Liverpool FC Forum

by **Alex G.** » Sun Dec 07, 2008 12:07 am

Kharhaz wrote:Insua played very well also and would like to see more of him and less of Dossena.

Yes, please. :sniffle

by **stmichael** » Sun Dec 07, 2008 12:30 am

first half por. second half a lot better.

i reall wish we could play every game away from hme at the moment.

by **tubby** » Sun Dec 07, 2008 12:34 am

I suggest Bermstien quickly make the next game thread now before some pleb does it and ruins the result next week.

by **Scottbot** » Sun Dec 07, 2008 12:41 am

Haven't seen the game or any of the highlights but it sounds like the usual on here from the most part, good result from a shoddy performance with the performance receiving far more attention than the result.

Don't know about everybody else but my aims for this season was to be in the title race come February/March. The team is more than matching that at the moment so i'm happy. I do wonder what expectations some others on here had/have for this season? To win the title at a canter? playing champers football without our best player? You might be dissapointed...

by **JamCar05** » Sun Dec 07, 2008 12:59 am

Toffeehater wrote:
JamCar05 wrote:
Toffeehater wrote:
JamCar05 wrote:
Toffeehater wrote:Rafa baffles me , why did he not play agger and riera? Surely when the team is performing you don't chop and change? Rafa again shows that he can't stop tinkering and only a very good last 25 minutes or so prevented it from failing . With that said , good game and roll on psv . Hopefully manure can drop points today for last week

And you think we've been performing lately Also, Hyypia played our last game against West Ham, so actually Rafa didn't replace Agger for this game in particular. Get your facts straight mate

Sorry, but I just find it pointless to keep pointing fingers at our manager after we've won 3-1 away from home (even though the performance might not have been very great up until the goals).

I'm sorry but we were almost headed for a draw or loss . We took 68 minutes to score pass this team . Yes the team were not that great in the last two games but riera and agger had nothing to do with it , it was more down to the finishing . Why keep changing your preferred center back pairing?

Get a clue lad , no performance is perfect . We can sit here and pretend its all rosy

Err, where oh were did I state our performance was anywhere NEAR perfect . It quite clearly wasn't. There's no need for you to try to be all clever and call me lad, like as if you're educating me on the game of football (btw there most also clearly be some kind of copyright infringement, as "get a clue lad" is stu's catch frase ). All I asked you for, was to get your facts straight (which you hadn't), and to maybe not be quite so negative, when the team Rafa put out has just won the game. Riera has looked tired for quite a while, and Hyypia was probably our MotM against West Ham, so it's not exactly as if Rafa did something completely obscure by not playing Riera and Agger.

Mate firstly you don't see any manager chopping and changing as frequent as rafa . Look at chelsea and manu , same side week in and week out , ffs tevez has scored 4 goals and he does not even start today against sunderland , see what i mean . Agger and Carragher should be playing in week in and week out , at least till martin gets back . If you keep changing your centre back pairing it will lead to goals . As for riera , he has offered us that balance that we have lacked for so long and we needed him today as blackburn were tight for most of the game and a winger is the one who can unlock that defense . I'm disappointed at why rafa did not start him , if he was tired fine , he could have taken him off at half time or around 60 minutes .

Just to put things right , i'm not educating you just stating at what i feel , you said you hated when people point to our manager even though we win , well that manager nearly cost us the points today , but credit to him , it worked out fine in the end whereas on another day it could have blown up right in his face

First of all: Ferguson chops and changes quite a lot as well mate, perhaps not so much in defence and as in previous seasons, but still quite a lot. Please don't bring back this old argument once again.

Second of all: I agree completely that Riera has given the team more balance this season, but you've got to admit he has looked extremely tired these past games, in which he hasn't done much good either. Hopefully a short break will get him back to his best.

Third of all: regarding the centre back discussion, and again I actually partly agree with you, it is indeed a position in which a settled partnership is prefered, and I really like Agger and personally feels he should even be ahead of Skrtel when fit (especially if he can regain his form from a couple of seasons ago). But Hyypia has done great these past two games, so again it just seems needless to criticize Rafa for that particular decision.

Fourth of all: I never said I "hated" when people point to our manager after a win, just that I found it a bit pointless really in the way you did it (and probably others as well).

