Liverpool FC Forum

by **RUSHIE#9** » Sun Oct 22, 2006 11:19 pm

Scottbot wrote:Am I being a little over-dramatic?

I think you probably are Mick. I can remember you posting a similar thread last season after the League Cup defeat to Crystal Palace. I think you had been to the game and were very concerned about the body language of the players (particularly the Captain) on that occasion also.

I actually thought we played quite well today up untill the goal. I didn't have too many complaints about the team Rafa put out. Bearing in mind our recent form i wasn't surprised to see Rafa play with one up, gonzalez had some good moments on the break, Kuyt was the right man to play as the lone striker and the team looked comfortable for the first 40 minutes. The problem for this team at the moment is CONFIDENCE and you always felt that we had to score first to get a result today. Quite a few on here are suggesting there was no heart, no fight and no bottle out there today. I didn't see that. what i saw after the first goal was a lack of confidence (it simply drained from thwe whole team), a lot of frustration, a lot of stray/weak passes, a lack of belief and a lack of conviction.

I know it's only the 1st round of the League cup but this Wednesday's game against Reading is an important one for me and i would like to see a full strength squad out for this one.

That is the most level-headed post I've read in this thread so far. I'm pissed at the way things are going like everyone else but sacking the manager and selling our best players ain't gonna solve fuck all.
Like you SCOTTBOTT I thought we started quite well and could maybe get something out of the game but only by scoring first. The problem is that at the moment the longer we go without finding the net you can see the confidence draining out of the players and this then leads to mistakes creeping in like giving Scholes the freedom of the six yard box.
The poor passing isn't helping at the moment as to win games you need to have possession of the ball and when we do have it at the moment we are failing to do anything with it. I think we need to see an improvement in our passing game and maybe combine that with a settled side. Alonso has been nothing short of cack all season and needs to dropped - even spending some time in the reserves may be called for. Gerrard and Sissoko should be the central partnership and probably Kuyt and Crouch upfront. I admit I'm loathe to criticise Rafa but I think he shouldn't escape some of the flak currently. The rotation has to go and settling the side down needs to be his first priority. As a few people have already pointed out we need to stick to playing a game that suits us and letting the opposition worry about us for a change.

by **BOODIDDY** » Sun Oct 22, 2006 11:24 pm

Rafa has to go? Get a grip fellas. The fact we have started poorly might have something to do with the number of changes to the squad. Man U are settled. Arsenal, not much change. Chelsea are very similar. Liverpool? We have changed our whole system and to much personnel to gel to soon. Next year with few changes we'll be geared better.

I know a lot of you are impatient! But, we just can't hope for miracles.

Gerrard is suffering, but for england aswell. It's his problem has much as rafa's. The reason i say this is cos stevie has changed hs game too. Two seasons ago you could count on stevie to get his foot in. Tackle, track back and occasionally get forward. Now, he is becoming too attack minded. We need the complete gerrard back. Read his book, that's what he thinks he's strong at.

As for rafa going. Nonsense! How can you get rid of a manager that's won more in the last two seasons than fergie and wenger combined. The man needs to get back to his blueprint for success and not the fan's or media's fascination with attacking football.

Ask capello, his teams are set up from the back and aren't over attack minded. Teams with a backbone win things more often than attack minded teams. Newcastle, Madrid etc.

Look at world cup, euro's cl? Winners Italy, Greece, Porto, Liverpool. Need i go on.

All in all, rafa needs to get back to basics.

Can someone send those idiots asking for rafa to get fired and alonso to get sold a warning or a three match ban?

by **puroresu** » Sun Oct 22, 2006 11:49 pm

BOODIDDY wrote:Rafa has to go? Get a grip fellas. The fact we have started poorly might have something to do with the number of changes to the squad. Man U are settled. Arsenal, not much change. Chelsea are very similar. Liverpool? We have changed our whole system and to much personnel to gel to soon. Next year with few changes we'll be geared better.

I know a lot of you are impatient! But, we just can't hope for miracles.

Gerrard is suffering, but for england aswell. It's his problem has much as rafa's. The reason i say this is cos stevie has changed hs game too. Two seasons ago you could count on stevie to get his foot in. Tackle, track back and occasionally get forward. Now, he is becoming too attack minded. We need the complete gerrard back. Read his book, that's what he thinks he's strong at.

As for rafa going. Nonsense! How can you get rid of a manager that's won more in the last two seasons than fergie and wenger combined. The man needs to get back to his blueprint for success and not the fan's or media's fascination with attacking football.

Ask capello, his teams are set up from the back and aren't over attack minded. Teams with a backbone win things more often than attack minded teams. Newcastle, Madrid etc.

Look at world cup, euro's cl? Winners Italy, Greece, Porto, Liverpool. Need i go on.

All in all, rafa needs to get back to basics.

