Sport Liverpool Football Club

[Oh Danny Boy]

If you win your game in hand, you will go 8th. Where do you realistically think Liverpool should be sitting in the table? Genuine question.

the team is easily top 6 material. Well basicall y team is better than the one we've seen this season, play like they did staurday any more times and they'll be lucky to finish even 8th

[SMD]

And what's Hodgson's Liverpool net spend? It must be massive.

Do you even support Liverpool? Do you go to matches? Do you do anything but troll?

I know he's had injuries, but every team has them. I'm an Arsenal supporter, so I know plenty about having an injury crisis, yet Wenger has kept us in the top group of teams with far worse teams than the current Inter one. How low would they have to be before you looked past the injuries and thought, hang on, maybe Rafa isn't doing too well here?

Whether he regrets it or not is irrelevant. I only stated it as evidence to my point that Torres was highly renowned in European football and it was simply a question of who wanted to stump up the cash for him, which ended up being Liverpool. How would I know why other clubs didn't go for him? Maybe they didn't think he was worth the high price, considering the top clubs had high profile strikers already. Maybe they wanted to wait a bit longer, who knows? Simply put, Liverpool got in there first with the cash and that was it.

There are injuries and there are injuries.

nter have lost three of their last four Serie A games and currently stand in sixth position, 13 points behind league leaders (and loathed cross-town rivals) AC Milan in a championship contest that they have won for the last five seasons in a row.

Worse still, their embarrassing 3-0 away defeat to Werder Bremen in their final Champions League group game last week means Inter finished second in their group and will thus be in the “wrong” half of Friday’s draw for the second-round knock-out ties.

Inter may find themselves drawn against the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United, Barcelona, Real Madrid or Bayern Munich and, on present form, no one would fancy their chances.

So what has gone wrong? It is true, of course, Inter have been hit by a severe injury crisis. Prior to last week’s game against Werder, the entire first-choice Inter defence of Brazilian goalkeeper Julio Cesar, Brazilian right back Maicon, Romanian left back Cristiano Chivu and central defenders Brazilian Lucio and Argentine Walter Samuel were all ruled out through injury.

Furthermore, Serb Dejan Stankovic in midfield, as well as Dutchman Wesley Sneijder and Argentine Diego Milito in attack were also crocked.

In other words, two thirds of Mourinho’s force were not available.

When Stankovic limped off the Olimpico pitch during a painful 3-1 defeat by Lazio in Inter’s most recent Serie A outing, he was the 42nd Inter player this season to be seriously injured. Benitez is hardly a novice, so what has gone wrong? Both the Inter staff and outside observers claim the club’s pre-season and in-season training methods have changed only minimally so they find it difficult to pinpoint the problem.

There are those who suggest Benitez has made the mistake of attempting to “coach” players who, frankly, have little left to learn.

Perhaps . . . and perhaps not. As time goes by, a much more obvious consideration makes itself felt. Namely that such was the mental and physical pressure of last season’s treble winning year (Champions League, Serie A and Italian Cup), that this group of players has nothing left to give. Football is a head game, too, and maybe this Inter (practically unchanged in personnel since Mourinho left) simply do not have the drive, hunger or motivation. Maybe too, that psychological “relaxing” has something to do with the unprecedented number of injuries.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2010/1215/1224285579946.html

As for Torres, it's a moot point. Whatever interest there may have been, Liverpool were the ones who made an acceptable bid. Given our crap finances, this suggests that top teams simply didn't think he was worth the risk.

[Rocafella]

the team is easily top 6 material. Well basicall y team is better than the one we've seen this season, play like they did staurday any more times and they'll be lucky to finish even 8th

I guess that's where we disagree in regards to the job Hodgson's done so far then. The top 5 in the league at the moment are head and shoulders above the rest of the league IMO in terms of genuine quality. If Liverpool finish any lower than 6th, would you consider the season a failure? Because I'd say that would have been a big ask for any manager who came in this season. By no means impossible, but not having Gerrard and Torres firing on all cylinders certainly makes things difficult.

@SMD: I know he's had a lot of injuries, which I've stated in a previous post, but there has to come a point where you begin to look at the manager.

[Shimmyhill]

Well, the 'shite squad' that Rafa left finished 7th last season. The way we're currently playing I'd be fucking delighted with that.

It's not the same squad, one of the better players left and some dire ones joined. 7th would be flattering to the current squad.

[SMD]

I know he's had a lot of injuries, which I've stated in a previous post, but there has to come a point where you begin to look at the manager.

