Liverpool FC Forum

[Big Niall]

I think we all agree that A BIT of practice is a good thing. Obviously it will only be a small part as odds are that it will not go that far.

If it did I'd leave anyone who scored against Birmingham take one (although much more pressure now).

[Jan Cuelemans]

Penalties are all about mind set rather than technique as Alan Shearer said to a young Micheal Owen when asked where to to put the ball during the shot out against the Argies " In the f**king goal lad".

[banana]

I am happy.

Since Benitez doesn't want to practice penalties it is a very good sign.

Why?

Because it shows he is not afraid of doing what he thinks BEST. If he was afraid and wanted to protect himself and cover his back. He would definately practice penalties. Then if the game was decided in a shoot out. His back would have been covered. And he did not have to be afraid of criticism.

[LiverpoolFan00]

I don't know would practising penalties be of much use. All of the players can probably stick one in the net in training. But you can't replicate the pressure of taking one in a champions league final no matter how much you practise. I think a lot of it comes down to bottle

[Big Niall]

some aren't convinced but what harm would it do. Don't make me repeat the golfer 3 foot putt thing again (damn, just have), a short putt is simple so why practice it in training?

If you were asked to do something under pressure, would you prefer to do something you know how to do or something you've never done before.

Why do people miss penalties in games when they are 3-0 up or in training if it is ALL about bottle.

It is part bottle and part technique, how much of each is debateable but to say it is all bottle and none technique is idiotic.

[cheesecake]

I hope not practising penalties was not a mistake

[siti_zaiton1982]

we did not practised the penalties yet we won it.Anchelotti claimed he made his players practised penalties yet they lost it.unbelievable.dun think i can go back to bed.

[lfclfclfc]

must admit i was one skeptical one when rafa explained his 'no-penalty practice' policy. but what more can i say? its the BIG hearts that win shootouts. 

[A.B.]

Milan practiced penalties and missed three, it seems that practicing is quite stupid!

[The Canadian Red Army]

Milan practiced penalties and missed three, it seems that practicing is quite stupid!

and for goalies practicing a wiggle is a must

[azriahmad]

I think that it has more to do with the nerves and pressure as the overwhelming favourite added to their dissappointment of having conceded 3 goals after being 3-up.

Serginho's balooned effort being the very first did not do much to dampen their nerves, followed by a cool goal by Liverpool's first taker, Hamann (wasn't it? my memory is slipping as I have not been sleeping after the match - it started at 2:45 a.m. Malaysian tiome and ended some 5:45 a.m.).

I believe these got to their head more than Dudek's antics. But the pressure on Schevchenko must be absolutely huge as he needed to score to keep them alive.

Well done lads...! Brilliant tactical switch by Rafa after discovering that his earlier gamble was a total disaster.

[LFC #1]

Milan practiced penalties and missed three, it seems that practicing is quite stupid!

and for goalies practicing a wiggle is a must

I guarantee Dudek watched videos or was at least told of Brucey Grobbelaar in '84. 

[Big Niall]

Dudek was excellent, not just the saves but for each one he walked right up to the striker to give him the ball, looked him right in the eye and looked confident. Didi looked nervous in goal.

Dudek MUST have seen Bruce's antics and did a tribute to him.

UNBELIEVABLE.

And well done to Alonso who missed a penalty but still stayed alert enough to get the rebound and still had the balls to take one in the shoot out.

[LFC #1]

Alonso didn't take one in the shoot out?

It was Hamann, Cisse, Riise, Smicer and Gerrard woud have been last if needed.

[Big Niall]

Too much beer or emotions, I thought Alonso had scored in the shootout, old age must be kicking in.