Liverpool FC Forum

[LFC2007]

I disagree.
Championship teams like Wolves and Reading play rough and tumble and are very physical. Thats the nature of that league. Some sides in the Prem actually let you play football. Thats where he could get acquainted

Then the likes of Stoke, Bolton, Blackburn, Burnley, Birmingham, Wigan and Hull should present similar challenges. (besides, we had plenty of space tonight)

[Emerald Red]

(besides, we had plenty of space tonight)

Exactly. Space that wasn't used to our advantage. Our movement - or lack of - up front and in wide areas is terrible. Whenever we got some width, Aqualini did make some good passes up and over the fullbacks. Some of these lot seriously weren't up to speed with his game at times. Few times outside the area he was looking for the 1-2, but the likes of Degen and Kuyt were just really too slow to react most of the time. If he has a cheeky little player like Pacheco to link with outside the box, it could be really benificial. Unfortunately it's up to Rafa to take that punt.

[LFC2007]

He has quality in those boots, no doubt about it. I wouldn't say he's shown anything like, say, Fabregas' ability in that respect, though (and for £20m you expect something special). What concerns me is whether or not as a package he has enough to flourish in our setup. On the evidence so far, you surely wouldn't say that he's hit it off, would you? I mean, Alonso and Masch were basically a snug fit from the off. There was a wholesness about them that for the life of me I can't see in Aquilani. Perhaps, having only ever played in serie 'a' (incidentally, I watched Napoli play at the weekend; boring as f'uck), he may take a little longer to get to grips with the speed ans physicality of the game. I hope so and I am certainly not eager to come back in six months and say "I told ya so".

Just to clear up Bamaga man's point. I presume he is referring to a reply I made to one of BigMick's posts in which he made a call after one 'nothing' game. Well, Aquilani's since figured in six games (4 starts), mainly against fairly lowly opponents in which he hasn't really done a lot. Now's about the time we'll start to see what he's made of.

[The_Rock]

Looks a little lightweight to be playing as a central midfielder......its like garcia or benayoun playing there.

Another nail in benitez's coffin i suppose.

[akumaface]

Yes, it's been only a few games he'd played. I'm really hope he proved me wrong. I feel sad for the him as he is being defined by his price tag. In fact, I don't think he is even better than Beni. A lot of you are saying give him some times to adapt the speed and physicality of the league. But what is most likely to happen is that what if he can't adapt or he is weak mentally and prefer to leave rather than stick it out? Dossena anyone? To me, you can see traces of the kind of player he is in the games he played. He is more laid back and lazy. This is really a reflection of his personality. I don't see any fire in his eyes....This might be a sad truth as I think he will end up leaving pretty soon as he is not mentally strong enough. regardless if he has the skills or not.

[Sabre]

He started brightly and played some nice passes, he's definately an intelligent player with the ball at his feet. Having said he's a nice passer of the ball, that includes setting Reading up for some dangerous counter attacks.

The guy doesn't fancy a tackle neither and looks pretty lazy tracking back, had Mascharano been next to him I think he would of looked better complimented.

Overall and going by what I've seen from him, I think he's going to struggle and could be another nail in the coffin for senior Benitez.

I couldn't watch the game yesterday (stream didn't work well and I hate streams), I'll punnish myself today.

Just to clarify, in the match thread I read yesterday, in some posts you and some other reds used a expression "the ball past by him" or something like that.

What do you mean by that? that he didn't tackle? that he didn't try to tackle? too static?

BTW I've quoted this post of yours because besides wanting to know what that expression means, I also think you are right in the bold part.

Personally I think that if you have Gerrard and Mascherano in your team, you can complete the midfield with anybody. Lucas being the exception that confirms the rule.

I hope he becomes a success, and I expect so, with or without Benitez.

[dawson99]

Sabre, why do you expect him to become a success?
what have you seen that we've missed?

[Sabre]

Sabre, why do you expect him to become a success?
what have you seen that we've missed?

I don't think I've spotted something you have missed as I see many of you, and ex players like Molby say he has quality no doubt...

The doubts that Bigmick was the first to rise were related not to his quality but his adaptation to the english football, but I tend to believe in the quality of a player so I hope he'll become a success.

That said, I don't care one iota about being right about that, it's simply what I think.

[dawson99]

thats cool but why do you think it? Because of what Molby said or have you seen something?

Personally I think he's lightweight, injury prone and a bit like a poor version of Darren Anderton (which isn't good)

[devaney]

Early days. I'll reserve judgement. Seems to be lacking in confidence like the rest of the team at the moment. Not keen on shooting or playing the long ball too often.

