50:50 Liverpool’s Rafa Benitez decisions

“The Spaniard” knows he cannot afford to get it wrong if he is to build on a hugely promising campaign this year, that he needs players of the calibre of Fernando Torres, not Antonio Nunez, if Liverpool’s wait for a league championship is not to be extended to a 21st year.

Benitez’s record in bringing players to Anfield, though, has been somewhat hit and miss since his own arrival five years ago, most glaringly with the signature of Robbie Keane for £20 million, last summer.

That is not to say it’s all been bad – though it’s hardly all been good, either.

Five of the best

1. Fernando Torres, £20m, Atletico Madrid, 2007 - Most of Benitez’s transfer errors have come on mid-priced players and the Spaniard certainly has a case to suggest that when he does spend big, he gets it right. Torres, the club’s record signing, was seen as a risk but his pace, power, skill and heart have made him the most dangerous striker in England.

2. Xabi Alonso, £10.5m, Real Sociedad, 2004 0 Benitez’s first big-money signing settled immediately into the English game, orchestrating Liverpool’s play expertly on the way to Istanbul, where he sealed his place in the fans’ hearts by scoring the third in that miraculous comeback. His form dipped slightly in the previous two campaigns but he has been the club’s best player this season.

3. Jose Reina, £6m, Villarreal, 2005 - His claims are widely scorned by those who see him only fleetingly, but Reina has developed into one of the world’s best goalkeepers in the last four years. The Spanish international more than makes up for a very occasional nervousness on crosses with his organisational prowess and the outstanding accuracy of his distribution.

4. Javier Mascherano, £18m, West Ham, 2007 - An unmitigated disaster at Upton Park, where he suffered the ultimate indignation of being used as a reserve for Hayden Mullins, the Argentine international captain has blossomed since Benitez took him to Anfield, initially on loan, in January 2007. Arguably the finest defensive midfielder in the world, there are few more terrifying sights in football than Mascherano, in full flight, determined to make a tackle.

5. Luis Garcia, £6m, Barcelona, 2004 - The diminutive attacking midfielder may have frustrated as much as he delighted, but his place in Anfield folklore is secure. The so-called ghost goal which sent Liverpool to the Champions League final at Chelsea’s expense in 2005 repaid every single penny of his £6 million fee, but just as memorable were his long-range strikes against Juventus in the previous round and Jose Mourinho’s side again in the 2006 FA Cup semi-final.

Five of the worst

1. Robbie Keane, £20m, Tottenham, 2008 - The antidote to Benitez’s claims that when he spends heavily, he does so well. Keane was supposed to partner Torres in a side revamped by the arrival of Gareth Barry, but found himself surplus to requirements when the England international stayed at Aston Villa. Just seven goals later, he returned whence he came, the only solace being that Benitez recouped most of his money.

2. Jermaine Pennant, £6.7m, Birmingham, 2006 - The answer to Liverpool’s problems out wide when he arrived, Benitez would know admit Arsene Wenger let the one-time child prodigy go for a reason. Produced one stellar performance – the 2007 Champions League final – but precious little else. Now on loan at Portsmouth and heading for the Anfield exit on a free transfer.

3. Fernando Morientes, £6.3m, Real Madrid, 2005 - Some transfers shouldn’t work but do, some should work but don’t. Morientes, one of Europe’s best strikers for a decade, arrived amid much fanfare in January 2005 but struggled to cope with the pace and strength of Premier League life. He left just 18 months later, for half the price, after scoring a measly 10 goals.

4. Andrea Dossena, £7m, Udinese, 2008 - If £7 million seems a reasonable price to pay for an Italian international defender, then consider that not only did Liverpool have two perfectly good left-backs before Dossena’s arrival (and after, arguably) but he had only played in that position for one season of his career. Likely to leave this summer for a fraction of the fee.

5. Ryan Babel, £11.5m, Ajax, 2007 - While Benitez has signed worse players – Nunez, Josemi, Kromkamp, Voronin – their fees were all so low they were, essentially, no-risk purchases. Babel’s price tag, though, looks extortionate compared to his performances. Once one of Europe’s brightest prospects, the Dutch international has gone backwards at Anfield and, should he stay, has much to prove to himself and his manager alike.

