Liverpool FC Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread

PiE · 24-02-2009 05:52PM

Real sure of overcoming Liverpool
Real Madrid are confident of putting one foot in the Champions League quarter-finals by beating Liverpool in their last 16 first leg on Wednesday.

The Spaniards have hit form with seven straight victories while Liverpool have won only two of their last eight games.

"I want to win and we are going to do it in both legs," said Real's former Chelsea winger Arjen Robben.

Although the sides have lifted the trophy 14 times between them, they meet at the Bernabeu for the first time.

Real have won their last nine league games, scoring 22 goals and conceding only two since ex-Tottenham boss Juande Ramos replaced Bernd Schuster as coach on 9 December.

They have also cut the gap on Barcelona at the top of La Liga from 12 points to seven.

The nine-times European champions head into the match against Liverpool, who have won Europe's premier club competition on five occasions, in buoyant mood.

606: DEBATE
Liverpool with Gerrard, Alonso, Torres in the team can beat any team in the world

Liverpool245

"In Madrid we're going to win 3-0, and at Anfield (10 March) we'll also win 2-1 because they'll open up and we'll overrun them," said the club's interim president Vicente Boluda.

Ramos, whose side thrashed Real Betis 6-1 on Saturday, added: "I think it's more an atmosphere of optimism than euphoria. We are calm and happy at how things are developing in the league because it gives us security and confidence going into games.

"Maybe some fans are more happy and euphoric than others but the dressing room isn't like that and I'm happy with the state of the team and the way the players are approaching the game.

"It is a very tough and difficult tie and we have to work hard to get through."

Real have been knocked out at the last 16 stage in each of the last four seasons, last reaching the quarter-finals in 2004, while Liverpool have won six of their last seven knockout ties against Spanish opposition, the most recent against Barcelona in 2007.

The Anfield club have reached the semi-finals in three of the last four years, beating AC Milan in the 2005 final and losing to them two years later.

"I see it as being very equal," said Real striker Raul, the top scorer and most capped player in Champions League history. "We're a lot better than when the draw came out, while Liverpool have lost a little.

"It'll be an intense 180 minutes between two teams that know what is at stake. I think the little details could make the difference."

Wow... there's confidence and then there's setting yourself up for a spectacularly awesome fall. It seems fans aren't the only people who can let immediate form decide their opinion.

Melion · 24-02-2009 05:55PM

Raul showing what a top bloke he is in the last paragraph.

Iang87 · 24-02-2009 05:57PM

p_larkin99 wrote: »

But can you not understand the circumstances? There are limited funds are there not? Im sure Rafa would love to pay bucketloads for Dani Alves or another good RB (ive read a few times on here he wanted him but money wasnt there - is that Rafa's fault??).

That must fall into where i said it was rafas fault or oh wait ya i didnt.

OK i'm just gonna pack this one in i dont think he's any good i think we got a full back worth 2 million who wasn't/isn't good enough in my opinion for Liverpool. Just cause he plays for us doesn't make him good you know, i dont rate him simple as whats the problem with that

daithijjj · 24-02-2009 05:57PM

Quote:
Real sure of overcoming Liverpool
Real Madrid are confident of putting one foot in the Champions League quarter-finals by beating Liverpool in their last 16 first leg on Wednesday.

The Spaniards have hit form with seven straight victories while Liverpool have won only two of their last eight games.

"I want to win and we are going to do it in both legs," said Real's former Chelsea winger Arjen Robben.

Although the sides have lifted the trophy 14 times between them, they meet at the Bernabeu for the first time.

Real have won their last nine league games, scoring 22 goals and conceding only two since ex-Tottenham boss Juande Ramos replaced Bernd Schuster as coach on 9 December.

They have also cut the gap on Barcelona at the top of La Liga from 12 points to seven.

The nine-times European champions head into the match against Liverpool, who have won Europe's premier club competition on five occasions, in buoyant mood.

