Liverpool FC Forum

by **RedorDead** » Wed Jul 27, 2005 8:52 am

This is part of a post I put in another thread but feel it is worth a discussion of it's own.
Some people are talking about a lack of sharpness after 6 pre-season games and these qualifiers.....I think this is not down to any physical state but more the mental state of players. Players just do not get as motivated or driven for these sorts of games as they do when the league starts proper. It's the same with the league cup, teams and players just don't push themselves. This is why some of the bigger teams, us included have struggled against lesser opposition, even in the premiership. We have always been extremely competitive against the top 4-5 teams in the league year in and year out, last year's short comings were against Southampton, Palace, Burnley....it is this mentality of playing the lesser teams that Rafa needs to work on and if he gets that right then I see no reason we can't challenge at the very top this season. Of course we do need to strengthen defensively and have some luck with injuries but remember Rafa won the league with Valencia while Real Madrid were spending their millions on their Galacticos....I'd love to see a similar result here!!

by **Rafalution** » Wed Jul 27, 2005 9:06 am

Personally, I am not reading too much into the sharpness of the players at present. I think that there are a number of our top players who are playing well within their capabilities at present and are not giving anywhere near 100 %. Gerrard and Alonso for example are certainly not playing near their best at the moment and to be honest I can't blame them.

We have a lot of games coming up this season and I for one would like us to be winning our champions league games 1-0 every time with minimum effort possible in an effort to ensure we do not have top players suffering from burnout later in the season.

IMO, so long as they players are sharp when they are playing against Boro first game of the season, then I don't really care what we are playing like in pre-season so long as we aren't being beaten when playing our hearts out.

by **JohnBull** » Wed Jul 27, 2005 9:12 am

We were always going to have an Istambul hangover which is why I was happy being stuck into the qualifying rounds. With a bit of luck it will bring them down to earth in time for the start of the Prem.
The formations being used now will not be the same come the start of the season, obviously Sammi cannot be left on his lonesome again like last night and if no one comes in we will have to revert to a fuller defence.
I only hope that they get a bit more practice in with the crosses and clearances when the big lad is on the pitch. We are not using him enough in the couple of games so far but the way in which he's shaping up with Cisse is good to see.
I don't think we've seen the starting line up for the prem yet.

by **112-1077774096** » Wed Jul 27, 2005 9:19 am

not too concerned to be honest.

i think the real match fitness will come with playing games in the premier league when you have to go at 100%. at the moment even in the european games we must be at about 60%

by **azriahmad** » Wed Jul 27, 2005 10:35 am

Exactly, peewee.

I am, however, more concerned about the way our defenders - Hyppia and Josemi when he plays - lose out so easily and present goalscoring chances to the opposition. Very evident in the first goal last night and the one almost back heeled by the no. 19. If we were facing a more clinical strike force, we'd be counting the goals conceded almost every time.

The defence can be so slow to react to threats some times, make my stomach turn every time!

by **A.B.** » Wed Jul 27, 2005 2:06 pm

Not concerned, it's pre-season and I expected rustyness through out our games. We should be able to get it together by the time we start the Premiership.

I'm looking forward to the new CB, whoever he may be.

by **jeffiroquai** » Wed Jul 27, 2005 6:15 pm

I agree with John Bull. I think the qualifiers are good for the squad, and are making the lads focus a bit more in preseason than they normally would. And remember, if we weren't playing against ther European minnows, we would be off in Asia getting booted by overanxious J league and malaysian squads. Or losing to an under 21 asian squad......oh wait, that was Everton!!!!

by **H_K_LFC** » Wed Jul 27, 2005 6:28 pm

jeffiroquai wrote:Or losing to an under 21 asian squad......oh wait, that was Everton!!!!

LOLOLOLOLOLOL :laugh:

by **mikopool** » Wed Jul 27, 2005 7:09 pm

Come start of the season we are going to be quick out the blocks and a lot of other teams will be lagging, I can assure you of that, I am of course not impressed, but I am sure this early poor form will be better then start of the season poor form.

by **A.B.** » Wed Jul 27, 2005 7:13 pm

Actually some of the players have said that they're taking the CL qualifiers as pre-season friendlies, which might explain why they aren't exactly giving their all.

by **Lando_Griffin** » Thu Jul 28, 2005 1:54 am

And don't forget that Kaunas are in the middle of their domestic season, ergo they will be at their best.

Liverpool FC Forum

Our match sharpness - Any concerns?

Who is online