Liverpool FC Forum

by **bunglemark2** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 9:34 am

Ciggy wrote:How good was Gerrard tonight though? He was emense what a player even carra said on MOTD the best player at the club and one of the best players in the world.

Torres had a bit of a mare in a cold, rainy, windy tuesday evening in England welcome to Liverpool lad.

Babel showed some world class moves aswell, could have scored 3, needs a place in the team to get some more expeirence this lad is class when he turns it on.

Even Andy Gray said one to watch next season Babel is going to be as good as Henry

Don't disagree on the Gerrard and Torres comment, though I don't think they were as untouchable as you suggest...
I'm really not convinced by Babel. He looks at times like he's not interested. I was watching one piece towards the end of the game out on the wing (funny that!) where he laid the ball out wide to can't remember who.....and stood still. No movement, no interplay etc....Just made me wonder what he was thinking.
Granted we were 5-0 up, but that said, I wasn't impressed.
Aside from all of that - anyone know where Skrtel was last night - deliberately omitted ?

by **JamCar05** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 12:29 pm

Good win that. It was always just a question of us getting the first goal, and then the floodgates would open. Haven't got too many comments about the game itself, as it panned out as many of us had expected I think. Kudos to Gerrard for getting a hattrick though.

Carra: congratulations lad, you are simply awesome :bowdown

May you play on for many years and hopefully win the PL with the mighty reds one day.

Luton fans: they booed Carra all through the match, so I wouldn't feel sorry for them at all, if their small time club was to disappear completely :angry:

LFC fans (at the game): great showing of support for Rafa. From watching on the telly, there really seemed to be a wonderful atmosphere and a lot of singing going on. Not least for Rafa. Yanks take notice (for once).

by **Bad Bob** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 12:40 pm

Bamaga man wrote:Torres, not one of his better games, but if he's not on form its good to see other players like Babel and Crouch step up to the occassion, I just hope these players can do that against Prem opponents when the likes of Gerrard and Nando arent in form, history tells us they wont though, so I wont hold me breath. Except with Crouch if he got more playing time I reckon he'd be one that could dig us out of the $hit, so to speak.

Torres did have a quieter night but I wonder how much of that had to do with partnering Crouch? This is not a dig at the big man, BTW, who I still rate as our second best striker. But, with him on the pitch, I think Torres was asked to play a slightly different role. Indeed, we saw him dropping deep on occasion or getting the ball out wide on the touchline more than once, rather than just playing off the shoulder of the last man. That's what it looked like to me, anyway. If it's true that he was playing a different role to accommodate Crouch and if it's true that that role neutralizes his goal threat somewhat, I can understand why we've not seen much of their partnership. I'd be curious what others thought of the Crouch/Torres combination?

by **Toffeehater** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 1:15 pm

Steven Gerrard: I owe my hat-trick to Rafa Benitez

Jan 16 2008

STEVEN GERRARD today revealed he owed his hat-trick goal against Luton to a change of heart from Rafa Benitez.

With Liverpool 4-0 up and coasting into the fourth round of the FA Cup, the Reds boss told his captain he wanted to take him off to give him a well earned rest.

But with two goals already to his name, Gerrard was desperate to stay on and pleaded with Benitez to give him just five minutes more.

Benitez gave in to his wishes and was duly rewarded when Gerrard scored his third of the night and Liverpool’s fifth with his last kick before being substituted.

Gerrard said: “The manager called me over and said he was about to take me off.

“I pleaded with him to give me five minutes more because I wanted to get my hat-trick.

“I’m made up he let me because it’s always nice to get three goals.”

Despite notching the second hat-trick of his Liverpool career, Gerrard insisted the night belonged to team mate Jamie Carragher who made his 500th appearance for the Reds.

“It was definitely Carra’s night,” said Gerrard, who gave Carragher the captian’s armband for the night to mark the occasion.

“Nothing anyone was going to do was going to take it away from him and rightly so because to play 500 games for Liverpool is a fantastic achievement.

“It was an absolute pleasure to hand the armband over to him and he deserves all the accolades that are coming his way.

“He's worked so hard from day one to establish himself in the first team and he really deserves to have reached 500.

“The sacrifices he makes off the pitch and the effort he puts into every game and training session means he deserves all the accolades he gets.

“Even now, if he never played another game again, he is a legend.

“He's won the treble, FA Cups and a Champions League. He's sweated blood and guts for this club."

With Ryan Babel and Sami Hyypia also getting their names on the score sheet, the 5-0 win took some of the pressure off Benitez, who has found himself in the spotlight since club owner Tom Hicks revealed he had spoken with Jurgen Klinsmann about the possibility of replacing the Spaniard as Reds boss.

But Benitez again refused to be drawn on the controversy and instead maintained a dignified silence on any issue other than events on the pitch.

He did, however, pay tribute to the Liverpool fans who sang his name constantly in a clear display of solidarity.

