Liverpool FC Forum

[account deleted by request]

Reina ,Finnan ,Carragher ,Hyypia ,Warnock ,Kromkamp (Kewell ,45 ) ,Hamann (Fowler ,73 ) ,Alonso (sent off 81),Luis Garcia ,Gerrard ,Crouch

Hamann and Alonso badbob (good try though mate )

[Bad Bob]

Reina ,Finnan ,Carragher ,Hyypia ,Warnock ,Kromkamp (Kewell ,45 ) ,Hamann (Fowler ,73 ) ,Alonso (sent off 81),Luis Garcia ,Gerrard ,Crouch

Hamann and Alonso badbob (good try though mate )

Alright, mate...it's vaguely coming back to me now: Gerrard in a "free" role until halftime and then moved into the middle after Xabi's slip/malicious tackle.  The less said about Henry's winner, the better!

[weringo]

Pennant is , if he isnt good enough for Arsenal why did we go ahead and buy him? You can carry on sayin "most crosses last season" but they are worthless if they dont go to a player. Crossing isnt his only weakness either, how many times this season have we seen him successfully dribble past an opposing full back? I am struggling to think of 1 time. I hope we play Garcia against Middlesborough because even though he often loses the ball, at least he does something good for the team. Pennant does NOTHING

[SouthCoastShankly]

Pennant is , if he isnt good enough for Arsenal why did we go ahead and buy him? You can carry on sayin "most crosses last season" but they are worthless if they dont go to a player. Crossing isnt his only weakness either, how many times this season have we seen him successfully dribble past an opposing full back? I am struggling to think of 1 time. I hope we play Garcia against Middlesborough because even though he often loses the ball, at least he does something good for the team. Pennant does NOTHING

You need to dry your eyes, or at least pop your dummy back in.

I fully support Rafa decision to sign Pennant. He is young and his potential is massive. He ability to cross is good, his problem is belief in himself and confidence at this level to perform.

The more games Pennant plays the better he will come, he is the first good out and out winger we have had for a long time. Especially considering the last one was Nunez.

[Bad Bob]

To be fair to the lad, he set up Crouchy's vital away goal in the CL qualifiers and his corners have produced a few goals this season...something we've struggled with in the past.  He's got to improve, certainly, but I don't reckon he's sh!te.

[account deleted by request]

I'll call the shots - RafaNov 17 2006
By Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo
RAFA BENITEZ insists the media frenzy over Steven Gerrard's best position won't pressure him into handing his skipper a permanent central midfield role.

However, the Liverpool boss today confirmed his intention to utilise the captain in the middle far more in the months ahead.

Liverpool head to Middlesbrough seeking their first Premiership away win tomorrow, and there's every chance Gerrard will play in his favoured position.

However, that's been part of Benitez's strategy since Momo Sissoko was injured, and the manager strongly resists any suggestion he's changed tack since the defeat to Arsenal.

Gerrard revealed earlier this week how he's been told by the manager to expect more time in the centre, prompting another tiresome debate about his role.

Benitez explained how he told his skipper as soon as Momo Sissoko dislocated his shoulder - before the Arsenal game - about what to expect.

"When Momo was injured, I told Steven it was our idea to play him on the right against Arsenal, but he didn't need to worry because he would play moregames in the middle in the future," explained Benitez.

Now suddenly I read how Rafa is changing his mind about where Steven should play. I'm not going to say before games where Steven will be playing, because it's nevera good idea to talk about your team and give the opposition information.

"The situation is clear. Steven could play on the right as he did against Arsenal, or he could play in the centre as he did against Reading a week earlier. We have one more training session today. I will check on the condition of all the players and then decide.

"I think maybe this is more a situation for journalists and commentators to talk about and isn't really an important issue at the club. I don't need to justify my decisions about team selection in every Press conference."
Luis Garcia is still struggling with a calf injury, and several other players will try to fight off niggles in training today, before the Reds head North East.
                             -------------------------------------------------
i'm usually very supportive of Rafa and what he says, Im a little disappointed by the tone of this article.

[kunilson]

even rafa is human, i cant blame him for being fed up with the sprayed by the media day-in day-out.

But back to the topic id like to see Ste G in the centre long enough to mix his new-found attacking brilliance and his early years of a hard-tackling worker in the middle.

[Bad Bob]

i'm usually very supportive of Rafa and what he says, Im a little disappointed by the tone of this article.

Why the disappointment?  I think he's spot on.  Letting the media know that he draws up the teamsheet according to his own assessment of what's required rather than caving to pressure over Stevie's position is the right move.  He's basically saying, "I'll be playing Stevie in the middle tomorrow but don't think that you lot had anything to do with it--I'm the gaffer and I'll decide what's best for the team." 

If I were Rafa, I'd be well p!ssed-off having to answer the same fecking questions about Stevie's position, rotation and the disappearing title challenge every week--especially when his detailed explanations are ignored in favour of the easy soundbite.  Journalists, after all, are paid to sell papers, not offer balanced, in-depth assessments of the nuances of the game and "Stubborn Rafa Persists in Playing Gerrard Out of Position" sells a lot more papers than "Rafa Again Opts for Gerrard On The Right in the Belief That It Will Bring More Balance To The Liverpool Midfield Than Would Be Achieved With Stevie In The Centre And Pennant On The Right"! 

