11 Magazine

11

WELCOME BACKKING KENNY!Kenny Dalglish is once again manager of Liverpool FC. We welcome the ‘King’ back to his throne.

5-3-2We talkformations.

HYYPIAWe catch up with a legend.

HILLSBOROUGHWe talk about the biggest disaster in Liverpool history.

www.11magazine.co.uk | issue #4 April, 2011 £2.10

WELCOME!Hello and welcome to 11 Magazine, a magazine written by Liverpool FC fans; for Liverpool FC fans.

We have regular features such as the View from the Street, a fans Greatest XI, and Let’s Talk Formations, not to men-tion some other great regulars.

This issue focuses on the resurgence of the club under the guidance of manager Kenny Dalglish, with Steve Clarke shoring up the clubs defence and the promising youth academy.

We catch up with former fan favourite Sami Hyypia in our Former Player Update feature, and find out who the fans think is the best transfer Liverpool have made since 2000.

With some refreshed debate on the topic, and the date nearing closer, we take a look at the Hillsborough disaster, and the battle for justice.

There’s a lot of interesting stories in there and well there isn’t much more to say other than...

I hope you enjoy the read!

David Chalmers11 Editor

EDITORIALTel 01259 123456 Fax 01259 123457Email [email protected]

Editor David ChalmersFeatures David ChalmersDesigner David Chalmers

Thanks to:Hannah Roberts, Reece Milne, Sport GFX, Liver-poolfc.tv, Dafont.com, Adobe, Microsoft, Forth Val-ley College, BBC Sport, Sky Sports, and everyone else that made the magazine possible.

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11MAGAZINE.CO.UK | APRIL 2011 | 2

CONTENTS05: View From The Street, Former Player UpdateWe hear from the fans as they choose who is the best transfer for Liverpool since 2000. Finnish legend Sami Hyypia is the feature for our former player update.

06: Greatest XIReece Milne from Stirling chooses the players that he thinks are the greatest in the clubs history.

07: The Second ComingKenny Dalglish has rejuvenated the Reds since returning to the club and we have dedicated a whole 6 pages to ‘King Kenny’ and his return.

13: The Future is Bright RedJay Spearing, Martin Kelly, John Flanagan and more are discussed as we look at the promising talents currently on the clubs books.

15: Let’s Talk FormationsWe analyse a formation that Liverpool have used. This week it’s the 5-3-2 used by Dalglish in the wins against Stoke City and Chelsea.

17: Great European NightsIn this regular feature, this months issue features the memorable night as Liver-pool FC made the greatest comeback in history in Istanbul.

19: HillsboroughTake a look back at the most devastating football disaster as we remember the horrific events of the Hillsborough disaster on April 15th, 1989.

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VIEW FROM THE STREETWe caught up with Liverpool fans up and down the country to find out just who they thought was the best purchase the club has made since the turn of the Millennium. 11 drew up a list of ten candidates that consisted of Gary Mac, John Arne Riise, Istanbul heroes Jerzy Dudek, Luis Garcia and Xabi Alonso, the energetic Dirk Kuyt, ‘El Nino’, Pepe Reina and new signings Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll.

Fifty people voted and the results were counted. The public made their choices and the man that Liverpool fans thought was the best purchase since 2000 was Fernando Torres.The Spaniard scored 81 goals in 142 appearances for the Reds before securing a £50million transfer to Chelsea FC in January 2011. While ‘El Nino’ has the left the club, there is no doubting the impact he had during his spell at Anfield.

FORMER PLAYER UPDATE: Sami HyypiaFinnish defender Sami Hyypia is a legend on the red half of Merseyside.

The 37-year-old endured a successful 10 year spell at Anfield, during which he co-captained the treble winning side of 2001, won the FAF Finnish Football of the Year award in three consecutive years, became full captain for a season, won the UEFA Champions League in

the memorable tie with A.C. Milan, and the also memorable 2006 FA Cup Final against West Ham.

Since leaving the club in 2009, Sami has gone on to make 42 appearances for Bayer Leverkusen, scoring 3 goals, and is the captain for the Finland national side. He is also second in the list of international appearances for Finland, having made

105 appearances so far; 32 appearances less than former Red Jari Litmanen.

Having always said he’d like to return to Anfield one day in a coaching capacity, he has agreed to become Assistant Manager of Leverkusen when he decides to finally hang up his boots, but fans of the Bundesliga side will be hoping that won’t be for a little while yet.

