By LFC Vancouver member Ste Speed, 30 October 07.

The game on Sunday against Arsenal was one of the best I’ve seen in ages. The battle in midfield between Fabregas, Gerrard and Mascherano was absolutely phenomenal to watch. If I were a neutral I would have been over the moon at the end of the game after watching such a thrilling match. However I am not a neutral and I am not really feeling all that thrilled. We lost two key players, possibly three, we did not win at home (again) and we did not look in the same class as Arsenal.

We have spent millions of pounds on new players and Arsenal has spent a pittance in comparison. On Sunday it looked the opposite at times as Liverpool were completely outclassed for long periods. It wasn’t that we played badly, because we didn’t, it’s just that Arsenal were simply superb. We deserved to come out of the game with something thanks to the efforts of Gerrard, Mascherano, Carragher and Alonso until he went off injured. We were however lucky to have escaped with that point thanks to Arsenal hitting the post twice and being unable to convert the resulting open goals.

John Arne Riise was absolutely terrible on Sunday and not for the first time. I understand that Rafa’s options are limited in defence at the moment and the faster we can get Arbeloa and Aurelio back to full fitness the better. Riise was caught out of position time and time again on the left flank. I can’t remember the amount of times I stood up and berated him for standing around in the area instead of covering the left wing.

Fortunately for the Reds, Steven Gerrard was absolutely superb and looked as good as ever. His goal was fabulous, he was tackling well, leading by example and played like a real captain. At the back Carragher was back to his usual self too after some recent lapses in defence. He was clearing everything and making sure that the Arsenal where restricted to only a handful of clear chances. It is slightly concerning that once again it was these two players that stepped up on the big occasion. We really do need some more match-winners in the squad because we just cannot continue relying on Jamie and Stevie as we have done for the last few years.

I said last week that Peter Crouch deserves a chance and I just could not believe what I was seeing when I saw the starting line-up. Rafa had picked three strikers and Crouch still couldn’t make the team from the start. If Torres wasn’t fully fit why did Rafa risk him if he is so concerned about him getting injured by not playing him against the likes of Portsmouth and Birmingham? When Crouch was brought on to replace Torres in the second half he looked terrific. Within minutes he almost put us two up with a fabulous long range shot that was well saved. He looked very threatening throughout the second half and beautifully set up Gerrard in the area near the end who unfortunately took too many steps before shooting. Not being chosen on Sunday was iron clad proof that Crouch is Rafa’s fourth choice and if it continues this way then I see no other option but for him to leave the club if the right offer arrives in January. This will be a shame because he offers so much that the other strikers don’t, such as his height and his terrific ability on the ground. As I said last week, I feel that Voronin and Kuyt are too similar in their playing style. I have no issues with their fantastic work-rates but I am not very confidant they will get the goals to end the recent slump. I’ve no idea how Kuyt scored so many goals in Holland, it must be the way Rafa chooses to play him. With Torres now out for a minimum three weeks we need Crouch more than ever and I am relieved that he seems to have a great attitude and instead of sulking he is coming on and trying his hardest whenever he gets a chance.

When we scored the early goal I was obviously as excited as everybody and leapt around the pub. I was however worried that we would end up paying for scoring so early. It was the same story that we’ve seen so many times over the years in which we failed to kill off a team after going ahead too early & then spending most of the game causing panic for the fans.

I think that we should have definitely played Benayoun and possibly Babel too. What is the point in having talent like this sitting on the bench and having Kuyt and Voronin doing that sort of work instead of being in the box? The answer is that there really is no point. Benayoun is absolutely sensational and with Pennant out for ten weeks this should be his chance to get a run of starts. I hope that he will start getting more playing time because we’ve all seen how effective he is when he gets more than fifteen minutes.

The injuries to Pennant, Alonso and Torres are unbelievable blows. We are missing Torres because we are badly missing his goals and pace. Pennant is missed because I feel we play better with width. I feel the biggest loss though is going to be Xabi Alonso. We have been desperately crying out for him so badly in recent matches. We have missed having a player that can lead from the back. As fantastic as Mascherano is, he is more of a ball winner and just gives the ball to another player, whereas Alonso has that incredible vision to create things with his intelligent passing. I’m almost crying when I realise we have those upcoming must win Champions League games without these players, I’m just glad that Stevie G is back in top form again. The return of Daniel Agger in the next week or so will be an absolutely huge boost to the side too and give Hyypia a well earned break.

