Liverpool

[old git]

Lampard will sit in front of the back four and switch to the attacking point of the diamond when Joe Cole doesnt play. Ancelotti has always played with this system and I dont see him changing his ways now.



Spurs were all over him and King had a very good game against. Anytime he tried to go on a run he was surrounded by 2 or 3 Spurs defenders and was subjected to a fair few tough (but fair) challenges. I thought he looked a bit laboured at times but wouldnt be too hard on him. Also, Gerrard isnt 100% fit.

why risk gerrard then if not 100% fit :confused::confused:

[DmanDmythDledge]

So where would Lampard play? He cannot play on the wings and he won't sit in front of the back 4 so if Ancelotti persists with the diamond formation Lampard will be behind the front two.

Joe Cole will be stuck out on the right or left side when fit (20 games a season then) but I wouldn't classify him as a conventional winger.
Essien at the base, Cole behind the front two and Lampard + whoever in the standard centre positions. There's no wingers with this system.


why risk gerrard then if not 100% fit :confused::confused:
Did you not see their bench?

[shakermaker1982]

Essien at the base, Cole behind the front two and Lampard + whoever in the standard centre positions. There's no wingers with this system.



I'd be very surprised if he doesn't persist with Lampard behind the front two.

The formation is also asking a lot of the full backs and if they cannot cross the half way line (as in the game against Hull) the team ends up too narrow and play gets congested. With Essien at the base it would allow Malouda and Cole to get into wider positions when the need arises. Thinking about it Joe Cole might not even make the starting 11. Where does Zhirkov fit in? Does he drop Cole or stick him on the left side of midfield?

[old git]

Essien at the base, Cole behind the front two and Lampard + whoever in the standard centre positions. There's no wingers with this system.


Did you not see their bench?

oh sh*t i forgot about that ..: now it makes sense :D

[DeLorean]

At least it gives him another excuse (http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2009/0818/liverpool.html) -he loves excuses!!

[eamo1]

Lack of quality isnt the only problem,lack of heart and desire is an even bigger problem i think.I lost count of the amount of tackles liverpool players pulled out of last Sunday.Man Utd,Chelsea players win tackles they have no right to win because they fly into them and WANT to get the ball.The likes of Soke,Bolton,Burnley etc are punching above their weight becasue they have players who care and who make up for lack of quality by giving 120%.If Liverpool players had as much desire they'd be defending the Premier League trophy this year and a few other years previous aswell.

[reder]

At least it gives him another excuse (http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2009/0818/liverpool.html) -he loves excuses!!

Rumours about now that he is going to leave as a result of broken promises by the owners. A win tonight against Stoke and it will all disappear again until the next bad performance/result. Its such a shame that the club has turned into such a soap opera.

[rambler14]

I'm hearing rumours that Rafa the gaffa has quit the pool! Apparently stormed out of the training ground this morning.

[shakermaker1982]

Panic over - he is at the ground!

[dfx-]

Torres gets the early goal Gerrard was denied last season. I hope it doesn't finish 1-1, but if ever there was a team that are owed a 50-0 hammering..

And Burnley 1-0 Utd. If in some parallel universe the scorelines finished that way, I'd be pleased. :) :cool:

Of course they won't but still..

[studsup]

I'm hearing rumours that Rafa the gaffa has quit the pool! Apparently stormed out of the training ground this morning.

Heard that from around Anfield as well, apparently the bookies have installed him as favourite to be 1st manager to go as well

[Razors left peg]

Paddy Power has suspended betting on Rafa leaving

http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2009/0819/benitezr.html

[old git]

Torres gets the early goal Gerrard was denied last season. I hope it doesn't finish 1-1, but if ever there was a team that are owed a 50-0 hammering..

And Burnley 1-0 Utd. If in some parallel universe the scorelines finished that way, I'd be pleased. :) :cool:

Of course they won't but still..


must be a happy man tonight ,, utd crash at burnley,, carrick missed a penalty as well for utd ... why was carrick even taking penalty
fergie for the sack :D:

[Kildare Lad]

Good win for them tonight 4-0 v Stoke. Apparently they have signed some greek defender from AEK Athens too although the club havnt announced anything.