Can someone send those idiots asking for rafa to get fired and alonso to get sold a warning or a three match ban?

Thats an excuse. Mourinho brought in plenty new players in his 1st season yet Chelsea didnt go on some slump. Im sorry but we havent brought in that many new players to start trying to use that as an excuse.

Facts are we have signed new players which have made the squad stronger but the team isnt any stronger than last seasons.

As for attacking sides: Well lets look at the successful ones Brazil, Barcelona, Arsenal, LIVERPOOL, need I go on.

Ask an Arsenal fan if they would rather watch George Graham Arsenal or the wonderful football under Wenger. No contest!!

by **Lando_Griffin** » Mon Oct 23, 2006 12:07 am

Thehobo wrote:i personally want xavi alonso sold

real madrid will pay 10 million for him, then get in a midfielder who isnt one dimensional (possibly nolan, possibly joey barton)

sissoko is good as a holding role type midfielder

alonso cant tackle so isnt a holding role mid, and cant make dynamic off the ball runs as good centre mids need to

if you watch alonso he barely moves all game. the lad was good when he first came over cause his passing was a breath of fresh air, but he hasnt improved since then and has become a very static one trick pony (and his trick is bad at the moment)

Please, for the good of mankind - top yourself.

You f*cking p*ss-stain on the underpants of humanity.

Alonso is our best player.

I'll say it again, so it sinks into your thick skull:

Alonso is our best player.

And, just incase you missed it:

Alonso is our best player.

He can't tackle? You need to open your f*cking eyes you braindead c*nt. He doesn't slide-in very often because he doesn't need to - he gets in the right position in the first place - something your lover Momo NEVER does.

Momo Sissoko for all his good points will never ever be a holding midfielder. He cannot read the game, his positional sense is woeful, and he lacks th ediscipline needed in the role.

Alonso, however, has everything any player could want fo rthat position, you dullwitted vagabond.

by **Feeney** » Mon Oct 23, 2006 12:09 am

Firstly, Rushie#9 and Boodiddy - thank you for keeping a level head during this 'crisis'. It depresses me to read so many negative comments.

Admittedly, we were poor today, especially in the second half and the scoreline wasn't a true reflection of the performance - if it was, then Man U would have won by more.

The team is having a hard time finding the cofidence they need and as Rushie#9 said, our passing at the minute is woeful. The amount of times I have felt like tearing my hair out over the last few weeks over us giving the ball away stupidly is ridiculous.

The team needs to get back to basics. First don't concede, then the goals will come. While I haven't been happy with some of the performances, I have been happy that the back 5 have played together for the last few games - the old understandings from last season will return.

The Midfield however, is a minefield at the moment and IMO, we have no-one that is playing well. Xabi hasn't been playing well really for the last 6 months. Momo's enthusiastic nature needs to be desperately toned down, or like we seen today, we mearly have an empty body that can't tackle anyone for fear of being sent off for too much of the game. In my observations of Gerrard, for the whole season he has gone missing in swathes of the game - only making fleeting appearances when he get's bored and wants some of the ball. Pennant was a gamble that so far isn't paying off (see my orig post in the league title thread in the Advanced Debate Forum for my full thoughts on Pennant) and Gonsalez can't get any sort of rythm as he is in and out off the side too often.

I do hope however, that Rafa resists the temptation to play the reserves against Reading. The first team really needs a decent performance and win under thier belt and without the shackles of worrying about not being able to challenge for the title, the League Cup game will come as a welcome distraction and perhaps lift a bit of pressure from the players. It would also give us a huge confidence boost ahead of the Villa game who at present are proving decidedly difficult to beat.

the doomsayers are calling for Rafa's head and again, these are the people who will rejoice when we win silverware, chanting the managers name. We all feel frustrated at the current situation. 11th isn't a position that sits too well in my throat at the min, as does it with you all, however it will only take 1 decent performance and result to 'switch us on' again - don't be surprised if it comes sooner than some may think.

by **Lando_Griffin** » Mon Oct 23, 2006 12:14 am

Thehobo wrote:keep dreaming son

alonso is one of the reasons we aint moving forward

he hasnt improved since he got here?

we need gerrard in centre mid, and sissoko in the holding role.

Tell you what, c*nt:

We play Gerrard and Sissoko in Centre Midfield, and sell Alonso, and we'll never win another match again, you f*cking lemon.

Are you THAT stupid? (Obviously not - you're just a pr*ck on a windup).

I will say to anyone, anytime, any place - ALonso is our best player, and if you can't see that you need to f*cking study the game a lot more.

Gerrard (seeing as Pennant isn't 1st-choice) is our weak link in midfield on current form - you're just too far up his a*se to see it for yourself.