“The fans were again fantastic,” he said

http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpo....0356621

Sorry if this has been posted before , can't comment on the game as i haven't seen it but will catch the rerun later and then give my views

by **maguskwt** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 1:22 pm

Bad Bob wrote:I'd be curious what others thought of the Crouch/Torres combination?

don't like it... just my opinion though... we do need another striker...

by **Toffeehater** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 1:44 pm

GERRARD: I BEGGED RAFA NOT TO SUB ME
Paul Hassall 16 January 2008

Steven Gerrard has revealed only a last-ditch plea to Rafael Benitez allowed him to fire home the goal that saw him claim only his second hat-trick in a Liverpool shirt against Luton Town last night.
The inspirational midfielder had helped the Reds clock up a 4-0 lead against the Hatters when the boss informed him that he was about to substitute him to give him a well deserved rest.

But Gerrard was determined to get his hat-trick and begged Benitez to give him a few extra minutes to try and realise his dream.

"The manager called me over and said he was about to take me off," said Gerrard.

"I pleaded with him to give me five minutes more because I wanted to get my hat-trick.

"I'm made up he let me because it's always nice to get three goals."

On a special night for Jamie Carragher, on which he completed his 500th appearance for the Reds, it was perhaps of no surprise to supporters that it was the other half of the homegrown duo who hit the goal-trail.

But rather than accept the plaudits for his role in the demolition of Kevin Blackwell's side, Gerrard is keen to focus on what was a momentous occasion for his good friend, Carra.

"It was definitely Carra's night," he said.

"Nothing anyone was going to do was going to take it away from him and rightly so because to play 500 games for Liverpool is a fantastic achievement.

"It was an absolute pleasure to hand the armband over to him and he deserves all the accolades that are coming his way.

"He's worked so hard from day one to establish himself in the first team and he really deserves to have reached 500.

"The sacrifices he makes off the pitch and the effort he puts into every game and training session means he deserves all the accolades he gets.

"Even now, if he never played another game again, he is a legend.

"He's won the treble, FA Cups and a Champions League. He's sweated blood and guts for this club."

by **Roger Red Hat** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 1:48 pm

you can shove Jurgen Klinsmann up your ar$e!
you can shove Jurgen Klinsmann up your ar$e!
you can shove Jurgen Klinsmann
you can shove Jurgen Klinsmann
you can shove Jurgen Klinsmann up your ar$e!

quality song that one!

by **66-1112520797** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 1:48 pm

Bad Bob wrote:
Bamaga man wrote:Torres, not one of his better games, but if he's not on form its good to see other players like Babel and Crouch step up to the occassion, I just hope these players can do that against Prem opponents when the likes of Gerrard and Nando arent in form, history tells us they wont though, so I wont hold me breath. Except with Crouch if he got more playing time I reckon he'd be one that could dig us out of the $hit, so to speak.

Torres did have a quieter night but I wonder how much of that had to do with partnering Crouch? This is not a dig at the big man, BTW, who I still rate as our second best striker. But, with him on the pitch, I think Torres was asked to play a slightly different role. Indeed, we saw him dropping deep on occasion or getting the ball out wide on the touchline more than once, rather than just playing off the shoulder of the last man. That's what it looked like to me, anyway. If it's true that he was playing a different role to accommodate Crouch and if it's true that that role neutralizes his goal threat somewhat, I can understand why we've not seen much of their partnership. I'd be curious what others thought of the Crouch/Torres combination?

I dont nessecerily believe that Rafa always gives players their own instructions to accomodate their partners, i.e Crouch and Torres, Kuyt and Voronin or whatever the combination.

He may ask one of them to track back, or ask both of them to come back for corners or maybe one drops deeper when we've taken a lead.

But I'd imagine to a large extent or at least I think I'd say to two strikers "work the partnership out yourself, try things, look for eachother, play your own game bearing in mind your a partnership blah blah" And see what develops from there.

Last night, I'd just put it down to a wet, cold and windy night and typically English F.A cup tie. More than who was instructed to what, and when. I'd just put it down to an off night, Torres has has them already this season and Crouch wasnt his partner then, Its just one of those things.

But that performance wouldnt deter me after one match from trying that partnership again, definately not I'd keep em playing, Crouch is the second best striker we have, and was looking to tee up Torres on a few occassions, which was good to see.

by **Owzat** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 3:01 pm

maguskwt wrote:
Bad Bob wrote:I'd be curious what others thought of the Crouch/Torres combination?

don't like it... just my opinion though... we do need another striker...

Try three strikers, I get the impression people think Crouch and Torres will work, but maybe only because they want Crouch to do well. I want LIVERPOOL to do well and only Torres is Liverpool quality, unless we're now lowering our standards/expectations. I personally think that Kuyt of the non-scoring strikers works best with Torres, I'd replace everyone but Torres without a second thought if we can get some quality in. I'd give Babel a run up front which could fill one gap.

