Liverpool FC Forum

[The_Rock]

I think we will stick with the 4-2-3-1 for this match. We got absolutely pasted in midfield in the first game at Anfield and were very lucky to go on and win it. I don't think we can afford to take Wigan lightly, but I expect if we play a sensible team and formation with just a few changes we will win.

                        Reina

Arbeloa       Carra    Agger      Aurelio


                Masch   Alonso   


Kuyt               Gerrard            Riera

                      Torres

I would even accept Lucas as one of the holding players, as long as Torres is fit to play. If we have to play Kuyt, Babel or Keane up front I can see it being a very difficult game, with us totally reliant on Gerrard to break the deadlock.

I think the team will be some thing like that but I would love it I really would to see rafa take a gamble and play something like this.

               Riena
Arba    carra  skrtel    Dossa

               Masch


Babel      Alonso    gerrard   Riera

                  Torres

Just ya bog standard 4-1-4-1 formation

But its that little more attacking then 4-2-3-1 and you still pack the midfield and hold natural width.

a mixture of saints and barnes team

- Would like to see agger back as he compliments carra more than skertel

-Babel for kuyt..... don't really rate kuyt so this change is quite the norm for me ... . Just think we need more pace throughout the team. We have torres (thank god)...but if we have a few more players with pace, it would be easier to stretch the opposition when they do park the bus. So babel ahead of Kuyt.

- Hope alonso leaves the defensive work to mascherano and joins Gerrard in attack.


                     Reina

Arbeloa       Carra    Agger      Aurelio
                Masch   Alonso   
Babel          Gerrard            Riera
                  Torres

You wouldn't start dos after the game he had on sunday I felt he was a massive improvement on the left in our general play ?

Also you stick with 2 holding ? I personaly would just say to alonso get up there and work off gerrards runs.

Dossena had a good game....but i like players who are a goal threat. Auerlio despite his one goal is more of a goal threat than dossena IMO.... If i had a choice, i would pick a whole team of players who are goal threats (ie...goal scoring CBs....fullbacks, midfielders....etc)

So naturally Kuyt is a strict No-no for me...

Also i did say hope alonso i hope joins gerrard in attack`more and leave the defensive work to Masch.... Alonso can put lampard to shame if he plays higher up the pitch.

[skatesy]

I agree that we should put Babel on the wide right. It seems, however, that we sometimes feel we should just kick the dead horse and see if it wakes but unfortunately it seems as if it is the best decision. Kuyt is just not doing anything worthwhile on the wing and hopefully Babel can light it up a bit.

[LegBarnes]

I agree that we should put Babel on the wide right. It seems, however, that we sometimes feel we should just kick the dead horse and see if it wakes but unfortunately it seems as if it is the best decision. Kuyt is just not doing anything worthwhile on the wing and hopefully Babel can light it up a bit.

I bet any of you if babel had 5 games in row on right wing he would shine and get his act together.

He just like all players needs a run of games and a little trust from rafa and the liverpool fans.

[Owzat]

I bet any of you if babel had 5 games in row on right wing he would shine and get his act together.

He just like all players needs a run of games and a little trust from rafa and the liverpool fans.

I bet if Babel had five games in a row anywhere he'd do (little) enough to seal his ticket out of here in the summer

You and other Babel fans must see something the rest of us don't, it's not as if he's even having half decent games when he starts. Even when he scored against PSV he wasn't doing a great deal. It's no good saying Babel would do this, blah, blah, blah, when he does nothing with what chances he is given. I think the odds of him getting five games in a row are the same as him being a serious contender for MOTM in ANY match this season

[stmichael]

We've won down there the last three seasons if I'm not mistaken? I remember a couple of years back we were 4-0 up at half time when Bellamy ran riot.

Will be a really tough game though. Wigan are flying this season and they'll be full of confidence. They're a very physical side so we have to stand up to the battle and hopefully that will let our quality come through in the end. I'd take a scrappy boring 1-0 win now.

[Rockthekop]

I bet any of you if babel had 5 games in row on right wing he would shine and get his act together.

He just like all players needs a run of games and a little trust from rafa and the liverpool fans.

I bet if Babel had five games in a row anywhere he'd do (little) enough to seal his ticket out of here in the summer

You and other Babel fans must see something the rest of us don't, it's not as if he's even having half decent games when he starts. Even when he scored against PSV he wasn't doing a great deal. It's no good saying Babel would do this, blah, blah, blah, when he does nothing with what chances he is given. I think the odds of him getting five games in a row are the same as him being a serious contender for MOTM in ANY match this season

Whether Babel is good enough for LFC is one of those questions that probably won't get answered, at least while Rafa is manager.