I’m trying not to be to downhearted and pessimistic despite things looking a bit bleak. As it currently stands qualification to the Champions League knockout stage is still within our own hands. We remain six points behind Arsenal in the Premiership and the way things have been going lately it’s more likely that the gap will widen rather than shorten. However if we can ride out this recent slump and players step up to replace those who are missing, then hopefully we will stay within touching distance of the league leaders. Arsenal will be losing a number of their best players in January to the African Nations Cup so that will be a perfect chance for us to gain an advantage over them. We are also only five points behind Man Utd with one game in hand. I think people may be forgetting this when they get all gloomy.

Up next is Blackburn away which will be a tough fixture as Blackburn has won four games in a row. They are currently one point ahead of us with the same number of games played. A victory at Ewood Park would be a perfect way to kick start the season back up again so let’s hope the Reds don’t let us down.

What do you think? Give Ste your comments at steSpeed [at] lfcvancouver.com.

By LFC Vancouver member Ste Speed, 28 October 07.

Scottish defender Gary Gillespie was one of Liverpool’s key players during a great period of success in the 1980’s. He was cultured on the ball, a great tackler and he popped up with his share of goals, including a hat-trick against Birmingham City in 1986.

Gary was born in Bonnybridge, Scotland in July 1960 and he started his career in 1977 with Falkirk. He was made captain at just seventeen years old, making him the world’s youngest team captain. He made twenty two appearances in the Scottish Division Two and made such an impact that Coventry City paid £75,000 for him before he was even eighteen. Gary spent six seasons at Coventry helping them through relegation battles from Division One virtually every season. His performances in defence were often regarded as one of the reasons for the Sky Blues remaining in the top flight season after season. During his time at Coventry, Gary was never short of admirers and a number of teams were vying for his signature. In July 1983 Joe Fagan had replaced Bob Paisley as Liverpool boss and he won the race for Gary’s signature and made him his first signing £325,000.

Gary had a slow start to his Liverpool career due to Alan Hansen and Mark Lawrenson being settled as a perfect partnership in central defence. A succession of injuries didn’t help his claims for a first team place either. Gary had to wait almost an entire season before he made his first team debut in April 1984 against Walsall in the League Cup. Liverpool finished the season with an incredible three trophies by winning the First Division, the League Cup (against Everton) and the European Cup. Unfortunately for Gary his one appearance wasn’t enough for him to receive any medals, but he was happy to be a part of such a great squad and as we know he certainly made up for it in the subsequent seasons.

During the following season 1984/85, Gary started to become a regular in the side as Hansen and Lawrenson both suffered with injuries. He made twenty two appearances during his second season which unfortunately ended without a trophy for Liverpool. Gary became a real regular during the 1985/86 season and began to really make his name as one of the best defenders around. He was an important member of the team making twenty four appearances as the Reds won the clubs first league and F.A. Cup double. Unfortunately he still wasn’t able to dislodge the Hansen and Lawrenson partnership and he was unlucky to miss out on playing in the 1986 F.A. Cup final against Everton. At the time only one substitute was allowed and Steve McMahon was chosen for the bench, himself unlucky to lose his place to Kevin Macdonald.

It was during the 1985/86 season when Gary was involved in possibly his most memorable moment in a red shirt. It came on 26 April 1986 at Anfield and our opponents were Birmingham City. We won the game 5 – 0 and it was the day when Gary scored a hat-trick, a fantastic feat for any player to achieve but even more spectacular when a defender manages it. The only other defender I can ever recall scoring a hat-trick was Steve Nicol against Newcastle Utd. His first two goals came in open play as he made two great runs into the Birmingham area. The third goal came when Liverpool were awarded a penalty. Usually it would be Jan Molby’s responsibility to take the penalties but as Gary was on a hat-trick there was only one player to take this one. Gary placed the ball superbly in the corner of the net to put his name in the history books. As Gary later said, the only way it could have been more perfect would have been if it was scored in front of The Kop. All three goals were scored at the Anfield Road end.

