Liverpool thread

[Charlie Wong]

perfectly good goal disallowed, still not really an excuse, dont understand why Robbie Keane didn't put his foot through a couple of his chances rather than side-footing them tamely?

Skrtel was playing as a left winger for most of the game, its harder than you think, trying to score against a team with 11 men in their own box.

[Jonesy Knows]

I'm back in blighty now! after an amazing holiday in blinding hot sunny North & South Carolina!

I missed the opportunity to say "GET IN THERE RED MEN" for the wonderful win against the mancs - although I did watch it at 7.45 am in my hotel room.

I missed the Stoke game however it's just as well I did by all accounts!!!

We still should breakdown teams like Stoke even if they have their 11 men behind the ball all the time. Chelsea and Man Utd will and always do so we need to be more ruthless even if it means roughing the opposition up a bit more to get them to lose their composure and heads! even if it's a win by one goal it means come the end of the season we won't be saying
" What If " ?

Anyhows how is everyone doing?

[Jonesy Knows]

I think it was worth the holiday and having to watch the reds win v the mancs at 7.45 am in my hotel room with my better half!



view from window of hotel



having a stroll on the first day!



taking a dip



sampling! a cocktail...



I want to be back there now!!!





AND ONE FOR COMICAL CONTENT!!!


ahhhhhhhhhhhhh sigh....


.

[Spooner]

Those red x's do look rather nice.

[SteveO]

Originally Posted by Sir Fernando

Skrtel was playing as a left winger for most of the game, its harder than you think, trying to score against a team with 11 men in their own box.

That's why football as a spectator sport can be shit to watch a lot of the time when some teams play so negatively.
Now on the other hand when you see teams like Real Madrid and Barcelona go at it it's a great game to watch.

I don't think there's many sports where a team can dominate a match for the majority of a game and still end up losing or all square.

[Jonesy Knows]

Hi Spoon

That's weird as I have logged out and back in and can see the photos?

Originally Posted by Spooner

Those red x's do look rather nice.

[mileni4uk]

Only if we could play Man U and Everton every week and not Stoke Good performance and happy to see Torres and Keane back to form. Now all we need is a goal from Keano. Next week against City will be interesting. They will play in attack and this will probably suit us

[Jonesy Knows]

I still don't understand why Kuyt is playing right wing when we have Babel who is much better for skill and distribution of crosses?
We now have genuine width and we should use it with Reira left side, Babel on his natural right side with Gerrard and Alonso or Mascherano in the middle.
Kuyt is a utility player and should be used as a sub.

All in all we are quietly getting on with this years prem attempt whilst pundits and reporters alike are trying to find reasons why we should fail to trouble Chelsea and Man Utd.

I'm happy with our season so far it is by far the best start we have made in years and the squad is better strength in depth than in previous seasons. We are showing a belief in our abilities that we have not showed for a while and all the players that are picked are going out onto the pitch and collectively doing their roles well. Players are contesting one on ones and harrying opposing players when not in possession as demonstrated in yesterdays game at a hostile as ever Goodison Park Derby game. This was also demonstrated even more so in the Man Utd game 2 weeks ago! Liverpool teams of previous years have not done this and has been one of the reasons why we have been so far away from a genuine prem title challenge. I just hope they carry this momentum on and not get complacent.

well done so far Red Men!

[aliando]

much better result following last weeks 0-0 with stoke and shows good character. still not expecting miracles this year but to be challenging right towards the end would be satisfactory progress imo.

[Jonesy Knows]

Great character shown today well done Red Men!!!
Skrtel's injury looks bad let's hope it's nothing more than a sore dead leg