[papa-j]

Rafa rumor started on Talksport which is renowned in Liverpool as a bull**** source.They have no links with the club. Paddy power have a close relationship with Talksport, hence the suspension on betting. They also suspended betting on Ribery going to Liverpool - they know nothing now that Rafa has control over all transfer communication.

Question will Mr Ferguson now be vilified in the media following the loss to Burnley for selling his best player, signing an over the hill striker and generally loosing the plot. Will Rafa be hailed as a genius for turning around results in 3days. Answer is no, the media are full of sh1te.

[papa-j]

Good win for them tonight 4-0 v Stoke. Apparently they have signed some greek defender from AEK Athens too although the club havnt announced anything.

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N165487090819-2245.htm

[shakermaker1982]

Rafa rumor started on Talksport which is renowned in Liverpool as a bull**** source.They have no links with the club. Paddy power have a close relationship with Talksport, hence the suspension on betting. They also suspended betting on Ribery going to Liverpool - they know nothing now that Rafa has control over all transfer communication.

Question will Mr Ferguson now be vilified in the media following the loss to Burnley for selling his best player, signing an over the hill striker and generally loosing the plot. Will Rafa be hailed as a genius for turning around results in 3days. Answer is no, the media are full of sh1te.

Liverpool were playing Stoke at home. Why would you hail him as a genius for winning a home game against a mid table Premiership team?

Fergie is always written off by the press. The so called 'experts' were saying he was finished when Mourinho won two league titles on the bounce. Now he is going for four in a row........

[DeLorean]

Question will Mr Ferguson now be vilified in the media following the loss to Burnley for selling his best player, signing an over the hill striker and generally loosing the plot. Will Rafa be hailed as a genius for turning around results in 3days. Answer is no, the media are full of sh1te.

The media are full of sh!t, everybody knows that- however not for the reason you suggest. Being realistic Ferguson didn't have much choice but to sell Ronaldo. £80m for a player that was desperate to leave. Think United should have secured Tevez a long time ago though although I don't think anybody really knows the true story there. Burnley were excellent last night, don't think anybody will get an easy game there. Anderson playing wide left is criminal though. Basically they just played him there cos he's left footed but you wouldn't see Scholes or Carrick played on the right for that reason.

As for Liverpool, I didn't see the match but 4-0 is not much more than they should be expecting in that fixture, so I'd be slow to enter Rafa into the genius category because of it.

[papa-j]

As for Liverpool, I didn't see the match but 4-0 is not much more than they should be expecting in that fixture, so I'd be slow to enter Rafa into the genius category because of it.

I never suggested he should be classed a genius but you catch my drift how different the media perspective is on both clubs - Ferguson can virtually get away with murder while at times there has been a witch hunt against Rafa. I understand Fergusons sucess buys him a certain amount of leeway but in fairness the media give him a very easy ride in comparison.

[old git]

I never suggested he should be classed a genius but you catch my drift how different the media perspective is on both clubs - Ferguson can virtually get away with murder while at times there has been a witch hunt against Rafa. I understand Fergusons sucess buys him a certain amount of leeway but in fairness the media give him a very easy ride in comparison.

in fairness ferguson has got his share of media critisism over the last few years ,.. but yes his success probally also helps him at times .. :D

[papa-j]

Shocking insight to the mess behind the Shankly gates

http://www.yanksout.com/

[KK77]

Was at the Stoke game and have to say much improved performance happy out i am. Johnson and Lucas best for me on the night.

[DeLorean]

I never suggested he should be classed a genius but you catch my drift how different the media perspective is on both clubs

I catch your drift alright but it makes no sense to me. Why would the media give United an easier ride than Liverpool? it's all the same to them, they'll jump on whatever's easy. It's obviously a lot harder to critisise Ferguson compared to Benitez with regards to results. I don't get this whole 'everybody's against us attitude', United and Liverpool are both huge, successful clubs that are treated the same as far as I can see.

[DeLorean]

Strange game last night. Villa defended well I suppose but Liverpool seemed devoid of their usual floodlit Anfield urgency, even after going behind. 6pts behind Chelsea is a lot after only 3 games and they really wouldn't want it to get much bigger. God only knows what Reina was thinking for the 2nd goal, if anybody should have known the shot took a deflection is should have been him. Of course the ref was going to allow Villa to take the corner when there was about 20 seconds left before he kicked the ball away in petulance. At least Rafa agreed it was a clear penalty after the match.

