Liverpool FC Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread

lint316 · 18-02-2009 05:22PM

Insua is back but Rafa said he's not sure how tired he is after the internationals. He said he has a good chance of playing sooner rather than later because he played a few games at centre half for the Argies where you do less running.
Yeah Aurelio was great in the middle against Pompey. I'd go as far as to say its the best performance I've ever seen from him. I know Carra had the armband but Aurelio was the one recieving all the instructions from the sidelines. Seriously though if he became a regular at centre mid, as well as a back-up to Insua at left back.

Karmafaerie · 18-02-2009 05:35PM

Aurelio will only play CM in emergancies TBH.

Fight is on for Liverpool left back spot - Rafa Benitez
Feb 18 2009 by Tony Barrett, Liverpool Echo

RAFA BENITEZ has triggered a three-way battle for Liverpool’s left back spot by insisting Fabio Aurelio’s recent midfield run out is likely to be no more than an impressive one off.

The Brazilian will now have to fight it out with the again available Emiliano Insua and Andrea Dossena to win the defensive berth as the Reds boss looks to crank up competition for places throughout his team.

Benitez was delighted but in no way surprised with the way Aurelio performed when given unfamiliar central midfield duties in Liverpool’s last game – a 3-2 win at Portsmouth – but he says the Brazilian will only be asked to reprise that role in emergencies.

“The way Fabio performed at Portsmouth was not a surprise to anyone at the club because he is one of our most technically gifted players,” said Benitez.

“Fabio is a good professional and he is very consistent so if you ask him to do a job for the team he will do it.

“But I do not see him playing as a midfielder too much because we already have Javier Mascherano, Xabi Alonso, Steven Gerrard and Lucas who can play in that position.”

Benitez’s options at left back have been boosted by Insua’s return from international duty and the Liverpool manager has challenged the 19-year-old to quickly rediscover the form which made him a fixture in the Reds back four prior to his involvement in the FIFA under-20 World Cup with Argentina.

He added: “Emiliano was doing a good job for us before he went away so we are happy to have him back.

“But now he must fight for his place again because the more good players you have competing for different positions the better it is for the team.”

Meanwhile, Benitez has confirmed that Steven Gerrard has an outside chance of featuring in Sunday’s Premier League clash with Manchester City.

As reported in Monday’s ECHO, the Reds skipper is hoping to make his comeback from a hamstring injury sooner than expected and could be on the bench for the visit of Mark Hughes’s side.

“He is improving,” said Benitez. “In these situations each day is important. He is working with the medical staff and is progressing.

“Normally he is a player who recovers quickly. He needs less time than other players.”

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2009/02/18/fight-is-on-for-liverpool-left-back-spot-rafa-benitez-100252-22953459/

whatawaster · 18-02-2009 05:42PM

There's no chance Rafa will pick Aurelio ahead of Lucas on Sunday. And nor should he. Lucas has been playing very well recently, despite his high profile errors. He was one of our best players against both Everton and Wigan, and deserves his place in the team.
Plus, Aurelio will be saved for the Real Madrid game i think

I'd go for this team against City:

Reina

Arbeloa

Carragher

Skrtel

Insua

Mascherano

Lucas

Kuyt

Benayoun

Riera

Torres

with hopefully Aurelio, Alonso, Gerrard and possibly Babel coming in for Insua, Lucas, Benayoun and possibly Riera against Madrid.

keane2097 · 18-02-2009 05:55PM

whatawaster wrote: »

There's no chance Rafa will pick Aurelio ahead of Lucas on Sunday. And nor should he. Lucas has been playing very well recently, despite his high profile errors. He was one of our best players against both Everton and Wigan, and deserves his place in the team.
Plus, Aurelio will be saved for the Real Madrid game i think

I'd go for this team against City:
Reina

Arbeloa
Carragher
Skrtel
Insua
Mascherano
Lucas
Kuyt
Benayoun
Riera
Torres

with hopefully Aurelio, Alonso, Gerrard and possibly Babel coming in for Insua, Lucas, Benayoun and possibly Riera against Madrid.