Gimp.

by **Lando_Griffin** » Mon Oct 23, 2006 12:18 am

The_Rock wrote:
5 stars wrote:
Thehobo wrote:i personally want xavi alonso sold

real madrid will pay 10 million for him, then get in a midfielder who isnt one dimensional (possibly nolan, possibly joey barton)

sissoko is good as a holding role type midfielder

alonso cant tackle so isnt a holding role mid, and cant make dynamic off the ball runs as good centre mids need to

if you watch alonso he barely moves all game. the lad was good when he first came over cause his passing was a breath of fresh air, but he hasnt improved since then and has become a very static one trick pony (and his trick is bad at the moment)

Are you joking?? You would sell for the 10 million and then go spend 10 million on joey barton or Kevin Nolan!!

Alonso is far from one dimensional, and he is similar to Pirlo in that he is a withdraw playmaker... he has such a brillant range of passing, he would be the best passer of the ball at LFC.. the problems is the players around him, cos' he may be playing a more static type role but it is the moment of the players around him that is the problem.. not every player has to be making runs in the box so to speak... that my opinion..

After then you go on to say Sissoko is a good holding midfielder.. he will in the future but right now he is raw, he doesn't have the discipline to sit in front of the back four.. but he serves a purpose playing further up the field breaking up attacks before they happen...

Alonso, Sissoko, Gerrard are our best midfielders we shouldn't sell and then take a gamble on another player... the grass is always greener on the other side, eh?

Actually i think joey barton would do a good job for us. If he was available for 5 million or less, i say bid for him.

As for alonso, it really boils down to this. His game is so dependant on his passing. When his passing game fails, he does not really bring anything else to the team. So the question is can we really afford to carry alonso when he is not effective ?

Open your f*cking eyes.

Alonso's passing is his showpiece, but he makes more tackles than anyone in the team. He dictates the tempo, and he always relieves pressure, be it in a pass, or making himself available.

His discipline and ability to read the game allows so many of the other players to do so many things, it's unbelievable you can't see it.

Football isn't just about playing off the cuff - there's far more to it than that.

Take Alonso out of th eside, and we're W*nk. Look at us whenever he's not been in the team.

We missed Alonso more than Gerrard when fat Frank broke his ankle.

We'd miss him even more now, as he's so integral to our shape, systems and plans.

Wake up.

by **eds** » Mon Oct 23, 2006 12:20 am

Hey………

What can I say? Another spineless, unimaginative and pathetic performance. Benitez is making some shocking decisions at the moment. 4-5-1

Why take off Gonzalez and leave on Garcia, who did f/u.c\k all. Gonzo’s replacement, Pennant was dodgy as. Giving Crouchy a handful of minutes was also laughable.

WHAT IS GOING ON WITH STEVIE G AND ALONSO AT THE MOMENT?

Gerrard seems to have his head stuck in the sand like an ostrich and Alonso seriously needs to see a psychiatrist! Carra, the spine of our team and our real captain still seems to be stuck in FA Cup mode (after he scored that own goal). Finnan and Riise can’t seem to do what they are paid for…………..DEFEND!

You’re making my heart cry, Reds!

:sniffle

by **red37** » Mon Oct 23, 2006 12:21 am

well in Xabi - sell him my ar5e....... :no

Alonso set to reach 100 games for Liverpool

Monday, 23rd October 2006

Xabi Alonso will make his 100th appearance for Liverpool the next time he takes the field in a Liverpool shirt.

The third most expensive Liverpool player was bought for just under £11m in the summer of 2004 from Real Sociedad. He made his Liverpool debut in a 1-0 defeat at The Reebok Stadium against Bolton Wanderers. That game also saw the debut of Luis Garcia and a broken nose to Sami Hyypia following a challenge by Kevin Davies.

He scored his first Liverpool goal after coming on a substitute for the second half and overturned a 2-0 deficit into a 4-2 win against Fulham at Craven Cottage. His free-kick 11 minutes from time was the third Liverpool goal.

His second goal was his first at Anfield and it came in a memorable match against Arsenal. His sweetly struck shot from the edge of the area gave us a 1-0 lead at half-time.

On New Years’ Day 2005 his season was feared over after he suffered a broken ankle following a tackle by Chelsea’s Frank Lampard. He recovered quickly and made his return to action against Juventus in Italy four months later. He ended the season a Champions League winner after scoring the third goal in Istanbul smashing home the rebound after Dida had saved his penalty.

He ended up playing in 32 games in his first season, 24 of them in the Premiership.

Last season he was an instrumental member of the side appearing in over 50 games through out the season. He was a virtual ever present before Christmas finding the net against Sunderland, West Ham United and Aston Villa. He saved his most memorable goal though for the FA Cup, scoring from his own half against Luton Town.

He only missed a handful of games all of last season, but blotted his copybook with his first and only dismissal in a Liverpool shirt during a 2-1 defeat at Arsenal, Steve Bennett showing him the red card after receiving his second yellow.

