Liverpool FC Forum

by **ivor_the_injun** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 11:39 am

I think the reason behind it is that Rafa knows what Crouch is going to offer, whereas I think he's expected more from Kuyt than he's got so far.

I genuinely think that Crouch can come in and link up with anyone, whereas Kuyt needs time to strike up a partnership. Kuyt is now - in theory - our resident marksman, but as we've seen he's been far from prolific for us, so he needs time to find his range. The more time he and Torres share on a pitch before the season starts, the better IMO.

by **stmichael** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 11:44 am

I'm a big Crouch fan and was one of the few on here who championed the guy signing in the first place. The way I look at it, we'd be daft to sell him because he gives us an option that is almost impossible to replace. Whatever you say about the guy, when he plays he genuinely delivers the goods. He was f#cked about last season despite having a better goals per games ratio when he played than Drogba.

I'd go with Torres and Crouch against Villa as I think we're a better team away from home with Crouch in the side. I'd also make sure that we have Kuyt and Voronin on the bench, I hate it when we only have 1 sub striker. Realistically though I don't think this will happen. I can see Torres and Kuyt being the preferred partnership.

by **Rafa D** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 11:46 am

Alonso14 wrote:Rafa Dodd, They had bad seasons by the very high standards they set themselves. They were still better then most other players.

Its kind of the same as the Ronaldinho situation, they say he had an awful season, yet he still scored 23 goals in La Liga alone.

How many cleansheets was Carra apart of?

Gerrard had a really really average season, he sets the standards so he has to match them for me, thats why he picks up £120,000 a week.

Last season Carra and Gerrard did not do well enough, they maybe the best players but they don't mean they should be free of any criticism.

And metalhead I know Gerrard has some great games but he went missing far too often in the other games. He had some personal problems last season so I hope thats behind him and I hope, and I think he will, have a much more productive season this year.

Based on last season Frank Lampard blew him out of the water in the Gerrard V Lampard debate,even though most people know Gerrard is the better of the two.

by **Rafa D** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 11:51 am

Oh and on Crouch his hold up play is excellent. I would go as far to say he is one of the best players in the league at holding the ball up because of his big frame and HIS FOOTBALL SKILLS with the ball at his feet.

by **Paul C** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 12:16 pm

For me I would have either Crouch or Voronin upfront with Torres, depending on what tactics Rafa wants, Voronin will get in the box more but Crouchy is better at holding the ball up (Voronin is still good though).

I just don't rate Kuyt and think he's the weakest link

by **Leonmc0708** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 12:29 pm

Paul C wrote:For me I would have either Crouch or Voronin upfront with Torres, depending on what tactics Rafa wants, Voronin will get in the box more but Crouchy is better at holding the ball up (Voronin is still good though).

I just don't rate Kuyt and think he's the weakest link

Top scorer this season for us - any money.

by **Dundalk** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 12:39 pm

A lot of people have been saying that kuyt is going to start scoring big for us this season. I think he wil be better but I cant see him knocking in 20 league goals

Crouch for me anyway will be top scorer, if he is given the chance

by **Rafa D** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 12:42 pm

See liverpool fc 2007/08 thread and I say that Kuyt will be the shock of the season next year.

At the end of last season people started to lose a bit of faith in him, but for me, he was a brilliant signing and will show what he can do this year.

by **stmichael** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 12:51 pm

As I've already stated, I think Kuyt will start with Torres. Benitez tends to use one striker higher up the pitch than the other and Crouch always plays in that more advanced role. So he's effectively competing with Torres for that spot. Kuyt's greater mobility will be the reason why Benitez picks him to play the deeper role as he's capable of dropping into midfield and making the extra man when we're defending.

I'm not sure this gets the best out of Kuyt though. I want to see him higher up the pitch. Ok he missed a few chances against Pompey the other day but at least he was getting into the positions. If Bentez wants a withdrawn striker then then he should have signed a proper creative player this summer rather than persevering with Kuyt IMO.

Even Luis Garcia was a better option 'in the hole'.

by **Sabre** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 1:24 pm

Yes there's something that smell like old fish: those tournaments in Asia with 3 weeks or so of training sessions, a waste of time, and a problem for Rafa.

