Liverpool Fc @ Anfield - Reds Supporters Gatherings

[MelonEater]

Do we really miss Alonso? Are we gonna perform better in the sunderland game with him still around? I don think so. The problem is the whole team are not performing. They are not gelling and playing as a unit yet. At the moment we are rellying on some flashes of briliant from Torres, Gerrard and Benny to pull us through.

I find it comical before Torres, we were labelled as a one-man team. Then a two-man team with Torres and now suddenly we are a three man team(missing Alonso).
Anyway there is no guarantee Alonso will perform to his best form as per his last season if Rafa do decided to play hardball to keep him. Look at Mascherano performance so far, are we regretting not packing him off as well? I'm sure if Alonso is still part of our team in our current mess, Rafa will be slaugther for not picking up the 30mil cheque.

Ya, we do play badly in the sunderland game. Looking at the positive side of it, we have lost an away game to a decent team who are in fine form. don't forget that they nearlly beat scum at old toilet.

We have to be positive and support our team all the way. As Rafa said it, things will change very quickly if we do beat Lyon and scum which i honestly do believe we are cappable of. We will hear a very dirrerent tune if we manage to do that. Remember what those "pundits" said before Chelsea come crashing down to Villa. Sit tight, there are still more twist and turn haven unfold yet.

[rahl]

Originally Posted by Roman city

Alonso never wanted to leave the club in the first place, I believed you are aware why he handed in the transfer request in July.

Doesn't matter the original circumstances, by the end of last season (and probably earlier), he firmly wanted to go. Of course you can say Rafa screwed up and I agree with you there.

Originally Posted by MelonEater

Do we really miss Alonso? Are we gonna perform better in the sunderland game with him still around? I don think so. The problem is the whole team are not performing. They are not gelling and playing as a unit yet.

We have to be positive and support our team all the way. As Rafa said it, things will change very quickly if we do beat Lyon and scum which i honestly do believe we are cappable of.

Heheh, that's a good point. The line between success and failure is a fine one. We were scoring for free before and had won 5 games in a row. But we have really crashed in the last 3 games and we are all rightly disappointed. Champions pick themselves up after a defeat and we haven't done that.

[Roman city]

News Update - Beach ball referee Jones drops into Championship

Beach ball referee Mike Jones drops into Championship - Championship - ESPN Soccernet

Mike Jones, the referee who incorrectly awarded Darren Bent's goal for Sunderland against Liverpool on Saturday, will not officiate in the Premier League this weekend.

Bent's shot struck a beach ball punched from the visiting section at the Stadium of Light and deflected past Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina.

FIFA's laws of the game state "the referee should stop, suspend or abandon the match because of outside interference of any kind'', meaning the goal should have been ruled out and the match re-started with a drop ball.

Jones will take charge of the Championship game between Peterborough and Scunthorpe at London Road.

Jones' mistake has been widely criticised by a number of his former colleagues with Jeff Winter, Dermot Gallagher and Graham Poll all stating their surprise that such a basic error was made in a Premier League game.

Gallagher said: "It was a glaring error and it's difficult to fathom. Even referees in local parks should know that if there is an outside agent on the pitch then you stop the game and restart it with a drop ball.

"When you set out as a referee you learn the laws of the game and everyone should know it. For it to happen at this level and in such a high-profile game is unbelievable. Any one of the four officials should have stepped in.''

The possibility if the game being replayed has been rejected by the Premier League.

[GeMiNiZzzzZzz]

Originally Posted by Roman city

[U]News Update - .......

I read that this morning - My 1st thought was..What's the use..Its just a lesson for the refree in charge..but they do not really learn from these mistakes.

If you all can remember, last season Riise was wrongly penalised for a foul & ended up a penalty which was not..both the refree & linesman was domoted to Championship match..now this season this kind of things happen.

Anyway, we have more than enought time to get back into the game..its just that we do not have the depth to do that..