1st: Fernando Torres 2nd: Xabi Alonso 3rd: Pepe Reina

D.O.B: 07/10/73NATIONALITY: FINNISHPOSITION: DEFENDERTIME AT LFC: 1999-2009APPEARANCES: 459GOALS: 35TROPHIES WON: 10


Reece Milne

MY GREATEST LIVERPOOL XI:JERZY DUDEK

WHEN LIVERPOOL NEEDED HIM THE MOST, HE STOOD UP AND SHOWED HIS CLASS, MOST NOTICEABLY IN ISTANBUL, DENYING SHEVCHENKO AT THE DEATH AND PUTTING THE MILAN TEAM OFF IN THE PENALTY SHOOT-OUT. THE POLISH SHOT-STOPPER WAS AN ECCENTRIC CHARACTER TO HAVE AROUND THE TEAM AND HIS PERFORMANCE IN ISTANBUL WILL LIVE LONG IN THE HEARTS OF LIVERPOOL.

STEVE FINNAN JAMIE CARRAGHER SAMI HYYPIA PHIL NEAL

LUIS GARCIA STEVEN GERRARD didi hamann john barnes

FINNAN WAS ALWAYS RELIABLE AND HAD A LOT OF CONFIDENCE IN HIS ABILITY. HE ADDED TO THE ATTACK AND WAS A STRONG DEFENSIVE FULL-BACK, WHO DOESN’T GET THE CREDIT HE EVER DESERVED. A REPUBLIC OF IRELAND INTERNATIONAL ALSO.

A LIVERPOOL LEGEND, ‘CARRA’ ALWAYS GIVES EVERYTHING FOR THE CAUSE. HE HAS BEEN AN IMPORTANT PART OF LIVERPOOL’S SUCCESS SINCE HE MADE HIS DEBUT. IF NOT FOR STEVEN GER-RARD, HE WOULD HAVE SURELY BEEN THE CAPTAIN FOR A LONG TIME.

THE FINN WAS CO- CAPTAIN DURING THE TREBLE-WINNING SEASON OF 2001, A TRULY SPECIAL PLAYER AND A SUPERB DEFENDER. HE HAD A GREAT READING OF THE GAME AND OFTEN CHIPPED IN WITH SOME IMPORTANT GOALS FOR THE REDS.

PLAYED IN FIVE EUROPEAN CUP FINALS FOR THE CLUB, AND WON MORE MED-ALS THAN ANY OTHER ENGLISH PLAYER IN HISTORY, A CONSISTENT AND PROLIFIC FULL-BACK WHO WOULD GET INTO ANY TEAM. COULD PLAY ANYWHERE IN DEFENCE.

A TRULY FANTASTIC PLAYER TO WATCH, BARNES HAD GREAT DRIBBLING, WAS A BRILLIANT CROSSER AND ALSO HAD GOAL-SCORING ABILITY. ONE OF THOSE PLAYERS THAT LIT UP THE KOP, ALWAYS PROVIDING THE ENTERTAINMENT. A LEGEND AT ANFIELD.

DIDI WAS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE ANFIELD MIDFIELD ENGINE FOR SEVEN YEARS. STRONG, TOUGH TACKLING AND INTELLIGENT ON THE BALL, HE ALSO HAD GREAT SHOOTING ABILITY, MAKING HIS BOX-TO-BOX ABILITY INDISPENSIBLE.

HE IS THE COMPLETE PLAYER ON AND OFF THE PITCH AND AN INSPIRATIONAL CAPTAIN; ‘CAPTAIN FANTASTIC’ HAS GAINED WORLDWIDE APPRECIATION FOR HIS COMMITMENT AND LOYALTY TO THE CLUB. HE HAS AT TIMES CARRIED THE TEAM ALMOST SINGLE-HANDEDLY.

BEFORE LIVERPOOL, THE PLAYMAKER HAD ONLY PLAYED 80 SENIOR GAMES AT THE AGE OF 26. HE SCORED SOME SUPERB AND IMPORTANT GOALS, SUCH AS THE VOLLEY AGAINST JUVENTUS AND THE WINNER AGAINST CHELSEA IN THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SEMI-FINAL.

KENNY DALGLISHian rush‘KING KENNY’ WAS A HERO TO THE KOP, WITH HIS SKILLS AND CLINICAL FINISHING RIVALLING ANY FOOTBALL GREAT. SOMETIMES IT FELT LIKE THE BALL WAS GLUED TO HIS FEET. AN ALL-TIME GREAT AND WILL BE REMEMBERED FOR YEARS TO COME. THE SCOT SHOULD BE A TRUE INSPIRA-TION TO ANY YOUNG FOOTBALLER.

LIVERPOOL’S ALL TIME TOP GOAL-SCORER WAS A RARE TALENT. HAVING LEARNED HOW TO PLAY

THE LIVERPOOL WAY FROM KENNY DALGLISH, ‘RUSHY’ WAS A NIGHTMARE FOR DEFENDERS AND SCORED 346 GOALS IN A RED SHIRT. HE LEFT FOR JUVENTUS BUT SOON RETURNED TO ANFIELD AS HE ETCHED HIS NAME INTO THE HISTORY BOOKS.

