9 Dec 2009

LIVERPOOL vs. FIORENTINA - The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.

So let's see: Another HOME loss; 9th defeat of the season; woeful lack of real creativity; no discernible cohesiveness/fluency; worst points total since the Champions League began; Dirk Kuyt starting again and contributing nothing. Steven Gerrard strutting around with palpable disinterest. Gah! I can't be bothered with the bad and ugly stuff tonight; it's too depressing to dissect. So let's just skip straight to the good stuff!

The GOOD

Aquilani finally starting a game

I don't really care about the level of performance to be honest, I'm just glad that after the interminable (and unnecessary) delay, Aquilani is finally being allowed to have more than 15 minutes on the pitch. He didn't set the world alight, but we shouldn't be expecting him too. He was assured, confident on the ball, and made a number of decent passes, which suits me fine.

It will take Aquilani time to find his place in the team and build up an understanding with his team-mates, and I I'm sure he will boost the team...if Benitez gives him the chance.

I want Aquilani in the team for the Arsenal game; if recently injured players like Gerrard and Daniel Agger can start two games in a row, he can too. Aquilani has had enough rest; two starts in a week won't kill him.

In my view, it is imperative that Benitez makes a definite decision about his first choice midfield-two and then sticks with it. Hopefully, that will be Masch and Aquilani, and if that's the case, they should play the majority of games together to allow an understanding to develop.

As we've seen in defence this season, an unsettled backline is a disaster waiting to happen, and the same principle applies to midfield. Lucas should become a squad player, providing cover for both Masch and Aquilani.

What I hope we DON'T see is Aquilani falling foul of the 'Benitez Effect', i.e. being dropped/subbed off all the time, and never being allowed to have a run of games.

Dani Pacheco and Stephen Darby

Great to see more young players getting an opportunity in the first team. Pacheco looks full of confidence; and the mistake for the second goal notwithstanding, I thought Darby did okay. Alas, I don't think we'll see either of them anywhere near the first team for the rest of the season.

Return of the King

Great to see Fernando Torres back! Hopefully he'll be fit to start against Arsenal.

Erm, that's all I can think of on the plus side.

VERDICT

Disappointing. The game may have been 'meaningless' in one sense, but no Liverpool game is truly meaningless. Tonight represented a chance to restore some pride and build up much-needed confidence before the crucial game at Arsenal this weekend. Instead, we got leaden-footed players who look tired, demotivated and devoid of any kind of passion or spark.


Jaimie Kanwar


55 comments:

  1. Kash - please repost your comment.  I had to delete the first version of the article due to bugs in the software, which meant your comment went with it.  Sorry about that.  Friggin gremlins ;)

    I agree with your points though - same sh*t, different day. As you say, nothing has really changed since the Spurs game.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Kuyt only played because Ngog got ill earlier today according to the Echo, so you can drop the Kuyt comment about that he played again.

    ReplyDelete
  3. We end this Champions League Campaign with another home defeat: really disappointing perfomances.
    Although I can see the light: We showed good football with Aquaman in the middle, and He has passed decent balls especially in the second time.
    Stephen Darby did well except for the huge mistake that cost us defeat while Pacheco seems really a brilliant talent, a good perspective for the future.
    I hope Rafa will get more chances both to Darby & Pacheco.
    Darby is a good right back, with good defensive moves but He needs experience to senior level.
    Jaimie, I watch the game tonight but You're not the first Who described Capt as not interested to game..
    I feel a bit worried, also because many fans told me that YB seemed descouraged after the lead score..
    What's happening in our dressing room?

    ReplyDelete
  4. No worries. Just wanted to know how much money would the club have made had we won because isnt it like 2 million per win (3 points)?

    Back to the game, we lost to a team who rested there 2 main centre halfs, Mutu (injured), Young Bosian lad (who scored 2 in Fio), Vargas and <span>Marchionni and we were still 2nd best. The better team won in the end and we only looked decent on Stevies dead ball other than that no creativity, no pace, no power and no direction.</span>

    The Rafa lover will try to focus on the 3 late goals we conceded in this campaign but like the skipper said "NOT GOOD ENOUGH". Our joke of a manager plays his Italian FLOP for 90 mins as a left winger (we will be lucky if a Seria B side show any interest in him).

