Liverpool Football Club 08/09

L.r.d wrote:

Luis wrote:Fulham on saturday - i'm looking at it and thinking this is a perfect opportunity to get the goal difference up a bit. Chelsea will almost certainly get the 3 points at home to newcastle and you'd also think they'll be scoring a few goals as well, every time they win by 3 or 4 and we only win by a goal we're making it harder on ourselves.

Look it's very unlikely to come down to goal difference. And Fulham could easily get something of you. thinking of 4-0's is a bit disrespectful and somewhat arrogant to say the least.

If after 16 games you're going result to result against Chelsea and thinking they will win so we have to then you will have a heart attack a bit to soon.

true enough

although we have had our best start ever, and we do tend to finish strongly, our strong finish is usually down to having rotated early in the season - something we haven't done this year so far.

But the team is the strongest it has been, and the other title challengrs are weaker than they've been in years, so the Championship is not out of the question, and 2nd place is definitely attainable.

Glenn Hysén wrote: so the Championship is not out of the question, and 2nd place is definitely attainable.

I'm all for a bit of realism, but even I'm not seriously thinking we might get relegated

L.r.d wrote:

Luis wrote:Fulham on saturday - i'm looking at it and thinking this is a perfect opportunity to get the goal difference up a bit. Chelsea will almost certainly get the 3 points at home to newcastle and you'd also think they'll be scoring a few goals as well, every time they win by 3 or 4 and we only win by a goal we're making it harder on ourselves.

Look it's very unlikely to come down to goal difference. And Fulham could easily get something of you. thinking of 4-0's is a bit disrespectful and somewhat arrogant to say the least.

If after 16 games you're going result to result against Chelsea and thinking they will win so we have to then you will have a heart attack a bit to soon.

When did I say 4-0?

I think what I said is reasonable, Fulham at home is a game that Liverpool should be winning fairly comfortably.

Luis wrote:

L.r.d wrote:

Luis wrote:Fulham on saturday - i'm looking at it and thinking this is a perfect opportunity to get the goal difference up a bit. Chelsea will almost certainly get the 3 points at home to newcastle and you'd also think they'll be scoring a few goals as well, every time they win by 3 or 4 and we only win by a goal we're making it harder on ourselves.

Look it's very unlikely to come down to goal difference. And Fulham could easily get something of you. thinking of 4-0's is a bit disrespectful and somewhat arrogant to say the least.

If after 16 games you're going result to result against Chelsea and thinking they will win so we have to then you will have a heart attack a bit to soon.

When did I say 4-0?

I think what I said is reasonable, Fulham at home is a game that Liverpool should be winning fairly comfortably.

Lrd likes to predict 4-0 wins luis, so he is mocking his own sillyness, not you

Or maybe I am just totally wrong

Liverpool have to play 4-4-1-1/4-2-3-1 for me to get the best from Gerrard and so that Mascherano and Alonso are playing too.

Keane should never have been bought as he can't play on his own up front.

If they were looking for a back up to torres then Kenwyne Jones would have been a far better bet than the small and not particularly quick Keane.

When Gerrard is injured/suspended Keane can be of use playing in between the 2 cm's and torres.

For big games, Liverpool have to play:

.....Mascherano.....Alonso.....

..Kuyt....... Gerrard...... Riera


You couldn't find a better blend of 5 players to play behind a lone striker.

Football Genius wrote:He can go

Hes far too irratic to cement a first team place, he either accepts playing a bit part role... or he can go.

With him and Pennant out of the picture, it would leave us in an ideal position to try and sign Valencia for example.

Our squad is not for sale damnit!

Pierre Littbarski wrote:Liverpool have to play 4-4-1-1/4-2-3-1 for me to get the best from Gerrard and so that Mascherano and Alonso are playing too.

Keane should never have been bought as he can't play on his own up front.

If they were looking for a back up to torres then Kenwyne Jones would have been a far better bet than the small and not particularly quick Keane.

When Gerrard is injured/suspended Keane can be of use playing in between the 2 cm's and torres.

For big games, Liverpool have to play:

.....Mascherano.....Alonso.....

..Kuyt....... Gerrard...... Riera


You couldn't find a better blend of 5 players to play behind a lone striker.

Yes but rafa identified draws as our main problem last year Pierre and before torres was injured we were playing 4-4-2. Keane will play most home games and bit parts of big away games. For the big games he'll just have to hope torres is injured again

Anyway chelsea will have to leave anelka / drogba on the bench and united leave tevez on the bench so this sort of depth is required

Kuyt is so freckin awesome!!!

Babel is gash though

Torres and Kuyt Both scored for their National teams . A positive international break in a while.

Torres' goal for Spain last night http://www.101greatgoals.com/videodisplay/1780971/

Kuyt can't stop scoring! http://www.101greatgoals.com/videodisplay/1780839/

Football Genius wrote:He can go

Hes far too irratic to cement a first team place, he either accepts playing a bit part role... or he can go.

With him and Pennant out of the picture, it would leave us in an ideal position to try and sign Valencia for example.

