Topic: Spurs vs Liverpool 2-1 Post Match Reaction

[Giono]

Is "no Xabi Alonso" the new "zonal marking"?

Hilarious.

I don't think we were missing Xabi today. We were missing a few other players who were actually on the pitch. And I think that Lucas Leiva was present and played well.

We played the worst I've seen us play in a while and Spurs played like a team with something to prove. Yet we didn't get blown-out and if the ref had been a bit more attentive, we could have got out of there with a draw. Now that is shocking.

Hopefully the sting of this loss gets some blood flowing.

Oh ya, that kid Ayala didn't do half badly and his confidence has been raised I'm sure. That should make him a bit more reliable if he has to get some games soon...

[smicer07]

Hilarious.

It wasn't supposed to be funny. And you actually agreed with me anyway 

[BCCC]

Ironically if we beat Stoke on Wednesday we will be ahead of our last season's head to head points tally...

[Stussy]

Two home games in a row now, Stoke & Villa, then Bolton away then Burnley at home.

We'll set ourselves up ripe and sweet for the season with those games.

Nice run of games to get the fire burning, trust me.

[its cold in the stands]

that reminded me of watching us under houllier, aimless balls just hoofed upfield from the keeper and centre halfs for our strikers to chase after.
i`m not a big fan of lucas but he played well today, he didnt control the game like alonso but he certainly didnt let the team down either.

[TALBERT]

so lucas is now a world class player. mate u need to wake up as well. did u listen to sky after the match. oh thats right them boys are stupid as well?

Post of the season........

[Paul JH]

Riera's a million times better than Babel. Which says as much about Babel's never ending capacity for shitness as it does about Riera.

Riera is a decent player actually, we'd all like John Barnes back on the left wing but unfortunately that's not gonna happen so Riera it is, and the Spaniard deserves more credit than he gets around here.

Babel however, deserves none. He's fucking rubbish and we should've already got shot of him.

Agree with ALL of this, but I'll say again, why the fuck does Rafa persist with him on the left wing when it's never going to work?
Babel has been shit for a good 12 months, and yet Rafa picks him again on the left wing.

I know Riera was injured today, but still.

[Paul JH]

Ironically if we beat Stoke on Wednesday we will be ahead of our last season's head to head points tally...

Exactly. Stunned by the people on here panicking already.

[Fordy]

Has this "no strength in depth" thing come directly from Martin Tyler and his pet monkey? Fact is, we have injuries, without the injuries we have plenty of depth.

Not enough quality though.

[WordF0o]

that reminded me of watching us under houllier, aimless balls just hoofed upfield from the keeper and centre halfs for our strikers to chase after.
i`m not a big fan of lucas but he played well today, he didnt control the game like alonso but he certainly didnt let the team down either.

I think he could be more vocal though. There were times that I thought he was the better to choice to pass to, but no one seemed to pass it to him. Lucas should be more confident to call for the ball and also maybe make more attacking runs.

[MOZ]

Agree with ALL of this, but I'll say again, why the fuck does Rafa persist with him on the left wing when it's never going to work?
Babel has been shit for a good 12 months, and yet Rafa picks him again on the left wing.

I know Riera was injured today, but still.

I've now reached the unusual conclusion that I would rather see Dossena play as a left winger than persist with Babel (when Riera is unavailable)

[Giono]

It wasn't supposed to be funny. And you actually agreed with me anyway 

As Homer Simpson says: "It's funny cause it's true". I was laughing with you not at you. I do agree with you.

[Shanks1965]

I just don't get babel, he's got all the attributes to be a top player, but just bottles it. I don't understand how a professional player cannot have mental strength!! He needs a right bollocking and a kick up the backside!! 

There's something either missing or not quite right with Ryan. I still think he is better down the middle rather than out wide but he didn't take his chance today and his performance made Rafa's decision to play him before Yossi all the more difficult to understand.

[Paul JH]

I think he could be more vocal though. There were times that I thought he was the better to choice to pass to, but no one seemed to pass it to him. Lucas should be more confident to call for the ball and also maybe make more attacking runs.

Can't expect a 21 year old lad to be confident though, when his every touch or misplaced pass is greeted with sighs and moans from a lot of LFC fans, especially at Anfield...

[TALBERT]

Would this work?

                        Reina

Johnson   Carragher   Skrtel     Aurelio 

          Macherano       Agger
Kuyt                                        Bennayoun
                          Gerrard
                Torres


Could Agger play the Xabi role.... He's the only CB that plays the ball out no Hoffing. He's also quite an attacking player remember his getting forward one game and setting up a goal once he made a defensive mistake Agger also likes to have a shot from range as well. 

