Liverpool FC Forum

[akumaface]

it doesnt make sense how a highly rated Roma star who left the fans gutted when he left and cost us 20million is 2nd choice behind Lucas of all people.....

I totally agree. I remember Alonso was slotted right in the mix of thing when we got him....Also, we are not winning games as we should have with Lucas and Mascher, why not change things a bit. How could it be anything worse than having Lucas there. As the only goal for us now is probably getting back into the top 4, if we never win by couple of goals in all of the remaining game, does it mean Alberto will never play any minute of it this season....I always support Rafa but his decision really baffers me sometimes. Even if we are up by couple of goals and have a chance to ease Alberto into the games, that doesn't mean it would be any easier to avoid any injuries if that is what worries Rafa. How strange...

[maypaxvobiscum]

it doesnt make sense how a highly rated Roma star who left the fans gutted when he left and cost us 20million is 2nd choice behind Lucas of all people.....

I totally agree. I remember Alonso was slotted right in the mix of thing when we got him....Also, we are not winning games as we should have with Lucas and Mascher, why not change things a bit. How could it be anything worse than having Lucas there. As the only goal for us now is probably getting back into the top 4, if we never win by couple of goals in all of the remaining game, does it mean Alberto will never play any minute of it this season....I always support Rafa but his decision really baffers me sometimes. Even if we are up by couple of goals and have a chance to ease Alberto into the games, that doesn't mean it would be any easier to avoid any injuries if that is what worries Rafa. How strange...

if that is the real reason why he isnt being played then clearly Rafa is either a fool for having so much faith in Lucas or a fool for agreeing to such a hefty deal for Aquilani. ive seen him play a lil bit this season and he sure is really elegant on the ball and yeah, Alonso fitted in seamlessly too when he first came. injuries are part and parcel of sports. if he can play Gerrard and Torres among others despite them not being fully fit, why not take the same risk with one of your most expensive signing? sigh...

[Roger Red Hat]

big chance for Aquaman tonight. Looks like he's gonna start

[dawson99]

got him to score a hat trick 750/1! max bet

[stmichael]

i'm actually really excited to see the lad play tonight.

[Penguins]

If Aquaman hasn't put out Lucas from the 1st 11 at the start of next year I'll be really dissapointed.

Part of me thinks it has to do with the fact the Masch might be leaving in the summer and he is still too good to not play.

But that means Lucas might be, in Rafa's eyes, the player who will be playing as a definite starter next season maybe as a replacement for Masch. And Lucas was dissapointed last season about not getting enough starts and maybe Rafa needs him to play so he will sign a new contract this summer and not seek a move elsewhere which would leave Rafa with 2 cm wanting to leave in the summer.

Ok, ok, it is the cynic in me talking but still....

[teamleader1]

if any one is wondering why Aquilani isnt playing it seems fairly obvious to me, he is currently second choice behind Lucas and will have to work to get him out of the side. Im not joking, i think Rafa actually considers Lucas first team now.

I don't think Rafa has any intention of dropping Lucas or ever giving up his 2 defensive MF.
Beni and Rierra are the scape goats, Aquilani will play on the left or he may even shunt SG out there
Sounds stupid, but this is Rafa logic we're talking about.

Does anyone really believe he will ever willingly go with a      4-4-2 line up?

[Scottbot]

I'm surprised to see that this thread hasn't had a few more posts in it following on from last nights game. I didn't see the game but i've watched the highlights plus the Aquilani clips on the offal and must admit i'm quite excited about this lad. From the highlights they showed the thing that stands out immediately is his awareness. He did one of those little back-heels (that he is very well known for i believe) while dribbling which went perfectly into the path of Stevie as he was running. There was another little blind flick which again went straight to the captain and several first time passes that demonstrated excellent vision. it's probably too late to salvage this season but here's hoping we've got a talent in our ranks for the forseeable future. Obviously the Captain rates him and that is good enough for me because it's rare for Stevie to give praise about fellow player sin public unless they are half-decent.

I don't think he will, but PLEASE Rafa give this lad another start on Sunday.

[Benny The Noon]

He started well and then faded away towards the end of the first half , same again second half and then faded until he was then replaced - still obviously very short of fitness .

Had some very ncie touches - made passes look simple - nice cheeky backheel and was always looking to go forward . He linked up well with gerrard a few times .

A small promising start and encouraging signs - cant see him starting on sunday but definatly will play a part in the game .

[Bad Bob]

I'm surprised to see that this thread hasn't had a few more posts in it following on from last nights game. I didn't see the game but i've watched the highlights plus the Aquilani clips on the offal and must admit i'm quite excited about this lad. From the highlights they showed the thing that stands out immediately is his awareness. He did one of those little back-heels (that he is very well known for i believe) while dribbling which went perfectly into the path of Stevie as he was running. There was another little blind flick which again went straight to the captain and several first time passes that demonstrated excellent vision. it's probably too late to salvage this season but here's hoping we've got a talent in our ranks for the forseeable future. Obviously the Captain rates him and that is good enough for me because it's rare for Stevie to give praise about fellow player sin public unless they are half-decent.

I don't think he will, but PLEASE Rafa give this lad another start on Sunday.

Yes, he looked good going forward Scott (until he faded due to lack of match fitness of course).  Kind of reminded me of Modric a bit last night.  He did look a little more suspect on the defensive side of the equation.  As a couple have said in the match thread, if that's indicative and if Rafa wants to persist with 4-2-3-1, we might consider swapping him and Gerrard around to take the defensive pressure off Alberto.

