Liverpool FC Forum

by **Ciggy** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 8:41 am

Cant believe we are 1 point above Everton thats all 1 fucking point.

Even though our league title hopes faded the other night against Wigan if it had not have happened then it would have probably happened next week at Boro or at some other ground.

Whats happened to fortress Anfield this season?

Far to many points dropped at home for everyones liking and the first few months into the prem it looked like our travel sickness had been cured only for that to disminish along with our home form.

We blamed Internationals when we went into a bit of a slump, but we cant blame them now.
We could have blamed the busy holiday period but whilst most teams picked up atleast 10 points we got a mere 8.

Have expectations been raised so high this season with Torres joining? I think so he is the 20 goals a season striker we have been missing but even he cant do it all on his own.

The stats that Saint showed yesterday about our goal scorers is shocking.

Maybe we have to play Crouch more offten in the league now if he doesnt leave, he needs to find his rythm again but sitting on the bench he cant do that.

Infact Crouch, Voronin and Kuyts goals have all but dried up its the same old story loads of possession, loads of shots on target none going in.

It all looked so promising the past months when we where tonking teams, but its stopped all of a sudden and I dont know why.

Is it confidence? Are we relying to much on Gerrard and Torres to get us out the sh!t?
Whats happened to that feel good factor?

The league has been hard enough to win for years and years but now we have others fighting for a CL place City and Everton and I have to admit even if I dont like to but they are both playing more fluent and more cohesive football than we are.

Usually in December those who are in the op spots we have seen it in the past Pompey and Charlton are in the dizzy heights, but drop down the table like a prossie's knickers.

But Everton and City arnt budgeing one blessing is that the AN has started and Everton will be without, Pienaar, Yobo, Yakubu and I think Anichebe?
They will sorely miss these players.

I worry about when the CL starts again we will put all our concentration into that again and could suffer in the league and not finish in the top 4.

We have to start to go on an unbeaten run again, and get a centre half in asap this has contributed to our dip in form.

But I have my suspitions that all the sh!t going on behind closed doors with G, H and Rafa has played a major part in our recent slump.

by **bigmick** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 8:58 am

No I think we'll get into the top four without too much bother Lynds. It's actually going to be a really interesting period for the club, as pretty much everyone involved with the management team will know that failure to qualify for the Champions League will not only mean almost certain dismissal, but also a diminishment of reputation which wouldn't reflect well. I should think we'll probably see 4-5-1's and the like ditched for the forseeable, and it wouldn't be any surprise to me at all if we see the "A" team playing in most every game save for the odd tinker. Crouch may even find himself about to get a sustained run in the team alongside Torres at last, and I've absolutely no doubts that when he does we will have two strikers who can score a goal, not just one.

For everything to seem good with the World again we are going to need to finish the season very strongly. We are going to need to have fans and owners licking their lips in anticipation of next season, such is the fluency of our play and the consistency of our results. Naturally I think the only way we'll achive this is by picking a settled team, and I think Rafa (and I know I've said this about 50 times and have been wrong each time) is about to see the light, if indeed his recent selections don't indicate that he has already. A settled team, (and my preference would be for Gerrard to play on the right with Lucas partnering either Masherano or Alonso in the centre, Babel on the left with Crouch and Torres up top) will see us get to around 72 points I should think. That'll be comfortably enough to burn off the likes of Man City and Everton.

by **masch17** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 9:06 am

we will make the top 4, even though they have quite a few points on us at the moment, i would worry if i was a chelski fan.

they have a lot of absentees at the moment and the african nations will deny them of key players.

we will come good, agger has been a huge loss and he will give us much needed stability at the back.

come on redmen step up

by **kazza** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 9:24 am

I'm not.

by **66-1112520797** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 9:34 am

TBH the thought had crossed my mind once or twice, yes I am worried a tad.

by **ruskiy playmaker** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 9:39 am