606: DEBATE
Liverpool with Gerrard, Alonso, Torres in the team can beat any team in the world

Liverpool245

"In Madrid we're going to win 3-0, and at Anfield (10 March) we'll also win 2-1 because they'll open up and we'll overrun them," said the club's interim president Vicente Boluda.

Ramos, whose side thrashed Real Betis 6-1 on Saturday, added: "I think it's more an atmosphere of optimism than euphoria. We are calm and happy at how things are developing in the league because it gives us security and confidence going into games.

"Maybe some fans are more happy and euphoric than others but the dressing room isn't like that and I'm happy with the state of the team and the way the players are approaching the game.

"It is a very tough and difficult tie and we have to work hard to get through."

Real have been knocked out at the last 16 stage in each of the last four seasons, last reaching the quarter-finals in 2004, while Liverpool have won six of their last seven knockout ties against Spanish opposition, the most recent against Barcelona in 2007.

The Anfield club have reached the semi-finals in three of the last four years, beating AC Milan in the 2005 final and losing to them two years later.

"I see it as being very equal," said Real striker Raul, the top scorer and most capped player in Champions League history. "We're a lot better than when the draw came out, while Liverpool have lost a little.

"It'll be an intense 180 minutes between two teams that know what is at stake. I think the little details could make the difference."
Wow... there's confidence and then there's setting yourself up for a spectacularly awesome fall. It seems fans aren't the only people who can let immediate form decide their opinion.

Im not too bothered by what comes out in that, robben famously stated that "man utds time is over" upon signing for chelsea. Diplomacy is not a trait associated with the madrid hierarchy either.

Melion · 24-02-2009 05:59PM

Iang87 wrote: »

That must fall into where i said it was rafas fault or oh wait ya i didnt.

OK i'm just gonna pack this one in i dont think he's any good i think we got a full back worth 2 million who wasn't/isn't good enough in my opinion for Liverpool. Just cause he plays for us doesn't make him good you know, i dont rate him simple as whats the problem with that

Because you think he isnt fit to replace Finnan who wasn't good enough in his last 18 months with us. Rafa got rid, he then failed a medical for Hull. So you'd rather have a crock than Arbeloa

Iang87 · 24-02-2009 06:00PM

"In Madrid we're going to win 3-0, and at Anfield (10 March) we'll also win 2-1 because they'll open up and we'll overrun them," said the club's interim president Vicente Boluda.

Wow what a statement

"It is a very tough and difficult tie and we have to work hard to get through."

Fair enough statement but when preceeded by the other makes it hard to believe somehow that they think that

Iang87 · 24-02-2009 06:00PM

Melion wrote: »

Because you think he isnt fit to replace Finnan who wasn't good enough in his last 18 months with us. Rafa got rid, he then failed a medical for Hull. So you'd rather have a crock than Arbeloa

dude i'm leaving it cos arguing is pointless its an opinion. Deal with it

zing · 24-02-2009 06:02PM

Arbeloa's not bad - I too would prefer Stevie Finnan from a couple of years back over him but Stevie Finnan from a couple of years back isn't an option anymore. For now Arbeloa does a decent enough job though - a decent buy for the money. But as has been pointed out if Rafa didn't constantly have one hand tied behind his back when it comes to transfers we'd have had the likes of Alves in that position for the last 3 seasons or so.

Warnock at LB ? No thanks - he wasn't bad but he was the weak link in the back 4 back then (well him & Djimi). Got sick of shouting at the tv when he'd be left ther waving his arm in the air for off side when he was the one who hadn't held the line with the other 3. Dosena shows glimpses of having some quality but only just glimpses unfortunately - reckon he'll be back to Italy before too long. But for LB I'd have Insua & Aurelio over the likes of Warnock any day.

That's my 2c on the full backs anyway.

