Liverpool FC Forum

[bigmick]

So there you go, another win and not a goal conceded. Even a fool can see that we seriously on a roll right now, probably looking about as efficient as we have for a number of years. Now I posted after the Palace defeat and before we played West Ham at home that given we were so desperately poor in South London, the West Ham game was massive. I also stated that if things didn't improve, Benitez who was wearing a haunted look, might walk.
I really think that the West Ham win was the turning point not just of our season, but of this Rafa era. I think in five years time the historians will look back on that game.
So what went right? The two things that most of us were crying out for, namely 4-4-2 and the drastic reduction in squad rotation have been well flagged up. I also offer up a change in Rafa the man, the manager. He just seems to me to have adopted a touch more inclusiveness in his body language and the way he speaks. Winning dressing rooms are happy ones and I'm sure the Liverpool one is right now, but I also think Rafa has opened up and learnt something about not only English football, but English players crowds and press aswell.

As a footnote, for Crouchie the judgement starts from here. I advocated his signing and have supported him, pointing out that his link-up play is fantastic. That said, strikers must score goals. Now he's got one, the pressure is off. Should he score less than 10 though when playing regularly, then that wouldn't be enough for me. We don't want another Heskey and my suspicion is we haven't. Crouch will now score goals in abundance is my feeling. My prediction? 12 from open play in the Premiership barring injury.

[*XABIALONSO*]

So there you go, another win and not a goal conceded. Even a fool can see that we seriously on a roll right now, probably looking about as efficient as we have for a number of years. Now I posted after the Palace defeat and before we played West Ham at home that given we were so desperately poor in South London,

west ham are in east london

[bigmick]

west ham are in east london

Hmmmmm. I know West Ham are in east London mate, thanks for that. You'll note that I was taking about BEFORE we played West Ham at home, and given that we were so poor in South London (i.e. Crystal Palace, Selhurst Park, Croydon or specifically Thornton Heath/South Norwood). This is the game in which we were beaten 2-1.
Sorry that the original post was so confusing. Silly me. 

[zarababe]

Where did it all go right?

For me the day Benitez became our manager. This is a man who has gate crashed a two horse race, in which Real and Barca have largely ruled La Liga and all this consistenly.

I'm not one for tactical knowledge, but this man came here with a masterplan. Rightly, he assessed the squad he had and is still doing that. He extracted levels of performance from some individuals who looked hopeless, rewarding some with extended contracts or getting rid of, in no nonsense style. He has engendered a 'mentality' work ethic and understanding amongst the players, which was bound to take time, as with any 'culture changing' programme, which  we can see the fruits of on the pitch, the confidence in Gerrard and all, the happinness and togetherness of the squad, the fantastic defensive performances and the midfield master class.

The process of restoring greatness to LFC is still under construction, Benitez will tell you that himself, but when appointed, this man and his wife took to the club's heart and soul; reading about the history, understanding what we are all about and that in itself tells you a lot about the man and his dedication.

His detailed study of the opposition and tactical preperations mean that technically the players are better briefed than a politician.

When people like me have talked of 'having faith', it's not about blind faith, the lossess etc have spoilt my days and been frustrating too, but I also believe that you have to see the bigger picture; where we are starting from, what we are competing against and where we want to get to. All that does take time.

Now that we look good, solid, driving forward etc, I feel that perspective before hindsight, is truly a less stressful experience.. But seriously I never doubted that Benitez was the right man and whilst the season still has a way to go, I believe in his coaching abilities, as Gerrard did to stay, as Mikey did when he wanted to come back, as all who know that a new country and league brings with it the need to learn and understand, for Benitez a student of the game, such challenges are indeed drivers for delivering success not reasons or excuses for failure.

[MilitiaRusher]

Yes the turning point was the West Ham game and it was also when squad rotation was massively reduced, especially our back quartet of Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, and Riise/Warnock, who are literally irreplacable. Notice that before the winning run, our backs consisted of Josemi and Traore, single handedly conceded us 2 goals in a game against Fulham. Though it might not be their individual faults, but the fact that the run of 8 clean sheets did not involve them in defence speaks volumes.

[AussieKopite]

So there you go, another win and not a goal conceded. Even a fool can see that we seriously on a roll right now, probably looking about as efficient as we have for a number of years. Now I posted after the Palace defeat and before we played West Ham at home that given we were so desperately poor in South London, the West Ham game was massive. I also stated that if things didn't improve, Benitez who was wearing a haunted look, might walk.
I really think that the West Ham win was the turning point not just of our season, but of this Rafa era. I think in five years time the historians will look back on that game.
So what went right? The two things that most of us were crying out for, namely 4-4-2 and the drastic reduction in squad rotation have been well flagged up. I also offer up a change in Rafa the man, the manager. He just seems to me to have adopted a touch more inclusiveness in his body language and the way he speaks. Winning dressing rooms are happy ones and I'm sure the Liverpool one is right now, but I also think Rafa has opened up and learnt something about not only English football, but English players crowds and press aswell.

As a footnote, for Crouchie the judgement starts from here. I advocated his signing and have supported him, pointing out that his link-up play is fantastic. That said, strikers must score goals. Now he's got one, the pressure is off. Should he score less than 10 though when playing regularly, then that wouldn't be enough for me. We don't want another Heskey and my suspicion is we haven't. Crouch will now score goals in abundance is my feeling. My prediction? 12 from open play in the Premiership barring injury.

