Liverpool FC Forum

by **Judge** » Tue Oct 21, 2008 12:23 pm

Lee J wrote:
Judge wrote:
Kharhaz wrote:
Reg wrote:I think if we're gonna have a match thread I'd rather Manhatten started it.

Or some kind of effort put in to an opener.

it couldve been worse, with dawson putting as the opener as:

i think yes what about you

but that would've been funny.

by **Roger Red Hat** » Tue Oct 21, 2008 12:44 pm

ok lets post each others avatars...

anyway, I'll stick with 0-2 (keane, kuyt)

by **metalhead** » Tue Oct 21, 2008 1:00 pm

GARCIA: REDS ARE NOW CONTENDERS
Jimmy Rice 21 October 2008
Luis Garcia has spoken of his pleasure at watching the Rafalution take shape from afar - and claims Liverpool are now realistic challengers for the Barclays Premier League title.
The Spanish playmaker could line up against his former club for Atletico in the Vicente Calderon on Wednesday night.

Having watched the Reds dispatch the likes of Man Utd, Everton and Marseille in impressive fashion, Garcia knows he and his current teammates are in for a tough ride.

Whatever the result in Madrid, the 30-year-old expects Liverpool to be fighting for top honours both home and abroad this season.

"The team and the squad is getting stronger each year, and I am sure that Rafa Benitez deep down believes he can take the team closer to the league this season even though he may never show it publicly," Garcia told LFC Magazine.

"I have watched and you can see the team growing. If they continue in this way they could win the league.

"When I first joined, Chelsea were far better than us, but the gap is closing and Liverpool can now win the league."

Garcia scored 10 Champions League goals for Liverpool, the most famous of which came at Anfield against Juventus and Chelsea en route to Istanbul in 2005.

Atletico will be hoping the winger can re-discover his goalscoring touch on Wednesday, but the man himself admits it would feel strange to net against the Reds.

He said: "I am always happy to score goals and I am an Atletico player now. In my heart I would feel strange, and I would say sorry because I wouldn't feel any joy scoring against Liverpool."

On how he reflects on his Anfield career, Garcia added: "It makes me happy that Liverpool fans look back and appreciate what I gave to the team.

"There were times last year when I wished I was back there. When I watched Liverpool games and thought I could add something to the team, I became frustrated."

Garcia is not an automatic choice for Atletico boss Javier Aguirre, though after impressing against PSV earlier in Group D he's hopeful of playing a part against Gerrard and co.

"I have played in a few positions so far this season, mainly on the right but the boss knows I can also play as a striker," he said.

"There have been games that I have switched to that role and confused the opposition. It worked against PSV and I set up a goal.

"Whether we try that against Liverpool is different because Rafa understands my game and will know what to try if I do that."

He added: "When I first arrived things were not working out the way I expected when I decided to leave Liverpool.

"I was thinking all the time that I had made the wrong decision to come back to Spain. But this season things have been more positive, I feel a lot better about my game."

Wednesday's match is followed in two weeks' time by the return at Anfield, an occasion which Garcia claims will be one of the most emotional nights of his football life.

He said: "The game in Liverpool will be very special for me. In terms of sentimentality, the biggest of my career.

"I was not able to say goodbye properly when I left because I was injured at the end of the season, it was the worst way possible to finish my career there.

"I was so happy there and am desperate to play one more game at Anfield."

------------

Interesting stuff coming from Luis Garcia, can't wait to see him play at anfield in the next game.

by **Judge** » Tue Oct 21, 2008 1:01 pm

lets hope he wastes the ball alot

by **Sabre** » Tue Oct 21, 2008 1:07 pm

Interesting quotes metalhead.

"There were times last year when I wished I was back there. When I watched Liverpool games and thought I could add something to the team, I became frustrated."

This must be read as I'm better than Benayoun

It's always nice to read ex players talking with so much respect about Liverpool.

by **metalhead** » Tue Oct 21, 2008 1:15 pm

Sabre wrote:Interesting quotes metalhead.

"There were times last year when I wished I was back there. When I watched Liverpool games and thought I could add something to the team, I became frustrated."

This must be read as I'm better than Benayoun

It's always nice to read ex players talking with so much respect about Liverpool.

He shouldn't have left, I think we would have been better last season if we still had him, always pops up and scores, and he does it against alot of side that play 10 men behind the ball.

by **Owzat** » Tue Oct 21, 2008 2:07 pm

woof woof ! wrote:
Owzat wrote:I'd settle for a draw in this, not push for a win we don't really need with a much more difficult away game at the weekend.

I'd settle for a draw but sincerely hope we don't play for one. Not advocating a cavalry charge but we can win this one. We should at least be looking to score wouldn't like to see us being to cautious and then at 0-0 getting mugged in the last few minutes.

A defeat wouldn't be that damaging, other than spoiling our unbeaten record, but worth it if we can get the win at SB. Two home games to come and 12 points would see us through, of course we should look to win, but I advocate giving (some) reserves a run out to show what they can do. I'd be looking at the likes of :-

Keane - see if he can find the net ahead of the weekend
Pennant - see if he can do anything ahead of the January Transfer window
Dossena - see if he can do anything

El Zhar - deserves a chance I reckon, he's come on and helped Liverpool at least a couple of times when needed
Benayoun - rest Gerrard and play him in behind the striker(s)
N'Gog - if Keane's trot of form continues then we need some alternatives having some games
Babel - if fit, play him in Riera's role

Hyypia - see if he can get away with not being registered for the Champions League! (just kidding)

I don't go a bundle on rotation, but rest is important and games are coming thick and fast at the moment. It can also give games to back-up for when they are needed, like with Agger filling in for Skrtel. And how is N'Gog going to find form if not getting games while Keane continues to fluff his lines?

by **JoeTerp** » Tue Oct 21, 2008 2:52 pm

El Zhar is not registered either

by **Zidane** » Tue Oct 21, 2008 8:28 pm

I think we'll win easily. 2-0

by **roberto green** » Tue Oct 21, 2008 9:39 pm

metalhead wrote:
Sabre wrote:Interesting quotes metalhead.

