Liverpool FC Forum

by **Anfield rapper** » Sun Jan 07, 2007 6:04 pm

Every cloud has a silver lining and i've just seen the bitters have been thumped 4-1 at home by Blackburn so that's something.

by **Liverpool4Life** » Sun Jan 07, 2007 6:22 pm

I am a die hard fan and to see the reds get a wipping like that, is not what i intend to do during my holidays! We miss Sissoko, a class act. Plays hard and was the engine room b4 he was injured.

by **Redman in wales** » Sun Jan 07, 2007 6:24 pm

peterc1992 wrote:
Redman in wales wrote:
Lando_Griffin wrote:It may have escaped everyone's attention, but Arsenal had THEIR reserve 'keeper in goal aswell.

Don't blame Rafa for a truely sh*tty display by an International Goalkeeper. There's only so much a manager can do in those situations.

I think if today has highlighted anything about the team, it's our lack of pace along the back line. With Sami being phased out, the other defenders just do not have the ability to read a situation like the big Finn, so they NEED pace to come out on top.

I also re-iterate that Riise just is not good enough to play at left back, especially against swift wingers.

I thought Pennant was pretty good again, and looks to have gained some confidence from the Bolton game.

The others were pretty much their usual selves, with the obvious exceptions playing badly.

Special mention to the Kop aswell. Impeccable support. Whoever sorts these things out deserves a knighthood.

i agree with lando in most points there.

reading through all the drivel on here there are a few points to make.

1. Dudek
dudek played because he is a good international keeper, because he was promised to play in the cup games and to give reina a rest.

the goals were not soley his fault. yes he could have done more to save them, but when was the last time he played against quality opposition? - he was not match fit. his reflexes were slower than usual as he isn't playing regular football against top class opposition. Poor defending, ball watching, and a simple mistake by carra were just as much to blame as dudek. don't make him a scapegoat for the defeat.

I feel that it was his reaction time and positioning that cost him, but they were a result of not playing regularly.

and as lando mentioned, arsenal had their reserve keeper in goal as well. - and how much did we test him? - 2, yep, TWO shots on target (according to SSN anyway)

2. substitutions
The only bit that puzzels me to be honest. maureen is well documented for making bold substitutions when all is not going well, and quite often it pays off. Why bellers didnt get on the pitch i dont know - if he wasnt fit then fowler should have been on the bench, and if fowler wasn't fit, then el zahr or lindfield could have been on the bench as an attacking option. then we could also have been daring and bring on a striker for a midfielder, or a midfielder for a defender.

I can only assume that as arsenal were defending so deep, rafa thought this would nulify one of craigs main attributes (his speed and hanging off the shoulder of the last man) - so he decideded to keep crouch and kuyt on (who imho, did the best they could in that situation)

That second half would have been ideal for robbie, but sadly being 4th choice has its downsides.

3. this is the same liverpool squad that after beating bolton, many people were saying we can finish 2nd or even 1st

make your minds up!

when we beat bolton, two threads were started about how we could finish 2nd... and some said even 1st. this is the same squad that lost to arsenal , and now everyone claims we're sh.it, criticising crouch, risse, garcia etc

basically everyone loses sometime. thats football. you can not win every game. look at the second half again. the lads gave it their all, but could not find a way through an arsenal back 4, well a back 8 really, because they were sitting so deep and were quite content to have 10men behind the ball. - its a good tactic, and one we've used on many occasion in knockout tournaments.

we lost against one of the top 4 sides in the country, and arguably the best pure footballing side in the prem. deal with it.

u say that we cant blame dudek because he wasnt match fit,maybe he wasnt but he cost us the game because of that,maybe if carrgher didnt slip,we would be all cheering there praises now but terrible keeping,he wasnt match fit?then why we risk someone like thyat big game

no. if you read it i said "the goals were not soley his fault and he could have done more to save them"

i dint say way we cant blame dudek - i just mean it was the defence as a whole to blame - not tackling, ball watching.

Anyway its one of those things that is imposible to say 'we could have won if..."

IF it had been 0-0 at half time, arsenal may have come out in the second half and not thrown 10men behind the ball, and it would have been a different game - we may not had had all that possesion - but we still might have lost anyway. hell, reina was in goal last time we played arsenal and we lost 3-0

by **mattylfc** » Mon Jan 08, 2007 3:16 pm

Very Frustrating game once again.