The following season 1986/87 was a poor one for the club as they lost the league title to Everton and the League Cup final to Arsenal. For Gary though it was his most consistent season so far as he missed just three games in the entire season. The following season 1987/88 was absolutely amazing as Liverpool dominated everything in front of them and won the league with awesome style. Liverpool went on a run of twenty nine games unbeaten and only lost two games in total. Mark Lawrenson severely injured his knee during this season, forcing him to prematurely retire in 1988 aged just thirty. Lawrenson’s misfortune led to Gillespie now being installed as the regular partner to Alan Hansen and he missed just five games in the entire season. Possibly the defining visual image of Gary’s Liverpool career, in my opinion, came in the amazing 5 – 0 victory over Nottingham Forest. Gary scored the fourth goal and celebrated by pointing straight into the air in an aggressive style. Liverpool were denied a second league and cup double when they were defeated in shocking fashion by Wimbledon in the 1988 F.A. Cup final. Liverpool played poorly on the day but Gary was one of the better players. He played that game wearing a bandage round his head after he had cut it open the week before during a clash of heads with team-mate Nigel Spackman, who also played sporting a bandage.

It was during this season that Gary won the first of his thirteen caps for Scotland in European Championship qualifier against Belgium. He was part of the squad at the 1990 World Cup in Italy but only played in one game, the 1 – 0 defeat to Brazil.

In 1989 Gary was part of the Liverpool side at Hillsborough during the terrible tragedy. He joined his team-mates as they rallied round the families offering comfort and support. Unfortunately due to injury he missed the F.A. Cup final against Everton and for the second time he missed out on a winners medal. Gary helped the team to win their eighteenth league title in the following season 1989/90. His appearances became less regular due to the form of Gary Ablett and the arrival of Glenn Hysen who was brought in to eventually replace Alan Hansen who was now suffering with knee injuries. Gary was to score the winning goal in a 1 – 0 victory over Derby county to clinch the title.

When Kenny Dalglish resigned in February 1991, Gary’s days at Anfield were numbered. Deemed surplus to retirements by new boss Graeme Souness, Gary was sold to Celtic that summer for £925,000. Celtic was his favourite team as a child so it was fitting that this was who he would join after leaving Liverpool. He played sixty seven games at Parkhead before rejoining Coventry in 1994. He made three appearances during the 1994/95 season before he was struck down with a serious knee injury. Despite remaining on Coventry’s books for another two seasons Gary never played again and in 1997 he retired due to his persistent knee problems.

After retiring from his playing career, Gary settled back on Merseyside with his family. For the last few years Gary has enjoyed a very successful career in broadcasting with BBC Radio Merseyside. Along with Mike Hughes, Gary is the main commentator on all Liverpool games as well as presenting the occasional one off special. Gary also does work for the Liverpool website and has been involved in special retro shows. Gary also plays for the Liverpool Masters team which has been very successful in indoor tournaments.

It was at an indoor veteran’s tournament in 2006 that I had the pleasure of meeting Gary. It was at the event called ‘The Legends of Soccer’ in Vancouver, Canada and I was able to meet two other ex Reds, Paul Walsh and John Wark at the same event. It was fantastic to shake Gary’s hand and thank him for the memories. I was able to thank him for the goal against Derby County in 1990 and he was nice enough to recreate the famous celebration from his goal in the 5 – 0 demolition of Nottingham Forest.

Thanks to his performances during the glory years of the late eighties, Gary was voted number 68 in the series ‘100 Players Who Shook the Kop’.

Video Clips of Gary Gillespie:

68 - Gary Gillespie

What do you think? Give Ste your comments at steSpeed [at] lfcvancouver.com.

Standings as of 01 November 07.
Dennis and Pat both get points from the Carling Cup tie ... good job boys!

Rank	Member	Points
1	Dennis	21
2	Pat	17
3	Ste	14
4	Kevin	9
5	Keith	8
6	Dan	7
7	Richard	4
7	Glenn	4
9	Mark	3
10	Andy	1
10	Luvdeep	1
10	Chris	1
13	Blake	0

To enter the members contest see the rules below.

RULES:

• Only open to paid LFC Vancouver Members.
• You list the names of the players you think will start the next LFC match.
• You must submit your list to lfcvancouver [at] gmail.com at least 12 hours before kick-off.
• This contest will include every match that LFC plays this season.
• The member(s) that correctly guess the starting XI will be awarded 5 points.
• At the end of the season the player with the most points will win the prize.
• What is the prize? It is a surprise!
• The standings will be included in each week’s newsletter.

Scoring System:

• 11 Correct picks = 5 points.
• 10 Correct picks = 3 points.
• 9 Correct picks = 1 point.
• 0-8 Correct picks = 0 points.

YNWA/JFT 96,

Andy Neumann