[rambler14]

Strange game last night. Villa defended well I suppose but Liverpool seemed devoid of their usual floodlit Anfield urgency, even after going behind. 6pts behind Chelsea is a lot after only 3 games and they really wouldn't want it to get much bigger. God only knows what Reina was thinking for the 2nd goal, if anybody should have known the shot took a deflection is should have been him. Of course the ref was going to allow Villa to take the corner when there was about 20 seconds left before he kicked the ball away in petulance. At least Rafa agreed it was a clear penalty after the match.

Worst game i've ever seen Gerrard play. Anonymous for 90 mins other than making that stupid tackle on Reo-Coker.

[apo11o]

Result about right last night, well done Rafa Beneathus.

[KK77]

Worst game i've ever seen Gerrard play. Anonymous for 90 mins other than making that stupid tackle on Reo-Coker.

Yeah hasn't had the greatest of starts but can't be too hard on him considering how he's pulled so many games out of the fire over the seasons. Disappointing result alright very poor defending for all three goals. Villa defended well and always looked as if they could grab a third with Young having a great game. Huge game against Bolton on Saturday now.

[DeLorean]

Is this a bit of a foolish move given their lack of depth? I heard this guy looked pretty decent in pre-season as well.

Liverpool loan Nemeth to AEK Athens (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/8222472.stm)

[reder]

Rafa v Riera Part I. (http://www.goal.com/en/news/9/england/2009/09/04/1479654/i-had-a-flare-up-with-rafael-benitez-liverpools-albert-riera) What odds on Riera going out the door at Xmas.

[KK77]

Was at the game on Saturday. Thought it was a decent enough performance a real of case of getting the job done.

[rambler14]

Watched 15 mins of the game tonight and in that time I saw Gerrard dive in the box TWICE and Riera dive in the box ONCE.
They really are the worst team for diving in Europe. Gerrard leading by example but gets away with it because he's English, by get away it I mean: No Yellow Card and no attention drawn to his diving by the media.

[reder]

Watched 15 mins of the game tonight and in that time I saw Gerrard dive in the box TWICE and Riera dive in the box ONCE.
They really are the worst team for diving in Europe. Gerrard leading by example but gets away with it because he's English, by get away it I mean: No Yellow Card and attention drawn to his diving by the media.

I think you are being very harsh there. He is the best player in the world at the moment and usually faces a barrage of heavy challenges from opposition players. He is treated very badly by officials, if anything.

[Roadend]

Watched 15 mins of the game tonight and in that time I saw Gerrard dive in the box TWICE and Riera dive in the box ONCE.
They really are the worst team for diving in Europe. Gerrard leading by example but gets away with it because he's English, by get away it I mean: No Yellow Card and attention drawn to his diving by the media.

Of course they are :rolleyes:

[DeLorean]

I think you are being very harsh there. He is the best player in the world at the moment

I don't even think he's the best player at Liverpool, let alone the world. I still think he's an excellent player don't get me wrong but nowhere near the best in the world. I agree that R14 was being harsh, bordering on ridiculous to be honest. One of the "dives" should have been a penalty I thought as well although I don't think he's treated badly by officials in general, far from it.

[lionelhutz]

Watched 15 mins of the game tonight and in that time I saw Gerrard dive in the box TWICE and Riera dive in the box ONCE.
They really are the worst team for diving in Europe. Gerrard leading by example but gets away with it because he's English, by get away it I mean: No Yellow Card and no attention drawn to his diving by the media.

You're not a Man Utd fan by any chance??

[rambler14]

You're not a Man Utd fan by any chance??

Cardiff City.........why do you ask?:cool:

[reder]

I don't even think he's the best player at Liverpool.

Who is better?

[hula4]

torres

[DeLorean]

Yeah I'd consider Torres a far superior player to be honest. Basically if I was picking a World XI Torres would be on it every time, Gerrard I don't think would make my bench. Obviously I'd consider Gerrard 2nd best player at Liverpool by a long long way, especially now that Alonso is gone. I'd probably rate Lampard higher than Gerrard also but it's difficult to gage how each would do at opposite clubs. I think Lampard has a much better all round game but Gerrard is possibly more spectacular.

