Sport Liverpool Football Club

[dogsout]

I can see where you're coming from on some of those points but ultimately I don't agree. I think Rafa is as good a manager as any in the game and I don't think any of the managers you've mentioned would have been guaranteed to achieve more working in the same environment as him. As I said before, I think Mourinho's approach may have worked better on the current squad than Rafa's for league games but I don't think we'd have enjoyed the same success in the cups. Rafa's a young manager and I expect him to have learned from some mistakes and get better. I think we saw indications of that in the second half of last season.

I don't get why there's so much fuss about this transfer. Barry would represent a quality addition to the squad. He was probably the standout performer in his position last season and would bring bags of talent, physicality and versatility to the squad. I think he'd be a great addition, even at the expense of Xabi ().

[DeNeo]

Perhaps when he wasn't getting the amount of games he wanted Alonso said to Rafa "Hey, I should play more." That gets you booted out of Liverpool.

That was one of the first things Benayoun said last season when he found himself on the bench in the first few games. He's still here.

I don't think any other manager would have given up on a game like Rafa did at Reading.

You mean that game before that must win match in the Champions League? Where those lovely American owners would've sacked Rafa if we didn't qualify for the next round? If I was in Rafa's position I'd have probably played a reserve team in that Reading game, just to save my own skin.

He could play anywhere in the three behind the striker.

You mean three positions? Including one on the left?

[V3zna]

You mean three positions? Including one on the left?

I thing Soong was more referring to Silva being a left winger. He isn't exactly one of those and if he came to us I'm sure he would play in Kuyt's position. Left footed, cutting in from the right.

[DeNeo]

I thing Soong was more referring to Silva being a left winger. He isn't exactly one of those and if he came to us I'm sure he would play in Kuyt's position. Left footed, cutting in from the right.

I think he, Kuyt and Babel would all be interchangeable for the left and right positions.

I'm not going to get my hopes up though. Wouldn't surprise me if we didn't sign anyone else. Like that Heinze palava last summer.

[ca18s13]

There was also some, "You can stick your fucking Barry up your arse!" chants as well.

I heard this chant very quickly. Didnt hear any booing for Voronin though, i was in block 108 kop.

I thought Alonso had a really good game and the fans were singing their heart out for him. Plesiss (sp?) also was comfortable on the ball, Dossena attacked well in the first half. It was a really good day out for me, being my first game at Anfield.

I even met Alan Kennedy outside and he was kind enough to sign my shirt

[ca18s13]

God I don't think I've ever had a more frustrating night.

Sorry to hear it wasnt as good as it could of been. I heard the anouncement in the stadium, but we were inside at about 7. The parking is a problem but we parked by a school nearby, only a short walk from the stadium. The first half wasnt great, but its a shame you didnt get to see Torres.

[DeNeo]

Sorry to hear it wasnt as good as it could of been. I heard the anouncement in the stadium, but we were inside at about 7. The parking is a problem but we parked by a school nearby, only a short walk from the stadium. The first half wasnt great, but its a shame you didnt get to see Torres.

We probably parked at the same school

Joe Cole is demanding assurances over his future from Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe

Scolari after Liverpool declared an interest in the England midfielder.

Cole fears he will be frozen out of the starting XI when the Barclays Premier League season starts against Portsmouth on Sunday and he has also been spooked by the potential arrival of Robinho.

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez, who believes he has been priced out of a move for Aston Villa’s Gareth Barry, is aware of Cole’s predicament and is prepared to make a move if Chelsea indicate a willingness to sell.

Sportsmail can reveal that Scolari has not been convinced by the England midfielder in pre-season and has urged Chelsea to sign Robinho as a direct replacement.

Cole has proved himself time and again at Chelsea under a number of managers and he is willing to stay at Stamford Bridge if he believes he will be given a chance.

His relationship with former boss Jose Mourinho deteriorated to such an extent last summer that he explored the possibility of moving to Barcelona, but Frank Rijkaard did not follow up his initial interest.

The arrival of Deco, who has been the club’s best player during the their double training sessions under Scolari, in a swollen Chelsea midfield and the rehabilitation of Shaun Wright-Phillips has left Cole fighting for a place.