Keane dropped again!!??:eek::eek::eek:

:pac:

citytillidie · 18-02-2009 10:56PM

typical team near the bottom come to Anfield and park the bus yet go to OT and play crap and even the goal keeper comes off the pitch laughing while the two managers share a joke

jaykay74 · 18-02-2009 11:02PM

citytillidie wrote: »

typical team near the bottom come to Anfield and park the bus yet go to OT and play crap and even the goal keeper comes off the pitch laughing while the two managers share a joke

I sense a new conspiracy theory brewing

fish fingers · 18-02-2009 11:06PM

jaykay74 wrote: »

I sense a new conspiracy theory brewing

Facht

Theresalwaysone · 18-02-2009 11:20PM

citytillidie wrote: »

typical team near the bottom come to Anfield and park the bus yet go to OT and play crap and even the goal keeper comes off the pitch laughing while the two managers share a joke

I'd be more of the opinion, United have the creativity in the final 3rd to break down teams that attempt to park the bus.

mada999 · 18-02-2009 11:25PM

agreed....utd have more creativity in the final 3rd!
watchin Villa tonight, would love Rafa to buy Ashley Young...he's quality...put some great crosses in

mike65 · 18-02-2009 11:40PM

The Fulham keeper was paid off by the looks of it

SAF and Hodgsen can afford a laugh as neither poses a threat to the other.

SlickRic · 19-02-2009 12:39AM

it is frustrating to see utd trounce teams with ease. it probably is more down to utd's better creativity than anything.

it does annoy me though when managers, like hodgson this week, are so in awe of utd. i mean hodgson says in press conferences prior to tonight's match that utd have a great chance of winning the quad. plus he told press not to try and frighten him (which he said tongue-in-cheek-ish but still) with the list of players fergie could play, don't bother.

you just don't act like this as a manager if you in any way expect your team to compete. your team looks at that conference and immediately has got to feel a little like 'what's the point?!'

maybe utd have earned the right to be feared in the last two years, and pool have to earn it if they're ever to have it. but still, there's some staistic iv heard that says in all those clean sheets vds has had 8 shots to save, with 2 from inside the area (probably an exaggeration but someone can correct me with an accurate stat). that's not normal no matter how good your defence, i.e. vidic, is.

there's obviously no conspiracy, i suppose it's just me wishing we garnered that respect/fear, for whatever reason. it would make things a hell of a lot easier.

raven136 · 19-02-2009 12:46AM

yeah that stat about vds was mentioned on the game podcast.

Didnt expect anything from tonights match,fulham have not won anyone at all this season.I like Hodgson though,excellent manager

missingtime · 19-02-2009 01:17AM

Danny Murphy was useless anyway. Glad we sold him.....

rossie1977 · 19-02-2009 01:22AM

SlickRic wrote: »

it is frustrating to see utd trounce teams with ease. it probably is more down to utd's better creativity than anything.

in fairness man utd have won 9 out of their last 12 league games 1-0; liverpool don't do 1-0 wins thats the big difference between them and man utd, there isn't much between winning a game 1-0 in the 93rd minute or only goal being a penalty and drawing 0-0 but liverpool always seem to do the latter

to finish second this year will be a huge achievement at the end of the day for liverpool, yes we will all be pissed and complain how rafa threw it away against stoke, wigan and fulham but the truth is this man utd team are going to make history and would have caught and passed this liverpool team eventually, they already have more points than this time last year, lost half as many games, haven't conceded in the league for 3 months, won 12 out of the last 14 league games (the other two being draws), 13 out of 15 on saturday

K-9 · 19-02-2009 02:05AM

rossie1977 wrote: »

in fairness man utd have won 9 out of their last 12 league games 1-0; liverpool don't do 1-0 wins thats the big difference between them and man utd, there isn't much between winning a game 1-0 in the 93rd minute or only goal being a penalty and drawing 0-0 but liverpool always seem to do the latter

to finish second this year will be a huge achievement at the end of the day for liverpool, yes we will all be pissed and complain how rafa threw it away against stoke, wigan and fulham but the truth is this man utd team are going to make history and would have caught and passed this liverpool team eventually, they already have more points than this time last year, lost half as many games, haven't conceded in the league for 3 months, won 12 out of the last 14 league games (the other two being draws), 13 out of 15 on saturday

Indeed. It seems we are up against an exceptional United team.

