EXCLUSIVE: Barry Venison previews tonight's game
Barry earned himself a place in the record books by becoming the youngest ever Wembley Cup Final captain. He skippered the Sunderland side that took on Norwich City in the 1985 Milk Cup Final at just 20 years and 220 days of age.
He won two League championships and an F.A. Cup winner's medal while at Anfield. Before retiring he had spells at Galatasaray and Southampton.
"It is a pleasure to join what is quite clearly the number one, independent Liverpool F.C. website," said Barry, when he joined the Kop Talk team.
Today Barry is a football pundit on ITV and of course, he writes an exclusive column just for Kop Talk readers.
When he's not concentrating on his football work, he spends the remainder of his time working as a patron for children's charity 'Peggy and Friends' via Bid4Sport.com
"It is a pleasure to join what is quite clearly the number one, independent Liverpool F.C. website," said Barry, when he joined the Kop Talk team.
Today Barry is a football pundit on ITV and of course, he writes an exclusive column just for Kop Talk readers.
When he's not concentrating on his football work, he spends the remainder of his time working as a patron for children's charity 'Peggy and Friends' via Bid4Sport.com
THE BARRY VENISON COLUMN
We are now entering crunch time in the football season, every game now means something.
Three points, one point or none – those are always the options, they never change but what does change is the blood pressure of every Liverpool supporter prior, during and following every Liverpool game!
Everybody associated with Liverpool, and also those who aren't, are very much aware of the highs and lows along with the intense pressure that modern football brings – especially to the managers – there could be no more testing opposition than tonight's opponents Galatasaray!
At best they can be an attacking, free flowing, creative, organised football team, at worst they can be pedantic, temperamental, hot headed, huffy and hit planet earth very quickly with the minutest of contact. i.e. very, very frustrating.
It's probably just as well Gerard Houllier will physically be elsewhere recuperating, even though mentally he'll be in the dugout by the side of the pitch.
Galatasaray represent a tough-ish test tonight only 'ish' because they are much more formidable at home in front of their own fans and are definitely weaker of mind and spirit on their travels. I know – I played for them for a short time (it actually felt like 4years rather than 4months!).
I wish Phil Thompson, the players and of course Gerard Houllier continued good health and keep my fingers crossed that option one (3 points) is achieved tonight which will give Liverpool's maiden voyage into the Champions League a much needed boost and allow them to go to the Ali Sami Yen stadium next week with the confidence and belief that another three points would give them a fighting chance of reaching the quarter final stages of this absorbing competition.
I'll be working for ITV Sport this evening but my fingers will be firmly crossed at this end!
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