Liverpool FC Forum

[Emerald Red]

We made hard work of that. Bit better finishing and it could have been 4-0

Agreed. Sunderland just seemed content to sit in front of us in that first half and I was worried as we didn't look as if we had enough to break them down up until a point. I was think either a strike from range or a pen or free kick would crack it for us, and I looked at the team and thought that ain't gonna happen as our central pair have been terrible for chipping in with goals. I was making fun of Sissoko's effort a few moments earlier when I seen him belt one into the bottom corner. I thought he'd missed seeing it was Momo, but then a surreal moment of him running away to celebrate. Well done, Momo.

To be fair, we should have won this game by at least 4 goals or more. Though I can't complain. Our front two could have had at least a brace each, and while Torres missed a few chances, he looked alive and on top of the game and a real handful with his clever runs. He was unlucky not to have scored a hat trick today. Our front men are definitly giving us that edge we've missed for so long at long last.

We looked a very good side, and with our new signings to still adapt to the game, we certainly look a very strong force. If the rest of the league hasn't taken us seriously yet, they better sit up and take notice now. We're coming for that title, United!

[The_Rock]

A good saturday so far...

If arsenal, chelsea, manure and eversh1t lose....it would be an awesome weekend.... 

[Emerald Red]

Personally, I thought our two best players were Sissoko and Pennant. Even our front two were contenders. It's just a matter of how you look at it. Brilliant performance all round.

[Bad Bob]

Suspected broken rib for Carra.   How long is that likely to keep him out??

My guess is that he will be out for at least 3 weeks maybe longer, I broke 3 ribs and couldn't play for 2 months, but then again I didn't have the best medical care you can get  .

Good solid performance today came up against a keeper having a good game, but it is a lot easier to save shots that are hit directly at you !, a few have had a go at Voronin, I would be more worried about our record signing hitting the keeper in a one on one situation then a player who we got on a free transfer , but  it is another 3 points so Im not worried about anything, other than Carraghers injury.

I wouldn't be too worried about Torres, Voronin frustrated me in the second half by giving away the ball too much, good goal though.

Im not worried about either of them, I was making the point that it seems it is easier for some  criticism to be aimed at a FREE transfer rather than  a record signing, they were both guilty of the same things today but only one of them seems to be mentioned ?

Like i said, job done, three points and only Carraghers injury to worry about

On Voronin, I was less concerned with his misses (at least he worked the keeper) than with some of his passing when we had 2 on 1s on the counter.  A deft ball into Torres on the last one and he would have had an easy side-footer.  But, I'm not particularly worried.  They both showed plenty of work ethic and skill and we created bags of chances...the finishing will come.

[woof woof !]

Alonso + Sissoko not the solution.

OK , I only saw the game on tv but WTF happened to Alonso in this match ? Found myself at times wondering if he'd been subbed . We didn't command midfield, begining to wonder if Alonso's a luxury player, not trying to have a dig at him but maybe he needs time and space to play his best, without protection he looks average or as in todays game he disappears , Pennant and Babel forced to come inside to help out in the centre , Sunderland seemed to command the centre circle for most of the game
All in all a good result , many teams will go to Sunderland and find it just as hard as we did today and not come away with all the points, my MOM Torres, showed great class , Pennant had possibly one of his best games for us if only in terms of application.

[Emerald Red]

Alonso + Sissoko not the solution.

OK , I only saw the game on tv but WTF happened to Alonso in this match ? Found myself at times wondering if he'd been subbed . We didn't command midfield, begining to wonder if Alonso's a luxury player, not trying to have a dig at him but maybe he needs time and space to play his best, without protection he looks average or as in todays game he disappears , Pennant and Babel forced to come inside to help out in the centre , Sunderland seemed to command the centre circle for most of the game
All in all a good result , many teams will go to Sunderland and find it just as hard as we did today and not come away with all the points, my MOM Torres, showed great class , Pennant had possibly one of his best games for us if only in terms of application.

I was about to type something about Alonso up, but didn't want the firing squad coming after me for being the first one. Yes, I completly agree with you. The second half, I never heard his name being mentioned once, and thought he'd been subbed at half time. He was just non-existent. I felt as if Momo was doing the work of two holding players, and felt he carried Alonso on this one. Another thing: Xabi needs to work on his shooting. It's awful.

