Liverpool FC Forum

[Ian Rush's Right foot]

As I see the coming season, we have a realistic chance to come second in the PL, its not good but when Chelsea have that money it will take us 2-3 years with Rafa to seriously compete.Gunners is rebuiding because they must cut the wagebill till their new stadium, United under Fergie must lose the plot anyyear, so its probably second for us right now. Juve, Milan, Barca and Chelsea must be favorites to win the CL, we have realistictly chance of QF place. So if we win the FA cup, Im satisfied with Wining the FA cup, being second in PL, and last 8 in CL. But who would say last year at this time before the season started that we would be the CL champions coming may? By the way after this CL spring I have to say that Carra is maybe the best centraldefender in our club since Hansen/Lawro. OK, it dont say that much with those who came after them. But if you remember Carra as centraldefender in the Evans years, it tell you how long he has come since.

[Rafas Amigo]

I hate chelski and there money

[banana]

If we can tighten up our back 4 then we will be a big big title contender.

Finnan-Carra-Hyypia-Riise

Ain't good enough. Riise isn't all that much of a defender, spends a little bit too much time on the ball and lack creativity. But he is good at going forward and puts in a lot of work.

Hyypia is not even good enough for nationwide football. Good in the air but lacks everything else. And he is being humiliated in every game he plays.

Carra is a good defensive player and he will hopefully continue his development next year.

Finnan is average. Nothing more nothing less. Sometimes he struggles with fast players.

In an ideal world I would have kept Finnan and Riise as squad players told Hyypia to pack his bags and built a new defence around Carra. And I think that is what Banitez will do, only he needs a bit more time (and money perhaps).

Before the back4 situation is fixed I would never dream of anything this year really. We will not come back from 3 goals down and defensive f@ck ups in every game.

[mistyred]

We are the big boys

[El Nino_#9]

yes....yes we are indeed!

[A.B.]

Finnan is average. Nothing more nothing less. Sometimes he struggles with fast players.

Did you watch our games last season? Finnan was solid, no he was superb. In fact Finnan is a unsung hero in our squad. Finnan and Carragher are the only two players at the back that are solid and consistant.

Rafa has made it clear that he's going to sign a CB, and I expect that someone to be better than Hyypia.

[Chelsea forever.]

We are only a couple of weeks away now from the start of the richest and arguably the best league in the world and surely as European champions we have to go into it with a chance of winning it.

When I look at the other teams challinging for the league and then look at our team I belive we can do it this year, yes Chelski have there millions (sorry trillions) and Manure will be there or there abouts but Arsenal have lost Viera and have yet to replace him.

We have one of the best young goalkeepers in the world and again arguably the best centre back in the world certainly the best in England in Mr Carragher. In midfield we have two players who Real Madrid both wanted to sign, Gerrard and Alonso who any team would dream to have. Up front if Cisse and Morientes click this season we could be talking about 20 league goals each.

There is also plenty of goals in Garcia who will settle in even more this season and i think will have as big an impact on the Premiership as Pires did. You can guarintee goals from Risse and Zenden who will also float ball after ball in for big Peter Crouch.

Add to all this the youth in the team like Pongolle, Le Tallec, Warnock, Potter, Mellor, Gonzallez and Sisokko and there is no reason we cant challenge.

We have the best manager in Europe and the best fans in the world. Look around at the other favorites in the Premiership the look back at our team, WE HAVE A CHANCE, the deadwood in the team has been got rid off and replaced with quality.

Come on the pool this could be our year!

YOU'LL NEVER WALK ALONE.

Carra is not the best defender in the world, and neither is he the best defender in England. Sure he had a good solid season, but he is by no means the best in England.

In Midfield you have Gerrard and Alonso, but im going to talk only about Alonso because IMO he is a much more complete player than Gerrard and I rate him as the best player at Liverpool. He is more important to the stability of the squad than Gerrard and Rafa knows that.

Fernand and Cisse 20 goals each? Surely thats asking a lot!! I doubt Fernando will even last the entire season!

Yes Garcia will score goals and Zenden and Risse will float those balls in.

But as far as you winning the EPL this season - I dont think so. Im sure there is absolutely no way you can win it, with the likes of Arsenal and Us around you will have to go the entire season virtually unbeaten - which I dont think you can.

Chelsea Forever

[A.B.]

Carra is not the best defender in the world, and neither is he the best defender in England. Sure he had a good solid season, but he is by no means the best in England.

He's consistant he's solid, note: see his performances in the Premiership last season and in the CL.

He's played and is playing at his best as a CB, he used to play as a fullback and a midfielder.

Fernand and Cisse 20 goals each? Surely thats asking a lot!! I doubt Fernando will even last the entire season!

Morientes is not a 20 goal striker, never will be and never has been, so you're right about that. However his goals have always been vital to any team he's been apart of, and his ability to create chances and bring players into the game is what made him the player he is. Sort of like Bergkamp.