TRIBUTES FROM REDS AROUND THE WORLD

ENGLAND
On April 15, 1989, 96 Liverpool supporters travelled on a bright summer’s day to watch the team they love play in an FA Cup semi-final.
Because of the incompetence of the authorities on the day, they never returned home to their families.
For 20 years we have been striving for justice and our fight will go on because justice has never been done.
Our thoughts today and always will be with the families and friends of our fellow fans who lost their lives on that dreadful day. The 96 will never walk alone and will always be in our thoughts.
Merseyside branch

20 years may have passed but the Hillsborough 96 have not been forgotten. April 15th may be the anniversary of the tragedy but not a day goes by without our 96 red angels far from our thoughts.
You will never walk alone and you are forever in our hearts.
Barnstaple/North Devon Branch

This year, as in every year, our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the 96 victims of the Hillsborough disaster.
Many from within our Supporters’ Club – both past and present – will be attending the Service at Anfield to show their support for those who lost loved ones. As always, we will also personally remember the four London branch members who never returned home that fateful April day. Your memory is one we will never forget.
London branch

96 reds never made it home,
They will never be forgotten,
They will never walk alone.
Chesterfield branch

Twenty years have now gone by
Some say, the pain it must be healing
Then how come every time we play
we feel the way we’re feeling

They stopped the clock at three fifteen
Said no more could be done
They couldn’t be more guilty
If they’d shot them with a gun

Why oh why did they let them die
The glorious 96
And if that wasn’t bad enough
That newspaper then played their tricks

No one listened, no one cared
‘They are only yobs ‘ they said
20 years later
Our 96 are still dead

Maybe one day the world will learn
What happened on that day
Until then every 15th of April
We’ll cry, and grieve and pray

Pray that they are sat up there
With Shanks, Bob and Crazy horse
They’ll all be doing as they’re told
By the great Shankly, of course

To the families then we make this vow
Before the ball is kicked
At any match you’ll hear us sing
Jutice….for the 96
Exmouth branch

The 96 Reds who went to a football match 20 years ago, never to return, will always be in our thoughts. May the justice still sought by the families of those who died so needlessly be granted soon.
East Anglia branch

We would like to offer our support and condolences to all the families of our fellow supporters who did not return from Hillsborough in April 1989. The passing of time does not weaken our sadness at such a tragic loss of life, memories of which are all too painful, but for those who lost loved ones even more so. To the 96 YNWA.
Shropshire branch

The 96 went with songs to the game,
They mingle not with their laughing mate’s again
They sit no more at the tables of home
They have no labour in our day today
They will sleep beyond Liverpool’s fame.

To the innermost hearts of their own team they are known ,
as the star’s are known to the night.

We were very lucky. We had a coach full of supporters, about 50 Branch members, as we had had the year before. Some were in the seats in the North Stand and the West Stand above the Leppings Lane Terraces but the majority were in the standing area on Leppings Lane.
We all came back, thank god but it was close for a couple of the young ones in pen 4. It’s hard to believe that was 20 years ago. And with time there is always the danger that society forgets and repeats the mistakes of the past that caused such a tragedy.
And we must also never forget the 96 or their families.
So it is as important today as it has ever been to mark the day and to continue to mark the day.
Harrogate and District branch

We as a club hope that justice will prevail one day for everyone’s sake, especially for the families of the 96 and so that we can for once think about the anniversary of Hillsborough in the way it should be, instead of anger and resentment adding to our deepest, sincere emotions.
Justice for the 96 – May you rest in peace.
Grimsby branch

Another year has flown away, 20 years now all LFC fans say
So as we remember our 96,
We lay flowers and say a prayer
We think of their families and friends at this sad time and hope that justice will be done for their loved ones in time.
Trent Valley branch

All our members – new ones and all who were there on that day – send their sincere wishes to the 96.
Milton Keynes and Northants branch

NORTHERN IRELAND

Gone but not forgotten. Sion Mills Branch and all our members pass on their heartfelt condolences to all those 96 loyal fans and their families. May their memories live on.
Sion Mills Branch