SUBS

MAN

AGER SHANKLY CREATED THE FOUNDATIONS FOR LIVERPOOL

ILLUSTRIOUS HISTORY AND WON 9 TROPHIES IN HIS TENURE. HE LOVED THE GAME OF FOOTBALL AND HAD AN AMAZING RELATIONSHIP WITH THE FANS, AND HE WILL LIVE LONG IN THE HISTORY OF THE CLUB.

BILL SHANKLYalvaro arbeloa xabi alonso phil thompson gary mcallister graeme souness steve mcmanaman robbie fowler


THE SECOND COMING.

King Kenny is manager of Liverpool again 20 years after he resigned from the post. We discuss the impact the Scot has made since he returned to Anfield.

by David Chalmers

20 years ago, Liverpool FC had been enjoying a spell of dominance then matched by none. Having won 9 trophies in 5 years, and the pre-dominance before Kenny Dalglish’s arrival, Liverpool fans were accustomed to success and safety in equal measure.

Fast-forward to 2010 and having disappointedly finished 7th in Rafael Benitez’ last season, newly-appointed manager Roy Hodgson had won the backing of the owners, the fans, and seemingly the critics too. Anfield great Phil Thompson said “Roy Hodgson is definitely the right man for Liverpool.”

Thompson can be excused for his excitement, but it was a far cry from a Cinderella story appointment. Having led Fulham to the UEFA Europa League final in a run where they beat Juventus 4-1, belief at Anfield sky-rocketed to an unprecedented level with high hopes of a return to the glory days.

Having experienced their worst start to a season in 82 years, the Merseyside club entered 2011 with 25 points from 20 games, a paltry return for a club such as Liverpool. After a 3-1 defeat to Blackburn, the team

were sitting 11 points adrift of 4th-placed Tottenham and 17 points of 2nd-placed Man City, two clubs with considerably less empty cabinets, the position of Hodgson was under threat. The morning of Saturday 8th January brought the departure of Roy and NESV announced that Kenny Dalglish was to return as caretaker manager.

Euphoria is the word best suited to describe the feeling towards this appointment as Liverpool fans celebrated in droves at the return of a man decorated in triumphant stubbornness. As a player, he made his reputation as the Kop named him ‘King Kenny’ and as a manager, replacing your all-time top goal-scorer (and then some) goes a long way in gaining adoration and respect.

With the knowledge of Dalglish’s previous transfer record, it is no surprise to those at the club that the Scot wasn’t worried at losing Fernando Torres. Having been in a similar position before, losing Ian Rush to Juventus, Kenny knew better than anyone not to worry. Every critic wrote Liverpool off as a club moving in a downward spiral. Having replaced Rush with John Aldridge and Peter


Beardsley, Dalglish echoed this with the signings of Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll as the club was dealing with the exit of Fernando Torres.

Liverpool’s away form has been questionable since the days of Rafa Benitez. The Reds have managed only 4 wins from 25 games on the road in the league. This kind of return is an appalling record for a team hoping to challenge at the very top. That equals 12 points from a possible 75.

Addressing this away form is thought to be the key to a turn in fortune for the Anfield club. Since Kenny Dalglish has returned to the hot-seat, fans have provided a level of expectancy that an immediate return to success is on the cards. While it would be complacent to agree with that expectancy, the return of Dalglish has invigorated a team looking to return to familiar territory.

The management style of Kenny Dalglish has helped the players to play their potential. The majority of the current first team were in the team that finished 2nd in the 2008/09 season. Pepe Reina, Jamie Carragher, Daniel Agger, Fabio Aurelio, Alvaro Arbeloa, Xabi Alonso, Javier Mascherano, Steven Gerrard, Lucas, Ryan Babel, Dirk Kuyt and Fernando Torres all played their parts in the team that finished second. Arbeloa, Alonso, Mascherano, Babel and Torres have all sought pastures new, with only Alonso and Arbeloa having left the club prior to last season. The loss of Alonso and Arbeloa were not welcomed, but the signings of Glen Johnson and Alberto Aquilani were a sign that while players may leave Liverpool there are always players of similar ability ready to join the club.

Aquilani struggled with injuries and while Glen Johnson played well the Liverpool defence appeared to crumble. Emiliano Insua and Fabio Aurelio battled for the left-back position, with neither managing to keep

their spot in the team, albeit Aurelio’s injury problems having a big say in the matter.

Insua was loaned out at the start of the season and new manager Roy Hodgson brought Paul Konchesky with him from Fulham as the club looked to rebuild. One-time England cap was believed to be a shrewd purchase and Hodgson built on his early reputation by signing Joe Cole on a free transfer and drafting in Raul Meireles of FC Porto to replace the Juventus-bound Aquilani. Milan Jovanovic also arrived after signing a pre-contract agreement while Rafa Benitez was still at the club.

The signing of Cole was a massive bit of business. Having been part of Chelsea’s title-winning teams and an established England international, the free agent chose to move from his beloved hometown of London to seek a new adventure in Merseyside.

