Liverpool FC Forum

[66-1112520797]

I'd much rather we lose than play like thugs, oops Chelsea and win 

Our errors gave them the win, not their football.

Oh well.

[maguskwt]

I'd much rather we lose than play like thugs, oops Chelsea and win 

Our errors gave them the win, not their football.

Oh well.

oh come on don't be like mourinho... they played well enough in the 1st half and extra time, whenever they attacked they looked more dangerous than us...having said that it could've gone both ways really... I'm quite pleased with the amount of effort the team put in even though we weren't playing at our optimum level... that can happen when you're playing away and in those conditions... I think that the rain and the water-logged  pitch really threw us off in the first half but we managed to recover in the second half... up until we were 2-1 down there was a realistic chance that we could've gone threw if we managed to get a goal...

ppl now criticize about sub-ing in pennat... right after the weekend alot of ppl were asking to play the same player from the start... all in all it was a very close game which could've gone both ways and a fair win to them... drogba that cheating disgrace managed to not cheat too much and scored with 2 excellent strikes... maybe rafa should'nt have reminded him about this cheating... cause when he's busy cheating he doesn't score goals... 

I'm feeling quite shitty now that we're out... but maybe this will remind some people that this trophy cannot be taken for granted... it is an extremely hard to win cup and getting to 2 finals in 3 years, 3 semis in 4 years, and winning one is a great achievement...

[66-1112520797]

I'd much rather we lose than play like thugs, oops Chelsea and win 

Our errors gave them the win, not their football.

Oh well.

oh come on don't be like mourinho... they played well enough in the 1st half and extra time, whenever they attacked they looked more dangerous than us...having said that it could've gone both ways really... I'm quite pleased with the amount of effort the team put in even though we weren't playing at our optimum level... that can happen when you're playing away and in those conditions... I think that the rain and the water-logged  pitch really threw us off in the first half but we managed to recover in the second half... up until we were 2-1 down there was a realistic chance that we could've gone threw if we managed to get a goal...

ppl now criticize about sub-ing in pennat... right after the weekend alot of ppl were asking to play the same player from the start... all in all it was a very close game which could've gone both ways and a fair win to them... drogba that cheating disgrace managed to not cheat too much and scored with 2 excellent strikes... maybe rafa should'nt have reminded him about this cheating... cause when he's busy cheating he doesn't score goals... 

I'm talking over two legs, the first especially where they littrally bashed Torres up, and Drogba play acting at the other end.

No tar, not for me.

I'd rather us bow out of a competition with some dignity, than win AT ALL costs like them.

Fair enough they were better tonight.

[bigmick]

There are just about only two positives I can take out of the fact we got beat (not the performance which I thought was pretty good TBH). The first is that we will avoid the impending and inevitable kick-offs in Russia and hence our fans won't get the blame for it which as sure as eggs is eggs is what would have happened. The second is that we don't have to endure poster after poster going on about the fact that we triumphed in extra time due to our extra "freshness" as a result of resting the whole team at the weekend, "whereas Chelsea had to fight through a hard game against Man Utd, it just shows you the value of Rafa's rotation" etc etc etc etc.

If anything I thought they looked fresher than us in extra time, which just goes to show that there are lots of reasons why footballers get tired. Chief amongst those reasons in the second period of extra time was we were two goals behind, and it was no surprise that after Babels goal we got a second wind. I'm not saying for one minute that it wasn't a good idea to rest the team at the weekend because it was, but simply that it doesn't guarantee "freshness" as some seem to believe, there are many factors which contribute towards that.

It was no surprise that the delayed gazelle didn't really ever materialise this season, and my hope is that in the next campaign we refrain from "resting" players after five games in the belief that they will magically store up these "unrun" miles and bring them out in the form of a freshness trump card six months later. I'd get all radical and play our best players until they are actually showing signs of fatigue, but that's just me.

[Number 9]

There are just about only two positives I can take out of the fact we got beat (not the performance which I thought was pretty good TBH). The first is that we will avoid the impending and inevitable kick-offs in Russia and hence our fans won't get the blame for it which as sure as eggs is eggs is what would have happened. The second is that we don't have to endure poster after poster going on about the fact that we triumphed in extra time due to our extra "freshness" as a result of resting the whole team at the weekend, "whereas Chelsea had to fight through a hard game against Man Utd, it just shows you the value of Rafa's rotation" etc etc etc etc.

If anything I thought they looked fresher than us in extra time, which just goes to show that there are lots of reasons why footballers get tired. Chief amongst those reasons in the second period of extra time was we were two goals behind, and it was no surprise that after Babels goal we got a second wind. I'm not saying for one minute that it wasn't a good idea to rest the team at the weekend because it was, but simply that it doesn't guarantee "freshness" as some seem to believe, there are many factors which contribute towards that.