People say time is a great healer and you have to get on with your lives, but for the family and friends who lost someone at Hillsborough they will never forget. Always remembered, never forgotten – the 96 will never walk alone.
County Monaghan branch

The 96 will always have a place in our hearts
They were too good in life to be forgotten in death
You’ll Never Walk Alone
Limavady branch

To all the families who lost loved ones on that tragic day, our thoughts and prayers are with you on this day and every anniversary. You’ll never walk alone.
Clonmel branch

In memory of the 96 supporters who lost their lives at Hillsborough on the 15th April 1989
Gone but never forgotten.
Coleraine branch

SCOTLAND
We wholeheartedly support the families affected by the terrible events at Hillsborough on the 15th April 1989. We support all efforts to see justice for the 96 souls who perished. Our love and thoughts are always with these families as we are one big family, we are Liverpool Football Club.
Justice for the 96.
West of Scotland branch

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
It’s difficult to believe that 20 years have passed since that fateful day in 1989. What transpired on that day will never be forgotten and it’s the duty of every Liverpool supporter to ensure this remains the case. Justice has yet to prevail for what has happened and the campaign must continue in memory of those that lost their lives. Most of us cannot imagine what the families and friends of the victims are going through, but please be assured you are in the thoughts and prayers of every Liverpool fan, wherever we are in the world. God rest the 96.
County Donegal branch

We will always remember the 96 loyal and dedicated Reds who died at Hillsborough, they will never walk alone. We offer our sympathy to their families at this sad time and they will be remembered in prayer.
Balbriggan branch

The horror of that day in April 1989 will never leave us. What started out as a brilliant occasion of a Cup semi-final unfolded on TV as a terrible tragedy, a tragedy on a scale that is hard to imagine. On any and every visit to Anfield members of our club always make our way round to the memorial to read down through the names, the memorial, the names on it and peace. Amen!!

GHANA
On this solemn occasion of the 20th anniversary of Hillsborough, we join all in the Liverpool family around the world to remember the 96 Liverpool fans that died in the disaster and share our sympathy with their families and relatives.
For the 96, we salute them for their love for Liverpool. May the Good Lord grant them eternal rest and they should know that wherever they are at the moment we are with them in spirit and they will never walk alone.

JERSEY
On this 20th anniversary of Hillsborough we remember those loved ones who lost their lives, those injured and those who gave comfort. We remember the Anfield pitch covered in flowers, we remember the families and friends who are still grieving. Our thoughts, sympathy and love are with you all and remember, we all lost and we all grieve, but we will allways be one big family. You Will Never Walk Alone.

HONG KONG
Twenty years after the Hillsborough tragedy, many of us are still too young to know about it. We believe the history of the disaster should never be forgotten, and it is our responsibility to tell the young generation of local LFC fans its importance. Though questions remain unanswered and justice has yet to be done, the 96 fans are always in our hearts. YNWA.

HOPE and Predict

15 April 2009, Rabu dini hari nanti, Liverpool akan menjalani second leg perempat final Liga Champions menghadapi Chelsea di Stamford Bridge. Agregat 1-3 terasa cukup berat. Namun hal itu adalah keadaan yang harus direspons setiap tim untuk menunjukkan kualitasnya. Tertinggal defisit gol berapa pun, The Reds diharapkan kembali bangkit untuk meneruskan kiprah mereka di pentas Eropa.

Carragher kerap menjadi yang terdepan untuk merespons situasi sesama rekan-rekannya di Anfield. Terkenal sebagai si “Batu Karang”- Carragher memiliki reputasi untuk ceplas-ceplos bicara sekaligus tegas. Sebagai vice captain, komentarnya jelang partai melawan Blakcburn di Premier League akhirnya berbuah manis dengan kemenangan besar 4-0 bagi Liverpool. Rafa Benitez pun beruntung dapat menyimpan skipper Steven Gerrard dan bek Skrtel. Sementara 2 gol dari Torres dirasa cukup untuk kemudian mengistirahatkannya jelang midweek depan. Agger yang tampil di jantung pertahanan menyumbangkan sebuah gol, sebelum ditutup oleh stiker muda asal Prancis, David Ngog. Mascherano juga sudah tampil. Amunisi yang memang sangat dibutuhkan Liverpool demi menciptakan lini tengah yang solid.

