Liverpool FC Forum

[Dundalk]

Fair play to the players out there tonight, they did try their best but we were lacking in quality something serious, we offered nothing going forward. Naturally we were missing Torres but the amount of times we played the ball forward and then had to come back with it again because there wasn't another forward pass on was alarming.

Our bench was like something you would see in League 1 and be that the fault of the manager or the owners its nowhere near good enough for a club like ours. Fair play to Atletico Madrid they came and done what they had to do and for me where the better team. Good luck to Fulham I hope they go on to win it

[Sir Roger]

I dont think we lost tonight because of what we had on the bench.
I think thats a red herring. We had enough quality on the pitch to be two up. We blew it.
Partly because of the substitution of good players and partly because we lost our impetutus, played deeper and couldnt keep possession, but mostly because Johnson fu'cked up royally and no-one tracked forlan

[Emerald Red]

Well, it isn't Rafa's fault really that the bench looked like it did.

It probably was worth 5 million at best, or less.

Whos fault was it then?

The yanks of course. If Rafa had a decent kitty from which to spend with all this time we might not have such a weak squad. Not saying Rafa is faultless but at the end of the day less in the kitty means you have less to work with. It's not like he away 200mil in 1 season.

20m for a below average Aquilani.

2 questions for you pal.

1. who supplied the cash for that deal?
2. who chose the player?

enough said

I think it's too soon to make a final judgment on Aquilani. The fact that he was coming off a long term injury did us no favours but that doesn't mean to say he can't become a key player for us... as he showed tonight.

Rafa wanted Simao (looked good tonight didn't he?) Instead he got Pennant...

and it goes on and on...

Enough said.

Ignore him. He's talkin out his ar*se, and I'll tell you why: when Aquilani scored, not many sat there thinking "hmm, this fella was a waste of 20 million. How dare he score." Anyway, the facts on his transfer price are not entirely clear, so it's just the nice round sum the rags love to slap on a player instantly to pile the pressure on and make a tasty column from it. He's signed for another few seasons, and he'll be a good player for us should he stay fit.

[red till i die!!]

gutted that our best shot of anything decent this year gone.
would have loved to be in the final:( .

weve been really consistently poor all season.
some of those players are simply not good enough to play for us and need to be shifted on pronto!!

overall events on and off the field this season have been dire!! and have contributed to one of the worst years ive experienced as a supporter.i fear the worst has yet to come and absolutely dread the next few months of uncertainty to follow.

[Greavesie]

I actually thought we played pretty well. Aquilani was excellent and a major plus , Babel ran his socks off, Lucas was decent and all in all we gave it a really good go. You couldn't fault the effort, and had Torres been fit I'm pretty sure we would have seen them off.

I really liked their centre half too, Perea I think it was. Anyway, no shame in that performance, none at all IMHO.

kudos Mick - I know you havent been a fan of Aqua and didnt see the potential but he was quality tonight IMO. Though I sense others will overlook this completely

[Emerald Red]

Fair play to the players out there tonight, they did try their best but we were lacking in quality something serious, we offered nothing going forward. Naturally we were missing Torres but the amount of times we played the ball forward and then had to come back with it again because there wasn't another forward pass on was alarming.

Our bench was like something you would see in League 1 and be that the fault of the manager or the owners its nowhere near good enough for a club like ours. Fair play to Atletico Madrid they came and done what they had to do and for me where the better team. Good luck to Fulham I hope they go on to win it

Worst bench I've seen since...well...possibly since I've started supporting this club. Is it coincidence that the quality of our bench started to decline since the vermin took over? I dare say that any manager with a bit of cash to be able to spend would have a better option than Degen. I mean, come on. Bar Pachecho, that bench comprised of dead wood that shouldn't be anywhere near the first team, when we should really have player of much better quality. I mean, I look at United and Chelsea's bench and they've 20 million pound players in most positions for back up. Back ups!

[Dundalk]

Fair play to the players out there tonight, they did try their best but we were lacking in quality something serious, we offered nothing going forward. Naturally we were missing Torres but the amount of times we played the ball forward and then had to come back with it again because there wasn't another forward pass on was alarming.

Our bench was like something you would see in League 1 and be that the fault of the manager or the owners its nowhere near good enough for a club like ours. Fair play to Atletico Madrid they came and done what they had to do and for me where the better team. Good luck to Fulham I hope they go on to win it

Worst bench I've seen since...well...possibly since I've started supporting this club. Is it coincidence that the quality of our bench started to decline since the vermin took over? I dare say that any manager with a bit of cash to be able to spend would have a better option than Degen. I mean, come on. Bar Pachecho, that bench comprised of dead wood that shouldn't be anywhere near the first team, when we should really have player of much better quality. I mean, I look at United and Chelsea's bench and they've 20 million pound players in most positions for back up. Back ups!