Finally: yes, it COULD have blown up in his face, if Hyypia for example had lost us the game, but he didn't, and so it DIDN'T. You can ALWAYS say that this and that could have occured, but as it panned out, Rafa's team made us win 3-1. We might have won bigger and more comfortable with Agger and Riera on from the beginning, but somehow I really doubt it for the above reasons, and again it's all if's and but's (we MIGHT even have lost instead).

So it's not that I'm against criticizing in any way mate (and it's nothing personal either, just because I've chosen to react to your particular post), but it's just that some of the criticism really is beyond belief sometimes imo.

Rant over

by **Bam** » Sun Dec 07, 2008 1:02 am

Blimey !

I have to say that was a very scrappy and disjointed performance right up until the first goal went in. First have you could of been mistaken in thinking we we're in Blackburns position in the league. I liked the formation, didnt like Kuyt upfront again ineffective in leading the line. Gerrards first half performance especially was awful and in general the team could hardly string two passes together, the confidence (although being top of the table at the begining of play) was non-exsistant. Those lads out there looked and performed as though they were carrying the worlds weight of expectation on their shoulders. I shudder to think what they'll be like come the business end of the season, if their in the mix still.

Although Babel was laboured and pretty much a shadow, Kuyt ineffective, Benayoun running down blind alleys and Gerrard awful first half. It was promising to see Alonso on the edge and in Blackburns penalty area before his goal. Apart from not conceeding seeing Alonso chipping in with the willingness to get forward that was the only real positive I could take from the first half.

So it was no surprise to see Xabi place in the first from a deflected, miss-hit, spoon shot from Kuyt

God the Dutchman looks fecking ordinary at best their. Benayoun worked unlike Babel but would too often overrun possesion and try and take on the extra-man only to lose it. But he was in the game much more than Babel, Insua at left back looked Okay too although offered very little going forward. I was actually quite surprised to see Insua start as I thought Dossena had a pretty decent game against WH the week before, but in my heart of hearts know that I shouldnt be to surprised in that decision with Rafa at the helm.

As soon as the first goal was scored the weight had been lifted somewhat and the boys suddenly looked comfortable in possesion and were able to string a few passes together.

Yossi in the end produced "end product" with one of his runs he jinked past Warnock and fired home low and hard. I'm glad he took the shot on, I thought he may square that ball a
ccross to Kuyt for a minute there :oh:

Well done Yossi, but fans shouldnt be fooled into thinking he'll score in most games from now on, he too can go missing in games. But in saying that his last few performances have seen him really work hard, Rafa will like that.

They're goal was sloppy and we fell asleep, school ground stuff that was.

But Gerrard capped it off in the dying seconds with a well taken goal.

At the end of the day I thought 3-1 flattered us, but I'm glad we won and TBH was glad that game wasnt played at Anfield. After that first half perfromance, had that been at Anfield the tension and the unease would of really troubled our lads.

MoTm - Sami Hyypia

by **account deleted by request** » Sun Dec 07, 2008 1:24 am

bigmick wrote:Well I didn't see any of the game at all, but before I read through the thread and catch the highlights it seems only fair to admit I didn't like the line-up at all and would have been the first one on here whinging about it if we'd lost. The fact that we didn't lose means Rafa was right and I was wrong so good luck to him and the lads. An absolutely massive result for us considering whats gone before, and it's one more game ticked off and still top of the league. Well done all.

You're not wrong mate, we struggled to win and the team Rafa picked and the way they played have a lot to do with it. Gerrard played way too deep in the first half, and with no width (Babel and Benayoun ) Alonso had nothing to hit with his passes.

We wern't lucky to win, but Blackburn were unlucky to lose 3-1 . We certainly never looked like getting 3..... especially in the first half. I think Blackburn ran out of steam in the second half, because they worked their bollox off chasing the ball down in the first.

Hyypia would have been my M.O.T.M. Admittedly no one had a great game for us and Tugay who must be 97 by now looked the best player on the pitch. I certainly felt much more at ease with Insua at FB instead of Dossena.

The result was much more important today than the way we played. Hopefully we can take a bit of confidence from this game into our next one. I certainly didn't agree with the shouts to bring Keane on. What you don't need when you are struggling to play is another player as low in confidence as Keane is.

Kuyt is one of those players who never ever looks likely to get a goal, has no touch and is so frustrating to watch, yet he is very good at creating space which he did again today.

Still top and thats all that matters

by **LegBarnes** » Sun Dec 07, 2008 1:26 am

Number 9 wrote:
Sabre wrote:
It was a poor first half performance, Nabil El Zhars intro seemed to change things for the better and when the goal came the whole team got a lift, we started passing better and the overall movement became more fluid. Insua had a good game aswell.

