Liverpool FC Forum

[account deleted by request]

Garcia possibly?!

I had Garcia penciled in for the left side but you may be right, Garcia on the right and Riise/ Aurelio/Zenden/Gonzales left.

[Hebz]

Garcia is quite adaptable though, so he's still an option. Will Rafa see it that way though? i think we'll need Garcia for sure against Arsenal !

[Red Soul]

Ah come on.

Bellamy's lacking confidence, on top of only recently coming back from injury. That's going to affect his sharpness and his decision-making. Despite this, he still wanted the ball every time, and didn't shy away from it. We championed Peter Crouch during a similiar period, why are we not getting behind bellamy in the same manner?

Gonzales looked good tonight, Pennant looks like he needs a bit more self-belief when it comes to taking on a left-back but otherwise looked useful, Dudek put in a flawless goalkeeping display, Agger and Paletta showed that the central defensive partnership of the future looks excellent, and Zenden raised his stock a little with a good performance (although he still gave the ball away more often than I'd prefer).

We put a second string side out there tonight, and not only did they dominate the match, they produced the required result. Apart from Momo's injury, where the hell are the negatives?

[peterc1992]

pennant was bad tonight,we brought him in to run at the left and right backs and he doesnt seem to be doing much +he cant cross his legs but im not going to says he is sh*t as at the weekend he might be brilliant 

but id rather haveon sunday= gonzalez gerrard alonso luis garcia
but it will probably be=luis garcia zenden alonso gerrard

[account deleted by request]

The only negative for me was that we played a very very poor Birmingham side, and we didnt really show much. I was very surprised how poor Birmingham are now, its only a couple of years ago they looked like a decent team.

[peterc1992]

we played against a bad birmingham side but we won and u can say that the team we had out tonight was not used to playing with each other,a completly new back line  and off from strikers but the main thing we still won

[adamnbarrett]

Rafael Benitez has admitted he expects to be without Momo Sissoko for a lengthy period of time after the Liverpool midfielder dislocated his shoulder at Birmingham. 
The Mali international landed awkwardly on his right hand side after a challenge from Mehdi Nafti during the Reds' Carling Cup victory at St Andrews.
 
"We are keeping our fingers crossed but I think it's serious," said Benitez after the game. "I can't say anymore at this moment because we are waiting for news.
 
"We need all of our players and we know that Momo gives us wonderful energy in the middle of the field, but it's clear we could be without him for a long while, at least one month."
 
As far as the match was concerned, Benitez was happy to see his side record their first away victory of the season to secure their place in the last eight of the Carling Cup.
 
"The players all worked extremely hard but it would have been easier for us if we'd taken our chances," he added.
 
"We missed a penalty and had other clear opportunities and if we'd scored another goal it would have been a different game and easier for us."
 
Liverpool will find out their quarter final opponents when the draw takes place on Saturday afternoon.

[kirankara]

i was at the game today, unfortunately not in liverpool section but was close, fans are unbelievable they sang their hearts out, blues fans were . ppl who say pennant played bad are talking out their rear ends, he played well, ran his socks off set up few chances exchanged few passes with players to create spaces and put in few crosses, him, gonzalez and xabi were best players on pitch , only when kuyt came on did they have a contender fo best player on pitch

[adamnbarrett]

Well done to the lads tonight.

The back four and keeper were superb. That peltier is looking better and better. Agger was again superb. Paletta I'm not too sure about, he seems to like to obviously purposely block people alot. He was lucky not to be sent off for that barge in the 1st half because it was a foul and he was the last man. Warnock was solid, tough challenges went in and he did a good job.

Gonzalez was good today. He had a few good shots, made runs and linked up well. Pennant was average at best. Zenden was MOTM for me, he was superb, breaking forward, threading passes, tackling back. He was everywhere and deserved a goal.

Bellamy is trying too hard at the moment and that penalty was probably the worst one I've seen in long time. Although he runs his socks off, he needs goals badly. I'll blame tonight on the fact that he's only just come back from injury.

Dudek was superb. Made some excellect saves and seemed comfortable at all times with crosses etc. Ordered the defence about well and we looked a well organised unit.

A shame about sissoko though, that looks like a dislocated shoulder. He could be out for a while depending on how bad it is. I hope he recovers ok.

Overall well done lads, job done.

I'll take anyone at Anfield in the next round   

[account deleted by request]

Well done to the lads tonight.