[omnia]

the critical problem wif the Reds as i see it...does not really hv much to do wif Xabi leaving...it appears to be much more complicated, deeper and problematic then that...and has been brewing for the last 2 seasons or more...i wld say it is a mixture of:

1. David Moore's mistake in seeking more $$$ for himself by selling out to the yanks rather than going ahead wif the original sale to DIC - it is very clear that the Reds need an owner wif a real big pocket to stabilize the club in the present and fund its future success;

2. Rick Parry's infighting wif Rafa and playing up to the yanks, although Parry has now since left i still seem to see the remnants/baggage of what he did;

3. Hicks and Gillette...everything abt these 2 carpetbaggers spells doom and gloom for Liverpool FC...their worst and most unforgivable act was to place their debt of buying the club onto the club's balance sheet...next big boo boo was going on the sly to scout for Klinsmann to replace Rafa...followed by their failure to get the new stadium going...but must at least give them credit for allowing the purchase of Torres...however all in these 2 yanks hv been a diabolical disaster for the Reds, mainly because of their greed to make a big profit for themselves and consequently undermining Rafa and destabilising the club;

4. Rafa must also take some blame...a) for his general bad form in the transfer mkt...there is no doubt that he cld hv put the cumulative budget given to him over the last 5 yrs to much better use...he has had far too many duds compared to the gems like Torres...b) for being stubborn in sticking wif players who just cmi like Lucas, Babel n Voronin and for not giving more of a chance to players like Robbie Keane & Peter Crouch...also buying an injured Acquilani is a real puzzle, emphasis on the word "injured"...btw i don't blame him for Xabi's departure because Xabi and Rafa had already appeared to hv fallen out 2 seasons ago when Xabi was not playing that well...c) formation strategies appear dodgy and the zonal marking system is suspect

5. the abv 4 factors seem to hv trickled down to the squad itself...and even big name players (let alone the other squad players) like Gerrad, Torres, Mascherano, Carragher hv been pale shadows at times...some more than others...hving watched most if not all of the Reds matches this season, i wld say that generally only Reina appears to hv acquitted himself quite well on a consistent basis...emphasis on the word "consistent"...

so where does this leave the Reds this season?...and mind u we r still only in Oct...n Acquilani has yet to even kick the ball...well i still don't think its all doom n gloom as yet...because if the Reds can pull together a string of wins quick and fast, this sld give the team a filip and momentum...BUT i also think that this week shall be crucial...if the Reds lose both the next 2 games - Lyon n ManU - then i think there shall be a real crisis...Rafa walking out or being given the boot shall probably not the stem the tide either because who can the Reds get in the interim to turn the team ard in such short time?...sos Guus?...n i doubt King Kenny is the ans either...worse of all the Reds don't appear to hv any $$$ to strengthen the squad in Jan...not forgetting that there appears to be at least 3 other teams now seriously contending for CL places apart fm the Big 4...a worrying time for all Reds fans...

i really think the Reds can only move on and up when Hicks and Gillette hv sold out to new owner(s) wif serious $$$ and good intentions for the club...the sooner the better...till then all we shall see r piece meal short term solutions that r neither here nor there...

on a lighter n brighter note...i hv faith in the Reds to beat Lyon later tomorrow morning...come on u Reds

YNWA

[bochapsing]

Originally Posted by omnia

the critical problem wif the Reds as i see it...does not really hv much to do wif Xabi leaving...it appears to be much more complicated, deeper and problematic then that...and has been brewing for the last 2 seasons or more...i wld say it is a mixture of:

1. David Moore's YES!!

2. Rick Parry's YES!!

3. Hicks and Gillette...YES!! YES!! YES!!

4. Rafa must also take some blame...a) he has had far too many duds compared to the gems like Torres...when he was given the $$$ to sign a 20+mil pound player, he got us Torres and Macherano.. but before tat i think he was only "allowed" to sign 10-15 mil player..
b) for being stubborn in sticking wif players who just cmi like Lucas, Babel n Voronin and for not giving more of a chance to players like Robbie Keane & Peter Crouch...i think rafa was getting all sort of sticks for sticking to crouch when he had not score for his first 10+ games of his anfield career..
also buying an injured Acquilani is a real puzzle, emphasis on the word "injured"...i suspect the 2 yankees kept most of the money we rcv from sale of alonso, forcing rafa to buy an "injurd player", cos we only paid partial of the full reported fee.. rest are to paid in instalments.. so in 30 mil, out only 5-10 mil... where's teh rest gone to??!!
c) formation strategies appear dodgy and the zonal marking system is suspect
all the english tv commentors or pundits like to criticise rafa's zonal marking system, cos it's new in england.. and they r used to man-marking.. yes, we conceded many goals thru set pieces this season, but last few seasons we conceded teh least goals from set pieces using zonal marking system.. so i feel tat tis season poor defending is down to out-of-form of individuals..
btw cheskis conceded 2 cheap corners agst villa, yet nobody even mentioned abt their man-marking system..?!!
rafa and liverpool are always marked by these so called experts who are always talking cock before, during and after games..