[hula4]

Yeah I'd consider Torres a far superior player to be honest. Basically if I was picking a World XI Torres would be on it every time, Gerrard I don't think would make my bench. Obviously I'd consider Gerrard 2nd best player at Liverpool by a long long way, especially now that Alonso is gone. I'd probably rate Lampard higher than Gerrard also but it's difficult to gage how each would do at opposite clubs. I think Lampard has a much better all round game but Gerrard is possibly more spectacular.

but steve gerrard, gerrard is big and he's f**king hard, he's better than frank lampard so your last statement cant be correct

[DeLorean]

but steve gerrard, gerrard is big and he's f**king hard, he's better than frank lampard so your last statement cant be correct

:DI stand corrected, my bad

[apo11o]

No big club wants either..

[Roadend]

No big club wants either..

No point in wanting what you can't have I suppose

[shakermaker1982]

Liverpool still gonna win the league Liverpool fans?

[reder]

Liverpool still gonna win the league?

If Torres stays fit, I think they will. Chelsea want the CL more than anything and they will focus on that. United are just not strong enough this season and I think they will slip up. The top 4 will change this season though. I think City will break into it and Villa will be far closer. No Europa league will help Villa big time.

[KK77]

Liverpool still gonna win the league Liverpool fans?

Hope so really do.

[DeLorean]

I think they will. United are just not strong enough this season

Where do you feel that United are lacking, compared to Liverpool? Goals don't seem to be as much a problem as one would have envisaged after losing Ronaldo and Tevez. I personally think they are weak enough in midfield. Hargreaves would be a big boost if he could get fit. Having said that, Anderson is playing well enough and Liverpool have Lucas pulling the strings. Defensively, although not the last day, United are definitely stronger in my opinion, with Glen Johnson about the only player that would challenge for a start on a full strength United team.

As for Chelsea concentrating on the Champions League, I wouldn't agree. Yes, they obviously want to win it but Ancelotti will know that the PL would be the easiest option for a major trophy in his first season. I think they have a squad capable of winning both anyway although it will be interesting to see how the African Nations effects them. It's between United and Chelsea for me, Liverpool's squad/(first XI??) just isn't strong enough.

[reder]

Where do you feel that United are lacking, compared to Liverpool?

United midfield is exceedingly poor, as Mr Kipling would say, the cake man I mean, as opposed to Rudyard. Liverpool may lack quality in that area but the blind work rate of the likes of Mascherano and Kuyt will get them through 99/100. Aquilana should bring something to that area, for 20m he should anyway. Chelsea have an outstanding midfield which is far superior to any other team in the league.

Torres is the key for Liverpool. If he stays fit, game on. However, if he gets a bad injury or sequence of injuries and is out for 10-12 games in the season then Liverpool could easily be staring down the barrel of a 5th place finish. He is that good!

I think the Liverpool back 4 will sort itself out over the coming weeks. An awful lot of silly stuff been said about James lately. People will be eating their words in the upcoming weeks.

[Truth Meister]

Where do you feel that United are lacking, compared to Liverpool? It's between United and Chelsea for me, Liverpool's squad/(first XI??) just isn't strong enough.

Chelsea early favourites at this point, followed by Liverpool and United. Liverpools first XI is easily as strong as UTD or Chelsea but the squad depth is the problem, they are badly short an alternative to Torres. Injuries could have a serious impact again this year.

Utd look brittle and unbalanced in midfield to me, they dont have the Ronaldo outlet to take pressure off and score goals, plus will miss Tevez workrate upfront so the midfield will come under more pressure. I can see Chelsea and Liverpool dominating UTD in the head to heads.

Chelsea look slick and effective, strong in every department with decent options from the bench. How they cope during the African nations cup will determine their season. I''d be interested to see the fixtures during that period. Any Champions league games effected?

Too early for Arsenals young team but they will be serious contenders in a couple of years.

[KK77]

[QUOTE=reder;1237304]Torres is the key for Liverpool. If he stays fit, game on. However, if he gets a bad injury or sequence of injuries and is out for 10-12 games in the season then Liverpool could easily be staring down the barrel of a 5th place finish. He is that good!

Without a doubt totally agree. He is simply the best striker in the world at the moment. Workrate, movement off the ball, finishing the lot. Simply a joy to watch. Was at West Ham on saturday and was a pleasure to watch him in full flow. Just when people start to knock him (myself included) he makes you eat your words.