Liverpool FC Forum

[banana]

I absolutely get the point made elsewhere about Hyypia being caught out of position covering for Traore when he gets beaten on the left. It's a good point, and I completely agree.

That has absolutely nothing to do with why we lost today though. We did not lose because Traore was in the team - we lost because Hyypia and Reina both made individual errors. Count as many mistakes in highlights as you like - the only incidents that count are those which result in goals against, and they'll both be very disappointed with their contributions tonight.

That is correct. Hyypia was directly responsible for Bolton's goals, Traore was not. Traore did not have a great game but he was much better than hyypia today. Hyypia was all over the place giving away free kicks in dangerous positions, outpaced, out of position, kicking the ball straight out of Reina's gloves, hoofing the ball to the opposition all the time, he was a disaster today Stu and you god damn know it too.

He didn't have the best of games, but you've managed to critisize him in every game. Prior to this game, he's been solid. And you're the only one that has said otherwise.

That is called being Pro-active. For the health immediate of the team and for the longer term we need to sort out our defence. When you play with a player who is well past it and has virtually zero pace you will get into loads of trouble against top teams. It did not work against chelsea and it did not work against bolton. We have adopted a deep defensive style because we have no pace at the back and we also desperately need peter crouch as a target player to hold up the ball and wait for our midfielder to come forward from their babysitting duties in front of our slow defenders. When we replace Hyypia and add a bit more quality at our fullbacks our midfielders can pressurize a bit higher up field and win the ball in better positions. Right now we will get a bashing if we try to do that.

[ivor_the_injun]

That has absolutely nothing to do with why we lost today though. We did not lose because Traore was in the team - we lost because Hyypia and Reina both made individual errors.

Oops 

Be gentle with him boys ! 

I know, I know - a draw against Bolton feels a lot, lot worse than it should do right now though. 

[Dalglish]

That has absolutely nothing to do with why we lost today though. We did not lose because Traore was in the team - we lost because Hyypia and Reina both made individual errors.

Oops 

Be gentle with him boys ! 

I know, I know - a draw against Bolton feels a lot, lot worse than it should do right now though. 

11 consecutive wins against quality opposition then a  draw at Bolton where we have lost 3 out of the last 4 seasons is far from a loss my friend 

Anyway stop back tracking , you botched it big time mate 

[A.B.]

Did you got to the game, today Ian?

[Dalglish]

Nope , which is probabbly why I hadn't realised we had lost

I went to Everton though on the 28th and we WON !!!

After my appalling run of bad luck Away from home watching LFC (Oct 03 -No 05) have now been to 3 consecutive away games and seen us win each time. I have wrote to the club and offered my services as their lucky mascot !

[66-1112520797]

Hyypia a liability? Of course.

As for saying it was going to be physical... well... duh... Alonso loves a tackle and is excellent in physical games aswell. Hence the reason he's the player he is. He's a damn site better than Hamann anyway who is well past his best, if anyone should have been rested for Hamann its Sissoko, not Xabi.

Our best two players are Xabi and Stevie, neither of them should be dropped or rested unless a game is won.

So its ok for you to say that Hamman is well past his best but if anyone thinks Hyypia is also past his best you go off and rant.
I for one dont think Hyypia is past his best and is a very good defender , but I also think Haman is still capable of playing at a high level.
REMEMBER ISTANBUL 

There maybe one or two better than Haman at doing the job he does ,sit and screen the defence obviously thats what Rafa wanted him to do. As good as Alonso is he isnt better than Hamman at doing that specific job.

[ivor_the_injun]

Somehow, when you've had a few on a bank holiday, and you're looking forward to sorting a bogey team out, only to see your team fluff their lines, it doesn't feel like we got anything out of the game.

...Add to that the Chelski I work with texting me to "remind" me of today's scores...

Oh f*ck it. I'm w*nkered and proud. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

[GLB1]

Was it just me or did it look like the rest of the team were playing keepy off Traore in the last 15 minutes. There was about 3 easy passes to him down the left then Hyypia then Alonso both decided to back track the other way. Priceless.