Similar story as we dominated possession and were in control until they scored. Arsenal were clinical and took advantage of some sloppy errors.

The first goal came from Riise giving the ball away and then failing to close Hleb down, he had far too much space. Dont think you can blame Dudek, it was a quality finish.

Second goal, you could argue that dudek should have saved it but Rosicky should never have been able to get a shot off in the first place, terrible defending.

Third goal started from a bad pass from Alonso, Carragher then messed up uncharachteristically and once again dudek could maybe have done better.

Think its a bit harsh to point the finger at Dudek alone though as many have, more than one person at fault on all three goals. When I saw the starting line up i was happy with it so cant complain too much now.

I was disappointed with performances from the likes of Gerrard,Agger and Alonso. All of which were below par IMO and could have gave us more, i expect a little extra by their standards. Riise was pretty poor once again and Aurelio provided us with one of the biggest positives from the game. Riise really does need to buck up, doesnt look the same player at the moment.

I was also a little disappointed with Finnan to be honest. He didnt do anything wrong and was his normal consistant self. I just wanted to see him get forward a bit more and push on when we had possession. I know its not something that is not natural to him but its certainly something the team needs.

Garcia was his normal self, good and bad spells. As many have said on here, it was a bit strange he didnt bring Bellamy on. Can understand him leaving it a bit after we scored the first goal to see if we gained momentum but would have gave him 10mins atleast.

Think this game will change Rafas perspective on carling cup tie with arsenal, he will really want to win it now and we may see a stronger line up.

by **Anfield rapper** » Mon Jan 08, 2007 3:24 pm

mattylfc wrote:Very Frustrating game once again.

Similar story as we dominated possession and were in control until they scored. Arsenal were clinical and took advantage of some sloppy errors.

The first goal came from Riise giving the ball away and then failing to close Hleb down, he had far too much space. Dont think you can blame Dudek, it was a quality finish.

Second goal, you could argue that dudek should have saved it but Rosicky should never have been able to get a shot off in the first place, terrible defending.

Third goal started from a bad pass from Alonso, Carragher then messed up uncharachteristically and once again dudek could maybe have done better.

Think its a bit harsh to point the finger at Dudek alone though as many have, more than one person at fault on all three goals. When I saw the starting line up i was happy with it so cant complain too much now.

I was disappointed with performances from the likes of Gerrard,Agger and Alonso. All of which were below par IMO and could have gave us more, i expect a little extra by their standards. Riise was pretty poor once again and Aurelio provided us with one of the biggest positives from the game. Riise really does need to buck up, doesnt look the same player at the moment.

I was also a little disappointed with Finnan to be honest. He didnt do anything wrong and was his normal consistant self. I just wanted to see him get forward a bit more and push on when we had possession. I know its not something that is not natural to him but its certainly something the team needs.

Garcia was his normal self, good and bad spells. As many have said on here, it was a bit strange he didnt bring Bellamy on. Can understand him leaving it a bit after we scored the first goal to see if we gained momentum but would have gave him 10mins atleast.

Think this game will change Rafas perspective on carling cup tie with arsenal, he will really want to win it now and we may see a stronger line up.

I agree with your post and i can sort of see the reasoning when you say he should use a stronger line up in the CC, but why play a weaker team in the FA cup and then play a stronger team in the Carling cup? If Rafa does i will be completley baffled as to what his priorities are. I wanted Reina playing in the FA cup game but to put him in how would be like saying the Carling cup is more important than the FA cup. I know its the quater finals but i wouldn't put that trophy on my side board.

by **MASTER** » Mon Jan 08, 2007 3:37 pm

Everyone we won this thing last year and no one defends this thing for a two in a row anyway and they at least gave their best shot unlike against Burnley 2 years ago, have you all forgot Djimi's back heel in to the goal and playing like a total clown as well.

Plus if Reina had done his ligaments or something like Owen did in the world cup what would you all say then well?

Also when would you have played the replay with us playing: Saturday-Tuesday-Sunday-Wednesday until the end of the season.
And remember 2 years ago after Gerrard lost the Carling Cup Final he went on a blistering run of form eventually winning the UEFA Champions League and isn't that a bit more important?
[B]

by **adamnbarrett** » Mon Jan 08, 2007 3:37 pm

Rafa Benitez claims he is not dwelling on the FA Cup defeat against Arsenal and insists: "Tuesday will be different".
Liverpool are preparing to face Arsenal for the second time in four days, this time in the Carling Cup quarter-final.