Babel has talent, he's certainly not a bad player but he needs to improve.  In fairness we haven't seen the best of him which may be down to lack of a good run in the team.  It's unfair to make a judgement call on him for this reason. 

As with Keane, Babel has been treated rather unfairly by Rafa, with blatant favouritism for Kuyt which borders on the ridiculous, considering how poor he has been playing.

Babel deserves his chance, Kuyt has had his and then some.

[Owzat]

I bet any of you if babel had 5 games in row on right wing he would shine and get his act together.

He just like all players needs a run of games and a little trust from rafa and the liverpool fans.

I bet if Babel had five games in a row anywhere he'd do (little) enough to seal his ticket out of here in the summer

You and other Babel fans must see something the rest of us don't, it's not as if he's even having half decent games when he starts. Even when he scored against PSV he wasn't doing a great deal. It's no good saying Babel would do this, blah, blah, blah, when he does nothing with what chances he is given. I think the odds of him getting five games in a row are the same as him being a serious contender for MOTM in ANY match this season

It's one of those questions that probably won't get answered, at least while Rafa is manager.

Babel has talent, he's certainly not a bad player but he needs to improve.  In fairness we haven't seen the best of him which may be down to lack of a good run in the team.  It's unfair to make a judgement call on him for this reason. 

As with Keane, Babel has been treated rather unfairly by Rafa, with blantant favouritism for Kuyt which borders on the ridiculous, considering how poor he has been playing.

Babel deserves his chance, Kuyt has had his and then some.

What I don't get is why Rafa is soooooooooo obsessed with Babel as LM when he bought a workable solution to the LM problem in the summer ie Riera. Babel has proved most useful/effective as an attacking sub late in games, but I don't think he is that effective playing wide. Use his pace down the middle rather than trying to get crosses etc out of him.

Maybe the lack of progress for Babel is through Rafa trying to make him something he isn't as much as a lack of opportunity. What next? Robbie Keane as LB?

[lewerty]

bring torres on at 60 mins when wigan def is tired, he has just come back from injury cant risk it when we got the blues on sun

[tonyeh]

I bet any of you if babel had 5 games in row on right wing he would shine and get his act together.

He just like all players needs a run of games and a little trust from rafa and the liverpool fans.

I bet if Babel had five games in a row anywhere he'd do (little) enough to seal his ticket out of here in the summer

You and other Babel fans must see something the rest of us don't, it's not as if he's even having half decent games when he starts. Even when he scored against PSV he wasn't doing a great deal. It's no good saying Babel would do this, blah, blah, blah, when he does nothing with what chances he is given. I think the odds of him getting five games in a row are the same as him being a serious contender for MOTM in ANY match this season

It's one of those questions that probably won't get answered, at least while Rafa is manager.

Babel has talent, he's certainly not a bad player but he needs to improve.  In fairness we haven't seen the best of him which may be down to lack of a good run in the team.  It's unfair to make a judgement call on him for this reason. 

As with Keane, Babel has been treated rather unfairly by Rafa, with blantant favouritism for Kuyt which borders on the ridiculous, considering how poor he has been playing.

Babel deserves his chance, Kuyt has had his and then some.

What I don't get is why Rafa is soooooooooo obsessed with Babel as LM when he bought a workable solution to the LM problem in the summer ie Riera. Babel has proved most useful/effective as an attacking sub late in games, but I don't think he is that effective playing wide. Use his pace down the middle rather than trying to get crosses etc out of him.

Maybe the lack of progress for Babel is through Rafa trying to make him something he isn't as much as a lack of opportunity. What next? Robbie Keane as LB?

Agreed. Ryan Babel is no LM. He lacks the skills needed, so I don't see how he would cope on the right either (except perhaps his right foot wouldn't be as much of a hindrance). He can't cross, he doesn't seem comfortable with a limited space and he finds trouble getting past more than one man.

I've no problem with the "raw talent" aspect and he has pace. But he needs the space to operate. Also, Benitez is the wrong man to ask about nurturing talent, raw or otherwise. It seems if you don't hit the ground running, he doesn't want to know (except if your Dirk Kuyt of course).

Babel is gone in the Summer anyway.

I just hope he doesn't go to Arsenal or somewhere in the Premiership, play a blinder and show us up. Hopefully he'll go to the continent.

[mistyred]

Put out any feckin team that can win, and if we are not by
half time take them in the dressing room and leave Gerrard and Carra outside,
give em what for and remind them who the feck they play for.

