Liverpool Football Club 08/09

My little 3 year old cousin asked me a interesting question today, he said uncle Batman, Keane has scored 3 goals in the last 2 games he has started. Do you think if Rafa had started Keane against Hull then Liverpool would have won the match?

I said i dunno but i will post the question to the Liverpool fans on the European Football Forum to see what they think.

Batman wrote:My little 3 year old cousin asked me a interesting question today, he said uncle Batman, Keane has scored 3 goals in the last 2 games he has started. Do you think if Rafa had started Keane against Hull then Liverpool would have won the match?

I said i dunno but i will post the question to the Liverpool fans on the European Football Forum to see what they think.

Why would your cousin call you uncle?

Batman do you think if Keane hadn't started the game against Man Utd then maybe you wouldn't have lost?

You only won that game because of luck and bad defending.

Batman wrote:You only won that game because of luck and bad defending.

And because United are piss poor this season, you only just scraped to victory against Stoke and Sunderland, some world club champions you are.

so which of Hull's goals would Keane have prevented

Luis wrote:

Batman wrote:You only won that game because of luck and bad defending.

And because United are piss poor this season, you only just scraped to victory against Stoke and Sunderland, some world club champions you are.

United are piss poor
Arsenal are piss poor
Chelsea are piss poor

and thats why Liverpool are top of the league by 1 point

But won't win the league because they have not taken full advantage of this, dropping points against:

Arsenal 1-1 Liverpool

Liverpool 2-2 Hull

Liverpool 0-0 West Ham

Liverpool 0-0 Fulham

Liverpool 0-0 Stoke

Glennesten Combi wrote:so which of Hull's goals would Keane have prevented

attack is the best form of defence

did Liverpool score a goal in the 2nd half?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/match_of_the_day/7800601.stm

Liverpool assistant manager Sammy Lee praises the team's performance in the 3-0 win over Bolton Wanderers, which takes the Anfield club back to the top of the Premier League.

Glennesten Combi wrote:http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/match_of_the_day/7800601.stm

Liverpool assistant manager Sammy Lee praises the team's performance in the 3-0 win over Bolton Wanderers, which takes the Anfield club back to the top of the Premier League.

Come with me on a ride...



Saturday, 29 December 2007, 19:18 GMT

Everton 1-4 Arsenal

Eduardo da Silva's first Premier League goals helped Arsenal beat Everton and ensured they leapfrogged Manchester United at the top of the table.


Premier League Table 2007/2008

. . . . . . . . . . Pld . . . Pts
1. Arsenal . . 20 . . . 47
2. Man Utd. . 20 . . . 45


Guess who won the league that season?

Spoiler:

living in the past

Neville, VDS, Giggs and Scholes are past it, Ronaldo isn't as good as he was last year and Hargreaves is out for the season.

At that point you were 7 points clear of Chelsea, you finished 2 points ahead thanks to some dubious refereeing and Ronaldo's goals.

You won the CL on penalties.

If you were 7 points clear of us or Chelsea I'd give you a hope.

But you're not.

You're BEHIND us.

Happy New Year

So you do think Liverpool are going to win the league this season,

Yes or No?

Depends what happens in January.

This is like watching someone interviewed by Paxman.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/match_of_the_day/7800662.stm

Keane revels in free role

After hitting two goals in Liverpool's 3-0 defeat of Bolton, Robbie Keane says he's loving his role and being amongst the goals, and that the squad are full of confidence as they head towards the end of 2008 top of the Premier League.

After seeing the highlights before on MOTD, I realised just how much better we've become as a team and as a squad.

Today there were a few moans at Anfield when the team was announced, because Mascherano isn't named, because some idiot's immediately think Insua is shit because he's not such a familiar face and because Torres isn't even on the bench - but what people need to realise is that we have a squad at Anfield and every single player is playing their part now, and I can see real belief in the team that hasn't been there in quite some time.

I've said it time and time again, but the signing of Albert Riera was an absolute master class signing by Benitez; He had a great start to the season, a mediocre patch which I did worry about as i'm sure a lot of Liverpool fans did but over the last few games he's proved that he can be a success in England - he was just on fire from start to finish. Usually when a player claims they'll score more goals on our official site they don't really deliver but this guy said he would score more a couple of weeks ago and he's starting to chip in with a few. He's a player that breeds confidence in others because he's not afraid to have a pop or to take on his man or to try something a bit diverse. He's a top top signing that if we do end up winning the title (still a lot of work to do though) he'll be one of the names that people should mention when they're mulling over what the difference has been this time around.

Insua - I thought he did really well again, he's young but he's so relaxed on the ball, he reminds me a bit of Agger on the ball, obviously he's a lot smaller than the Dane so isn't so great in the air but he tackles well, has great pace and most importantly for a full back - he can really whip in a ball and his work rate is sublime, I'd keep him in the team and let Aurellio try and break back in when he returns to full fitness. Dossena can settle for 3rd choice or leave in all honesty.

Keane, like I've said, you shouldn't judge him until the end of the season. How can a player of such quality suddenly lose it all? The answer is he cant. It's not surprise to see him scoring goals in a role which he's been comfortable in for the last 10 years; I feared Rafa had ruined him a bit by playing him far too deep but today he was given that free role, he was always causing problems for defenders and when he gets in those sorts of spaces, he's going to finish every time, but he's not just all about tap ins as we saw last week with one of the most hardest finishes in football, it's great to see him scoring and enjoying his football.

Benayoun, I'm not his biggest fan but today he was one of our best players, his pace is always going to cause problems, I don't know if he's so effective against strong defenders but his work rate and deliery was first class today, i'd like to see him score a few more goals though, like Garcia did.

