Liverpool FC Forum

[The_Rock]

SURELY he cant be far away now...

A bit of a joke playing Dossena instead of Aquilani to be honest even though it was still very late in the game.

Cant see him starting against Everton.

IMO and as much as I would like to see him start I don't think the Merseyside derby is the place to make your debut. He would be targetted as a potential weak link and taken out early on I reckon.

Whereas Lucas is rock solid I suppose 

hey hey hey.......don't associate that passy with me... 

[Boocity]

This saga reminds me of when we bought Torres, he never wanted to play him much either and it cost us that season.

[Waldo]

This saga reminds me of when we bought Torres, he never wanted to play him much either and it cost us that season.

Yes you have a point!!

I don't think Aquilani would have saved our season (he can't as he was genuinely injured until 2-3 weeks ago) but I do think he could have had an impact and maybe made things slightly different/better.

[JamCar05]

What I don't understand about the Aquilani-situation is that surely Rafa can't be waiting for an "easy" game for him to start in, as there are no "easy" upcoming games: ie we aren't exactly playing great atm and we need to get points on the board, which put together doesn't make any games "easy" but on the contrary make them all vital "must wins". There are no carling cup games (or even more reserve games this year if I remember correctly), so when will he play from begin . Perhaps in the no longer important game at home against Fiorentina but that game is important for them (they want to finish first), so it won't exactly be a light training session either. At some point he'll have to start to gain more match fitness though but I'm quite sure it won't be in the derby (and rightly so imo).

Disclaimer: this post is not a dig at Rafa or some delusional thought that if only Aquilani was playing we would win everything or something like that, it is just generel bemusement at the whole situation (and of course like all others I'm itching to see what he actually has in his locker).

[Ben Patrick]

Its a joke what has been going on with Aquilani.

He should have started the last two games at least.
I genuinely am bemused as to how Rafa is expecting him to get fit.

The lad has looked very frustrated - most notably against city when he didnt come on.
I know subs forced Rafa's hand in that game to an extent but he should have started beforehand imo anyway.

[Aussie Style]

At training before the Debrecen game..he looks thrilled doesn't he?

Mama Mia I fkn should have stayed at Roma!

[Ola Mr Benitez]

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!

[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.

[Dazzer]

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. 

[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!!!

[Dazzer]

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!!!

Any one who knows Gerrard , knows he plays his best stuff as a box to box midfielder ? and that is a CM posistion I am not a fan of playing him as AM you lose he defensive know how and that is a big part of his game.

Also Gerrard really needs a few players ahead of him to make space he is not the best at doing that him self tho he has his moments of greatness.He likes to work of others space and drive in late into the box to smash goals in.Or ping a 25 yarder into the top corner.When was the last time we seen him do one of those ?

All I am saying is if it ain't broke don't fix it.Gerrard has always played best in CM lets keep it that way instead of making things more complicated.

So lets give aquaboy a chance behind the striker and leave Gerrard to roam , we know thats what he likes to do.

[tubby]

The thing is Rafa is determined to make Lucas into a good player so he can say I told you so. Usually Rafa is quick to toss the deadwood but he is being extra stubborn this season. But with Masch seemingly wanting out who knows what will happen.

[aCe']

Lucas is sht though... Id like to see Aquilani getting more pitch time as soon as possible... After the Arsenal game i thought we'd be seeing more of him and i thought hed be a starter week in week out by now... We need to have him back now, even if hes not fully fit we might as well risk him now that risk missing out on the top 4 and drifting further behind at this stage with other players struggling with injuries at this stage...

[Ola Mr Benitez]

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

[killerp]

Liverpools new signing

Aquaman

The highest quality h2o the football world has to offer