One fool who probably can't: Maureen.

[oOShrimpyOo]

i hope we continue our form, we have a lot of hype from everyone at the moment, but this is a little worrying.
So many times in the past this type of hype has got to the players heads and they take their feet off the peddle. Rafa has made a good statement on the liverpool website saying that he wants the players to keep working hard for eachother and winning games.
i think this will be a test for the players mentality and commitment to liverpool fc. TBH a month ago i thought the Premiership was done and dusted with chelsea claiming top spot, but now i think it could be in our sight if we continue to work hard. A definite aspect of our recent form has been employing gerrard on the RM giving us more balance.

Shrimpy.

[mighty mo]

it is because rafa has adjusted to the english game,and that is good news for us and bad news for the premiership,we will finish in the top three this season but next season is the time when liverpool will be top dog in england

[metalhead]

Where did it all go right?

For me the day Benitez became our manager. This is a man who has gate crashed a two horse race, in which Real and Barca have largely ruled La Liga and all this consistenly.

I'm not one for tactical knowledge, but this man came here with a masterplan. Rightly, he assessed the squad he had and is still doing that. He extracted levels of performance from some individuals who looked hopeless, rewarding some with extended contracts or getting rid of, in no nonsense style. He has engendered a 'mentality' work ethic and understanding amongst the players, which was bound to take time, as with any 'culture changing' programme, which  we can see the fruits of on the pitch, the confidence in Gerrard and all, the happinness and togetherness of the squad, the fantastic defensive performances and the midfield master class.

The process of restoring greatness to LFC is still under construction, Benitez will tell you that himself, but when appointed, this man and his wife took to the club's heart and soul; reading about the history, understanding what we are all about and that in itself tells you a lot about the man and his dedication.

His detailed study of the opposition and tactical preperations mean that technically the players are better briefed than a politician.

When people like me have talked of 'having faith', it's not about blind faith, the lossess etc have spoilt my days and been frustrating too, but I also believe that you have to see the bigger picture; where we are starting from, what we are competing against and where we want to get to. All that does take time.

Now that we look good, solid, driving forward etc, I feel that perspective before hindsight, is truly a less stressful experience.. But seriously I never doubted that Benitez was the right man and whilst the season still has a way to go, I believe in his coaching abilities, as Gerrard did to stay, as Mikey did when he wanted to come back, as all who know that a new country and league brings with it the need to learn and understand, for Benitez a student of the game, such challenges are indeed drivers for delivering success not reasons or excuses for failure.

well said mate

what i think the turning point was the Crisis week of the season. the Players and the manager realized that they need to wake up and need to turn things around and the Fulham game and Crystal Palace game tought them not to underestimate certain clubs and woke them up.

[112-1077774096]

i think the change stems purely from stability and the change from 451 to 442 and the players have responded to the stability. if only we hadnt messed around early in the season with the 451 but then again hopefully rafa has learnt from that mistake

[stmichael]

One word. CONFIDENCE.

Even Stevie G is playing with a smile on his face these days.

[dawson99]

i notice that too mickey dude
stevie g is playing with what id call a 'pezzazz' and its radiating around the rest of the team

[66-1120597113]

It was always gonna come good with Raffa!!
It was only a matter of time and now he seems to find his way.We were all giving off when he was rotating the squad and playing 4-5-1 and rightly so because as fans we get frustrated at times!But how else really was he going to find his best team!You dont know what works best until you try all options and basically thats what hes done!
Just imagine where we would be in the table he ahd have sorted it out last year and we didnt get off to a shaky start.Raffa has taken his time in finding what works best and also in buying players he wont rush into anything either! It will be interesting to see who he buys in January and how we perform in the second half of the season!Was great to see yesterday our boys all coming out after half time happy and smiling,they're all enjoying there football at the minute and spirits are good! I can only see things getting better under Raffa and i get a warm feeling of excitement when i think of our future.
I just cant wait to see what our genius comes up with when he gets into second gear!Its really only the start of Raffas career now in the league as he has just found his way! Where will he have us in 2 or 3 years time??
I cant wait to see!
VIVA SENIOR BENITEZ!!!

[Anfield rapper]

I think 442 is where it all went right.

[JC_81]

I don't think that there has been one single reason why we have found some form in the league.  Reverting to 4-4-2 has certainly helped but we played 4-4-2 under Benitez for much of last season in the league and we still underperformed.

There are 4 things in combination that have turned our fortunes, 4-4-2, less squad rotation (especially in defence), an almost fully fit squad and most importantly the form and attitude of Gerrard.  We are not a one-man-team as opposition fans like to claim, but Gerrard's importance to the team cannot be ignored.  If he plays well, Liverpool play well. 

It just so happens that now he's sorted his head out he is more focussed and playing much better.  His willingness to do a job for the team out right without moaning (as the Gerrard of last season certainly would have) was very significant.

I also think the fact that Traore and Josemi being nowhere near the first team at the same time as we keep a string of clean sheets is no coincidence.  Traore esspecially is a liability and should be sold, hopefully Benitez has finally realised this.  Unfortunately this just highlights our lack of depth in defence.