View my published magazine work from Time Out Abu Dhabi here:
Abu Dhabi: My favourite of the seven emirates
A desert oasis meets cosmopolitan coastal city in the capital of the United Arab Emirates.
Just over an hour’s drive down the E11 highway will take you from the hustle, bustle and glamour of Dubai, to its sometimes overlooked, more humble capital city – Abu Dhabi. It’s here that you’ll get a blend of authentic Arabic culture and ultra-modern extravagance.
Once a quiet desert location with a small population in the Persian Gulf relying on pearl diving and fishing for trade, oil money has since transformed Abu Dhabi into the largest of the seven emirates making up the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
With almost year-round sunshine and warm desert temperatures, Abu Dhabi has a total of 200 islands and consists of 700 kilometres of coastline. Want to jet-ski around the city? It can be done. Pack lunch and stop in the beautiful shallow waters of the mangroves and if you’re lucky, spot humpback dolphins along the way.
Most of Abu Dhabi city is situated on the island itself, but it has many more suburbs on the mainland and a plethora of man-made islands scattered around the sparkling azure coastline. Take in the sky scrapers on the Corniche and move on to visit modern architectural wonders like the Louvre Abu Dhabi on Saadiyat Island.
A visit to the picturesque Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque will give you an automatic injection of Islamic culture, while a trip out to Yas Island is a haven for adrenaline junkies, with the likes of Ferrari World, the UAE’s largest waterpark and the newly opened Warner Bros. World all built on the same spit of land.
Bonkers brews
I went to Alicante and discovered a gem of a coffee shop. Nothing particularly mad about it, but it's definitely quirky,
This is what I had to say about it:
Searching for a quality cup of java and a bite to eat in the winding streets of Alicante? Get your caffeine fix in the capable hands of the coffee connoisseurs at Café Madness. These guys live and breathe coffee – they even roast their own beans on site. Choose from a Honduran, Brazilian, Guatemalan and even Burundian brew.
"Oh Canada, our home and native land!"
Three things Canada does in a big way: land mass, food and sport. Given that I hadn't been to the second largest country in the world since I was a child, I thought I'd pay it another visit - this time, on the east side.
Toronto and Montréal would be my chosen destinations, and anywhere in between that warranted a stop-off en route.
I'd been to Calgary, Alberta and Vancouver, British Columbia as a kid, but always wondered what the other side was like. And nestled in amongst the Great Lakes Megalopolis in North America is Toronto, the provincial capital of Ontario.
First things first, I needed to assess the sports scene. Tickets were booked for the basketball almost instantly upon landing in Canada. I'd seen an NBA game in New York, Madison Square Garden, between the Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers a while back, but the excitement to get to the Scotiabank Arena in the Six was next level.
Toronto Raptors vs Phoenix Suns
Two big names in the NBA, and with Toronto flying high in the Eastern Conference, it wasn't going to be a dull affair. As I expected, plenty of over-the-top entertainment greeted us at the stadium, but that what a night out at the basketball is all about.
Plenty of Drake songs blasted out before, during and after the game - after all, it is his city. I was almost disappointed not to have seen him on his court-side seat, but you can't win 'em all.
One person that was in attendance, however, was Kyle Lowry, but his superstar teammate Kawhi Leonard was sidelined due to injury. The pair had been lighting up the NBA and the Raptor's progress was largely down to them. The Salah and Mané of the Raptors team, if you like.
After hearing Canada's national anthem blare out and passionately observed by the entire arena, the US anthem (for the Suns) was somewhat low key and The Star-Spangled Banner seemed over before it even started. I was told it's the same treatment for when Canadian teams cross the border and visit American teams, but nonetheless, I liked the idea of observing a national anthem before every game.
With a beer in hand and a Raptors clapper in the other (#freeswag), the game seemed to fly by. The fourth quarter went down to the wire, and Toronto found themselves level with seconds to go, relying on a Pascal Siakam buzzer beater to win them the game by a mere two points.
And in typical 'tourist at a sports game' fashion, here it is captured on my iPhone:
And this is how the TV cameras saw it:
Tottenham v Liverpool - what to expect at Wembley
The Harry Kane show
For one reason or another, the England forward doesn't score
in August, but he’s more than made up for that curse in the following months,
with six league goals in five appearances. He’s on fire for club and country,
and Liverpool’s suspect defence has more holes than the Augusta National,
making the likelihood of goals a real possibility. Kane versus Dejan Lovren? The
Croatian will have to be at the top of his game, which is an uncommon occurrence
of late.