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hey Rick - Yes, YB barely celebrated after scoring his goal.  Could be because he feels it's not worth it due to already being out of the CL.  Could be the same for Gerrard; discouraged because he won't be playing football's elite competition anymore.

    Having said that, there definitely appears to be a cloud over certain players at the moment, and I'm sure a large part of it is their realisation that Benitez's stubbornness has cost them any real chance of success this season.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Fair points on Aquilani but there's no way in the World he should start against Arsenal. They historically run rings around us and hes' lack of fitness would tell.

    Of subject, im disappointed that you are happy with playing Insua at left back.  Terrible defender and only reasonable going forward due to his bulk.  I'm not saying he'll never make it but alot of our goals conceded this season has arisen because of his slackness.  For the winning goal today Darby made a gaff but where (AGAIN!) was Insua on the cover.  His fat little body trudges when it should Gallop. 

    I look forward to the day when we realise the young lad isn't physically or mentally ready although technically he is gifted.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Darby played on the right, Insua on the left. That is the answer to why he didn't cover for Darby.

    Maybe Insua should play in both positions at the same time. I don't think he is good enough to play both right and left back at the same time.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Where did I say I'm happy with Insua?  I don't think he, Aurelio or Dossena are the answer to our left-back problem.  If Philip Lahm is allegedly going for 12m, then we should sell Dossena and Aurelio and use the money to part-finance him, and keep Insua as backup.

    ReplyDelete
  9. youve obviously never played the game before and if you did...badly.  Look back at our last 10-15 goals conceded and see where a large bulk of them originate.  Then take a look at insuas debut for argentina and again check where the goal originated.

    It is the job of BOTH fullbacks not to leave the two centre backs two on two in the box.  If one gets caught upfield the other tucks round the back imediately.  I love my F.A. coaching badges.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Do you really feel he is ready? is it a coincidence our defece has been as poor as it has since he has been playing.  I'm basing this judgement on a number of games not just tonight.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I think he's ready to be a squad player, not a first-teamer.  Problem is, we have no viable alternative.  Aurelio gets injured if the wind blows and Dossena is not the answer.  Until we get quality left-back, we're stuck with him unfortunately.

    ReplyDelete
  12. The problem is Skrtel, not Insua. Is it a coincidence that we suddenly leake goals again when he play and don't when he is on the bench?

    Skrtel is garbage and should be sold ASAP. Insua isn't great but Skrtel is the problem. It's very important to understand the game and that is something Skrtel lack. Replace Skrtel with Carra and there isn't a problem anymore, even if Insua play on the left.

    ReplyDelete
  13.  its ground-hog day (season) at liverpool.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Look, I agree skrtel hasn't been fantastic this season but he showed last season that he is capable.  Insua has been the only everpresent (more or less) in our back four this season and this has coincided with our worst run of results for a while.  The fact he is unable to cover, mark or make good defensive decisions instinctively is really costing us.  I hate to say it but he reminds me physically and performance wise of Julian Dicks....shudder.  He's technically gifted but not ready.

    ReplyDelete
  15. When Dossena 1st arrived he had a gut.  No bones about it he was lardy.  By christmas he looked trim and fit but has since never really been given the opportunity to put his new found fitness to the test.  I think we'd be pleasantly surprised if he were given a run of three games at <span>left back</span> to prove himself.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Just to add.  I don't think Skrtel has been the same confident player since he was made to look so bad against England last season.  Little moments of dodgyness and uncertainty have crept into his game.  We need the big man on top form.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Or, could it be the defesive frailities coincide with Alonso's departure? Notice how Real Madrid has stop leaking in goals.

    ReplyDelete
  18. there is no team play and our squad looks so slow compared to other squads.a 3 legged donkey wont win a race and bernitez does not have enough discipline.would alex fergusson let his players perform like this week in week out i think not.

    ReplyDelete
  19. A little Too easy.  Masch is they guy who provides balance in our team.  dont get me wrong, Xabi was good but when mascherano was out last season every fan felt nervous.  Xabi anlongside lucas wasn't quite the same because Alonso would have to try and take up the Mash role and he didn't quite have the legs for it.  Together (xabi and javier) they were the best pairing in the world.  Xabi knew his role inside out but lets not forget he only had 2 good seasons out of 5.  His first and last. 
    Real Madrid are not leaking goals because they've just spent 300m on players who hardly give the ball away.  It's hard to score when you never see the ball.