Is also good to see these few "Positive" supporters come out after a hard earned draw at the end of a hectic Xmas period. *Sarcasm* Im sure if you had your way Hyypia and Reina would be out in January? Heck we drew at Bolton why don't we clear out the whole team if they cant win every single game. Look at things in perspective and you will see everything is going great. If the Mancs drop points (Likely) and the Spurs drop some (Hopefully) then we didnt really lose anything did we? Forget Chelski, those can go play with themselves

[Lando_Griffin]

I haven't read the entire thread, so I may be repeating something said by another, but the beef I have with Traore is his total lack of understanding on the football field. He must have been playing for at least 12 years now, with about 7/8 as a pro, and 5/6 at LFC.
Does he not understand what "Offside trap" means? The dozy tw*t kept playing Bolton's average frontmen onside all f*cking afternoon. While Finnan, JC and Sami all stepped up, this lumbering oaf stood there like a f*cking prostitute waiting for a punter. The second goal (from what I remember) occurred because "Madame Traore" was too busy sucking off a client to bother with tactics.


If we swap him tomorrow for a Curly Wurly and a packet of Minstrels, I'll be chuffed to bits.

[hobbes]

Both goals were due to keeper's fault. Its not my own opinion only but that what most football pundits commented.

Traore is not to be blamed.

First was absolute failure to catch the ball right. Whereas the second was because Reina was out of position. He should have stayed in his place.

Be it as it may, no matter how many goals we conceded, (1 or 2 ) Liverpool is a team that can bounce back. I was pretty confident we will bounce back and Bolton wil never win over Liverpool this time.

We would have won the match had Kewell not been selfish. Foolish strikes and attempts to score from out of range caused us too much. Kewell was trying to prove that he is back to his old form and can score goals. He was playing not as a left winger but as a centre forward. Forcing Traore to move forward in the left. Its a waste and increased vulnarability.

I was very sure Sinama can pair with Crouch. But I feel I am wrong. Ciise was better pair for Crouch. Sinama couldn't control the  ball and was manhandled easily.

I always said Gerrrard should not play on the right. He is a versatile player
no doubt. But, he is best in the centre. Garcia does better in the right. A switch between Garcia and Finnan showed impact.

There had been comments that Hamman should be out, and I was convinced he would do good for Liverpool for at least one more year. But after watching yesterdays match, I might reconsider my thoughts.

In a match against Bolton, we need speed and thunder ball strikes. Riise would be outstanding. Kewell is not the player for Liverpool. I know there are fans who keep faith in him, but I can tell you this, Kewell is not needed and is the actual liability.

[Lando_Griffin]

Keepers are meant to advance to close the angle, and snuff out the threat.
I'll say again - Reina is not to blame. The cheating b*stard Bolton player who nutted him, and Madame Traore were.

[oakton]

Yakety Sax (The Benny Hill Song) is Traore's theme song

[DAV]

STU
I Totaly agree
that was pretty much my reaction when i heard the line up before kick off
The hardest game we have played in weeks and Traore plays
and Alonso is left sat on the bench
I new our run would come to an end sooner or later
but why change what isn't broke in the hardest game we have played in weeks

[Ola Mr Benitez]

Zara i understand that. How many times do i rant after bad results? I'm usually the voice of reason,

Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha ......

Voice of reason...  Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha

[bigmick]

Hmmmm. A draw at the Reebock on the back of nine straight wins and we're scapegoating. Not only are we scapegoating, but we are picking on a bloke who wasn't directly at fault for either goal. Strange really.
My feeling is that Traore isn't as good a player as Rafa clearly thinks, but nor is he as bad as Stu thinks either. He is probably not good enough to play for Liverpool but he's not totally on his own in our squad.
As for our defence, it's very very good and we are not the first team to become unhinged by Boltons style. Hyppia and Reina can play a lot better, they have recently and they will again. 10 points from 12 over Christmas is a superb return coming on the back of a jolly-up on the other side of the World. The Premiership has gone but we knew that anyway, but also the "big three" has been smashed up. No prizes for guessing who Mourinho thinks will be his biggest challengers next year. I can't criticise a single element of Rafa's management at the moment, I think he's doing a stupendous job.