Konchesky’s poor form and Cole’s injury problems put a dent in Hodgson’s plans to take the club forward. Jovanovic failed to hit top gear but Meireles became a fan favourite for his dynamic work ethic.

Perhaps the most telling story of this season is in the displays of Raul Meireles. Under Roy Hodgson the Portuguese international failed to hit the net in 16 league games. Under Kenny Dalglish the tireless midfielder found the net 5 times in a matter of 7 league games. The sudden goal-scoring threat of Meireles is but part of the outstanding work that Kenny Dalglish has started at the club.

The return of Dalglish is a return of the ‘Liverpool way’. Having the knowledge and

7260days between Dalglish’s resignation as Liverpool manager and his return.


understanding of the boot room and success, the Scot is the best man for the job. Being a successful player and manager ‘King Kenny’ will be able to identify what needs to be done to ensure the club returns to the glory days. Perhaps the best way to move forward is to take a step back. Dalglish was the manager of the club the last time it won the league. To win the league again, Dalglish might just be the man to instil the correct qualities into the club to allow it to challenge for the league once again.

Former Chelsea, Newcastle and West Ham Assistant Manager Steve Clarke was brought to the club to help sort out the problems in defence. 8 clean sheets in 14 games is a big improvement on the Roy Hodgson regime, and the results of the latter end of Rafa Benitez’ time at the club. Under Roy Hodgson the defence only managed 12 cleans sheets in 31 games, shipping 33 goals in the process. Since the arrival of Clarke, there have been 10 goals conceded in 14 games, which is a much-improved record.

Konchesky was loaned out to Nottingham Forest and Glen Johnson has excelled at left

back, with Martin Kelly being preferred at right back. You could be excused for thinking Kelly had been part of the team for a decade as the young Englishman has played with maturity beyond his years.

The acquisition of Luis Suarez has proved extremely popular, as the Uruguayan forward has dazzled in the Premier League, often deceiving logic to assist a teammate or score a goal. Andy Carroll became the club’s record signing as a new strike force has been put together, echoing that of Kevin Keegan and John Toshack.

It took a long time to get Suarez and Carroll in the same team due to a thigh injury to Carroll, and Suarez’ ineligibility to play for the Reds in the Europa League having already featured in the competition for Ajax. The forward duo played their first game with each other in a 2-0 win over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light. There was some promising link-up play and Carroll went close on a number of occasions, most notably a header cleared off the line by the Black Cat’s captain Lee Cattermole. Uruguay international Suarez managed to find the net with a superb solo


effort as he beat Steve Mignolet from a tight angle, showing the unpredictability the tricky forward possesses.

In a well-deserved win for the Reds, local lad Jay Spearing was instrumental in place of fellow scouser and Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard. Having been on the fringes of the first team for a few seasons, the 22-year-old midfielder has played more times this season than the previous two seasons combined. Having started the Merseyside derby in January, Kenny Dalglish joked “Wee Jay can be really proud of his performance today. Steven Gerrard might not get in now!”

The development of the youth system appears to be more present than ever with Kenny Dalglish being appointed manager. In one of Rafa Benitez’s last moves as manager of Liverpool, the coaching duo of Rodolfo Borrell and Pep Segura were lured to the club to help revive a youth system that once boasted the talents of Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher, Michael Owen, Steve McManaman, Robbie Fowler, Sammy Lee and Phil Thompson. Since Jamie Carragher, Michael Owen and Steven Gerrard made the step-up to the first team, there have been no others that have managed to establish themselves as first-team regulars. That is a decade. For a club like Liverpool it is simply not good enough.

Segura and Borrell were part of the Barcelona set-up that has coached the talents of Andres Iniesta, Cesc Fabregas, Gerard Pique, Lionel Messi, Bojan Krkic, and Liverpool’s own Dani Pachecho amongst a whole plethora of exciting young Spanish talent. It is hoped they can have a similar effect at Liverpool Football Club.

The emphasis on bringing through your own talent has been magnified by the scrutiny of the England national team and with the appointment of Dalglish and with Rodolfo

KENNY’SMAGICMEN1. Meireles

2. Kuyt

3. Lucas

Since Kenny’s return to the club, Meireles has been a man transformed as he was deployed in a more advanced role, drifting in an and out of attack effortlessly, scoring 5 goals and looking well worth his price tag.

Kuyt has always been a bundle of energy for the club, but as he works to earn a new contract, the Dutchman has worked as hard as anyone since the turn of the year and is now being used in his more natural position more often.

Lucas has proved his critics wrong as he has been an inte-gral part of the engine room this season. Having that new found confidence has allowed Lucas to flourish under the new manager and his tireless displays are second to none.


Borrell and Pep Segura, Liverpool F.C. are currently at the forefront of youth football in England.

