Liverpool FC Forum

by **JC_81** » Sun Apr 05, 2009 2:13 pm

I am obviously delighted with the result yesterday, but for me the performance was slightly worrying. We gave the ball away sloppily at times and didn't quite have the fluency we had before the international break. Maybe that's to be expected given that the players haven't been training together all week, have been all over the world playing for their countries and also for the simple reason that we can't continue to win every game by scoring four goals or more.

The form of our two star players also concerns me. Torres could have, and by his standards, should have had two or three yesterday. I also thought Gerrard was poor first half, apart from one great ball that Dossena headed onto the bar, and although he improved second half he wasn't at the peak of his game. Our chances of winning a trophy this season depend almost completely on these two maintaining form and fitness for the run-in, whether you choose to admit that to yourselves is another matter.

This isn't meant to be a doom and gloom post though. There were positives too, mainly the result which is by far the most important thing at this stage of the season. We did what Arsenal, Chelsea and United all failed to do this season - win at Craven Cottage, and despite not playing as fluently, still managed twenty attempts on goal, which suggests to me that Benitez is sending the team out with an attacking mentality. The other important thing is the belief in the squad. We kept going to the end and got what we deserved. Our 7th last minute/stoppage time goal this season.

Lastly the timing of the goal will demoralise United somewhat, just as they have been doing to us most weeks since February. Nothing worse than seeing your main rivals score a last minute winner. Now an out of form and low on confidence United have to play a decent side without Berbatov, Rooney, Scholes and Vidic, and they HAVE to win. Villa can't keep losing, they have to turn the corner sooner rather than later and start picking up points again. I can't see them winning at Old Trafford, but a draw's not out of the question.

by **tubby** » Sun Apr 05, 2009 2:19 pm

john craig wrote:I am obviously delighted with the result yesterday, but for me the performance was slightly worrying. We gave the ball away sloppily at times and didn't quite have the fluency we had before the international break. Maybe that's to be expected given that the players haven't been training together all week, have been all over the world playing for their countries and also for the simple reason that we can't continue to win every game by scoring four goals or more.

The form of our two star players also concerns me. Torres could have, and by his standards, should have had two or three yesterday. I also thought Gerrard was poor first half, apart from one great ball that Dossena headed onto the bar, and although he improved second half he wasn't at the peak of his game. Our chances of winning a trophy this season depend almost completely on these two maintaining form and fitness for the run-in, whether you choose to admit that to yourselves is another matter.

This isn't meant to be a doom and gloom post though. There were positives too, mainly the result which is by far the most important thing at this stage of the season. We did what Arsenal, Chelsea and United all failed to do this season - win at Craven Cottage, and despite not playing as fluently, still managed twenty attempts on goal, which suggests to me that Benitez is sending the team out with an attacking mentality. The other important thing is the belief in the squad. We kept going to the end and got what we deserved. Our 7th last minute/stoppage time goal this season.

Lastly the timing of the goal will demoralise United somewhat, just as they have been doing to us most weeks since February. Nothing worse than seeing your main rivals score a last minute winner. Now an out of form and low on confidence United have to play a decent side without Berbatov, Rooney, Scholes and Vidic, and they HAVE to win. Villa can't keep losing, they have to turn the corner sooner rather than later and start picking up points again. I can't see them winning at Old Trafford, but a draw's not out of the question.

I think the sloppiness can mostly be put down to international break. But a few main players have had some rest now so hopefully on Wednesday we should be a bit more tidy.

Regarding Gerrard and Torres like I said on his 2 chances he hit the target but was denied but for the post. On another day he would have gotten both goals and yesterday could well have been yet another 4-0 thrashing. And the papers would be saying we still maintained our momentum despite the international break.

But I just hope Stevie and Nando can stay fit till the end of the season. Stevie especially as he has been playing so well recently so he really must be giving it his all.

We will have to rest them for parts at some point. Hopefully on the West Brom game.

--

Rafa: We deserve luck

Rafael Benitez says Liverpool deserve the luck which saw Yossi Benayouns score a late winner against Fulham.

The victory was the Reds' fourth in a row in the league, but looked to have been denied by Fulham's woodwork which was rattled four times on Saturday.

He said: "Luck is reserved for people who work hard, and we do. You have to win - Arsenal won, Chelsea won. For us nothing else mattered but winning."

by **Well Red** » Sun Apr 05, 2009 2:22 pm

john craig wrote:The form of our two star players concerns me. Torres could have, and by his standards, should have had two or three yesterday. I also thought Gerrard was poor first half, apart from one great ball that Dossena headed onto the bar, and although he improved second half he wasn't at the peak of his game. Our chances of winning a trophy this season depend almost completely on these two maintaining form and fitness for the run-in, whether you choose to admit that to yourselves is another matter.

I agree with you that the two main lads underperformed yesterday. They showed glimpses of their footballing genius, but really didn't put in the usual 8 or 9/10 performances they usually do.