I agree this bit, and I'd also agree Babel was poor in the first half, but ironically he did his best before being subbed in the second half.

Some bad mistakes in this game like the one that brought Reina's super save (one of the best I remember of him because of the very difficult trajectory), but our goal dispelled all our doubts.

Happy with Insua, and very satisfied with Hyypia's and Benayoun's job. In the case of the Israeli I'd say he's answering to Rafa by having good minutes as of late, not just today.

There was a play in which Lucas gave away a corner (and he was insulted for it), but we were cráp defending it, we gave all the time of the world to make the short corner without bothering them and I didn't like on first glance what Arbeloa was doing (I have to watch again)

1-3, 3 points, bring the next game.

Spot on about Benayoun,he does not deserve the flack he gets on here at times.His form has been hit and miss as he has not been getting games to get any consistency together.Our best player today after Gerrard IMO!

Wierd there was me think sami was best player on park people always go for goal scorers tho.

unsung hero as always bloke was a rock today.

by **Bermenstein** » Sun Dec 07, 2008 2:01 am

Posted by SupitsJonF on Dec. 06 2008,17:09
BERMENSTEINS DONE IT AGAIN! ENDED OUR GOAL DROUGHT TOO!!!

Posted by maypaxvobiscum on Dec. 06 2008,17:14
MOM - Bermenstein

Posted by tonyeh on Dec. 06 2008,17:16
Quote (maypaxvobiscum @ Dec. 06 2008,17:14)
MOM - Bermenstein

Absolutely.
Any match threads should be started by Bermenstein in future. That should be forum policy.

Posted by bavlondon on Dec. 06 2008,17:19
Quote (tonyeh @ Dec. 06 2008,17:16)
Quote (maypaxvobiscum @ Dec. 06 2008,17:14)
MOM - Bermenstein

Absolutely.

Any match threads should be started by Bermenstein in future. That should be forum policy.

I thought that was the policy before and then st michael or someone went and started a thread

Anyway this settles is only he can open a match thread.

Good efficient performance overall.

Tnx for all the appreciation.

Don't mean to be smug, but I also got the 3-1 prediction right in the very first post.
I'm such a big head......

by **DanAn** » Sun Dec 07, 2008 2:32 am

All the bagging of Kuyt but if my memory serves me correctly he played a major part in all three of our goals.
- 1st goal was off a Kuyt deflection.
- 2nd goal Kuyt showed great vision and execution to hit up Benayoun
- 3rd goal Kuyt put El Zhar through

He looks like a bumbling fool but he always gets the job done. Today was no exception. Have to say that in the short time Riera was on the field he looked fantastic. I think we might actually get a lot more out of him if we used him as a supersub.

by **SupitsJonF** » Sun Dec 07, 2008 3:01 am

DanAn wrote:All the bagging of Kuyt but if my memory serves me correctly he played a major part in all three of our goals.
- 1st goal was off a Kuyt deflection.
- 2nd goal Kuyt showed great vision and execution to hit up Benayoun
- 3rd goal Kuyt put El Zhar through

He looks like a bumbling fool but he always gets the job done. Today was no exception. Have to say that in the short time Riera was on the field he looked fantastic. I think we might actually get a lot more out of him if we used him as a supersub.

I think Riera put El Zhar through, then it bounced back to him, and he passed to Gerrard. I may be wrong.

by **maguskwt** » Sun Dec 07, 2008 3:19 am

tonyeh wrote:
maguskwt wrote:
tonyeh wrote:A poor, poor performance...but the right result this time.

Blackburn seemed to sort of fall apart.

seriously mate... I'm not sure who you really support... WE won that game... Blackburn didn't fall apart... end of... now you can go have your sorry little moaning cause you can't complain anymore...

Don't talk shïte you fücking moron.

It was a bad performance by Liverpool and Blackburn were worse in the second half than they were in the first. They left a lot of gaps that we exploited and ended up with three decent goals.

Only a fool would think otherwise.

Nobody with an ounce of intelligence would have a problem with my original sentence.