The Red Arrows
Not the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, although similarly
impressive when they’re in top gear. I’m referring to Liverpool’s deadly front
three of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Philippe Coutinho. When Jurgen
Klopp’s team counter attacks it can be one of the most exciting plays to watch
in present day football. The pace, trickery and execution of these swarming
attacks have resulted in many a defence being left for dead this season, and
more games would have been won if the defence pulled its weight. Of course,
Sadio Mane would feature in the attacking formation were it not for his recent
injury. A bonus for Spurs but a blow for the Reds.
Confident Spurs
Spurs travelled to Madrid midweek to take on the current
Champions of Europe at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium and managed to hold
Ronaldo and co to a 1-1 draw. Having gone ahead through a goal provided by
Kane, Spurs conceded a penalty but managed to go the distance with a strong
Real Madrid side and both teams remain joint top of their Champions League
group. Mauricio Pochettino’s
team are also unbeaten in their last six games and haven’t
lost since the defeat to Chelsea in their first home game of the season.
Confident Reds
It was a performance that was certainly due. Somebody was
going to get a drubbing from this Liverpool side. And any team that’s coming
off the back of a 7-0 away win in the Champions League is going to be full of
confidence. The likes of Salah, Firmino and Coutinho were ruthless in attack
against Slovenian minnows Maribor on Tuesday, and what’s more the defence
recorded a somewhat rare clean sheet – that’s two in a row after drawing 0-0
with Manchester United last weekend. The defence remains a big concern for
Klopp and with the likes of Christian Eriksen and Dele Ali creating chances for
Kane and scoring goals themselves, Lovren and Joel Matip will have a tough time
keeping it water tight at the back on Sunday.
Wembley wobbles
Spurs only recorded their first win of the season at their
temporary home against a struggling Bournemouth side last weekend. An
uneventful 1-0 win was enough to ward off Eddie Howe’s Cherries and perhaps
Pochettino had one eye on Madrid at the time, but Spurs had previously lost to
Chelsea and drawn to both Burnley and Swansea at the national stadium. Their
away form is certainly much more impressive as it seems Tottenham have
struggled adjusting to life after White Hart Lane, so it should leave Liverpool
with every incentive to take the game to the home side.
12 reasons for Liverpool fans to be positive this Christmas, including ‘The Kloppelganger’
"There’s no room for Scrooges at Anfield this Christmas – the feeling is good and so it should be. Besides, Ebenezer Mourinho is doing his bit to absorb all the negative press while Jurgen Klopp’s men continue to shine. Feeling festive and all that, here are 12 reasons for all Liverpool fans to be jolly…"
Read my article on Empire of the Kop:
Read my article on Empire of the Kop:
12 reasons for all Liverpool fans to be positive over the festive period (and all season)
There’s
no room for Scrooges at Anfield this Christmas – the feeling is good and so it
should be. Besides, Ebenezer Mourinho is doing his bit to absorb all the
negative press while Jurgen Klopp’s men continue to shine. Feeling festive and
all that, here are 12 reasons for all Liverpool fans to be jolly…
1. Semi-finals
A
comfortable 2-0 over Leeds United at Anfield ensured Liverpool reached the
semi-finals of the EFL Cup for a record 17th time. Drawn against
Southampton, the first leg of the tie will be played at St. Mary’s Stadium on
the week commencing January 9th, with the return leg at Anfield a
fortnight later. In previous EFL Cup meetings between the two clubs, Liverpool
won 6-1 in the quarter-finals last season and clinched a 3-0 aggregate victory
when they met in the semi-finals in 1987. The luck of the draw means the Reds
will have the 12th man to their advantage in the deciding leg in a
bid to reach the final for the second year running. Either Man United or Hull
City await for a clash at Wembley, or as it’s more commonly known, Anfield
South.
2. Fear factor
Nobody
wants to play Liverpool. A collective sigh must be heard in training grounds
around England when teams look at their fixture lists and it’s Anfield on the
calendar. Klopp, Zeljko Buvac and Peter Krawietz enjoyed great success working
together at Borussia Dortmund, and there’s no doubt that the trio have
implemented their ‘heavy metal’ style of football at Anfield. Relentless
attacking and heavy pressing has brought plenty of goals and excitement already
this term. Add to the mix goalkeeping coach John Achterberg and first-team development
coach Pep Lijnders, and Liverpool are in very good hands to develop into a
force in Europe once again.
