Topic: Liverpool 4-0 Stoke City: Post Match Chat

[Terry De Niro]

Possibly, but a 'cu*t'?

No.

Being honest, I liked him as a player for us. Up there with the best, but as a human being, he does come across as a bit of a c*nt.  Sorry...

[west_london_red]

Lawro still tipped them for the title on MOTD tonight.

They aint winning shit then!

[Redwhiteandnotblue]

Lawro still tipped them for the title on MOTD tonight.

That's the death knell for them then.

[Reds4Life]

I concur.
Lucas to be a future captain?

I think he has the temperament but I think that there are a few in front of him.

Wouldn't surprise me if he captained Brazil though at some stage of his career.

[paisleysshirt]

If that defeat is our only one this season and we're lifting that trophy in May I wont care that we lost to them

Indeed.

Course if we miss out by a point, we know who to talk to

the referee?

[hesbighesred]

I concur.
Lucas to be a future captain?

Steady on there!

I rate him as highly as anyone but lets see how he does against Villa first. Fact is Stoke don't really bother with midfield against bigger sides - Villa will be a genuine test for the lad even with Barry gone. If he builds on this perfomance there I might just start letting myself get excited.

Though I'll allow myself this for now - with the way Lucas physicality and defensive play have already clearly developed from last season I'm already contemplating what an Aqui/Lucas midfield could be like against other sides that just give up the midfield battle.

[Reds4Life]

That sounds great - except for  Cover for Mash - I wonder with Insua doing so well if Aurelio (when fit) could be cover for Mash at DM ?

Wouldn't surprise me with the way I see Rafa building this team if Lucas sat in for Mascherano and Aquilani or Benny Onion played alongside him.

I know Rafa thinks Plessis could make it but I am not that convinced at the moment.

Aurelio... not sure. Fantastic left back but defensive midfielder....

Few people have thought maybe Agger for that role but I am against that also.

[Kahuna{=}Berger]

Psitive- We have improved on last season results! 

What I'm thinking.

[jckliew]

Whos Benny Onion?

[hesbighesred]

Good to get this won over these lot straight away because that draw must have haunted our lads and Rafa over the summer as the first time we got caught in quicksand and that long stretch of soul-sapping draws. Stoke came prepared, were in confident mood, knew they had denied us twice and could have done it again.

Really think we can get into a happy groove with the next few fixtures.

Absolutely.

Weirdly, I'd have been a lot more apprehensive about this game if we'd beaten Spurs - a loss there I can take, but Stoke was a psychological monkey on our backs, and I was very much hoping we'd do a job of removing it tonight - it was the ideal fixture to bounce back with. Though the performance at times was not amazing, it was a thumping result and a big line very much drawn under that particular ghost of season past - and should, I hope, see us in very good stead for other, similar teams - of which Burnley are the first up, I do believe.

[west_london_red]

If that defeat is our only one this season and we're lifting that trophy in May I wont care that we lost to them

Course if we miss out by a point, we know who to talk to

The Spurs game actually reminded me of the loss to boro last year in that it was just a really poor showing where no one turned up. After that we were flying.

[hesbighesred]

Whos Benny Onion?

Benayoun. If it was me who said it I've well and truly picked it up off Gerry's 'Kopblog' on thisisanfield.com - a consistently good read if you've not come across it before, and Gerry, the author, has a knack for nicknames - Benny Onion being one of many.

[Reds4Life]

I think I did pick Benny Onion up off Gerry la, great read.

[slickman]

Were some dark times of the 90's losing to some of the lesser sides at anfield , since rafa been in charge teams have been celebrating getting draws here ,well with the amount of teams we have thrashed past few months it will slowly become the norm teams coming here celebrating only losing 2-0.

[paisleysshirt]

Being honest, I liked him as a player for us. Up there with the best, but as a human being, he does come across as a bit of a c*nt.  Sorry...

Being honest, I liked him as a player for us. Up there with the best, but as a human being, he does come across as a bit of a c*nt.  Sorry...

Ach ignore me :I"m stuck in the 80s **waves back**<<see.

[lfc_col]

Benayoun. If it was me who said it I've well and truly picked it up off Gerry's 'Kopblog' on thisisanfield.com - a consistently good read if you've not come across it before, and Gerry, the author, has a knack for nicknames - Benny Onion being one of many.

least its better than what my brother calls him very un pc the Dancing Jew

[Juan Loco]

Not sure if it's been mentioned but that first goal tonight would never have been scored with Alonso instead of Lucas. For all of Xabi's immense quality I don't think I can recall an occasion like that where he was basically taking up the role of centre forward. Lucas' touch toward Gerrard was a little fortunate, but the movement to get into that position in the first place is definitely something that he has over Xabi.


