Liverpool Comeback - but Worries remain...

It was a fantastic comeback against Bolton yesterday, but going behind twice and getting the victory with one man more is actually not as impressive as some think. Let's face it: Liverpool has not been doing well, except in their game against Stoke (4:0). From a possible 12, they have now only 6 points, which means they have already dropped 6 over against Chelsea and Spurs. The biggest worry, however, is the lack of depth. They are already playing with their strongest side and struggle against Bolton. The Reds have several such comebacks against Teams like ManCity, yet won after their opponents went down to 10 man - it's simply not assuring that they will be serious title contenders this year. What should have happened is that they should have kept Alonso, bought Barry and get another striker of Torres' class (i.e., David Villa). Lucas should have been sold and perhaps Voronin, too. Liverpool's missed chances at the end of the Bolton game showed that the attacking force is not in he kind of harmony as you need them to be. Johnson was a fantastic signing, but it's not enough to compete with Chelsea, Arsenal and Man U for the title, let alone with Real Madrid and Barca for the Champions League. Consistency was the problem last year and still is the problem this year. Time will tell how costly Ronaldo's and Tevez' departure will prove for Man U and whether Arsenal and Spurs will be consistent. But whether Liverpool has the same capacity to challenge for the title as last year is doubtful - not because of their lousy start, but lack of good players. Anyway, let's see what they can draw from that victory and how things will progress from now - still hopeful, but also realistic.

Liverpool Worries...

Yossi Benayoun is adament that their title challenge is not over despite the two defeats. Yet the problem is not two defeats - everyone loses some times. The big worry is depth and hence consistency. They were so close last year, and should have strengthened, not weakened, the team. They should never have sold Alonso, they should have taken Barry on board and invested to get Silva and/or Villa. Downing and Lenon would have been great signings too. Lucas can and should be sold, it just doesn't work for him and I can't understand why Benitez wants to keep him.

Yes, they made stupid mistakes, including 'the boss on the field' - Steven Gerrard - who wasn't in charge last night. They should have started with Gerrard in midfield and Voronin up front. Gerrard needs to take control of midfield, as the combination of Mascherano and Lucas is too weak top give the backup and support Gerrard needs as second striker. However much we love to see Torres and Gerrard up front, it simply won't do unless you have guys like Alonso and Barry (Essien would be my first signing) there to control midfield and play good passes.

Allen Hansen said it well: 'you can't win the leage in the firt 6 games, but you can certainly lose it.' Liverpool simply lacks depth and hence the problem of consistency can't be overcome. I think the team is a lot weaker now, and they can't afford it! It's not just a matter of having a bad day and making mistakes; it;s a matter of depth that guarantees consistency (e.g., Man U and Chelsea). Man U are also weaker (Ronaldo is no thing, but letting Teves go is a mystery to me), but Chelsea are clearly favourites to win the title this year. Spurs are a delight to watch, City could reach the top 6, and Arsenal will give it their best shot, but I fear they, too, lack depth.

Anyway, let's hope that the new Italian signing will bring something to the squad and that Riera will improve. Gerrard and Torres must be tops in all games, but can they be world-class every time?

The Chance to get away...

Jean Valjean received a new life and identity, only it hid his old. Things were going well for him, no one knew of his past, he was wealthy and popular. But one day he was confronted with a decision that would change his life once again.

The police had arrested a man believed to be Jean Valjean, yet the real Jean knew it was a false accusation. What should he do? If he were to speak and reveal the truth, he would be condemned (by the court), yet if he were to remain silent, he would be damned (by God). He faced that most serious of choices: a man was accused to be Jean Valjean, the hunted one; if he was condemned, the real Jean Valjean would forever be free of his old life and its tough consequences. Yet, how could he face himself ever again?

Jean Valjean would not be able to allow this poor man to be condemned in his place, and reveals his true identity - forever to be hunted... the beautiful life he had, the second chance, would all be gone. For him what God thought of him was more important than earthly goods, status and well-being. He lays down his life again - but not for the last time. See Les Mis (11) below!