[joko]

BOATENG WANTS GERRARD ON THE RIGHT
By Damian Spellman, PA Sport

Middlesbrough skipper George Boateng is hoping Steven Gerrard's exile to the right wing will continue at the Riverside Stadium on Saturday.

The 31-year-old has enjoyed many central midfield battles with a player he believes is one of the best in the business.

But as the debate over Rafael Benitez's decision to play the England international out wide rages on, the Dutchman has no doubts where he is most effective.

Boateng said: "Steven Gerrard, for me, is the best English midfield player in the country. He is the new Paul Scholes.

"He is a very, very talented, gifted player and I always enjoy playing against him.

"But I would rather have him out on the right. In a way, it is a compliment because if you are that good and can play in both positions, it is very, very good.

"But if you asked me where he is less effective, I would say stick him out wide. It makes our job a lot easier.

"But at the same time, he is still a quality player whether he plays from the right or not, and Benitez will be looking for a game where he will play from the right and score goals and say, 'I told you so'.

"But I hope on Saturday, he plays out wide."

Boateng will line up against several familiar faces as Boro attempt to extend the Reds' ordinary run on Teesside - they have won only twice in the Barclays Premiership in 10 visits to the Riverside Stadium - with compatriots Bolo Zenden and Dirk Kuyt in the Liverpool squad.

Kuyt, like the Boro enforcer, is a former Feyenoord player, and Boateng is confident he has a lot to offer his new club.

The Boro man said: "Dirk is made for success, and I told him that in pre-season when I spoke to him.

"His head is in the right place, his mental strength is very good. He is very committed and works extremely hard.

"But what people forget is he is very gifted. He is only right-footed, but it is better to have one good foot than two average, and he has a very good right foot."

The Teessiders will hope to build on last weekend's hard-fought victory over West Ham to go level on points with Benitez's side, and the game will give their captain another chance to return to the form which has made him such an important player in recent seasons.

He admits his performances have at times not been up to his usual standard since he succeeded manager Gareth Southgate, but he is quickly coming to terms with the role.

Boateng said: "Before I was captain, I was playing up to my best because I had nothing to worry about; then, I was worrying about other players, how they were doing, how they were playing and forgetting I had a big job to do myself.

"It has been a big challenge for me. You underestimate how much work goes into being a skipper and how many things come besides wearing the armband.

"It is great, it is good fun. I like and enjoy doing it. It is just when you lose, you have to be responsible for why everything went wrong."

Southgate will carry out late fitness checks on England midfielder Stewart Downing, who missed his country's game in Holland with a groin problem, while Lee Cattermole and Andrew Taylor are doubts with a dead leg and a calf injury respectively.

The manager retired as a player when he succeeded Steve McClaren in the summer, but while he enjoyed several successes against Liverpool, he admits he will not regret having to sit on the sidelines on Saturday.

He said: "These are the ones that make me think more and more I have made the right decision because I could not be the one chasing them around."

[puroresu]

Pennant is , if he isnt good enough for Arsenal why did we go ahead and buy him? You can carry on sayin "most crosses last season" but they are worthless if they dont go to a player. Crossing isnt his only weakness either, how many times this season have we seen him successfully dribble past an opposing full back? I am struggling to think of 1 time. I hope we play Garcia against Middlesborough because even though he often loses the ball, at least he does something good for the team. Pennant does NOTHING

You need to dry your eyes, or at least pop your dummy back in.

I fully support Rafa decision to sign Pennant. He is young and his potential is massive. He ability to cross is good, his problem is belief in himself and confidence at this level to perform.

The more games Pennant plays the better he will come, he is the first good out and out winger we have had for a long time. Especially considering the last one was Nunez.

Im not certain Pennant can get any better.  I am not convinced that he hasnt already hit his peak and I dont think he will go on to be someone we hope for.  If Rafa believes he has a lot of potential I still think he paid too much.

[account deleted by request]

i'm usually very supportive of Rafa and what he says, Im a little disappointed by the tone of this article.

Why the disappointment?  I think he's spot on.  Letting the media know that he draws up the teamsheet according to his own assessment of what's required rather than caving to pressure over Stevie's position is the right move.  He's basically saying, "I'll be playing Stevie in the middle tomorrow but don't think that you lot had anything to do with it--I'm the gaffer and I'll decide what's best for the team." 

If I were Rafa, I'd be well p!ssed-off having to answer the same fecking questions about Stevie's position, rotation and the disappearing title challenge every week--especially when his detailed explanations are ignored in favour of the easy soundbite.  Journalists, after all, are paid to sell papers, not offer balanced, in-depth assessments of the nuances of the game and "Stubborn Rafa Persists in Playing Gerrard Out of Position" sells a lot more papers than "Rafa Again Opts for Gerrard On The Right in the Belief That It Will Bring More Balance To The Liverpool Midfield Than Would Be Achieved With Stevie In The Centre And Pennant On The Right"! 

