Liverpool FC Forum

[andy_g]

i missed the first half today so i'm guessing his best moments must have been in that half. he didn't do anything so special in the second that made me sit up and take notice. the most important kick he missed was the one he should have aimed at kuyt's head for taking that shot off the end of his boot.

[LFC2007]

i missed the first half today so i'm guessing his best moments must have been in that half.

They were, for sure. Three moments stood out:

1) Slid Gerrard through in behind who crossed for Torres, shot wide.

2) Flick round the corner for Gerrard to run onto who shot wide.

3) Glancing header at frontpost from Gerrard corner, saved.

[Kerry07]

Hes very tidy in possession... he doesnt treat the ball as though its a hot potatoe. It doesnt bounce off his shins, and hes calm and composed with the ball at his feet - very rare in our team.

Must start every game, and on the right. Babel should also start on the left as he provides the variation of much needed pace/plus will gain confidence the more he plays. The only change to todays front 6 should be either Aquilani or Benayoun in for kuyt.

[bigmick]

I must admit I didn't see anything from him today to get over excited about, and I thought he was a bit quiet overall. I don't know about "Man of the Match" either when Torres and Gerrard play like that, but it's all opinions I suppose.

He's clearly though a good player, has good skill, touch and balance. As LFC said, (and to contradict myself) he certainly offered more with his awareness and touch than Kuyt ever does (although in fairness i though Dirk had a decent game) but there is always a worry from me about his desire when put under physical pressure. People talk about him being cheap at 1.5 mill, but he'll be on a chunky contract which will put the deal up to 10 million quid or so minimum. If I was guessing as to whether or not he'll prove to be worth it, although it's early I'd be a bit doubtful based on what we've seen so far. Like I say though, like Aquilani he is obviously a talented footballer so at least he has a chance.

[Owzat]

I agree BM, he had a good game and possibly his best, but I think some are getting carried away. I see the animosity towards Kuyt remains, any excuse to exclude Kuyt from the XI, but against a more difficult opposition then I'd rather have Kuyt than Maxi. I think the same "getting carried away" applies to Babel, had a better than usual game, but where again was the end product? Still I guess the more names you can get carried away over, the further back in a queue you can shove Kuyt.............................

[crazyhorse]

I think that Maxi will become a bargain signing to one day rival that of Sammi. He is a class act and has shown it playing for club and country; with the only question mark being if he will adapt to the physical demands and pace of the English game. However of all south american players it seems that those from Argentina have managed to adapt better than most. (with the exception of that bald bloke Veron who played for MANURE)!!!!!

[DrPepe]

Is a technically good player who lacks the pace needed to be top class. Will score a dozen goals if he stays for the next season or so and will therefore justify his fee.

hard to get too excited though, he is squad "filler" more than anything else.

[LittleHobo]

personally i think hes been woefull in 90% of his games so far

falls over to easy,lacks pace, cant beat players

[Ben Patrick]

He is not a wide player that will beat his man one on one or tricky.
But he is a clever player with good awareness, two good feet and spots a pass as well.
Against Portsmouth and Sunderland he played really well and i think he should definately be in the side ahead of Kuyt.
You can see the difference in the fluency of our attacks when he is in the side.
Kuyt robbed him of a very good chance of a goal yeterday as well.

[stmichael]

I like him. He excels when the passing and movement in the team is good. Should never play on the left though.

[Fauxy]

He is improving every week, settling in very well.

He just needs to adjust to the pace and physicality of this league a bit more and he will be fine.

[bunglemark2]

Fauxy, I'm not convinced he will....

[DrPepe]

Fauxy, I'm not convinced he will....

does he need to?

this isn't a 15mill (or even a 8m) player - this guy was bought for  about a tenth of Nani's fee (for example) and is probably on less wages too.

He was a bit of an emergency  purchase to increase the attacking potential of an underperforming squad

he's effectively disposable 

[andy_g]

hhhhmmm.... 'maxi disposable'. sounds like a different kind of product to me.

[LittleHobo]

hes ok at 1.5 mill but should be play infront of babel or benayoun?

nope