We're looking good, playing with real belief and spirit, which by the way was under great pressure after Chelsea and United had won earlier in the day and we still have Torres, Skrtel, Aurellio and now Arbeloa still to return. Still a long way to go but I'm certainly a happy chappy at the moment.

the squad isn't better Lulu, but the team is. We've been weakened in the fullback areas and although the jury is still out for me over Dossena, we do need cover at right back. I'm not sure how Hyypia will cope playing 2 games in 3 days, Aurelio, Skrtel, Dossena, Degen and Arbeloa are injured and Agger's fitness is still in question so we're worryingly thin in defence. I think a right back who can play in central defence is a must in January.

I also worry that today's result might convince Rsfa that we don't need Heskey. We do. Get him. A right winger would be nice but we have Kuyt, Benayoun, Gerrard and if need be Pennant and El Zhar who can do a job there, with Torres' fitness in the balance better teams than Bolton will come to Anfield and be happy to take a point.

I wouldn't get too excited about Insua just yet either, he's looked promising in the last couple of games but he's still inexperienced and could lose confidence and form very easily.

Instersting stat, we have not lost a single home league game in 2008. We are the only team in the top flight to do so this year.

Yes few too many draws this season but still mightly impressive, reminds me of when ze older Reds mention how Anfield was known as "Fortress Anfield" back in the glory years

I was told on the plan to London for the Aresnal game that we in the decade 1970 - 79 only lost 10 games

Back to the players...

Insua looks like he has played in the first time for years. He has raised his game mate from the ressies and i thought he was in danger of stagnating but fair play to the lad he has stepped up to first team football and looks comfortable.

I liked the situation when he dummied to pass the ball and just dribbled past the Bolton player, a sure sign of confidence.
He isn't a 'hopeful punt' kind of defender and looks for a pass instead of launching the ball upfield. Unlucky with a couple of volley's as well. Simply just a very good young player who looks completely at home on the left and sure of himself. Of course it is early days but he has been one of our best players in 3 games now. So I'm fairly hopeful in his progress with us.

Sami deserves a mention too as he can still definetely do a role for us one feels. Obviously not a regular basis but he is such a extrodinary defender and a wonderful servant for the club. He dealt with Bolton's plays fairly easily and played some very decent passes. I really hope if and when he does retire he goes on to be a coach or has some role in the club.

Riera was very good, hopefully he and Insua build on their partnership down that left. He did have his medicore patch as you said Lulu and I for one was fairly worried. Afterall the whole Espanyol drmatic collapse after the first half of the season is still quite vivid. But in his last few games he has returned to his earlier form and no doubt he will have his part to play in the title chase.

Benayoun and Keane descriptions are spot on. Benny was suberb today and unless someone is brought in which I doubt, he should play wide right at Anfield. Yes he can be over frustrating and over elobrate at times but he can play a very difficult pass in the all all important area, in and around the box plus pops up with the goal every now again. Obviously I'd like a Joaquin or someone like that but I think Valencia who we have been linked to in the past is a realistic target and could prove a suberb buy.

Basically Keane played in his best position, in behind the CF in a free role and excelled. He played there more often and not when Torres is fit so I fully expect they'll hold the frontline when Torres is back.

Alonso. We've all praised him pretty much after every one of our games. Our best player this season and if he continues he surely has to be a Player of the Year candicate.

Torres and Skrtel's returns imminent, can't wait for them to return.

Also it has to be said, the atomsphere sounded ace by the sound of things and people's comments.

The N'gog song sounds like a right laugh...

NGOG, NGOG, NGOG NGOG NGOG
HE TUCKS HIS COCK IN TO HIS SOCK
NGOG, NGOG, NGOG NGOG...



...to the tune of "Hi Ho, Hi Ho"

We Wish You A Merry Christmas And A Happy El Zhar gets an honourable mention too

Is the consensus that we do require Heskey?

I'd rather not bring him back in all honesty... Whilst i appreciate what he can bring to the other players around him, i think we do need a striker who can also finish... if we are in a tight game, need the 3 points and the chance lands to Heskey... well we can say goodbye to the 3 points.

Also, i would imagine should we sign Heskey, Rafa won't feel as encouraged to sign a forward in the Summer, which for me is a must, we need a top quality striker who can lead the line either through sheer bloody strength, or stretch the defence with their pace, however either approach will require for me an end product.

Festive Genius wrote:Is the consensus that we do require Heskey?

I'd rather not bring him back in all honesty... Whilst i appreciate what he can bring to the other players around him, i think we do need a striker who can also finish... if we are in a tight game, need the 3 points and the chance lands to Heskey... well we can say goodbye to the 3 points.

Also, i would imagine should we sign Heskey, Rafa won't feel as encouraged to sign a forward in the Summer, which for me is a must, we need a top quality striker who can lead the line either through sheer bloody strength, or stretch the defence with their pace, however either approach will require for me an end product.

We only need heskey if he is getting rid of kuyt

I am all for getting rid of kuyt, but as it's more likely that babel will be WPOTY this year then getting heskey is utterly pointless.

Instead of playing the useless Ngog, hopefully Nemeth gets fit and gets the time Ngog is wasting in these matches

Insua is showing just how good that reserve side was, now we need to give a few more of the better players a chance

I saw this and I thought of you

Glennesten Combi wrote:I saw this and I thought of you

Was my wallpaper early in the year

COTR wrote:

Insua is showing just how good that reserve side was, now we need to give a few more of the better players a chance

If one player doesnt prove it then nothing does

eh that's great luis.