3. Kloppelganger
Since
I’m on the subject of staff, let’s not forget one man who’s brought amusement
to us all for the sheer fact he looks exactly like Herr Klopp. Andreas
Kornmayer, head of fitness and conditioning, could literally have been hired on
the basis that he is Klopp’s doppelganger. As if one Klopp isn’t good enough,
suddenly his mirror image gets up from the bench to offer his expertise during
a game – fantastic. He’s worked his magic on getting the squad up to speed with
Klopp’s high-pressing game since joining from Bayern Munich in the summer, and
he’s got the look down to a tee.
4. Squad harmony
Isn't
it nice to see a smiley, happy team turning out good performances? Klopp’s
definitely got the dressing room on his side and a cuddle after each game must
be doing wonders for the players’ confidence. It must be hard not to smile when
you’re playing such good football. That, or some players just want to show off
their dentists’ good work (Bobby Firmino, keep flashing those gnashers). But
it’s evident throughout the team, from Gini Wijnaldum’s beaming smile, to Ben
Woodburn’s boyish delight at scoring his first senior goal for Liverpool. The
only player not showing his pearly whites enough is injury prone Daniel Sturridge.
Perhaps he just needs more hugs, and a new pair of legs for Christmas?
5. Coutinho’s injury
This
is no reason to be jolly. What are you, a Man U fan? No, the fact Coutinho is
injured is devastating to say the least, but the news that the Little Magician
could be back by New Year’s Eve is indeed, reason to be cheerful. When the
Brazilian went down clutching his ankle in the first half against Sunderland, later
sporting a protective boot and crutches, alarm bells were ringing. The eagerly
awaited scans proved there was no break and ligament damage was the diagnosis,
meaning he’ll miss up to five weeks of action. Liverpool play Man City on NYE,
so we hope to see the no.10 back for what will be a vital game.
6. Divock Origi
Just
when the Reds started to look short on options in attack – with Danny Ings out
for the season, Sturridge (again) sidelined, Adam Lallana with a groin strain, Coutinho
nursing his ankle and even Firmino taking a knock to the calf – Divock Origi
steps up and scores in two consecutive games. The 21-year-old Belgian came off
the bench to score the opening goal of a 2-0 win against a (very) defensive
Sunderland team and followed up with the opener against Leeds in the EFL Cup
three days later. Origi has only started four matches this season – all in the League
Cup – but with injuries plaguing the ranks his services will be called upon
more often.
7. The Main Stand
Liverpool’s
superb new Main Stand not only looks the part, but it offers extra noise adding
to the already intimidating atmosphere at Anfield. It took 614 days to build,
but the mega 20,500-seater stand adds a further 8,500 seats, which means there
are now 54,167 pairs of lungs belting out ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ every game.
£115million well spent.
8. Gerrard
Club
legend Steven Gerrard announcing his retirement from football was perhaps a
rather sad moment for Liverpool fans, but the imminent news that he’ll take a
job at the Academy is something to look forward to. Gerrard is continuing his
UEFA ‘A’ license with the help of the Liverpool staff and is all set to become
a coach for the youth ranks. Future Liverpool manager? He’ll certainly learn a fair
few things from Klopp.
9. Tasty transfer rumours
It’s
that time of season, a month to go until the transfer market opens its doors
and rumours are flying around linking every player under the sun with a move to
Liverpool. Given the recent injury problems, Klopp’s need to go to market is of
no great surprise and reinforcements in attack would be welcome at Anfield. Celtic’s
Moussa Dembele, Dortmund’s Christian Pulisic and Sassuolo’s Gregoire Defrel are
just three names linked with the club, just wait for the Marco Reus rumours to get
going.
10. The Academy
But
let’s not go too crazy in the transfer market, because the Academy production
line is producing some top home-grown talent. Thanks to Academy director Alex
Inglethorpe and his staff, talented youngsters are coming through to make an
impact for the first team and none more so than Trent Alexander-Arnold and Ben
Woodburn, who started in the 2-0 League Cup win against Leeds along with fellow
graduate Ovie Ejaria. A pinpoint Alexander-Arnold assist set up Origi for the
first goal and Woodburn almost burst the net in front of the Kop to wrap up the
win and send Liverpool into the semi-final draw.
11. “…Woodburn, Woodburn 58.”
This
lad deserves a special mention and is one to watch for the future. He made his
Premier League debut coming off the bench against Sunderland, albeit for a few
minutes, but what was to follow in the game against Leeds was even more
special. At 17 years and 45 days, the Academy star latched on to Wijnaldum’s
assist and became Liverpool’s all-time youngest goalscorer, breaking a record
previously held by Michael Owen. Must be something in the water in Chester.
12. The title race
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