Sport Liverpool Football Club

[barkbat]

I don't think Liverpool are going to make top five this year. No goals. Man City and Aston Villa are far more pregnant with goals.

[Takizawa]

I don't think Liverpool are going to make top five this year. No goals. Man City and Aston Villa are far more pregnant with goals.

...and loose at the back.

[villenium]

...and loose at the back.

In fairness, Villa have a new back five. Once they gel I think they will be very strong and have a great keeper. Cuellar hasn't even played yet and he is supposed to be mustard. And Freddy Bouma (get well soon) is a solid player too.

It's always going to take teams time to settle when they are essentailly rebuilding.

However, it's far too early to see Villa as top 5 material. They are very much work in progress and I hope that Villa fans don't forget that, seeing as there is a little bit of media hype. It's nice to be spoken of in positive terms but we mustn't get carried away.

[Takizawa]

In fairness, Villa have a new back five. Once they gel I think they will be very strong and have a great keeper.

Oh i'm not arguing that, but there's more to being in the top 5 than 'scoring goals'

I hope Villa do have a good season, they're one of my most liked clubs and have a huge amount of talent in the squad.

[dizogg]

I don't think Liverpool are going to make top five this year. No goals. Man City and Aston Villa are far more pregnant with goals.

That's fairly ridiculous. We aren't playing well at the moment, but we have the same manager and same team +Keane, Riera and Ngog, and Villa and Man City have the same pretty similar squads to last leason (lost some players and bought some). And even though we've played at our poorest so far we're ahead of them in the league. Really don't know where people get these ridiculous theories from!

[Guest]

Voronin off to Hertha Berlin on loan.

Bertha oh lovely Bertha...

[villenium]

That's fairly ridiculous. We aren't playing well at the moment, but we have the same manager and same team +Keane, Riera and Ngog, and Villa and Man City have the same pretty similar squads to last leason (lost some players and bought some). And even though we've played at our poorest so far we're ahead of them in the league. Really don't know where people get these ridiculous theories from!

You are right...in so much as Liverpool have still gone out and got results without playing particularly well but the way they lined up at Villa Park tells me that Benitez is a great game-to-game manager but somewhere over the course of the season you'll get too many draws and practically give the title away.

He stopped us from playing and didn't really look like losing....or winning. If this was a Champions League game away from home (I can dream) it would have been pretty perfect tactically but it was a league game at Villa Park and the top teams should be going there set up to win.

[dizogg]

You are right...in so much as Liverpool have still gone out and got results without playing particularly well but the way they lined up at Villa Park tells me that Benitez is a great game-to-game manager but somewhere over the course of the season you'll get too many draws and practically give the title away.

He stopped us from playing and didn't really look like losing....or winning. If this was a Champions League game away from home (I can dream) it would have been pretty perfect tactically but it was a league game at Villa Park and the top teams should be going there set up to win.

Oh sure, I personally don't think we'll get into the top two this year unfortunatly, Chelsea and Man Utd are so powerful these days. But I think suggesting we'll come 6th behind Man City and Villa is a bit far fetched, thats all!

[ca18s13]

If Benitez insists on playing 442 at least use some players with pace on the wings. Babel, El Zhar should be playing. I don't know about Riera but he is a left sided midfielder so could solve the left side problem. I think even Pennant deserves a go as Kuyt should only be used as a foward, and I'm not sure what Benayouns best position is but like Kuyt doesn't really work as a wide midfielder. Failing that Gerrard can play really well right midfield, but as everyone will start saying isn't his best position.

Its a shame Benitez didn't go in for someone like Quaresma who definitely has the ability to play in the Premier league but his attitude is questionable so would have been a big risk (and have we even got money for players?)

[ca18s13]

Also read something interesting on the Liverpool website just now about Riera.

Guillem Balague believes the winger will make the most of his second spell in the Premier League after claiming City did not take full advantage of the 26-year-old's strengths. "He was not given the opportunity to play in his natural, attacking, position at City," he wrote on his website. "He spent his time there being used as a wing back: his natural position is a winger in a 4-2-3-1 formation."

[dizogg]

Also read something interesting on the Liverpool website just now about Riera.

Guillem Balague believes the winger will make the most of his second spell in the Premier League after claiming City did not take full advantage of the 26-year-old's strengths. "He was not given the opportunity to play in his natural, attacking, position at City," he wrote on his website. "He spent his time there being used as a wing back: his natural position is a winger in a 4-2-3-1 formation."

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

Degen-Agger-Carragher-Dossena

-------Alonso--Mascherano--------

---Keane---Gerrard---Riera-------

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

?

[Reynard]

Houllier came closer to winning the league than Benitez has. Houllier was the only liverpool manager who spent LESS than Ferguson in the same period. Houllier bought some great players. The only real difference between Houllier and Benitez is that the players loved Houllier.

I think Houllier went at the right time too, btw. And if he was right to go then surely it follows it would have been righter if he went the season earlier?

Statistically, yes.