Subs:

Cavalieri, Kyrgiakos, Pacheco, Degen, El Zhar, Ayala, Ngog.


Its just pathetic - I know there were a few injuries but even still

[tubby]

Well, it isn't Rafa's fault really that the bench looked like it did.

It probably was worth 5 million at best, or less.

Whos fault was it then?

The yanks of course. If Rafa had a decent kitty from which to spend with all this time we might not have such a weak squad. Not saying Rafa is faultless but at the end of the day less in the kitty means you have less to work with. It's not like he away 200mil in 1 season.

20m for a below average Aquilani.

2 questions for you pal.

1. who supplied the cash for that deal?
2. who chose the player?

enough said

I think it's too soon to make a final judgment on Aquilani. The fact that he was coming off a long term injury did us no favours but that doesn't mean to say he can't become a key player for us... as he showed tonight.

Rafa wanted Simao (looked good tonight didn't he?) Instead he got Pennant...

and it goes on and on...

Enough said.

Ignore him. He's talkin out his ar*se, and I'll tell you why: when Aquilani scored, not many sat there thinking "hmm, this fella was a waste of 20 million. How dare he score." Anyway, the facts on his transfer price are not entirely clear, so it's just the nice round sum the rags love to slap on a player instantly to pile the pressure on and make a tasty column from it. He's signed for another few seasons, and he'll be a good player for us should he stay fit.

Yeah I can't be arsed to argue with anyone tonight anyway mate. 

All I am saying is they gave it a good go but this season is over now. The focus must be on the clubs off the pitch matters and bringing some decent players in the summer. What's done is done but dwelling on this game now isn't going to do anyone any favours. We need to look forward and that starts with getting those to out.

[account deleted by request]

Fair play to the players out there tonight, they did try their best but we were lacking in quality something serious, we offered nothing going forward. Naturally we were missing Torres but the amount of times we played the ball forward and then had to come back with it again because there wasn't another forward pass on was alarming.

Our bench was like something you would see in League 1 and be that the fault of the manager or the owners its nowhere near good enough for a club like ours. Fair play to Atletico Madrid they came and done what they had to do and for me where the better team. Good luck to Fulham I hope they go on to win it

Worst bench I've seen since...well...possibly since I've started supporting this club. Is it coincidence that the quality of our bench started to decline since the vermin took over? I dare say that any manager with a bit of cash to be able to spend would have a better option than Degen. I mean, come on. Bar Pachecho, that bench comprised of dead wood that shouldn't be anywhere near the first team, when we should really have player of much better quality. I mean, I look at United and Chelsea's bench and they've 20 million pound players in most positions for back up. Back ups!

We could have had Riera on it mate. CAN'T SAY i believe that would have made much difference , but he would have been a reasonable option.

[7_Kewell]

i'm gutted, thought we had enough to win tonight.

but i hope Fulham win it...would be made up to see Danny Murphy lift the cup

[tubby]

Fair play to the players out there tonight, they did try their best but we were lacking in quality something serious, we offered nothing going forward. Naturally we were missing Torres but the amount of times we played the ball forward and then had to come back with it again because there wasn't another forward pass on was alarming.

Our bench was like something you would see in League 1 and be that the fault of the manager or the owners its nowhere near good enough for a club like ours. Fair play to Atletico Madrid they came and done what they had to do and for me where the better team. Good luck to Fulham I hope they go on to win it

Worst bench I've seen since...well...possibly since I've started supporting this club. Is it coincidence that the quality of our bench started to decline since the vermin took over? I dare say that any manager with a bit of cash to be able to spend would have a better option than Degen. I mean, come on. Bar Pachecho, that bench comprised of dead wood that shouldn't be anywhere near the first team, when we should really have player of much better quality. I mean, I look at United and Chelsea's bench and they've 20 million pound players in most positions for back up. Back ups!

Subs:

Cavalieri, Kyrgiakos, Pacheco, Degen, El Zhar, Ayala, Ngog.


Its just pathetic - I know there were a few injuries but even still

And people thought we were going to mount a serious title bid this season.

[Benny The Noon]

Fair play to the players out there tonight, they did try their best but we were lacking in quality something serious, we offered nothing going forward. Naturally we were missing Torres but the amount of times we played the ball forward and then had to come back with it again because there wasn't another forward pass on was alarming.

