Liverpool FC Forum

by **Rush1000** » Sat Sep 12, 2009 2:24 am

hope Aquilani does prove a more than adequate replacement for Alonso - if only for Reina's sake

sounds pretty :censored:

off in this interview - says Alonso was our best player and we lack vision this season

also says league not a realistic objective

http://www.footballnewshq.com/2009....to.html

----

by **bigmick** » Sat Sep 12, 2009 4:03 am

It's interesting that at the bottom of the article Rafa talks about when Liverpool lost at Burnley 1-0 in the FA Cup. He said he didn't know if it was the low point, but EVEN THEN he knew he would be a success in English Football. I'm not sure whether he thinks that winning the FA Cup once in five seasons at the helm at Liverpool is being a "success in English football" or whether he is talking about the future and all the trophies we WILL win, but suffice to say I hope it's the latter.

I think Harry Redknapp matched our "English Football" trophy haul at Portsmouth over a similar period of time didn't he, or was that the Milk Cup thing they won

I guess it could be argued that he had more of a job on when he took over as well, particularly as they were struggling in the division below us at the time.

by **DrPepe** » Sat Sep 12, 2009 9:37 am

"English football"

Not just the cup bm

by **kazza** » Sat Sep 12, 2009 10:51 am

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez is optimistic that summer signing Alberto Aquilani could return to training in 'two or three weeks'.

It was revealed when the ex-Roma star joined the Reds at the start of August that he was possibly eight weeks away from fitness following an ankle operation.

But Benitez hinted at the beginning of September that Aquilani was ahead of schedule in his rehabilitation after resuming work in the gym and swimming pool.

The Liverpool boss is now hopeful that the Italy international, a £20million replacement for Xabi Alonso, will soon join his new team-mates in training.

Benitez said: "Aquilani has improved, he has progressed in the way that we expected and now maybe in two or three weeks we will see him training.

"Then we will see how he progresses, but the last scan he had was very good."

Experiment
Meanwhile, Benitez has sounded his delight that Spain and England have recently joined Holland in booking a place at the 2010 World Cup.

The early qualification of the nations means that the likes of Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres and Dirk Kuyt can relax a little when on international duty.

Benitez said: "I am not sure now what various international managers will do with their players in final qualifying games now they are sure of going to the finals.

"They may try to rest players, experiment or plan, but for sure everyone will now be relaxed and not playing under such pressure.

"Now that the English and Spanish players have qualified this week it should make things easier for us.

"At least mentally they do not need to worry any more about their qualification.

"They need to go to internationals now and enjoy the situation, and that will be another plus point for us because there are no distractions with regard to qualifying or not now. They are there."

by **heimdall** » Sat Sep 12, 2009 2:35 pm

Nando26 wrote:
steviegs lovechild wrote:i also can't wait to see if he's a dud, or another Rafa class signing!!!

is that the one class signing (ok maybe 2 the way johnson is looking) out of gods knows how many

Great another Rafa hater..maybe 2 good signings? shut up you tw.at

"but im good at LMA id make it as a professional coach easy"

fuc.king miserable wan.kers cant we ban em from the thread try abit of hmmm i dont know supporting the team

Are you openly suggesting we ban or card someone, that's against the rules isn't it?

He is as entitled to his opinion as you are to yours

by **Fauxy** » Sat Sep 19, 2009 12:20 am

Found this post on RAWK, thought it was a good read and interesting coming from somebody who has actually watched him play and not just on youtube..

I've watched Aquilani for two years in Serie A and international football (Italy) so here's my take on the situation:

As we know Alonso is an intelligent distributor of the ball. His weakness (being slow and less agile) was also his strength because he was our thinking man, the brain in our midfield orchestrating our attack from deeper.

Aquilani is very different in that he is faster and able to run into more dangerous positions into the box, and also play quick one-two's around the box. He is also an excellent passer of the ball, but he is not only faster in speed but also with his decision making... has brilliant vision and able to crack open tight defences with pin point short passes. This is an ability we see with players such as Kaka and Fabregas. It's rare for us to get a foreign player with this ability and the only other player we have who's ball control, technique is of similar standard to play outside the box - is Benayoun. Though, Rafa even played Kuyt ahead of Benayoun in that position, he prefers to use Yossi out wide so its encouraging that we have Aquilani with this possibility. Expect him to change positions with Gerrard sometimes.

Aquilani also has a stunning long range shot on him, and is able to hit them quite sweet with both feet and I think the Premier League's style for speed and shooting (think Lampard) would suite Aquilani better. Of course he is never going to be as physically strong as Ballack but there are many lightweight players who have been very effective in England or against English teams.

Many people are concerned with his injuries, but I believe that has been totally misunderstood. The mistake is that people have read the amount of starts he has made and thought he only plays 15-20 matches a season. No. He's played much more because half the time he starts on the bench, since Roma already had established players De Rossi, Totti and Perrotta occupy the same positions he plays in. He had two long term injuries but for a player in his position and for that type of injury, it isn't a serious concern. He could well miss 3 or 4 weeks a season from minor injuries, but so might Gerrard, Torres... and so does the likes of Fabregas - but it would be insane for Arsenal to sell Fabregas because he is lightweight.

Aquilani (together) with Johnson will be crucial to open up teams who park the bus. Aquilani is a clever player who is effective around the box and this is exactly what we needed. He is more mobile, takes a cracking shot and can spot a tight pass in crowded defences. In an ideal world we'd have him AND Alonso. But we have to move on.

by **metalhead** » Sat Sep 19, 2009 1:38 am

I think he will get the best out of Mascherano

by **maguskwt** » Sat Sep 19, 2009 10:29 am

Fauxy wrote:Found this post on RAWK, thought it was a good read and interesting coming from somebody who has actually watched him play and not just on youtube..