    ReplyDelete
  20. An unbelievably frustrating season but I'm not reading too much into today's defeat (as heartbreaking as it was). Quite a few first team players were not involved: Carra, Torres for the most part, and very importantly, Johnson. Darby didn't really impress me as much as he impressed some of you and I would liked to have seen Johnson replace him at some point.  I'd like to see him, Aquilani, Gerrard, and Torres on at the same time for once this season, and I hope that's what will happen against Arsenal.  I do agree that the attitude in the team is irritating as well. Benayoun was shaking his head after he scored.....what's that all about? Players all walked in at half time frowning too despite being a goal up. It's an infuriating sense of resignation that makes me want to scold every single one of them.

    We keep hearing about how we should be in the top four right now, or how we should be in the next round in the champion's league. Well let's just do it then.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Like it or not, Rafa has to be held responsible and do something drastic to turn the team around before it is too late.  There has been alot of positive talk in the team but it seems that they are not backed up by what's happening on the pitch.  The clean sheet of 3 games, are they by chance or really that the team has improved?  Only time will tell when we play against Arsenal and the next teams will tell.  I am disappointed to see that our team is being ridiculed by teams that were once only fit to lick our boots.  Any team in the EPL seems to be able to beat us any time.  When we say in Rafa we trust, is it a blind faith?  I appreciated all the great things he has done for Liverpool in the past but it is time now that Rafa has to bow out of Liverpool !!! 

    ReplyDelete
  22. benitez has promised and even pledged that he will get us into the top 4 for a champions league spot this season if this does not happen will he then consider himself a failure and walk  my head tells me that we need to get  into the top 4 not only for the financial implications but for the success as a whole but my heart tells me that i could put up with not qualifying just to see him go    the body language of the majority of the players tell me that they are not happy  it makes me sick to the stomach to see that idiot peligrino snuggling up to benitez on the bench clutching and then gesticulating his clipboard     is it a coincidence that our defence has got worse since his appointment as defensive coach  gave my ticket up for blackburn on saturday and thinking of giving my season ticket to my mate for sunday   i have never ever give my ticket up in my 40 odd years of supporting liverpool but its breaking my heart watching this dour negitive ignorant stubborn obstinate man destroy my beloved liverpool

    ReplyDelete
  23. I feel strongly the same way you did.  LFC has been the club I supported since i was a kid and for 30 odd years now.  In the Everton match, the TV camera was showing die hard LFC supporters biting the finger nails, when we were holding on to that 1-0 lead with Everton attacking us non stop.  By half time, I was so relieved because I couldn't bear to see LFC conceding a goal or trailing behind.  I wondered why a big club commanding so much fear and respect in last season has sunk so far?  Rafa as a manager has to be responsible to turn things around or get sacked !!!  Chelsea boss did not hesitate to sack Mourino and Scolari when they did not perform to expectation.  Chelsea was not as bad as us when Scolari was sacked.  I cannot understand why Rafa still has his job when LFC is doing badly.  It is time that LFC fans wake up and not trust in Rafa blindly anymore.  In Rafa we trust only if he delivers on his promises on the pitch week in week out !!!  In Rafa I Distrust !!!

    ReplyDelete
  24. I'm amazed that I can't recall Skrtel picking up a red card for Liverpool - pretty much every game he guarantees at least two reckless tackles through sthe back of somebody with little to no chance of him getting the ball first.  He might be a good defender, but I'm always on eggshells awaiting an unnecessary dangerous freekick to be conceded by him, or a ref to finally have the bottle to send him off.

    Insua hasn't been great this season and the years waiting in the reserves after showing that he was ready at 18 (while Riise was suffering his meltdown years) before being thrust straight into the guaranteed first team-er role out of nowhere probably didn't help his development.  Unfortunately I see the same thing happening with the likes of Plessis & Pacheco - development stagnating in the reserves after showing good signs and eventually regressing as players (Nemeth looks instead set to fall into the trap of showing potential and then going out on loans until contract expires and moving on)

    ReplyDelete
  25. I'm amazed that I can't recall Skrtel picking up a red card for Liverpool - pretty much every game he guarantees at least two reckless tackles through sthe back of somebody with little to no chance of him getting the ball first.  He might be a good defender, but I'm always on eggshells awaiting an unnecessary dangerous freekick to be conceded by him, or a ref to finally have the bottle to send him off.  Including last season.
     