But I believe that it was a purple-patch season where our (then) system worked; almost like an anomaly (still wished Arsenal didn't have that amazing run). We were still a very limited team with too many mediocre players. Look how much had to be changed at the club, post his departure

Yes, he bought some great players, but they were more the unknowns who turned out to be successful and were picked up cheaply. Fantastic purchases and he deserves credit for these.

However, I was talking about the signings to the higher end of the scale - the ones where he spent large amounts of the club's money and was ultimately judged badly for.

I don't think Ged's net spending was that outrageous and have no problem with it - didn't then.

I think that his relationship with the players was over-romanticised - he may've been more personable than Rafa, but he had favourites and ones he didn't like (suppose you could argue that it would be easier to know where you stand, unlike with Rafa, perhaps).

Yeah, in hindsight, a year earlier would've been fine, but it's just that, hindsight.

[Meat]

Shit dudes, look at what Man City managed tonight with the Abu Dhabi group, outbidding Chelsea, and lining up a couple of hundred million pounds worth of players tonight in total. Imagine G+H actually budged and made way for one of UAE's ultimate billionaire groups, including Mr Dubai himself.

Instead we've got a mainly above average set of players, with our team looking considerably weaker with the injury of one of our few superstars, who's missing the Utd match. Shit man.

Still, I'm hoping the Abu Dhabi group's acquisition keeps the Dubai group catalysed about us.

[Meat]

We need to start playing Babel more, at the very minimum as a sub. I cant believe Rafa didn't use him in the last game.

[dizogg]

I'd love it if Rafa started Babel up front against Utd.

[barkbat]

Probability nil. Rafa is Deep Blue. Not Kasporov.

[Meat]

He'd burn United to ashes.

Seriously I think he's got potential to be one of the biggest players in the league, Rafa needs to show more confidence in him.

[Meat]

Probability nil. Rafa is Deep Blue. Not Kasporov.

I like that analogy, you're right.

Well at least Rafa has beautiful rosy cheeks.

[squirtle]

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

Degen-Agger-Carragher-Dossena

-------Alonso--Mascherano--------

--Gerrard---Keane---Riera-------

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

?

That's better. Otherwise, you're just wasting Keane.

[V3zna]

We need to start playing Babel more, at the very minimum as a sub. I cant believe Rafa didn't use him in the last game.

Just before the Olympics in a pre season game Babel played and looked unfit and uninterested. His two substitute appearances since the Olympics have had Babel looking unfit and uninterested, although to be fair his cross provided the winner against Standard Liege. Benayoun has had his chance to stake a claim for the left side and has not taken it at all. I can see Riera walking straight into the starting 11 from the Utd match onwards.

Something to note about Babel is he once told Van Basten he wanted to be a rapper rather than a footballer (is there such a thing as Christian rap?!?!?). You have to wonder where his head is at sometimes. The natural ability is there but the application isn't yet.

[ras el hanout]

Something to note about Babel is he once told Van Basten he wanted to be a rapper rather than a footballer (is there such a thing as Christian rap?!?!?). You have to wonder where his head is at sometimes. The natural ability is there but the application isn't yet.

I questioned this very thing last year! I read a couple interviews where he seemed to be saying he wasn't really into football, and that seems to be how he plays. I don't think I've seen him smile, which doesn't actually mean anything, of course but he's not going to get better sitting on the bench. If he was going to play more he should have played more last year, I don't subscribe to this breaking him in gently thing.

And to that other guy

And no, we don't play horrible football all the time, every opther match, but if was Houllier who brought the professionalism to the team.

[phresh]

I'd love it if Rafa started Babel up front against Utd.

I dare say Vidic would make him look like a pub league striker and he'd lose what little confidence he has already....

[ras el hanout]

I just hope, if Man U do beat us, which is not a forgone conclusion, that they have to try hard to do it.

[rjpageuk]

Just before the Olympics in a pre season game Babel played and looked unfit and uninterested. His two substitute appearances since the Olympics have had Babel looking unfit and uninterested, although to be fair his cross provided the winner against Standard Liege.

I completely agree, something looked all wrong with him in that game.

[Chewylegs]

As many have said, I'd like this thread to get back to 'supporting' Liverpool FC rather than ranting about the hatred of this player, that player, the manager etc etc. I think there is nothing wrong with critiscism but it can go to far when we continue to go over the same negative stuff. So, I'm gonna shut up about Benayoun for a change and I hope others will follow suit.

Ok, lets get positive. I'm thinking Liverpool's coaching staff now have two weeks to work on improving our performances before the first big game of the season against a now stupidly attacking Man U side (Rooney, Tevez, Berbatov etc). In the past few seasons we've played reasonably well against them but nearly always ending up losing to a goal against the run of play. Personally I think our defense is good enough to nullify their attack although I do worry about Arbeloa out on the right against someone like Evra or Giggs. Perhaps, due to this Carragher at right back would be best with Agger coming in to the centre. I certainly think we need to move away from 4-4-2 and go at them with our favoured 4-2-3-1 formation as all the players seem much happier playing that system.