What a beautiful story, what honour and dignity, what honesty and humility! This is ever so rare these days. Jean Valjean would live for others; he would place them before himself and the comforts of life. He gave his life for the wellfare of others. He gave a promise and stuck to it - all the way! Do we live as honourably and selflessly as Jean Valjean? What decisions are we taking under tough circumstances?

Few can score like Stevie G

Les Miserables (musical & story)

Yes, Les Mis is my favourite musical. I actually can't wait to see it again - soon, hopefully! The music is absolutely amazing, beautiful, strong yet gentle. Musical geniuses are behind its composition. The story by Victor Hugo is ever so amazing - the work of a genius. There are several versions of the book (however abbreviated you want it...); it's highly recommendable. The recent movie production with Liam Neeson and Uma Truman is very well done and get's one into this moving story.

It's a thoroughly Christian story: an former criminal and ex-prisoner receives forgiveness by a priest and thus a new life. Despite the ruthless justice system, he finds a way to get a new identity, free of this past that would ever haunt him. However, the ever-fanatical police officer can't accept that a human could change, but is finally convinced that it is possible afterall - yet can't take it.

The one forgiven lives for the welfare of others, not himself, notably for the girl left in his care by the woman he loved but lost... after fighting for her, protecting her and giving his all for her in fulfilment of his proimise to her mother, he finally makes one last sacrifice - himself: he releases her into the hands of the man she loves, yet loses her by doing so. But not his, but her happiness, is what he lived for...

If this gave you a little taste - get into the story and enjoy; you'll love it!

The Phantom of the Opera (musical & movie)

You guessed it right - I really like the Phantom of the Opera. The musical is great, the movie very well done. It's really worth seeing - if you can't make it to Her Majesty's Theatre near Piccadilly Circus, then get the movie and with it a good dose of this most excellent musical by a true genuis - Andrew Lloyd Webber!

That's the way they can win!

The Real Torres is what we need - I wrote in my last blog - and the real Torres is what we got on Wednesday! What a game it was: Gerrard top, world-class, fantastic, Torres on form, fast and furious, Kuyt in it with full force, and Benayoun as great as he can be - he is the playmaker we lost in Alonso (and I am glad Rafa read my blog stating that we need to give Yossi more time on the pitch). It was fanastic to watch, a real delight, football as it's supposed to be played by the Champions!

Yossi said that the Reds are now up and running - true, and more to come on Monday against Aston Villa. Even though Man U had their chances and the 1:0 defeat seemed a bit harsh, I think Arsenal, Chelsea, and Spurs are the teams to beat this season (and Man U of course, too). What we can't afford this season is the many draws... that really cost us the title. So, let's keep up the good game, cash in on all small teams, and get really going against the big boys! With the Reds on form as on Wednesday (Champions League day...), they can beat anyone - even Real, Inter, and Barca.

A lousy start for Liverpool...

I knew it would be a tough game against Spurs, but having such a lousy start to the new season is disappointing. Their low pre-season form can't persist into the League - they must shape up and have only three days to do so!

Skrtl and Carragher were not convicing at all, all a bit chaotic. Torres had one of his bad games (something Liverpool can't afford!), and the harmony between the attackers isn't there yet. Benayoun brought creativity and drive to the game, Voronin can be crucial, too. Lucas is not good enough, and Mascherano needs to shape up fast.

Their 2:1 loss to Spurs last season was a turning point for the Reds, but I hope it won't have the same negative effect as last year. It's early in the season, but if you want to win the title, you must get the points - that's what Man U does, last season and again today. It's these narrow victories on a consistent basis that earns a team three points - and that's all that counts in the end.

