Arsenal-Liverpool 1-1 Draw to Open Season

Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina (uploaded by Nigel Wilson on flickr)

The premier match up in the Premier League this weekend was Arsenal vs. Liverpool today. The game ended in a 1-1 draw, with each team playing with ten men when the game finished. It was an exciting game, and both teams will be pleased to gain a point from their opening game.

Arsenal dominated possession in the first 45, passing the ball around with fluidity. They were not able to get many scoring chances. Liverpool's new signing Joe Cole got a straight red card in the 45th minute. Cole slid in late on Arsenal center back Laurent Koscielny. It was a play that could have seriously injured Koscielny, who was carried off on a stretcher. He did return in the second half

Going down to men on the pitch seemed to help Liverpool get their play going in the second half. In the 46th minute, David Ngog broke away from the defenders and blasted a shot past Manuel Almunia. Great strike from Ngog into the top netting, but the goal was caused by an Arsenal mistake. Young English midfielder Jack Wilshere made a bad pass deep in the defensive zone, and that lead to Ngog's goal.

Arsenal, a man up, struggled to tie the game up until their 90th minute goal. Tomas Rosicky, who came in as a sub, hit a great ball right on the edge of the penalty area. Pepe Reina made a great save on that one, which drew the cheers of the fans at Anfield. Only a few minutes later, those same fans would be jeering Reina mercilessly.

Arsenal's equalizer came on an own goal by the keeper Reina in the 90th minute. An Arsenal cross came in, which was misplayed by Reina. Then the Gunners new striker Marouane Chamakh hit the post. The ball deflected right back to Reina, who fumbled the ball into the net. It was a tragic moment for Liverpool, but a relieving one for Arsenal.

Ironically, Laurent Kocsielny picked up a second yellow and subsequent red in extra time. Liverpool had one last shot to make the home fans happy in extra time. A laser of a free kick by Frank Lampard was pushed away by Alumnia.

Both team will be somewhat pleased with the results. A point is a point, and you don't want to go into the second week with no points. Arsenal performed alright, escpecially considering some of their top players started the game on the bench. The young guys did well.

Liverpool will be disappointed they could not hold onto the win, but they have to be happy about how they played once they went a man down. Overall, a controversial and mistake filled game. Exactly what you would expect in a opening game.

Premier League Predictions: 10-1

Here is a link to #20-11. So here is the top-10:

10. Fulham
Manager: Mark Hughes

2009/10 Finish: 12th

Players to Watch: Clint Dempsey, Bobby Zamora, Zoltan Gera

Preview: Mark Hughes is taking over Fulham after Roy Hodgson left for Liverpool. He has a talented squad, and he will be able to please the Fulham fans with a top-10 finish, but just barely. Fulham does have an American connection in Clint Dempsey, on of the best U.S. players.

9. Sunderland
Manager: Steve Bruce

2009/10 Finish: 13th

Players to Watch: Darren Bent, Jordan Henderson, Kieran Richardson

Preview: Sunderland is a very good squad, they will surprise many people by finishing in the top-10 this season. They have a huge scoring threat in Darren Bent up top. Jordan Henderson is a terrific young midfielder. Also, Sunderland have money to spend. They haven't spent it yet, but maybe by the second transfer window. This will be a successful season for Sunderland.

8. Aston Villa
Manager: Caretaker Boss Kevin MacDonald

2009/10 Finish: 6th

Players to Watch: Emil Heskey, Richard Dunne, Nathan Delfouneso

Preview: Villa is sinking fast in the ocean known as the Premier League. With Martin O'Neil quitting a week before the season, plus the eminent sale of star player James Milner. I was tempted to put Aston Villa even farther down in the table, but I can't. They still have some good young players mixed with reliable veterans. As far as I'm concerned, Milner is already on Man City. This will be a disappointing season for Villa because they will miss out on European competition.

7. Everton
Manager: David Moyes

2009/10 Finish: 8th

Players to Watch: Louis Saha, Phil Jagielka, Phil Neville

Preview: Everton are a very interesting club. They have a solid squad all around. Everton are just off the top-6 teams. There will be some separation there. Everton do have an American connection with goaltender Tim Howard, one of the best goalies in the league. Good news: Europa League. Bad news: just the Europa League.

6. Tottenham
Manager: Harry Redknapp

2009/10 Finish: 4th

Players to Watch: Luca Modric, Ledley King, Robbie Keane

Preview: Okay, it's no secret I don't like Tottenham, but that is not why I think they will drop two spots from last season. With Man City improving by the day, Tottenham will just not be able to keep up. Hey look to the bright side: more Europa League.

