Lively match to say the least who would have thought it was a pre-season friendly. That dreadlocked fooker Drenthe done my head in, was saying before the match I'd have liked us to buy him, not now, he looks the typical Dutch arrogant fooker i.e. Davids, Seedorf, etc type of player. As has been said, was nice to see Gerrard getting stuck in, reminded me of the Gerrard from a few seasons ago, when he'd have a go at anyone. Performance wise, I think we looked pretty disjointed at times and despite having most of the possession and chances, we once again looked pretty toothless in front of goal, I'm just hoping we're not in for another season like last.
To be fair, i wont judge the attacking as its far from our strongest side.. We were very weak down the wings due to the full backs who both played shite. Also with Alonso alongside Gerrard, we didnt see the full Stevie G in action as he tends to hold back with Alonso. Kewell was pretty uninventive, and Voronin and Kuyt proved they shouldnt play together, both skillful workhorses who drop deep, ideal alongside Crouch or Torres. I thought Pennant was one of our better players, good to see him doing well... Personally, i think our starting side on saturday SHOULD be, in brackets is who is going to be: Reina Insua (Riise) Carragher Agger Finnan Babel Gerrard Mascherano Benayoun (Pennant) Torres Kuyt
Sometimes it feels like you're supporting Stevie G instead of Liverpool. The lad is THAT good. And then you remember that you're supporting Carra as well. Oh yeah and the others... An away win is a great start, we'd better start taking our chances and fast. Torres missed a sitter but was very lively and can ceate his own chances. It looks like we're gonna have to share the goals out, no 20 goal striker on the horizon. Babel looks like a beast! I hope we see more of him against Toulouse or on Saturday. I feel there's a small chance S.G could drive us to the title. His increased determination could well be infectious.
Yup, Gerrard looks like he has recaptured some of the hunger he showed a couple of seasons back. Torres looks like he's gonna enjoy playing in England, I said before we bought him, I think he's ideally suited to our game and nothing has changed my mind. Babbel is looking better, after looking pretty ordinary in a few pre-season games I seen him playing in. Pennant was shite, apart from one nice decent cross, he was piss poor and could easily have been sent off, if it wasnt for Alonso dragging him away. Agger and Carragher looked solid at the back and even Alonso looks like he's recaptured some form, after IMO having a poor season last one.
After watching him at the under 21 Championship and on Saturday, he looks a cracking prospect Ashley Young. He didn't seem worth the money Villa paid last season but the way prices keep going up and up, it doesn't look a bad deal now. He's fast as f*ck and Finnan was getting ran ragged at times. I don't think he caught us by surprise because Rafa wanted Young himself, until the price went too high and would have warned the players of his threat and you could see in the second half, we had more men on him, to help Finnan. Much better option on the left wing than the ginger tosser. That was the one worrying thing (along with the missed chances) about Saturday. We had to improve in wide areas in terms of personnel, yet we've got that useless twat on the wing for the first game. Come back Zenden all is forgiven.
Toulouse V Liverpool. Team.... Reina Finnan Carragher Hyypia Arbeloa Benayoun Gerrard Mascherano Babel Voronin Crouch Subs: Itandje Agger Riise Torres Alonso Kuyt Sissoko
Suderland V Liverpool.. Early kick off with most of the team away in Europe midweek, Should be a tough game for us... I think Rafa will go with this.... -----------------Reina--------------- -Finnan------Carra---Agger-----Riise- -Pennant--Alonso--Mascherano--Yossi- ------------Crouch--Kuyt------------ I'll go for a close 1-3 away win...
Are we still going to use this thread for matches???? On tonights game i thought we were quality and again poor finishing was the downfall but cant complain too much still with four quality goals. Its easy to see we are a more complete side already this season and could we have wished for a better start? Momo played really well and was my motm although there were many contenders. Benayoun was class and his mazy running and hard work was all there tonight. Leto did ok and im looking forward to seeing more of him. Again though Crouch frustrates the hell out of us. So many chances and only one goal to show for it. Still we are a club on the up and its looking really promising.
I agree with pretty much all of that Madred. I think the reason we've done better than recent years is we done all our major business long before the season started and most of the new signings have come in and done well.
Yup, Benayoun was exceptional last night and Mascherano/Sissoko were also superb in midfield, we now have a great choice of players in central midfield, with any combination of any two of Gerrard, Alonso, Sissoko and Mascherano (not forgetting Lucas who looks the business) is more than a match for any midfield on the planet. Was pleased with the whole teams performance, even though Crouch had one of his off days in fromt of goal, his general play was ok. There seems to be a real urgency with Liverpool this season, as if they're determined to do well on all fronts, hell we have the squad for it (maybe a defender or two needed) to go all the way this season and I have a very good feeling about the rest of the season.