Scolari has also been impressed by John Mikel Obi since taking over and he is fighting for a place in a talented midfield along with Deco, Frank Lampard and Michael Ballack.

Chelsea continue to court Robinho and have even offered Andriy Shevchenko and Claudio Pizarro to Real Madrid as part of a possible exchange, but the Spanish champions are not interested.

Can play in three positions, including the left - and he's English. Could be the one Rafa was on about...

[Sng]

I thought he was clearly talking about Barry but ooooooo, very interesting if true.

Really like Joe Cole even if he is a bit of a nancy boy.

[Guest]

Yes. Get Jo Cole in. If he stays fit he's brilliant.

[Kelthink]

Well, sounds like Man City are completely fucked, due to the Shinawatra shit. Petrov cheap in a fire sale, perhaps?

[Guest]

Well, sounds like Man City are completely fucked, due to the Shinawatra shit. Petrov cheap in a fire sale, perhaps?

How so, I didnt notice, etc?

[DeNeo]

I thought he was clearly talking about Barry but ooooooo, very interesting if true.

Really like Joe Cole even if he is a bit of a nancy boy.

There was an article in the Echo at the weekend which had some interesting quotes:

RAFA BENITEZ revealed last night that he is aiming to make one more signing before next week’s crucial Champions League qualifier in Belgium.

But the Reds boss refused to say whether he expected that man to be Gareth Barry in a baffling post-match press conference at Anfield.

Benitez said: “Xabi Alonso has been playing well, which is positive for us. We have a good player, but hopefully we will have another good player coming too.

“It may be one more player. I don’t know when, but clearly we have problems on the left.

“Riise and Kewell have gone, Aurelio is injured, Leto does not have a work permit and Babel is at the Olympic Games and could come back injured so we can improve in that area.”

It was pointed out to Benitez that Barry can also play down the left, and the Reds boss added: “He can play in three different positions, which is a positive thing, but I am talking about one player – I don’t say the name.”

Asked if that player would be Barry, he smiled and said: “We can improve, so we will try to improve.”

Asked further whether he would be given the money for Barry, he went on: “I think it is not a question of money.

“He is English and you need four local players and four English. He can play in three different positions but I’m not talking about him because we are talking about a player who can play on the left."

[Kelthink]

How so, I didnt notice, etc?

Ah, I found some junk here. Kinda sad for City, though.

[Guest]

COULD DANNY MURPHY BE COMING HOME!

[DeNeo]

Ah, I found some junk here. Kinda sad for City, though.

Bloody glad we saw sense and never allowed him to takeover!

Thinking about it, those quotes from the Echo just say about Barry can play in three positions - which is a positive thing, but that the player he is talking about can play on the left. Which sounds to me like that player can only play on the left.

Downing here we come

[Guest]

Bloody glad we saw sense and never allowed him to takeover!

God Bless the Americans!

O! say can you see by the dawn's early light

What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming.

Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight,

O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming.

And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,

Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.

Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

Thinking about it, those quotes from the Echo just say about Barry can play in three positions - which is a positive thing, but that the player he is talking about can play on the left. Which sounds to me like that player can only play on the left.

Downing here we come

He's already been spotted? Small pic but that's him right?!

[DeNeo]

God Bless the Americans!

Yeah alright I'm not saying we're exactly in a great state now either, and I wish they'd just hurry up and sell, but Man City are in far worse trouble (if everything is as bad as it's being made out to be).

He's already been spotted? Small pic but that's him right?!

That's the fella! Looks like we've been tapping him up for quite a while though - Rafa's beardless!

[Hoodedclaw]

Joe Cole now that is a surprise , he does run a bit like a midget but other then that he plays a good wing

[Nate Dogg III]

You're not having Joe Cole. No way. No fucking way.

I did suspect it when I read that three positions quote on the weekend, and his name's popped up on football-rumours a couple of times, but I'd be devastated. Surely no self-styled lifelong Chelsea fan could countenance a move to the team that did us over in two CL semi finals - with him on the losing side in both of them. And surely we wouldn't consider selling for the same reason.

It'll probably happen and I'll look a right cunt. Perhaps we could interest you in a slightly damaged Shaun Wright Phillips with very low mileage? One reckless owner, etc etc.