Our bench was like something you would see in League 1 and be that the fault of the manager or the owners its nowhere near good enough for a club like ours. Fair play to Atletico Madrid they came and done what they had to do and for me where the better team. Good luck to Fulham I hope they go on to win it

Worst bench I've seen since...well...possibly since I've started supporting this club. Is it coincidence that the quality of our bench started to decline since the vermin took over? I dare say that any manager with a bit of cash to be able to spend would have a better option than Degen. I mean, come on. Bar Pachecho, that bench comprised of dead wood that shouldn't be anywhere near the first team, when we should really have player of much better quality. I mean, I look at United and Chelsea's bench and they've 20 million pound players in most positions for back up. Back ups!

We could have had Riera on it mate. CAN'T SAY i believe that would have made much difference , but he would have been a reasonable option.

He would of made a difference but unfortunatly he made his own bed a while ago

[damjan193]

Fair play to the players out there tonight, they did try their best but we were lacking in quality something serious, we offered nothing going forward. Naturally we were missing Torres but the amount of times we played the ball forward and then had to come back with it again because there wasn't another forward pass on was alarming.

Our bench was like something you would see in League 1 and be that the fault of the manager or the owners its nowhere near good enough for a club like ours. Fair play to Atletico Madrid they came and done what they had to do and for me where the better team. Good luck to Fulham I hope they go on to win it

Worst bench I've seen since...well...possibly since I've started supporting this club. Is it coincidence that the quality of our bench started to decline since the vermin took over? I dare say that any manager with a bit of cash to be able to spend would have a better option than Degen. I mean, come on. Bar Pachecho, that bench comprised of dead wood that shouldn't be anywhere near the first team, when we should really have player of much better quality. I mean, I look at United and Chelsea's bench and they've 20 million pound players in most positions for back up. Back ups!

Subs:

Cavalieri, Kyrgiakos, Pacheco, Degen, El Zhar, Ayala, Ngog.


Its just pathetic - I know there were a few injuries but even still

Injuries?What should Arsenal say?

[Emerald Red]

Fair play to the players out there tonight, they did try their best but we were lacking in quality something serious, we offered nothing going forward. Naturally we were missing Torres but the amount of times we played the ball forward and then had to come back with it again because there wasn't another forward pass on was alarming.

Our bench was like something you would see in League 1 and be that the fault of the manager or the owners its nowhere near good enough for a club like ours. Fair play to Atletico Madrid they came and done what they had to do and for me where the better team. Good luck to Fulham I hope they go on to win it

Worst bench I've seen since...well...possibly since I've started supporting this club. Is it coincidence that the quality of our bench started to decline since the vermin took over? I dare say that any manager with a bit of cash to be able to spend would have a better option than Degen. I mean, come on. Bar Pachecho, that bench comprised of dead wood that shouldn't be anywhere near the first team, when we should really have player of much better quality. I mean, I look at United and Chelsea's bench and they've 20 million pound players in most positions for back up. Back ups!

Subs:

Cavalieri, Kyrgiakos, Pacheco, Degen, El Zhar, Ayala, Ngog.


Its just pathetic - I know there were a few injuries but even still

That bench must have a grand total value of about 10 million or less going by what they cost. I think the keeper cost us the most. United can have Nani or Berbatov on the bench. Grand total cost - 47 million...for two players. Even though Berbatov is a waster, goes to show the sheer clout in the gulf of spending. Overpriced? Of course. But the day Liverpool FC starts acting in the transfer market in the way it should be acting by actually looking like a club that means business with intent, then that's the day we actually look like moving forward and winning big honours. This drip feed bollox is killing this football club stone dead. And before I'm pounced on, I'm not talking about selling a 10 million pounds value player for 30 million and being able to spend only a fraction of that either. That is not acceptable for a club of our size. We should be spending 30 million on any given target with no questions asked instead of actually having to generate it through sales of valued squad members.

[aCe']

Wasnt a bad display and on a different night we probably would have gone through..
Ultimately, it came down to the finer details..
Johnson at left back and Mascherano at right back were poor decisions imo.. Johnson did little going forward and despite having a quiet night for 90 or so minutes (largely due to the effort put in by Babel), his poor defensive awareness in one situation cost us a spot in the final.. Mascherano to me was also partly at fault for the goal... He failed to pick up Forlan on the far post ...
When it comes to the substitutions, our bench tonight was poor by any standard... However, the managers decision to take off Aquilani (who was probably our best performer on the night) was baffling to say the least.. He didnt look tired to me and was still moving around the pitch and getting involved until he was taken off.. Thought we should have pressed on with the same lineup for as long as possible... Any change imo should have been tactical with a change of shape or formation resulting..

At 1-0, we should have pressed harder in the second half to try and put the tie to bed before extra time... knowing what our bench looked like..
At 2-0, we could have made our subs and tried to be tight at the back instead of focusing as much as we did on playing the counter...

Anyways... A lot of rebuilding to do in the summer... This whole season was a mess and i really dont think winning the Europa league would have changed anything in that regard...