The Liverpool discussion thread 07/08

So Gerrard is fit to play against Chelsea, that's fantastic news, if he plays like he did against Villa then we'll need him enormously this sunday.

I think we may actually see the same defence that started at Villa, meaning arbeloa will get the nod at left back with Riise playing as a left winger again, I can't see Babel starting, although he looked pretty good against Toulouse, I don't think Benitez wants to take too many risks in such a big game.

I'd like to see Pennant start on the right, love him or hate him he's our best option there at the moment with Gerrard taking the central role, I think Pennant played pretty well against Villa, he got into space, tried to create opportunities and worked hard for the team, Rafa may prefer Benayoun there but I don't think he played well at all against Toulouse, he never really got into the game and I don't think playing on the right is his best position, he may struggle there.

I think we should go with Mascherano next to Gerrard rather than Alonso, this is because we will need to keep it tight at the back and make it hard for Chelsea to find space, if Gerrard is roaming forward, Mascherano will be there to track back, and help out the defence when he can, Alonso can't do this as well and I think Masch will handle the physical side of the game better.

Up front,Torres is a must, he adds a huge threat to Chelsea's defence (hopefully without Terry) and I'd play Kuyt alongside him to try and develop that partnership, it looked fairly good at times against Villa, I think if these two get used to each other's games then it could be very effective.

Luis wrote:I'd like to see Pennant start on the right, love him or hate him he's our best option there at the moment with Gerrard taking the central role, I think Pennant played pretty well against Villa, he got into space, tried to create opportunities and worked hard for the team.

Even if I were to disregard all of my anti-pennant bias, i'd still totally disagree here. I've watched the villa game twice now (once at 2am-4am and once at 9am a few days later) and he was Cr@p. Complete Cr@p. Honestly, how can you say he played well? He was $h!t. Rubbish. A liability and a weak link. Babel came on and played on the right wing and was FAR more impressive, effective, dangerous and generally made a much greater impact. Riise was a pile of shite as well, I'd much prefer Kewell on the left flank.

-----------Gerrard-----Masch--------------
-Babel------------------------------Kewell-
--------------Kuyt-----Torres--------------

Would be FAR more effective. Pennant was useless, what did he do right? I remember one pass back to Gerrard which was slightly to far ahead of him so he had to stretch when shooting. That's the only half good thing I remember.



ps. hello.

i agree, pennant is shite

Kewell isn't fit as far as I know, surprise fucking surprise.

Is Carvalho going to start.. Chelsea could be without both Terry and Carvalho.. should allow you to win comfortably.

Oleguerisntthatbad wrote:Is Carvalho going to start.. Chelsea could be without both Terry and Carvalho.. should allow you to win comfortably.

That would be fantastic, I think one of them might start though

Luis wrote:Kewell isn't match fit as far as I know, surprise fucking surprise.

He should have been playing in our first couple of games to build up his match fitness, i don't quite understand as he was 'match fit' for Australia over the summer...

Benitez questions high wages

Rafa Benitez has insisted Liverpool will not sign players who demand too much money - and has questioned Florent Malouda's decision to go Chelsea.

Benitez says Liverpool have the financial resources to be able to compete with other clubs, but is adamant that he will not bring any players to Anfield unless he believes the wages are at an acceptable level.

And, with Malouda having decided to move to Stamford Bridge after being close to a move to Liverpool, Benitez has suggested he is unhappy with the France winger's motives.

"We try to sign players we believe are good enough for us," he told The Times.

"Now in modern football it depends on the money. Some players prefer more money and it's something you can't control.

"You must only pay the money you can afford and the right money for each player.

"We can compete with other teams in the market if we want, but we will only pay the right money for the right players.

"Malouda was one of our names, but he decided to go to Chelsea. He knows why.

"The lifestyle in London? I don't think so. I don't want to say why, but he knows the answer."

We all know why he went there, Drogba, he always talked about playing in the same team with him.

And ofcourse a higher wage

might have something to do with more chance of winning a trophy

Bla Bla Bla We have money but won't pay it so we leave all good players go to other clubs. Ofcourse it is about money and if you are willing to pay less we is less willing to go to you, big deal.

Since 1888 wrote:Bla Bla Bla We have money but won't pay it so we leave all good players go to other clubs. Ofcourse it is about money and if you are willing to pay less we is less willing to go to you, big deal.

