What's The Score

I had a course today on bond trading. Quite interesting but I fell asleep halfway. Not because the trainer bored me to death but I was feeling very sleepy today. Why? Have been staying up all night to watch my beloved Liverpool got knocked out of the Champions League.

It was quite a frustrating night for the Reds who need to come back from a one goal deficit. It was more frustrating when they had chance after chance but failed to score. I think they had about 13 shots on goal, countless number of corners yet failed to put the ball at the back of the net. What's happening guys? Lack of skills...don't think so, lack of confidence...maybe, but from my observation these strikers simply lack the determination to succeed. You can see from their body language when they played. Morientes simply lacks the determination and his understanding with Crouch is somewhat limited. Garcia never failed to try those fancy footwork and silky touches albeit at a success rate of 1%. Come on this is not sexy football...we are playing for results.

As for Cisse...need I say more. Maybe he played out of position but I'll never forgive him for missing the 6-yarder against the Scum. For the whole season, whenever he plays right wing, he'll approach the penalty box, push the ball to his right and attempted a cross. This move is so predictable that a Melaka defender could read his intention. I wonder why he never cut inside his left?

Crouch..the beanpole strikers....I like his control and build up play but he's simply lacks the cutting edge of a striker. Look at the chance he had last night. A good stricker would either chip the keeper or curl it at the far post but he tries to put the ball in between the keeper's leg. Bad move son...I think that's the turning point for that match. Rightly so, Benfica scored after that.

Fowler...he is still lacking match fitness but even he's fit I think he has passed his primetime. That's 3 disallowed goals for him since he rejoined Liverpool. Unlucky? Perhaps 4th time lucky this week against the Arse.

So, as a Liverpool fan, do I regret their decision not to resign Owen? Kind off but as a someone who has trading background, I'll never buy a player at a price higher when he was sold to Madrid. In economic terms, that's a rip-off. I think Benitez made the right decision.

So what's next? It doesn't need a rocket scientist to figure it out. We need new strikers. Someone who has more determination and self believe to wear the read shirt. Who? That's quite difficult to answer given the limited resources and the price of players these days. So I'll start with the easier task, i.e. the players who should be sold. My lists are as follows:

1. Traore...simply a nightmare, bad to my heart
2. Cisse...cut loss strategy...send him back to Mr. Houllier at Lyon
3. Morientes...lacks the motivation and determination...but Rafa seems to favor him
4. Garcia...had enough of his silky skills, but again see point 3

The list can keep going but I'll stop at 4. Ok la enough on football...need to catch some sleep.

Signing off at 12.05 a.m.