Liverpool FC Forum

[SupitsJonF]

[cheras]

I would have thought he would start games with the intention of taking him off at half time if he is looking a little jaded.  The lad is never gonna get match fit unless he is playing more than 15 minute cameos.  If Rafa doesnt want to risk points in the league (I know!!) why isnt he playing in reserve games?

I think the real problem is Rafa doesnt know where to play him.  He is NOT a defensive midfielder and Rafa doesnt like players who attack..  that is why we only have Torres, Gerrard and Benny who are even a little bit offensive.

Even Johnson has stopped raiding down the wing!

He should be playing in the final 3rd just behind Torres. Rafa said when we bought him he can give a lot in terms of creating chances. He should NOT be played in Xabis old position. That is too deep for him to have any impact. We would be far better off playing Stevie deeper as we know he can play well in that role. I know Stevie is effective going forward but Aquilani is an attacking player so he should get priority really.

If Rafa tries to play Aquilani in a deep lying role that will be a serious waste of his ability. Kind of like playing Babel on the wings.

Also that every time Gerrard has played CM this season we have won ?

Makes sense or am I just reading into the fact I am not a total fecking idiot. 

I do wonder sometimes what Rafa is thinking mate. But I can just see him playing him out of position. He has done it with Babel, Skrtel, Keane, Aurelio, Kuyt!!!

This is what I am afraid of.  I really believe that Rafa see's him as a direct replacement for Alonso, when in truth they are different players.

Mascha will almost certainly be gone in Jan (if not he will leave in the summer) so the only option for me is for Gerrard and Aquilani to play in the middle with Torres up front and Yossi in the hole in a more traditional 442.  It means Gerrard will have to play a more defensive position but who else have we got?

We cannot continue to play with 2 defenive midfielders and only one up front as we no longer have the players to do this

If Masch leaves there will be money for A.N.OTHER, I suggest Defour.

Aquilani and Defour in mid, Stevie G and Torres attack. Lucas would've evolved into a solid back up by then.

The problem with Lucas is he doesn't capture the imagination like a young Alonso did at 22.

[kazza]

If Masch leaves there will be money for A.N.OTHER, I suggest Defour.

Aquilani and Defour in mid, Stevie G and Torres attack. Lucas would've evolved into a solid back up by then.

The problem with Lucas is he doesn't capture the imagination like a young Alonso did at 22.[/quote]
I always liked him. Works hard, good technical skills and never seems to get injured. I a perfect Rafa type player.

[The_Rock]

If Masch leaves there will be money for A.N.OTHER, I suggest Defour.

Aquilani and Defour in mid, Stevie G and Torres attack. Lucas would've evolved into a solid back up by then.

The problem with Lucas is he doesn't capture the imagination like a young Alonso did at 22.

I always liked him. Works hard, good technical skills and never seems to get injured. I a perfect Rafa type player.[/quote]
good technical skill = Benitez type of player ? 

[Rush Job]

I really believe that Rafa see's him as a direct replacement for Alonso, when in truth they are different players.

Not true, I remember when he signed Rafa said on more than one occasion that he was a different type of player than Alonso,saying he would score and create more.

[Ola Mr Benitez]

I really believe that Rafa see's him as a direct replacement for Alonso, when in truth they are different players.

Not true, I remember when he signed Rafa said on more than one occasion that he was a different type of player than Alonso,saying he would score and create more.

Well we will see.. when (or if) he gets a game.. If he is playing deep alongside Mascha then he is being used as a direct replacement for Alonso in the same role..

[Benny The Noon]

Alberto Aquilani is another who could potentially make his derby debut - though the manager remains eager to play it safe with the fitness of the Italian international.

"It is a difficult situation with Aquilani," said Benitez. "People have been asking me about him, and we have been wanting to play him for a long time, but when a player is not fully fit, his match fitness is not the best.

"When you are in a situation where you are winning 1-0 in a very important game, or you are drawing as we were against City, it's more difficult for him (to play as a substitute).

"Sometimes when a new player plays for just 20-30 minutes, they need time to settle down.

"We need to do the right things with him. If you are winning and doing well, you can play anyone because they will play well too.

"He will play if it is necessary, and hopefully it will be because it will mean we are winning and want to give him some minutes.

"We have to give him the best opportunity to thrive on the pitch."

[shanklygates]

i just cant wait till he starts, even in that 15 mins against arsenal he looked class.

come on rafa start him vs the blue

[red_guy]

i just cant wait till he starts, even in that 15 mins against arsenal he looked class.

come on rafa start him vs the blue

probably not. Gollum will assign at least 5 of his players just to kick  aquaman's butt. Rafa wont risk that.

[Fauxy]

Blackburn away next, quite a physical team but thats the premier league for ya.