Yeah and my point is that when you don't have your first choice keeper for months, when you don't have your first choice right back, centre backs or central midfield (FFS, Muntari was their anchorman) then what's a guy supposed to do? Ironically, Rafa requested two midfielders and an attacker. He got, uhh, loan signings back. And they sold Balotelli, who played 40 times last season so was hardly on the periphery.

[ras el hanout]

Do you even support Liverpool? Do you go to matches? Do you do anything but troll?

I was serious, you were defending Rafa for his net spend at Inter. But what of Roy's? Not relevant? Doesn't fit into your theory.

Notice nobody has to make excuses for Ferguson or Wenger or Mourinho or other great managers, yet most of Rafa's career is covered with excuses for the guy. A great manager would overcome obstacles, not fucking crumble. It's unfuckingblievable and it definitely is a kind of mental illness.

We'll have Dogsout in here in a minute saying "What are you doing bringing up Rafa" Well Dogsout was actually a Rafa lover for a long long time. He woke up a bit too late but he's not inmpartial on the subject.

And here is the problem. I've said it before, SMD loves Rafa, didn't want him to go and spent years making excuses for him. Now Rafa was rightfully sacked. Do you think SMD is going to like his replacement? The replacement to the guy he literally adored? No fucking chance, now think of a stadium full of SMD's. What chance has Hodgson got, fucking idiots wanting him to fail so they can cling onto the thought that lovely Rafa might return and continue destroying the club.

Now the big problem is Roy hasn't got the team playing any better so he's got absolutely no fucking chance. I think we should have seen an improvement by now. We haven't. Dogsout wants a guy with vision who will dispense of any player. Yeah, nice thought, our fans are intelligent enough to accept that.

Unless the next manager is Mourinho you've gotta really fear for the club, but then, you know, a lot of our fans do deserve it.

So SMD, yes I do support Liverpool. No I'm not trolling. And next time you drop one of your cribbed excuses for Rafa see if it fits for Roy too. Then think if you really are going to use it because you might come across as a complete bellend.

[ras el hanout]

Yeah and my point is that when you don't have your first choice keeper for months, when you don't have your first choice right back, centre backs or central midfield (FFS, Muntari was their anchorman) then what's a guy supposed to do? Ironically, Rafa requested two midfielders and an attacker. He got, uhh, loan signings back. And they sold Balotelli, who played 40 times last season so was hardly on the periphery.

The Inter thread is thataway!

[SMD]

Answer: ramone has never been to Anfield.

[Oh Danny Boy]

I was serious, you were defending Rafa for his net spend at Inter. But what of Roy's? Not relevant? Doesn't fit into your theory.

Notice nobody has to make excuses for Ferguson or Wenger or Mourinho or other great managers, yet most of Rafa's career is covered with excuses for the guy. A great manager would overcome obstacles, not fucking crumble. It's unfuckingblievable and it definitely is a kind of mental illness.

We'll have Dogsout in here in a minute saying "What are you doing bringing up Rafa" Well Dogsout was actually a Rafa lover for a long long time. He woke up a bit too late but he's not inmpartial on the subject.

And here is the problem. I've said it before, SMD loves Rafa, didn't want him to go and spent years making excuses for him. Now Rafa was rightfully sacked. Do you think SMD is going to like his replacement? The replacement to the guy he literally adored? No fucking chance, now think of a stadium full of SMD's. What chance has Hodgson got, fucking idiots wanting him to fail so they can cling onto the thought that lovely Rafa might return and continue destroying the club.

Now the big problem is Roy hasn't got the team playing any better so he's got absolutely no fucking chance. I think we should have seen an improvement by now. We haven't. Dogsout wants a guy with vision who will dispense of any player. Yeah, nice thought, our fans are intelligent enough to accept that.

Unless the next manager is Mourinho you've gotta really fear for the club, but then, you know, a lot of our fans do deserve it.

So SMD, yes I do support Liverpool. No I'm not trolling. And next time you drop one of your cribbed excuses for Rafa see if it fits for Roy too. Then think if you really are going to use it because you might come across as a complete bellend.

you acknowledge that most of the fans think differently to you, so instead of the majority being morons isn't it more likely that the majority are right and your wrong? otherwise if you were talking sense then surely you'd be the majority

[ras el hanout]

you acknowledge that most of the fans think differently to you, so instead of the majority being morons isn't it more likely that the majority are right and your wrong? otherwise if you were talking sense then surely you'd be the majority

Fucking hell, who's this one?

No, of course you don't have to be in the majority to be right.

[Takizawa]

It's not the same squad, one of the better players left and some dire ones joined. 7th would be flattering to the current squad.