Agree with daithijjj - there's been games where I've longed for Rafa to throw caution to the wind and sacrifice either one of the holding midfielders or go three across the back in an attempt to break the deadlock. But Rafa's either not that type or just doesn't have the confidence in the players to risk that. Sure 1 or 2 game during the season we'll start with 3 at the back but it's very very rare for him to risk a point in an all out attempt to get 3.

zing · 24-02-2009 06:04PM

daithijjj wrote: »

"In Madrid we're going to win 3-0, and at Anfield (10 March) we'll also win 2-1 because they'll open up and we'll overrun them," said the club's interim president Vicente Boluda.

/me heads to bookies with that knowledge..

Paul Tergat · 24-02-2009 06:05PM

Iang87 wrote: »

That must fall into where i said it was rafas fault or oh wait ya i didnt.

OK i'm just gonna pack this one in i dont think he's any good i think we got a full back worth 2 million who wasn't/isn't good enough in my opinion for Liverpool. Just cause he plays for us doesn't make him good you know, i dont rate him simple as whats the problem with that

Yeah i was asking a genuine question with regards other options, just saying that Benitez clearly wanted better quality but simply wasnt allowed to go out and get it. Would you have been happy with Alves?

I think Arbeloa does a job, nothing spectacular but every team will have those players.

You of course are entitled to your own opinion - I wouldn't want him at Utd for example!

spockety · 24-02-2009 06:07PM

Iang87 wrote: »

"In Madrid we're going to win 3-0, and at Anfield (10 March) we'll also win 2-1 because they'll open up and we'll overrun them," said the club's interim president Vicente Boluda.

Wow what a statement

"It is a very tough and difficult tie and we have to work hard to get through."

Fair enough statement but when preceeded by the other makes it hard to believe somehow that they think that

I wasn't too fired up about the tie, but having read that story, by christ I hope we stuff them.

PiE · 24-02-2009 06:12PM

Iang87 wrote: »

That is an opinion it cant be right or wrong just so you know

Er... I'm afraid it can.

Anyway...

It's funny how vocal Real are now after a good result and a decent run of form. This wave of confidence could make them fire on all cylinders tomorrow night.

But hopefully it'll just make them look silly

eagle eye · 24-02-2009 06:13PM

PiE wrote: »

If you ever wonder why people ignore/disregard your opinions; just re-read that gem because it's a fantastic specimen of awfulness.

Now again here we are with more of these insults. I'd have to agree that Lucas Neill is a better right back than Arbeloa. Imo Neill is still one of the top three in the league. I hate him by the way, he left us for money at West Ham. If he had went to Liverpool I could have understood that.

Liverpool wanted him in fairness so its not like he wasn't considered good enough.

As for Steven Warnock, on last seasons form he was as good as if not better than anybody at Liverpool, but this year he has not been up to much.

zing · 24-02-2009 06:21PM

Insua & El Zhar both start for the reserves tonight. Hopefully Insua will have a good game and force his way back into the starting XI - shouldn't be too hard to displace Dosena at least.

ibh · 24-02-2009 07:34PM

Iang87 wrote: »

ok watch arbeloa tomorrow night just watch him he'll be skinnned plenty and will lose his man. If thats a full back you think is good by all means believe so but i dont think he is in the slightest bit good. I didnt last season i wont next season and he'll eventually just stop playin and go away.

Eagle eye had a post today about how you're not allowed an opinion in here. go check it out cos its very very true an quite related to this.

Ok for 2 million yes he's a decent buy but that doesn't make him good. Thats my point

Of course you are allowed an opinion here. But nobody will listen to it if you say stupid things like Lucas Neill being better than any defender in the league. Not to mention a Man City and Chelsea reserve. BTW i think Arbeloa is a functional FB and i would love to see a real quality RB at sometime in the future but for £2m squid you can't argue.

Glen Johnson is rubbish and he will continue to be rubbish although he will somehow fool people into thinking he can defend.