Or Blaszczykow... I mean, Kuba B for you

Luis wrote:Fulham on saturday - i'm looking at it and thinking this is a perfect opportunity to get the goal difference up a bit.

Interesting. Fulham looks very solid defensively, especially when they are parking the bus, using one-man wall known as Hangeland. I would rather expect a 1-0 after Gerrard's moment of brilliance/deflected shot/dive, than you improving your goal difference big time.

Same here, have a feeling Fulham will give you a tough game and you'll have to work hard to break them down. Like stinger said, Hangeland has been superb this season and I can't see him being at Fulham next season.
But once you get the first goal, it could be possible to get some late goals that make for an inflated 4-0 scoreline, for example.

We have been relatively poor in the 1st half of games this season.

We need an early goal and then we might see a rout againist Fulham.

Torres got his first goal yesterday, a very nice goal too
Kuyt is scored again yesterday
Gerrard will be 100% ready to go, as will Keane

Besides Skrtel being injured, we are at full strength so I'm confident of beating them. Plus we haven't lost at Anfield this season.

I'll predicting a 2 or 3-0. Still have to place the bet.
But for all you Liverpool haters out there my scoreline bets on Liverpool have been fairly poor this season so you's all have a chance

As for Hangeland. Very impressed with him and while I'm very happy that we signed Skrtel. Hangeland was one of Rafa's targets if I remember correctly. There were a lot of reports we were interested in him for eg:

http://sports.setanta.com/en/Sport/News/Football/2008/01/04/Prem-Liverpool-linked-to-Hangeland/

kas wrote:Same here, have a feeling Fulham will give you a tough game and you'll have to work hard to break them down. Like stinger said, Hangeland has been superb this season and I can't see him being at Fulham next season.
But once you get the first goal, it could be possible to get some late goals that make for an inflated 4-0 scoreline, for example.

Disagree - Fulham usually play 3 lightweight ball-players in midfield and Liverpool should absolutely batter them.

stinger wrote:

Football Genius wrote:He can go

Hes far too irratic to cement a first team place, he either accepts playing a bit part role... or he can go.

With him and Pennant out of the picture, it would leave us in an ideal position to try and sign Valencia for example.

Or Blaszczykow... I mean, Kuba B for you

Assuming you saw the match yesterday Stinger.

I saw about 60mins if the game.

Played very well. He held onto the ball well, stayed wide, went past players on the outside with ease, cut inside a few times a played some lovely thru balls, and he worked well defensively aswell. And he is pretty quick. Definitely and upgrade on Pennant and given time could challenge Dirk for that right wing spot. Quite similar to Riera actually.

I think it was reported Dortmund rejected a reported £5M. Thought they were pretty tight financially. So a slightly higher bid would get him.

Pierre Littbarski wrote:

kas wrote:Same here, have a feeling Fulham will give you a tough game and you'll have to work hard to break them down. Like stinger said, Hangeland has been superb this season and I can't see him being at Fulham next season.
But once you get the first goal, it could be possible to get some late goals that make for an inflated 4-0 scoreline, for example.

Disagree - Fulham usually play 3 lightweight ball-players in midfield and Liverpool should absolutely batter them.

I would have agreed with you earlier in the season but defensively we have been brilliant and this has been due to our organisation. It is very hard to break us down. The problem with our lightwieght midfield is when under pressure it is hard for them to bring it out. Leaving only a punt upfield as the only respite which given our passing game doesn't really connect.

If Zamora (who blows hot or cold) and Johnson play well we will cause Liverpool problems more due them not being able to apply concerted pressure on us.

We will still lose though. We have one point away from home so Liverpool will beat us. But only by a one goal margin.

Liverpool Want Adriano - Italian Media

Brazilian striker Adriano has been a square peg in a round hole at Inter Milan for some time, and his future at the San Siro is not being measured in years. But is he the sort of player who would fit into Rafa Benitez's title-chasing Liverpool squad?

It seems unlikely; yet that is what some sections of the Italian media are speculating this morning.

The question of the looming January transfer market is exercising the media, and according to Italian radio, Liverpool are ready to enter the race for the 'Emperor' with an £8 million bid.

Leaving aside whether or not Adriano is the 'right' player for the Reds at the moment, given the excellence of Fernando Torres and the summer's heavy outlay on striker Robbie Keane, there is the issue of Liverpool's apparently strained finances.

The club's American co-owners may succeed in getting a six-month extension on their debt repayments, which some sources say could make some £20 million available for the transfer kitty. Adriano, though, would swallow up a hefty chunk of that when his wage demands are factored in. After all, the lifestyle he has to support is not exactly that of a monk.

Still, Inter clearly want to offload him, and it is claimed that at least five clubs are interested, including Chelsea, Manchester City and Real Madrid.

However, it is understood that the relationship between Inter coach Jose Mourinho and Adriano means a quick sale could be concluded, with the striker having the casting vote on which club he joins.

It still seems unlikely that Liverpool would be sufficiently interested to enter a bidding war. Then again, stranger things have happened...

