Game of the Draw

Lollipop knows the FA Cup has already served up several shockers this year but what has us animated is the clash between Cup holders Arsenal and 2004 winners Manchester United after their 3-1 finish over league one side Preston.

Despite an unimaginative first half and a perilous start to the second after Scott Laird put Preston in front United fought back with goals from Ander Herrera, Marouane Fellaini and a penalty from Captain Wayne Rooney.

The Gunners, who beat Hull City in last year’s final, easily defeated Championship side Middlesbrough in the fifth round 2-0. But Lollipop knows their next tie at Old Trafford does not seem as simple.

Arsenal have clearly been the better side in the FA Cup this season shrugging off Hull in the third round and edging out Brighton 3-2 in the fourth. Arsene Wenger’s side have not had to face any replays unlike their next opponents Manchester United who have struggled when playing lower league teams.

Wenger said striker Olivier Giroud’s game has improved during his time at Arsenal. And with two clear struck goals over the weekend United can not afford to let the centre forward put his side in front. This time they may find it hard to come back.

Wayne Rooney scored his first goal of the year and in a centre forward position the striker looked menacing as he helped his team overcome a galvanised Preston side.

Only five Premier league sides remain and only three may make it to Wembley.

With league one side Bradford through to the quarter finals after titan wins over Premier League leaders Chelsea and Sunderland over the weekend the Black Cats are dreaming of Wembley.

But first Bradford must overcome their next draw. They face Reading at home which doesn’t seem half as daunting as their last two FA Cup fixtures.

After Bradford’s win against Sunderland FA Cup hero Jon Stead said: “This tops the Chelsea win because of the expectation on us.”

Expectation will be even greater over Reading and playing at Wembley could top everything for Phil Parkinson’s side.

Other ties include Liverpool v Blackburn and a West Midlands Derby for newly appointed manager Tim Sherwood  as his side Aston Villa face West Bromwich Albion.

The quarter finals on 7-8 March looks unmissable for Lollipop and the surprises may just keep on coming for one side.

Surprise Surprise for Liverpool FC but not for Lollipop

Steven Gerrard’s decision to leave Liverpool FC at the end of the Premier League season has shocked his team mates. The 34-year-old is out of contract this summer and joined the Reds aged nine. But for Lollipop and I it seemed only a matter of time before the prolific captain would hang up his boots for his home town club.

The Liverpool midfielder has not started all matches this season and began the vital Champions League tie away at Real Madrid in November on the substitutes’ bench.

Despite an incredible football career as a Liverpool midfielder who scored 180 goals in 695 games Gerrard’s game has become marred with mistakes. His slip in the Liverpool vs Chelsea game last season arguably cost his side the match and the title as forward Demba Ba scored with a clear run on goal to gain a 1 nil lead.

After a horrendous 2014 World Cup campaign Steven Gerrard also quit international football and said: “To ask my body now, the way it is and what it has been through, to play international and domestic football was too much of an ask.”

The 34-year-old has been at the club for 25 years and earned his first cap for England n a 2-0 win over Ukraine in 2000. His career has been both extensive and sublime but the timing is right for him to leave English football.

This season Gerrard  has proven he is still an amazing player with an 86% passing accuracy in the Premier League over the past 18 months which betters any other stage in his career. Thirteen assists last season was also a career high and his 13 goals was only bettered by his 16 goal haul in 2008-2009.

Lollipop definitely believes it is better to go out on a high now for his team and give them his best football to date.

Despite an impressive 2013-2014 campaign where Liverpool finished second in the league the Reds have suffered since the departure of Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge’s numerous injuries.

After an early departure from the Champions League in the group stages they now lie 8^th in the table and need their captain more than ever.

This season he has been rested more that usual but manager Brendan Rodgers still sees the importance of a player who helped Liverpool win the Champions League, the Uefa Cup, two FA Cups, three League Cups, one Community Shield and two Uefa Super Cups.

The Liverpool manager said: “It is almost an impossible task to find the words to appropriately sum up Steven Gerrard and his importance to Liverpool.

“This is an era where the word ‘legend’ is vastly overused, but in his case it actually doesn’t do him justice.”

Gerrard has said he hopes to return to Liverpool in the future plus his decision to leave for a non- English club i.e. professional soccer team LA Galaxy  maybe shows his unwavering love for his hometown club.

The bravado of Gerrard’s departure will probably continue over the weekend but it is well deserved. As pundits argue over who is the greatest Liverpool footballer out of Bill Shankly, Kevin Dalglish, or Alan Hansen all Lollipop and I can remember is Istanbul 2005. The moment where Gerrard did what he always does on the pitch today. Lead his team to something great.