::: FistedAway welcomes a guest post from Elliott,
editor of the rather lovely Futfanatico :::

The path from the cusp of destruction to redemption has been a long one for Liverpool FC fans. Bad apple Americans owners. The departure of Rafael Benitez. The exodus of star players like Xabi Alonso.

Ian Rush pays heartfelt tribute to 'true Scouser' Ablett

'He sums up what people are like in Liverpool' says Welsh goals scoring legend

View the full story here: The Mirror

A news article on 2012-01-02 12:00:52 from: The Mirror

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

Don't touch me South American

Porque Negro?

- A conversation that has opened a giant can of worms.

The Premier league these days is more soap opera than sport. Starting from Captain Courageous being accused of a similar charge to Steve Kean and the chicken farmers receiving vitriolic abuse for being incompetent nincompoops, the focus seems to be more on what happens before and after kickoff with the game itself almost being a distraction.

The world of football has changed in so many ways since first I clambered up the steps at Highbury and looked down in awe at the scene before me; an oblong of green set at the bottom of a man made bowl, the concrete sides towering above it. There it was the home of my schoolboy dreams, the canvass on which I had for all my growing years drawn in my mind's eye the daring deeds which I, "Roy of the Arsenal" had performed heroically, defeating all and sundry with magical skills and wondrous last minute goals.

The world of football has changed in so many ways since first I clambered up the steps at Highbury and looked down in awe at the scene before me; an oblong of green set at the bottom of a man made bowl, the concrete sides towering above it. There it was the home of my schoolboy dreams, the canvass on which I had for all my growing years drawn in my mind's eye the daring deeds which I, "Roy of the Arsenal" had performed heroically, defeating all and sundry with magical skills and wondrous last minute goals.

• Kop That: Andre Villas-Boas should learn from Kenny Dalglish Des Kelly http://t.co/dpRrhDW8 23:59:15, 2011-12-09
• Kop That: Alan Smith: Manchester United must give Phil Jones run of games in central defence http://t.co/sBbbHYWF 23:27:58, 2011-12-09
• Kop That: Liverpool set to move for £17m Fernando Reges http://t.

• Kop That: Why England's ban on racism-row questions has left John Terry gagging to face Sweden http://t.co/57e5uLFZ 23:34:54, 2011-11-14
• Kop That: It's my duty to be here says race-row Terry http://t.co/9mqkFGZR 23:04:26, 2011-11-14
• Kop That: Terry: Swedes' Ibrahimovic will be a handful http://t.

Video: Outed scouser Gary Neville labelled a 'miserable git' by John Bishop

James Corden and John Bishop gang up on Gary Neville

View the full story here: Talksport

A news article on 2011-11-14 17:38:11 from: Talksport

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

Gary Neville is a Scouser

As a Manchester United legend he admitted hating everything about Liverpool and was once fined for a wild celebration in front of their fans but Gary Neville is a secret Scouser.

View the full story here: The Mail

A news article on 2011-11-11 08:30:40 from: The Mail

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

The Top Footballing Feuds - originally posted on Soccerlens.com

It seems that footballers have been at each other throats for the past 10 days. We have had handbags, abusive comments, slaps and theatrics up and down the country. These tête têtes however will have to go some way to match:

Roy Keane v Patrick Viera

Very few feuds can match the rivalry between two of the best centre midfielders of their generation.

Liverpool 1-1 Manchester United: five things we learned | Andy Hunter

Steven Gerrard is still a class act and Wayne Rooney doesn't need protecting, but questions still dog Andy Carroll Steven Gerrard's standing has not diminished Talk of a new contract for Liverpool's captain may have seemed premature this week – his current deal doesn't expire until 2013 and the future can wait for a midfielder who has endured an arduous 2011 – but it demonstrated his value to Kenny Dalglish's team and that was reinforced here.

Professional Scousers Part 2: The Flip Side

In our recent interview with a ‘professional Scouser', we explored the extremities of what is known as the best fan base in the world, and in doing so unearthed that we also play host to some of the most small-minded, hostile and bigoted individuals that any faithful has to offer.

An Interview With a Professional Scouser: Part 1

We all know one, unfortunately. Someone who truly believes that their geographical location – their accent – automatically elevates them to a ‘holier than thou' status in the context of being a Liverpool supporter.

By Chris Wright

Today marks the 30th anniversary of Bill Shankly's death (in 1981, maths fans!), so to pay a wee bit of homage, Pies have amassed our 30 very favourite Shankley-isms in no particular order...

1. When asked by a Liverpudlian barber if he wanted 'anything off the top?

You Don't Know What You've Got Until It's Gone

Liverpool's summer signings have seen the squad strengthened to levels unprecedented in recent times. The depth is such that some sections of the Anfield faithful have even gone as far as to suggest that a even a certain Steven Gerrard is not guaranteed a free passage back to first team football, following a six-month lay-off.