Your posts about Liverpool are so fucking tiresome.

[ras el hanout]

Answer: ramone has never been to Anfield.

Hahaha, are you ten years old?

[Oh Danny Boy]

Fucking hell, who's this one?

No, of course you don't have to be in the majority to be right.

only mad men and martyrs believe their in the right and not the majority

[ras el hanout]

only mad men and martyrs believe their in the right and not the majority

Well then let's do a poll of all football fans in the country. I am sure that the huge majority would say Rafa was a bit rubbish. So in terms of football fans in the country those who back Rafa would be the minority. Yeah, I think mad men and martyrs describes them pretty nicely. Or RAWK.

[amc]

Your posts about Liverpool are so fucking tiresome.

You wanna go back and read this thread from around Istanbul, he's quite the fan of Liverpool then.

Not that I know who the guy is (shimmydull?) but I recently went back and read a good chunk of posts and noticed the avatar singing Liverpools praises.

[SMD]

Hahaha, are you ten years old?

If I was, it'd show you up even more.

[Shimmyhill]

Your posts about Liverpool are so fucking tiresome.

I call it as i see it, i dont get the delusion that they are a club in need of a new manager to make them a better side. They are in need of better players to become a better side, at that point they may well want a better manager.

I called them last season when all the fans in here who knew the club better than an idiot Spurs fan said i was wrong and i called it again so far this season. I can honestly say that i have never liked Liverpool, they are the team i dislike most in the Prem league era and i make no bones about that but it still stuns me that people honestly think Liverpool are being hard done by with a manger who is not good enough - the simple fact is the squad is not good enough, the core of the team is not good enough so that when you have Torres not firing and Gerrard injured and/or not playing the cracks can not be papered over.

Seriously, you have no striking options other than Torres, you have no width what so ever (please Joe Cole) and then a defence that can not cope with pace at all. Where do you think a manager could do anything with these fundamental flaws in the starting 11 let alone the squad - you need players not a new manager at this point in time.

[Shimmyhill]

You wanna go back and read this thread from around Istanbul, he's quite the fan of Liverpool then.

Not that I know who the guy is (shimmydull?) but I recently went back and read a good chunk of posts and noticed the avatar singing Liverpools praises.

You remember badly, i put a proper LOL LIVERPOOL post at the start of that game when all was going the way of the Italians, i had some humble pie and was genuinely pleased but i tend to support all English teams in the European games (even the Arse )

[ras el hanout]

If I was, it'd show you up even more.

Actually I did notice the last couple of games you've made a big song and dance about attending (and sitting there in silence unless the sound on my telly is broken).

It would be a bit of a Keyser Soze moment if you did turn out to be ten. It literally would pull the rug from under me. People would laugh at me for arguing with a ten year old and you - improbably - would actually be the winner in all of this.

Please tell me you're an adult.

[Oh Danny Boy]

Well then let's do a poll of all football fans in the country. I am sure that the huge majority would say Rafa was a bit rubbish. So in terms of football fans in the country those who back Rafa would be the minority. Yeah, I think mad men and martyrs describes them pretty nicely. Or RAWK.

i'd think only liverpool fans can give a true assessment of Rafa'a tenure

[ras el hanout]

i'd think only liverpool fans can give a true assessment of Rafa'a tenure

Well you say that but I think I can say that Mourinho is a kick-ass manager. You know? I can say Ferguson is very good. I can say Wenger is awesome even though he doesn't win much. Holloway? I love that guy! You know? So, yeah, fans from other teams might not be aware of all the bullshit excuses made up for Rafa, but they'd still have an idea.

[Oh Danny Boy]

Well you say that but I think I can say that Mourinho is a kick-ass manager. You know? I can say Ferguson is very good. I can say Wenger is awesome even though he doesn't win much. Holloway? I love that guy! You know? So, yeah, fans from other teams might not be aware of all the bullshit excuses made up for Rafa, but they'd still have an idea.

obvious examples though, i think Rafa was a more divisive character

what would Rafa had to have done for you took look back and say he was a good manager?

[SMD]

Actually I did notice the last couple of games you've made a big song and dance about attending (and sitting there in silence unless the sound on my telly is broken).

It would be a bit of a Keyser Soze moment if you did turn out to be ten. It literally would pull the rug from under me. People would laugh at me for arguing with a ten year old and you - improbably - would actually be the winner in all of this.

Please tell me you're an adult.

Actually aside from Utrecht, the last two games I went to are the last two home games we had. I mention that I'm going so that it doesn't seem like I'm hiding during the match, that I'm genuinely not around to comment and believe it or not, because I'm interested in who goes from here.