If we can keep within single points I'll be happy.

rossie1977 · 19-02-2009 02:56AM

K-9 wrote: »

If we can keep within single points I'll be happy.

if man utd continue along the same road for the next 13 games as the last 13 then we would need at least 86 points to stay within single points of them

K-9 · 19-02-2009 03:01AM

rossie1977 wrote: »

if man utd continue along the same road for the next 13 games as the last 13 then we would need at least 86 points to stay within single points of them

Exactly, we'll see at the end of the season. 86 would be some total.

MementoMori · 19-02-2009 09:57AM

rossie1977 wrote: »

in fairness man utd have won 9 out of their last 12 league games 1-0; liverpool don't do 1-0 wins thats the big difference between them and man utd, there isn't much between winning a game 1-0 in the 93rd minute or only goal being a penalty and drawing 0-0 but liverpool always seem to do the latter

to finish second this year will be a huge achievement at the end of the day for liverpool, yes we will all be pissed and complain how rafa threw it away against stoke, wigan and fulham but the truth is this man utd team are going to make history and would have caught and passed this liverpool team eventually, they already have more points than this time last year, lost half as many games, haven't conceded in the league for 3 months, won 12 out of the last 14 league games (the other two being draws), 13 out of 15 on saturday

Jeez come on have some optimism.

You could also interpret some of the same data from a different angle.

Even though Utd have been in fantastic form lately, having kept a clean sheet for the last however many minutes, it shows how well Liverpool have performed so far this season that we are still in with a shout in the league against them. As evidenced by Fergie statement yesterday that he believes the title chase is between Utd and Liverpool. That is in spite of Utd's recent form we still have a chance at the title. OK people may vary in how great they believe that chance to be but at the very least it is a chance.

Just to throw out a hypothetical with all that entails. Imagine a situation where we had won just one of the drawn games against say Stoke while Utd had drawn just one of the one-nil games they won; then we'd be on 56 points while they'd be on 57 points. While this isn't the case, unfortunately, I'm just using it as an illustration of how there isnt a massive gap between the teams. People are going on about Utd as if the league title is theirs for the taking. The thing is they are in the box-seat in a sense and if they go on to win all their remaining games then they title is theirs and in fairness that would be a massive achievement by them and they would be well worthy winners in that case. However I'm of the opinion that it is extremely unlikely that Utd will go the remainder of the season unbeaten and that they will drop points.

It is an established fact in economic prediction that there is a tendency when predicting the future based on past evidence that people tend to put too much emphasis on the most recent evidence i.e. people give too much weight to recent events. This is something I believe is happening here. People see Utd have won 13 games in a row and on the basis of this predict that they will win the next 13 in a row. Even if people don't predict they will win 13 games in a row they unconciously think this. However this is just poor reasoning. It does mean it's likely that Utd will win a lot of the next 13 games, but it's not clear whether they will win eight, ten, twelve or all thirteen of these, based on this information.

One could also take the view that Utd have had their share of luck in achieving some of their one-nils and that their luck in achieving this might be about to run out. Sooner or later some team is going to get a flukely goal against them, they're going to have a deflected goal, a comedy capers effort from a corner or something similar. At the other end of the pitch their key player from last season Ronaldo is in pretty miserable form and they are having to rely on other players e.g. Giggs, Vidic etc to step up and score in order to keep nicking the one-nils. Also in a sense the fact that Rooney is back could be a bad thing for them. Their worst form of the season came when Ferguson was juggling things around trying to select between Ronaldo, Berbatov, Tevez and Rooney for three places. On recent form you'd say Ronaldo had been the poorest performer of these four - is he going to end up on the bench? Is Ferguson going to break up the Tevez Berbatov partnership?
It will be interesting to see how this develops especially given Tevez's contract situation.