As for the result, perhaps unconvincing in terms of the first half performance and considering the Luton position at the moment I think we could have been a lot more clinical and knocked in ten. That Gerrard got a hat-trick and Hyypia scored says it all for me, I'll forgive Torres having a one-off bad game, but I wish the other strikers and midfielders (Babel excepted) would have a one-on from time to time. Most strikers would be looking to fill their boots against Luton, Crouch and Babel are the only two who fit that description and scored in 180 mins of football against them - all told two games not that every player played 180 mins, you'd think someone would fancy a brace or hat-trick like Gerrard did.

If only more players showed the hunger that Crouch does when playing international minnows, the scoreline may have been convincing but without Gerrard's hat-trick would 1-1 and 2-0 be good enough against a side in administration, sold off it's best players and had a manager hand in his notice while sitting right down the bottom of the third tier of English football?

by **stmichael** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 3:10 pm

Toffeehater wrote:GERRARD: I BEGGED RAFA NOT TO SUB ME

i misread that as "i begged rafa not to sue me"

by **Bad Bob** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 3:14 pm

Bamaga man wrote:
Bad Bob wrote:
Bamaga man wrote:Torres, not one of his better games, but if he's not on form its good to see other players like Babel and Crouch step up to the occassion, I just hope these players can do that against Prem opponents when the likes of Gerrard and Nando arent in form, history tells us they wont though, so I wont hold me breath. Except with Crouch if he got more playing time I reckon he'd be one that could dig us out of the $hit, so to speak.

Torres did have a quieter night but I wonder how much of that had to do with partnering Crouch? This is not a dig at the big man, BTW, who I still rate as our second best striker. But, with him on the pitch, I think Torres was asked to play a slightly different role. Indeed, we saw him dropping deep on occasion or getting the ball out wide on the touchline more than once, rather than just playing off the shoulder of the last man. That's what it looked like to me, anyway. If it's true that he was playing a different role to accommodate Crouch and if it's true that that role neutralizes his goal threat somewhat, I can understand why we've not seen much of their partnership. I'd be curious what others thought of the Crouch/Torres combination?

I dont nessecerily believe that Rafa always gives players their own instructions to accomodate their partners, i.e Crouch and Torres, Kuyt and Voronin or whatever the combination.

He may ask one of them to track back, or ask both of them to come back for corners or maybe one drops deeper when we've taken a lead.

But I'd imagine to a large extent or at least I think I'd say to two strikers "work the partnership out yourself, try things, look for eachother, play your own game bearing in mind your a partnership blah blah" And see what develops from there.

Last night, I'd just put it down to a wet, cold and windy night and typically English F.A cup tie. More than who was instructed to what, and when. I'd just put it down to an off night, Torres has has them already this season and Crouch wasnt his partner then, Its just one of those things.

But that performance wouldnt deter me after one match from trying that partnership again, definately not I'd keep em playing, Crouch is the second best striker we have, and was looking to tee up Torres on a few occassions, which was good to see.

Some fair points to be sure, mate. Maybe it was just one of those nights and I'm definitely convinced that the Torres/Crouch partnership deserves another opportunity or three to develop an understanding. I guess I was just surprised to see Torres operating on a much wider arc from the box than we've usually seen. I may be blowing what amounts to a few touches out of proportion, though.

by **ivor_the_injun** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 3:17 pm

Kevin Blackwell's been sacked by the administrators at Luton.

They were never a big club by any means, but what's happened there in recent years in a very good example of how badly things can go wrong. They'd better hope the Nick Owen-fronted takeover happens or they're finished.

by **Bad Bob** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 3:24 pm

Owzat wrote:the scoreline may have been convincing but without Gerrard's hat-trick would 1-1 and 2-0 be good enough against a side in administration, sold off it's best players and had a manager hand in his notice while sitting right down the bottom of the third tier of English football?

I love these evaluations that are premised on things like "take away Gerrard's hat trick and..." or "if Rafa hadn't brought us the Champions League and FA Cup..." Yeah, and if I hadn't had breakfast this morning I'd be hungry right now...what's your point?

(To be fair, it can go the other way too: "if the we hadn't hit the woodwork..." or "if so and so hadn't been injured..." It all gets just a bit senseless when you go down this road.)

by **stmichael** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 3:27 pm

Bad Bob wrote:I love these evaluations that are premised on things like "take away Gerrard's hat trick and..." or "if Rafa hadn't brought us the Champions League and FA Cup..." Yeah, and if I hadn't had breakfast this morning I'd be hungry right now...what's your point?

yeah, if it hadn't been for the six goals they scored and the 25 sitters they missed on saturday, newcastle could have got a draw at old trafford.

by **Roger Red Hat** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 3:37 pm

yeah, and if it hadn't of been for 2 lying cheating scumbag snake ar$ed americans we might of had at least a building site of a new stadium.

is that the same thing?

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