Liverpool FC Forum

[stmichael]

Well just got back and surprise surprise, judging by most of the posts from people on here, you'd have thought we'd lost the game. The fact is, we've won the game, despite not playing well which should be regarded as a good sign. I've lost count of the number of times down the years that Chelsea, United and Arsenal have gone away in the last few years, played sh#te and yet scored a late winner.

I'm telling you now, we were cruising in the first half and but for some poor finishing we would have been out of sight. Alonso was class in the first half but then inevitably tired in the second. It's obvious to me that Mascherano and Alonso should be our first choice central partnership with Gerrard left off the leash to attack from a wide area. With Gerrard and Alonso central we got overrun at times by a team that are bottom of the league.

Second half we were absolutely woeful though. I mean we couldn't believe what we were watching. I actually said to my mate that I could see Derby equalising and within about five minutes they had (even though it looked like really poor defending from where we were sat). Certain players just aren't up to the job. I defended the decision to start Voronin in his correct position but he was really really poor. Riise was gash again. Babel should not be started wide because he is not a winger. He did nothing except miss a sitter in the first half.

I'm not going to have a go at the manager for this. He picked a really strong team and if I was him I'd be bollocking the players after the game because this should really be a wake up call for them. It still defies belief to me that before this game, some people were advocating resting Torres and Gerrard. Once again, despite not having their best games, theose two have provided our real pieces of quality in the game. They just can't be left out under any circumstances. I've criticised Gerrard in the past for his leadership (or lack of) but today he really took the bull by the horns in the last 15 minutes and dug us out of the mire again. We are very lucky to have him.

Anyway, 3 points is 3 points and we move on. Credit to Derby by the way. You can see that Jewell has already had an impact there and their attitude was unquestionable. As for their fans though, the less said the better.

Roll on Man City.

[Toffeehater]

I never read anything into boxing day performances - we needed a win, and we got one. No complaints here.

Glad I didn't watch it though.

the win's important mate , but the performance also counts , unless u tell me even if we play sh!!ty this whole season and manage to win the pl

[lakes10]

For some of our team its the first time they have had to work over xmas.......must have come as a bit of a shock, i wonder how many still had a few drinks last night.....i wonder how many Prem players had a bit of a hang over today lol.

[Toffeehater]

For some of our team its the first time they have had to work over xmas.......must have come as a bit of a shock, i wonder how many still had a few drinks last night.....i wonder how many Prem players had a bit of a hang over today lol.

not the villa players , well maybe the ref and zat knight , but the chelsea players confirmed all had too much to drink , villa were focused on the task , like derby , some of ou players too must have had hang overs

[NANNY RED]

Well just got back and surprise surprise, judging by most of the posts from people on here, you'd have thought we'd lost the game. The fact is, we've won the game, despite not playing well which should be regarded as a good sign. I've lost count of the number of times down the years that Chelsea, United and Arsenal have gone away in the last few years, played sh#te and yet scored a late winner.

I'm telling you now, we were cruising in the first half and but for some poor finishing we would have been out of sight. Alonso was class in the first half but then inevitably tired in the second. It's obvious to me that Mascherano and Alonso should be our first choice central partnership with Gerrard left off the leash to attack from a wide area. With Gerrard and Alonso central we got overrun at times by a team that are bottom of the league.

Second half we were absolutely woeful though. I mean we couldn't believe what we were watching. I actually said to my mate that I could see Derby equalising and within about five minutes they had (even though it looked like really poor defending from where we were sat). Certain players just aren't up to the job. I defended the decision to start Voronin in his correct position but he was really really poor. Riise was gash again. Babel should not be started wide because he is not a winger. He did nothing except miss a sitter in the first half.

