop an hard attitude on the field and not have players run all over him. He's too nice on the field. I'm hoping that once he steels up a bit, it'll show up on his performances.
mardia

I am hoping Henderson can mimic Lucas' improvement without facing the same ridicule, that is for sure. Everyone highlights his work ethic and positive attitude, so like you, I have hope for him...I just don't think he is the best option NOW. He needs more confidence on the pitch though, definitely.
Suarez from the car park...

think that's why KK's giving him so much pitch time (usually subbing him after an hour). Clearly at that age they're looking a couple of years ahead but someone who is quite playable now.
Looks like he's better than Lucas at this stage of his career in terms of natural ability but time will tell if he can toughen up.
Tom Foolery

"I don't know if I'm at the point where I can watch Raul Meireles without shaking my fist and bitterly thinking of what could have been"

Replace Raul Meireles with Christian Poulsen, add a heavy (really, really heavy) dose of sarcasm, and you've nailed my sentiments exactly.
mardia

Heh. I have to admit, I am pulling for Denmark over Portugal, but in a battle between Poulsen (or as I like to call him, Effing Poulsen) and Meireles, there will be only one winner.
Suarez from the car park...

aren't they going up against each other in this game?
CheekyFellow

Interesting read, Jamie Carragher interview with Loaded magazine. Zoom option is in the *top right. http://imgur.com/a/utty2#6
Suarez from the car park...

Before i click on the link, is it really going to be interesting?
CheekyFellow

You know you're going to read it anyway
Ryan

That's how I feel about more than half the news articles on sports websites.
Suarez from the car park...

we need to get an excuse for some trailer park boys vids in these articles. Not as easy as it's not a sketch based show but I'm sure if we try we can manage something.
Tom Foolery

Hands-down, TPB is my favorite show ever...with MST3K a close second.

In the case that we don't make the top 4, I'll take the Lahey route to dealing with my problems.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...
Suarez from the car park...

I'm getting off on Big Bang Theory at the mo. Nice and nerdy!
alcatrazzledazzle

To keep the TPB spirit alive, just wanted to add that Conky might be the funniest creation in the annals of puppetry

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...
Suarez from the car park...

bah hoo - copyrighted
Tom Foolery

From an American's perspective, you never really appreciate our northern neighbors until Canadian Thanksgiving comes along.

Nothing quite like eating and drinking heavily to celebrate a holiday we have no rights celebrating (read: Cinco de Mayo, St. Patrick's Day, Oktoberfest (obviously) etc....shit, I party on Chinese New Year).
Suarez from the car park...

didn't you lot go and buy all the properties in Whistler?
Ryan

Oh ya I hear that last one is comign up. Better start stocking up, it might be just around the corner. Maybe.
JPR

I bet you Pepe is thrilled today that he is not at The Arsenal. Who even cares they're in CL this year? Plus he gets to hang with Enrique when they both make the Spain squad.
tGryffin

An argument could be made that Arsenal could have held on to Nasri (and mabye even Fabregas) had Pepe joined them. They could have very easily have won 4-5 more games in the league, and maybe advanced farther in the Cups with our Beloved goal-stopper. So thank heaven he did not leave.
Suarez from the car park...

might have stopped ManUre getting the title last year if they got him back then.
JPR

That board of theirs was never going to pay Nasri what City did. He mostly cared about the $. Cesc is from Spain and wants desperately to win something. Especially CL. And wants the prestige associated with being part of a world class team. It's hard for me to believe that Arsenal would pay a $20 million transfer fee with that skinflint board.

But on second thought, Pepe in goal might have held Cesc and that combined with more $ may have held Nasri. All of that would be Wery, Wery bad for us. So, yea. It's a good thing none of it happened.
mardia

The funny thing is, most Arsenal fans are actually really content with having Szczesny as their number 1 goalkeeper. It's the REST of their defense that makes them want to weep, as far as I can tell. (Not that I blame them.)