"There were times last year when I wished I was back there. When I watched Liverpool games and thought I could add something to the team, I became frustrated."

This must be read as I'm better than Benayoun

It's always nice to read ex players talking with so much respect about Liverpool.

He shouldn't have left, I think we would have been better last season if we still had him, always pops up and scores, and he does it against alot of side that play 10 men behind the ball.

I certainly think we are missing something without him,ok he could be frustrating but he scored his fair share of goals some of which were brilliant and you just knew he was the wild card in pack and he could produce something out of nothing i,e juventus type of goals and he is ten times better than Benayoun and Pennant

by **NANNY RED** » Tue Oct 21, 2008 9:45 pm

BENITEZ TARGETS HOMETOWN GLORY
Paul Hassall in Madrid 21 October 2008

Rafael Benitez is hoping Liverpool can mark the return to his hometown with victory when they face Atletico Madrid on Wednesday night.
The Reds boss admits it would be extra special to pick up the three points in the Spanish capital but insists that his only motivation is doing his best for Liverpool Football Club - and not personal glory.

"I'm really pleased to be here, in my town," he told reporters at the Vicente Calderon.

"My home town now is Liverpool but I come from Madrid so I am pleased to be here. I have a very good opinion of Atletico, their fans and everything. I will enjoy it and we will try to win.

"I'm only worried about my own supporters and want to win for them."

The Reds head into the top of the table Group D clash with Atletico in good form after coming from behind to beat Wigan at the weekend.

It is in stark contrast to the hosts, who have lost their last three matches.

Benitez accepts the Spanish outfit could be low in confidence ahead of the encounter but expects Javier Aguirre's side to rise to the occasion in Europe.

"We know that the game will be in the Calderon Stadium, so it will be really difficult," he said. "The team is good and they have good players. It will be difficult regardless of whether they lost games with Real Madrid and Barcelona because they are both big teams too.

"The Champions League is extra motivation for all the players. It will be a massive game, for sure."

Liverpool have earned acclaim for their ability to turn a deficit into an eventual victory so far tis season, having come from behind on no fewer than five occasions.

It is something the Reds boss is eager to avoid tomorrow, but he admits he has confidence in his side if they do fall behind at the Vicente Calderon.

"At the end of games it is positive, but during the game it is not good for me," he joked when asked about his team's strength of character.

"I'd prefer to score first and after we would be in a better position but if we have to come from behind, then we will do it this way."

The Reds boss admits he has strong links to the Spanish side having grown up with an Atletico-supporting father.

It is an occasion that will undoubtedly be of keen interest in the Benitez household, and he believes it will be a proud moment for him to return as Liverpool manager.

"My father was an Atletico fan, that is true," he said. "When I was playing in the Real Madrid youth teams he was asking me why I supported Real when Atletico needs more.

"He would be proud because I want to win every game as Liverpool manager. That is the reason why."

Benitez also revealed that he would not be picking a side with one eye on Sunday's clash for tomorrow's Champions League match and that he was pleased that Ryan Babel was back in the squad.

He added: "We are just thinking about this game. Then after three or four days we will get ready for the next one."

For my part in this im sick as a parrott im not there but myself personaly i think if we win this one as i rate this the hardest we should hopfully have a nice confortable breeze through the final group matches which leaves us nicley to concenteate on the premiership. Moral is high at the mo in the squad lets keep it on a roll

Lets go an batter these Spaniards :laugh:

Sorry Sabes

by **LFC2007** » Tue Oct 21, 2008 10:02 pm

Having seen them against Barca and Real, I fancy we'll have every opportunity to score. They have a CB playing at RB and a RB playng at CB (Heitinga), then they have Pernia at LB who is distinctly average, and a midfield ahead which has no strength. The only tactical reason they represent a threat is because of who they possess out wide and up front, i.e. Maxi, Simao, Garcia (Luis), Forlan, Aguero. Real quality, pace, trickery and all the rest.

by **Sabre** » Tue Oct 21, 2008 10:08 pm

Lets go an batter these Spaniards Sorry Sabes

I want a 0-3.

I want to wind up a couple of Atleticos I know on Thursday big time.

I want humilliation. I don't wan't prisoners.

As for LFC2007's brief description of Atletico it's true, but perhaps (it's a matter of perception) he implies that it could be an easy game for us somehow.

Well I think Calderon tomorrow will be a difficult venue. While it's all true what he says about Pernia, and the midfield, the Calderon stadium, is a stadium I hate with a passion but I also respect for it's intimidation. It's hard to explain this but you can tell for sure that a europe wednesday night at Calderon (which have been scarce in the last decade) will be complicated.

For the Anfield game though, I'd expect to beat them comfortably for the very reasons LFC2007 has explained.

by **NANNY RED** » Tue Oct 21, 2008 10:22 pm

My friend emailed me before Sabes it said

We done our job at the weekend now its up to you to do yours:D

by **Sabre** » Tue Oct 21, 2008 10:23 pm

NANNY RED wrote:My friend emailed me before Sabes it said

We done our job at the weekend now its up to you to do yours:D

Which reminds me how much I'd enjoy a Liverpool victory at the Santiago Bernabeu.

That would be sweet. :nod

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