Liverpool FC Forum

by **god_bless_john_houlding** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 7:31 pm

9 points behind now, 5 straight wins, 2 trophies to go for and 1 goal for Jermanine Pennant.

Great result, keep this going lads.

by **Bad Bob** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 7:35 pm

Another assured performance and another very important result. This formation is doing the business now and, yes, sticking with it and a fairly settled side seems to be paying big dividends.

In terms of performances I am thrilled to see so many players finally playing like they are capable of, but there's still room for improvement. Torres and Gerrard are the notable exceptions--they're on fire at the moment and the understanding between them is getting scary. :buttrock

I also like the work Alonso is putting in. I see he's come in for some stick again today but, honestly, for what? He was always going to be playing the deeper role today with Mascherano out and he acquitted himself very well--with plenty of tidy work on the ball and some sound defensive work to protect the back four. Skrtel again looked solid alongside Carra and both Riise and Arbeloa were decent if not spectacular.

Lucas, for me, seems to have plateaued a little bit at this stage. That's not to say he'll never get any better--it's to say that he's in a bit of a lull at the moment, with his touch and distribution letting him down. Benayoun was fairly anonymous this game and drifted inside too much for my liking, when width was needed. Pennant was always an outlet down the right and fair play for getting into the box for the first goal but, feck me, he looks a lazy fecker at times. He should have been ripping Jose Enrique for a.rse paper every time, sending a message to Rafa that he deserves his spot ahead of Kuyt but he just kind of coasted through the match for me. On current form, Kuyt and Babel deserve to regain their places in the wide positions.

But, this are minor criticisms on a day when we didn't need to hit top gear to dispense with a p!ss poor Newcastle team. Let's hope we can keep this momentum going for the trip to the San Siro. :nod

by **Bad Bob** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 7:56 pm

Another point on Alonso...he's an intelligent player, which is a vital commodity to have on the football pitch. We saw it today with the quickly taken free kick to Gerrard at the edge of the box. I may be being a tad harsh but I don't see Pennant having the quickness of thought to give that a go. I think with Mascherano beside him to harry opponents and track back, Alonso is a vital cog in this 4-2-3-1 we've been playing. With the ball at his feet in the opponent's half he's got the option of spraying a pass out to either flank (fullbacks), to feed Babel and Kuyt when they cut in from the flanks or to play Gerrard and Torres in with through balls through the middle. Stevie's the engine that drives the play forward but Xabi has the capacity to be the hub through which the move flows.

by **The Manhattan Project** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 7:56 pm

Alonso is going nowhere.

Great win today. LFC are on form at the moment. Hopefully Inter are next to be put to the sword. Then Reading will get a beating at Anfield. It's a shame we've had 11 draws, otherwise we'd be right in the title race. Oh well, maybe next season with a few new additions and departures.

Keegan is in deep shyt. Just three points away from the rejection zone.

Unless he embarks on the biggest spending spree since Michael Jackson paid off that kid, he's history.

by **Ciggy** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 7:58 pm

NANNY RED wrote:
Ciggy wrote:See Hick's son sitting next to Capello with a Libpool scarf on feckin knob.

The ginger one I was picturing an imaginary Sheikh behind him tightening that scarf strangling the Bas.tard

by **Sabre** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 8:10 pm

Bad Bob wrote:I also like the work Alonso is putting in. I see he's come in for some stick again today but, honestly, for what? He was always going to be playing the deeper role today with Mascherano out and he acquitted himself very well--with plenty of tidy work on the ball and some sound defensive work to protect the back four. Skrtel again looked solid alongside Carra and both Riise and Arbeloa were decent if not spectacular.

I agree all your post but I don't like long quotes for short answers.

Xabi's work was a good one. He lost some balls like every-one does, including, a long attemt of pass that went horrible. Then Heimdall sees that two actions and presto, yet another "poor game".

But he did a good job in his role and also got right good passes like the one of min 19 to Gerrard that ended with a shot (and was clapped by the captain). Not stellar game, that ranking belongs to Gerrard and Torres today (for me Gerrard MOM for a short distance), but definitely not a bad game.

by **destro** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 8:11 pm

SupitsJonF wrote:
RedBlood wrote:man u losing lool

Barnsley holding their own against Chelsea, 2 chances for a goal in the last minute or so. We can only hope!

Sad thing is Chelsea is using their best squad.

1-0 Barnsley :laugh:

by **t-h-o-m** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 8:11 pm

i couldn't watch it, any vids of the goals?

by **The Manhattan Project** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 8:12 pm

Barnsley are eight minutes away from knocking out the Chavs.

What a great day this might be.

by **Sabre** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 8:13 pm

glitch I can't edit so I'll write another post.

Bad Bob: I disagree on your assesment of Lucas today. It wasn't a great game, especially because it was a tough game with a lot of men in the midfield, and the opposition pressing in their own pitch. I think he has a lot of potential for us.

On the quick free kick to Gerrard, well Xabi was clever yes, but if I was Keegan I wouldn't be happy with the players!

by **The Manhattan Project** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 8:16 pm

When Newcastle get relegated, we'll swap Kewell for James Milner.

by **Bad Bob** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 8:17 pm

Sabre wrote: glitch I can't edit so I'll write another post.

Bad Bob: I disagree on your assesment of Lucas today. It wasn't a great game, especially because it was a tough game with a lot of men in the midfield, and the opposition pressing in their own pitch. I think he has a lot of potential for us.

On the quick free kick to Gerrard, well Xabi was clever yes, but if I was Keegan I wouldn't be happy with the players!

Don't get me wrong, mate--I still rate Lucas very highly and think he's going to prove a very astute signing for us in time. Today and recently against Boro, however, I feel he's been a little heavy with his touches and a little careless with his passing, especially close to the opponent's box. I know he's got more guile than he's shown in the last few matches he's played and that's why I think he's plateaued a bit. It happens with young players and it's just a matter of him continuing to work hard and develop his game. I've no worries long term, though.

by **Dundalk** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 8:17 pm

This is getting funnier by the min.

Barnsley beating Chelsea 1-0.

Id love to see Harry Redknapp win the FA Cup

by **Ciggy** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 8:20 pm

Dundalk wrote:Id love to see Harry Redknapp win the FA Cup

That leaves no places for the Waffer Cup if Bolton win it

by **The Manhattan Project** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 8:20 pm

FA Cup will be cool with Chavs and Manure out.

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