Liverpool Football Club 08/09

Ade wrote:Who gives a f@ck what Erwin Koeman or whoever he is has to say.

Oh and..

Fey wrote:Damn, Old Trafford looks quite ugly this way!

Ade wrote:

Fey wrote:Damn, Old Trafford looks quite ugly this way!

Well, their fans are quite ugly

Pakis

Batman wrote:Nemeth Must Leave Liverpool, Says Koeman
Liverpool starlet Krisztian Nemeth has been warned by his national side’s manager that the lack of first-team opportunities at Anfield may hamper his progress.

Nemeth is among a group of highly-rated youngsters that have consistently impressed in the reserve side, pressuring manager Rafa Benitez to include them in his first-team plans.

While the group, including Spanish hopeful Daniel Pacheco, have been involved in the first-team during pre-season, Erwin Koeman believes a loan move would serve as a better apprenticeship for the 19-year old.

"I think Krisztian Nemeth is an exceptional talent," Koeman told the gathered press. "But I think he can't improve enough in the Liverpool reserve team.

"He should play in the first division week by week.

"Of course, it's not a problem if he plays in the reserve team for one or two years, but doing it for a longer period is just not good for his development.

"I don't think that, at Liverpool, he has a real chance to play besides Torres, Keane, Voronin or Kuyt.

"If he could get into the senior team then it would be a fantastic success, but I think it's more likely that he'd be loaned to another team or - it's worse - he may stay with the reserves."

The Hungarian has been linked with a loan move to League One outfit Leeds United, with a host of other Championship clubs hopeful of securing his temporary signing.

Z wrote:I disagree, we still need a wide player. Kuyt shouldn't be playing on the right of a midfield four.

Ade wrote:Just read this on F365 and thought it was good read espically for those who don't get the Keane signing.

Keane Comes Armed With Grenades...

It is customary at this stage of pre-season to talk of Liverpool and jigsaws. As one wag in a Merseyside paper put it last season, Liverpool have found the last piece of the puzzle in Fernando Torres...and now all they have to do is find the rest of the pieces. In signing Robbie Keane, Benitez has secured a piece that could allow Torres build on his phenomenal first season - and in that, the signing may well be critical.

The Spanish goalador is sure to get much closer attention this season from Premier League opponents - but Keane's presence up front should ensure that a 'stop Torres, stop Liverpool' strategy does not become the simple mantra of Liverpool's opposition.

Bill Shankly once famously advised his number seven Kevin Keegan to just go out there and drop hand grenades all over the pitch. Rafa Benitez, as a student of the club's history, will likely offer similar advice to Keane. For the Liverpool supremo, the Irishman's 'game intelligence' was critical in his decision to bring him to Anfield and will be key in unshackling a more closely-policed Torres.

Keane's own reputation and consistent knack for goals will mean that he will be a danger in himself. And the Irishman should dovetail nicely with Torres if his productive partnership with Dimitar Berbatov is anything to go by. But even if Keane acts as more distraction than partner, then Liverpool should benefit. Dropping grenades, blowing holes in opponent defences - giving Torres space and time to exploit.

Keane's ability and flexibility mean that he can play as a front man (useful should Torres need a rest or be injured), as a second striker, or indeed on the right or left of a three behind Torres. Given how much Benitez likes to tinker, Keane is a dream. The Irishman is a punchier, more creative, and more compelling support player to the Spanish striker than Dirk Kuyt - and should allow Steven Gerrard to drop back into the centre of midfield or to the right side of a midfield four (as he has done with great effect in the past) should Liverpool go 4-4-2.

kas wrote:But none of them bar Benayoun (and maybe Babel) is actually a wide player. Unless we are going to see a 4-3-3 or a diamond midfield, you do need a winger or two.

forza_rossi wrote:Lollllllll Torres, Ade is a paki as well i think. Well at least a muslim. Chill out.

forza_rossi wrote:Lollllllll Torres, Ade is a paki as well i think. Well at least a muslim. Chill out.

Z wrote:I disagree, we still need a wide player. Kuyt shouldn't be playing on the right of a midfield four.

Glenn Hysén wrote:

the 4-2-3-1 formation seemed to work last season and was kept when rotating during the last few meaningless league games. I think a 4-4-2 will only be used when personnel demands it, injuries, suspensions, international call ups etc.

Ade wrote:It would break my heart if I saw Alonso in an Arsenal jersey..

Rafa must genuinely believe Barry is the difference between us and the league title if he'd allow this to go through.

I'd be suprised if he will though, there's too much at stake for him if Alonso succeeds at a rival and Barry doesn't excel (as opposed to just perform well) with us.

I'll just finish up by saying one thing.

The bottom line here is Rafa will live or fall by his dealings in this Transfer window, no more excuses. Improvement in the league is a must consdering who he has brought in and who he looks more than likely bringing in.

kas wrote:The problem with that sort of analysis is...YOU WERE PLAYING RANGERS ffs!!! They're about the level of a Wigan. Or worse. That's the type of team you shouldn't have much problems with anyway. Who knows whether Lucas (taking long to settle), Plessis, and Spearing will be reliable when injuries hit during a busy part of the season. And I'm not convinced about that new keeper either, based on the bits I've seen of him in some pre-season games.

Overall, I agree it's a decent squad, but the backups (in most positions) are still far behind the starting 11.

Ade wrote:Rafa must genuinely believe Barry is the difference between us and the league title if he'd allow this to go through.

Ade wrote:I'll just finish up by saying one thing.

The bottom line here is Rafa will live or fall by his dealings in this Transfer window, no more excuses. Improvement in the league is a must consdering who he has brought in and who he looks more than likely bringing in.