Liverpool FC Forum

by **The Ace1983** » Sat Jan 01, 2005 5:31 pm

2004 was a year of mixed fortunes for the Mighty Reds. Securing the services of the lightning fast Djibril Cisse and seeing him follow in the footsteps of so many others who play against Blackburn and breaking his leg. Out with the insane old Houllier and in with the promising new Benitez. Loaning the Useless Diouf and finding out that he can be quite a good player (when he isn't spitting at people) and still wondering who Aliou Diarra acyually is.

But what does the new year hold for us?
The first thing to look forward to is action in the January transfer window which will now almost certainly see a new striker in the shape of Morientes or Anelka (probably Morientes) who are both high class goal getters which is desperite need. Pablo Aimar and the young Leeds keeper are also possibilities but I think a lot of us still want a new defender especially now that Henchoz is on his way out.

Next up we have a very healthy cup semi against Watford, although we should not underestimate these minnows who destroyed both Portsmouth and Southampton (even though that's not too hard to do).

German Opposition awaits us in the last 16 of the Champions League which is probably better than any of the Italian sides and with our reputation against French teams, it's probably better than drawing Lyon. It is fairly certain that we won't win the Champions League, but the better we do, the more likely we are to keep Gerrard.

All that is left to talk about is the Premiership, which once again has run away from us, which is easier to stomach as we are looking better than last year and who could realistically expect Benitez to take a slightly-better-than-average team to the championship.

But we are looking sharper than Middlesborough, Everton and the others (despite losing to both of them) and I am still confident we can get the Champions league spot that we need.

All that's left to talk about is the long term injury list that will have to be rectified soon. Kewell, Cisse and now Alonso are all out and we need replacements for two of them (now that Riise is looking so good, Kewell's injury isn't so bad) and then.

Let us also look forward to the continued good form of Riise, Baros and especially Stevie G (The G standing for God of course).

Let us all wish the team and staff the best of luck for the coming year. Happy new year all.

by **A.B.** » Sat Jan 01, 2005 5:35 pm

Carragher,Finnan,Nunez are other players that are improving in every game. Traore played much better today than he did against WBA and I hope he will stay in good form.

Pongolle is also a player who is maturing into a better player week in and week out.

Plenty of things to look forward to.

by **7_Kewell** » Sat Jan 01, 2005 5:51 pm

Traore played much better today

he's an awful player....even my gran watching the game on the telli told me she thought he was a donkey!

by **A.B.** » Sat Jan 01, 2005 5:53 pm

I said he played better

by **7_Kewell** » Sat Jan 01, 2005 5:55 pm

he's a Div1....sorry, championship player at most. Hopefully Rafa will ship him out at the end of the season along with Vignal and the other dross.

by **The_Rock** » Sat Jan 01, 2005 5:58 pm

wasn't that impressed with nunez too...actually did we attack down our right flank in the 2nd half ?

by **Santa** » Sat Jan 01, 2005 6:00 pm

7_Kewell wrote:
Traore played much better today

he's an awful player....even my gran watching the game on the telli told me she thought he was a donkey!

Not "was"..."is"!

by **A.B.** » Sat Jan 01, 2005 6:01 pm

Can't remember. Baros should be fit by Monday, thats something to look forward too.

by **bigmick** » Sat Jan 01, 2005 6:01 pm

I think you're being a touch harsh on Traore mate to be honest. I don't mean to take issue with your gran or anything, she's entitled to her opinion same as anyone else but I think (honestly) that Traore may make a player. Probably as a centre-half rather than a left-back, and maybe not at Anfield if we can't afford to wait for him but I suspect he'll become a player in the end.

by **bigmick** » Sat Jan 01, 2005 6:04 pm

Nunez is an interesting one. Undoubtedly he's improved a tad and while not exactly lighting games up looks kindof competent. I know Leons seen something in him and has been keen to talk him up but sofar I can't get overly excited myself. Hope he's called it right though, we defo could do with some good wide-players.

by **A.B.** » Sat Jan 01, 2005 6:06 pm

Nunez isn't a world-class player and he won't become one but he is a squad player.

by **stmichael** » Sat Jan 01, 2005 6:08 pm

bigmick wrote:Nunez is an interesting one. Undoubtedly he's improved a tad and while not exactly lighting games up looks kindof competent. I know Leons seen something in him and has been keen to talk him up but sofar I can't get overly excited myself. Hope he's called it right though, we defo could do with some good wide-players.

yeah at least he holds his position and provides genuine width. before he came on, absolutely everything was going down the left side because garcia is not a natural wide man and kept drifting infield.

by **A.B.** » Sat Jan 01, 2005 6:10 pm

Good point mick.

by **7_Kewell** » Sat Jan 01, 2005 6:32 pm

I like Nunez, he's a useful squad player.

by **The_Rock** » Sat Jan 01, 2005 6:35 pm

Thats why we also need a right winger....i mean a 1st choice right winger.

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What do we have to look forward to? - The new year preview

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