Of course all of this will be moot if Liverpool don't keep the pressure on by winning their games. However I'd argue that if Liverpool want to win the league this is what is ultimately needed of them - winning their own games and keeping the pressure on Utd. If Liverpool go on a winning run of 13 games, then Utd could only afford to have one draw or the league race would go to goal difference. Liverpool are in this position to challenge despite the fact that we've been missing our two most important players for a massive chunk of the season - Torres has only played in two out of every five games while Gerrard has only played in four out of every five matches. There is also the fact that Liverpool know that the league is the priority whereas Utd's priorities arent quite so clear-cut.

People might want to claim the title race is almost over. Don't believe this nonsense. BELIEVE.

Also on the basis of inaccurately using statistics just remember that Utd are twice as likely to lose a game in the league when compared to Liverpool

PiE · 19-02-2009 10:00AM

Even we did end up with a gut-busting 86pts & came second, there'd still be people calling for Rafas head

MementoMori · 19-02-2009 10:07AM

Liverpool's current maximum is 93 points; Utd's is 98 points.

However it isnt possible that both end up on these points due to the fact that we play each other.

Assuming each team wins all of their remaining games and Liverpool beat Utd
=> Liverpool 93 Man Utd 95

Assuming each team wins all of their remaining games and Liverpool beat Utd
=> Liverpool 90 Man Utd 98

Just in case anyone has any doubts as to how significant the game on the
14th is in things.

eagle eye · 19-02-2009 10:10AM

MementoMori wrote: »

Liverpool's current maximum is 93 points; Utd's is 98 points.

However it isnt possible that both end up on these points due to the fact that we play each other.

Assuming each team wins all of their remaining games and Liverpool beat Utd
=> Liverpool 93 Man Utd 95

Assuming each team wins all of their remaining games and Liverpool lost to Utd
=> Liverpool 90 Man Utd 98

Just in case anyone has any doubts as to how significant the game on the
14th is in things.

FYP;)

MementoMori · 19-02-2009 10:22AM

eagle eye wrote: »

FYP;)

Took me way too long to figure out the fix - my excuse is that subconciously I can't see Liverpool losing to Utd

lint316 · 19-02-2009 10:51AM

Well, Liverpool play at their best when their backs are up against the wall. Such as the Champions league group stages last season. Maybe 5 points behind isnt such a bad thing for us. Possitive Mental Attitude people.

PHB · 19-02-2009 11:40AM

lint316 wrote: »

Well, Liverpool play at their best when their backs are up against the wall. Such as the Champions league group stages last season. Maybe 5 points behind isnt such a bad thing for us. Possitive Mental Attitude people.

Liverpool do play their best when they are the underdog. That is certainly true. However the thing is, that only happens when they are expected to lose in a cup game. When they line up against a very crap team in the PL, they are nearly always the favorites.

5starpool · 19-02-2009 12:33PM

There is no way in hell that Liverpool will win all their remaining games (even excluding Utd). On paper we will be favourites for them all, but there is no way we will win them all. I think if we get 85 points then this will have been a very successful campaign to build upon and despite the fact that it will mean the utd equal our number of titles, I think we all would have been reasonably happy with 85 points and second at the start of the season.

SlickRic · 19-02-2009 02:27PM

i like to think of myself as one of the more realistic 'pool fans in the world, as in i do recognise our limitations...but come on, we need to be optimistic.

to resign yourself to being within single points of utd, when at the moment we're only 5 behind is lunacy. There's realism, then there's just plain pessimism i'm afraid.

we can be realistic as well as ambitious.

and just to touch on another point that's been mentioned again in terms of rafa...it still amazes me how many fans want rafa out; and with a passion.

i met another one last night and there was no reasoning with him. plucking out this 'what has he done that houllier hasn't done?' and 'he should have had us challenging for the league' (that one particularly made me laugh), and 'martin o'neill with the same bunch of players would have had us way ahead in the league'. unbelievably simplisic, media driven rabble. all of it.

again, i understand having a problem with rafa's tactics at times, that's no problem as it also does my head in at times, but these sorts of arguments really to wear thin in terms of actually sacking the man.

i can't handle trying to reason out these arguments to my fellow Kopites anymore to be honest.