    Insua hasn't been great this season and the years waiting in the reserves after showing that he was ready at 18 (while Riise was suffering his meltdown years) before being thrust straight into the guaranteed first team-er role out of nowhere probably didn't help his development. 
    Unfortunately I see the same problem happening with the likes of Plessis & Pacheco - development stagnating in the reserves after showing good signs and them eventually regressing as players (Nemeth looks instead set to fall into the trap of showing potential and then going out on loans until contract expires and moving on)

    I thought that Darby was poor throughout the game btw, not just for any one major incident

    ReplyDelete
  26. I don't understand why Rafa was offered a new FIVE year contract last season when he was not even showing signs of delivering on his original five year plan (he was on the ropes before those games against Man U & Real fooled some into thinking that's what the team would show going forwards, remember). 
    THAT is the major doubt that I have when wishing for a new manager - worrying who the owners will bring in in his place, and whether it will be a Chelsea calibre replacement or a Roy Hodgson type that we are typically linked with...

    ReplyDelete
  27. just been listening to benitez on the local radio saying that aqulani may not be involved on sunday because it is clear he is not match fit
    DO YOU NOT GET IT YOU FAT SHIT FOR BRAINS SPANISH IDIOT
    THATS YOUR FAULT FOR NOT PLAYING HIM!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  28. ...or conversely it could be the realisation that their own crap performances have cost them any real chance of success this season.

    ReplyDelete
  29. "It is the job of BOTH fullbacks not to leave the two centre backs two on two in the box.  If one gets caught upfield the other tucks round the back imediately."

    in liverpool's system, the 2 holding midfielders also share this responsibility, so i wouldn't blame most of it on insua. it's on corners i think he looks the most suspect. i think he probably has been played too much this season, although i think this will be good for him in the long run.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Aquaman is fit and must play on sunday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    I start feeling really disgusted...

    ReplyDelete
  31. Players are too self-absorbed the that.  They'll always find someone else to blame.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Giving Benitez a new 5 years contract was a mistake of epic proportions; it's exactly the same as when the FA idiots gace Eriksson a new contract, and then ended up having to pay him for years even after he'd left.

    Benitez successfully manipulated the media and the fans, and fanned the flames of ant-owner sentiment to the extent that they had no real choice but to give him a contract, expecially after the final three months of the season, which merely papererd over the cracks.

    As someone else said somewhere else on this thread though, Mourinho and Scolari got sacked for a hell of a lot less.

    ReplyDelete
  33. And the farce continues.  Like you say, he's not match fit because Benitez hasn't played him enough.  His latest comments are the most predictable thing ever.  I'm so sick of Benitez and his management approach.

    ReplyDelete
  34. One more bad about yesterday's game - Graeme Souness!!

    I've made clear my feelings about that fool before, and wish some of the "experts" on the TV would be brave enough to point out how spectacularly he ballsed up the Liverpool job and left us in the position where we're struggling to play catch up with Man U, instead of just watching him constantly spouting about what needs to be done at the club.

    I'm too young to have enjoyed his playing days so those are irrelevant to me; all I know him as is the man that ripped Liverpool to pieces.  As good as Kenny was for Liverpool, Souness was bad, and he should never be afforded the privilege of providing pundrity for a Liverpool game as far as I'm concerned!

    ReplyDelete
  35. 'Players are too self absorbed for that'

    Do you know alot of them yeah!! Stupid generalisations, how many times does stevie gerrard have to come out and say its our own fault we weren't good enough(meaning the team hasnt been good enough)

    You also say theres def a cloud over some players, a large part due to realisation benitez stubborness has cost therm a chance a silverware.

    What a load of crap, like the comments yesterday were pointing out how many players have spoken about how benitez has improved them and how tactically he leaves no stone unturned. When the team is lacking confidence as it is, its going to be difficult to play great football. All benitez can do is prepare the team and pick his 11, the rest is down to the players and due to confidence/fitness theyre clearly struggling, all will come good.