Hasil pertandingan melawan Blackburn (Sabtu/11 April) ini sudah cukup untuk memberi efek positif seputar kepercayaan diri The Reds. Di samping itu tentu saja terus memberi tekanan pada pimpinan klasemen Manchester United.

Press conference dari http://www.thesun.co.uk

Benitez said: “We needed to play well and score goals and we didn’t concede against a team good in the air so it’s a very, very positive result.

“I’m pleased we scored four goals and we were able to rest Steven Gerrard and change some players towards the end.

“In the first half and the second half we had two or three very clear chances so we could have scored even more.”

Surely now few can doubt Liverpool’s hopes of lifting the Premier League crown after they dictated with slick moves and regular scoring opportunities.

Torres took just five minutes to conjure one of the classiest goals of the season.

He chested down Jamie Carragher’s long pass and hooked a fierce volley from the right angle of the box into the top far corner.

Javier Mascherano soon burst through – staying on his feet when he perhaps could have gone down for a penalty – before forcing Paul Robinson into a fine diving save.

Torres somehow fired the rebound high as Liverpool continued to produce some of their best football of the season, notably with sweeping play down the left.

Dirk Kuyt went even closer, timing his run perfectly to meet Emiliano Insua’s curving cross but heading it straight at Robinson from six yards.

So once again it was left to Torres to provide a fairer reflection of the first-half play, outjumping Christopher Samba on 33 minutes to thump home a near-post header.

Tireless Mascherano almost notched a deserved third goal before Agger marauded forward in the 83rd minute for the type of sensational finish typical of Liverpool’s confidence.

Substitute Ngog promptly stole on to Xabi Alonso’s header to underline why Liverpool believe they can pip United and Chelsea to the title.

on the day..

Hasil 4 gol tanpa balas menunjukkan jika lini depan semakin membaik?

Susunan pemain :

Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Agger, Insua, Benayoun, Mascherano, Alonso, Riera, Torres, Kuyt. Subs: Cavalieri, Dossena, Gerrard, Lucas, Ngog, El Zhar, Skrtel.

Blackburn: Robinson, Andrews, Ooijer, Nelsen, Givet, Mokoena, Dunn, Kerimoglu, Warnock, Treacy, Samba. Subs: Bunn, McCarthy, Grella, Khizanishvili, Villanueva, Olsson, Doran.

Lantas,..bagaimanakah gambaran pertemuan dengan Chelsea nanti?Yang di sementara waktu akhirnya ungggul 4-3 atas Bolton Wanderers ? (setelah sempat memimpin 4 gol tanpa balas)

Pertama, Chelsea tidak akan diperkuat kapten Jhon Terry. Ini setidaknya mengurangi 30% kekuatan barisan pertahanan The Blues. Artinya, semua kembali kepada naluri penyerang Liverpool untuk mendulang banyak gol. Berharap koordinasi Steven Gerrard bersama Fernando “El Nino” Torres dan Kuyt  dapat mengkreasikan banyak peluang. dan tentu, semoga Xabi in form dengan dukunga Mascherano. Gempur Chelsea langsung ke jantung pertahanan.

Semoga, trend banyaknya gol yang tercipta di premier league pekan ini akan menular di ajang Champion. Training is a must..and need a lot of Ammo and Back up plan. So, messages to Babbel, Benayoun, and Dossena…also be sharp, mates!

Glorious REDS that turned to Blue

back for good...back for good,..back for good......

Jelang pertandingan, optimisme pantas memayungi fans Liverpool di seantero muka bumi. Pasalnya, catatan hasil pertandingan terakhir menunjukkan bahwa The Kop telah benar-benar memiliki mental juara. Lima kemenangan beruntun jadi acuan untuk memantapkan dukungan malam itu. Adrenalin lantas mengalir, ketika clinical finished dari Fernando Torres di menit ke 6, gagal ditepis Cech. Serbuan yang berawal dari sayap kanan, mengundang Arbeloa untuk overlap dan memberi crossing datar matang bagi “El Nino”. 1-0, dan Anfield mulai bersorak glory penuh kemenangan.