It's also about the area as well, London is seen as a much more attractive place than Liverpool to live.

To be honest, I couldn't care less, I'm reasonably happy with the players Rafa has brought in, yes we could do with a Malouda type player on the left wing but we can cope.

Left with a straight choice between Liverpool and Chelsea, you're likely to choose chelsea - especially if you're guaranteed a first team berth.

Chelsea have more of a chance to fight on all levels and the personnel are generally of a higher calibre. You're also located in one of the most attractive areas to live in the country

Luis wrote:

Since 1888 wrote:Bla Bla Bla We have money but won't pay it so we leave all good players go to other clubs. Ofcourse it is about money and if you are willing to pay less we is less willing to go to you, big deal.

It's also about the area as well, London is seen as a much more attractive place than Liverpool to live.

To be honest, I couldn't care less, I'm reasonably happy with the players Rafa has brought in, yes we could do with a Malouda type player on the left wing but we can cope.

Get them a private jet + pilot so they can easily transport between Liverpool and London.

I just hope Malouda is regretting his decision by the end of today

0-0 bore fest?? lets hope not!

ih8gerrard wrote:0-0 bore fest?? lets hope not!

Nah I think both teams will want to impress today and in many ways this is the biggest Premiership meeting between the two under Rafa and Jose, I can see it being a score draw, but a fiery match

it'll be a yawnathon, no way jose will send his side out for anything other than a draw although i have a feeling they'll nick it late on a la man ure last season

Luis wrote:

ih8gerrard wrote:0-0 bore fest?? lets hope not!

Nah I think both teams will want to impress today and in many ways this is the biggest Premiership meeting between the two under Rafa and Jose, I can see it being a score draw, but a fiery match

id settle for that too. 3-3 or somin, just to make a change from the overly tactical and defensive recent encounters. or perhaps 2-3, that would be better

Tweedle wrote:Left with a straight choice between Liverpool and Chelsea, you're likely to choose chelsea - especially if you're guaranteed a first team berth.

Chelsea have more of a chance to fight on all levels and the personnel are generally of a higher calibre. You're also located in one of the most attractive richest and most hyped areas to live in the country

Reina - 7
Finnan - 7
Arbeloa - 7
Carra - 7
Agger - 7.5
Pennant - 7
Gerrard - 8
Alonso - 7
Riise - 5
Torres - 7
Kuyt - 6

Roger Hunterrific wrote:

Tweedle wrote:Left with a straight choice between Liverpool and Chelsea, you're likely to choose chelsea - especially if you're guaranteed a first team berth.

Chelsea have more of a chance to fight on all levels and the personnel are generally of a higher calibre. You're also located in one of the most attractive richest and most hyped areas to live in the country

Blasphemy! Kuyt MOTM.

blutgraetsche wrote:Blasphemy! Kuyt MOTM.

I was about to say this German bastard.

5 out of 39 vs Big Three.

If we play that team but masch for Alonso and Babel for Riise every week we'll win this league.

Luis wrote:If we play that team but masch for Alonso and Babel for Riise every week we'll win this league.

Doubts Pennant can be part of a title winning team, but I certainly agree with replacing Riise with Babel. Kuyt also needs to improve his finishing too, or I'd say give Crouch or Voronin a chance.

cheesecake² wrote:

Luis wrote:If we play that team but masch for Alonso and Babel for Riise every week we'll win this league.

Doubts Pennant can be part of a title winning team, but I certainly agree with replacing Riise with Babel. Kuyt also needs to improve his finishing too, or I'd say give Crouch or Voronin a chance.

Put your stupid agenda to one side mate, do us all a favour, if you can't see how important Pennant is to this team then I worry for you, he not only enables gerrard to play in the centre, where's he's looked phenomenal so far, but Pennant is looking dangerous and working incredibly hard plus he has a passion for the game, He is a must for me if we want to compete this season

Roger Hunterrific wrote:

Tweedle wrote:Left with a straight choice between Liverpool and Chelsea, you're likely to choose chelsea - especially if you're guaranteed a first team berth.

Chelsea have more of a chance to fight on all levels and the personnel are generally of a higher calibre. You're also located in one of the most attractive richest and most hyped areas to live in the country

Have you ever actually lived in London saints?

waft the hapless youth wrote:5 out of 39 vs Big Two.