I've watched Aquilani for two years in Serie A and international football (Italy) so here's my take on the situation:

As we know Alonso is an intelligent distributor of the ball. His weakness (being slow and less agile) was also his strength because he was our thinking man, the brain in our midfield orchestrating our attack from deeper.

Aquilani is very different in that he is faster and able to run into more dangerous positions into the box, and also play quick one-two's around the box. He is also an excellent passer of the ball, but he is not only faster in speed but also with his decision making... has brilliant vision and able to crack open tight defences with pin point short passes. This is an ability we see with players such as Kaka and Fabregas. It's rare for us to get a foreign player with this ability and the only other player we have who's ball control, technique is of similar standard to play outside the box - is Benayoun. Though, Rafa even played Kuyt ahead of Benayoun in that position, he prefers to use Yossi out wide so its encouraging that we have Aquilani with this possibility. Expect him to change positions with Gerrard sometimes.

Aquilani also has a stunning long range shot on him, and is able to hit them quite sweet with both feet and I think the Premier League's style for speed and shooting (think Lampard) would suite Aquilani better. Of course he is never going to be as physically strong as Ballack but there are many lightweight players who have been very effective in England or against English teams.

Many people are concerned with his injuries, but I believe that has been totally misunderstood. The mistake is that people have read the amount of starts he has made and thought he only plays 15-20 matches a season. No. He's played much more because half the time he starts on the bench, since Roma already had established players De Rossi, Totti and Perrotta occupy the same positions he plays in. He had two long term injuries but for a player in his position and for that type of injury, it isn't a serious concern. He could well miss 3 or 4 weeks a season from minor injuries, but so might Gerrard, Torres... and so does the likes of Fabregas - but it would be insane for Arsenal to sell Fabregas because he is lightweight.

Aquilani (together) with Johnson will be crucial to open up teams who park the bus. Aquilani is a clever player who is effective around the box and this is exactly what we needed. He is more mobile, takes a cracking shot and can spot a tight pass in crowded defences. In an ideal world we'd have him AND Alonso. But we have to move on.

This is exactly the impression that I get of him from watching youtube videos...

so maybe the poster didn't have to watch him for 2 years to bluff something along these lines... but if he really did watch him in Serie A for 2 years then it's all good...

by **account deleted by request** » Sat Sep 19, 2009 10:40 am

The mistake is that people have read the amount of starts he has made and thought he only plays 15-20 matches a season. No. He's played much more because half the time he starts on the bench, since Roma already had established players De Rossi, Totti and Perrotta occupy the same positions he plays in.

Worrying that he wasn't first choice at Roma

by **DrPepe** » Sat Sep 19, 2009 11:24 am

s@int wrote:
The mistake is that people have read the amount of starts he has made and thought he only plays 15-20 matches a season. No. He's played much more because half the time he starts on the bench, since Roma already had established players De Rossi, Totti and Perrotta occupy the same positions he plays in.

Worrying that he wasn't first choice at Roma

...and in his last 3 years at Roma, he made (according to wikipedia) 22, 31, 20 appearances (ie. subs and starts), and had major injuries in at least 2 of those seasons...(not just 3/4 week "minor strains")

I think the concerns about his fitness appear to be well founded tbh :help

by **tubby** » Sat Sep 19, 2009 10:35 pm

I really think we have a world class player in this lad. We are obviously giving him a high bar to raise up to in Xabi but that is normal as this is a big club we should only have the best players here. I just hope he settles quick.

by **bunglemark2** » Sat Sep 19, 2009 11:09 pm

bavlondon wrote:I really think we have a world class player in this lad. We are obviously giving him a high bar to raise up to in Xabi but that is normal as this is a big club we should only have the best players here. I just hope he settles quick.

What makes you say that out of the blue ?
After all, we do have an alleged world class U21 already on the pitch.....and he hasn't exactly lived up to expectations...

by **The Real Deal** » Sun Sep 20, 2009 9:37 pm

Im amazed that this topic has reached 700+ posts for a player who has not even kicked a ball for LFC yet.

you are all jumping the gun.

believe only what you see. i very much doubt he is a greater player, more inspiring or better ability, than babel or benyoun.

I will bet anyone £100.

either way, 3rd place is where we will end up this season and no better unfortunately. as you dont win the league with only two great players.

:eyebrow

by **Fauxy** » Sun Sep 20, 2009 9:41 pm

The Real Deal wrote:Im amazed that this topic has reached 700+ posts for a player who has not even kicked a ball for LFC yet.

you are all jumping the gun.

believe only what you see. i very much doubt he is a greater player, more inspiring or better ability, than babel or benyoun.

I will bet anyone £100.

either way, 3rd place is where we will end up this season and no better unfortunately. as you dont win the league with only two great players.

what the hell ??

first off, how are we jumping the gun ? please explain

2nd I shall take that bet

3rd two great players?? you are saying that Benayoun, Johnson, Reina, mascherano, kuyt are not great players :talktothehand

by **Greavesie** » Sun Sep 20, 2009 10:02 pm

The Real Deal wrote:Im amazed that this topic has reached 700+ posts for a player who has not even kicked a ball for LFC yet.

you are all jumping the gun.

believe only what you see. i very much doubt he is a greater player, more inspiring or better ability, than babel or benyoun.

I will bet anyone £100.

either way, 3rd place is where we will end up this season and no better unfortunately. as you dont win the league with only two great players.

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