Johnson was beastly as well. Last time RAWKites were lubing themselves up like this after a home debut was Torres (... or maybe Riera but he's not as good as Nando so I'm going to ignore that and compare the impact Johnson can make to the one Nando already has, problem?).

[shelovesyou]

Very pleased with the result tonight , obviously , Johnson had a cracking game and offers much more than Arbeloa did - so far so good .

There were times when we looked like we didnt know what to do with the ball and we need to be a little more clinical in our passing but its early doors and im sure that will come .

Great show , well done to Ayala especially , looked nervous at times but who wouldnt be eh ? Good man.
And Lucas again impressed .

Good stuff.

[L6 Red]

Ngog. Natural goalscorer. You might laugh...

[Classic goal]

excellent victory by the red men. and i got my bet as well! ta ngog!

The early goal was what we needed. Because christ i do not know how some of the knobs in the ground would have carried on if we weren't ahead. Ayala got shite off a few idiots, one was a dick who always moans about the young lads not getting a chance as well! but i was definately impressed with him today. He was nervy to start, but generally stayed in line with carragher and made nice little moves forwards or backwards to make himself available for a pass.

Gutted for a few others in the ground because they couldn't boo Lucas. At least there's Villa on monday to try lads    Johnson will be an excellent signing for us once he is fully settled. so many positives from him tonight.

Oh and wonder if the mancs will get as much shite as we did the last few days for there result? hmm. Onwards Reds, now beat Villa

[Notayesman]

After a pretty turgid 1st half, which was probably to be expected given the opposition, the 2nd was a joy to watch. Johnson and Insua in fairness had been doing it all game but in the 2nd half the front 3 of Yossi, Gerrard and Dirk just started to click and Masch and Lucas started to benefit from the movement ahead of them. On top of that Ayala had a very assured game. The only negative was Torres who just seems off the pace at the moment but that's probably down to the lack of a full pre season, and even then he scored.
Credit to Lucas though I thought he was excellent tonight, MOM with Johnson for me. He was snapping into tackles, supporting the attack, making the forward passes that were needed to open the game up and generally just looking very comfortable and composed. Saturday seems a long time ago now.

[macca888]

No offence, mate, but no legend is ever a cu*t (unless they go on to play for the scum or shite)  - Lawro's league medals deserve respect.

Well in tonight, lads.

Don't agree mate. Anyone who slags our team off and slags Rafa off week in week out without any thought or justification is a c*nt, whether they used to play for us or not.

[Juan Loco]

Ngog. Natural goalscorer. You might laugh...

Was chuffed to see him pop up with a tap-in (regardless of how scruffy). I always think of him as a good finisher but a poor poacher. He doesn't miss many chances but he doesn't seem to get as many easy tap-ins as say someone like Nemeth does. Chuffed when I see him score some scrappy goals 'cos unless you're as good as Torres, those little 4 yard tap-ins are going to make up the vast majority of the goals you should score.

[Terry De Niro]

Saturday seems a long time ago now.

So does Sunday. 

[fletcheri]

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/article6802738.ece

Mr Barrett at the Times reports

[Red_Rich]

Absolutely.

Weirdly, I'd have been a lot more apprehensive about this game if we'd beaten Spurs - a loss there I can take, but Stoke was a psychological monkey on our backs, and I was very much hoping we'd do a job of removing it tonight - it was the ideal fixture to bounce back with.

Is my way of thinking too.  If we can get ourselves a Mancs-type home record and even end up losing one or two away games, then I'm sure we'll be threreabouts come next May.

[paisleysshirt]

Ngog. Natural goalscorer. You might laugh...

I'm laughin' my cock off and I don't care

[b_joseph]

Good game I guess. Its always nice to just get your first win under your belt so you can rid yourself of any dumb questions immediately.
Was pleased to see us start on the front foot but that was kinda forced upon us because Stoke were never really going to come to our place and attack us but never the less, twas good to see.
I was mega impressed with Mascherano, I thought he was far more competitive in this game compared to the Spurs game and was never shy to get in the opposition faces. That’s when he is at his best, IMO…The ticking time bomb that just manages to toe the line for 90 minutes.

Nothing else to say really because everyone else did what they usually do and what I expect them to do on a consistent basis. Ayala deserves a mention though because he was really solid for us. Understandably nervous but tough and competitive all the way through. Did himself proud and his family also.