Liverpool Deny Dann Reports

Liverpool have denied their reported interest in Scott Dann, insisting they are not going up against Arsenal for the player's signature. This news will likely intensify rumours linking the Reds with a move for Bolton's Gary Cahill as they look to sure up a defence that leaked goals in the club's pre-season campaign.

Why Scott Dann can be the answer to Arsenal's defensive problems

Scott Dann may just have come to many Arsenal fans' attention in the last few weeks but the classy defender has long been considered a star of the future in the Midlands. Now that may not be saying much, but being based in Birmingham, I've witnessed Dann's reputation deservedly grow around these parts since first establishing himself in the Walsall team back in 2006-07 in League Two.

Given how unpopular this blog is with Liverpool fans, I thought I was going to struggle to find a scouser to do our View from the Enemy section. Fortunately, Rob Marrs, who is behind the excellent football (not LFC) blog, Left Back In The Changing Room, has agreed to talk to us about the pain of our 19th title and how much Liverpool have spent.

Conor Coady today spoke of his joy after netting a memorable goal on his debut for Liverpool in China on Wednesday.
The Academy graduate and U18s captain came on in the second half of our 4-3 win over Guangdong Sunray Cave and fired home an effort he will never forget.
"It was a fantastic feeling," Coady told Liverpoolfc.

Robbie Fowler: International striker, property mogul, Thai football league hero - originally posted on Soccerlens.com

The name Robbie Fowler will never be forgotten by Liverpool fans, who cherish memories of the striker netting countless goals for the Anfield side. The Kop worshipped the ground the crafty marksman walked on, and the now 36-year-old attacker has had a glorious career playing on Merseyside, for Leeds, Manchester City and 26 times for England.

Sent this to The Times today
Sir,
Unfortunately I will no longer be buying The Times due to your parent company's association with the News of the World and its actions by standing by Rebekah Brooks. I know this scandal is nothing to do with The Times and it is with a heavy heart I end my longstanding loyalty to your fine newspaper however I have no other way of protesting and voicing my utter disgust at this vile episode and the arrogance your parent company has displayed.

Abhinav's Note: It's off season, and you might gather it's dry time for us authors. Ducky's been in oblivion for quite a while (Ducky's Note: Through no fault of mine!), Nickspinkboots is still refusing to concede that Lionel Messi is better than the 'best striker in the world' & I have been busy analyzing how my IndiRank dropped in a way that eclipsed even Arsenal.

Nickspinkboots' Note: It seems like an auspicious time for collaborative efforts and we bring you another one with this point:counterpoint article by the much celebrated The Hard Tackle. Nitin and Nipun go head-to-head to discuss the pros and cons of Michael Owen's contract extension.

A Scouser, a Geordie and a Scotsman go to the beach... It's not uncommon for a few of football's bachelors to hit Las Vegas, Miami or (back in the day) Ayia Napa together during the close season. But OTP can't pretend we expected to see Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney, Liverpool striker Andy Carroll and [.

When Roy Hodgson was given the heave-ho by Boston Red Sox owner John Henry, not many questioned the decision. There was a feeling that Hodgson may not have been given a fair crack of the whip, but it also felt as if it was in his own best interests to get out.

The relationship between Liverpool FC and Hodgson had irretrievably broken down.

Image Credit: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images Europe.

One thing readers can be assured of when it comes to the TTO 2.0 we hear your kudos just as loudly as your complaints. And when our HQ's honorary virtual intern*, Blake, bellowed about the lack of hairy thighs in our 2.0 logo (at left), we sought to give the guy what he wants.

Arvi's Note : Imagine a girl fair looking, not morbidly obese sitting all alone by herself, throwing shy-glances all over, in a bar full of gay men. The Scouse situation in Bigfourza is not much different. Slowly forgotten and gradually fading into oblivion.

Liverpool's £35m new boy Andy Carroll could be out for another EIGHT weeks.
Carroll has yet to play this year because of a thigh injury and recently flew to Sweden to see a specialist for a second opinion about the problem.
And his former Newcastle team-mate Kevin Nolan revealed Carroll faces a long wait for his Liverpool debut, saying: "He could be out for another eight weeks.

Where has the nostalgia gone for a player to be proud of adorning the colours of a club that has gifted so much to the history of the game? Just ask Fernando Torres as he looks set to move for a British record transfer fee from Liverpool to champions Chelsea.

Torres is in envious predicament of being more or less on the team sheet every single week along with the backing of his supporters who have taken to him as one of their own as an adopted scouser – ever since he infamously wrapped his "You'll Never Walk Alone" across his arm back in Madrid.

Reina
Kelly Skrtel Agger Johnson
Meireles Poulsen Lucas
Kuyt Torres Jovanovic
Goals:
Torres 3'
Taylor-Fletcher 12'
Campbell 69'
The perfect start, fitting for a new era. Then the old era crept in. It's going to take more than "good feelings" to fix this side.