Liverpool FC Forum

by **72-1136150807** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 8:52 pm

Yea, was a poor all round performance even though relatively weak opposition.
However, we need to take into account, that a team that was in the third division (using old terms) of the English leagues last year was playing the EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS, so they would have been more than up for it.
For some of those guys it will have been the biggest games of their lives to date, and may even be the biggest game they ever play in. Also the simple matter that this was the F.A Cup, and though not as important in the grand scale of things as it used to be, it does still have that magic about it, that make such games happen, year in, year out.

The negatives are all to apparent, so dont think I need to touch those, but in terms of positives, the resilience and fight we showed was excellent. The Liverpool of a year ago today, would not have had the self belief that we could come back, and we would be out.
But that night of 25th May 2005, did more for us than bring home the trophy for keeps. It also gave the players the belief that WE CAN come back when behind in games, and we do have the quality to do so.
Much in the same way we came back at the Reebok last weekend, a year ago we would have lost that match too.

At least we are through and still the possibilty of another Cup along with the possibility of still winning the Champions League again (though defending of today will be puished sverely by 'better' teams!).

by **yckatbjywtbiastkamb** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 8:52 pm

dont underestimate what a fired up 11 players can do, the greatest team we`ve ever had lost to the likes of brighton - twice and a 2nd division chelsea side who`s star player was called clive walker!!
and thats when we were the best team in europe by far.
you get games like that in the cup, thats why its so special, but i think the liverpool of houllier, souness and probably roy evans loses that game. rafa has instilled in this squad that you dont give up, and more importantly, the players themselves have the confidence in each other to know their never out of a game.
it was a throwback to the old days and why people of my generation love the F.A cup.

by **Garymac** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 8:52 pm

In games like that against championship sides you know there going to be rampant 1st half and you have to cope, and simply we never. 2nd half they tire and 1 part of are game changed which improved the whole performance, Finnan and Risse got involved and pushed on and it let Kewell, Gerrars and Alonso exploit the space ahead.

In games like this its normally your captain who you look to, to dig you out the sh!te but not tonight, quite simply Xabi was the man. He does all the talking he needs to with his feet, cool, composed, keeps posession, has an eye for goal! he quite captains the footballing side of things while Gerrard captains his teammates, i dont who its against, AC Milan or Luton, if your 3-1 down away from home and you come back to win 5-3 after a misrable hour, it shows youve got heart, caracter and big Fu*king balls, Liverpools class shone through in the end.

Yes there will be consquences to this cos cisse is god damn awful and placing Pongolle along side him just how much ability Cisse doesnt possess and i think the defence didnt play well, but we are through and Boring Boring liverpool put a hell of a show on for the nation (We could win these games against AC Milan and Luton 1 nil but theres a general public who you have to keep happy when your live on the telly)

by **tubby** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 8:53 pm

Never the less it showed good spirt and was maybe the shake up we needed after the Bolton game. Im sure Rafa being the perfectionist he is will still be very critical of the goals we let in but credit must go to him once again for tactically masterminding this latest comeback.

Credit should also go to Sinema Pongolle who just might have edged over Cisse in Rafas good books. I wouldnt be surprised after his performance tonight to see him play a part against Spurs. Both his goals were clean great finishes.

We always knew Alonso could striker them from far but his two goals today really did underline his world class vision. I think the second broke a record if im not mistaken. I think the reason we conceded tonight is beacsue im sure Jamie and Sammi were tired. Hopefully byt the time we play spurs well have some more backup in the defensive dept we can call upson.

Gerrard was well as usual the driving force behind us tonight.

As for Kromkamp. No matter how good you are, making your debut in a match like tonight at the point in time he came on was going to proves nerve racking. Im sure hell come good once hes settled down a bit.

All in all a great spectacle for the neautral. We can be happy in the manner of the comeback but we must also be critical about our mistakes. Stevie himself after the game he was not happy with the performance..