[BCCC]

Exactly. Stunned by the people on here panicking already.

And a better goal difference..

[LFCfan4Life]

If gerrard, nando, babel, kuyt turn up against stoke we will be fine

oh and carra not to KO himself and our other CB

defeat out of the way nice and early the only way is up

oh and masch needs to step it up

[phoenix wright]

Would this work?

                        Reina

Johnson   Carragher   Skrtel     Aurelio 

          Macherano       Agger
Kuyt                                        Bennayoun
                          Gerrard
                Torres


Could Agger play the Xabi role.... He's the only CB that plays the ball out no Hoffing. He's also quite an attacking player remember his getting forward one game and setting up a goal once he made a defensive mistake Agger also likes to have a shot from range as well. 

Omg... how bad rated has to be Lucas for you to think about playing a CB in CM position.

If you don't like Lucas at least put Yossi in midfield and a proper left winger like Riera.

[WordF0o]

Can't expect a 21 year old lad to be confident though, when his every touch or misplaced pass is greeted with sighs and moans from a lot of LFC fans, especially at Anfield...

True but hopefully when he gets more game time, he will be more confident. Now is the time for Lucas to step up especially with Aqualini (sp?) not fit yet. 

[reniformis]

Yes but because of Benni not because Gerrard was in midfield. He didn't offer anymore than Lucas did there and gave away the ball a lot more. And I believe Yossi is just as much of a threat cutting in from the left as he is centrally.

I agree, but it's a question of numbers. We play a 5 man midfield (4-2-3-1) and benni has to play in the form he's in. Gerrard, Mash and Kuyt are going to play. So it's a choice between Riera and Lucas for the fifth spot. I'd choose Riera. Again, just my opinion.

[TALBERT]

Omg... how bad rated has to be Lucas for you to think about playing a CB in CM position.

If you don't like Lucas at least put Yossi in midfield and a proper left winger like Riera.

I know that was the kind of reply I would get.......

All i'm saying is I think Danny would make a fairly good CM

[Paul JH]

At least it's put the 'if Gerrard and Torres aren't fit, Liverpool won't win the title' cliche to bed for a bit, because even if they DO stay fit, if they play like that again, we'll win fuck all anyway!
 

[Giono]

Agree with ALL of this, but I'll say again, why the fuck does Rafa persist with him on the left wing when it's never going to work?
Babel has been shit for a good 12 months, and yet Rafa picks him again on the left wing.

I know Riera was injured today, but still.

I think it is the shape of the team with Babel in it. I'm not disagreeing that he looked terrible and was easily ganged-up on. But I think Rafa put him out there to run. I think he also put him out there for confidence. Unfortunately it didn't work, but I don't question Rafa doing it.

If Rafa isn't going to start Babel when Riera is injured, then there is no point having him on the team. Rafa wants him on the team, or he would have sold him over the summer. The kid didn't just suddenly hit his head and forgot how to play.

I'm still hopeful that Babel gets another start Wednesday and gets a chance to make-up for his for his sins in this match.

[LFCfan4Life]

I know that was the kind of reply I would get.......

All i'm saying is I think Danny would make a fairly good CM

and lucas is a better one

[Chivasino]

Just got back home from the game.

Really disjointed first half, we looked like a team of strangers. Was better in the 2nd once Yossi came on.

Babel was shocking. Torres looked off the pace. Defence was shaky.

Not sure if the camera picked up the bollocking that Torres gave Babel.

Reina was our best player which says it all.

[Dr Cornwallis]

Not enought quality though.

Reina

Johnson
Agger
Skrtel
Aurelio

Masch
Lucas

Kuyt
Gerrard
Babel

Torres


Is one team.


Cavalieri

Degen
Carragher
San Jose
Insua

Spearing/Plessis
Aquilani

Dossena
Benayoun
Babel

Voronin/Ngog


I think that aside from the 2nd team's forwards and centre back, we've got two very strong teams.

[flying red]

Agree with ALL of this, but I'll say again, why the fuck does Rafa persist with him on the left wing when it's never going to work?
Babel has been shit for a good 12 months, and yet Rafa picks him again on the left wing.

I know Riera was injured today, but still.

Up against Corluka who is slow and turns like an ocean liner Babel could have had him for breakfast.  Spurs were shrewd in cutting off the supply and doubling up on Babel.  Benayoun when he came on used his quick feet to make space and open up the play.

[AmericanPoolFan]

Where was Degen?

[phoenix wright]

I know that was the kind of reply I would get.......