[Scottbot]

I'm surprised to see that this thread hasn't had a few more posts in it following on from last nights game. I didn't see the game but i've watched the highlights plus the Aquilani clips on the offal and must admit i'm quite excited about this lad. From the highlights they showed the thing that stands out immediately is his awareness. He did one of those little back-heels (that he is very well known for i believe) while dribbling which went perfectly into the path of Stevie as he was running. There was another little blind flick which again went straight to the captain and several first time passes that demonstrated excellent vision. it's probably too late to salvage this season but here's hoping we've got a talent in our ranks for the forseeable future. Obviously the Captain rates him and that is good enough for me because it's rare for Stevie to give praise about fellow player sin public unless they are half-decent.

I don't think he will, but PLEASE Rafa give this lad another start on Sunday.

Yes, he looked good going forward Scott (until he faded due to lack of match fitness of course).  Kind of reminded me of Modric a bit last night.  He did look a little more suspect on the defensive side of the equation.  As a couple have said in the match thread, if that's indicative and if Rafa wants to persist with 4-2-3-1, we might consider swapping him and Gerrard around to take the defensive pressure off Alberto.

Good shout on swapping him into Stevie's position, particularly considering the lads fitness. I get the impression they might interchange quite a bit during matches which is always a headache for opposing teams, plus  it might give us back some of the fluidity that is clearly lacking this season.

[Bad Bob]

I'm surprised to see that this thread hasn't had a few more posts in it following on from last nights game. I didn't see the game but i've watched the highlights plus the Aquilani clips on the offal and must admit i'm quite excited about this lad. From the highlights they showed the thing that stands out immediately is his awareness. He did one of those little back-heels (that he is very well known for i believe) while dribbling which went perfectly into the path of Stevie as he was running. There was another little blind flick which again went straight to the captain and several first time passes that demonstrated excellent vision. it's probably too late to salvage this season but here's hoping we've got a talent in our ranks for the forseeable future. Obviously the Captain rates him and that is good enough for me because it's rare for Stevie to give praise about fellow player sin public unless they are half-decent.

I don't think he will, but PLEASE Rafa give this lad another start on Sunday.

Yes, he looked good going forward Scott (until he faded due to lack of match fitness of course).  Kind of reminded me of Modric a bit last night.  He did look a little more suspect on the defensive side of the equation.  As a couple have said in the match thread, if that's indicative and if Rafa wants to persist with 4-2-3-1, we might consider swapping him and Gerrard around to take the defensive pressure off Alberto.

Good shout on swapping him into Stevie's position, particularly considering the lads fitness. I get the impression they might interchange quite a bit during matches which is always a headache for opposing teams, plus  it might give us back some of the fluidity that is clearly lacking this season.

One thing he loves doing, it seems, is getting into the box so it will remain to be seen whether swapping around with Gerrard will suit that focus or whether he prefers to ghost in from deep.  As you say, though, he instantly adds loads more flexibility to our play, especially if Benayoun's on the pitch as well.  The three of them could drive defenders mental as the drifted about, with Torres and Johnson buzzing about as well.

[teamleader1]

I'm surprised to see that this thread hasn't had a few more posts in it following on from last nights game. I didn't see the game but i've watched the highlights plus the Aquilani clips on the offal and must admit i'm quite excited about this lad. From the highlights they showed the thing that stands out immediately is his awareness. He did one of those little back-heels (that he is very well known for i believe) while dribbling which went perfectly into the path of Stevie as he was running. There was another little blind flick which again went straight to the captain and several first time passes that demonstrated excellent vision. it's probably too late to salvage this season but here's hoping we've got a talent in our ranks for the forseeable future. Obviously the Captain rates him and that is good enough for me because it's rare for Stevie to give praise about fellow player sin public unless they are half-decent.

I don't think he will, but PLEASE Rafa give this lad another start on Sunday.

Yes, he looked good going forward Scott (until he faded due to lack of match fitness of course).  Kind of reminded me of Modric a bit last night.  He did look a little more suspect on the defensive side of the equation.  As a couple have said in the match thread, if that's indicative and if Rafa wants to persist with 4-2-3-1, we might consider swapping him and Gerrard around to take the defensive pressure off Alberto.

Good shout on swapping him into Stevie's position, particularly considering the lads fitness. I get the impression they might interchange quite a bit during matches which is always a headache for opposing teams, plus  it might give us back some of the fluidity that is clearly lacking this season.

Sounds good
BUT.... this would mean Rafa dropping Lucas and his 2 defensive MF line up
Its not going to happen! 

[bigmick]

Well after seeing Alberto for the first time in a fullish game, I'm going to go out on a limb given the fact he clearly wasn't fit (I wonder why ) and say I was disappointed in his contribution. A couple of people have described him as being a "floater" and that's all good, but you've still got to have the determination to influence the play. For me he didn't do enough, didn't attempt enough, and didn't want it enough. I thought defensively he was absolutely powder puff, and I couldn't work out exactly what sort of player he is.

Based on that, I'm going to go out on a limb totally and say I don't think he'll be a good signing for us for 18-20 million quid. Early I know after one half fit performance, but that's what I think anyway. My money's on him going back to Italy at the end of next season.

[Effes]

That seems a little bit premature Mick, IMO.

I dont think he was that bad - he was trying to make things happen in the final third.
He played a great reverse pass in the second half out to the left wing; that was great vision.

I'd like to see him in a few Premier League games first before I pass judgement.