Cisse will get close to scoring 20 goals overall imo, we're going to play plenty of games and our midfield service to the strikers will be better than what it was last season.

But as far as you winning the EPL this season - I dont think so. Im sure there is absolutely no way you can win it, with the likes of Arsenal and Us around you will have to go the entire season virtually unbeaten - which I dont think you ca

Yea and there was no way we could win the CL but we did. No I don't think we can win the league but we will definetly cut the gap between ourselves and Arsenal,Man Utd. I also think that you lot won't have as good as a season you did last year, expect more competition for that title.

[Chelsea forever.]

He's consistant he's solid, note: see his performances in the Premiership last season and in the CL.

Noted. He played well in the CL and EPL, but that does not qualify him as the best defender in England. Terry, Carvalho, Gallas, Rio, and maybe Sol are still way ahead of him.

He's played at his best as a CB, he used to play as a fullback and can also play as a midfielder.

Yes he played as full back, its only after RAfa's arrival that he got settled as CB and that he has performed.

However his goals have always been vital, and his ability to create chances and bring players into the game is what made him the player he is. Sort of like Bergkamp.

Bergkamp is one of the greatest players ever, and he still has it at his age. Fernando is no where even close to being half the player Bergkamp is, and he never will be even half as good.

[A.B.]

Noted. He played well in the CL and EPL, but that does not qualify him as the best defender in England. Terry, Carvalho, Gallas, Rio, and maybe Sol are still way ahead of him.

He's not number one but he's up there.

Yes he played as full back, its only after RAfa's arrival that he got settled as CB and that he has performed.

Which is why he will continue to be solid and perform well, CB suits him best.

Bergkamp is one of the greatest players ever, and he still has it at his age. Fernando is no where even close to being half the player Bergkamp is, and he never will be even half as good.

I didn't say exactly like Bergkamp, I said sort of. Never will be half as good?

I think you're exaggerating a bit.

Morientes has led Madrid to three Champions League victories. He took part in all the trophies Madrid has won in the six years he was with them. He's also proven himself for his country with a superb record.

[Chelsea forever.]

Fernando is no where as good as Bergkamp.

He  did not lead Madrid to victory, he was a part of the team which won 3 times. He did not single handedly win it for them, and even IF he had, his ability as a footballer is nothing like Bergkamps.

Dennis has vision, he has a first touch, he has the ability to play the perfect pass - weighted to perfection --- none of which Fernando can do.

Sure he has his strong points, he is good in the air and is a good striker. But to say he is anything like Bergkamp is just ridiculous!

[Dalglish]

Chelsea Forever is one of the few Fans of opposing teams who visit this site and make well thought out argument and adds to the debate.

I don't always agree with his opinions but he is right about Carragher not being the best Defender in the Prem and that Alonso and not SG being the best player at Liverpool.

If SG can rid himself of some of his personal demons then in Alonso and Gerrard we have the strongest midfield pairing in the Prem.

He's right about Nando not getting 20 goals a season ( a dozen at most although i don;t think he'll even get that many) but Michael Owen would which makes me wonder if we haven't sealed our fate before the season has started by not bringing him back

As with all football Fans we are full of optimism and I'm no different but to effectively challenge we have to do what has becoem known as a "Chelsea" , namely win a LOT of away fixtures 1-0

Defensively we are not adequately covered as still having Josemi and Traore on the books proves and it's crucial that we strenghten the defence.

However I do feel that we wil almost certainly improve on our position last season and our form particularly away from home but that won't be difficult will it !

[spanish revolution]

You will improve.  I have Liverpool tipped for 3rd, behind ManU and in front of Arsenal.  I believe your best signings will be a CB and Reina.  I think getting crouch and letting go of Baros is a mistake.  All in all, the one thing your team will have is confidence, and that is very underestimated.

The main thing to watch out for with Liverpool is not the games against the top four, but the games against the middle clubs.  A team that wants to finish top two cannot lose more than one or two games to teams fifth or lower.  Hell, actually to win the league you can only lose one game max lately.  Don't want you to win the CL but want you to do well as we could have fife teams in the competition, and that is good for staking our claim as the best league in the world, which we are of course.

[destro]

just as a matter of interest , who is the best deffender in the prem  (Terry, Carvalho, Gallas, Rio, and maybe Sol are still way ahead of him.) hmm i think not terry why because of one season and a players player of the year award ? ferdinand are you serious , gallas or carvalho =  ( see first part of  terry reason) and sol ahh mr dependable ! are you sven in disguise ??( lets throw gary (adolph ) neville in there to , just for the comedy value ) because only in his eyes are any of the english named players  regarded better than carra

[destro]

wonder how many england caps phil ( im better looking than gary ) will get now hes joined another  top club