Liverpool FC Forum

[Scottbot]

Give the lad a chance to get used to the culture, the game, the team, the club for fu'cks sake and support him.

But it doesn't matter what gets said on here. Singing his praises and saying positive stuff isn't supporting the player is it? He doesn't read it, he doesn't hear it. And similarly, having doubts and voicing them (if you dare) is in no way being unsupportive for the same reasons. If i'm at the game every player in a Red shirt gets my full support, no matter who they are. The notion that criticising a player (or the manager) on an internet forum is somehow being unsupportive gets bandied about on here all the time. It would be pretty boring if everybody held back their opinion for 6 months. Fairplay to Mick for making an early call on the player, it was a bit early in my book and there's no doubt Mick enjoys being the first to stick his neck out but there's no doubt it stimulates a bit of footy debate around here.

[bigmick]

Aquilani at this moment in time looks like a 5 million pound one to me, but we'll see. I'll try and drum up some "faith", and sit on the floor cross legged chanting "believe believe believe" if you think it'll help.

Proof positive that you do not know as much as you think you do about football. I suppose when he proves his worth you can always use the old faithfull standby and say you were being sarcastic.

You're getting wittier everyday 

If you are saying that Aquilani is only worth 5 million pounds then you have now entered Idiotville, whether feeling sleepy or not.

[stmichael]

I don't undertstand the comparisons to Alonso. He was never brought to replace Alonso imo, which is why it has surprised me that we have basically stuck with the 4-2-3-1 through thick and thin. If we're going to keep playing that system then you're never going to get the best out of Aquilani as one of the two infront of the back four.

As far as I'm aware he was always an advanced attacking midfielder at Roma and not a player who played the traditional role Alonso played, dictating the pace of the game.

[only me]

Jury is still out on AquaMan ,he is yet to proove his weight in pounds ,it will take a few more games to decide if he is top premiership material.

Football style here is totally different then in Italy ,he has to be quicker and tougher with his thinking and execution - hopefully he would adopt.

[bigmick]

As I've said a few times there's little doubt that he can play, it's simply a question of whehter or not he'll be allowed to, and whether or not he wants to bad enough. His performance against Spurs was fractionally more encouraging in the sense that he was completely absolved of any defensive duties and obviously that's his weakest trait. As far as hurting the opposition was concerned, he didn't for me make any really telling contributions, although as I've said all along he does fairly obviously have some ability. I wonder if I'm honest whether we could continue to effectively carry a bloke who plays off Torres, knowing full well he's not going to either score or create heavily.

As for his increased aggression, he was fortunate IMHO that his impetuous kick out at Ledley King didn't cost us a penalty. That's the issue, he is totally unused to being asked the questions physically which he has been so far. He must develop and develop fast.

[Fauxy]

I wonder if I'm honest whether we could continue to effectively carry a bloke who plays off Torres, knowing full well he's not going to either score or create heavily.

First off.. how is he being carried? I thought he was quite influental in the match against spurs and made an impact against Stoke when he came on.

And who is to say he isnt going to score or create heavily? The very first game that he starts in his natural, attack minded position he gets us an assist and put in a nice free kick that could of lead to a goal.

I think you may be amongst those who are judging him far too early, and you obviously dont want to give him time.

[JamCar05]

I think there's every chance we'll be talking b0llocks for months without reaching an obvious solution.

Thread closed

[Sir Roger]

Give the lad a chance to get used to the culture, the game, the team, the club for fu'cks sake and support him.

But it doesn't matter what gets said on here. Singing his praises and saying positive stuff isn't supporting the player is it? He doesn't read it, he doesn't hear it. And similarly, having doubts and voicing them (if you dare) is in no way being unsupportive for the same reasons. If i'm at the game every player in a Red shirt gets my full support, no matter who they are. The notion that criticising a player (or the manager) on an internet forum is somehow being unsupportive gets bandied about on here all the time. It would be pretty boring if everybody held back their opinion for 6 months. Fairplay to Mick for making an early call on the player, it was a bit early in my book and there's no doubt Mick enjoys being the first to stick his neck out but there's no doubt it stimulates a bit of footy debate around here.

To say internet forums have no influence is naive in my eyes. The popular ones have some influence. So have radio phone ins and word of mouth. The internet is another way for people to express opinions. To big up or drag down players and let others know what youre thinking. I am not saying that they control the destiny of clubs or players but they can effect what people think and therefore say about a player. As can newspapers and TV.
I am not saying players read this forum and get upset by whats written here.
I am suggesting that a positive view of Aquilani might take a bit of pressure off him and allow him to develop into the player I think he can be. Criticising him after 3 games is a bit....premature?

[Kopite25]

As I've said a few times there's little doubt that he can play, it's simply a question of whehter or not he'll be allowed to, and whether or not he wants to bad enough. His performance against Spurs was fractionally more encouraging in the sense that he was completely absolved of any defensive duties and obviously that's his weakest trait. As far as hurting the opposition was concerned, he didn't for me make any really telling contributions, although as I've said all along he does fairly obviously have some ability. I wonder if I'm honest whether we could continue to effectively carry a bloke who plays off Torres, knowing full well he's not going to either score or create heavily.