Jay Spearing and Martin Kelly are making good names for themselves this season with Kelly having displaced Glen Johnson from the right-back position and Spearing impressing when given the chance. Injury perhaps prevented the latter from playing more games under Roy Hodgson but ‘King Kenny’ has shown faith in the Wirral-born player and believes he has a future at Anfield.

Combine this with the fact that the Liverpool reserve and youth system currently boast 6 players in the England under 19s, and 6 players in the England under 17s and it’s clear to see that Liverpool have a big part to play in the future of England.

Conor Coady and Andre Wisdom were both part of the England under 17’s side that won the European Championships last May and Coady in particular looks destined to star for the reds. A natural leader, he was the first England captain to lift a trophy in 17 years

and is also the Liverpool under 18s captain. A fixture for the reserves, he looks in the mould of a certain Steven Gerrard...

Raheem Sterling has pace to burn and makes unlocking defences look as easy as opening a door. The 16-year-old has been on the bench for the first-team already and massive things are expected of him.

Jack Robinson made his debut in Benitez’s last game as manager and the left-back is the youngest ever player for the club, and could, in a couple of years, make the left-back spot his own with an assured confidence in his playing style.

So with the return of Kenny Dalglish, Liverpool F.C. look like a team rejuvenated. The youth system looks ready to bear fruits sooner rather than later, and the first-team all want to be at Anfield. There is an astute, yet friendly manager at the helm and a coaching staff that is 110% dedicated to the cause. The most successful side In English history is on the rise.

I will end on this; Fernando who?


THE FUTURE ISBRIGHT RED

the liverpool youth system is the talk of the country at the moment and 11 decided to take a look at the future stars the kop can look forward to seeing regularly at anfield.

MARTINKELLY

Currently enjoying playing at right-full back with the first team, Kelly has been rewarded for his hard work over the years with Kenny Dalglish putting faith into the youngster, starting 10 games under the Scot. Sturdy, quick and good on the ball, Mar-tin has all the attributes to become one of Liverpool and England’s main defenders in years to come. Even Jamie Carragher says so.

Scottish international Danny Wilson joined the club from SPL giants Rangers in the summer of 2010. Our No.22 has been used sparingly this campaign, and been used in an unfamiliar left back role, but he has produced some shrewd displays in the Europa League, and a debut goal for Scotland has only added to his glowing reputation.Danny possesses a cool head and a good left foot.

DANNYWILSON

The England U19 captain has made 15 appearances already for the Reds since his move from Charlton. Shelvey has been likened to a certain Steven Gerrard and his dynamic displays in the Europa League have excited Reds fans around the world. A versatile midfielder, Jonjo’s work ethic and eye for goal are but only part of the youngsters’ talents, and his progress will be watched keenly.

JONJOSHELVEYEngland U17 left-back Robinson is known for his ability to deliver in the attacking third. Making his senior debut in the final game of the 2009-2010 season against Hull City, he played a perfect pass to ‘Captain Fantastic’ Steven Gerrard as he became the youngest ever Liverpool player. It is hoped he can provide a long-term solution to the club’s left-back problem.

JACKROBINSON


ROBINSON

NATHANECCLESTON

The forward is currently impressing on loan at Charlton Athletic. The 20-year-old enjoyedsome game time in the Europa League under former manager Roy Hodgson, having impressing against Napoli as a 63rd minute substitute, and starting the final Group K game at Anfield, finishing 0-0 against FC Utrecht. Nathan is renowned for his blistering pace.

CONORCOADY

Local boy Coady is the U18 captain and was captain as England U17’s won their first ever European Championship in 2010. Having established himself as more of a central midfielder rather than a defender, his displays have extremely impressed the staff at the club and he doesn’t look far off the Gerrard-mould. He sat on bench for the first-leg of the Europa League game with Sparta Prague.

RAHEEMSTERLING

16-year-old schoolboy Sterling has one of the most glowing reputations in English football, after being courted by the country’s top sides. Arriving from QPR in February 2010, he has performed above ex-pectations as his talent is nurtured at the Academy. Scoring 5 goals against Southend in a 9-0 rout, the winger was also called up to the first team squad for the first-leg game against Sparta Prague.

JESUS FERNANDEZ SAEZ

SUSOAnother young talent, Suso signed a three-year-deal with the Reds on his 17th birthday and he is held in high regard by the coaching staff. The small forward has flair and invention in abundance and the Spaniard will look to make an impact at Anfield before too long and may well be at the club much longer than 2013, when his current deal expires.He is adept in both midfield and attack.

JOHNFLANAGAN

A no nonsense right back hailing from Liverpool, Flanagan was another member of the youth team who travelled with the senior side to Prague. The teenager, like Sterling, failed to make the bench for the game, but will nonetheless be grateful to have the opportunity to train with the club’s stars in Europe. The defender is known for his aerial ability and for having good composure.