This is the line up I would like to see

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

---Carra---Agger---Skrtel----Dossena

--------------------Mascherano

-------------Alonso

------Babel---Keane----Reira

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

Bench: Ngog, Lucas, Benayoun, Kuyt, El Zhar, Arbeloa

If Torres isn't available I think putting Kuyt up front and give El Zhar a chance from the start

To me this is a much more attack minded team but with Mascherano back covering the defence it gives a good balance to us. Having never really seen Reira, the type of player I'd love to see will rip Wes Brown apart on the left wing and deliver some deadly crosses.

[Chewylegs]

I know most of the fans on in this thread will appreciate this. A letter from Riise to us. Personally I think he was brillliant in his first 5 seasons with us and helped bring us success where we have.

Dear fans of Liverpool FC,

After seven seasons at Anfield, it's time for me to "walk on". In many ways it feels inspiring and exciting to be familiar with the pressure of a new employer, meet new fans, meet a new culture and play a new kind of football. I look forward to this new adventure, but I travel with a loss.

Because, it's not easy for me to leave you - the world's best supporters! I've been thinking about this almost every day this summer. After seven wonderful seasons, and more than 340 matches for Liverpool, I never had the opportunity to make a real and proper goodbye with you - the world's most motivating fans. You have always supported me and the team and I want you all to know how important you've been to me and the other players.

I've been giving my "thank you" to the club, the staff and the players and they'll always have a special place in my heart. And this is my thank-you letter to all the fans out there that have been supporting me during these years. I will follow the team closely from Italy and will stay in touch with many of the players and many of my friends in Liverpool.

With respect to the many hundreds of great moments I have experienced in red, it will be unfair to draw up one highlight rather than another. There has always been the highlight of wearing the red shirt at Anfield. It's always been a privilege to have the initials LFC on the space closest to the heart. As you all know I was a player who always, no matter what, gave 110 per cent in every training session and every game. I always tried to give you the entertainment you deserved. Even in the bad moments you were there for me and the team.

To play in front of the red crowd, every minute has been a privilege. Even after my unfortunate own goal against Chelsea in the Champions League semi last April - where all our dreams were crushed - I felt the support and sympathies from you as real and important. When I signed seven years ago, I couldn't in my wildest dreams expect the journey you all gave me. I will always be grateful for that. A big thank-you to you all.

I'm 100 per cent sincere when I say that I will always remember all the great moments we've had and you - our fans - have such great importance for these great matches and great moments. Liverpool FC will have a lot more great moments like this in the future and I hope that I will experience great things with my new team - AS Roma. I hope you will continue to follow my career.

Therefore, I do not say goodbye, but so long. Arrivederci - Walk on!

Sincerely,

John Arne Riise

"The ginger".

[V3zna]

Ok, lets get positive. I'm thinking Liverpool's coaching staff now have two weeks to work on improving our performances before the first big game of the season against a now stupidly attacking Man U side (Rooney, Tevez, Berbatov etc). In the past few seasons we've played reasonably well against them but nearly always ending up losing to a goal against the run of play. Personally I think our defense is good enough to nullify their attack although I do worry about Arbeloa out on the right against someone like Evra or Giggs. Perhaps, due to this Carragher at right back would be best with Agger coming in to the centre. I certainly think we need to move away from 4-4-2 and go at them with our favoured 4-2-3-1 formation as all the players seem much happier playing that system.

This is the line up I would like to see

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

---Carra---Agger---Skrtel----Dossena

--------------------Mascherano

-------------Alonso

------Babel---Keane----Reira

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

Bench: Ngog, Lucas, Benayoun, Kuyt, El Zhar, Arbeloa

If Torres isn't available I think putting Kuyt up front and give El Zhar a chance from the start

To me this is a much more attack minded team but with Mascherano back covering the defence it gives a good balance to us. Having never really seen Reira, the type of player I'd love to see will rip Wes Brown apart on the left wing and deliver some deadly crosses.

That looks ideal to me but I'm under the impression Gerrard has more chance of playing than Torres? As for Wes Brown, Babel turned him inside out at Old Trafford before Mascherano had his meltdown.

[V3zna]

I know most of the fans on in this thread will appreciate this. A letter from Riise to us. Personally I think he was brillliant in his first 5 seasons with us and helped bring us success where we have.

I've read repeatedly that off the pitch he's sound and very down to earth.

[dizogg]

[dogsout]

This is the line up I would like to see

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

---Carra---Agger---Skrtel----Dossena

--------------------Mascherano

-------------Alonso

------Babel---Keane----Reira

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

Bench: Ngog, Lucas, Benayoun, Kuyt, El Zhar, Arbeloa

If Torres isn't available I think putting Kuyt up front and give El Zhar a chance from the start

To me this is a much more attack minded team but with Mascherano back covering the defence it gives a good balance to us. Having never really seen Reira, the type of player I'd love to see will rip Wes Brown apart on the left wing and deliver some deadly crosses.

Torres is out for 3 weeks. I expect Kuyt will definitely play and Masch will continue playing higher up the pitch than Xabi. I like your idea of playing Carra at right back but think Rafa will want him in the centre organizing the defence. I'm expecting to see:

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

---Arbeloa--Skrtel--Carra--Dossena

--------------------Alonso

--------------Masch

-------Kuyt---Gerrard----Riera

-----------------Keane