If there are no new signings in January, I could see an upset. But there is a really small chance that someone outside of the big 4 could nick it. Next season though, it's going to be a completely different story.

by **66-1112520797** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 9:48 am

No I think we'll get into the top four without too much bother Lynds. It's actually going to be a really interesting period for the club, as pretty much everyone involved with the management team will know that failure to qualify for the Champions League will not only mean almost certain dismissal, but also a diminishment of reputation which wouldn't reflect well. I should think we'll probably see 4-5-1's and the like ditched for the forseeable, and it wouldn't be any surprise to me at all if we see the "A" team playing in most every game save for the odd tinker. Crouch may even find himself about to get a sustained run in the team alongside Torres at last, and I've absolutely no doubts that when he does we will have two strikers who can score a goal, not just one

Saying that Mick is what you'd hope and wish for no doubt Rafa wont have the same idea.

by **Ciggy** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 9:50 am

It also depends on who City sign in January, I really think we should NOT sell Crouch to them, he will offer them something different and our loss would be their gain.

Crouch is a leathal weapon for us in the CL teams hate playing against him, and he has a lot of respect from many a manager and ex player abroad.
They love him in Holland

Cruijf thinks he's great.

I dont think either of them are top 4 challenegrs on a regular basis neither, I am just worried about this season.
If all the sh!t going on behind closed doors and the uncertainty of Rafa come the end of the season doesnt come to an end any time soon.

City however will probably be in contention for the UEFA Cup on a regular basis.

by **kazza** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 10:21 am

Chelsea have injuries, suspensions and African nations where they lose good players for a a month or so. I think Chelsea should be worried. Man City are looking tired and they do not have a deep squad like us.

We will probably finish third.

by **HacksawJimDuggin** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 11:09 am

We are a 2nd half (of the season) team and will rally now through to the end of the season and put a great run together. We will finish comfortably in the top 4. Not sure what position but we'll finish comfortably in the top 4.

by **Ola Mr Benitez** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 11:36 am

I think we will make 4th.. no higher. I don't think we will buy anyone in January, unless our club is sold by the yanks (big rumour)

Chelsea and Arsenal will drop points during the African Nations but I cant see Man U dropping too many for the rest of the season. Our problem is more to do with our own performance. More and more clubs come to Anfield and put 10 men behind the ball and we just don't look like we know how to unlock a decent defence. The only time we have batteed teams is when we have scored early and forced them to come out and play us, and we have then had the tools to play good counter attacking football, but too many times we look clueless in front of goal.

The sooner the Yanks do one, the better in my book. I think they are undermining everything this club is about. We have always let the manager manage, but I think these cowboys have put Benitez on far too a tight reign. (even stopping him from going after Bosmans for god sake!!!).

by **NANNY RED** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 12:16 pm

Ive got my rose tinted glasses on here and ill stick me neck out on this one and say second (shall i hide now)

This African nations is gonna damage a few teams and i really cant see us playin as poor as we have been doin for much longer .

I am actualy not worried about the team im more worried whats going on behind the scenes

by **redtrader74** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 12:56 pm

No, i think we'll finish third, and without Rafa having to 'see the light'.

by **RichardLFC1** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 1:41 pm

I think we will finish in the top four but then again i thought we would beat Wigan at anfield

by **Redman in wales** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 2:09 pm

As a glass-half-empty man I too have to say I'm worried.

Whatever has been our problem against Wigan, Man City, reading, spurs, birmingham and portsmouth... could well carry on. chelsea and man city could strengthen in January... and suddenly it doesnt look so good for us.

oh, and take a look at this run of inviting games:

Tuesday, 11 March
Inter Milan v Liverpool

Saturday, 15 March
Liverpool v Reading

Saturday, 22 March
Man Utd v Liverpool

Saturday, 29 March
Liverpool v Everton

Saturday, 05 April
Arsenal v Liverpool

That said, if I had to put money on it, I think we will finish 4th!

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