This season he has appeared in all but one of our games, and has repeated his feat of Luton Town by scoring once again from his own half against Newcastle United in September.

Xabi’s 99 appearances has come in the Premiership (67), Champions League (23), FA Cup (5), World Club Championship (2) and 1 each in the Community Shield and European Super Cup.

He has scored 9 goals for Liverpool in that time, 6 in the Premiership against Arsenal, Aston Villa, Fulham, Newcastle United, Sunderland and West Ham United. 2 goals in the FA Cup against Luton Town, and his only goal in Europe came against AC Milan in Istanbul.

He’s been sent-off just the once against Arsenal for two yellows, but has been cautioned a total of ten times, 7 in the Premiership against Manchester United (x2), Middlesbrough, Aston Villa, Chelsea, Everton and Blackburn Rovers. His other 3 cautions have come in Europe against Benfica, Maccabi Haifa and Galatasaray.

He will become the 182nd player to notch up a hundred appearances for Liverpool the next time he plays, probably against Aston Villa on Saturday or possibly against Reading in the Carling Cup, a competition that Xabi has yet to play in for Liverpool.
**********************************************

now shape yourself :angry:

by **Lando_Griffin** » Mon Oct 23, 2006 12:25 am

Reddevil wrote:
dawson99 wrote:On paper we have the best

hahaha.

Thats the most absurd comment I've read all year.

Up until this one:

You do not sh*g your own Mum.

HAHAHAHAHAHA!

W*nker.

by **royboylfc** » Mon Oct 23, 2006 12:27 am

alonso is playing :censored:

but dont all players have a dip in form selling him is a no no gerrard an mo mo in centre midfield yes luis g should be sold i hope rafa plays them all wed nite cause reading won t be a push over. :rasp

by **account deleted by request** » Mon Oct 23, 2006 1:03 am

THINGS WE NEED TO DO :-

1. Tell Gerrard if he doesnt start playing and start acting like a captain we wont sell him, just take the captaincy off him.

2. Tell the players rotation stays but only for players who dont perform... Play well you keep your place.

3. Pennant plays in reserves until he starts to perform

4. sell Alonso ? Someones on crack cocaine if they think selling one of our best players is the answer.

5. Play Agger and Gonzales for run of games, if we cant win the league we may as well get them ready for the cups.

6. Change training, every team looks fitter and stronger than us. (Either we are leaving our strength on the training pitch, or not training hard enough.

I was gutted by the way the team just faded away again today. Where was the pride, the passion, the heart, the fighting spirit? :angry:

by **Nando** » Mon Oct 23, 2006 1:42 am

When the transfer windown shut earlier this season I was feeling uneasy. I have to admit we have such a strong squad but our 1st team lacks quality. We have always needed a player who can create something from nothing via sublime skill like Joe Cole, Arjen Robben, Thierry Henry and Ryan Giggs. The last player we had of this nature was Steve Mcmanamann. All this talk of drop Steven Gerrard and Xabi Alonso is rubbish. If you are a Liverpool supporter then you should always live by the mantra 'Stick with the team through thick and thin'. When Gerrard plays on the right, his game depends on Alonso because his passing range allows Gerrard to drift in behind the full backs. Admittedly Alonso is off form at the moment but the problems just dont lie there. Sissoko is a warrior for the team. His energetic enforcer skills are invaluable for the team and is like Vieira in that sense. But what he lacks is passing ability like the frenchman. People forget last season we were slow starters and couldnt score although we hadnt lost 4 games already by this stage. We have had 4 tough away games in Everton, Chelsea, Bolton and Man United who are all hard to beat at home so I can only hope we have got rid of our away day blues by the time we get to play the poorer teams away from Anfield because 11 points behind the Mancs and Chelsea is damaging to the team morale.

by **Leonidas08** » Mon Oct 23, 2006 1:47 am

Nando wrote:If you are a Liverpool supporter then you should always live by the mantra 'Stick with the team through thick and thin'.

We are just having a dry start to the season, we can pull through, jsut need the confidence back in the team.

by **tel** » Mon Oct 23, 2006 1:47 am

Good grief. Take a deep breathe.

Disappointing result, and BM is right that we just didnt show a lot of spirit out there.

But I think we got the tactics right. Gonzales was twice in shooting positions and I was itching to see Stevie running at that tw@t Neville and giving him a football lesson.

If Kuyt put away the header from a perfect Gonzalez cross, we'd be saying very different things.

Disappointing how Scholes walked through our defence, and disappointing we didnt have it in us to fight back.

But we set up right and we're just not playing well enough as a team to fight back when we go a goal down.

Pennant is not proving the right choice at this level, otherwise we'd have Stevie in the middle.

We have better personnel than any other year, and the coach to make it all work. We just need to get score first

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