An English U19 international, Leeds-born Wisdom is a strong centre-back with a big presence as he pushes to step up to the first team. The 17-year-old has made his impression on the reserves, and has captained the England U19 side. FourFourTwo magazine described him as “A defender with the physique of Sol Campbell, and the footballing abil-ity of Rio Ferdinand” which is high praise.

ANDREWISDOM


LET'S TALKFORMATIONS

5-3-2

Steve Clarke has improved the defence. Luis Suarez; majestic. Kuyt and Meireles are hard workers.


The 5-3-2 formation employed by Kenny Dalglish against Stoke City and Chelsea in successive games during early February was reminiscent of old Liverpool, while also utilising a new element of modern day football.

Using Martin Kelly and Glen Johnson as full backs allow Johnson to use his potent attacking instincts without having too much defensive responsibility. Young Martin Kelly is an admirable worker at right full back, being the

more capable defensive unit, but also has good pace and a decent cross when he gets to the by-line.

The three centre-backs are a reliable unit who will always be at the back, unlike the two defenders usually left in a standard 4-4-2 formation. With the help of the full-backs, this makes for a strong defence that is stubborn to break down, which can be proved by the clean sheets in the games against Stoke and Chelsea.

The addition of Glen Johnson and Martin Kelly as full backs adds width to the team, with the midfield trio of Steven Gerrard, Lucas, and Raul Meireles in a narrow central triumvirate. Lucas is employed as the midfield anchor, allowing Meireles and Gerrard to push on to give support to the strikers. This has resulted in Meireles making Frank

Lampard-esque late runs into the box, getting on the end of any ball that gets played in and around the box, and the Portugal international has excelled with this licence to roam, scoring three goals in as many games against Stoke City, Chelsea and

Wigan. The midfielder’s tally now stands at five for the season; all his goals coming under the leadership of Kenny Dalglish.

This formation gives the flexibility that if the team is a bit on the back foot, there are five defenders, and when on the front foot, there are essentially five attackers, with the structure of the formation giving more stability when the game is more relaxed. This versatility makes the formation appealing with different options in the squad.

The workhorse-like attitudes of Dirk Kuyt and Luis Suarez give opposition defences nightmares and with Suarez’ goal-scoring prowess, there is a constant goal-threat on the pitch at all times for Liverpool; and when fellow January signing Andy Carroll returns to fitness, the formation will play into Liverpool’s hands even more, with the England striker’s towering height a target for the full-backs, and being able to hold the ball up for the likes of Suarez, Gerrard and Meireles.

reina

aggerskrtelcarragher

johnsonkelly

gerrardlucasmeireles

suarezkuyt


Liverpool FC has taken part in many glorious European nights, but you will be strained to find a night quite like May 25, 2005.

The club had gone through a mini-barren spell where only one trophy was won in four years, and Spaniard Rafael Benitez was brought in to replace Gerard Houllier. Benitez came with a glowing reputation having won La Liga twice and the UEFA Cup in a three-year stint at Valencia.

On the road to Istanbul, Liverpool had to overcame stubborn hurdles, such as Olympiakos, Chelsea and Juventus, but if making the final was some achievement, winning the trophy was somewhat a miracle.

Benitez set up his side to play a 4-4-1-1 formation, with Jerzy Dudek starting in goals, a defence consisting of Steve Finnan, Jamie Carragher, Sami Hyypia and Djimi traore. Xabi Alonso protected the back four, with Steven Gerrard playing ahead of him, John Arne Riise and Luis Garcia started on the wings. Aussie Harry Kewell was deployed behind Milan Baros as Liverpool looked to stifle the Italian side, while also giving themselves cause for attack.

Within the first minute of play, Milan Captain Paulo Maldini gave his side the lead, scoring a volley from an Andrea Pirlo free-kick. An injury to Harry Kewell further dented Liverpool’s hope. On-loan Chelsea striker Hernan Crespo then scored a deadly double to conclude a miserable first-half for the men in red.

As the players dragged themselves down the tunnel, there appeared to be no way back against such a formidable force. Kopites and players alike dreaded to think how the second half could get any worse. Rafa Benitez gave the players an inspirational talk in the dressing room, with Steven Gerrard leading the charge to play their hearts out; and play their hearts out they did.

Often seen as a sign of misfortune, Gennaro Gattuso and other Milan players touched the trophy as they walked out, and this myth bared fruits to one of the most enthralling comebacks in history.

Within 15 minutes of the second-half-kick-off, the score sat at3-3. Millions glared at their television screens with one question on their minds. How? How could a team that had hit rock bottom turn this situation around?