[agoodmentality]

If you seen that 60 minute interview with Carra on LFCTV,,

he was asked if there was any player who, after their first training session, he could tell they were'nt good enough,.

his reaction, suggested the player was still at the club,

I suggest this player is Aquilani,,

to me he seems like a luxury player (i also called robbie keane), the type of player we cannot afford to have in our present setup.

given time and space he probably is a world beater, the sad thing is , he wont find much time, or space playing in our country.

[Sir Roger]

I disagree.
Championship teams like Wolves and Reading play rough and tumble and are very physical. Thats the nature of that league. Some sides in the Prem actually let you play football. Thats where he could get acquainted

Then the likes of Stoke, Bolton, Blackburn, Burnley, Birmingham, Wigan and Hull should present similar challenges. (besides, we had plenty of space tonight)

Definitely
If they are up for it

[made in UK]

He started brightly and played some nice passes, he's definately an intelligent player with the ball at his feet. Having said he's a nice passer of the ball, that includes setting Reading up for some dangerous counter attacks.

The guy doesn't fancy a tackle neither and looks pretty lazy tracking back, had Mascharano been next to him I think he would of looked better complimented.

Overall and going by what I've seen from him, I think he's going to struggle and could be another nail in the coffin for senior Benitez.

I couldn't watch the game yesterday (stream didn't work well and I hate streams), I'll punnish myself today.

Just to clarify, in the match thread I read yesterday, in some posts you and some other reds used a expression "the ball past by him" or something like that.

What do you mean by that? that he didn't tackle? that he didn't try to tackle? too static?

BTW I've quoted this post of yours because besides wanting to know what that expression means, I also think you are right in the bold part.

Personally I think that if you have Gerrard and Mascherano in your team, you can complete the midfield with anybody. Lucas being the exception that confirms the rule.

I hope he becomes a success, and I expect so, with or without Benitez.

To answer your question:

Yes, he looks to lackluster and static therefore the games seems to sail on by while he's playing.

[Sir Roger]

He started brightly and played some nice passes, he's definately an intelligent player with the ball at his feet. Having said he's a nice passer of the ball, that includes setting Reading up for some dangerous counter attacks.

The guy doesn't fancy a tackle neither and looks pretty lazy tracking back, had Mascharano been next to him I think he would of looked better complimented.

Overall and going by what I've seen from him, I think he's going to struggle and could be another nail in the coffin for senior Benitez.

I couldn't watch the game yesterday (stream didn't work well and I hate streams), I'll punnish myself today.

Just to clarify, in the match thread I read yesterday, in some posts you and some other reds used a expression "the ball past by him" or something like that.

What do you mean by that? that he didn't tackle? that he didn't try to tackle? too static?

BTW I've quoted this post of yours because besides wanting to know what that expression means, I also think you are right in the bold part.

Personally I think that if you have Gerrard and Mascherano in your team, you can complete the midfield with anybody. Lucas being the exception that confirms the rule.

I hope he becomes a success, and I expect so, with or without Benitez.

To answer your question:

Yes, he looks to lackluster and static therefore the games seems to sail on by while he's playing.

Static means standing still
I saw him running around all match. Not very effectively I grant you.
But he was definitely NOT static

[made in UK]

He started brightly and played some nice passes, he's definately an intelligent player with the ball at his feet. Having said he's a nice passer of the ball, that includes setting Reading up for some dangerous counter attacks.

The guy doesn't fancy a tackle neither and looks pretty lazy tracking back, had Mascharano been next to him I think he would of looked better complimented.

Overall and going by what I've seen from him, I think he's going to struggle and could be another nail in the coffin for senior Benitez.

I couldn't watch the game yesterday (stream didn't work well and I hate streams), I'll punnish myself today.

Just to clarify, in the match thread I read yesterday, in some posts you and some other reds used a expression "the ball past by him" or something like that.

What do you mean by that? that he didn't tackle? that he didn't try to tackle? too static?

BTW I've quoted this post of yours because besides wanting to know what that expression means, I also think you are right in the bold part.

Personally I think that if you have Gerrard and Mascherano in your team, you can complete the midfield with anybody. Lucas being the exception that confirms the rule.

I hope he becomes a success, and I expect so, with or without Benitez.

To answer your question:

Yes, he looks to lackluster and static therefore the games seems to sail on by while he's playing.

Static means standing still
I saw him running around all match. Not very effectively I grant you.
But he was definitely NOT static

Okay lacklustered, no energy, no bite, no fire in his belly...