The back four and keeper were superb. That peltier is looking better and better. Agger was again superb. Paletta I'm not too sure about, he seems to like to obviously purposely block people alot. He was lucky not to be sent off for that barge in the 1st half because it was a foul and he was the last man. Warnock was solid, tough challenges went in and he did a good job.

Gonzalez was good today. He had a few good shots, made runs and linked up well. Pennant was average at best. Zenden was MOTM for me, he was superb, breaking forward, threading passes, tackling back. He was everywhere and deserved a goal.

Bellamy is trying too hard at the moment and that penalty was probably the worst one I've seen in long time. Although he runs his socks off, he needs goals badly. I'll blame tonight on the fact that he's only just come back from injury.

Dudek was superb. Made some excellect saves and seemed comfortable at all times with crosses etc. Ordered the defence about well and we looked a well organised unit.

A shame about sissoko though, that looks like a dislocated shoulder. He could be out for a while depending on how bad it is. I hope he recovers ok.

Overall well done lads, job done.

I'll take anyone at Anfield in the next round   

You should be writing match reports for sky sports Adam. I nearly always seem to agree with the way you see matches.

[mattylfc]

Good result last night, always comfortable.

Noticed a lot of posts regarding Bellamys bad performance, i completely agree that he was way below par last night but i dont understand how hardly anyone has mentioned Robbies performance. Robbie was absolutely terrible last night, im one of his biggest fans but last night he wasnt with it at all.  I really thought he would run his socks off last night and try and stake a claim for the a start in the prem, not on last nights showing though.

Really gutted about Momo, such a big player for us in the midfield with his relentless running and great attitude.  Really hope for a speedy recovery, im sure Gerrard will have no problem filling in the middle in his absence.

Positives from last night were Dudek, Agger, Paletta, Peltier, Zenden, Alonso and Gonzalez.  All put in some solid performances and its great to get another clean sheet.

Other positive from last night was to see a second string Arsenal beat a full strength Everton, laughable.

I've got a feeling we will draw Tottenham next round, dont know why.  When us the draw, anyone know?

[crouchaldinho]

The draw is on saturday 12.30.

I tohught there were some good displays last night, a lot of positives to take from the game. In particular i think Zenden deserves a fair bit of praise for his recent performances, i slated him a bit earlier in the season but in the last couple of games he's looked a different player than he was at the start of the season. So this is me holding my hands up and saying i was wrong.

I also thought agger was again superb, ive been impressed with his performances all season and the guy just keeps getting better. Peltier too looks an exciting prospect, i for one was worried about the lack of cover at right-back, but i think he could cut it in the prem no worries. Palletta i think was a bit hit and miss - in the sense that he showed some great tackles, he's quick, brave and seems to read the game ok, but i think theres too much youthful exuberance in him at the moment, i thought he was going to get sent off in the first half for that block - which would have turned the game around, then he did something similar in the 2nd. Think this is a problem that'll be ironed out within a season or two though.
Gonzales also had his best game in a liverpool shirt last night, needs to improve his crossing though.

I also read in this thread someone slagging Stevie Warnock (cant be bothered looking back to get the quote) and id just like to say bol***ks, he barely put a foot wrong all night, he was good in possession, tackled well, and got forward at every opportunity. so once again - bol***ks!!!

[puroresu]

I went last night.  2nd half was far better than the 1st.  Bellamy cannot buy a goal.  He is struggling big time and the chances he missed was shocking.  One of the worst penalties I have ever seen.  Waited for the keeper to move then hit it in the direction he went down.  Shocking.  He shouldnt of been allowed to take it either.  Last season the same thing was allowed with crouch and he missed.  I have never been convinced Bellamy was the answer and he aint done anything to suggest otherwise.  How many sitters can he miss.  Fowler was rubbish as well.

[taff]

Well done to the lads tonight.

The back four and keeper were superb. That peltier is looking better and better. Agger was again superb. Paletta I'm not too sure about, he seems to like to obviously purposely block people alot. He was lucky not to be sent off for that barge in the 1st half because it was a foul and he was the last man. Warnock was solid, tough challenges went in and he did a good job.

Gonzalez was good today. He had a few good shots, made runs and linked up well. Pennant was average at best. Zenden was MOTM for me, he was superb, breaking forward, threading passes, tackling back. He was everywhere and deserved a goal.

Bellamy is trying too hard at the moment and that penalty was probably the worst one I've seen in long time. Although he runs his socks off, he needs goals badly. I'll blame tonight on the fact that he's only just come back from injury.