Malam itu, pertandingan sepertinya akan menjadi milik The Reds. Lucas Leiva yang diturunkan mengisi posisi Mascherano memang sedikit gugup mengatur lapangan tengah bersama Xabi Alonso. Namun setengah jam laga berjalan, Chelsea belum berhasil menerobos, kecuali beberapa kesalahan koordinasi lini belakang yang coba dimanfaatkan oleh Didier Drogba.

The Blues Chelsea pun terasa tampil apa adanya. Seperti hendak meminimalisir hasil agregat dari leg pertama ini. Peran Lampard nyaris tenggelam, demikian juga Ballack. Hanya Essien yang terus tertangkap kamera menjalankan tugasnya, zonal marking sambil terus berkonsentrasi kepada Gerrard. Alhasil, bola beralih ke sisi sayap. Gus Hiddink menurunkan Ivanovic, yang aslinya centre back mengisi tempat Bosingwa. Ini mengapa Riera kurang hidup dari sayap kiri Liverpool. Sementara Dirk Kuat di kanan mesti berjibaku dengan sosok Ashley Cole yang tak asing lagi. Meski mungkin tidak 100%, determinasi dan kerja keras Kuyt malam itu tetap terlihat dalam menyerbu maupun mengawal Florent Malouda. Drogba terisolir, dan duel lini tengah hanya menghasilkan bola yang hilir-mudik.

Siasat The Blues mulai tercium usai beberapa kali memperoleh tendangan sudut, maupun tendangan bebas. Bola-bola mati menjadi sarana untuk mengancam.

Dan,…. zonal marking yang selama ini saklek diterapkan lini belakang Liverpool menerima akibatnya. Menit 39, ketika dari sebuah sepak pojok Ivanovic yang tak terkawal tiba-tiba melompat untuk bebas menanduk bola dalam kotak penalti. Reina pun tak berdaya. Terlihat jelas jika sang kiper sangat menggantungkan keamanan wilayah udaranya pada para pemain. Sayang, rencana Gus Hidding kadung berjalan di momen yang sangat pas. Skor 1-1bertahan hingga turun minum.

Di babak kedua, The Reds berupaya bangkit. Belum ada pergantian, namun Riera dan Gerrard nampak mulai menggeliat. Namun, Ballack dan Essien mampu mengimbangi. Lucas Leiva mulai tercecer, sementara Xabi hanya melingkari zona tengah seperti tak berani naik. Rafa mulai berpikir untuk mengubah alur permainan dengan memasukkan Yossie Benayoun, yang segera berotasi dengan Kuyt dan Gerrard.

Seperti lupa akan proses gol balasan di babak pertama, lagi-lagi Ivanovic menjadi petaka bagi Anfield malam itu. Kali ini ia menerima bola di tiang dekat dan langsung menyelesaikannya. Xabi terlihat jelas terlambat melompat. Sementara bek lainnya cenderung berkonsentrasi pada Terry, Ballack maupun Drogba. Kali ini, set piece yang jelas dipersiapkan Gus Hiddink benar-benar membukakan mata para pemain bertahan, maupun pendukung Liverpool. Salomon Kalou yang beroperasi di sayap kanan atau tengah menemani Drogba, justru mulai berani melakukan dribling berbahaya.

Memang, malam itu sepertinya bukan milik punggawa Liverpool. Aurelio muilai kepayahan, sementara Arbeloa yang mulai ikut naik meninggalkan posnya. Hanya selang tiga menit gol dari Ivanovic, Malouda memanfaatkan ruang kosong di sayap kiri untuk mengirim umpan tajam menyusur tanah. Walau hanya seorang Drogba yang bertarung di kotak penalti dengan Carragher dan Skrtel, namun ia hanya perlu mencocor bola untuk kembali menaklukkan Reina. Sekali lagi liverpudlian mesti menerima ekspresi kegembiraan stiker Pantai Gading tersebut.