And also remind them the dirty Bastards down the road are top and trying
to equal our beloved record.

[LegBarnes]

I bet any of you if babel had 5 games in row on right wing he would shine and get his act together.

He just like all players needs a run of games and a little trust from rafa and the liverpool fans.

I bet if Babel had five games in a row anywhere he'd do (little) enough to seal his ticket out of here in the summer

You and other Babel fans must see something the rest of us don't, it's not as if he's even having half decent games when he starts. Even when he scored against PSV he wasn't doing a great deal. It's no good saying Babel would do this, blah, blah, blah, when he does nothing with what chances he is given. I think the odds of him getting five games in a row are the same as him being a serious contender for MOTM in ANY match this season

It's one of those questions that probably won't get answered, at least while Rafa is manager.

Babel has talent, he's certainly not a bad player but he needs to improve.  In fairness we haven't seen the best of him which may be down to lack of a good run in the team.  It's unfair to make a judgement call on him for this reason. 

As with Keane, Babel has been treated rather unfairly by Rafa, with blantant favouritism for Kuyt which borders on the ridiculous, considering how poor he has been playing.

Babel deserves his chance, Kuyt has had his and then some.

What I don't get is why Rafa is soooooooooo obsessed with Babel as LM when he bought a workable solution to the LM problem in the summer ie Riera. Babel has proved most useful/effective as an attacking sub late in games, but I don't think he is that effective playing wide. Use his pace down the middle rather than trying to get crosses etc out of him.

Maybe the lack of progress for Babel is through Rafa trying to make him something he isn't as much as a lack of opportunity. What next? Robbie Keane as LB?

Agreed. Ryan Babel is no LM. He lacks the skills needed, so I don't see how he would cope on the right either (except perhaps his right foot wouldn't be as much of a hindrance). He can't cross, he doesn't seem comfortable with a limited space and he finds trouble getting past more than one man.

I've no problem with the "raw talent" aspect and he has pace. But he needs the space to operate. Also, Benitez is the wrong man to ask about nurturing talent, raw or otherwise. It seems if you don't hit the ground running, he doesn't want to know (except if your Dirk Kuyt of course).

Babel is gone in the Summer anyway.

I just hope he doesn't go to Arsenal or somewhere in the Premiership, play a blinder and show us up. Hopefully he'll go to the continent.

babel tho is only gone in summer if rafa is still here.

How many other prem managers would let babel sit on bench and not even give him a 3-5 game run up front see what he does more so when torres was out injured ?

[stmichael]

How many other prem managers would let babel sit on bench and not even give him a 3-5 game run up front see what he does more so when torres was out injured ?

It's a fair point.

I don't see why Rafa hasnt played him upfront more often, considering Torres's injury and a lack options up front, as well as the fact that Babel's lazier nature (compared to Dirk and Riera) won't be as much of a disadvantage as a striker compared to the wing.

[Roger Red Hat]

we need to fk these big time. Im tslking about a good high tempo one sided game and about 9 goals to nil scoreline, to us!

so thats my prediction...

Wigan 0 - 9 Liverpool (Torres 3, Babal 2, Gerrard 2, Carra & own goal off brucies fat head.)

[LegBarnes]

we need to fk these big time. Im tslking about a good high tempo one sided game and about 9 goals to nil scoreline, to us!

so thats my prediction...

Wigan 0 - 9 Liverpool (Torres 3, Babal 2, Gerrard 2, Carra & own goal off brucies fat head.)

thats the spirit my son !

I love a 9-0

Tho every time I have said it ends in 1-1 or 0-0 hahahaha. 

[LegBarnes]

How many other prem managers would let babel sit on bench and not even give him a 3-5 game run up front see what he does more so when torres was out injured ?

It's a fair point.

I don't see why Rafa hasnt played him upfront more often, considering Torres's injury and a lack options up front, as well as the fact that Babel's lazier nature (compared to Dirk and Riera) won't be as much of a disadvantage as a striker compared to the wing.

I Just feel , yes a little let down that babel don't do more out on wing thats a good point it just seem lazy at some points.

But he for sure looks like he don't believe he can make an impact there either you can see the way he trys to take on players something is missing.

If he played where he said he is best u front and failed he would have no where to hide and he would have to give his best or wreck his standing in football quite alot.

So I say rafa give him a shot let him fill his boots and prove you wrong and maybe something good might come out of babel and just warrent his price tag.

Of course even then if you still don't like him rafa you get a higher price for him if other clubs can see what he can do.