Liverpool FC Forum

by **The Manhattan Project** » Sat Nov 03, 2007 12:25 am

that shity keeper

Who? Charles Itandje?

Bit harsh I think.

by **god_bless_john_houlding** » Sat Nov 03, 2007 1:08 am

Scottbot wrote:
god_bless_john_houlding wrote:The fans weren't happy under Houllier when we lumped the ball up to Owen to see what happened, with the arrival of Torres and his pace, I think we could revert back to over the top football.

That's the last thing i want to see mate but like you say, it's something that 'could' happen and not something that has nessesarily happened already. We have got a bit long-ballish at times with Torres in the side, particularly Reina and to a lesser extent Riise, Carra and Gerrard who have all been guilty of hitting too many hopeful (or Hollywood) balls in the direction of the Spaniard. However, Benitez is no long-ball merchant, his mantra is 'controlling the game' and you cannot do that without the ball.

We've been long ball for a long time, problem is we smack it up to Voronin/Kuyt and Torres but yet try and play through balls for Crouch. Surely that doesn't add up

by **account deleted by request** » Sat Nov 03, 2007 2:18 am

Benitez admits Reds lack drive without Gerrard
By Ian Herbert - Independent
Published: 03 November 2007
It takes a brave man to tell Rafael Benitez he should rest Steven Gerrard at the moment. Hit by injuries in every department and variable form in most, Benitez knows the Liverpool captain will be as vital a component at Blackburn this evening as he was in his unanticipated appearance at home to Cardiff in midweek, and the Professional Footballers' Association chief executive Gordon Taylor's suggestion that "the RSPCA would be on the case" if Gerrard were a racehorse earned short shrift yesterday.

Benitez suggested that Taylor might care to examine the toll taken on Gerrard by the back-to-back outings for England against Israel and Russia while a broken bone in his foot was healing – games which resulted in a dip of form, the Spaniard claims.

Gerrard's own innate desire to play, whatever the contest, may also have something to do with him playing six games in the last 18 days but Benitez conceded some self-interest when he admitted that Liverpool simply do not tick when Gerrard is not playing. "We were missing those surging runs from midfield, now he is doing that," Benitez said. "He ... has meant the team is playing better."

With Mohamed Sissoko admitting with unusual candour yesterday that his own form has been poor, Benitez will need every ounce of Gerrard's energy against a Blackburn side which has stolen into a position one point and one place ahead of Liverpool.

A run of seven successive victories gives Mark Hughes cause for optimism, yet he is aware that the next two games – Rovers go on to face Manchester United the following week – will tell him more about what his side can really achieve. "The same clubs always seem to be in the top four so the games against them are a marker," he said. "We want to make a statement against Liverpool."

Hughes, whose side have taken points off both Arsenal and Chelsea, is not talking up his team's chances of cracking the top four but he has David Bentley and Aaron Mokoena fit, despite their injuries against Portsmouth in midweek.

Benitez has most grounds for relief. Javier Mascherano, masterful at times against Arsenal, has recovered from the foot injury sustained in that game, while Fabio Aurelio and Alvaro Arbeloa also return. Fernando Torres, Daniel Agger and Xabi Alonso – arguably the team's most vital components after Gerrard – all remain three weeks away from consideration. Harry Kewell – challenged by his manager this week to earn himself a new contract at the end of this season – is in line to be drafted into the squad.

"The key for us is to keep being consistent," said Benitez, who is conscious of the chance to make ground on Arsenal or Manchester United this weekend. But against a side who have lost only once in the league, at home to Portsmouth, some of Gerrard's invention may also be a prerequisite for him.
-------------------------------
I would have thought the key was to start playing well again

by **Toffeehater** » Sat Nov 03, 2007 6:29 am

Sarge wrote:i don't like this match, brad friedel again will make top saves and will play unbelievably well.

thw baldy always does that against us , VODOO ... knowing him , if he is on form , if we get a pen , he probly save it

by **Toffeehater** » Sat Nov 03, 2007 6:33 am

StevieL wrote:Hey guys, my first post !!
IMO we need to win this to keep in touch with united/arsenal!!!