Wondering what Arsenal's season might have been with Pepe in goal is difficult, but one thing's for sure--that screwup at the Carling Cup final would have never happened with Pepe marshaling that defense. And if you subscribe to the theory that losing the Carling Cup is what torpedoed Arsenal's season last year, then...I don't know. Maybe we're looking at a much different narrative for Arsenal this year.

Anyway, I can't say for sure what would have happened to Arsenal's last season if they'd had Pepe, but I DO know that Liverpool's season would have been FUBAR'd. So, y'know, yay for Pepe! (And for Pepe's wife Yolanda, who apparently had a big impact on his original decision to stay past January. Then, as we all know, enter Kenny and Comolli...)
JPR

Will have to drink a toast to Yolanda this weekend then. Szczesny has been doing the business for them this year. He has been their rock in defense and actually had a very good game at Spurs, but let up that 2nd goal, so they are a bit down on him now. Their D has been suspect in recent years. Against Spurs, they controlled 62% of possession, Arteta had 106 touches with 92% pass completion and Ramsey had 87 touches with 83% pass completion and they managed only 5 shots on goal. Too static on O, no intelligent movement up front. It's all standing around and waiting to react to the ball.

Like you I'm hoping for Kuyt this weekend and for Stevie G. in place of Charlie. But, we'll see what Kenny has in mind and roll with it. The Anfield fans are ready to make some noise, I'm sure. Maybe we can get that fake Scouser Rooney a red card.

I'm also waiting for Spurs to get banged around in Europe and start dropping points in the league. But, I'll take it a game at a time.
mardia

Sczcesny is one of the few bright spots for Arsenal right now, and I can't see blaming him for that second goal, because without him, they never would have been in the game for as long as they were. He kept them in it for a long time. I watched that game against Spurs, and I have to say, their lack of a real response when they went down two-nil was astonishing. Try to imagine that happening to us at Old Trafford--our players would be busting a gut looking for that equalizer. I hesitate to babble about "mental strength", but there's something really unhealthy about Arsenal at the moment, I can't lie.

Definitely hoping for Kuyt in place of Henderson, and Gerrard in place of Adam. If we could find a way to work Bellamy in as well, I would be thrilled, but I can't see Kenny benching Carroll after his goal against Everton.
redtrev73

The most golden kudos to you Mardia for your Tango and Cash reference (at least, that's where i first encountered the notion of being FUBARed)....and it's a VERY salient point. Pepe was often man-of-the-match during what was already an horrific spell under uncle woy. Imagine the horror without our best custodian in years.....ouch.
mardia

Heh, I will have to return the kudos, since I've never seen Tango and Cash. But the idea of Roy reigning at Anfield WITHOUT Pepe is terrifying. It is enough to make you hide under a blanket, I swear. Not to mention, the fans would have erupted into open revolt a LOT sooner.
Latortillablanca

szczesny is as classy as his name is confoundingly hard to spell...

hard to believe that reina wuda been the ticket for arsenal - their defensive problems come from misguided scheme mostly. take into account arsenal's penchant for developing their own players, then these defensive issues are deep-rooted and itll take a hell of a lot more than one signing to fix...

but who cares about arsenal, seriously, they'd be lucky to land top 6 this year, nevermind CL...
mardia

Well, it depends on what theory you subscribe to when figuring out why Arsenal's season imploded so badly. If you think they would have never won anything with that defense, then cool, but if you believe it all comes down to that Carling Cup final setting off a domino effect...then yeah, I think Pepsi could have made the difference, or at least A difference.

It's all academic at this point, honestly, and right now, Arsenal's problems are much bigger than their goalkeeping, but as a survivor of the Woy era, I admit to a morbid fascination with Arsenal at the moment.
Latortillablanca

for sure, i get it. i believe the carling cup final was a catalyst, but i dont think it cudve been such a huge deal had arsenal not already had that brittle nature about them to begin with. and wats troubling (if ur an arsenal fan) is that nature seems to be bred in the squad at a very deep level - gibbs looks more traore than cole; walcott's stats are better but if he's one of the 'veterans' the team is supposed to rally around when times are tough, well good luck; van persie, well, see walcott; rosicky and arshavin are two of their stronger characters, that says it all really...