[V3zna]

You're not having Joe Cole. No way. No fucking way.

I did suspect it when I read that three positions quote on the weekend, and his name's popped up on football-rumours a couple of times, but I'd be devastated. Surely no self-styled lifelong Chelsea fan could countenance a move to the team that did us over in two CL semi finals - with him on the losing side in both of them. And surely we wouldn't consider selling for the same reason.

It'll probably happen and I'll look a right cunt. Perhaps we could interest you in a slightly damaged Shaun Wright Phillips with very low mileage? One reckless owner, etc etc.

Chelsea have far too many players and surely some will leave. Malouda has undoubtedly been a flop but apparently wants to stay and the same can be said for Wright Phillips. Looking back at Scolari's past history I can see Chelsea lining up using a 4-2-3-1 with Essien and Mikel as the defensive midfielders & Ballack, Lampard and Deco as the three further forward. The potential signings of Robinho and / or Kaka complicate this further to say the least. Quite simply in the short term, Joe Cole might be looking at very little playing time at Stamford Bridge.

[Nate Dogg III]

Chelsea have far too many players and surely some will leave. Malouda has undoubtedly been a flop but apparently wants to stay and the same can be said for Wright Phillips. Looking back at Scolari's past history I can see Chelsea lining up using a 4-2-3-1 with Essien and Mikel as the defensive midfielders & Ballack, Lampard and Deco as the three further forward. The potential signings of Robinho and / or Kaka complicate this further to say the least. Quite simply in the short term, Joe Cole might be looking at very little playing time at Stamford Bridge.

Absolutely, I can't argue with that. We had a cluttered enough midfield last season but with Deco's arrival and Lampard's non-departure it's just got even busier (interesting that the article posted above makes no mention whatsoever of Essien and his name absolutely has to be first on the team sheet). I thought the Deco signing was a clear sign that Lampard was on his way (there was even a story in one of the papers about Inter saying they'd give us a clear run at Deco if we let Lampard leave).

If Robinho or Kaka come in that surely spells the end for SWP and bumps Cole down to last choice. Scolari clearly sees something in Malouda, apparently sees something in SWP as well....where that leaves Cole I don't know but surely, anywhere but you lot, anywhere...

Depends entirely on how short-termist he wants to be really. Lampard's surely off next year, Ballack's also coming into the final year of his contract and Deco only has another couple of years at the highest level. I really think he could learn an awful lot from Deco in those two years - I really don't see Cole as a winger, he's not got the pace or the delivery and looks a bit lost out there these days. I'd love him in the centre pulling the strings.

[dogsout]

-----------------Reina

Arbeloa---Carra---Agger---Dossena

-----------Masch----Barry

---Gerrard--- Keane---Cole

--------------- Torres

Bench: Cavalieri, Degen, Skrtel, Lucas, Benayoun, Babel, Kuyt.

What do you think? I can't see it happening but that would be brilliant.

I hear Jose had some nice things to say about us yesterday. I can't quote him because he said them to that rag but they were nice nonetheless. Rafa has finally got his team. Every player in that team is there because he wants them to be. It's taken a long time to get to this stage but I think we'll finally get a real idea of how far this squad can take us now and I think with the addition of Barry and a full season of stability behind the scenes, we'll challenge.

[Hoodedclaw]

leave barry out imo - really dont see why we need him

[V3zna]

Absolutely, I can't argue with that. We had a cluttered enough midfield last season but with Deco's arrival and Lampard's non-departure it's just got even busier (interesting that the article posted above makes no mention whatsoever of Essien and his name absolutely has to be first on the team sheet). I thought the Deco signing was a clear sign that Lampard was on his way (there was even a story in one of the papers about Inter saying they'd give us a clear run at Deco if we let Lampard leave).

If Robinho or Kaka come in that surely spells the end for SWP and bumps Cole down to last choice. Scolari clearly sees something in Malouda, apparently sees something in SWP as well....where that leaves Cole I don't know but surely, anywhere but you lot, anywhere...

Depends entirely on how short-termist he wants to be really. Lampard's surely off next year, Ballack's also coming into the final year of his contract and Deco only has another couple of years at the highest level. I really think he could learn an awful lot from Deco in those two years - I really don't see Cole as a winger, he's not got the pace or the delivery and looks a bit lost out there these days. I'd love him in the centre pulling the strings.

