Liverpool FC Forum

by **Ace Ventura** » Thu Mar 02, 2006 5:29 pm

John your right mate, as is anyone who says the Benfica game is more important.
But i am worried that the players are getting themselves into a position were they are used to playing a certain way and when it gets like that its difficult to change the focus and tempo in games.
I know it will be a big night at anfield and the crowd will be behind the players as always, but i would rather we upped the ante a bit against charlton so as the players dont have to reach a whole new level in the Benfica game.

by **JC_81** » Thu Mar 02, 2006 5:41 pm

Ace Ventura wrote:John your right mate, as is anyone who says the Benfica game is more important.
But i am worried that the players are getting themselves into a position were they are used to playing a certain way and when it gets like that its difficult to change the focus and tempo in games.
I know it will be a big night at anfield and the crowd will be behind the players as always, but i would rather we upped the ante a bit against charlton so as the players dont have to reach a whole new level in the Benfica game.

I hear what you're saying Ace, and I agree that you should try and play at a high tempo all the time because it is a good habit for the team to have.

To be honest though, the tempo hasn't been the problem or the reason as to why we're only scoring 1 goal in games as far as I see it. It's simply finishing the chances. We weren't at our best against City but our tempo was fine and we created a lot of chances, Crouch alone could have had 3. The problem is that :

1) our strikers don't have enough confidence at the moment, mainly because the press have made a big deal of them not scoring enough.

2) we haven't found the right combination up front yet. Crouch and Moro have no pace when they're together, Cisse can't play with anyone and Fowler is still getting used to the system we play.

3) it is basically getting to the stage for Morientes that he's not going to do it in the Premiership, Cisse is already well past that

by **Ace Ventura** » Thu Mar 02, 2006 5:49 pm

john craig wrote:
Ace Ventura wrote:John your right mate, as is anyone who says the Benfica game is more important.
But i am worried that the players are getting themselves into a position were they are used to playing a certain way and when it gets like that its difficult to change the focus and tempo in games.
I know it will be a big night at anfield and the crowd will be behind the players as always, but i would rather we upped the ante a bit against charlton so as the players dont have to reach a whole new level in the Benfica game.

I hear what you're saying Ace, and I agree that you should try and play at a high tempo all the time because it is a good habit for the team to have.

To be honest though, the tempo hasn't been the problem or the reason as to why we're only scoring 1 goal in games as far as I see it. It's simply finishing the chances. We weren't at our best against City but our tempo was fine and we created a lot of chances, Crouch alone could have had 3. The problem is that :

1) our strikers don't have enough confidence at the moment, mainly because the press have made a big deal of them not scoring enough.

2) we haven't found the right combination up front yet. Crouch and Moro have no pace when they're together, Cisse can't play with anyone and Fowler is still getting used to the system we play.

3) it is basically getting to the stage for Morientes that he's not going to do it in the Premiership, Cisse is already well past that

The manager needs to stop persisting with Morientes, i would start Fowler and Crouch.
I've also mentioned this before, whenever Robbie has played so far its been alongside Morientes, where Robbie has been the one making all the aerial challenges with Nando trying to feed off him. I think we would see a different Fowler altogether.
His movement would i think benefit Peters game as well, Crouch's use of the ball is very decent and i think the possibilty of them linking well is very high.

by **Lando_Griffin** » Thu Mar 02, 2006 6:37 pm

I'd give Fowler and Crouch a run together, with Cisse replacing the big man after about 60 minutes so his pace can destroy Charlton's defence.

No prizes for guessing which striker will start in reality, though!!!!!

by **48-1119859832** » Thu Mar 02, 2006 6:56 pm

Lando_Griffin wrote:Cisse replacing the big man after about 60 minutes so his pace can destroy Charlton's defence.

In the words of Andy Gray "Not a chance".

:laugh:

by **bigmick** » Thu Mar 02, 2006 7:23 pm

I'd actually rest a few on saturday. John is spot on when he taklks about the importance of finishing second, it'd be nice but we've got other things to worry about (in direct contrast to Man U who have nothing else to play for). I'd trade a spot in the final with a shot at winning the FA cup, or a semi final appearance in the CL for second any day.
If Finnan was injured Wednesday, then rest him and stick Kromkamp back there. Leave Agger in and rest Carragher/Hyypia. Give Gerrard a rest and start with Alonso/Hamann, playing Garcia wide right. Oh and I almost forgot, please please please rest Morientes. If only to spare us the inevitable "see I told he was class" retorts when he does eventually score. Please, any combo of Crouch/Fowler/Cisse with my own hunch for a Fowler/Cisse duo.

by **desperado0831** » Thu Mar 02, 2006 7:41 pm

A narrow win. Crouch. OUCH!

by **stmichael** » Thu Mar 02, 2006 8:42 pm

bigmick wrote:I'd actually rest a few on saturday.

Wednesday is important but we must put pressure on the Mancs and push for 2nd spot as much as possible.

No doubt that changes will be made on Saturday but not that many. I'd rather start with a strong line-up and take a safe 3-0 lead till about the 60th minute and then give a few a rest.

If people thought February was a tough month, March is going to be a killer! Possibly not as many games, but more important which will cause more mental fatigue than physical and that could be more harmful

Just hoping that we don't lose any important players over the next couple of weeks.

by **RAFABENITEZ** » Thu Mar 02, 2006 10:41 pm

----------------Reina----------------
Kromakmp----Carra---Agger---Warnock
-------------------------------------
Garcia----Hamann--Alonso------Riise-
----------Cisse-----Nando----------

rest Stevie n sami for benfica

by **H_K_LFC** » Thu Mar 02, 2006 10:47 pm

The players are able to handle 2 games a week so theres no need to rest our big players.Maybe take them off after 70 mins but no need them to miss the whole game.

by **metalhead** » Thu Mar 02, 2006 11:40 pm

its going to be a tight game! i hope liverpool will win, and im confident that will win 2-0

by **Effes** » Fri Mar 03, 2006 12:36 am

On Century FM tonight they were saying that apparently if Cisse plays some more games (not sure the number) then we have to pay Auxerre upto £2M extra...

Can anyone confirm this?

by **Scottbot** » Fri Mar 03, 2006 12:40 am

I agree it would be best to rest a few of the players and i expect Rafa will see it this way. I'd certainly stick with Agger and Kromkamp. I'd be tempted to recall Carra and give Dolf a week off coz the big man must be tired. Stevie needs a rest every once in a while (whether he believes it or not) and the Benfica game is now the biggest of our season so far. I'd defo like to see Crouch and Robbie playing up front together as they (for me) represent the most promising partnership among our front men. Fowler is more likely to gamble on the bits and pieces you get from Crouch and has the intelliegnece (if not the mobility) to play off and around the big man.

While it would be nice to hammer Charlton i don't think it will happen. I'm just happy with the 3 points.

by **Lando_Griffin** » Fri Mar 03, 2006 1:49 am

0asis wrote:
Lando_Griffin wrote:Cisse replacing the big man after about 60 minutes so his pace can destroy Charlton's defence.

In the words of Andy Gray "Not a chance".

In what sense?

by **Dalglish** » Fri Mar 03, 2006 1:55 am

Bit of a dilemna for Rafa this Saturday and a key indicator as to where the great man's aspirations lie for this season. I

Suspect he will rest a few players given that we play Benfica next week......Hard to argue with him if he does so. Yes, beating the Mancs to 2nd place will guarnatee bragging rights in the North West and automatic qualification into the Champions League next season but as we have shown in the past we don't need automatic qualification to win the fecker

Charlton should be 3points without the need to field his strongest side as they rarely travel well.

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