It was no surprise that the delayed gazelle didn't really ever materialise this season, and my hope is that in the next campaign we refrain from "resting" players after five games in the belief that they will magically store up these "unrun" miles and bring them out in the form of a freshness trump card six months later. I'd get all radical and play our best players until they are actually showing signs of fatigue, but that's just me.

To cut a long story short you reckon resting players is balls to an extent and hell,rotation sucks!

Tiredness will never come into a game of this magnitude really,players are up for it no matter what!regardless of how many games they have played they will be up for a C/L semi.
Adrenaline takes over in later stages NOT tiredness...Chelsea had more!
Thats why we lost,they wanted it more!

[SupitsJonF]

It's sad an own goal stopped us from going to Moscow, but at least it was a very entertaining semi-final.

And no, i'm not blaming Riise for blowing the game, but anyone who thinks the own goal wasn't his fault is an idiot.  As it clearly was.  And it just so happened 1 goal subtracted from them would clear us on away goals.  But hey, theres always next season.

How can your name be Number 9 and say they wanted it more?  This was Torres' dream, to play in a CL final.  He was basically crying on the sideline he was so upset.  Our team wanted it just as much as they did, some of your posts are truly nonsense.

Why do people think a good performance means they had to of wanted it more?  We had a pretty bad first half, but there was not one moment after the second half that I thought we didn't fight and not want it just as much as any other team.

[Number 9]

It's sad an own goal stopped us from going to Moscow, but at least it was a very entertaining semi-final.

And no, i'm not blaming Riise for blowing the game, but anyone who thinks the own goal wasn't his fault is an idiot.  As it clearly was.  And it just so happened 1 goal subtracted from them would clear us on away goals.  But hey, theres always next season.

How can your name be Number 9 and say they wanted it more?  This was Torres' dream, to play in a CL final.  He was basically crying on the sideline he was so upset.  Our team wanted it just as much as they did, some of your posts are truly nonsense.

Why do people think a good performance means they had to of wanted it more?  We had a pretty bad first half, but there was not one moment after the second half that I thought we didn't fight and not want it just as much as any other team.

Listen mate Chelsea went the extra mile last night!
We failed and in the end were outplayed!

Im not being anti LFC because i love them like family,im calling a spade a spade though! And another thing if you dont like my posts kiddo,dont fu.cking read them!

[JoeTerp]

hopefully the first of many goals for Torres and Babel at the Bridge

[SupitsJonF]

Chelsea went the extra mile with a penalty kick and an own goal?  Your absolutely right.

[bigmick]

There are just about only two positives I can take out of the fact we got beat (not the performance which I thought was pretty good TBH). The first is that we will avoid the impending and inevitable kick-offs in Russia and hence our fans won't get the blame for it which as sure as eggs is eggs is what would have happened. The second is that we don't have to endure poster after poster going on about the fact that we triumphed in extra time due to our extra "freshness" as a result of resting the whole team at the weekend, "whereas Chelsea had to fight through a hard game against Man Utd, it just shows you the value of Rafa's rotation" etc etc etc etc.

If anything I thought they looked fresher than us in extra time, which just goes to show that there are lots of reasons why footballers get tired. Chief amongst those reasons in the second period of extra time was we were two goals behind, and it was no surprise that after Babels goal we got a second wind. I'm not saying for one minute that it wasn't a good idea to rest the team at the weekend because it was, but simply that it doesn't guarantee "freshness" as some seem to believe, there are many factors which contribute towards that.

It was no surprise that the delayed gazelle didn't really ever materialise this season, and my hope is that in the next campaign we refrain from "resting" players after five games in the belief that they will magically store up these "unrun" miles and bring them out in the form of a freshness trump card six months later. I'd get all radical and play our best players until they are actually showing signs of fatigue, but that's just me.

To cut a long story short you reckon resting players is balls to an extent and hell,rotation sucks!

Well it's an interesting summation of my waffle Barry, and while I wouldn't have put it in those words myself it's broadly fair enough. Though you've had a beef with me in the past BTW and no doubt will again before too much longer, It's nice to have you back.

[NiftyNeil]

At least we went down fighting. At 1-0 down, I thought we were buried, but I was proved wrong. I feel we should of pushed harder for the win in normal time though. We sat off them a little when they were most vunerable, then they regrouped and hit us in extra time.

[Number 9]

There are just about only two positives I can take out of the fact we got beat (not the performance which I thought was pretty good TBH). The first is that we will avoid the impending and inevitable kick-offs in Russia and hence our fans won't get the blame for it which as sure as eggs is eggs is what would have happened. The second is that we don't have to endure poster after poster going on about the fact that we triumphed in extra time due to our extra "freshness" as a result of resting the whole team at the weekend, "whereas Chelsea had to fight through a hard game against Man Utd, it just shows you the value of Rafa's rotation" etc etc etc etc.

