Xtratime Community banner
21 - 40 of 228 Posts
Can't say I'm happy about facing Arsenal first up, but then again, they aren't either, probably.

This would probably be our best team IMO:

Reina
Johnson - Carragher - Agger - Kelly
Aquilani - Poulsen
Kuyt - Gerrard - Cole
Torres​

And Amber, Kuyt's crossing ability is underrated. He's not the best in the world, but more often than not he puts it into a good area. Unfortunately, usually there's only Torres being marked by 2-3 players and no one else.
 
More often then not he hits it a defender. We occasionally get lucky when it bounces on to the path of a Liverpool player or it goes out for a corner.

When he's got plenty of space e.g. when we're counter attacking he does get his final pass/cross spot on.
 
Jef20 I disgaree, from what I have seenyour best team should include Jovanovic as he is direct and takes on players.
 
Jovanovic will play, Cole has been signed to play through the middle. I'd like Gerrard to play on the right so Aquilani can slot into midfield but our team (for Arsenal) will most probably be;

Reina
Johnson - Carragher - Skrtel -Agger
Gerrard - Lucas
Kuyt - Cole - Jovanovic
Torres/N'Gog

I hope I'm wrong about the defence - Carragher & Skrtel :scared:
 
I like Roy, but he will play Gerrard back into CM because he wants to get on the good side of the fans and media who always say Gerrard's best position is CM. One of the best in the world in that position supposedly ;)
 
Gerrard has played in CM 7 years of his 10 year Liverpool career. For at least 6 of those 10 years he's been considered a world class player.

So why the hell do people think he can't play in midfield???
 
IMO 08/09 was Gerrard's best season when he was not a CM and also when Rafa thought he was too reckless to play CM. That may not be the opinion of everyone and as he gets older he will need to move back into CM anyway.
 
The three season's i've mentioned i think he was equally good. Just in different ways. That 08/09 season his attacking productivity was outstanding, but the 03/04 Gerrard when he was in midfield was equally good. I miss that Gerrard at times tbh. Rafa kicked those "bursting from midfield" runs he used to do, out of him :(. I hope under Woy he gets them back.
 
Looks like he was playing in midfield for England today and has been really good according to some reports I have read. Haven't watched the game, but yeah, he's been too reckless for Rafa, but who wasn't really? He was overtly cautious most of the times. I don't know what exactly was he thinking with Aquillani because even if he was fit he'd probably never constantly play in in cm.
 
He was rubbish up untill the two goals (at which point I think he was playing in a more advanced role behind Zamora, correct me if I'm wrong wasn't paying much attention) credit where it's due though, two fantastic goals.
 
LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL

Loved that youtube clip.. loved how he got Kaka yellow carded at the end of it !! :) I'm not a fan of Poulsen at all.. but if he can play man marking like that.. there's a player or two that we'd require his services against :)

For Kuyt, yes he delivers the occasional good cross.. but that's not the job of a good winger.. occasional isn't the acceptable rate we should be looking for here.. especially if the majority here are preferring a 4-2-3-1 as opposing to a 4-4-2.. we rarely have an action packed penalty area like say Utd who always jam the area when they are on the attack.. which if u ask me puts their opponents' defenses at unrest.. and they always have 2 strikers.. whenever the Slur tried to sway away from that, he got hit in the nuts..

For Gerrard, I believe his performance in the 1st half against Hungary was stale.. but so was the whole English side.. Rooney was more interested in getting pissed and shouting at the ref than playing.. and there weren't many real chances.. Lampard was invisible!.. but his whole performance in the 2nd half was excellent (Gerrard).. other than the 2 excellent goals.. his passing and movement..

I'm with playing him as a CM.. provided we have proper players on the flanks.. if we want to play Joe Cole as a behind-the-striker(s) type of player that is.. he's always been more of a wingerish player..

I don't want to comment much about the formations.. cuz a lot still depends on the Mascherano deal.. if he goes.. for how much.. and will Cavalieri go too if Brad Jones is coming? will SWP come in? who else? how will we use the Masch cash? after all the wheeling and dealing.. we could tell.. but I can still see Torres all alone up there.. Pardon me, but Ngog is just filling a gap! unless Roy wants Kuyt as a forward..
 
Arsenal are without:

confirmed: Djourou, Ramsey, Bendtner
expected to miss: Alex Song, Denilson, Diaby (will have late fitness tests)
low on fitness (but I guess will play): Fabregas, RVP

They're not in a much better state than we are! :)
 
21 - 40 of 228 Posts