LIVERPOOL: FIVE THINGS TO WATCH OUT FOR IN PRE-SEASON

FRIENDLY matches. Apparently it used to be a game against the bin men from whatever Eurpoean resort Shankly had taken the players to. Now it’s big business — Far East tours, a schedule eating up 21,743 miles and every match televised. Because of the latter...
LIVERPOOL: PROCEED WITH CAUTION

LIVERPOOL: PROCEED WITH CAUTION

SOMEONE was always going to have to do this. It might as well be me, writes NEIL SCOTT. I’m going to level with you. I’m concerned. Now, as a Liverpool supporter in the post-Suarez age I know that’s an admission of personal weakness. It’s a position destined to raise...
CITYTALK PODCAST: HEATON’S COLANDER

CITYTALK PODCAST: HEATON’S COLANDER

NEIL ATKINSON was joined by Gareth Roberts, Andy Heaton and football agent Stephen Morris for this week’s Anfield Wrap on CityTalk 105.9. Download Issue 10 of #TAW Monthly via iTunes or at app.theanfieldwrap.com for other devices. DIRECT LINK TO CITYTALK –...
LIVERPOOL IN NEW YORK – AN AMERICAN’S VIEW

LIVERPOOL IN NEW YORK – AN AMERICAN’S VIEW

REY MASHAYEKHI was at the Yankee Stadium for Liverpool’s penalty shoot-out win over Manchester City. “Hey Xabi, you know which train we gotta take?” The man on the platform, identifying me by the “Alonso 14” on my back, was draped in red from head to toe. With...
LIVERPOOL: THE PRE-SEASON DILEMMA

LIVERPOOL: THE PRE-SEASON DILEMMA

EVERY year, sometime around mid-July, it’s the same script, writes CRAIG RIMMER. The withdrawal symptoms induced by having not watched the Red men do their thing for two full months reach the point where a pre-season kick about with Preston North End is greeted...
PRE-SEASON? I’LL BE GONE TILL MID-AUGUST

PRE-SEASON? I’LL BE GONE TILL MID-AUGUST

I’M channelling Wyclef Jean’s Gone Till November. More precisely, Wyclef Jean’s Gone Till November as performed in a karaoke bar somewhere on the Greek island of Kos – a good decade and a half or so ago – by a monotone/tone deaf Scandinavian surfer dude. It was...
THE SUMMER OFF (WE GO AGAIN)

THE SUMMER OFF (WE GO AGAIN)

IT WASN’T always this way, but I enjoy the end of a season these days. Maybe it’s age or the effect of non-football life washing over me, but I’m glad of the rest. People often draw the analogy of your club being akin to a high-maintenance girlfriend...