Liverpool FC Forum

[Thor Viking]

When I read these forumpages it seems to me that you measure players from how many goals they score. I`ve been watching football, and playing some myself, for almost 40 years ( I am 45 ), and just a few seems to have the godgiven gift of being in the right place at the right time, time after time! In todays PL it`s closer than ever between the topscorers, BUT I`m sure RVN, MO, TH or Alan Shearer not would`ve scored as many goals if they were playing for Leicester, Wolves or Leeds !
My point is that it has to do with the fact that football is for TEAMS, and not for single players ! The topscorers is depending on their teammates to set them up. I think there is maybe a handful of players that can turn the outcome of a match just by themselves : Ronaldo( Real ) - Raul - Totti - Vieri - Henry - RVN and maybe a few more. All the others have to depend on their mates !!

[Starbridge42]

Hmmm, good point but I disagree with your point about if they played for other clubs.  If shearer had played for wolves they would have been in the PL much sooner than this and he would still have sackfuls of goals, the same goes for RVN, Henry, MO etc.  A great team makes their job easier but talent can't be snuffed out by weaker teammates.

[big al]

Thor football is a team game but very often each team has key individuals.  If these individulas under preform this often results in defeat.  Man U struggle without Keane he's there key player and has been a long time.  Only Arsenal have real depth although they often miss Veira whenhe's out.  Liverpool played and won titles for years with mostly good players not all superstars, but good players such as the like of Steve  Nichol, Ray Houghton, Graham Souness, Ian St John, John Tossack ETC.  The superstars Rush, Dalglish, Keegan, Barnes etc where the pivotol players, they created and scored goals, we often won by the odd goal 1-0 or 2-1.  These goal scorers and creators made all the difference. 

You asked what's changed since 2002 and I said that in my opinion we have great players but no real scorers or providers.  Litmanen, Fowler and McAlister give us these critical factors.  I love Owen and Gerrard but they should not be having to carry such a responsibility.  Witout them we are not merely ordinary we are poor. 

One more thing I have always been against Houllier, he came in the back door with no Respect for Evans or even for himself.  He proved me wrong by bringing the superstars to the team and winning 3 trophies and then he showed me I was right byletting them go and not replacing them.  What the had was the most critical of all qualities EXPERIENCE.  The current squad have learnt the hard way without role models showing them the way.  Example; Any footballer will tell you that the overweight left back who they once thought was finished learnt them so much about what it really means to be a footballer, not a football player a footballer theres a massive difference!

[Thor Viking]

Footballer and football player, what`s the difference big al ? Do you mean that as a footballer you have your whole heart and soul into it, like your own Gerrard, and as a football player you`re more like young Ronaldo at ManU ?
As to your point of key players, don`t you often see that the 2nd best players perform extra when the key is out ?
I mean that a top world class striker has that instinct for scoring that you just can`t learn ! You`re born with it,and not knowing it before you use it!

[big al]

A footballer is a winner, he understands the movement and poetry of the game.  He takes risks, when others don't. Gerrard is a footballer because he reads the game like a book.
Zola once said that he gives everything for as long as he could.  The next match was a life time away, if he got too tired or got injured the manager had to make the decision to take him off.  He knew when he was'nt playing well and he was more hurt than anyone else. 

Football players stroll around, showing skill here and ther but never really demonstrating the commitment or passion for the game.  If you want to win the you must work and work and work never slacken or you'll never be a footballer.  As for RVN  I've watched this guy and I'll say one thing he's a great footballer,  anyone who's had cruciate damage yet throws themselves about like he does is alright in my book.

[Owzat]

All very well but if a team creates chances but doesn't score them, what fvcking use is that?!?!?!? I think we've all seen that this season from a team whose name eludes me........

Anyway, a team is made up of XI players who have to be good enough at their job for the team to be good, if the striker doesn't net the chances then the hard work can be for nothing. Whether Owen, rvn or Henry would be less effective for another team or not is debatable, but I think they also have enough skill to put away chances lesser strikers would miss or not even be good enough to get

Emile Heskey - ***** for Leicester, ***** for Liverpool - I rest my case

[supersub]

John Aldridge scored goals for everyone and he was never considered world class,yet his record is phenomenal.

[Thor Viking]

John Aldridge scored goals for everyone and he was never considered world class,yet his record is phenomenal.

And David Fairclough were the supersub of all times ! How many do you think the Rush copy Aldridge would`ve scored today ?

[big al]

True supersub true Rush himself was'nt exactly prolific for Juventus,  Creativity is the key and we lack it in bucket fulls at the moment.

[Thor Viking]

True supersub true Rush himself was'nt exactly prolific for Juventus,  Creativity is the key and we lack it in bucket fulls at the moment.

You`d still beat Pompey tomorrow though ? Please !!!!!