Liverpool FC Forum

by **ConnO'var** » Sun Dec 28, 2008 5:10 pm

Igor Zidane wrote:By the way the reason keane didn't play was he had a niggle in his calf . FACT .

As long as that's the case, there can be no argument on the selected strike force today. Cheers for the info, Igor...

by **J*o*n*D*o*e** » Sun Dec 28, 2008 5:19 pm

great day with chelsea only drawing, we applied the pressure with playing first and its paid off, manure might have 3 games in hand but they have to win them first.

well done lads

by **GYBS** » Sun Dec 28, 2008 5:20 pm

Igor Zidane wrote:By the way the reason keane didn't play was he had a niggle in his calf . FACT .

not suprised to hear that mate , was expecting to hear of some sort of problem . So he wasnt dropped then , if only people knew that before they started slating our manager .

by **maguskwt** » Sun Dec 28, 2008 5:26 pm

To be perfectly honest I thought that it was a strange decision by rafa not to play keane this time around. It kind of reminds me of those decisions such as playing crouch as a wide forward. Even though I'm one of pro-rafa's and not too critical of rafa's rotation, it was a tad too much to be leaving all of Keane, Riera, and Alonso out after such a performance against Bolton. But now some people have come out and said that Keane had a knock and if that is so, then it doesn't seem that strange. In fact during this period, most managers do their own 'styling'. You don't get anyone making a big deal out of wenger leaving out van per sie, or ferguson leaving out rooney in certain games do you? In the end we won 5-1 and if that kind of winning margin is a result of a gamble, then I would be gambling all the time. the team selection at first glance seems abit shocking, but if you look at our total dominance and winning margin, how can one honestly say benitez doesn't care about winning? If it was a gamble, it was a calculated and high percentage gamble. And if keane picked up a knock it's even more justified. Players like lucas, babel and benayoun needs to feel that they belong to the team and this game would have done wonders to their believe. To be fair the anti-rafa brigade would have shred benitez to pieces if we didn't win. Some of the criticisms are over the top on here and not really warranted IMO. So why are these people complaining if the support for rafa goes over the top in these situations. Isn't that a bit hypocritical? Anyway, nobody really mentioned it but I thought Insua had a solid game again... is he our very own Heinze? :;):

March on Reds!

by **Effes** » Sun Dec 28, 2008 5:30 pm

3 points clear, what a favour Fulham did us today

by **Greavesie** » Sun Dec 28, 2008 5:33 pm

btw no mention of the so-called 'injury' Keane sustained when Sammy Lee was quizzed:

When quizzed about the team selection and the omission of in-form Robbie Keane, he said: "We have said many times before it's a squad game.

"We have been criticised for selecting certain teams but Rafa Benitez will always pick a side that he sees fit to win any given scenario and any game.

"When other players come into the team we have to make sure they are at a level where they can compete and we certainly are at the moment.

"This team sets out to win every game we play. I can assure you now that Rafa will be looking at the DVD of the game and looking at where we can improve."

I dunno about you but it sounds to me like he didn't have any sort of injury

by **GunGod** » Sun Dec 28, 2008 6:27 pm

What a great day! Pulled away by another 2 points and made up 4 goals on the goal difference with Chelsea.

But actually nothing much has changed, we lose once and Chelsea wins they will be top of the table, just like how it has been so far.

Nonetheless job well done, hang in there lads!

And about the Keane issue, there isn't much of an issue. Rafa took a gamble in resting him. He wasn't dropped per se. If it was 2 weeks back we could say Rafa didn't trust Keane to perform. But things have changed and by resting him it just means Rafa very much has Keane in his plans and though it might have seemed absurd a while ago, Keane could just be the final boost for us to reach the title in the run in now.

However, just as Keane was getting into his groove Rafa rested him. Strikers need to maintain their momemtum and let's just hope Rafa got it right this time.

by **Fo Dne** » Sun Dec 28, 2008 6:29 pm

Igor Zidane wrote:By the way the reason keane didn't play was he had a niggle in his calf . FACT .

Rubbish.

by **sgs** » Sun Dec 28, 2008 6:29 pm

bigmick wrote:I'm a bit tanked up here so apologies for any speaking out of turn, but that is an absolutely ridiculous team selection. Even if we win, it's still ridiculous. Why? because we are passing up the opportunity to continue Keane's roll. I cannot believe the silliness of it. Quote me when we've won the game 3-0 by all means, that is an absolutely ludicrous team selection.

Hind sight is 20/20 but I could'nt help but notice this comment b/4 the game started..

Is the object of team selection to win a match or to preserve a particular player's form?

It is precisely comments like this that simply turns you off this site sometimes.

Its the team stuupid![B]

by **mighty mo** » Sun Dec 28, 2008 6:38 pm

i was listening to five live during the warm up about 20 minutes before kick off..... and he made the point about robbie keane pulling up in the warm up......so maybe it is true.... but...... he didnt look happy when the camera was on him just after ngog went on the pitch as a sub.... :Oo:

by **metalhead** » Sun Dec 28, 2008 6:38 pm

As most of you, I was left baffled with the team selection today, dropping Keane when he scored 3 goals in 2 games for a striker who is half the player and been playing like cr@p the last 3 or 4 games? Changing the system again? left me scratching my head.

However, we turned up, and we won 5-1 against a woeful defence. We were dominant and brilliant from the start. I only watched the first half, due to the electricity cut after in my house, so I couldn't watch the second. I wasn't really worried that newcastle were ever going to get back into this game, I thought we would get a 3rd and end it, but 5-1! nice! Our team was brilliant today and full credit to them.

Gamble or no gamble today, we won, so lets be happy about it! :buttrock

by **Igor Zidane** » Sun Dec 28, 2008 6:46 pm

Fo Dne wrote:
Igor Zidane wrote:By the way the reason keane didn't play was he had a niggle in his calf . FACT .

Rubbish.

Ok .

by **metalhead** » Sun Dec 28, 2008 6:55 pm

Imagine if Torres was playing today :Oo:

by **Rush Job** » Sun Dec 28, 2008 7:33 pm

Well I couldn't fkin believe it!
I was out out last night and didnt get in untill 8 this morning, I went to bed knowing I'd sleep though the match, while I was asleep I had several dreams that I could remember but the reacuring theme, wether someone in the dream mentions it to me or what ever was the score line 5-1.
Every time I woke I had that scoreline in my head and every time I went back to sleep thinking we would probably end up with a 1-1 draw, when I got up and put on SSN my chin hit the floor, its not like dreaming 2-1 or even 3-0..... ITS 5-1 US.
Very strange feeling TBH and Lucas had a good game so dreams really do come true.

I have to have a go at the lottery, I have had a dream about a winning horse before that I made money on, by the name of celtic heratidge.

by **Ciggy** » Sun Dec 28, 2008 7:40 pm

metalhead wrote:Imagine if Torres was playing today

16 - 0 FACT :nod

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