Man City 2-3 Liverpool

By Mandeep Sanghera Kuyt missed an early chance but atoned with his side's late winner Dirk Kuyt scored an injury-time winner as Liverpool came back from two goals down to beat 10-man Manchester City. Stephen Ireland lashed in a shot to put City ahead and Javier Garrido curled a 22-yard free-kick into the top corner to extend the home side's lead. But Fernando Torres sidefooted home and, after City's Pablo Zabaleta was sent off for a tackle on Xabi Alonso, headed in to level for the visitors. Kuyt dramatically decided the game late on when he slotted in at the far post. Liverpool showed plenty of character and belief in completing a battling comeback which will only have served to enhance their title credentials. The game was a match up between a City side who were the highest scorers in the Premier League before the encounter, while the Reds had the top-flight's meanest defence. And they produced an action-packed match with plenty of drama. Benitez credits players' belief for win In the opening skirmishes, Reds left-winger Albert Riera caused plenty of problems for ex-club City. Riera had a low well-struck shot from an acute angle saved by Joe Hart before he weaved and wriggled his way into space and put in a low cross for Kuyt. The Dutchman sidefooted over with his left-foot from six yards and City responded by taking the lead. Wright-Phillips crossed for Jo and, after Alonso nicked the ball away from him before he could shoot, the City winger managed to pull back another cross back for Robinho. The Brazilian was challenged by Alvaro Arbeloa and the loose ball fell to Ireland to power home the opener. The goal put a spring in City's play and they knocked the Reds out of their stride with a mixture of flair and hard work. Defeat a 'harsh lesson' for Hughes City were rewarded with a second when Riera fouled Wright-Phillips and Garrido curled in a left-footed free-kick past the despairing dive of Reina. Liverpool must have been on the end of some harsh half-time words from manager Rafael Benitez because they came out with an increased desire after the break. The visitors quickly pulled one back when Torres sidefooted in Arbeloa's cross, but City would have restored their two-goal advantage if Robinho had not fluffed a glorious chance. 606: DEBATE Liverpool seem to have some steel and belief this season billyfurey Robinho failed to steer a Wright-Phillips cross into an empty net from three yards before City's Zabaleta was red-carded for a two-footed lunge on Alonso. Torres was then guilty of missing an equally gilt-edged chance to Robinho's when he struck an effort over from point-blank range after Steven Gerrard's ball across City's six-yard box. The Reds suffered a setback when centre-back Martin Skrtel buckled under his standing leg and was stretchered off. Liverpool - also down to 10-men as they had made their three substitutions - stunned the Manchester City faithful when Kuyt slotted in the winner after a Torres shot had found its way to him. It was Kuyt's first goal in the top-flight since last November and maintained Liverpool's unbeaten start to the season as they stayed joint top of the Premier League with Chelsea. Manchester City boss Mark Hughes: "We played really well in the first half and deserved our lead," he said. "The sending off has changed the game and made it even more difficult for us. "Overall, we have to take the positives out of it. In the first half, it was as good as we have played this season." He added: "It's a harsh lesson and we will have to learn from it." Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez: "We have some experience after Istanbul (when we beat AC Milan after being 3-0 down) and other games. "The main thing for me was the belief of the players until the end. "In the second half we were on top. We changed the mentality and approach. We knew we were giving them too much space so we tried to press them. "Kuyt is one of our key players. His work-rate is amazing and I think that is why the supporters love him." Man City: Hart, Zabaleta, Dunne, Richards, Garrido, Wright-Phillips, Ireland, Kompany, Elano (Petrov 85), Robinho (Evans 80), Jo (Fernandes 70). Subs Not Used: Schmeichel, Hamann, Ben-Haim, Sturridge. Sent Off: Zabaleta (67). Booked: Dunne. Goals: Ireland 19, Garrido 41. Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Skrtel, Aurelio (Dossena 70), Mascherano (Keane 71), Kuyt, Gerrard, Alonso, Riera (Benayoun 81), Torres. Subs Not Used: Cavalieri, Agger, Babel, Leiva Lucas. Booked: Arbeloa. Goals: Torres 55, 73, Kuyt 90. Att: 47,280 Ref: Peter Walton (Northamptonshire). BBC Sport Player Rater man of the match: Fernando Torres on 8.21 (on 90 minutes).

[mileni4uk]

Fantastic character was shown again today and we keep fighting back this season. Something we've never really done in previous seasons. I am still a bit concerned playing Kuyt on the right, who is useless for the whole ninety minutes and runs like a headless chicken. Then gets a goal and will never be dropped to the bench. Saying that, we started very well and only a sloppy goal gave them a belief. We really need to win against Wiagn now and after that the big game against Chelsea has to be at least drawn. Keane played very well when brought on. Rieira was lively as well. Torres was unlucky not to score a hattrick. The worst thing is the Skrtel injury. Thy guy was building a partnership with Carra and will be away for a long time. Agger is a good defender, but not as good as Martin. So far so good this season. Let's see if we will continue in this manner.

