Liverpool FC Forum

by **Owzat** » Tue Aug 18, 2009 5:37 pm

Kuyt's consistency last season and ability to score important goals is why I'd be unwilling to write him off on the basis of pre-season Babel form, end of season Yossi form and the pie in the sky that fat frank ate. If we were to drop Gerrard into midfield and try to accommodate Riera and Yossi, no idea why we'd go with Riera who drifts in and out of games and doesn't weigh in with half the goals/assists that Kuyt does, but anyway I'd play Kuyt in the Gerrard role. I don't see what a Riera/Insua combi is going to offer, too many seem to want to find a way to axe Kuyt simply because he appears to be a manager's favourite. Bottom line is he has proved his worth and is one of several key players in the side, even the form Yossi showed late last season doesn't trump the consistent form and return of Kuyt all last season. Or is it on the basis of a subs appearance that made no difference to the result?

by **Fowler_E7** » Tue Aug 18, 2009 5:52 pm

heimdall wrote:Look its glaringly fecking obvious, pull Stevie back into midfield together with Mascha and play Benni in Stevie's role, bingo bongo we win the majority of games, simple, but will rafa see it that way. I'd then play Diggler and Riera on the wings.

BTW Benni doesn't need to prove a thing to me, he is by far the better player compared with Babel and Lucas, why Rafa doesn't see this is a mystery that only he can answer.

agreed, it seems the obvious solution to me aswell.

by **Owzat** » Tue Aug 18, 2009 5:54 pm

Maybe it is "glaringly obvious" that Benayoun is better than Lucas and Babel, doesn't mean that dropping Gerrard back into a more central role is best use of him or will still get the best out of Torres.

by **Rockdakop** » Tue Aug 18, 2009 5:55 pm

Babel clearly can't play as a left winger so why not try him on the right or up top?

When Kuyt was playing cack Rafa backed him 100% and played him in every game almost.

Why can he not afford Babel the same support?

by **heimdall** » Tue Aug 18, 2009 7:46 pm

Owzat wrote:Maybe it is "glaringly obvious" that Benayoun is better than Lucas and Babel, doesn't mean that dropping Gerrard back into a more central role is best use of him or will still get the best out of Torres.

It is the glaringly obvious solution to the "current" situation, not suggesting it as a long term solution Owzat. Long term Stevie should play in the role we all know and love but we can't do that if we only have Lucas and a p1ssed off Mascha in the midfield. Benni could play Stevie's role fairly well but I'm not sure how good he would be as CM although I think even that would be worth a look maybe.

by **heimdall** » Tue Aug 18, 2009 7:48 pm

Rockdakop wrote:Babel clearly can't play as a left winger so why not try him on the right or up top?

When Kuyt was playing cack Rafa backed him 100% and played him in every game almost.

Why can he not afford Babel the same support?

Because Kuyt works his nuts off and deserves support, even though at the time I though Rafa supported him a bit too much, but hey it worked out. Babel has had an obscene amount of chances to prove himself without ever delivering consistently, he's had plenty of backing from Rafa and even the times he has played as striker he hasn't really blown me away.

by **KOPMATT** » Tue Aug 18, 2009 9:54 pm

Last game I saw him do well for us was against the Gooners in the Champions league. Babel that is.

by **RedintheHead** » Wed Aug 19, 2009 12:48 am

Don't quite see the controversy with dropping Gerrard back next to Masch while we recover in the short term. In fact, I can guarantee that playing Benayoun off of Torres would yield excellent results bc that is Yossi's natural position. Lets not talk about the fact that Torres himself said last season in the interview for Sport5 that, were he the manager, Benayoun would play behind him every game because of his attacking creativity. Give it a go, Rafa!

by **Owzat** » Wed Aug 19, 2009 7:34 am

heimdall wrote:
Rockdakop wrote:Babel clearly can't play as a left winger so why not try him on the right or up top?

When Kuyt was playing cack Rafa backed him 100% and played him in every game almost.

Why can he not afford Babel the same support?

Because Kuyt works his nuts off and deserves support, even though at the time I though Rafa supported him a bit too much, but hey it worked out. Babel has had an obscene amount of chances to prove himself without ever delivering consistently, he's had plenty of backing from Rafa and even the times he has played as striker he hasn't really blown me away.

Or because Kuyt can tackle, head, defend, pass, score, cross, retain possession better etc etc etc - not every time perfectly but with more prospect of success than Babel.

Giving Babel full backing could basically end any title hopes we have, personally I'd use him as a sub striker but as a winger he's sub standard only if you move the two words together and it takes on a different meaning altogether (not that he's been great as a striker either)

by **heimdall** » Wed Aug 19, 2009 12:03 pm

Owzat wrote:
heimdall wrote:
Rockdakop wrote:Babel clearly can't play as a left winger so why not try him on the right or up top?

When Kuyt was playing cack Rafa backed him 100% and played him in every game almost.

Why can he not afford Babel the same support?

Because Kuyt works his nuts off and deserves support, even though at the time I though Rafa supported him a bit too much, but hey it worked out. Babel has had an obscene amount of chances to prove himself without ever delivering consistently, he's had plenty of backing from Rafa and even the times he has played as striker he hasn't really blown me away.

Or because Kuyt can tackle, head, defend, pass, score, cross, retain possession better etc etc etc - not every time perfectly but with more prospect of success than Babel.

Giving Babel full backing could basically end any title hopes we have, personally I'd use him as a sub striker but as a winger he's sub standard only if you move the two words together and it takes on a different meaning altogether (not that he's been great as a striker either)

I agree Owzat, Kuyt has developed into a very useful player out on the right.

by **KOPMATT** » Wed Aug 19, 2009 12:07 pm

I felt that he helped protect Arbeloa also last season except around march when when seemed to push further forward it left Arbeloa wanting a little bit. I really like Kuyt he works tirelessly for the team, doesn't score enough but I do rate him.

by **TheLad** » Wed Aug 19, 2009 12:31 pm

KOPMATT wrote:Last game I saw him do well for us was against the Gooners in the Champions league. Babel that is.

I don't remember seeing him play well in the last few months tbh. Rafa has to admit that he failed with his buy and try to sell him for a good price to raise money to strengthen the team.

by **KOPMATT** » Wed Aug 19, 2009 1:07 pm

TheLad wrote:
KOPMATT wrote:Last game I saw him do well for us was against the Gooners in the Champions league. Babel that is.

I don't remember seeing him play well in the last few months tbh. Rafa has to admit that he failed with his buy and try to sell him for a good price to raise money to strengthen the team.

No ure right as that was 2007/08 season when he came on as sub

by **stmichael** » Wed Aug 19, 2009 1:48 pm

Well Rafa's comments are leading me towards the feeling that Benayoun will start tonight.

Quite frankly if he doesn't it will be complete madness. We're going to need his creativity as I just can't see us creating as many clear cut chances as we did against them last season. They're a much better team now.

by **Fauxy** » Wed Aug 19, 2009 5:30 pm

Just out of curiosity, does anyone know why Riera was left out of the squad V Tottenham ??

Some said he was injured but he played a few nights before for spain, and ive heard someone else say he didnt play because one of his closest friends died ? :Oo:

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