If anything I thought they looked fresher than us in extra time, which just goes to show that there are lots of reasons why footballers get tired. Chief amongst those reasons in the second period of extra time was we were two goals behind, and it was no surprise that after Babels goal we got a second wind. I'm not saying for one minute that it wasn't a good idea to rest the team at the weekend because it was, but simply that it doesn't guarantee "freshness" as some seem to believe, there are many factors which contribute towards that.

It was no surprise that the delayed gazelle didn't really ever materialise this season, and my hope is that in the next campaign we refrain from "resting" players after five games in the belief that they will magically store up these "unrun" miles and bring them out in the form of a freshness trump card six months later. I'd get all radical and play our best players until they are actually showing signs of fatigue, but that's just me.

To cut a long story short you reckon resting players is balls to an extent and hell,rotation sucks!

Well it's an interesting summation of my waffle Barry, and while I wouldn't have put it in those words myself it's broadly fair enough. Though you've had a beef with me in the past BTW and no doubt will again before too much longer, It's nice to have you back.

Only you could put it like that Mick!

Gutted to feck here but what can ya do but look for the positives really!
The thing is there is no comfort in any of them,its just an overwhelming feeling of "cant wait to next year" inside that does'nt really wash away any of the hurt!

FWIW i dont blame Riise,as i said before nor Rafa for last nights beating.Bottom line they wanted it more.I could single out a senior player or two that went amiss but that would be contradictory of my win together and loose together ethic!

Nice to be back btw and next time we have beef,i would like peppered sauce on mine.
Good to know you are doing well down unders under with your little porn empire...I really hope it goes well and you penetrate the market deeply!

Sorry could'nt resist,the pun was gagging for it!

[Owzat]

To a certain extent I do blame Rafa. He's been resting our "best XI" for Europe, but then he's still changed the "best XI" in each of the games! Last night he had to replace Aurelio, but he didn't have to replace Babel. He changed the formation in the 2nd leg against Arsenal and luckily Sami's goal changed the way that game was going. And he never seems to be able to resist a little fiddle. You have to question the wisdom of winding Drogba up, maybe it's a coincidence he played a big part in putting us out, but maybe Rafa should have kept his gob shut. It was bad enough fat frank had motivation, Grant probably didn't need to give them a pep talk, I think their personal loss and Rafa's gob did most of it for them.

And I thought his substitutions would be crucial last night and they were somewhat predictable and didn't do a lot. Benayoun gets involved for the equaliser and then Rafa wants to bring on a wide player so he sacrifices Benayoun. It didn't exactly work, I guess the only unpredictable thing about bringing Babel on was who he brought off. I can only guess he thought one of the youngest players in our team was tired.

If you want to blame players, well Riise and Hyypia contributed their fair share towards Chelsea goals. To a certain extent you can blame luck, that Aurelio was injured and his replacement scored the own goal equaliser last week, and Sami replaced the injured Skrtel and conceded the penalty that would probably have won it even if they hadn't scored again.

So tactically I beg the question of Rafa, we have players who should be getting results from time to tmie against the big teams and surely shouldn't be drawing with some of the teams we have. We're not debating rotation anymore, yet Rafa's been making eight changes a game! And his use of substitutions has never really impressed me, sometimes he doesn't even use all three when we're chasing the game or should be looking for more goals.

I forecast another disappointing season if Rafa stays, some will suggest even improvement will be enough and we can win the title the season after. But short of winning it or pushing for it next season, isn't 'the season after next' clutching at straws. I pray I am proven wrong, not that I have any gods to pray to, but I can't see it. Success in Europe has been a smokescreen for continued failings in the league, we've too many players who simply are cutting it.

Those wishing to slate me for saying this should just go on and bury their heads in the sand, no doubt those that will (be tempted) don't like seeing things like this said. But I'm not going to change my view no matter what responses or abuse I get, like it or lump it I don't care. Like those who think having the last word somehow makes them right, last laugh is on them because if I don't respond it's usually because they wasted their time responding as I never read it (GBJH, BB, other numpties)

At times it was a good effort, sadly we have become a side that cannot cut out enough chances or convert those we do. 27 games out of 57 this season we've scored 1 or less goals, excluding extra time. That's nearly 50% of our games. That villa have scored more than us in the league says a lot, Gerrard and Torres need more support and the defence needs to tighten up. Yet again we conceded way too many unneccessary free-kicks and corners, even more likely to be costly away from home. In a game that tight you simply can't afford to make "unforced errors" as they'd say in tennis parlance. And you can't really afford to have so many players having quiet games, Chelsea overall had more good performances.

[Boocity]

If I do have one cristism it is why Rafa tried the mind games against Drogba, He's not a Mourinho or Fergie and all he did was wind Drogba up and it totally backfired.

[dawson99]

its not the end of the world, weve played them 3 times, lost one. sods law states this will happen. cant win everything all the time. was a great semi final last night. the ref was alittle weak but the linesmen did thir job and we were unlucky. but it happens.

we need to move on, and win the fecking premiership