Karmafaerie · 19-02-2009 02:30PM

Ryan Babel: I will learn from Fernando Torres - Liverpool FC latestFeb 19 2009 by Tony Barrett, Liverpool Echo

RYAN BABEL has told how he is hoping to put an indifferent season behind him – by becoming a Kop idol like Fernando Torres.

The Dutch forward has endured a difficult second season in English football and has found himself on the fringes of Rafa Benitez’s title challenging side.

But with the sale of Robbie Keane to Spurs having left the Reds boss short of attacking options, Babel is hoping to be given more opportunities to prove himself.

“With Robbie having gone to Tottenham that has increased my chances a little more,” said the 22-year-old.

“I feel that I am ready for more playing time so hopefully that will come.

“I have spoken with the manager and he has told me what my role can be in the future. If necessary, I will play as a winger, but I have made no secret of my desire to play as a striker at Liverpool.”

Babel was selected in his preferred central attacking role in Liverpool’s most recent game at Portsmouth.

Though the former Ajax man did not get on the scoresheet that day, he was happy that Benitez gave him a run out up front, and now he wants to repay his manager’s faith by proving his worth to the team.

And he is looking to learn from Torres as he endeavours to make the improvements he feels are necessary if he is to cut it as a top class striker.

He added: “I have to be realistic. I know Fernando is the number one striker, there is no doubt about that.

“But there are a lot of games and I want to prove that I can be a striker, too.

“Fernando has wonderful movement and that is what makes him the player he is. It’s definitely an area where I can get better, so I look at him in training.

“My shooting with my left foot could be better, too, and Fernando is good with both feet so I have been watching how he positions his body to strike the ball.

“I have to keep telling myself that I am only 22. it is easy to forget that.

“It is good for me that I have been playing more as a striker because that is where I feel most comfortable.

“But I have time on my side and there are more players in the squad who have more experience and are good in that role, too.

“As long as I am playing, though, I am happy being anywhere on the pitch.”

Meanwhile, Real Madrid boss Juande Ramos has hailed his own club as the biggest in Europe ahead of next Wednesday’s Champions League showdown with Liverpool.

The Real boss told Spanish media that while Liverpool’s success makes them a “massive” name they still can’t compare with the La Liga outfit.

“They are a massive European Cup club, but the fact is we are bigger – bigger than anybody in this competition,” said Ramos.

“Everybody knows about Liverpool’s successes, but at the same time everybody knows we are the most famous and successful club in Europe.

“For the Real Madrid fans it has been too long since they won the European Cup and with Barcelona so far ahead in La Liga before I arrived maybe this is our best chance of a major trophy this season.”

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2009/02/19/ryan-babel-i-will-learn-from-fernando-torres-liverpool-fc-latest-100252-22962795/

kryogen · 19-02-2009 02:38PM

To reply to an earlier post i want to say, Ronaldo is in no way in misreable form, i do like the conception people have of him this season though, he is our top scorer and only Anelka has more goals in the league, he has improved on his assists and overall team play, yet people think he is playing terribly lol

Out of the 4 attack players listed it is unfortuate but Tevez is actually playing the worst.

eagle eye · 19-02-2009 02:44PM

5starpool wrote: »

There is no way in hell that Liverpool will win all their remaining games (even excluding Utd). On paper we will be favourites for them all, but there is no way we will win them all. I think if we get 85 points then this will have been a very successful campaign to build upon and despite the fact that it will mean the utd equal our number of titles, I think we all would have been reasonably happy with 85 points and second at the start of the season.

Imo if you beat United and end up on 85 points you will win the League. I know how good United look right now, but its often the case when teams in that sort of form lose a game that things go awry for a couple of games.

kryogen · 19-02-2009 02:47PM

eagle eye wrote: »

Imo if you beat United and end up on 85 points you will win the League. I know how good United look right now, but its often the case when teams in that sort of form lose a game that things go awry for a couple of games.

+1

if you lot can manage to beat us it could be damaging for us and its your best shot at causing us to lose the title, other than that i think we will be professional enough to see out the season doing what we have to.

the only game that can throw us is the pool one. it will be the biggest of the season for us in terms of the league

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