PS. Anyone see Stevie calling for the ball at the end waving his arms then his reaction as soon as he saw it go in. Classic Match!!!!!

by **Garymac** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 8:54 pm

Alonso14 wrote:I think motm is between Gerrard, Sinama and Finnan (the only of the back four who performed).

Kewel impressed me again as well.

I think your name was the man of the match mate

by **tubby** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 8:55 pm

PSI know this will probabaly be ina new thread by tommorrow but i really hope Pongolle does not leave now. Hes done himself a lot of favours tonight. He showed Rafas hes capable of passing long and accurate, he finished 2 goals that Cisse would have mot likely missed.

by **ynwa** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 8:56 pm

could have killed luton if we played the same way as the 2nd half:blues:

by **A.B.** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 8:56 pm

Hoodfella wrote:Yea, was a poor all round performance even though relatively weak opposition.
However, we need to take into account, that a team that was in the third division (using old terms) of the English leagues last year was playing the EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS, so they would have been more than up for it.
For some of those guys it will have been the biggest games of their lives to date, and may even be the biggest game they ever play in. Also the simple matter that this was the F.A Cup, and though not as important in the grand scale of things as it used to be, it does still have that magic about it, that make such games happen, year in, year out.

The negatives are all to apparent, so dont think I need to touch those, but in terms of positives, the resilience and fight we showed was excellent. The Liverpool of a year ago today, would not have had the self belief that we could come back, and we would be out.
But that night of 25th May 2005, did more for us than bring home the trophy for keeps. It also gave the players the belief that WE CAN come back when behind in games, and we do have the quality to do so.
Much in the same way we came back at the Reebok last weekend, a year ago we would have lost that match too.

At least we are through and still the possibilty of another Cup along with the possibility of still winning the Champions League again (though defending of today will be puished sverely by 'better' teams!).

We went what 9 or 10 games without conceding a goal, and playing against Chelsea,Betis,etc... Even Boro and Newcastle had players who were capable of scoring goals but we didn't let them.

What it's important is that we correct our mistakes, in the past few games we haven't done that. We made mistakes against Everton and conceded a goal. We did it against Bolton and now today. We can't keep doing this if we want seriously to push up in the table.

We made it far too difficult than it should had been, but it was entertaining non the less.

by **A.B.** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 8:59 pm

Hopefully byt the time we play spurs well have some more backup in the defensive dept we can call upson.

Your post was good bu call on Upson? And do what, conced more goals? Upson is a joke of a defender, I've never seen anyone make so many mistakes consistantly. Overrated player that is average at best.

by **drummerphil** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 9:00 pm

i dont think any of our players deserve mom actually.............we were lucky to get away with a disgusting performance.......nothing more.

by **Ciggy** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 9:00 pm

What an Xabi goal at the end made my day that did, thats why they are in the Championship and we are in the prem

Well I think its safe to say we wont be seeing Carson again for a long while, our defence was ripped apart today, and it wasnt pleasant on the eyes, we only showed up about the last 20 minutes.
But a big change from last season where we would have just conceded the tie.
Well done Pongolle lad he always pulls the goods out the bag in times of need :buttrock

by **Reinas No.1 Fan** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 9:01 pm

It was a good match to watch.

Credit to rafa and especially Flo Po.

I hope Flo Po gets an extended run in the team with that helpful performance. The way he finished the first goal showed signs of Henry and the second goal was a brilliant header.

by **metalhead** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 9:02 pm

drummerphil wrote:i dont think any of our players deserve mom actually.............we were lucky to get away with a disgusting performance.......nothing more.

first half awful preformance!!!

second half we outclassed them

by **A.B.** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 9:02 pm

Carra and Sami were knackered, this is why we need a CB. I'm praying here for a CB, bring on AGGER

by **Garymac** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 9:03 pm

http://www.yourfilehost.com/media.php?cat=video&file=3_3_alonso.wmv

theres alonso's 1st there folks!

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