At 27 Joe Cole may not be at the age where he can wait for Lampard, Ballack and Deco to piss off. He's an infinitely superior player to Malouda and SWP and for those two to stay at Stamford Bridge and Cole to be let go would be an eye opener to say the least. It's highly unlikely that Chelsea would do business with us and with Villa apparently also interested in him the whole transfer merry go round with Gareth Barry is about to get going again.

[V3zna]

-----------------Reina

Arbeloa---Carra---Agger---Dossena

-----------Masch----Barry

---Gerrard--- Keane---Cole

--------------- Torres

Bench: Cavalieri, Degen, Skrtel, Lucas, Benayoun, Babel, Kuyt.

What do you think? I can't see it happening but that would be brilliant.

I hear Jose had some nice things to say about us yesterday. I can't quote him because he said them to that rag but they were nice nonetheless. Rafa has finally got his team. Every player in that team is there because he wants them to be. It's taken a long time to get to this stage but I think we'll finally get a real idea of how far this squad can take us now and I think with the addition of Barry and a full season of stability behind the scenes, we'll challenge.

If there was any truth in the Cole rumours then I would think Kuyt would have to be sold to buy him. That's a very good looking team / squad and we should be able to stay in the title race for longer than 3 weeks for a change. Alonso's absence doesn't sit well with me though. He looks like he's had a reality check and knows his Anfield future is in doubt. His pre season performances look more like the Xabi of several seasons ago.

Mourinho has tipped us for the title basically. I didn't see any hidden agenda behind his words as well. Ferguson seems to see Chelsea as his only threat going by his recent comments but Scolari has been clever enough to say nothing at all. We can let those two slug it out and hoepfully we can just sit back and do our own thing. Arsenal are a bit of an unknown once again but there's no doubt they could be there or thereabouts as usual.

[dogsout]

leave barry out imo - really dont see why we need him

He's a very accomplished player that would add another dimension to our midfield whilst complimenting what we have already. I really hope we get him, although it doesn't look likely anymore.

[dogsout]

If there was any truth in the Cole rumours then I would think Kuyt would have to be sold to buy him. That's a very good looking team / squad and we should be able to stay in the title race for longer than 3 weeks for a change. Alonso's absence doesn't sit well with me though. He looks like he's had a reality check and knows his Anfield future is in doubt. His pre season performances look more like the Xabi of several seasons ago.

I don't think Cole is likely at all. I've been one of Xabi's most loyal defenders in here over the past couple of seasons and still think he's a great player but at the same time I can see why Rafa's so determined to get Barry. I really think that he could make all the difference to our midfield this year and help take the team up a notch.

[Nate Dogg III]

I don't think Cole is likely at all. I've been one of Xabi's most loyal defenders in here over the past couple of seasons and still think he's a great player but at the same time I can see why Rafa's so determined to get Barry. I really think that he could make all the difference to our midfield this year and help take the team up a notch.

I think it's clear that Benitez is interested in players who can play a variety of positions - leaving the rotation snidery out of the equation for the moment the Barry/Alonso does make an awful lot of sense because Barry can play left back, left wing or left centre-mid, gives you options and emergency cover.

At the same time I think Alonso's one of the best passers in the league. Barry would fit better into the Arsenal side imo, more of a pass and move player than a pinpoint defence-splitting 40-yard sprayer.

'Sprayer'. Chuckle.

On the face of it I don't see why you'd want Cole when you have Benayoun, both pretty similar imo.

[V3zna]

On the face of it I don't see why you'd want Cole when you have Benayoun, both pretty similar imo.

Cole is surely more consistant than Benayoun? Yossi has looked good in pre season though and if he continues this form he should have a bigger part to play this season.

[Nate Dogg III]

Cole is surely more consistant than Benayoun? Yossi has looked good in pre season though and if he continues this form he should have a bigger part to play this season.

Hard to say really - how can you reasonably expect consistency without consistent selection? I like him as a player though.

And as I read elsewhere on the intertubes, if preseason were a good indicator of the actual season then Spurs would have won the lot by now.