Answering that question is the captain, Steven Gerrard. A monstrous effort was made from the captain as he cried in vain for his players to kick their performance up a few notches and show Milan they were in for a contest. Leading by example, he scored a header in the 54th minute, getting on the end of a John Arne Riise cross. A long-range effort from Kewell’s replacement Vladimir Smicer saw the reds only a goal away from equalising. That moment came after Gattuso tripped Gerrard inside the penalty box. Xabi Alonso took the responsibility for the kick, and he chose the bottom left corner, which Dida guessed correctly. Failing to keep the ball, Xabi Alonso pounced on the rebound and fired the ball high into the net, finishing the comeback within 15 minutes of the second half starting. Tense moments ensued as the remainder of the game, plus extra time followed as Jerzy Dudek stubbornly kept out Andriy Shevchenko. It was Dudek that won the trophy for the reds in the penalty shoot-out as he distracted Serginho as he hit it over the bar. He saved Andrea Pirlo’s effort and once again Shevenchko was thwarted as his spot-kick was saved by the Pole and the reds were crowned champions of Europe after winning 3-2 on penalties to claim the UEFA Champions League.

With the club having won the trophy five times, UEFA allowed Liverpool to keep the trophy that they won in Istanbul as a mark of respect, putting Liverpool alongside other illustrius names such as Real Madrid, AC Milan Ajax and Bayern Munich. This time it was for keeps.

by David Chalmers

LIVERPOOL A.C. MILAN3-3

Gerrard 54’Smicer 56’Alonso 59’

1’ Maldini39’ Crespo44’ Crespo

(AET)

(3) PENALTIES (2)Hamann •

Cisse •Riise •

Smicer •

• Serginho• Pirlo• Dahl Tomasson• Kaka• Shevchenko

GREATEUROPEANNIGHTS



THE HILLSBOROUGHDISASTER


by David Chalmers

It’s been 22 years and we’ve come almost full circle. The Conservative Party form the majority of our coalition government, and Kenny Dalglish is manager of Liverpool. It sounds a familiar scenario for Liverpool fans, as we look at the continuing enigma that is the Hillsborough disaster.

After the Heysel disaster in 1985, the then Liverpool manager Joe Fagan resigned from his post, leaving a vacancy that would lead to star player Kenny Dalglish becoming Player-Manager. Securing a historic double in his first season, the Liverpool board kept faith with ‘King Kenny’ and he managed the Merseyside club for six years. In his fourth year as manager, Dalglish had to lead a mournful club through a new, immeasurable shock with the memory of Heysel still hurting.

It was the 15th April 1989, the day of the FA Cup Semi-Final and Liverpool had only Nottingham Forest in their way en route to the Final. Young reds were overcome by excitement, tingling at the thought of seeing their idols flaunt their talents that afternoon. Grabbing their scarves as they ran out the door with a piece of toast, they could never have conceived the tragic events that were set to unfold on that harrowing day.

The police force for the event was chosen by Margaret Thatcher, Britain’s Prime Minister at the time. Thatcher’s long-standing minister Kenneth Clarke has said of her attitude to football that she considered football fans another group of her “enemies within”. The South Yorkshire Police had the approval from the PM for its indomitable policing of picket lines during the miners’ strike.

Sheffield Wednesday’s Hillsborough stadium was chosen as the neutral venue for the tie, with the stadium having been the venue for FA Cup Semi-Finals in the previous year, and being regarded as one of the finer stadiums in the country. At the time, stadiums had seats, but generally stadia also featured large areas of standing fans. This caused problems with the platform for disaster very visible. A system was brought in where fences separated fans from the pitch, due to the history of pitch invasions.

The introduction of fences did prevent the event

of pitch invasions; however it proved to be a case of poor judgment after the inquiry into the Hillsborough disaster.

Unannounced roadworks on the M62 resulted in road congestion and delayed a large number of fans on their way to the game. How the disaster unfolded can be explained in 6 simple steps:

The Taylor Report was published after the Home Office issued the following remit to Lord Justice Taylor: “To inquire into the events at Sheffield Wednesday Football ground on 15th April 1989 and to make recommendations about the needs of crowd control and safety at sports events.” The findings of the Taylor Report can often be misconstrued as there were in fact two Taylor Reports. The initial Taylor Report was published in August 1989, and the Final report was published in January 1990. These reports forced British football, and the police-force to use introspection, looking at self-observation, as a means of bettering safety at football events.

The interim report pointed out a number of aspects relating specifically to the Hillsborough disaster:

1. The immediate cause of the Disaster was the failure to cut off access to the central pens once gate C had been opened. This caused the overcrowding which led to the Disaster.

2. The central pens (3 and 4) were already overcrowded because there was neither numerical control of entry nor any effective visual monitoring of crowd density.

3. Under the strain of overcrowding in Pen 3, a barrier collapsed, exacerbated by what Taylor referred to as the “sluggish reaction and response when the crush occurred”. A lack of leadership and the small size and number of gates in the perimeter fencing hindered rescue attempts.

