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| LEGEND SPOTLIGHT Steve McMahon Next up is former Liverpool midfield hard man Steve McMahon, who tells us why he has the worst singing voice, why Ronnie Whelan is his worst player and why he could throttle Barnsey! Going back over your career, what would you say was the footballing highlight? Winning the league and cup double in 1986. It was Liverpool’s first time ever and it was the best feeling.  During your playing career what was your favourite goal you scored? My first goal for Liverpool against Man Utd. It was always nice to score against them. A bit of an undiplomatic question, but who was the worst player you ever played with? That’s a bit of a loaded question but I’ll say Ronnie Whelan, just to wind him up! You were Kenny Daglish’s first signing. Can you remember the first thing he said to you? And were his team talks hard to understand? He puts that accent on for people he doesn’t like, and the press of course. Once you know him, it’s not a problem. You’re a regular on ESPN - ever thought of going back to management? No, I don’t think so. I was successful as a manager with Blackpool - getting them promoted - but I think it’s a no-win situation as everybody thinks they know better than the man in the hot-seat, including me!  During your glory years at Anfield, was the team spirit really as good as it appeared from the outside? Did the players used to socialize together? It was better. Everybody used to wish they had what we had at Liverpool - the team spirit was incredible. We won and we lost (rarely) together and always had a drink afterwards. Thinking back to “that game” against Arsenal at Anfield in 1989, do you ever wish that Barnesy had just taken the ball into the corner in the last minute rather than trying to equalize? Of course I do. And not just at the time - we’ve nearly throttled him a few times since then! Barnsey was the one player who could have kept the ball for us in the last few minutes but he made the wrong decision. It happens. You and Aldo were the stars of the song Anfield Rap. Can you give us a rendition? Ever thought of pursuing a pop career? And was John Barnes really good at rapping? Anfield Rap actually got to No. 2 and World in Motion (England’s World Cup song in 1990) got to No. 1, so I’ve got a Gold Disc and a Silver Disc hanging on my wall and I can’t even sing!  Liverpool FC What did you make of Torres’ debut season? Apart from his lack of a fashionable ‘tache, how would you compare him with Rushie? Torres has had a better first season than Rush had for sure. If he ends up having as good a record as Rushie did over his career it’ll be fantastic for Liverpool. Is Gareth Barry overpriced at 13m? Is he the right signing? Which areas should we improve? The market prices players so you can’t really say he in particular is overpriced. I think all players are overpriced now, but that’s just because there is so much money around the game now. As to where we need to improve, we need a defender! Gareth Barry is a good addition! If we don’t put in a decent title challenge this coming season, is it goodbye for Rafa? I’d be concerned about Gerrard’s future at Anfield too. You want to play somewhere where you win, and that’s not happening at Liverpool. He could easily be attracted to somewhere that has a good chance of league and cup wins. Rafa gets sacked tomorrow and you’re appointed the manager. Who would you buy? That’s tough to say. You don’t seem to be a fan of Rafa’s rotation policy - don’t you think that it’s necessary to rest key players these days when the game is so fast and players are put under such physical stress? The policy is rubbish! I flew back for the Birmingham game early last season. For that game and some others during the season, such as Wigan - games we should have won but didn’t - Torres and Gerrard [were] on the bench! I don’t go to see Crouch play when Torres is on the bench. You play the team that will win, and rest them after you have won. That’s what Ferguson does. But if you look at the statistics, Rafa is not the manager that rotates most. If it’s a question of statistics, then there’s really only one that counts, which is that we’ve won nothing in the past two years.  Important stuff What was the first CD you bought? And your favourite song? Back then I liked the Jam, so it was probably a record of theirs. Favourite Holiday destination? Bermuda. Three things you’d take to a desert island? The wife, (or maybe the girlfriend!) and a speedboat in case I didn’t like it and wanted to leave! What’s your favourite TV show/film? Film would be The Shawshank Redemption. What’s your favourite drink? Back when I was playing it was Lucozade. Now wine, usually a nice Spanish red. Special thanks to Hoi Cheung from 3:C for organising this opportunity to meet with Steve McMahon. |
| Features and Submissions Original writing by Club members Peter Thompson - On a Wing and a Slayer 50,000 and Counting! A Greek Odyssey! We welcome submissions from our members. Send your contribution to: info@hongkongreds.com The Big Red Quiz All the questions and answers from our previous quizzes Chelsea v Liverpool - 17.09.06 Everton v Liverpool - 09.09.06 Sheff Utd v Liverpool - 19.08.06 Supporter Spotlight Find out more about our members Roger Shuttleworth Jon Wharton Ken Abela Meko Oh Lily Lam Chin Ian Agass Jason Li Rob Kelly Simon Betterton David Thomas Legend Spotlight Interviews with LFC heroes Mark Walters Alan Kennedy John Barnes Steve McMahon Referee Spotlight Focusing on the men in the middle Mike Riley Hong Kong Reds Around the World Our members in glorious technicolour Kiki Hon |