That said, there had been an international break and we have a HUGE game at home against the chavs which will be another massive European night and that'll be exactly what the pair need to gear themselves up for the rest of the reason. It's impossible NOT to raise your game on Champions League nights at Anfield :;):

by **GOAT** » Sun Apr 05, 2009 2:23 pm

Hodgson basically saying they played a lot better in this game than they did against us last season, they were f.ucking sh.it :laugh:

Poor b.astards

by **Sabre** » Sun Apr 05, 2009 2:29 pm

The form of our two star players also concerns me. Torres could have, and by his standards, should have had two or three yesterday. I also thought Gerrard was poor first half, apart from one great ball that Dossena headed onto the bar, and although he improved second half he wasn't at the peak of his game.

John, wasn't the change of Torres that ended up in the woodwork a perfect 1-2 with Gerrard? I ask because I thought in the first glance it was Stevie and the play was a piece of art.

I disagree about the game I have a more positive view of it, but this is about views.

Torres hasn't been his best in the Spain international games, but I'm not worried, this up and downs are normal and not that his game has been bad at all.

by **taff** » Sun Apr 05, 2009 2:43 pm

The loan hasnt been paid this month, we could nitpick the performance yes, I moaned when I saw Dossena on the left wing, Mentalist Rafa doesnt celebrate, Torres cant score, The Mancs have a game in hand

WHO CARES

We are in a title race properly for the first time in 19 years and I am loving it. Watch the players after the game yesterday they believe in themselves, in the team, in the fans and even in Crazy man Rafa

The Mancs have battled some great teams over the last 15 odd years but they have never been in a race with us and they fear this more than anything else. Whatever happens today against Villa and the rest of the season that red nosed **** knows we are back and it hurts

by **tubby** » Sun Apr 05, 2009 2:45 pm

I thought Alonso was great yesterday. Should have scored with a sweet shot and he played some excellent long range passes. One of them was the Torres header of the post. That would have been a great goal.

by **tonyeh** » Sun Apr 05, 2009 2:59 pm

Just got up after a night (and morning) on the booze...me head is killing me. But what a day yesterday was. I think the neighbours were going to call the cops at one point with the noise out of me at 92 minutes. My girlfriend thought I'd fallen over or something..."What the hell's wrong?

"

But bloody hell, after a whole games worth of threatening the feckin goal, one went in. What a sight. I'd say Craven Cottage's foundations were done some serious damage with all the jumping...

...and I saw Nanny having a heart attack in the stands on Setanta :;):

. Hope yer ok now Nan

But holy crap...how that game wasn't 2-0 to Liverpool at HT, I don't know.

I want Fulham's woodwork examined for regulation height and width. :laugh:

Still chuffed.

BTW, Craven Cottage had the most attendance ever for yesterdays match...in case you didn't know.

by **Effes** » Sun Apr 05, 2009 3:01 pm

dawson99 wrote:Let's not get ahead of ourselves

but we are all waiting for the day when Rafa jumps up and says we played perfectly.

I think the nearest he came to that, Daws, was after the Real Madrid 4-0.
He was surprisingly full oof praise after that - think he used the phrase "near-perfect"?
He was of course, correct.

by **Reg** » Sun Apr 05, 2009 3:13 pm

I agree Stevie had a quiet game but surely that was the plan bearing in mind the Chelsea game where his contribution will have to be huge.

The worrying aspect of winnng in the 93 minute is the lads gave 100% for the whole game instead of being 3-0 up at half time and taking the foot off the pedal.

Was impressed with Insua, all credit to him.

by **JoeTerp** » Sun Apr 05, 2009 3:32 pm

Sabre wrote:
The form of our two star players also concerns me. Torres could have, and by his standards, should have had two or three yesterday. I also thought Gerrard was poor first half, apart from one great ball that Dossena headed onto the bar, and although he improved second half he wasn't at the peak of his game.

John, wasn't the change of Torres that ended up in the woodwork a perfect 1-2 with Gerrard? I ask because I thought in the first glance it was Stevie and the play was a piece of art.

I disagree about the game I have a more positive view of it, but this is about views.

Torres hasn't been his best in the Spain international games, but I'm not worried, this up and downs are normal and not that his game has been bad at all.

I was about to bring up that passage of play, but also Gerrard sent in that cross in the 2nd half that was an inch away from hitting torres head and if both back post runners weren't in the same exact spot, one of them might have scored the rebound. Gerrard also influential in that passage that lead to him fizzing a shot/cross that Yossi tried to back heel in a la Babel v. Besiktas.

There were other moments in the first half when he certainly showed the drive, but it just wasn't coming off due to a well organized Fulham side (mostly referring to when he drifted left and played with Doss and Insua)

by **NANNY RED** » Sun Apr 05, 2009 3:34 pm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecsSFaic3K4

:bowdown

by **Effes** » Sun Apr 05, 2009 3:35 pm

by **JoeTerp** » Sun Apr 05, 2009 3:35 pm

bavlondon wrote:I thought Alonso was great yesterday. Should have scored with a sweet shot and he played some excellent long range passes. One of them was the Torres header of the post. That would have been a great goal.

don't remember a Torres header hitting the post

by **JoeTerp** » Sun Apr 05, 2009 3:37 pm

NANNY RED wrote:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecsSFaic3K4

what are the other words that aren't we're gonna win the league?

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