How costly Alonso's departure will be, will become evident in the weeks to come. I'm not sure whether the new Italian signing can make good for it. Gerrard should fall back into midfield and Voronin should play alongside Torres. Benayoun should get more of the game, as he brings some more creative force to it. Let's see what they'll get going against Stoke on Wednesday...

Michael W Smith - Agnus Dei (Lamb of God)

Third Day - Agnus Dei (Lamb of God)

Giraffe meets Rabbit

So, this proud griaffe meets this little rabbit and looks down on him. He goes on to boast how lovely it is to have such a long neck, as he is far above all other animals. But it is especially nice when drinking water - slowly, the giraffe explained to the rabbit, the cool water flows down his long neck and cools him off. What a feeling!

But the rabbit was unimpressed; he showed no reaction. All he asked with a sobret voice was this, 'Did you ever throw up?'

HRW: Hamas guilty of Gaza war crimes

According to Human Rights Watch, Hamas is guilty for war crimes in and from Gaza. Watch their video on the war crimes of Hamas. People, nations, and organisations should stop accusing Israel prematurly and wait for genuine reports followed by thorough investigation. The Jewish Chronicle from 7 August 2009 reports how The Guardian is under fire for such false accusations.

What Britain should be concerned about is the hate-preacher touring UK mosques at the moment - it is that kind of religion and philosophy that is the root-cause of all the suffering of civilians in Israel and the PA areas.

Get rid of such wicked indocrination and abuse and you pave the way for peace, mutual respect and possible co-existence. John Hagee wrote the following in his book In Defense of Israel (pages 4, 7-8):

Israel is not the problem, and making Israel the scapegoat will not solve anything. The problem is the rejection of Israel's right to exist. The problem is radical Islam's bloodthirsty embrace of a theocratic dictatorship that belives they have a mandate from God to kill. The problem is the failure of the moderates in the Arab and Muslim world to stand up and rein in these Islamic extremists... While we look on all the people in the Middle East with love and compassion, we cannot ignore the leaders of the radical factions and their lust for the death and destruction of the Kewish people and the nation of Israel.

Hagee is right: Islamic radicalism against Israel (or anyone else) must be stopped, and it must be stopped now. The UK and other nations cannot allow hate-preachers and university professors sponsored by Saudi Arabia to affect mosques and schools on that grass-root level. I say this: if the grass-roots are affected, soon the radical movement is no longer a matter of the few, but of the many. So, is 'the party of the many' in this country taking a stand for the many who will be affected by radical Islam once it seeks to take over?

Don't fool the Blind...

There was a blind rabbi; and, of course, he knew his Bible by heart and taught from the Jewish teachers by heart. The thing was, he only knew the name of one of his pupils (students): Samuel (or, Shmuel, in Hebrew). So whenever he wanted his students to read a text, he always called, 'Shmuel, you read!' So Shmuel read. But after weeks and weeks of being the only student having to read, he was fed up and thought of a way around it. The next time, he said to himself, I'll fool the blind rabbi!

The next class started, and once again the blind rabbi said, 'Shmuel, you read!' So, instead of reading, Shmuel said with a silly voice (pretending to be someone else), 'Shmuel is sick today.' So the rabbi wondered what to do for a second and said, 'Ok, you read then!' (So he had to read with that silly voice...)

Don't fool the Blind, it might back-fire.

DC Talk - good Christian music

Injuries...

Nevermind another lousy pre-season friendly, the injuries of Liverpool players is really worrying now... Unless we get all top player fit for most of the season, we won't win it. We need them all and we need at the top of their game throughout the season. Nevermind the Champions League, we need to win the League title!

Alonso - a loss for Liverpool...

The news of Alonso's departure is saddening and a loss for Liverpool, but who knows what else they bring on.

Indescribable II

GOD IS REVEALED IN HIS CREATION!

Indescribable

GOD IS AWESOME, AMAZING, FANTASTIC, OVERWHELMING - HE IS CREATOR OF ALL LIFE AND THE UNIVERSE!

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