5. Manchester City
Manager: Roberto Mancini

2009/10 Finish: 5th

Players to Watch: Carlos Tevez, Robinho, Emmanuel Adebayor

Preview: Manchester City is trying the old "buy a championship" approach. I could type every player they've brought/bringing in, but I'm not going to do it. A collection of star players, assembled on a field, having barely played with one another, doesn't lead to success. Just ask team England.

4. Liverpool
Manager: Roy Hodgson

2009/10 Finish: 7th

Players to Watch: Joe Cole, Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres

Preview: Last season was a fluke for Liverpool. They have a good team. They just need to put it together. Even with a "takeover" imminent at Anfield, the addition of Joe Cole and Christian Poulsen, will help them get back into the top four. That said, they will not compete for the title, as there will be a sizable game between Liverpool, Man City, and Tottenham and the top 3.

3. Chelsea
Manager: Carlos Ancelotti

2009/10 Finish: 1st

Players to Watch: Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard, Michael Essien

Preview: Last season's winners will not repeat as champions this season. The injury bug tends to affect older teams, and Chelsea is certainly getting older. Last season was a last hurrah for the Frank Lampard-John Terry lead team. They still have a good squad, and will contend for the title until the final month of the season.

2. Arsenal
Manager: Arsene Wenger

2009/10 Finish: 3rd

Players to Watch: Cesc Fabregas, Aaron Ramsey, Andre Arshavin

Preview: Wenger's contract runs out at the end of the season. Now, as of posting this, no extension has been agreed upon, but Wenger says one is close. Arsenal need to win some hardware this season to justify a Wenger extension. They can win the Premier League if they can stay healthy, but that just hasn't happened in recent years. They may not win the Premier League, but they may win hardware.

1. Manchester United
Manager: Sir Alex Ferguson

2009/10 Finish: 2nd

Players to Watch: Wayne Rooney, Patrice Evra, Javier Hernandez

Preview: They have one of the best finishers in the Premier League in Wayne Rooney; One of the best young players in Javier Hernandez; One of the best veteran playmakers in Paul Scholes. All of that plus more makes up the best team in the Premiership. They have a blazing counter attack that usually ends in a through ball to Rooney, and you know the rest. United will be Champions once again, but it won't be by a big margin.

Canadian and Middle East Group Close to Buying Liverpool

Anfield
(uploaded by comedy_nose on Flickr)

A group of Canadian and Middle East businessmen headed by Yahya Kirdi are reportedly close to buying Liverpool from current owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks. Liverpool is in massive debt, owing the Royal Bank of Scotland around £237 million. Here is Kirdi on the negotiations (all quotes aquired from BBC.com):

"Agreement has been reached on all major terms including the purchase price, repayment of the existing bank debt and financing of a new stadium in Liverpool's Stanley Park.
"
A formal purchase agreement between the parties is in the final stage of negotiation. With additional money to improve the squad and financing in place to build the new stadium, LFC will be on a solid foundation to compete in the Premiership and in Europe for years to come."


A change of ownership is imminent at Liverpool, not only because of the debt, but also because of the planning of a new stadium. Whoever takes over the team will more than likely pay off the debt and finance the new stadium, but how much will that leave them to pay their players as they try to recover from a disappointing campaign last year?

Torres Commits to Liverpool

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres
(uploaded by Nigel Wilson on Flickr)

After winning the world cup with Spain, albeit a disappointing performance personally, striker Fernando Torres has ended the rumors that he is unhappy at Anfield. Speculation arose about Torres after Liverpool failed to qualify for the Champions League last season and the departure of manager Rafa Benitez. Man City and Chelsea were linked with Torres, and maybe even move to Spain.

Today, Torres ended those rumors by saying he is happy at Liverpool and that they are the best team in the country. I don't know about that, but here is what Fernando had to say:

"This is the best club in the country so the targets and expectations are always high. Hopefully we can stay at our level. At Liverpool the aim is to fight for every title. It was difficult last season, but we are sure we can improve this season.

"I am really happy to be back, really happy to stay with all my team-mates. My commitment and loyalty to the club and to the fans is the same as it was on my first day when I signed.

"I am looking forward to the challenge ahead."

Here is Torres on his new boss Roy Hodgson:

"I really appreciated the fact that Roy came out to see me while I was on my holidays. He told me about his plans for the club and what he wanted from me and I appreciated that.



"I hope he will be the right man to reach the targets of Liverpool Football Club and I am really looking forward to working with him. At the moment I am training just on my own but as soon as I can I will train with the team and with the new manager."


This is great news for all Liverpool supporters, as Torres will be a key player if they can break back in to the top three. It is great to see a fan favorite end transfer speculation so his team can focus in the little time left before the start of the season. It would be nice if a certain teammate on the World Cup-winning Spain team could do the same.