I like going to matches, I like supporting the team. I like football. It's much better being there than it is watching on TV. The view is better, you understand the shape of the side and you don't have Andy cunting Gray spouting bullshit for 90+ minutes.

If you'd ever been to the ground, you'd realise how it sounds. How sitting at the back of the Kop sounds like a massive roar but from the other end of the ground it's barely audible. How a loud chant on the telly is actually deafening at the ground. How the cameras focus on the away fans more than it does the home fans. Honestly, I was sat next to the Wolves fans and only a few of their songs were loud, but on the telly it sounds like they're outsinging us.

Yes, it was quiet last night but that doesn't mean I was. It doesn't mean people didn't try to get songs going. But most sat in horror at what unfolded.

Napoli and Chelsea had fucking incredible atmosphere, everyone was on their feet and singing.

But all you can do is make some general, half arsed comments about whatever shite you heard on Talksport or read off the back of tomorrow's chip paper, while putting down Liverpool fans.

And you make me out to be the twat.

[ras el hanout]

what would Rafa had to have done for you took look back and say he was a good manager?

He would have consistently challenged for the league title after spending all that money and building up an awesome squad.

This is where you say but but but we were second the other year.

[ras el hanout]

Actually aside from Utrecht, the last two games I went to are the last two home games we had. I mention that I'm going so that it doesn't seem like I'm hiding during the match, that I'm genuinely not around to comment and believe it or not, because I'm interested in who goes from here.

I like going to matches, I like supporting the team. I like football. It's much better being there than it is watching on TV. The view is better, you understand the shape of the side and you don't have Andy cunting Gray spouting bullshit for 90+ minutes.

If you'd ever been to the ground, you'd realise how it sounds. How sitting at the back of the Kop sounds like a massive roar but from the other end of the ground it's barely audible. How a loud chant on the telly is actually deafening at the ground. How the cameras focus on the away fans more than it does the home fans. Honestly, I was sat next to the Wolves fans and only a few of their songs were loud, but on the telly it sounds like they're outsinging us.

Yes, it was quiet last night but that doesn't mean I was. It doesn't mean people didn't try to get songs going. But most sat in horror at what unfolded.

Napoli and Chelsea had fucking incredible atmosphere, everyone was on their feet and singing.

But all you can do is make some general, half arsed comments about whatever shite you heard on Talksport or read off the back of tomorrow's chip paper, while putting down Liverpool fans.

And you make me out to be the twat.

No, YOU make you out to be the twat, with twattish posts like the absolute stonker you've just posted. I don't have to do anything.

[Hawkeye]

As an outsider who keeps an eye on Liverpool I'd chip in. Roy isn't the first guy to be an unpopular appointment at a club, but if you are you need to hit the ground running to build up support. He hasn't and isn't help by injuries to the likes of Gerrard, but his main problem is his signings haven't sparked either. Joe Cole is a good player, but has been a nothing so far at Liverpool. The others have either been poor or inconsistant and played out of position! Add that to a weaking squad and you're in trouble.

New manager probably needed, big budget to plug the squad gaps certainly required.

[SMD]

No, YOU make you out to be the twat, with twattish posts like the absolute stonker you've just posted. I don't have to do anything.

Oh that's priceless.

[ras el hanout]

This was my favourite line although I don't think your parents would approve of such language

Napoli and Chelsea had fucking incredible atmosphere, everyone was on their feet and singing.

Everyone was on their feet and singing.

[Liamness]

Everyone keeps saying how crap Liverpool's squad is, and well yeah it has some glaring holes, but I think we can agree they should be doing a lot better regardless. Hodgson must be the problem; it seems his first instinct when things aren't going well, like a lot of British managers is to revert to smash-and-grab football. The squad just isn't right for that, you've got a lot of playmakers who want to play nice tippy-tappy football in pretty triangles. He's tried everything else, so why not indulge their wishes. This Liverpool squad could play a more continental style of football, keeping the ball like their lives depend on it, and stroking it around waiting for an opening rather than rushing things. Torres shouldn't be given the ball unless it is intended to be the final ball. Do you lot think I'm mad, or do I have a point?

[Reynard]

Not at all - one of the most sensible non-LFC fan posts I've read in here today.

Torres needs balls to feet or played to him when he's facing goal, not hoofed 60-70 yards up the pitch to him (as many have already observed).

Great post earlier, dogsout - I was almost in tears reading that! And a special mention to SMD as well. Well done trying to keep the drooling imbeciles at bay.