--------------

We have not got £8 to spend in the transfer window you mind about £8 million.

The only way Adriano would end up here is on loan and then he is not exactly a Rafa type player.

Man City signing is a more likely destination when it comes to him and the EPL.

Rather we saved the money for the summer or if Fiorentina go out of the CL, GET VARGAS...though some extra money will probably be needed from Pennant or Benayoun or both. Well worth it if we could get him, though obviously more likely in the summer.

Adriano IS a Rafa type player.... i.e a player who can lead the front line.... however his personality is a trillion miles off what Rafa would expect.

I find this proposition interesting... £8m is a good gamble IMO. However if Mourinho cannot get him focused, what luck has Benitez got?

Thats they key, if he can sort himself out mentally then and get find some form he is a top top striker. I just worry like you said, if Mourinho failed to get him mentally in shape, Rafa doesn't have a chance I feel.

sounds like bollocks

Glenn Hysén wrote:sounds like bollocks

And big big bollocks at that


Rafa will target a few more centre backs next. He loves those. He'll also have to replace the brazilian keeper when he gets sick of him. Adriano will be bottom of the list although him with torres would be much more exciting than keane torres

Glenn Hysén wrote:sounds like bollocks

How does that sound Glenn?

Canal Street...

I'd rather spend £8m on a right back. Adriano would be a luxury and the anti-Kuyt but he wouldn't necessarily be a starter and it wouldn't send a great message to Babel.

Degan and Dossena are gash, Arbeloa can cover for Auerlio so sign a right full back and maybe a Hyypia replacement.

Luis wrote:

L.r.d wrote:

Luis wrote:Fulham on saturday - i'm looking at it and thinking this is a perfect opportunity to get the goal difference up a bit. Chelsea will almost certainly get the 3 points at home to newcastle and you'd also think they'll be scoring a few goals as well, every time they win by 3 or 4 and we only win by a goal we're making it harder on ourselves.

Look it's very unlikely to come down to goal difference. And Fulham could easily get something of you. thinking of 4-0's is a bit disrespectful and somewhat arrogant to say the least.

If after 16 games you're going result to result against Chelsea and thinking they will win so we have to then you will have a heart attack a bit to soon.

When did I say 4-0?

I think what I said is reasonable, Fulham at home is a game that Liverpool should be winning fairly comfortably.

Liverpool are not good enough to make boasts like this my friend...not yet.

What a completely demoralizing performance that was today.

It was like the fuse that has kept us going so far had blown out and there was no getting it back. We couldn't keep the ball, we gave it away, we ran out of ideas and chances were few and far between.

I don't know what Benitez was doing starting Lucas - the fellas next to me at the match had it spot on when he said that he just doesn't have the ability. Simple as that really, Lucas should not be playing for Liverpool - he's slow, he isn't strong, he isn't techincal and even his basic passing leaves a lot to be desired. Without Gerrard this game was crying out for Alonso; someone to play the passes into Torres and Keane, but without him for much of the game there was no one to do this, instead we had to pass pack and unfortunately the game was extremely narrow because Fulham made it hard to find space and Kuyt and Riera didn't look up to it.

The whole team bar maybe Torres, Agger and Carragher didn't look up for it to be honest. Maybe Masch as well, whether that's tiredness from the most pointless international midweek in the history of football I don't know but i'm sure it played a part. It's a good job Chelsea dropped points as well as it leaves us in a bettr position but you've got to capitalise when Chelsea drop points, you really have and unfortunately as we drew to Stoke we've drew to Fulham, 2 games where if we had won (which we should be doing) we'd be 6 points clear at the top. That's how much difference they make.

Dissapointing stuff.

Glenn Hysén wrote:I'd rather spend £8m on a right back. Adriano would be a luxury and the anti-Kuyt but he wouldn't necessarily be a starter and it wouldn't send a great message to Babel.

Degan and Dossena are gash, Arbeloa can cover for Auerlio so sign a right full back and maybe a Hyypia replacement.

Babel is LM/LW and Adriano is CF.

It would be a great signing I think as Rafa could give him some discipline.and you need a top class striker in your team to turn these 0-0's into wins.

Please tell me Kuyt was injured today?

You can't take off Kuyt at 0-0 with 9 mins to play.

ok we'll take him on an 18 month loan

I'd rather spend the money on a full back

Benitez takes the blame luis

He hasn't got much wrong this season but starting with mascherano and lucas against at team we need to be creative against to break down was an amateur mistake. What the f@ck was he thinking

COTR wrote:Benitez takes the blame luis

He hasn't got much wrong this season but starting with mascherano and lucas against at team we need to be creative against to break down was an amateur mistake. What the f@ck was he thinking

I just don't see why he did it though, Alonso had argeably his best game for us last week at Bolton, even rafa said so and then he's dropped for a useless long haired Pr!ck who's never done anything for us. If Gerrard was fit then maybe but without Gerrard there is no creation in that central midfield, too defensive in a game where offense was a must. So pissed off.