4. Gate C, an ‘exit’ gate between the inner concourse and the outside, was opened by the police because of the dangerous congestion at the turnstiles. There was no recognition, either by the club or the police, that unless fans arrived steadily over a long, drawn-out period the turnstiles would not be capable of


coping with the large numbers involved. This was made worse by the fact that the operational order and police tactics did not consider the possibility of a large concentration of late arrivals. This situation, according to Taylor, was made worse by a drunken minority and the club’s confused and inadequate signs and ticketing.

The final report was a bit more damning with regards to the FA “...in selecting Hillsborough as the venue for the cup semi-final, the Football Association did not consider in any depth whether it was suitable....” this, in contrast, displays inconsistencies in regards to Taylor. The interim report stated that the choice was fine as the game in 1988 “had been considered a successfully managed event.” These inconsistencies, along with other factors such as evidence not being taken under oath and the failure to condemn emergency services have resulted in a long, hard-fought battle for the truth.

When talking about football, and tragedies, the two are often more dramatized by the use of statistics. The statistics say a lot about Hillsborough, but not nearly enough. There were 23 turnstiles available to admit 24,526 fans. This averages at 1,054 fans per turnstile. This is highly incapable of seeing to the safety concerns of a football crowd. 94 people died on the day. 96 people have died as a result of the disaster. 730 people were injured inside the ground. These statistics are hard-hitting, but even more hard-hitting are the countless stories about the tragic events that took place on that horrific day.

The truth about Hillsborough may never be known, but The Hillsborough Justice Campaign has stubbornly campaigned for over 20 years that all documents regarding the disaster are made public. Liverpool FC supporters and the families of those affected by the Hillsborough disaster owe a lot to the Labour party and former Home Secretary Jack Straw.

Five months after the initial December 5th 1996 screening of Jimmy McGovern’s compelling and hard-hitting T.V. drama ‘Hillsborough’, and Mr. Straw ordered ‘scrutiny of new evidence’ and ever since he done so, the campaign for justice has snowballed to great effect.

5 STEPS TO DISASTER1.

Several thousand Liverpool fans

gather outside the ground at the

Leppings Lane end. Decrepit turnstiles

mean admission to the ground is slow.

2.Pens 3 & 4 are full.

Their combined capacity was 2,200,

though it was discov-ered this should’ve

been reduced to 1,600 as crush bar-

riers did not meet official standards.

3.Police order Gate C - a large exit gate - to be

opened to alleviate the crush outside the

ground. Around 2,000 fans enter the ground and make for a tunnel

leading directly to pens 3 & 4.

4.The influx of fans

causes severe crushing inside pens 3 & 4. Fans

begin climbing over fences to escape. It is

later estimated that over 3,000 fans were

admitted to the central pens, almost double

the safe capacity.

5.5 mins after kick-off, a

crush barrier gives way inside pen 3, causing

people to fall over. Fans climb perimeter fences or are dragged

to safety by fans in the upper tiers.

The game is aban-doned after 6 mins.


After hurtful and untrue stories about the disaster were published by certain areas of the media, the public were left with little of the truth and generally, scrutiny of the disaster was not as present as it should have been. After McGovern’s ‘Hillsborough’ the disaster was debated on football phone-ins as fans felt this was the first time they were presented with the full truth and this thrust the topic back into the media spotlight, putting the government and South Yorkshire Police under new pressures.

Thanks to the Hillsborough Family Support Group and the Hillsborough Justice Campaign, the disaster has not been forgotten and together they have been helping people related to the disaster and campaigning for justice ever since day one.

When the recent general election drafted in a new government, campaigners feared the worst as Labour were voted out in favor of a coalition between the Conservative party and the Liberal Democrats. Momentum loosened as the new government came into power after a long hard-fought election. However, a spokesman for the Home Office said “The panel has made a good start on the complex and challenging process of releasing the mass of material relating to the Hillsborough disaster that has remained hidden from the public for more than 20 years. Positive and productive work is ongoing between the panel members, the families

and public partners including South Yorkshire Police and Sheffield City Council. But full public disclosure will not happen overnight. The panel wants to achieve disclosure as quickly as possible, but is absolutely determined to get the process right.”

The decision by Coroner Dr Stefan Popper to have a cut-off time of 3.15pm has always angered the families of the deceased. This cut-off time did not allow scope to consider the response of emergency services. The independent panel assigned to the mammoth task of exploring previously unseen documents regarding Hillsborough has been permitted to look at evidence relating to events after this cut-off time. This is a huge step towards finally finding out exactly how Hillsborough happened, and how it was dealt with. The work carried out by support groups is truly outstanding, and hopefully, by 2012, an all-encompassing dossier with the verdict from the independent panel will be published.

It may have taken the past twenty-two years to finally gain the required access to fully investigate documents regarding the events of April 15th 1989, but it has been by no stretch of the imagination, a wholly deserving campaign that is close to bearing its final fruits. The truth is in sight. Justice for the 96 is what they want. Justice for the 96 is what it looks like they will get.


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