Skor 1-3 jelas tak nyaman buat skuad Liverpool. Anehnya, perubahan taktik yang berjalan justru semakin menunjukkan kelimbungan permainan anak-anak Melwood ini. Pergantian Benayoun yang belum lagi “nyetel”, dilanjutkan Rafa dengan coba memasukkan Dossena di sisi kiri. Sayang, beban menerima keadaan tertinggal mempengaruhi kualitas permainannya sampai ke hal-hal elementer. Benayoun terus berusaha membongkar ketatnya wilayah Ivanovic. Sedang Ashley Cole tampil disiplin malam itu. Kuyt menghadapi penjagaan ketat dan harus selalu waspada atas pergerakkan wing back Timnas Inggris ini. Keputusan Rafa memasukkan tenaga baru pada seorang Babbel menggantikan Leiva juga seperti sudah terbaca. Bergesernya Gerrard memang sedikit mempengaruhi penampilan Xabi yang mulai bebas menjelajah ke depan. Namun, dukungan sisi sayap yang benar-benar jeblok, menegaskan harga yang harus dibayar Anfield malam itu. Instruksi spesifik Babbel untuk rajin melakukan tusukan-tusukan ke jantung pertahanan malah dengan mudah dimentahkan para pemain Chelsea yang semakin mantap meraih kepercayaan diri. Di 15 menit waktu yang tersisa, masih layak untuk mengharapkan munculnya sebuah keajaiban. Namun, The Blues cekatan mengambil alih permainan dan mengatur tempo. Anelka masuk menggantikan Drogba di sepuluh menit terakhir. Tercatat dua kali, serangan balik Chelsea nyaris kembali membobol gawang Reina karena sistem pertahanan mereka yang mau tidak mau naik hingga setengah lapangan. Jelang akhir pertandingan, hymne YNWA tetap berkumandang….Mengisi langit si Merah yang berubah menjadi biru kelabu.

What about next on Stanford Bridge, Lads? Fullfil your Ammo and ready to Reload…..We’ve gonna need a lot of action!

History of The KOP

“Come on You REDS…”

LIVERPOOL

Season 2008-2009

Liverpool have maintained their status as a domestic and European force since the Premier League began in 1992, rarely finishing outside the top positions. The club have won seven major trophies since then, including the Champions League, Uefa Cup, two FA Cups and three League Cups. Indeed, 2001 saw the Reds claim an unprecedented League Cup, FA Cup and Uefa Cup treble. Having won more domestic and European trophies than any other English club, Liverpool’s status as giants of the domestic game is undisputed. Under Rafa Benitez, Liverpool have secured Champions League football in each of the last four seasons. The Spaniard guided them to third place in the 2006/07 season and an appearance in the Champions League final where they were beaten 2-1 by AC Milan. They lost to Chelsea in the semi-finals of the competition last season and secured a fourth place finish in the league. Liverpool’s first-ever competitive match was in the Lancashire League, where a predominantly Scottish team defeated Higher Walton 8-0 on 23rd September 1892.

The Heritage

In 1891, John Houlding purchased Anfield after Everton left the ground for Goodison Park following a seven-year tenancy. With an empty stadium and only three players remaining, Houlding formed Liverpool Football Club on 15th March 1892. Everton FC and Athletic Grounds, Ltd, or Everton Athletic was to be the name, but the Football Association refused to recognise the team as Everton. Liverpool won their first title in 1901 after gaining promotion to the First Division in 1894.

The appointment of Bill Shankly in 1959 was the beginning of a golden era for Liverpool. He led the club to promotion to the First Division in 1962 and they have stayed there ever since. The title was secured in 1964 and 1966, with a first-ever FA Cup final victory sandwiched in between. A year after winning the Uefa Cup, Shankly retired and was replaced by his assistant Bob Paisley.

Within two seasons, the Reds had won the league, and the Uefa Cup for a second time. Paisley’s nine-year reign saw Liverpool win 21 trophies, including three European Cups, six league titles, a Uefa Cup, and three League Cups. Joe Fagan took over in 1983 and inspired the club to the European Cup, League title, and League Cup in his first season.