It was a poor performance by Liverpool, but it was the right result.

if you have a an ounce of intelligence, you'll see that I wasn't talking about our performance... but the fact is that WE won it because we stepped up, blackburn did not collapsed... it's as simple as that... get your facts right and get your support for your own team right... stop moaning a little and you'll start to enjoy more and live longer... :;):

by **Sarge** » Sun Dec 07, 2008 3:25 am

SupitsJonF wrote:
DanAn wrote:All the bagging of Kuyt but if my memory serves me correctly he played a major part in all three of our goals.
- 1st goal was off a Kuyt deflection.
- 2nd goal Kuyt showed great vision and execution to hit up Benayoun
- 3rd goal Kuyt put El Zhar through

He looks like a bumbling fool but he always gets the job done. Today was no exception. Have to say that in the short time Riera was on the field he looked fantastic. I think we might actually get a lot more out of him if we used him as a supersub.

I think Riera put El Zhar through, then it bounced back to him, and he passed to Gerrard. I may be wrong.

nope...you are spot on.

1. kuyt sets up el-zhar, el-zhar chased but deflected by robinson, ball went to riera, riera flicks to gerrard, and then 3-1.

by **Ciggy** » Sun Dec 07, 2008 8:24 am

My mother said the fone in on Merseyside last night was an absolute disgrace, people ringing in calling for Rafas head, slagging of Kuyt, Lucas, Babel, Insua.

What is feckin wrong with people? We win 3-1 remain top, yet its Rafa out!!!!

Unfeckinbelievable.

by **Owzat** » Sun Dec 07, 2008 9:42 am

s@int wrote:
bigmick wrote:Well I didn't see any of the game at all, but before I read through the thread and catch the highlights it seems only fair to admit I didn't like the line-up at all and would have been the first one on here whinging about it if we'd lost. The fact that we didn't lose means Rafa was right and I was wrong so good luck to him and the lads. An absolutely massive result for us considering whats gone before, and it's one more game ticked off and still top of the league. Well done all.

You're not wrong mate, we struggled to win and the team Rafa picked and the way they played have a lot to do with it. Gerrard played way too deep in the first half, and with no width (Babel and Benayoun ) Alonso had nothing to hit with his passes.

We wern't lucky to win, but Blackburn were unlucky to lose 3-1 . We certainly never looked like getting 3..... especially in the first half. I think Blackburn ran out of steam in the second half, because they worked their bollox off chasing the ball down in the first.

Hyypia would have been my M.O.T.M. Admittedly no one had a great game for us and Tugay who must be 97 by now looked the best player on the pitch. I certainly felt much more at ease with Insua at FB instead of Dossena.

The result was much more important today than the way we played. Hopefully we can take a bit of confidence from this game into our next one. I certainly didn't agree with the shouts to bring Keane on. What you don't need when you are struggling to play is another player as low in confidence as Keane is.

Kuyt is one of those players who never ever looks likely to get a goal, has no touch and is so frustrating to watch, yet he is very good at creating space which he did again today.

Still top and thats all that matters

I must admit I was worried when I first heard Babel and Benayoun were both starting and Kuyt was the solo striker, although I did say that might be in Rafa's thinking re Hammill's rumoured recall. It wasn't a great first half, rovers will feel they could and should have opened the scoring, but for a world class save by Reina then MGP would have - stemming from a terrible pass from Gerrard.

Babel did little to make me think Rafa was right to drop Riera, Riera played his part in the third goal with a bit of vision in playing in Gerrard with a clear shot on goal. We struggled for most of the first 60-70 minutes, not looking like a side top of the pile against one near the bottom, but when have we looked like a side top of the pile this season? Blackburn fought hard and eventually we carved something out, must say I thought Robinson wasn't quick enough downwards in his dive for the first, he dives slightly upwards first and I thought he could have done better. The defender on the post might have dived to try and stop Gerrard's shot, but it was game over anyway by then.

I've been saying for a while now that Alonso should get to the edge of the box more as he's one of three players I'd like to see shooting from there (Torres and Gerrard the other two) He did that yesterday, if we're going to play Mascherano in a holding role then Alonso needs to push up more - otherwise it can often be the lone striker left alone in there and we're never going to score enough if he gets isolated. Alonso showed he is more lethal from the edge of the box than the halfway line, maybe someone has finally had words with him and told him scoring from halfway is for when you're two goals ahead not nil nil.

Kuyt worked hard without support a lot of the time. His blocked shot led to Alonso's opener, ironically it was from Gerrard's right wing cross I believe. I'd be tempted to keep the same XI for the next game, although Hull at home is maybe a two striker job.

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