[The Grudge]

Happy with the result but to be honest anything else but 3 points would have been a shambles even though its so early on.

We done enough during the game to win by a few more goals but fair play to their keeper he played well and showed he is quality.

The one negative from the game for me was the lack of action on our left.In the first half especially Babel seen hardly any of the ball.Everything was knocked out to the right.It looked like Finnan was desperately trying to play long balls for Pennant or one of our strikers to run on to.
Too many times Steve Finnan done this and too many times it came to nothing..it was wasteful.

It was obvious we were not going to get much room in the middle but id still like to have seen Babel used a bit more..maybe its just gonna take more time for established players to get more confidence in the guy,he looked like an outsider today.

Im not complaining though im pleased with the 3 points and overall delighted with our start to the campaign..Its fair to say the only dissapointment in our first 3 results was last week when we were cheated by an incompetant referee!

Things are looking a lot better and just maybe Raffas belief in rotation is showing it MAY work.Maybe last season we were 3 or 4 players short of having a squad of enough quality to rotate constantly.

Hope Carra is fit ASAP because he can not be replaced!
If the docs say 6 weeks Carra will be back in 4 cause hes hard as fu.cking nails!

[maypaxvobiscum]

yay voronator strikes

[skatesy]

i think if the rib was broke he wouldnt have come back on after the doctor saw him, maybe cracked ribs or bruising, a broken rib is easy to spot as the rib springs out.

anyway the game, good effort and a good win, made it hard for ourselves at times again with our finishing, but a lot of our attempts were on target at least (without kuyt to lower the average).

torres seems to be able to create chances out of nothing and his burst of pace between two defenders was stunning, voronin had a good game and pennant again our best player. babel looked a bit lost, arbeloa was steady and finnan was finnan. alonso got caught with the ball a few times and a few passes went astray but he did ok, and momo with a great goal and bags of ebergy.

all in all a good day at the office

I tend to agree, I mean is there even any confirmation of broken ribs? I suspect it is just bruised ribs, if they were broken he would not have stayed on for as long as he did after the collision occured - he would have been off right away.

[The Grudge]

Alonso + Sissoko not the solution.

OK , I only saw the game on tv but WTF happened to Alonso in this match ? Found myself at times wondering if he'd been subbed . We didn't command midfield, begining to wonder if Alonso's a luxury player, not trying to have a dig at him but maybe he needs time and space to play his best, without protection he looks average or as in todays game he disappears , Pennant and Babel forced to come inside to help out in the centre , Sunderland seemed to command the centre circle for most of the game
All in all a good result , many teams will go to Sunderland and find it just as hard as we did today and not come away with all the points, my MOM Torres, showed great class , Pennant had possibly one of his best games for us if only in terms of application.

I was about to type something about Alonso up, but didn't want the firing squad coming after me for being the first one. Yes, I completly agree with you. The second half, I never heard his name being mentioned once, and thought he'd been subbed at half time. He was just non-existent. I felt as if Momo was doing the work of two holding players, and felt he carried Alonso on this one. Another thing: Xabi needs to work on his shooting. It's awful.

I agree to a certain extent but maybe your a bit harsh!

Either way Alonso is not on form,maybe he needs games?
He should be given a few more games and if he does not perform he should be dropped.
Personally i would have Mascherano on before Sissoko or Alonso..the guy is pure class,a master of winning the ball with clean tackles!

[woof woof !]

I suspect it is just bruised ribs, if they were broken he would not have stayed on for as long as he did after the collision occured - he would have been off right away.

Your forgetting that Carra is Liverpools answer to John Wayne who after having a lung removed due to cancer famously said "Take the other one, I don't f'uckin' need it ! "

Der da der der de der der daaaaaaaaa .

[redtrader74]

I thought it was a good performance against a very fired up side, who went at it at 100mph. They never got a shot on target, and without a good keeper, it would have been a cake walk. I'd also like to point out that it was all achieved 'in spite' of sqaud rotation!

[LegBarnes]

Right.  Another good result from a solid if not sparkling performance (but I figured it would be a tough one today given the opponents and the midweek traveling turmoil).

