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A former high-ranking Israeli military man actually.

Hold on, let's be fair, he was a corporal when he was captured, he was promoted to sergeant in captivity, in no army in the world is that high ranking, irrespective of what people might think of the IDF.

His rank is actually irrelevant. The fact he was in the IDF is enough.

If his rank is irrelevant why try to make him sound like he was something he wasn't? You were the one who mentioned it, and were later talking about research after all? He was also on compulsory military service at the time of his capture, i.e. he's not a professional soldier, so the fact he was in the IDF is not enough. EDIT - the fact he may be used as a PR pawn is, though I understand he works as a sports journo now?

For what it's worth I think Sarsak is probably correct to refuse the invite, it stinks of Barca trying to extricate themselves from a PR nightmare in a pretty ham fisted manner. Shalit would do Barca a massive favour by withdrawing too, and leaving the only politics of the Classico the usual, Castillion vs Catalan.

If that Louis Theroux show was anything to go by, the thinking is the habitual sex offenders cannot be cured. The approach that facility took was that these fellas were locked up for the rest of their days as they were essentially a lost cause. An expensive solution.

It appears paedophilia is not treatable or curable, there's increasing evidence that would the equivalent of trying to cure someone of heterosexuality for instance. I don't know what the medical evidence is for chemical castration as a way of removing these drives, as I imagine that research would be highly controversial, but surely, given everything written above, it would be worth persuing, and I imagine there would volunteers for altruistic (genuinely wanting to be cured) and non-altruistic (wanting to be released early) reasons.

A former high-ranking Israeli military man actually.

Hold on, let's be fair, he was a corporal when he was captured, he was promoted to sergeant in captivity, in no army in the world is that high ranking, irrespective of what people might think of the IDF.

3 teams that have done well in the last medium to long term are Utd, Arsenal and Everton.

I think you're forcing the point including Everton? Perhaps relative to some pretty low days after their last glorious period at the end of the 80's, but even Moyes has flirted with relegation during his time. Chelsea of course are the other successful team during that period, but they don't sit well with the thesis.

Outside of Hodgson and the King, every Liverpool manager of the last 40 odd years has had at least 3 years, unless they walked themselves (Joe Fagan), most more. Roy was never the man for the job, brought in by the previous yanks. As for Kenny I think the current hierarchy owes him a huge debt of gratitude for going with the dignity which he did, he could have made it a lot more uncomfortable for them. The owners might have seen his appointment as a stop gap, I don't think Kenny ever did.

I was fearing for Rodger's longevity until the last couple of weeks myself, for instance if they are in the relegation places come Xmas I don't think the yanks could except it, never mind the fans. But I don't think that will happen, we can see the playing style evolving, tighten up the defense and the club will go a long way to getting into Europe, and even if Europe isn't achieved this year, but progress is made, both in clearing out the chaff and reducing the wage bill, and bringing through young talent (thank you Rafa), the Americans will wear it.

Stoke on Sunday is no walk in the park, thankfully it at home but with our mistake prone defence they will fancy getting something.

I know every league is crucial in that they all carry 3 points, but the game against Stoke is vital. Firstly, it's a home game, and the team need to break out of this bad form they've been in at home for the last couple of seasons. Second, it's Stoke, and everyone knows what they are about, and what they are going to do - beat Liverpool up. Listening to John Giles on Newstalk last night, when asked what he thought of Ryan Shawcross he couldn't give an opinion, good or bad, because of the way they play and all he saw when he watched Stoke was "big fellas", he reckoned you have to be 6'4'' to get into their side.  It's a big test for this fledgling Liverpool team.

[Liverpool were lazy against Udinese - Brendan Rodgers]

Liverpool were lazy against Udinese - Brendan Rodgers

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers challenged his players to improve their concentration after seeing Udinese come from behind to win 3-2 at Anfield.

The Italians scored three second-half goals to transform the Europa League tie after Liverpool dominated the opening 45 minutes to lead 1-0.

"We concede goals too easily," Rodgers said. "It's an area we have to work on.

"We were very good in the first half but we lost concentration and became lazy and found ourselves 3-1 down."

This was a third successive home defeat for Liverpool but Rodgers can see the areas his side must improve on ahead of the visit of Stoke in the Premier League on Sunday. "I thought the team worked very well but we can't have to score three, four or five goals to win games," Rodgers said.

Liverpool completed nearly four times as many passes at their Italian opponents at Anfield but having seen Antonio Di Natale equalise 32 seconds after the restart, they conceded two further goals in three second-half minutes as the match slipped away.

