By the way my brother Kurt might be roaming around in as we speak—grab me a loaf, some cheese and a jugo de naranjilla. How will you be able to deliver it to this neck of the woods? Talking about woods, the lightning bugs are out this time of the year and I offered to catch some with my daughter. The problem here is this daylight savings practice. She goes to bed while it is still light and these members of the insect family wait until dusk. I will have to convince the wife into a delay of bed for a lifelong lesson in entomology.

Returning to the reason for this post, the World Cup starts with the hosts South Africa vs. Mexico. My prediction is 1-0 to Mexico. Javier Aguirre the Mexican coach is managing a player like Cuauhtémoc Blanco into a leadership position that many other coaches of the Aztec team failed to do. This just proves Aguirre’s tact and psychology with the players. The constant debate for this team with my friends and colleagues is who will start in goal. My call is Ochoa. My good friend Pablo “the theologian” Perez predicts Oscar Perez, not because of his last name but for his experience.

The next game is Uruguay vs. France. Uruguay is a team that epitomizes “playing with guts” or how we called it “garra.” Forlan will come close but French keeper Hugo Lloris will continue to prove one of the best in the World—prediction 0-0.

In regards to Liverpool, Rafael Benitez has departed. I grew frustrated last year, but that happens. I hope we made the correct decision and whoever takes the reins of Liverpool FC can bring back some stability, pride and honor. How about Rafa donating $96,000 to the Hillsborough Family Support Group? http://bit.ly/rafaforhillsborough

What are your predictions for tomorrows matches?

Liverpool looked lost at times, not to take credit away from Roberto Martinez who at the end of the day took the victory from his fellow countryman with joy and the pride of a bullfighter. The prize was not the ears of the bull but a lifeline away from descent. While Rafa and his team looked like a schizophrenic group on an emotional roller coaster. Final score- Wigan 1- Liverpool 0.

Now some of the MLS fans out there can finally be relieved to see that Landon Donovan has retaken the challenge of the German Bundesliga. Donovan will be playing for part-time Californian Jurgen Klinsman at Bayern Munich until March. I hope he does well- especially for all those critical of the lad. Now wher will Jermaine Pennant go to? He did not go to Stoke, rumored at Wigan, incredibly interested by Juande Ramos in Real Madrid and now the latest is AC Milan. Emily Benaammar, writing for the UK Telegraph describes the unexpected interest-

According to the Express, officials from the San Siro have already approached Pennant’s representatives and presented a pre-contract deal.
The 25-year-old is out of contract this summer and as such can now sign for any club outside of England. Milan are not the first elite European club to express an interest in Pennant, who, until last week, had been under the watch of Real Madrid’s new manager Juande Ramos.

I don’t think Dossena will be leaving Anfield as the rising Argentine- Emiliano Insua has been called to serve his country in the mini Copa America. Somebody needs to hide his passport.

Now this leaves us with someone who did not even take his post as Secretary of Commerce under the new administration-New Mexico state governor Bill Richardson. I liked him when he was part of the Saturday Night Live crew and he would be the leader of the SNL Christmas band. Very talented fellow. He needs to go back to music.

You’ve got to enjoy these guys. Whatever will be will be.

“Steven Gerrard will undergo surgery today that will rule him out of England’s two World Cup qualifying matches next month. Fresh from leading Liverpool into the group stage of the Champions League last night, the inspirational midfield player faces a routine operation on a niggling groin injury, the minor nature of which will be of little compensation to Fabio Capello.”

Steven Gerrard has been one of the better players for the three lions even during the odd strategic decision in this past game against the Czechs. Fabio Capello is probably sighing and wishing it was David Beckham with the issue as this would solve the public relations headaches that have been brought upon themselves by appointing a now single style midfielder. I can agree with Bobby Robson when he says,

“Sir Bobby believes there is now little room for Beckham if England, who last week struggled to draw with the Czech Republic in a Wembley friendly, are to unearth a coherent system.”

“It means picking vibrant wide players rather than starting with David Beckham when he can’t get forward as he used to. It means banging Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard’s heads together and getting them to play as a unit. Because they can.”

So for now Slaven smiles while Fabio sighs.

“Would Jamie Carragher, a late developer, have made the grade at Liverpool if he had been coming through the ranks now? Probably not. Would Gary Ablett, a championship winner as a player at Anfield in 1988 and 1990 and doing an excellent job as the club’s reserve-team coach? Certainly not. If players such as Stephen Darby or Jay Spearing are to follow in their footsteps and become first-team players at Liverpool, they must overcome overwhelming odds. But, unless they are nurtured correctly, no young player is a safe bet, however talented.”

I see his point and would like to add that many of the teenage Steven Gerrard’s would improve against and along the Kristian Nemeth’s, and Carlos Vela’s. Or a natural talent like Steven Gerrard would not have been challenged to sometimes carry his team… I hope it is a gold mine not just for the team but for the league and not a virus.

The picture of this bridge reminds me of home. There were many of these old stone bridges crossing ancient rivers, connecting two towns and telling many stories. This bridge also makes me yearn for a trip to the old world. Could this bridge be in England, France, Germany, Italy or maybe Spain? At the moment I can just dream, but I would like to take my wife and daughter to Europe one day. A trip to visit Barcelona, London, Florence, Athens, Zurich, and Prague. Yes, Anfield will be one of the stopping points.