Sport Liverpool Football Club

[Reynard]

Yeah, in recent seasons, we've struggled against the less ambitious teams at home and also not fared well against the fellow Big Four.

That's the thing with us, though - I'm always far more optimistic when we play the likes or yourselves than I am against the West Hams and Fulhams.

[Trigg]

Is that 3 no score draws at Anfield now for your lot? Wonder if that'll cost you in the long run?

[Reynard]

Man United fan?

Well, you've had a home draw with Newcastle (so have Chelsea) and an away draw at Goodison (which we won), so it's swings-and-roundabouts. It's no more of a point to ask that question than it is to cite your negative results. It's just a trendy thing to say.

What if Styles didn't fall for Ronaldo's dive against Bolton and you drew that, blah, blah.

[Commander Jameson]

Those three draws are the equivalent of two losses.

My worry is (and was) that struggling teams often come to Anfield and defend in numbers and we always have trouble breaking them down. Reckon we may see a few more of these games before the season is out.

[Nate Dogg III]

Those three draws are the equivalent of two losses.

My worry is (and was) that struggling teams often come to Anfield and defend in numbers and we always have trouble breaking them down. Reckon we may see a few more of these games before the season is out.

That goes for the rest of us as well, to be fair. It's why you won't win the title without a few scrappy, lucky 1-0s.

As my Dad just put it, 'it's like no-one wants to win it this year'. So many unexpected dropped points from all of us...I think this is potentially the most exciting season in yonks, not just because of the top dropping points where they shouldn't but the small spread of points across the league. I mean you look at Bolton - was it five games ago they were bottom? And now they're 9th after a few good results.

Fascinating stuff all round really. Except for West Brom. Lol West Brom.

[dizogg]

I think the rest of the league is getting better. Aston Villa and Man City for instance have real quality, exciting teams capable of beating anyone on their day. Even teams like Sunderland have got brilliant front men in my opinion (Cisse, Jones and Diouf are quality!). Its brilliant for the league.

[Trigg]

Man United fan?

Well, you've had a home draw with Newcastle (so have Chelsea) and an away draw at Goodison (which we won), so it's swings-and-roundabouts. It's no more of a point to ask that question than it is to cite your negative results. It's just a trendy thing to say.

What if Styles didn't fall for Ronaldo's dive against Bolton and you drew that, blah, blah.

Yeah I'm a Utd Fan.

3 no score draws at HOME could come back to bite you on the arse, thats all I was saying. Touchy. Much?

Plus, that wasn't a dive. Wasn't a penalty either mind, but wasn't a dive.

[Reynard]

Different debate, admittedly, but I reckon it was a dive.

Nah, not being touchy - just saying that you can point to any negative (set of) result(s) and speculate "could it cost you?", home or away.

What if you missed the league by a few points, could you say, "If it wasn't for the draws against Newcastle, Villa and Everton..." See what I mean?

It doesn't matter if it's home or away, points are points and we're still top, which is what matters (how long we can stay there for, who knows?).

[charlie]

I feel that Liverpool need to open a gap if they are to win the title. This is why perhaps the result last night was disappointing. I just feel if it goes to the last few games and it is tight at the top then Man U and Chelsea will show how important experience of winning the title is.

[Trigg]

Different debate, admittedly, but I reckon it was a dive.

Nah, not being touchy - just saying that you can point to any negative (set of) result(s) and speculate "could it cost you?", home or away.

What if you missed the league by a few points, could you say, "If it wasn't for the draws against Newcastle, Villa and Everton..." See what I mean?

It doesn't matter if it's home or away, points are points and we're still top, which is what matters (how long we can stay there for, who knows?).

Don't care if it is a different debate or not, that was never a dive

I realise you can point to negative results and speculate but draws against West Ham, Fulham and Stoke are all pretty much must win's. Especially at when at home.

I know as a Utd fan I'd be very disappointed with those results. Just like I'm disappointed with Utd's away form this season and the points we've dropped against Newcastle at home, the only saving grace is that we've got all the difficult away fixtures out of the way now and our home form since Newcastle as been very good.

Sorry, I won't bother posting again

[Kelthink]

Well, we're playing Blackburn next anyway. They've had a terrible run of form, we must beat them, surely?

[Guest]

Well, we're playing Blackburn next anyway. They've had a terrible run of form, we must beat them, surely?

Failure to beat Stoke and West Ham at home? Auld Incey, former club, "The Guvnor!".

Can't wait.

How much was Keane again? Does he score less than Crouch

[Reynard]

Don't care if it is a different debate or not, that was never a dive

I realise you can point to negative results and speculate but draws against West Ham, Fulham and Stoke are all pretty much must win's. Especially at when at home.

I know as a Utd fan I'd be very disappointed with those results. Just like I'm disappointed with Utd's away form this season and the points we've dropped against Newcastle at home, the only saving grace is that we've got all the difficult away fixtures out of the way now and our home form since Newcastle as been very good.