I am well impressed with Torres.  The lad works very hard up top...harassing defenders and putting himself about.  More importantly, however, he has the pace and quality to really open up teams.  He carved several scoring opportunities out for himself today--some he could have done better with, others he was unlucky that their keeper was in top form.  He also set up teammates--especially with the lay-off for the second and, more impressively, the drive to the byline and the cut back for Voronin minutes before the goal.  He will no doubt frustrate on occasion with some bewildering misses but he creates chances and that's only going to benefit the team.

I was also impressed with Pennant today, who looks to be brimming with confidence.  His final ball/final decision-making is sometimes a little suspect but he takes players on, has a brilliant touch and great close control and he pulls defenders all over the shop.  Babel saw less of the ball but I saw similar qualities from him today in terms of touch and dribbling.  We already know he has a thunderous shot, so I think if he can build his confidence we'll have two exciting wide players on our hands.

In the middle, Sissoko had has usual all-action game...made all the sweeter by a lovely strike for his first goal.  Momo seems to have learned a good deal of discipline, as he rarely dives in recklessly anymore.  His passing and general decision making in the final third still leaves a good deal to be desired, though.  I thought Alonso had a decent game as well, particularly with the angled ball into the box which set the first goal in motion.  As others have noted, though, when he gets harried while in possession his ability to impact the game drops.

Our big worry, of course, is the state of Carragher's injury.  I didn't see what happened to him and I hope that it's only bruising rather than broken ribs.  Hyypia should be fit to deputize but losing Carra for any length of time would be a real blow.  We'll just have to wait and hope.

bob do you think torres looks more like he could get 20 after this match i meen he could have had 2 easy goals if keeper wasnt on form.

Also as i mentioned in another post as i defended sisoko he is starting to shine as i had a feeling he would looks stronger and more composed then normal which is very promising.

Team was very scrappy today we had no real flowing movement untill the 2nd goal and a few other attacks.

Defence looked ok when carra went of we delt with every thing pretty easy even tho it didnt look nice football.

All in all a good performance but i really think we can do better and i think we will turn over alot of teams this season away from home and more importantly we can win when we aint in form which is key when you want to win the league.

MoM sisoko 9/10

Other best performer Penant 8/10


Worried about carra , Rafa get on the banana phone and get some back up.

[woof woof !]

Team was very scrappy today we had no real flowing movement untill the 2nd goal and a few other attacks.

Maybe my clock was off but I could have sworn the second goal was just 4 minutes from the end .

but you're right after that we showed real flowing movement .         

[red37]

Well played Liverpool. Away from home these are exactly the types of games that need winning. Job done on that score.

I disagree with those who are knocking Xabi (weekly basis almost) I thought he had a reasonably good game, as did Momo alongside him. Not saying Gerrards abscence wasn't realised, it definately was....just that a lot of Alonso's work lagely goes unnoticed by quite a few, unless the lads spraying Hollywood balls all over the park or peppering the oppositions goal - his key prescence in finding that elusive space is taken for granted all too often.

Voronin worked like a trojan for 90 minutes, ergo Pennant/Torres. The only 'blot' if you can describe it as that on the attacking front was the subdued Babel. Who continues to fall foul of his reputation...and appears somewhat of an enigma?  Not so, the boy has it in his locker, it is clearly going to take a while longer to emerge is all.  Have patience he will turn out to be a smashing player and will have learnt something worthwhile from todays encounter.

Defensively, the alarm bells will be ringing now - due to Carraghers injury. Much will depend on the length of time he is out for, as to the effects of that denting our fortunes in the coming weeks. Hopefully he is a fast healer. Certainly a warrior, and not one to cry off easily. As for Sami, well he is also needed on the battlefront now more than the gaffer would have been expecting him to be. The news will be eagerly anticipated about the pair of them for sure. 

Is there both the necessity and the time left to draft someone in? Not to mention the choices available...

Solid, hard working effort though from the lads and 3 valuable points. Gold dust aint the word.

MoM? - For me it was Craig Gordon, who cares how much he cost. He kept Sunderlands goal admirably intact but for two lapses against quality passages in play/finishing it has to be said.  And it wasn't until the 87th minute had passed until we all could breathe a sigh of relief.  Lets just hope Jamie Carragher can - and soon!