Oh and Fuck me what a touch from Stevie. He is nearly 30 years old, his body shouldn’t be able to do that sort of flexible stuff anymore…old man haha.

Moving on to the next game against a proper team that will properly test us in every way that Spurs did on Sunday.

Stoke fans are very loud.

[SteeleRED]

Nice overall match today. Was pleased with our back four's performance, though there were a few shaky moments at the start of the second half. Particularly impressive was Glen Johnson, whose pace and attacking ability really stood out.
Our midfield was decent, with Lucas looking more assured than on Matchday 1 and Benayoun bringing that class and flair they needed.
But MOTM? Gotta be Gerrard, who featured prominently for the first three goals.
Finally: with every passing match, Jose Reina approaches "finest in the world" status. His save on the blistering shot by Rory Delap was one that will be on "year end" reviews of saves of the season, I'm sure of it.

[L6 Red]

I'm laughin' my cock off and I don't care

He gets in the right place at the right time, he has that natural gravitation to the ball. Can finish as well. Better than Owen.

[b_joseph]

Ngog. Natural goalscorer. You might laugh...

Not your typical fox in the box body type but it is amazing how many times he gets in the best areas to score the tap in/6 yard goal. Remember his goals vs Blackburn and Sunderland last season....he has that intangible ability to sniff it out.

EDIT: Snap

[paisleysshirt]

He gets in the right place at the right time, he has that natural gravitation to the ball. Can finish as well. Better than Owen.

nah, nah : I'm buying it, mate I really am  **smile**.

[mooks]

Were some dark times of the 90's losing to some of the lesser sides at anfield , since rafa been in charge teams have been celebrating getting draws here ,well with the amount of teams we have thrashed past few months it will slowly become the norm teams coming here celebrating only losing 2-0.

Did you see Sorensen time wasting when they were down 2-0?  Classic.

[LFCDore]

Glen Johnson is boss.

Lucas looks good. Gerrard seems to be coming deeper now and interchanging roles with Lucas. Perhaps that will create more havoc in the opposition.

Insua seems good, made some errors but looked solid.

I am not sure if the signing of this Greek lad is a good idea. I would be as unsure of him playing in the new league as with Kelly or Ayala. I do think Rafa goes for the safe/cheap options sometimes which don't always turn out to be safe. But the man knows more than I do. For sure no?

Overall, a great performance. I just want Babel to start shining which would feel like a new signing.

[smig]

Badly needed win after Sunday. We weren't at our best, particularly in the first half but getting the points on the board is all that matters. Ayala did a very good job considering he was up against a team who are very physical and get a lot of balls into the box. Johnson excellent.

[clapclapclapclaptorres]

Better than Owen.

Faint praise indeed. Was fun watching Owen raising his hand apologetically time and time again this evening. Hope Ferguson starts him on the weekend, the drunken doddery old bastard.

[jim.]

The turn by Gerrard, if anyone watches Soccer AM that's nailed on to be the last move in the skills part, if not ronaldo did a stepover in madrid.

Lucas and Masch immense, Xabi who?? One of them will fill the boots and both attack more than Xabi.

Glen and Dirk.

Carra an Ayala eased him in well.

Gerrard was immense, Torres did well considering his face was twice the size and a great finish.

Voronin, Benni and Ngog all looked good and sharp

No faults at all, Reina top notch against Delap shots and throw ins.

[destiny_dude]

The turn by Gerrard, if anyone watches Soccer AM that's nailed on to be the last move in the skills part, if not ronaldo did a stepover in madrid.

Lucas and Masch immense, Xabi who?? One of them will fill the boots and both attack more than Xabi.

Glen and Dirk.

Carra an Ayala eased him in well.

Gerrard was immense, Torres did well considering his face was twice the size and a great finish.

Voronin, Benni and Ngog all looked good and sharp

No faults at all, Reina top notch against Delap shots and throw ins.

This

[paisleysshirt]

Faint praise indeed. Was fun watching Owen raising his hand apologetically time and time again this evening. Hope Ferguson starts him on the weekend, the drunken doddery old bastard.

If he meant Owen at his peak for us (as I assumed) them it was praise indeed.

[hesbighesred]

least its better than what my brother calls him very un pc the Dancing Jew

That made me chuckle. Un PC, but it bring to mind certain un PC images of jeish dancing which, in all fairness to your bro, are not at all inappropriate for how Yossi moves on the pitch.