Villain · 24-02-2009 07:38PM

Anyone here Lawro on the Last Word? He said he heard a rumour that Rafa had walked?

kingshankly · 24-02-2009 07:41PM

just looking through a few comments surprised to see arbeloa getting criticised. cant understand this,sure he is not spectacular but is very dependable as a rb his first job is to defend which he does well.
i would have him in the top 5 rb in the premiership for sure.
as for dossena i reckon he is in the top 5 also......of worst players ever to play for liverpool. he is truly a terrible footballer and an absolute liability and sickens me to see him wear the precious liver bird on his chest,im sure shanks is turning in his grave.
i was too depressed to post on the match thread the weekend (and afraid of more warnings cause of utd fans) but noticed people slagging lucas again i have watched the game twice since and there is no way he was the worst man in red. personally think he will come good but at the moment think he is very ill disciplined and has to learn when to tackle but this will come.
once again rafas future is being discussed and if he does go i would hope it to be sonner than later as i would hate for him to be remembered in the same light as houllier and not as the truly great manager he is and has been. but i for one hopes he stays and gets the backing he deserves because there isnt many manager better than him out there

eagle eye · 24-02-2009 07:42PM

ibh wrote: »

Of course you are allowed an opinion here. But nobody will listen to it if you say stupid things like Lucas Neill being better than any defender in the league. Not to mention a Man City and Chelsea reserve. BTW i think Arbeloa is a functional FB and i would love to see a real quality RB at sometime in the future but for £2m squid you can't argue.

Glen Johnson is rubbish and he will continue to be rubbish although he will somehow fool people into thinking he can defend.

Best defender and one of the best right backs are hugely different things. I said above how highly I personally rate Neill. Why do you think its stupid to say he is one of the best right backs. I don't see how you cannot rate him highly, he rarely has a bad game, is good defensively and adds to your attack when he goes forward.

ibh · 24-02-2009 07:43PM

eagle eye wrote: »

Now again here we are with more of these insults. I'd have to agree that Lucas Neill is a better right back than Arbeloa. Imo Neill is still one of the top three in the league. I hate him by the way, he left us for money at West Ham. If he had went to Liverpool I could have understood that.

Liverpool wanted him in fairness so its not like he wasn't considered good enough.

As for Steven Warnock, on last seasons form he was as good as if not better than anybody at Liverpool, but this year he has not been up to much.

WTF, i seriously don't think he's even in the top 3 full backs in the West Ham squad.:pac:

Just because Liverpool were in for him doesn't make him any good. I've seen him play for WH so many times this season where he has been the weakest link in the defence.

I dn't think people are actually trying to insult Iang87, there's nothing wrong with a bit of a laugh every now and then. When you post a list of better defenders that includes a Newcastle defender, you're going to take some stick!!;)

ibh · 24-02-2009 07:47PM

eagle eye wrote: »

Best defender and one of the best right backs are hugely different things. I said above how highly I personally rate Neill. Why do you think its stupid to say he is one of the best right backs. I don't see how you cannot rate him highly, he rarely has a bad game, is good defensively and adds to your attack when he goes forward.

Couldn't disagree more. Regularly plays badly. Like i said he is the weakest link in an otherwise decent WH defence.
Was a bit better at Blackburn but still does nothing for me. Best i've seen him was in 06 WC with Australia.

eagle eye · 24-02-2009 07:51PM

ibh wrote: »

WTF, i seriously don't think he's even in the top 3 full backs in the West Ham squad.:pac:

Just because Liverpool were in for him doesn't make him any good. I've seen him play for WH so many times this season where he has been the weakest link in the defence.

I dn't think people are actually trying to insult Iang87, there's nothing wrong with a bit of a laugh every now and then. When you post a list of better defenders that includes a Newcastle defender, you're going to take some stick!!;)

Fair enough, his list was a bit ott alright, and I certainly would not agree with most of it. Its not the bit of stick I have a problem with, its more that some posters only respond with insulting short posts of no content. I took issue with one of them personally a couple of days ago, and he continues in the same vein. The sad thing is that he is getting thumbs up from others and that is only egging him on to continue with it.