Dudek was superb. Made some excellect saves and seemed comfortable at all times with crosses etc. Ordered the defence about well and we looked a well organised unit.

A shame about sissoko though, that looks like a dislocated shoulder. He could be out for a while depending on how bad it is. I hope he recovers ok.

Overall well done lads, job done.

I'll take anyone at Anfield in the next round   

You should be writing match reports for sky sports Adam. I nearly always seem to agree with the way you see matches.

I agree as well
Bellamy needs a goal I agree, and quickly as well.  Kuyt had that swagger of someone who has been scoring while Bellamy works hard but always does but looked like someone who couldnt score in a brothel.  Fowler needs a goal as well to pressurise the other three for a regular spot.

Zenden was mature and played well.  Alonso, surely he is older than he says.

Good to see players getting a start and well done to Peltier.

[Rafa D]

Went last night and can I just say what a good job Birmingham have done with the position of their ground and the ease of parking and getting out of car parks back onto the main roads. We arrived there around 5.35 and there was a McDonalds on the road approaching the stadium. We parked there and went in and got a meal. Then when we came out it was only about 200 yards to our "Visitors Area". It was such a refreshing change to be able to park quickly and closely to the ground and the ease with which we were back onto the road home was superb. Top Marks to Birmingham for that. I am still having nightmares from Bolton's Reebok stadium where it took over a 1 1/2 to get out of the car park!!

  Got into the ground and although it was very basic it was easy to get a bevvy and get a bet on. ( My Fowler first goal and 4 - 0 never looked likely from the off!). It seemed very subdued waiting for the game and I thought the signs were we wouldn't be singing muh tonight. However when it came to 7.40 we were in full voice in support of the boys.

  I was impressed with the starting line up. I thought it would be a lot more young players because of Arsenal at the weekend but it shows our strength in depth this year. I thought Bellamy was working hard for the team, but it seems our midfielders were reluctant to play through balls at times which I noticed a lot in the 2nd half. I was gutted for him when he missed the penalty because a) he needs a goal and b) it seemed to give the home fans a lot of belief when he missed. I didn't think he would score. He is struggling for confidence and we have seen it before with Owen and Fowler.

  Thought Zenden had a good game he was willing to press on and shoot but Xabi controlled the midfield for me. He was spraying passes all over the park and he looks like Xabi 2005 era now. He was at the start of a lot of our moves and his passing was a joy to watch. Gonzo played well, the best I have seen him play I think, but he still needs to improve. He won a penaly but from where I was sitting Jaidi got some of the ball so it was 50/50.( I don't have the benefit of seeing replays as we did not get home till 12.30am so dont slate me!).

Frustrating is the only word to describe Pennant at the moment. He shows good touches and flicks but some of his passing and crossing is woeful. He needs to raise his game. Peltier did well and Warnock was Warnock, full committed performance and never shirking a tackle. You can see why he has broke his leg twice, if the ball is there to be won, he never shirks. It was a blow to see us lose Momo with such a bad injury, I think he is vital to the Liverpool team and he will be sorely missed. His replacement will probably be Pennant and Gerrard moved in.

I thought our starman was a toss up between the 2 centre backs and I think Paletta shaded it for me. Agger was calm and composed and scored a goal, but Paletta was up for a real battle with Jerome and he came through will flying colours. He was a typical Argentinan, gritty and all hussle and bussle. I was very impressed with Paletta and thought Agger and him complemented each other very well.

Dirk Kuyt has already gained the adulation of the Liverpool faithful and "Rafa's got his Dirk Kuyt" seems to be the song of choice at the moment for the dutchman. He clapped the fans again. He is quickly raising up to one of my favourite players, so quickly as well. The fans were in good voice and Steve Bruce got a volley of abuse with the

"Steve BRUCE! He's got a big fat ed, he's got a big fat ed, he's got a big fat ed, Steve BRUCE!"

The Birmingham fans were quite good as well to be fair but a lot of Nationwide songs show they might derserve to be down there, it makes me cringe! When they heard Villa were losing a chant of "S**t on the Villa"  was started and we replied with "S**T on the Brummies" They laughed we laughed it was all good humour and generally good banter between the fans. They all clapped Momo off as well which I thought was nice. Good to see Maik Taylor there keeper could take a joke as well, when one of our players was down, he was taking some stick of a few young lads in the front row and he came over and pulled his top up to show his 6 pack and started doing big belly motions to the little lad , it was funny and he was a good sport, even when we took his ball lol.

Sum up, job done, but losing Momo was a blow. Oh well onwards and upwards.