1993/94 – Roy Evans replaces Graeme Souness
1994/95 – Win League Cup
1998/99 – Gerard Houllier joins Evans as joint-manager
1998/99 - Houllier takes sole charge in November 1998
2000/01 – Win FA Cup, League Cup and Uefa Cup
2002/03 – Win League Cup
2003/04 – Houllier departs by mutual consent in May 2004
2004/05 – Rafa Benitez takes over
2004/05 - Djibril Cisse joins from Auxerre for a club record £14million
2004/05 - Win Champions League
2005/06 – Win FA Cup
2006/07 – American businessmen George Gillett and Tom Hicks become owners in a deal worth £470million.
2007/08 – Fernando Torres becomes Liverpool’s record signing at an initial fee of around £20.2million from Atletico Madrid.

Number Seven

Punya nama besar dalam lintas sepakbola tidak juga menjamin hilangnya sisi-sisi magis. Paling tidak fakta ini menerpa salah satu klub elite Liga Premier, Liverpool, yang justru menganggap kostum pemain bernomor tujuh sebagai tuah pembawa berkat. Inilah sepakbola yang menyimpan dunia aneka sisi hidup manusia, dari yang nyata, sampai yang magis sekali pun. Liverpool punya sederet nama pemain legendaris seperti Kevin Keegan, Kenny Dalglish dan Peter Beardsley. Dulu, mereka mengenakan kostum bernomor tujuh. Kini, Robbie Keane coba berlaku sama, demikian diwartakan AFP. Ini tentu tidak dimaksudkan sebagai sekedar aksi gagah-gagahan, tetapi justru mengundang makna. Sejak kedatangan Keegan di Anfield pada tahun 1970-an, Liverpool mendulang serangkaian kenangan sukses kepada pemain berkostum nomor tujuh. Mereka umumnya tampil sebagai pemain yang dinamis, yang mampu mendongkrak inspirasi tim dalam meraih prestasi tinggi. Ketika Dalglish, yang disebut sebagai salah satu ikon sepanjang perjalanalan Liverpool, tampil sebagai manajer pada awal 1980-an, ia meneruskan tradisi itu kepada Beardsley. Predikat dilekatkan kepada pemain ini sebagai penyerang yang punya kelas. Ternyata sebutan itu ada buktinya. Beardsley tampil sebagai salah seorang pemain dalam skuad The Reds yang mampu memenangi gelar Liga Premier pada 1990. Bersama dengan rekan satu timnya John Barnes dan John Aldridge, ia mengobarkan fanatisme di kalangan pendukung Liverpool saat itu. Keane tampaknya jatuh hati kepada sepakbola indah yang diusung oleh Liverpool. Ini yang terus membayangi dan menyemangati dirinya. Kemudian Rafa Benitez menawarkan kesempatan kepada pemain berusia 28 tahun itu untuk bergabung ke Anfield. Liverpool membanderol Keane senilai 20 juta poundsterling atau 25 juta euro bulan lalu. Keane menyambut gembira tawaran itu. “Ketika tawaran dilontarkan oleh Liverpool, maka ini alasan mengapa saya hadir di sini,” kata Keane. Keane terbilang piawai dengan menunjukkan serangkaian aksi lapangan yang memukau penonton. Ia mampu masuk dalam jajaran pemain dengan jumlah bayaran relatif tinggi. Sejumlah tim elite melirik dirinya, yakni Inter Milan, Leeds dan sekarang Liverpool. Meski Keane tidak pernah menampik penawaran itu. Sekarang ia menghadapi peluang untuk bergabung bersama klub elite seperti Liverpool. Benitez telah berencana memadukannya bersama Fernando Torres untuk mengakhiri masa paceklik gelar selama 18 tahun yang dialami Liverpool. Meski diperkut oleh penyerang fenomenal seperti Torres, Liverpool masih mendulang 13 hasil imbang dalam laga musim kompetisi lalu. Kini grafik pemain Spanyol itu tampak menurun. Keane yakin bahwa ia mampu mendukung daya dobrak Torres di lini depan Liverpool. “Saya striker dan manajer melihat sendiri hal itu ketika berlangsungnya pertandingan,” katanya. “Kami tidak akan berkata yang tidak bersesuaian dengan kenyataan. Fernando begitu prima dalam mengambil bola-bola atas. Saya akan coba saling melengkapi dan saling mengisi,” kata Keane.