I'm not going to have a go at the manager for this. He picked a really strong team and if I was him I'd be bollocking the players after the game because this should really be a wake up call for them. It still defies belief to me that before this game, some people were advocating resting Torres and Gerrard. Once again, despite not having their best games, theose two have provided our real pieces of quality in the game. They just can't be left out under any circumstances. I've criticised Gerrard in the past for his leadership (or lack of) but today he really took the bull by the horns in the last 15 minutes and dug us out of the mire again. We are very lucky to have him.

Anyway, 3 points is 3 points and we move on. Credit to Derby by the way. You can see that Jewell has already had an impact there and their attitude was unquestionable. As for their fans though, the less said the better.

Roll on Man City.

Finaly a voice of reason

[Toffeehater]

Well just got back and surprise surprise, judging by most of the posts from people on here, you'd have thought we'd lost the game. The fact is, we've won the game, despite not playing well which should be regarded as a good sign. I've lost count of the number of times down the years that Chelsea, United and Arsenal have gone away in the last few years, played sh#te and yet scored a late winner.

I'm telling you now, we were cruising in the first half and but for some poor finishing we would have been out of sight. Alonso was class in the first half but then inevitably tired in the second. It's obvious to me that Mascherano and Alonso should be our first choice central partnership with Gerrard left off the leash to attack from a wide area. With Gerrard and Alonso central we got overrun at times by a team that are bottom of the league.

Second half we were absolutely woeful though. I mean we couldn't believe what we were watching. I actually said to my mate that I could see Derby equalising and within about five minutes they had (even though it looked like really poor defending from where we were sat). Certain players just aren't up to the job. I defended the decision to start Voronin in his correct position but he was really really poor. Riise was gash again. Babel should not be started wide because he is not a winger. He did nothing except miss a sitter in the first half.

I'm not going to have a go at the manager for this. He picked a really strong team and if I was him I'd be bollocking the players after the game because this should really be a wake up call for them. It still defies belief to me that before this game, some people were advocating resting Torres and Gerrard. Once again, despite not having their best games, theose two have provided our real pieces of quality in the game. They just can't be left out under any circumstances. I've criticised Gerrard in the past for his leadership (or lack of) but today he really took the bull by the horns in the last 15 minutes and dug us out of the mire again. We are very lucky to have him.

Anyway, 3 points is 3 points and we move on. Credit to Derby by the way. You can see that Jewell has already had an impact there and their attitude was unquestionable. As for their fans though, the less said the better.

Roll on Man City.

good post mate

[Toffeehater]

Benitez: We needed to take our chances
By James Carroll - 26/12/2007 18:22

Rafael Benitez believes that Liverpool's inability to convert their chances was to blame for their poor display against Derby County.

The Reds were hugely fortunate as Steven Gerrard's 90th minute strike rescued three points against the Premiership's basement club after a lacklustre display from the visitors.

"The first half was really good because we were in control, had plenty of possession but you must finish the game," Benitez said afterwards.

"I don't know why but we couldn't get the second goal. In the second half they were more physical and aggressive and when we conceded a goal we became a little bit nervous.

"We still created good clear chances, though, through Xabi Alonso, Fernando Torres, Dirk Kuyt and Andriy Voronin.

"Gerrard won the game for us at the end and we know how good he is at getting from box to box, but as I said we should have had the game won a lot earlier than what we did."

Benitez also revealed that Sami Hyypia could be a doubt for Sunday's Premiership trip to Manchester City after picking up a knock.

That was why hypia was substituted

[Toffeehater]

Top scorers List as of 26/12/07

1. Fernando Torres 15 (9 EPL, 3 Lge Cup, 3 CL)
2. Steven Gerrard 12 (6 EPL, 5 CL, 1 Lge Cup)
3. Dirk Kuyt 7 (4 CL, 3 EPL)
4. Ryan Babel 6 (3 EPL, 3CL) & Yossi Benayoun 6 (1 Lge Cup, 2 EPL, 3 CL)
6. Andriy Voronin 4 (1 CL, 3 EPL)  & Peter Crouch 4 (4 CL)
8. Xabi Alonso 2 (2 EPL) & Sami Hyypia 2 (1 EPL, 1 CL)
10. Momo Sissoko 1 (1 EPL), & Nabil El Zhar (1 Lge Cup)

Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard continued their domination of the scoring charts with a goal apiece in the 2-1 win away to Derby. Torres' sublime strike was his 15th of the season whilst Gerrard's last gasp winner sees his tally rise to 12

[maguskwt]

Well just got back and surprise surprise, judging by most of the posts from people on here, you'd have thought we'd lost the game. The fact is, we've won the game, despite not playing well which should be regarded as a good sign. I've lost count of the number of times down the years that Chelsea, United and Arsenal have gone away in the last few years, played sh#te and yet scored a late winner.

I'm telling you now, we were cruising in the first half and but for some poor finishing we would have been out of sight. Alonso was class in the first half but then inevitably tired in the second. It's obvious to me that Mascherano and Alonso should be our first choice central partnership with Gerrard left off the leash to attack from a wide area. With Gerrard and Alonso central we got overrun at times by a team that are bottom of the league.

Second half we were absolutely woeful though. I mean we couldn't believe what we were watching. I actually said to my mate that I could see Derby equalising and within about five minutes they had (even though it looked like really poor defending from where we were sat). Certain players just aren't up to the job. I defended the decision to start Voronin in his correct position but he was really really poor. Riise was gash again. Babel should not be started wide because he is not a winger. He did nothing except miss a sitter in the first half.

I'm not going to have a go at the manager for this. He picked a really strong team and if I was him I'd be bollocking the players after the game because this should really be a wake up call for them. It still defies belief to me that before this game, some people were advocating resting Torres and Gerrard. Once again, despite not having their best games, theose two have provided our real pieces of quality in the game. They just can't be left out under any circumstances. I've criticised Gerrard in the past for his leadership (or lack of) but today he really took the bull by the horns in the last 15 minutes and dug us out of the mire again. We are very lucky to have him.

Anyway, 3 points is 3 points and we move on. Credit to Derby by the way. You can see that Jewell has already had an impact there and their attitude was unquestionable. As for their fans though, the less said the better.

Roll on Man City.

Finaly a voice of reason

agreed...

some people on here go overboard with their criticisms...

by all means criticise but don't overdo it...

rafa wasn't to blame at all for this performance... he did pick a reasonably strong team (which included Torres and Gerrard) which should have beaten derby easily...

If anyone was to blame it is the players... they took it too easy in the second half... gerrard wasn't imposing himself until they equalised I don't know why... voronin was terrible the whole game... babel couldn't make anything work... (i'd rather he play as a second striker or not at all)... riise and aurelio wasn't doing much... and alonso and finnan seemed like they weren't at their best... thanks to torres and then gerrard waking up we won this game...

whatever it is we have to take into account that we WON... arsenal, man u and chelsea were all very lucky in the weekend so why can't we... get over it...

[Rockthekop]

We were seconds away from total embarrassment and possibly an end to our 'league challenge.'  We lacked a clinical edge today which almost cost us.  Our strikers bar the world class Torres, aren't up to the job.  We need to offload the three amigos for starters - Kuyt, Crouch and Voronin (Riise and Sissoko also).  Babel must be played in his best position, up front.  We need a quality left winger and a few new strikers.  Then we might have a chance!

[LFC2007]

Three points, on we trot. It's the Premier League, it's not easy you know.

[holylamb2006]

Three points, on we trot. It's the Premier League, it's not easy you know

True

[ivor_the_injun]

I haven't seen any footage from the game, but from all accounts I assume it's not pretty.

I have to say though, it could be the most pug-ugly performance I'll ever see, but if it results in a win, I think any criticism is completely and utterly irrelevent. If Man U or Chelsea put in a stinker and get the three points by virtue of a late Lampard effort in a goalmouth scramble, it's seen as the behaviour of champions.