    + I dont think aqui will start sunday comparing players who have been out for a few weeks and coming back and playing 2 games in a row is different to players who have been out for 9 months, your logic on this issue amazes me! + remember man utd game where lucas n masch dominated midfield, i think RB will think they can do the same against the ars.

    I supose im just in the pro-rafa brigade as you have labelled us but to deny that your just at the oposite end of the scale is laughable especially when you have created sly remarks such as the benitez effect. 

    ReplyDelete
  36. Aye. I get to see a lot of Souness (resident commentator on RTE) and everytime  he opens his mouth about Rafa I feel the overwhelming need to shout 'you were bloody worse you absolute cretin' at the screen. :D

    ReplyDelete
  37. It's funny that the Rafa apologists will say that it's up to whatever 11 players Rafa picks to get the results that we all demand on the pitch and nothing to do with Rafa himself, and with no sense of irony blame the club owners for the club ultimately not reaching up to its expectations...

    ReplyDelete
  38. Do you play football jay?? I do and when my manager picks the team it is upto us to perform, theres not alot he can do stood on the side but to try and direct us if something isn't working.

    ReplyDelete
  39. Would it be possible for a Russia /Kuwaiti / Liverpudding Billionaire to grant an interest free loan of GBP 50 million to Liverpool FC Limited (or whatever the Company is called) that can be repaid over 20 years?  
     
    GBP 50 million.... is what would be required to buy a player that ticks these boxes:  
     
    1) Can fit into attacking side of the 4-2-3-1 formation i.e. any postion along the 3 and also upfront if needed?     
    2) Is young i.e. under 24  
    3) Can play with both feet  
    4) Been on record as a liverpool follower  
    5) Has team mates already at the club that can speak his lingo  
    5) Is as hard working as the dogged Kuyt  
    6) Has the finishing ability of Torres  
    7) Has the agility of benayoun  
    8) Has a low centre of gravity like the best creative players - rooney, Daglish, Arshavin, Iniesta.   
    9) Has shown at Anfield and stamford bridge that he can terrorise english defences.  
    10) Has ability to score 20+ goals a season  
     
    AUGERO AUGERO AGERO! Whichever PL club buys this guy and they will given the state of Athletico will buy the catalyst for PL domination.  
     
    Kanwar your comments please?

    ReplyDelete
  40. it's a crying shame that fans started making LFC look like a whore begging for donations from any rich benefactor willing to pay for her services.  Especially after the vocal attitude that those same hypocritcal fans had towards 'Chelski' when Abramovich came in.

    IMHO all of you fans who were so adamant that LFC needs to be sold on to the highest bidder in order to appease Rafa's demands, have got nothing more than you deserved with the Americans that eventually came in...

    ReplyDelete
  41. Ehi mate, maybe You could it have right but the main problem is We are continuing to lost games...
    Rafa claimed that We found balance with Gerro - Masch - Lucas midfield trio but We conceded many chances to score both to Everton (very poor side) & Blackburn (Do You remeber the huge chance to win in the foots of Karalic?) and yesterday We lost another clash that maybe We could have won.
    Nobody is happy to discuss position of manager (NOBODY),but Benitez should start to consider his very, wrong, fatal tactical choices before it will be too late for him, and certainly for Liverpool Football Club.
    For example, to keep Aquaman on the Bench against Arsenal for Lucas, it's certainly an auto - lesionism policy.
    Liverpool needs quality in the middle, and the only players Who can absure that is Aquilani, according to captain post match interview.
    We must try to listen the real messages that players send to manager.
    IF Rafa Benitez is not capable to admit that Lucas - Masch it's an anti - football partnership, so Benitez will not save his job following this way, and certainly You can't accuse the fans base of LFC for this.
    Anyone is subject of analysis by Media and Fans, Benitez too.
    You correctly said that manager has just to pick up his formation and try to do better is job yeah, and certainly, performances & results remains the crucial measure for valuate the position of a manager.
    Injuries? Bad Luck? Any Club suffer that, but en fact You have to analyse the news from the pitch.