Im not getting optimistic about him starting this one but he will most likely get 30 mins and then start against Fiorentina since that is a pointless game.

[Penguins]

I have been patient and thought when the time came Aquailani would slot in nicely by Masch, but now it seems that Rafa just can't seem to ditch Lucas and is holding Aquilani off.

What is the man thinking?
Is he that scared of losing Lucas now that masch probably will leave next summer?

All these excuses from Rafa is getting annoying.

[tubby]

I would have thought he would start games with the intention of taking him off at half time if he is looking a little jaded.  The lad is never gonna get match fit unless he is playing more than 15 minute cameos.  If Rafa doesnt want to risk points in the league (I know!!) why isnt he playing in reserve games?

I think the real problem is Rafa doesnt know where to play him.  He is NOT a defensive midfielder and Rafa doesnt like players who attack..  that is why we only have Torres, Gerrard and Benny who are even a little bit offensive.

Even Johnson has stopped raiding down the wing!

He should be playing in the final 3rd just behind Torres. Rafa said when we bought him he can give a lot in terms of creating chances. He should NOT be played in Xabis old position. That is too deep for him to have any impact. We would be far better off playing Stevie deeper as we know he can play well in that role. I know Stevie is effective going forward but Aquilani is an attacking player so he should get priority really.

If Rafa tries to play Aquilani in a deep lying role that will be a serious waste of his ability. Kind of like playing Babel on the wings.

Also that every time Gerrard has played CM this season we have won ?

Makes sense or am I just reading into the fact I am not a total fecking idiot. 

I do wonder sometimes what Rafa is thinking mate. But I can just see him playing him out of position. He has done it with Babel, Skrtel, Keane, Aurelio, Kuyt!!!

This is what I am afraid of.  I really believe that Rafa see's him as a direct replacement for Alonso, when in truth they are different players.

Mascha will almost certainly be gone in Jan (if not he will leave in the summer) so the only option for me is for Gerrard and Aquilani to play in the middle with Torres up front and Yossi in the hole in a more traditional 442.  It means Gerrard will have to play a more defensive position but who else have we got?

We cannot continue to play with 2 defenive midfielders and only one up front as we no longer have the players to do this

If Masch leaves there will be money for A.N.OTHER, I suggest Defour.

Aquilani and Defour in mid, Stevie G and Torres attack. Lucas would've evolved into a solid back up by then.

The problem with Lucas is he doesn't capture the imagination like a young Alonso did at 22.

Defour is an attacking player so that would make no sense. We would only have Lucas and Spearing as defensive midfielders.

[Fauxy]

I have been patient and thought when the time came Aquailani would slot in nicely by Masch, but now it seems that Rafa just can't seem to ditch Lucas and is holding Aquilani off.

What is the man thinking?
Is he that scared of losing Lucas now that masch probably will leave next summer?

All these excuses from Rafa is getting annoying.

I think youve got it all wrong.

Its not a case of Rafa worrying about Lucas' place in my opinion. Rafa knows that we are leaking goals this season and that every game we have had has been important because we need to gain points to get into the top four and avoid scenario's such as against Fulham when we cant afford to drop points against these teams.

So he has a choice of playing either a fully fit defensive midfielder or an unfit injury risk attacking midfielder. When we are leaking goals it makes sense to play the defensive mid.

If for example against Blackburn we are coasting it, 2-0 up at half time I am positive that Rafa would bring on Aquilani at 65mins. Its just a case of him having to find a comfortable game to bring him into.. we havent had a single comfortable game in the past 11.

[Zidane]

This guy needs to be played already.

[Penguins]

I have been patient and thought when the time came Aquailani would slot in nicely by Masch, but now it seems that Rafa just can't seem to ditch Lucas and is holding Aquilani off.

What is the man thinking?
Is he that scared of losing Lucas now that masch probably will leave next summer?

All these excuses from Rafa is getting annoying.

I think youve got it all wrong.

Its not a case of Rafa worrying about Lucas' place in my opinion. Rafa knows that we are leaking goals this season and that every game we have had has been important because we need to gain points to get into the top four and avoid scenario's such as against Fulham when we cant afford to drop points against these teams.

So he has a choice of playing either a fully fit defensive midfielder or an unfit injury risk attacking midfielder. When we are leaking goals it makes sense to play the defensive mid.

If for example against Blackburn we are coasting it, 2-0 up at half time I am positive that Rafa would bring on Aquilani at 65mins. Its just a case of him having to find a comfortable game to bring him into.. we havent had a single comfortable game in the past 11.

But it should be exactly the other way around.
What use is there to put in an attacking player at 2-0 up??

We should start Aquaman and use his offensive ability and then at ht or in the 2nd half when, thanks to him, we are up by 2-0 to let Lucas in to pass it sideways which he does so well.