As for his increased aggression, he was fortunate IMHO that his impetuous kick out at Ledley King didn't cost us a penalty. That's the issue, he is totally unused to being asked the questions physically which he has been so far. He must develop and develop fast.

Didn't make a telling contribution to hurting the opposition as far as your concerned???

So laying on the pass for Dirk to scorer the opener must of eluded you then??

It's like the blind leading the blind in here at the min!!!

[Sir Roger]

As I've said a few times there's little doubt that he can play, it's simply a question of whehter or not he'll be allowed to, and whether or not he wants to bad enough. His performance against Spurs was fractionally more encouraging in the sense that he was completely absolved of any defensive duties and obviously that's his weakest trait. As far as hurting the opposition was concerned, he didn't for me make any really telling contributions, although as I've said all along he does fairly obviously have some ability. I wonder if I'm honest whether we could continue to effectively carry a bloke who plays off Torres, knowing full well he's not going to either score or create heavily.

As for his increased aggression, he was fortunate IMHO that his impetuous kick out at Ledley King didn't cost us a penalty. That's the issue, he is totally unused to being asked the questions physically which he has been so far. He must develop and develop fast.

Didn't make a telling contribution to hurting the opposition as far as your concerned???

So laying on the pass for Dirk to scorer the opener must of eluded you then??

It's like the blind leading the blind in here at the min!!!

Or the blonde leading the blonde...?

[juljuve]

This is his ideal position. I'm italian and i saw a lot of matches of him in Roma. If you expect a new Xabi Alonso, you're wrong. He has to play closer to the forwards in order to serve them or to shot on goal directly.

[Fauxy]

I think Rafa knows its his best position, he just doesnt want a completely attack minded midfield

[Waldo]

4-1-2-2-1

Mascha in front of the back four 
Gerrard (Lucas until he is fit) and Aquaman in front of him rotating the runs forward to support wingers/forward.
Riera and Maxi on the wings
Kuyt upfront on his own

[Number 9]

I find it hard to believe that even a few have more or less made their mind up on the player already.

Was listening to Gary Mac last night,he said Aqualani needs a run of games before anyone can judge him because he is coming back from a long time out of football.....Who would disagree with a legend who has played the game and knows a hell of a lot more about football and playing at the highest level than any of us ever will??I agree with Gary Mac.But not just is he coming back from injury he is adapting to a new style of football where he will get less time on the ball,the game is played at a far faster pace and he'll get kicked a lot more than in Italy.

From what I have seen he is a very clever player and looks to have great vision.He likes to play a lot of through balls and clever little passes,it can be a bit frustrating that only a few come off but if he gets a run of games the players around him will learn his game and Im sure a hell of a lot more will come off .I think its gonna take some time for our players to get to know his style and ways as well for him to gel with them.As for where to play him?Well as far as I am concerned there is a vacancy in CM because Lucas and Masch should just not play together end of story.He may fit in there or he may fit better in Gerrards current position with the captain playing CM or going back on the right(as some have mentioned)??Who knows.

Anyway its too early to judge the lad and no one can say either way if he will be a success or a failure,whether he was worth £5m or what we paid.FFS the lad has just put his foot in the door,anyone that makes their mind up already are talking sh,ite and basically taking shots in the dark!

I'm not usually one to make an early mate but I've got genuine concerns about the player. Not with the ball at his feet, he looks good, sees the game, excellent vision, a bit of creativity and I can see why Gerrard made the comparisons to Alonso. But after watching 120 minutes of football against Reading the other night and failing to see our new midfielder make one tackle, we ll it set off some big alarm bells. The McAnuff run in particular, Aquilani was tracking back, he was in position to make the tackle (or at least to foul the player) and he simply pulled out and it should have cost us a goal really. Now that's got nothing to do with fitness, with waiting to see how he goes after 10, 20, 30 games, it's a major worry. And now we're all talking about the lad playing in the hole after a couple of nice touches in a game where (if were truthful) he was fairly anonymous for the most part. It's as if everyone's making the concession that the lad doesn't like a tackle (he's a midfielder remember) and therefore it's probably best to play him in the hole (not what he was bought for) and drop Stevie back into midfield. It's a big ask replacing Alonso, not just because Xabi was such a great passer but because he was a tough player, who liked the English up and at em style, and he led the team in tackles every season. i think Rafa has realised quite quickly that this lad isn't up for (or up to) the rough stuff hence sitting him on the bench for some of our more physical fixtures. I hope i'm wrong but I don't see how time (or bedding in) should have much impact on whether he wants to get stuck in or not. Either he does or he doesn't.

On the plus side, he looked a lot fitter yesterday and played with more energy.

I can understand what you say Scott about him not being up for it,reluctant to make tackles,but to repeat myself I think its too early to even say that.

Remember hes has a bad injury history,has just came back from a long term ankle injury.Its bound to be in his head that only matches will bring him back to full fitness and strength.The guy is probably paranoid about getting injured again(I could be wrong like) as well as adjusting to a new league,team mates etc.
He does'nt look confident to me yet,hopefully more matches and he can relax and play his game and confidence(and a lot more tackles and desire too would be good) will come with that.

Theres no right or wrong here.....only time will tell!

[Fauxy]

I think Rafa should try him out in a position like this:

                    Torres

Riera                                       Maxi


          Gerrard       Aquilani

                Mascherano


Insua       Agger      Carra      Johnson