    ReplyDelete
  42. Oh fantastic, fantastic.
    Finally a True Liverpool fan Who let speak his hearth & passion.
    We have all to reminder that LFC is a CLUB, correctly, the MOST FANTASTIC CLUB IN THE WORLD, and certainly not a whore begging for donations from any rick benefactor willing to pay for her services.
    So Why We should have the right to laugh of Chelsky and his fans?
    Money and profit revenue are always welcome, but firstly, We have to establish on training grounds, Kirkby & Melwood, base of our supremacy with man that knows football well in charge of the Club.
    I always consider the Carra's revelations in his biography, a true, emotive, inspiration for the Club.

    ReplyDelete
  43. It's terribly easy to question Rafa's approach to Aquilani and other players given the safety of being behind a keyboard... with no real responsibility or pressure.

    The fact is that Rafa can and does make mistakes like every other manager bar none. Sometimes he can be over cautious and other times not cautious enough. No-one's perfect.

    Aquilani isn't match fit... gambles have to be taken - you can gamble on using a player and losing him - or saving him till he's stronger and instead losing the games. There are positives and negatives on both sides of the argument so I think if you are definitely sure one way or the other - then it's probably because you don't understand the situation completely.

    There are a lot of reasons that things are going wrong at anfield... everyone has some measure of responsibility.. Rafa has, in general, done mostly the right things with what he has.. the responsibility ultimately lies with the players on the pitch who have suffered loss of form, injuries, lack of confidence and appalling luck this term. It's not going to just switch round immediately.. from losing games to winning runs of 10 games does not happen - time is needed for confidence to return.

    Unrealistic expectations. That's the problem. Management isn't usually a point and click venture. Sometimes you can put all the pieces of the puzzle together exactly right and they still don't fit.

    Gee.

    ReplyDelete
  44. i can't believe our season ended very quickly. last season by christmas, we're leading the table. this season, like any previous seasons (except for last season) since rafa took over, we're just competing for the champions league spot (3rd or 4th place). i'm so disappointed. i never like rafa's approach since he took over. but understand, he needs time to build the team, & he has his own way of doing things. but it is the same s##t every season, 'we will reach champions league spot" crap come out of his mouth. we want to be #1!!

    i thought, after last season, i can start believe in rafa's way of doing things. even if i dont like his way or play ugly football, but if we're winning, i wont say anything. even if we don't win the league, but we're pushing till the last blood, i will still proud with that. but what has rafa done since he took over? by february every year, we're out of title race. this season even worst. it's the worst.

    i'm not sure whether he should be sack or resign, but rafa should do something. change something. his way of doing things now is clearly, certainly, obviously, not right!! i can't imagine what if anything worst will happen next.

    ReplyDelete
  45. WE have never recovered from the signings of Paul stewart and Torben Piechnik.  Souness has a lot to answer for and should really keep his mouth shut.

    ReplyDelete
  46. There is some truth to what you say; however, you have to pay close attention to Real's game. Pepe does give the ball a lot, and God knows how often Marcelo does. Also, remember 5-6 players on Real don't bother to track back when they lose the ball, which is more often than you think. Alonso fills those holes.
    Also, if you look at the Fiortina game, what concerns me a great deal is the positioning of AA. In the first half, there were a number of times that AA was ahead of Kuyt and Gerrard, which left a huge hole in the midfield. This forced Insua to pinch in to help Javi cover. Also, in the first half, Fiorentina crossed the ball back to Jorgensen who booted the ball up into the ZZ rows. What concerned me was the fact that AA did not track back whatshoever. I have watched the overhead view of it several times and noticed that AA was at the half way line with the ref when Fiorentina got the ball. Jorgensen was also at the halfway  line. When Gilardino crosses it back, the only individuals at the top of the box is Jorgensen and the ref, no AA. This is going to cause a great deal of problems with teams like Arsenal. Xabi was the ideal player for the 4231 system. He maintained positional presence but also provide excellent offensive distributions. I am really concerned about how isolated javi and the back line will be as Johnson and AA move up the field.