Rodgers introduced Luis Suarez, Steven Gerrard and Raheem Sterling as Liverpool attempted to rescue a point and although the Uruguayan striker pulled a goal back, it was too little too late.

"We injected some quality into the game in the last 15 minutes or so and got a goal back but we are just disappointed that after such a good first-half performance we have given away such poor goals," Rodgers added.

The result leaves the Premier League club third in Group A, a point behind Udinese and Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala after two games.

"It is still very tight and there are some excellent teams in our group," Rodgers said.

"For us it is important to qualify of course, but it is also an opportunity to give some of our younger players a chance."

    Liverpool completed 691 passes tonight, nearly four times as many as Udinese (173).
    Udinese are the first side to beat Liverpool at Anfield in Europe since Fiorentina in Dec 2009, ending an unbeaten streak of 13 matches
    Source: Opta

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19837848

He may be a God there but Gerrard is holding you back. Still a fine player but only has eyes for certain team mates.

Certain team mates, in fact most of them, only have eyes for him too, too much deference in passing to him unnecessarily I thought tonight, and it actually doesn't help his game as he gets the ball in impossible situations by times, resulting in moves slowing, or breaking, down completely.

Yea but he sees that as his role -  a central box to box. It's up to the Carnlough boyo to define his role. He's still v important. At one stage tonight he told Suarez to feck up.

Funny, I don't think he's ever been the player he thought he was himself, never a box to box central midfielder for me, that was Alonso. But the fact he had that belief was enough to carry him through. One of his best seasons for Liverpool was played coming in off the right, and the best of the others were played behind Nando. Unfortunately I think injuries have really taken their toll, and he's not able to do physically what he once did. Judging by his interview today day he hasn't quite realised that himself yet though.

He may be a God there but Gerrard is holding you back. Still a fine player but only has eyes for certain team mates.

Certain team mates, in fact most of them, only have eyes for him too, too much deference in passing to him unnecessarily I thought tonight, and it actually doesn't help his game as he gets the ball in impossible situations by times, resulting in moves slowing, or breaking, down completely.

Disappointing, should have been well ahead at halftime, Udinese came out and played in the second half, but even with that the loss is harsh on Liverpool. Was thinking Coates was looking good, especially on the ground, then he goes and scores a peach...at the wrong end! 3rd goal the ball was lost cheaply in the middle, Udinese break and Pasquale unleashed an Exocet! Beaut from Suarez, and lots of chance to equalize squandered...have to say Udinese did defend well, lot of last ditch blocks etc. Still though, deflating defeat.

Stevie G. Can have a word with himself for that 3rd one, lost the ball not once but twice in the middle of the park, then just nonchalantly ambles back.

Great free from Luis, genius!

2-3

Joe Allen, Pepe Reina and Glen Johnson all feature in a strong line-up for the Reds' clash with Udinese tonight - listen live online from 8.05pm BST.

The team in full is: Reina, Johnson, Coates, Carragher, Robinson, Assaidi, Henderson, Allen, Shelvey, Downing, Borini. Subs: Jones, Suarez, Gerrard, Sahin, Sterling, Skrtel, Wisdom.

http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/latest-news/allen-starts-listen-live-1

He's inside until they purge their contempt, i.e. satisfy the trial judge that they are being upfront and honest in their dealings with with the court. In effect that's indefinite, which is highly highly peculiar, I don't think contempt of court has been used like this previously, well at least not in my time. I'm not surprised the Quinn's challenged it, as it is highly unusual, but the legal grounds of the challenge, other than it being contrary to natural justice, must be pretty shaky.

I see big Sam has a lot to say about Carroll and his fitness lately, and whether he should be called up for England.

I think it's just me but it does irk just a little that he talks about Carroll as if he was actually West Ham's player. Don't get me wrong, if he ends up with West Ham, all well and good, Rodgers' doesn't fancy him. My problem is throwing him into games, such as QPR Monday night, when they admit he's not 100% fit, never mind just not match fit. After all it's Liverpool that will be stuck with his wage bill should he end up crocked (completely).

Just had it thought, it's probably more to do with the fact this message is coming from Allardyce more so than anything else!

Is the Udinese game on tv ?

Setanta Sports 1 is the only place I've seen it scheduled thus far.

Seen some stuff on Udinese who's owners have bought Watford and there is something like 10 players on loan to watford from them and some other Italian club they have connections with.

Think the other club is actually Spanish, Granada is it? In the top division too. Get the feeling they have taken the speculation on young talent to a new level.

Udinese were a good outfit the last couple of seasons, would be more of a test than Young Boys, maybe a bit better than WBA too, so here's hoping the tyros (presumably) continue their progress tonight!