He was unhappy with this tournament and I can see why. Preseason, at least in my country serves no other purpose than tuning up the team. Teams like Barcelona pick some mild scottish teams to tune up, 0-1 against Dundee, 1-3 against other team I can't remember. Teams like Espanyol pick Glentoran to stuff them with 6 goals (sorry Kazza). No one remembers the score of preseason games of 2 years ago, because no one gives a fúck for those scores.

We instead go to Asia and people expect us to win. The english press is already giving stick Torres because he hasn't scored yet, and even so "long time fans" fake or not, call to the radio to say this is all a disaster.

That's what it's fishy.

Crouch is probably having a slow start, something which is normal for some bodies. He just needs some 40 minutes in irrelevant games, and maybe the asian final wasn't the place because after all we had to win. I'm not worried whatsoever about him, if Rafa wanted him out he'd be out already because I can see many Spanish and English clubs (good ones) wanting his football.

The only fishy thing is this tournaments, and this early criticism by the press and some fans. THere's no problem with Crouch.

by **grayghost** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 1:48 pm

Crouch has been at Liverpool for sum time now Rafa knows wot he can do he needs to see what the new boys are cappable of thats all. But i would not mind 12mil for him if we could get it.

by **metalhead** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 1:59 pm

Leonmc0708 wrote:
metalhead wrote:Oh come on mate, saying Gerrard had his worst season this year is also wrong. He was brilliant, against AC Milan in the first half, he was outstanding! every game you see him working hard, like passing, tackling, shooting, creating chances, he was there doing what he is best at. Against Chelsea at anfield he showed his quality once more, against Aston Villa away he and gareth barry showed their quality on the field and were arguably the best player. In our 6-3 defeat at anfield against arsenal, gerrard worked his socks off to get us back, and scoring a cracking goal. In many games this seaeson he was actually the best, on par with mascherano and crouch in some games. as for carragher, our defence record proves that he pulled the back four together, with the help of Reina. Carragher had a rocky first half the season, sure, but he regained his form, he was always doing well.

Crouch did pretty well this season, scored some cracking goals, don't get me wrong, but i like the player, very useful and helpful.

I bet you are one of the chinese fans who screamed like a banshee when gerrard wrmed up at the Asia thingy.

He was ordinary far too often last season and owes us a big season this time round.

Yeh i screamed "I Love ya gerrard" in chinese too.

by **Rafa D** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 2:01 pm

metalhead wrote:
Leonmc0708 wrote:
metalhead wrote:Oh come on mate, saying Gerrard had his worst season this year is also wrong. He was brilliant, against AC Milan in the first half, he was outstanding! every game you see him working hard, like passing, tackling, shooting, creating chances, he was there doing what he is best at. Against Chelsea at anfield he showed his quality once more, against Aston Villa away he and gareth barry showed their quality on the field and were arguably the best player. In our 6-3 defeat at anfield against arsenal, gerrard worked his socks off to get us back, and scoring a cracking goal. In many games this seaeson he was actually the best, on par with mascherano and crouch in some games. as for carragher, our defence record proves that he pulled the back four together, with the help of Reina. Carragher had a rocky first half the season, sure, but he regained his form, he was always doing well.

Crouch did pretty well this season, scored some cracking goals, don't get me wrong, but i like the player, very useful and helpful.

I bet you are one of the chinese fans who screamed like a banshee when gerrard wrmed up at the Asia thingy.

He was ordinary far too often last season and owes us a big season this time round.

Yeh i screamed "I Love ya gerrard" in chinese too.

PMSL

I lave yu Stevie!!

by **metalhead** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 2:02 pm

Rafa-Dodd wrote:Oh and on Crouch his hold up play is excellent. I would go as far to say he is one of the best players in the league at holding the ball up because of his big frame and HIS FOOTBALL SKILLS with the ball at his feet.

Crouch's major strengths are holding up the ball and his first touch.

by **Wilhelmsson** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 2:16 pm

Crouch’s £25m price tag which was placed on him should indicate Crouch’s worth within Rafa’s squad.

I haven’t been surprised by Crouch's temporary exclusion from the South Asia tournament as this tournament provided a good base to bed the new players into the team in a climate which isn’t as hostile or as competitive as the forthcoming Rotterdam tournament.

I was puzzled last season as Crouch didn’t participate to the extent which I thought he should have participated in. Crouch is our best striker and until Kuyt, Torres and Voronin prove themselves on a consistent level then Crouch should be a starter unless he is suspended, injured or tired.

Liverpool FC Forum

Peter crouch - Something fishy is going on

Who is online