    ReplyDelete
  47. ive been a loyal lfc fan now 32 years and ive had enough of rafas excuses now...we aint good enough simple as..look at man utd on tuesday playing wolfsburg with a skeleton squad and they still win.when united and chelsea play away you are pretty sure they will win.we are finding it hard to even win at home.the main problem has been our attacking options.besides torres we have amateur attackers simple as.and then rafa has the stipidity to play kuyt as a winger.and i still say that other teams have more pace than us which was shown early on against spurs.this is where wenger succeeds with arsenal cos he picks players with pace.and the other main problem is our central defence where insua and johnson come forward we need players like ferdinand and vidic who will be strong enough enough.and we need a tougher manager that is gonna be tough but fair and not play his little favorites like kuyt and lucas even when they play crap.its time for rafa to go.get mourinho or hiddink before someone else gets them

    ReplyDelete
  48. Yeah Yeah Man.
    Well done.
    This is a post of a good Old Supporter with loyalty and passion.
    :)
    Hey mates, have You heard latest news about Masch talks?
    I do not trust in Mascherano's loyalty: Ke kisses the crest one day, and He refuses contract's extensions another day..

    ReplyDelete
  49. Yes, I do play football Guest and I don't blame the club owners when the team underperforms, as the Rafa apologist do - THAT was my point.

    However I do get pissed at the manager when he decides to play players in areas where they o not have maximum impact (plenty of examples if necessary).  It is the managers responsibility to put players in the best position to enable the team to win, whether that be from a sunday league squad of players or a set of professionals. 
    Liverpool have been underperforming for ages now and the manager has not made the necessary changes either between or during games to improve those performances - THAT is his responsibility, not the players, who would obviously never choose to drop themselves from the team because they've not been performing

    ReplyDelete
  50. Yes, I do play football Guest and I don't blame the club owners (who have absolutely no impact on matchday decisions and rarely turn up for games) when the team underperforms, as the Rafa apologists do - THAT was my point. 
     
    However I do get pissed at the manager when he decides to play players in areas where they do not have maximum impact (plenty of examples if necessary).  It is the managers responsibility to put his players in the best position to enable the team to win, whether that be from a sunday league squad of players or a set of professionals.  
    Liverpool have been underperforming for ages now and the manager has not made the necessary changes either between or during games to improve those performances - THAT is his responsibility, not the players, who would obviously never choose to drop themselves from the team because they've not been performing

    ReplyDelete
  51. I am for Hiddink for the job.  Look at how he turned around Chelsea into 3rd place last saeson as an interim manager.  Not to forget winning the FA cup.  He is a tough and fair boss with vision and an eye for good selection of players.  Look at Drogbar from a cry baby under Scolari to a goal scorer under him and now continue into Ancelotti.

    I am not surprised if Acqulaini is on the bench this Sat and seeing Lucas play.  Lucas does not make any impact on the field other than passing the ball around or missed connection with a ball when it matters.  How can Acquilani gain fitness if Rafa does not let him play?  These are excuses from Rafa.  If he's being kept on the bench for too long, he will eventually end up like Babel, grumbling and fighting for attention to play in 1st team.  So who's fault is that?  It is Rafa.  He has killed the motivation and fighting spirit of many good players.  The team needs more good players not only on Torres and Gerrard.  We cannot win without depth in the squad.

    Rafa has to go !!! 

    ReplyDelete
  52. Fair points. But I would argue that Diarra is the one who is filling the holes.  He is a very similar player to Macherano who allows Alonso to dictate the play. 

    Regarding AA......When he's match fit we'll see his true role in the side.  Until he is fit we can only speculate whether or not he is under instruction not to come back or whether he simply hasn't the lungs for it.

    ReplyDelete
  53. Plain simple.

    Rafa lost his marbles a long time back and has not found them yet.

    Leave now you douchebag before you hurt LFC even more.  :(

    ReplyDelete
  54. Another expected outcome at Anfield...I am so sick of it.  Nowadays the only thing consistent about LFC is losing matches after taking the lead.  I don't want to be negative but it seems that we may even have problem finishing in the top 4.  How often does it happen that Man City, Spur are dropping points.  This was the best chance for us to catch up but we wasted it...

    Rafa, American owners and incompetent players have to go...This is so humiliating in the history of LFC.  I wonder what Shankly would think and do given the situation.  The current LFC team seems to be living on past glories and legacies...Seeing Alonso in the director box watching the game really hurts.  For him to watch LFC lost must have been hurting for him too.  Rafa had not valued him and should not have let him go.

    Rafa, please take responsibility and RESIGN for the sake of LFC !!!

    ReplyDelete