"Tuesday will be a different game. Maybe I will make a few changes to the team I originally had in my head for the match," said Benitez.

"We will have to see how the players are before picking the team, but it is more important to stay in the Carling Cup now."

--------

So he's playing the first team and not the reserves for this one then . I guess he wants win win it now to make up for the FA Cup exit.

I wouldn't mind another trip to Cardiff. A trophy is a trophy IMO, however less glourious it may be :buttrock

by **red37** » Mon Jan 08, 2007 3:44 pm

just as a curiosity now.....

4th round draw:

Arsenal v Bolton Wanderers
West Ham United v Watford
Bristol City or Coventry City v Hull City or Middlesbrough
Chelsea v Nottingham Forest
Chester City or Ipswich Town v Swansea City
Cardiff City or Tottenham Hotspur v Southend United or Barnsley
Barnet or Colchester United v Peterborough United or Plymouth Argyle
Birmingham City or Newcastle United v Reading or Burnley
Derby County v Bristol Rovers
Sheffield Wednesday or Manchester City v Southampton
Crystal Palace v Preston North End
Manchester United v Portsmouth
Blackpool v Norwich City
Queens Park Rangers or Luton Town v Blackburn Rovers
Wolverhampton Wanderers or Oldham Athletic v West Bromwich Albion
Leicester City or Fulham v Stoke City

by **mattylfc** » Mon Jan 08, 2007 3:48 pm

Anfield rapper wrote:
mattylfc wrote:Very Frustrating game once again.

Similar story as we dominated possession and were in control until they scored. Arsenal were clinical and took advantage of some sloppy errors.

The first goal came from Riise giving the ball away and then failing to close Hleb down, he had far too much space. Dont think you can blame Dudek, it was a quality finish.

Second goal, you could argue that dudek should have saved it but Rosicky should never have been able to get a shot off in the first place, terrible defending.

Third goal started from a bad pass from Alonso, Carragher then messed up uncharachteristically and once again dudek could maybe have done better.

Think its a bit harsh to point the finger at Dudek alone though as many have, more than one person at fault on all three goals. When I saw the starting line up i was happy with it so cant complain too much now.

I was disappointed with performances from the likes of Gerrard,Agger and Alonso. All of which were below par IMO and could have gave us more, i expect a little extra by their standards. Riise was pretty poor once again and Aurelio provided us with one of the biggest positives from the game. Riise really does need to buck up, doesnt look the same player at the moment.

I was also a little disappointed with Finnan to be honest. He didnt do anything wrong and was his normal consistant self. I just wanted to see him get forward a bit more and push on when we had possession. I know its not something that is not natural to him but its certainly something the team needs.

Garcia was his normal self, good and bad spells. As many have said on here, it was a bit strange he didnt bring Bellamy on. Can understand him leaving it a bit after we scored the first goal to see if we gained momentum but would have gave him 10mins atleast.

Think this game will change Rafas perspective on carling cup tie with arsenal, he will really want to win it now and we may see a stronger line up.

I agree with your post and i can sort of see the reasoning when you say he should use a stronger line up in the CC, but why play a weaker team in the FA cup and then play a stronger team in the Carling cup? If Rafa does i will be completley baffled as to what his priorities are. I know its the quater finals but i wouldn't put that trophy on my side board.

I dont think he did play a weaker team in the FA Cup to be honest mate. The only change i would have made was Dudek for Reina. Bellamy was obviously not fit. Other than that it was probably our strongest line-up.

As much as i didnt want to go out of the FA Cup, im glad it wasnt three points we lost in the league. Come March, whether we are still in Carling Cup or not, we will have full concentration on PL and CL.

by **Effes** » Mon Jan 08, 2007 3:57 pm

Anfield rapper wrote:Think this game will change Rafas perspective on carling cup tie with arsenal, he will really want to win it now and we may see a stronger line up.