I will take a season of sh*tty games ending with late winners, interspersed with the odd show of class and dominance. That's what champions do. Man U were terrible in several games last season, including against us, but who remembers that now? They won the f*cking league - that's what the history books show.

I know that on the internet, every game will get scrutinised, every teamsheet discussed to death, and every substitution endlessly argued, but I say f*ck it all and look at the part of the picture that matters.

Did we win? Yes we did.

I don't remember any points being awarded for presentation in this game. Beat Man City with a goal that's diverted in off Steve Finnan's c*ck cheese from a Reina punt and I will care not a f*cking jot how well or how badly we played.

If my team gets us wins, I will drink myself into a happy coma and when the season's over and only if things don't go our way, then I'll maybe get sidetracked by the cosmetics.

Sometimes I think people forget that our team aren't playing Top Trumps, and assume that we can just turn up at Derby and get the 3 points because we're near the top and they're at the bottom. Over 90 minutes, any team in this league is capable of losing to anybody else, and nobody should forget that. I seem to remember us beating Crystal Palace 9-0 back in the day, but I don't remember them standing to one side and letting us score for fun when our paths next crossed.

Know your history, respect your history, but remember that no team in front of you is undeserving of the chance to go toe-to-toe with you. Personally I hope Derby gave us a game, because this league deserves hungry teams at the bottom that are man enough to take a slapping one game and come back fighting the next.

As for us, I see a top 4 that's closing up again, despite our recent setbacks. Onward. 

[stmichael]

I haven't seen any footage from the game, but from all accounts I assume it's not pretty.

I have to say though, it could be the most pug-ugly performance I'll ever see, but if it results in a win, I think any criticism is completely and utterly irrelevent. If Man U or Chelsea put in a stinker and get the three points by virtue of a late Lampard effort in a goalmouth scramble, it's seen as the behaviour of champions.

I will take a season of sh*tty games ending with late winners, interspersed with the odd show of class and dominance. That's what champions do. Man U were terrible in several games last season, including against us, but who remembers that now? They won the f*cking league - that's what the history books show.

I know that on the internet, every game will get scrutinised, every teamsheet discussed to death, and every substitution endlessly argued, but I say f*ck it all and look at the part of the picture that matters.

Did we win? Yes we did.

I don't remember any points being awarded for presentation in this game. Beat Man City with a goal that's diverted in off Steve Finnan's c*ck cheese from a Reina punt and I will care not a f*cking jot how well or how badly we played.

If my team gets us wins, I will drink myself into a happy coma and when the season's over and only if things don't go our way, then I'll maybe get sidetracked by the cosmetics.

Sometimes I think people forget that our team aren't playing Top Trumps, and assume that we can just turn up at Derby and get the 3 points because we're near the top and they're at the bottom. Over 90 minutes, any team in this league is capable of losing to anybody else, and nobody should forget that. I seem to remember us beating Crystal Palace 9-0 back in the day, but I don't remember them standing to one side and letting us score for fun when our paths next crossed.

Know your history, respect your history, but remember that no team in front of you is undeserving of the chance to go toe-to-toe with you. Personally I hope Derby gave us a game, because this league deserves hungry teams at the bottom that are man enough to take a slapping one game and come back fighting the next.

As for us, I see a top 4 that's closing up again, despite our recent setbacks. Onward. 

Hear Hear.

Some fans stagger me sometimes. It's almost as if they want us slip up so that they can put the boot in and say that they were right all along to prove a point.

Man U were a minute away from drawing against Everton the other day. Arsenal scraped a win against Spurs who should have got at least a draw.

Yes we played badly but we won. Last week we dominated United for long spells and got nothing. I know which I'd prefer.

[JoeTerp]

Arsenal played to a goaless draw at Fratton Park; just like we did. And they "wasted" the efforts of their full strength squad.