Personally I'm not a Liverpool fan but this other poster is and he deserves a little more respect than that imo.

On Lucas Neill can we agree to disagree?:)

eagle eye · 24-02-2009 07:55PM

I checked the interwebs there and that Rafa story is starting to do the rounds. No mention of it on Liverpool fc though and you would imagine they would have it up immediately.

ibh · 24-02-2009 08:02PM

eagle eye wrote: »

Fair enough, his list was a bit ott alright, and I certainly would not agree with most of it. Its not the bit of stick I have a problem with, its more that some posters only respond with insulting short posts of no content. I took issue with one of them personally a couple of days ago, and he continues in the same vein. The sad thing is that he is getting thumbs up from others and that is only egging him on to continue with it.

Personally I'm not a Liverpool fan but this other poster is and he deserves a little more respect than that imo.

On Lucas Neill can we agree to disagree?

Were gonna have to otherwise there will be smoke outta my keyboard!!!!

I have throttled back in recent months from contributing on this board mostly because of this thread because of contributions from trolls and some of the rusbish from pool fans.
I respect Rafa but i don't think he's infalliable. Some people here think he can do no wrong and see the positive in everything he does, no matter how destructive to the club.

In the words of Jules Winnfield; "my eyes are wide fcuking open"..:pac:

PiE · 24-02-2009 08:03PM

eagle eye wrote: »

I took issue with one of them personally a couple of days ago, and he continues in the same vein. The sad thing is that he is getting thumbs up from others and that is only egging him on to continue with it.

Give it a rest - I insulted nobody. If you think I did, report my post and stop trying to be some sort of champion of the downtrodden.

If you had read the previous 11,000 posts as you claimed, you'd know that the vast majority of stuff that gets ignored, rebuked or generally sneered at is treated that way because it's been replied to 5,000 times already.

===

Also - If Rafa has walked / does walk, we'll be regretting it for a long time.

Villain · 24-02-2009 08:03PM

eagle eye wrote: »

I checked the interwebs there and that Rafa story is starting to do the rounds. No mention of it on Liverpool fc though and you would imagine they would have it up immediately.

Really? Be amazed if he left before the Real Match!

jesus_thats_gre · 24-02-2009 08:07PM

Jaysus, I hope to god that that is just a bull**** rumour. There is nothing on the normal new sites anyway.

eagle eye · 24-02-2009 08:07PM

Hey lets make it clear I did not start that rumour.

I won't believe unless it becomes official and I don't think it would be good for Liverpool.

opr · 24-02-2009 08:12PM

Villain wrote: »

Anyone here Lawro on the Last Word? He said he heard a rumour that Rafa had walked?

Yeah its doing the rounds on a few forums i read.

Opr

jesus_thats_gre · 24-02-2009 08:18PM

eagle eye wrote: »

Best defender and one of the best right backs are hugely different things. I said above how highly I personally rate Neill. Why do you think its stupid to say he is one of the best right backs. I don't see how you cannot rate him highly, he rarely has a bad game, is good defensively and adds to your attack when he goes forward.

The discussion seem to be criticising Arbeloa for not being good enough and how Rafa has to ultimately take the responsibility for signing him. A few people have argued that Arbeloa is better than the credit he gets and we all seem to have settled on him being the 3rd, 4th or 5th best right back int he country. Lucas Neill is also being mentioned as one of the players that may be slightly better than him. No one seems to be mentioning that Rafa tried to sign Lucas Neil. I even think he tried to sign him before Arbeloa joined the club.

Forgetting who he tried to sign, why the attempt failed and then slamming him for not signing the best when he eventually settles on someone that wasn't his first choice as a result of his hand being forced by the requirement to fill the position is quite the consistant theme on this thread.

5starpool · 24-02-2009 08:18PM

Not on any football websites yet though as far as I can see.

Hope it is not true. If it is then we might be lucky to finish in the top 4 ourselves this season.

Liverpool FC Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread

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