All i'm saying is I think Danny would make a fairly good CM

Probably... but I am sure a proper CM would do a better work and Liverpool has Lucas who can play there or even Benayoun and Gerrard.

What you are doing placing Danny there is loosing a great CB and the only one who can move the ball up.

[Giono]

I think he could be more vocal though. There were times that I thought he was the better to choice to pass to, but no one seemed to pass it to him. Lucas should be more confident to call for the ball and also maybe make more attacking runs.

I couldn't agree more. I was screaming at the TV for Masch to look sideways or upfield for someone to pass it to. Too many times Lucas was free, but the ball went back to Carra to be sent upfield without a prayer.

[west_london_red]

I'm still hopeful that Babel gets another start Wednesday and gets a chance to make-up for his for his sins in this match.

How many times can we keep on saying that? Hes now in his 3rd year with us and I dont think there has been any improvement.

[TOMMO86]

we will beat Stoke 3-0 and everything will be fine. Villa on the 24th and 6 points in the bag

[Chicken Wow Wows]

Today i suddenly thought, we need to play 2 up top, i think Teams are working out how to deal with the torres/gerrard combination

[RedinExile]

Because people are generally lazy fuckers and won't be arsed reading all this thread, what happened was people weren't slagging lucas off at all, but a few staunch supporters came on praising him. When it was pointed out playing well might well be considered a fucking standard for someone on tens on thousands a week, the lucas defenders camp went into completely unnecessary overdrive which prompted multiple posts with the usual rolling eyes bollocks and smartarse comments. Those same defendents castigate Babel and I'm struggling to see the difference between the two in terms of IMPACT. The fact is, were Lucas shipped out tomorrow for someone more glamorous/expensive/hi profile his camp would fall silent overnight.

[Giono]

There's something either missing or not quite right with Ryan. I still think he is better down the middle rather than out wide but he didn't take his chance today and his performance made Rafa's decision to play him before Yossi all the more difficult to understand.

His problem seems to be that he can hold the ball and draw defenders, but he can't pass the ball away once he has created the space for others. I can't see how this will work any better with him doing that in the middle with Torres.

[killer-heels]

Reina

Johnson
Agger
Skrtel
Aurelio

Masch
Lucas

Kuyt
Gerrard
Babel

Torres


Is one team.


Cavalieri

Degen
Carragher
San Jose
Insua

Spearing/Plessis
Aquilani

Dossena
Benayoun
Babel

Voronin/Ngog


I think that aside from the 2nd team's forwards and centre back, we've got two very strong teams.

I dont think our 2nd 11 matches up to what Utd can put out there.

[suede lady]

The shove on Voronin could easily have been a penalty. I wonder about the penalty we were given though. Johnson touched the ball past Gomes and was taken out, but we were not denied a goal scoring opportunity. There was no way Glen would have been able to do any thing constructive with the ball, given that it was running out of play. I do feel a penalty is harsh, even though it was the correct decision.

[Paul JH]

I think it is the shape of the team with Babel in it. I'm not disagreeing that he looked terrible and was easily ganged-up on. But I think Rafa put him out there to run. I think he also put him out there for confidence. Unfortunately it didn't work, but I don't question Rafa doing it.

If Rafa isn't going to start Babel when Riera is injured, then there is no point having him on the team. Rafa wants him on the team, or he would have sold him over the summer. The kid didn't just suddenly hit his head and forgot how to play.

I'm still hopeful that Babel gets another start Wednesday and gets a chance to make-up for his for his sins in this match.

Yes, but whenever he's been given the chance on the left over the last 12 months (it's not just today), he's failed miserably. There's the odd game when he plays ok, but have you ever looked and Babel and thought 'he was great today'. Seriously?

I'd agree with you if it was just today like you say, but it's not, it's over the last 12 months, he's been pretty abysmal, and did nothing today when he had the chance to.
I blame Rafa simply because it's been well documented Babel himself has said that he doesn't like playing on the left, and yet even though he's been poor there for a while, he still gets a game.

It's like when Kuyt was playing badly, but Rafa would never drop him, Rafa is persisting with Babel.
Saying that, it wasn't just him today, a lot of players didn't put the effort in.

[Chivasino]

How many times can we keep on saying that? Hes now in his 3rd year with us and I dont think there has been any improvement.

I agree. I just can't see him making it with us.

[Giono]

Can't expect a 21 year old lad to be confident though, when his every touch or misplaced pass is greeted with sighs and moans from a lot of LFC fans, especially at Anfield...

We've got to show him some love at Anfield. Ah, the Beach Boys in August...