Whats wrong in changing tack if things arnt working? It doesnt mean you have to admit you are wrong ,just that your trying something else.(Whats so bad about admiting your wrong anyway?)

"When Momo was injured, I told Steven it was our idea to play him on the right against Arsenal, but he didn't need to worry because he would play more games in the middle in the future," explained Benitez

Basically confirms that Gerrard is unhappy on the right.

Now suddenly I read how Rafa is changing his mind about where Steven should play. I'm not going to say before games where Steven will be playing, because it's nevera good idea to talk about your team and give the opposition information.

Apart from Rafa starting to copy The Manhattan Project and starting talking in the third person, what does it matter what people say, and again whats wrong in changing your mind especially after Sisoko's injury.

I am going to have to stop reading too deeply into articles, this is the second time this week I have started dissecting one. 

I just hope your assessment is more accurate than mine badbob. To me it has worrying undertones of Houllier at his most paranoid. 

[parrym1]

Stevie G needs our help.
below is a shortcut for the The World's Most Popular Footballer Amongst Currently Active Players in 2006
, cast your vote and pick steven gerrard, theres only ever gonna be one winner. vote stevie!!!!!!!

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N154118061117-1226.htm

[weringo]

Pennant is , if he isnt good enough for Arsenal why did we go ahead and buy him? You can carry on sayin "most crosses last season" but they are worthless if they dont go to a player. Crossing isnt his only weakness either, how many times this season have we seen him successfully dribble past an opposing full back? I am struggling to think of 1 time. I hope we play Garcia against Middlesborough because even though he often loses the ball, at least he does something good for the team. Pennant does NOTHING

You need to dry your eyes, or at least pop your dummy back in.

I fully support Rafa decision to sign Pennant. He is young and his potential is massive. He ability to cross is good, his problem is belief in himself and confidence at this level to perform.

The more games Pennant plays the better he will come, he is the first good out and out winger we have had for a long time. Especially considering the last one was Nunez.

Pennant isnt young, hes nearly 24. Way before that time you can tell whether he will be a decent player some day.

"Confidence at this level to perform"?
He was at Arsenal for about 3 years who are arguebly at a higher level than us. Wenger isnt known for letting talent slip away from him unless he gets a very good price.

[Bad Bob]

Whats wrong in changing tack if things arnt working? It doesnt mean you have to admit you are wrong ,just that your trying something else.(Whats so bad about admiting your wrong anyway?)

"When Momo was injured, I told Steven it was our idea to play him on the right against Arsenal, but he didn't need to worry because he would play more games in the middle in the future," explained Benitez

Basically confirms that Gerrard is unhappy on the right.

Now suddenly I read how Rafa is changing his mind about where Steven should play. I'm not going to say before games where Steven will be playing, because it's nevera good idea to talk about your team and give the opposition information.

Apart from Rafa starting to copy The Manhattan Project and starting talking in the third person, what does it matter what people say, and again whats wrong in changing your mind especially after Sisoko's injury.

I am going to have to stop reading too deeply into articles, this is the second time this week I have started dissecting one. 

I just hope your assessment is more accurate than mine badbob. To me it has worrying undertones of Houllier at his most paranoid. 

I don't think it's a question of Rafa refusing to change tack or acknowledge mistakes, mate--he's done that plenty of times in the past two years and that's one of the things I admire most about him...when he gets it wrong he tries to fix it straight away. 

To me, this is an issue to do with his frustration with the press and their constant fixation on Gerrard's position.  He has his reasons for preferring to play Stevie on the right in certain games but the press don't want to hear it.  It's a much better story to imply that the whole world is right and Rafa is wrong about Stevie's best position.  As a manager who's achieved a great deal in football to date, I'd find that implication just a little tough to swallow if I were him, too.

As for Rafa's approach following Momo's injury, I suspect that it is in his plans to mostly play Stevie in the middle and has been since the seriousness of the injury was confirmed.  Clearly, though, Arsenal was one of those rare games where he thought that Stevie would be more effective on the right, even if it meant bringing Zenden into central midfield.  It just so happened to be the first game since Momo was injured and I think people have gotten overly worked up about it because they think it means that Rafa is going to keep playing Gerrard on the right and Zenden in the middle while Momo's out.  I doubt that.  I think it was a one-off and that we'll see Gerrard in his favoured position for much of the next few months.

Bottom line: this statement is a signal to the press, reminding them that he's in charge and he'll decide when and where to play Stevie.  That decision, moreover, will be a footballing one and not made in response to the baying of the press or the moans of certain segments of the fan base.

[Sabre]

If Rafa decides to play in central midfield, it won't because the press demands it whatsoever.

People forget that Hamman was offloaded last season precisely because he was told that he wouldn't get as many minutes as he used to, because Rafa planned to play Gerrard more in the middle now that we were going to get more wing specific players.

It seems to me the reason to play Gerrard on the left and the right is the slow adaptation of the new wing men, Gonzalez and Pennant, and Rafa has been sticking to the old temporary measure of playing Gerrard on the sides.