Liverpool's Suarez Shows His Desire & Ambition

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The Europa League isn't the most attractive of prospects for a lot of footballers and managers, with it being seen as an unwelcome distraction which tires players and gives them a disadvantage in their domestic games. The Champions League is what teams want - more money, more prestige, more glory; players get to test themselves among the best, and managers have the chance to raise their profile on the world stage.

Luis Suarez however, Liverpool's £22.8 million January signing has set his sights on the Europa League this season as another means of winning trophies. Liverpool are on rich form since Kenny Dalglish returned to the club which praise him as their "King", but Tottenham remain favourites for 5th place as they have a game in hand. Whether Tottenham want that spot is another matter, but Suarez showed his competitiveness by announcing his desire to get into the competition and win it:

 “It is the sort of competition you want to play in. It is our objective for the season. When I came that is what I wanted to help Liverpool achieve.

Suarez emphasised the fact that a club with the prestigious history of Liverpool must do their best to win any competition that they are involved in, even if it isn't the most celebrated. Of course, the Uruguayan would prefer to play in the Champions League, and that no doubt is the target for next season, but this season that seems slightly too far out of reach:

"It looked really difficult but we have kept winning and we have just had to hope that Tottenham dropped points. Now when they come here it will be the most important game of our season. 

“A club like Liverpool can only think in one way. If you get in to the Champions League, your objective has to be to win that. If you get in the Europa League, of course, your objective has to be to win that.

"That is what a club like this must aim for. We have to do everything we can to win as many competitions as we can.” 

Suarez's sentiment is the complete antithesis of that of Bayern Munich attacker Arjen Robben, who seems to infer that the Europa League is the worst possible occurrence for his side:

“I cannot imagine that (playing in the Europa League)."  

“That is the worst that can happen. I think it is better if you don’t play in it at all.” 

“Even winning the Europa League would not mean anything for me. That is not the title you want to win and it is not something I want.”

Suarez's attitude is admirable, and one that Liverpool will welcome in years to come. It shows his desire to both win things and please the fans at Liverpool, who have been without many trophies in recent years. In his short time at Liverpool, he has shown his tenacity and determination, working tirelessly up front, often on his own, helping to directly create 3 goals for his team mates as well as scoring 3 himself.

Suarez has settled quickly at Liverpool, but due to being cup-tied, has not been able to play in this years Europa League for Liverpool. Next season, Liverpool fans will hope that his partnership with Andy Carroll is a success, along with their season. A full season will showcase his real flare and technical ability, and with this attitude, he is sure to be am Anfield crowd pleaser.

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It's Best It Ended When It Did for Liverpool

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Liverpool crashed out of the Europa League at the hands of Braga on Thursday as the Reds failed to overturn a one goal deficit which they suffered in Portugal last week. I say "crashed out" - it would be far more suitable to compare the failing to a slow, tiresome burning out and eventual gentle stop rather than eventful, action packed full car chase ending in an exploding and manic "crash". I watched the match, and in hindsight I wished I hadn't.

If Kenny Dalglish's long term future relies on the upcoming performances and results in matches, then this was indeed worrying for him and his future. Of course he is probably the best choice for Liverpool as long term manager - having the full and undying support from the fans is and will be vital - but this performance, much like all of Liverpool's European performances this season, have been uninspiring and just plain boring. Fair enough if you get the end result, but when your not even getting a goal against the 6th place Portuguese League side, you know there are problems.

The fact that Andy Carroll started for Liverpool had pundits and commentators alike, excited beyond belief with the idea that long balls would be expertly nodded down by the big man for either Cole or Meireles to smash home. It actually conspired that Joe Cole was woeful as he has been during his short Liverpool career so far. I hesitate in blasting Cole who is obviously a quality player, but he did pretty much nothing against Braga to warrant £90,000 a week. This is, after all, a player whom Steven Gerrard compared to Lionel Messi when he first signed for Liverpool.

Carroll started his first game for Liverpool and couldn't get into the game. The team lacks the ability to cross from the wings, with Johnson often being the main provider. Johnson was coincidental swiftly closed down whenever he received the ball in a dangerous position as if to emphasise the danger of his and Carroll's combination. Carroll did what he does though - getting his head on anything he can and occasional holding the ball up well when he found it at his feet. He ran and ran, copying the template of the tireless Dirk Kuyt, but in this case, it was to no avail.

It was best it ended here though. Lets face it, Liverpool with this team had no chance of winning the competition when other teams in the competition have far more creativity and spark than the Reds do without the very important but cup-tied Luiz Suarez. It was a toothless display from Liverpool who can now concentrate on their domestic and far more important competition of the Premier League. They will be fighting for a place in the Europa League next year so they can bore us all over again. Joy!

Watch: Juventus 1 - 1 Manchester City

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Spurs "ball" boy

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A blast from the past now. In September 2007 Tottenham were playing in the UEFA Cup, and they obviously asked their ball-boy to be their twelth man...


The Tottenham ball-boy plays his part in humiliating the opposition in Tottenhams European match at White Hart Lane. Watch to the end.

Tottenham won 4 - 1 last night in the Champions League against FC Twente, and will be playing Inter Milan in their next Champions League group game. oh how things change...

Brave Fulham Lose out in Final

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A heart thumping final.

Fulham have achieved a massive feat to reach the final. But their hearts were broken by a Diego Forlan goal late in extra time. A cruel blow to a brave, passionate team punching well above their weight.

I don't think Fulham will be able to achieve a final again for a while. Nor do I think Roy Hodgson will stay on as manager. He can do no more. He has taken them as far as a small club can go.

Their excellent performances this season especially in Europe has made teams think very hard about how to win and their amazing fight has feared teams into defeat. But to win a final was too much.

It could have gone either way in the match, and it was very close, reflected in the tight scoreline. But the lucky Madrid took the trophy, and the Fulham fans, players and team were distraught.