Sorry, I won't bother posting again

Hey, I like posters of other teams coming in here and having healthy discussion - you don't have to go anywhere.

Like I was saying last night, our fans at home aren't helping during these 'must win' games.

[V3zna]

I feel that Liverpool need to open a gap if they are to win the title. This is why perhaps the result last night was disappointing. I just feel if it goes to the last few games and it is tight at the top then Man U and Chelsea will show how important experience of winning the title is.

I don't agree with needing to open a gap. We are always stronger in the second half of the season. Who knows what we can achieve if we are still on top going into 2009.

[Stig]

I feel that Liverpool need to open a gap if they are to win the title.

Exactly, and last night was a perfect oppertunity to do that, to gain 3 poins on Chelsea. All Chelsea need now is for us to lose and them to win and they are 2 points ahead. We needed to have those points and then gain upon them.

[Trigg]

Keane was roughly £20M I think Disciple, and probably does score less than Crouch!

[Trigg]

I don't agree with needing to open a gap. We are always stronger in the second half of the season. Who knows what we can achieve if we are still on top going into 2009.

The difference this time Liverpool would be actually slugging it out to win the title in the second half of the season. As to be fair in previous seasons you've been playing for the 3rd/4th spot. Actually fighting for a title is a different kettle of fish, and its something that Man Utd and Chelsea have done in recent years so they know what it requires. Same can not be said of Liverpool.

[Reynard]

I don't agree with needing to open a gap. We are always stronger in the second half of the season. Who knows what we can achieve if we are still on top going into 2009.

I agree with you and think it's futile saying this-or-that's going to happen. Should've/could've.

However, whilst we are (under Benitez) normally one of the stronger (strongest?) teams in the second half of the season, we're normally playing under the conditions of going for a CL place and not the title. Like last night, will the pressure from our frothingly-expectant fans be our undoing?

EDIT: Or what Trigg said.

[Nate Dogg III]

It's an interesting one for sure - didn't Benitez drop someone-or-other last weekend because of the CL game coming up? Alonso maybe?

I'm not surprised we're all dropping points because this is the first point in the season where the games are really coming thick and fast. What will be interesting is come March/April time whether Benitez puts out his strongest side for a league game against Stoke or whatever knowing there's a second leg coming up midweek.

[Reynard]

He was knackered from the international matches in midweek, apparently.

Don't start this whole rotation semi-myth again, please - it's boring.

[Nate Dogg III]

Don't start this whole rotation semi-myth again, please - it's boring.

Well, that was a nice page or so of discussion there.

[Reynard]

It is, though - it would be fair enough if the facts/stats backed up such an assertion, but they don't.

Not being funny.

[Sng]

Noooooooooo! First David James and now Torres!

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/32519/Fernando-T...-to-PlayStation

[Das]

Noooooooooo! First David James and now Torres!

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/32519/Fernando-T...-to-PlayStation

Pro Evo WTF? Sort it out 'Nando!

[dizogg]

Imagine having 3 copies of each game for different rooms in your house. Like not even for different houses. Just different rooms. Thats just fucking lazy. I bet he's all "Hey Ollala, why don't you go and fucking buy me 3 copies of FIFA09, Pro Evo is fucking wank"

OK Torres, but I am very, very cold.

[Meat]

Babel needed a lot more time on the pitch. He was only on for just over 10 mins and came as close as everyone else with his run and shot.

[V3zna]

The difference this time Liverpool would be actually slugging it out to win the title in the second half of the season. As to be fair in previous seasons you've been playing for the 3rd/4th spot. Actually fighting for a title is a different kettle of fish, and its something that Man Utd and Chelsea have done in recent years so they know what it requires. Same can not be said of Liverpool.

True but we have a mentally strong side that is literally full of 'Captains' - Gerrard, Carragher, Hyypia, Torres, Keane, Mascherano, Babel (Dutch Captain at recent Olympics) for example. Other players like Alonso and Kuyt lead by example and are the sort of players that you could see as Captains. I certainly see us as being mentally tough enough for a title run in.

[phresh]

Babel needed a lot more time on the pitch. He was only on for just over 10 mins and came as close as everyone else with his run and shot.

Why does Benitez bring on N'gog instead of him? Whenever Babel comes on he looks dangerous, just look at what he did to United.

[chalkitdown]

The look of horror on his face.

[Trigg]

True but we have a mentally strong side that is literally full of 'Captains' - Gerrard, Carragher, Hyypia, Torres, Keane, Mascherano, Babel (Dutch Captain at recent Olympics) for example. Other players like Alonso and Kuyt lead by example and are the sort of players that you could see as Captains. I certainly see us as being mentally tough enough for a title run in.

Its not about being a Captain, its about being at the top fighting it out for to be crowned Champions and having experience of a title run in . Liverpool haven't done that for a very long time and in my opinion it could be a factor in deciding where the title goes.

Guess we'll just have to wait and see!