Would stick with the 4-4-2 formation:

Reina
Finnan Carragher Hyypia Riise
Mascherano
Benayoun Kewell
Gerrard
Crouch Kuyt

I agree, we needed the pace-y players... and in this line up we dont really have it.
Torres + pennant are a big loss for this game. and i dont see babel being able to play 2 halves perfect halves without mistakes. Crouch needs a start tho...

i'd rather stick babel up there anyday rather then crouch ..
Crouch will get the cr@p kicked out of him due to how physical blackburn are and also crocuh is slow , Babel offers pace and trickery that crouch lacks

by **NiftyNeil** » Sat Nov 03, 2007 7:29 am

I'm not looking forward to this one. Blackburn are always difficult, and we're pants at the moment. Are players seem jinxed at Ewood Park when it comes to injuries so I expect it to be Kewell's last game of the season

.

by **Toffeehater** » Sat Nov 03, 2007 8:19 am

u're a optimistic 1 aren't you???

by **mungi** » Sat Nov 03, 2007 9:37 am

dont think kewell will start. riise and arebloa to be the left side

by **skatesy** » Sat Nov 03, 2007 11:10 am

I swear to god I hope Riise is not in the squad. I do not know how in a million years Rafa could pick Riise ahead of the likes of Benayoun. I mean I don't want to beat a dead horse but Riise is slow, cannot cross, is uncreative and gives the ball away time and time again. Benayoun is the opposite. He can create, he is fast, very fast in fact, and he is always looking dangerous.

by **ivor_the_injun** » Sat Nov 03, 2007 11:54 am

I don't think it's too long before we see Kewell on the left, with Babel up front as the left-sided striker. I think with Arbeloa or Aurelio at left back, that combination could be incredibly potent.

by **Effes** » Sat Nov 03, 2007 12:25 pm

The Racing post:

LIVERPOOL'S unbeaten start to the Premier League could come to an end against Blackburn at Ewood Park this evening.

This would be no gimme for the Merseysiders even if Rafael Benitez was able to select his strongest 11, but without three key performers – Daniel Agger, Xabi Alonso and Fernando Torres – Liverpool's spine has been ripped out.

That should give Blackburn all the encouragement they need to go for Liverpool's throat and 11-5 is more than fair for a team playing at home to opponents below them in the table.

And Rovers are also on a seven-match winning sequenceand come into the contest on the back of excellent away victories at Tottenham and Portsmouth.

Mark Hughes's team have already shown they don't fear the big four – they have drawn with Arsenal and Chelsea – and beat surprise package Man City 1-0.
They are playing with confidence and not even the injury to Robbie Savage has knocked them out of their flow.

Aaron Mokoena has just come in and done the same anchor job. David Bentley and David Dunn are playing with a freedom out wide, andsuch has been their quality that Morten Gamst Pedersen has been dropped.

Up front it's all about Benni McCarthy and Roque Santa Cruz.

The deadly duo have notched 12 between them this season and combine beautifully with Matt Derbyshire a dangerous impact player off the subs bench.

Recommendation
Blackburn, 2pts 11-5

by **Cool Hand Luke** » Sat Nov 03, 2007 12:26 pm

I would go:

Reina

Finnan Carragher Hyypia Arbeloa

Benayoun Gerrard Mascherano Riise

Crouch Kuyt

Subs

Voronin
Babel
Kewell
Lucas
Itandje

by **woof woof !** » Sat Nov 03, 2007 12:42 pm

I'd like to see

. Reina
.
. Finnan Carragher Arbeloa Aurelio

. Benayoun Gerrard Masherano Kewell

. Babel
. Crouch

by **66-1112520797** » Sat Nov 03, 2007 12:49 pm

I'd pack five in Midfield for this myself, Kuyt and Voronin are sorry to say it useless.

Reina

Finnan Carra Hyypia Arbeloa

Benayoun Lucas Gerrard Mascha Riise

Crouch

Wasnt to sure who to go with out of Lucas and Momo, and although Momo has the kind destructivness to his game that would suit playing Blackburn. But We also need to retain the ball well, something Momo isnt good at, I also think Lucas will aid Gerrard Benayoun and Crouch more in the final third than Momo would.

by **Owzat** » Sat Nov 03, 2007 1:57 pm

Didn't Crouch start there boxing day and the front line missed a hatful of chances? I just looked at the team sheet and I pray "oh no, not again" Chances of three CBs starting is near zero

Blackburn (a) 26/12/06 : L0-1

Liverpool: Reina ,Hyypia ,Carragher ,Agger ,Finnan ,Gerrard ,Alonso ,Riise ,Bellamy (Luis Garcia ,76 ) ,Crouch (Kuyt ,56 ) ,Gonzalez (Aurelio ,64)

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