[Charlie Wong]

hope Skrtel injury is weeks rather than months, great opportunity for Agger to establish himself in the 1st team again though.

[aimar21]

hey lads,

Never knew such a thread existed in this forum so hopefully I'll join you guys if I have time..

I'm a true Liverpool fan from Turkey (been on the legendary final at Istanbul )..
Me and my two friends will visit England on winter next year and we saw that Liverpool - Chelsea match fits our schedule.. We would really like to go to that game but we're a little unexperienced with the ticket stuff.. From the official site they were selling category 2 for 200 pounds.. 200 pounds is a lot in Turkey so doesn't it get any cheaper in some way?

Also anyone here going to the match?

[doublecee]

I saw the Derby and was impressed with the way The Reds stepped up a gear in the second half. Like old times.
Also like old times, they never stopped playing until the ref's final whistle.
This has been missing for quite a few seasons now.
Could it be coincidence that since we now have somebody who has risen thru' the Liverpool ranks, on the coaching team, we're playing the type of game us old timers have been fed on for decades? Sammy Lee can take some of the plaudits for the recent improved displays, of that I'm sure.

[aliando]

didnt see anything of the game but all i'm hearing is good things


skrtel wont be playing much more this season though - cruciate is knackered

[mileni4uk]

Originally Posted by doublecee

Sammy Lee can take some of the plaudits for the recent improved displays, of that I'm sure.

People forget that last season Rafa was on his own without any sort of support at all. Neither from board nor from coaching staff. We had no assistant and no first team coach like Pellegrino now. The staff is way better this season and most of the improvement comes from there I'd say. I am sure Sammy Lee motivates the guys a lot and Pellegrino is a known character as well. I like eveyrhing about us this season. The only thing I don't like is our wide players except maybe Rieira, who showed some good qualities against the two Manchester sides, but he needs to produce this weak in weak out now. Has been quiet in the other games.

[Charlie Wong]

Rafa's keeping a settled side, building momentum, not as much rotating as last season, feel sorry for Skrtel, out for the season, those Man City fans who booed him as he was carried off on a stretcher need to grow up aswell.

[Jonesy Knows]

To be honest I think the reaction from the minority of citeh fans when Skrtel went off was because of the challenge earlier Skrtel made on Jo.

[mileni4uk]

Originally Posted by Jonesy Knows

To be honest I think the reaction from the minority of citeh fans when Skrtel went off was because of the challenge earlier Skrtel made on Jo.

That was a genuine attempt to win the ball

[Jonesy Knows]

Great news!!!

Liverpool boosted by Skrtel news

Skrtel joined Liverpool from Zenit St Petersburg in January Liverpool have been boosted by the news that defender Martin Skrtel does not need surgery on his knee injury and so could return to action by Christmas. The 23-year-old defender needed oxygen as he left the field on a stretcher after falling awkwardly in the Reds' 3-2 win over Manchester City on Sunday. It was feared he could face a lengthy spell out with posterior cruciate ligament damage to his right knee. But a club spokesman said: "He is expected to be back before Christmas." He added: "Martin was examined by a specialist on Tuesday, who confirmed the player does not require surgery." Skrtel, who was signed from Zenit St Petersburg in January, has forged a solid partnership with Jamie Carragher at the heart of Liverpool's defence. The Slovakian has kept Daniel Agger out of the side but his injury may open the door for the Dane to return, with manager Rafael Benitez admitting: "Everyone can see that the understanding between Martin and Carra is becoming really good and to lose a player who is doing well is always a problem. 606: DEBATE You just cannot legislate for this type of thing - defeats, suspensions yes but this was out of the blue horshamred "Martin has learned a lot. He already had good qualities when we brought him here and we had confidence in him. But you can always improve, especially playing alongside experienced players and working under the staff here, and he's done that. "It's bad news, but we have other options. He has given me a selection headache this season but that is a good problem for me as a manager." Liverpool have conceded only four goals in seven Premier League matches this season and they sit second in the table behind Chelsea on goal difference. Benitez's side have also made a fine start to their Champions League campaign, with victories from each of their opening two Group D matches.

That looked like a season ending injury! tft...