I agree with your post and i can sort of see the reasoning when you say he should use a stronger line up in the CC, but why play a weaker team in the FA cup and then play a stronger team in the Carling cup? If Rafa does i will be completley baffled as to what his priorities are. I wanted Reina playing in the FA cup game but to put him in how would be like saying the Carling cup is more important than the FA cup. I know its the quater finals but i wouldn't put that trophy on my side board.[/quote]
What about a trip to Cardiff for the fans? Surely that's a good enough reason for getting to the Carling Cup Final?

by **Anfield rapper** » Mon Jan 08, 2007 4:07 pm

Anfield rapper wrote:I agree with your post and i can sort of see the reasoning when you say he should use a stronger line up in the CC, but why play a weaker team in the FA cup and then play a stronger team in the Carling cup? If Rafa does i will be completley baffled as to what his priorities are. I wanted Reina playing in the FA cup game but to put him in how would be like saying the Carling cup is more important than the FA cup. I know its the quater finals but i wouldn't put that trophy on my side board.

Effes wrote:What about a trip to Cardiff for the fans? Surely that's a good enough reason for getting to the Carling Cup Final?

I just find the competition a bit of a distraction and something we should be resting our first team for and using squad players.

by **bunglemark2** » Mon Jan 08, 2007 4:27 pm

I have to say, that result was a shocker. I didn't think before the game we had anything to fear from Arsenal; I thought during the game that there was nothing to be fearful of; I thought we shyed away from tackles (anyone who saw previous games where the opposition got stuck in and pushed Arsenal around would have known what was needed); I thought Dudek had a stinker and did himself no favours; I thought Rafa's promise to him is a load of tosh (his loyalty is to the club - first and only - not to players)......rubbish.....didn't see one player out there except Kuyt maybe who wanted to win the game. And I mean REALLY wanted to win.....The Carling Cup is a non-even, couldn't care less. Or even the fact that it was the FA Cup for that matter. Arsenal v Liverpool is a game we SHOULD have been up for and yet again, we lose to a top 4 or 5 team....that's what counts

by **adamnbarrett** » Mon Jan 08, 2007 4:32 pm

Effes wrote:What about a trip to Cardiff for the fans? Surely that's a good enough reason for getting to the Carling Cup Final?

definately. As I said before in my previous post, IMO a trophy is a trophy. Yes it is probably the last on our priority list but what would you prefer, no trophies or the carling cup?

Also as I said before, I think Rafa will make sure we play our best teams now in the carling cup to make sure we get to the final to make up for the poor showing on saturday.

by **bigxchris** » Mon Jan 08, 2007 4:47 pm

Although the result was an obvious dissapointment there were a few positives to come away with at the end of it:

The fans were fantastic...

We kept Arsenal on the backfoot for 85 minutes of the game and (bar the 3 slipups at the back) shut them down in their half eveytime they tried to move out.

Something we have to remember is that the majority of the Arsenal squad spent most of the second half sat in their box throwing everything they had infront of the ball. I dont think that many teams would have scored against them with the way that they played and I cant really fault Crouch or Kuyt, and as much as I would have loved to see Bellamy come on I dont know if he would have had a massive impact.

Pennant continued to link up well on the right with Finnan and the overlapping play was good between the two of them (I would like to have seen Pennant threaten a bit more with some pacy runs).

Only a few positives I know but meh, its better than nothing considering.

One other thing that continues to frustrate me is play down the left, I know we dont have the left winger (or should I say a left winger thats in form/found his form) but we need to play down the left more. It seems that we have become slighlty predicatble playing down the right with every attack, and if we had pushed more down the left we could have taken advantage of a very shakey looking Eboue (who lost the ball countless times and didnt look to his usual form atall).

I could be talking complete toss, but it makes sence to me!

by **Effes** » Mon Jan 08, 2007 5:24 pm

Anfield rapper wrote:
Effes wrote:
Anfield rapper wrote:Think this game will change Rafas perspective on carling cup tie with arsenal, he will really want to win it now and we may see a stronger line up.

I agree with your post and i can sort of see the reasoning when you say he should use a stronger line up in the CC, but why play a weaker team in the FA cup and then play a stronger team in the Carling cup? If Rafa does i will be completley baffled as to what his priorities are. I wanted Reina playing in the FA cup game but to put him in how would be like saying the Carling cup is more important than the FA cup. I know its the quater finals but i wouldn't put that trophy on my side board.

Effes wrote:What about a trip to Cardiff for the fans? Surely that's a good enough reason for getting to the Carling Cup Final?

I just find the competition a bit of a distraction and something we should be resting our first team for and using squad players.

I never said that top quote! How did you do that?

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