5. the abv 4 factors seem to hv trickled down to the squad itself...and even big name players (let alone the other squad players) like Gerrad, Torres, Mascherano, Carragher hv been pale shadows at times...
YES!! seems everybody is out of form.. even Torres is not as sharp as last season..

Rafa walking out or being given the boot shall probably not the stem the tide either because who can the Reds get in the interim to turn the team ard in such short time?...sos Guus?...n i doubt King Kenny is the ans either...worse of all the Reds don't appear to hv any $$$ to strengthen the squad in Jan...
for those asking rafa to be sacked... be careful of wat u've wished... any better manager is available and will come to us? mourinho? klinsman? we should feel lucky that rafa remains loyal to liverpool after wat parry n the yankees had or tried to do to him...

you'll never walk alone.....

[rahl]

stevie off after 25 mins (and must be out for the scum game), things look shit for us, lyon passing us about.

[rahl]

2-1 to lyon. we were totally gone for 35 mins in the second half. leaderless, no inspiration, no passion.

[Roman city]

Rafa looks despondent. The Liverpool fans look distraught. Liverpool were far from their best and the result was fair really. Fantastic from Claude Puel's Lyon who refused to rest on their laurels and attacked Rafa's men throughout. Not good news for Liverpool with Manchester United heading to Anfield on Sunday

[ubikayu]

Originally Posted by rahl

2-1 to lyon. we were totally gone for 35 mins in the second half. leaderless, no inspiration, no passion.

English teams are good in England only lah.

[too_hot]

Originally Posted by ubikayu

English teams are good in England only lah.

Dats not true la, English teams have been dominating Champions League for the past few years. Something like 3 out of 4 semi-finalists were EPL teams.

[thaivisitor]

Originally Posted by ubikayu

English teams are good in England only lah.

Liverpool lost to Lyon this morning in England.

And if they don't win this sunday, it's a bye bye case.

Tee Vee

[thaivisitor]

This was what Rafael Benitez said before the match with Lyon. I've highlighted some key words used.

BOSS: WE'LL BE BETTER TONIGHT

Rafael Benitez today vowed his players will rise to the challenge of returning to winning ways against Lyon this evening.

The Reds are preparing for their Group E Champions League clash on the back of defeat at Sunderland on Saturday, but the boss has been delighted with the performances of his players in training since the weekend and insists they are in the mood to silence their critics tonight.

"The team will be fresh," said Benitez. "We had some players coming back from internationals (at Sunderland) and I think they were a little bit tired.

"But now everyone has to be okay and the extra motivation of the Champions League will be good. Also when the team needs something, the fans are right behind them.

"We will play better and things will be easier for us. We have had too many problems early on but the last two training sessions have been very good.

"We were the team that we were in the past. We have been well organised and I can see the players with a lot of confidence.

"We have been trying to find solutions to the problems and the response of the players has been very good in training.

"People were asking because we had scored a lot of goals whether we had changed tactics but we were doing the same things as always. We just had confidence.

"But if you analyse things, we were so close against Chelsea. We were in control of the game for a long time so we're not as bad as the table says.

"Hopefully as soon as we start winning games in a row again, it will be easier and the atmosphere will be better."

All these signs true?

Did they silenced their critics or stunned their fans into silence?
Was there extra motivation?
Did they play better?
Were things easier for them?
Were they well organised?
Were the players full of confidence?

I didn't watch the match, so I can say whether a better team lost or not.

Tee Vee

[thaivisitor]

Jamie Carragher is really an optimistic guy.

After losing to Lyon, this is what he believes.

CARRA: WE'LL GET THROUGH THIS

Jamie Carragher is in no doubt Liverpool will come through their dip in form sooner rather than later - and the defender believes they now have the perfect fixture to turn their season around.

Actually, what else can he say?

Your thoughts?

Tee Vee

[omnia]

Bro,

i think u r being a tad too partial in yr defence of Rafa...no doubt he is better than Houllier n am grateful to him for bringing the CL to Anfield again and taking the Reds to another CL final, but some how i still don't think he is the one to finally bring the EPL to Anfield...he has had 5 seasons and again if u look at the cumulative budget provided to him he sld hv done much better notwithstanding the other vital problematic factors which i highlighted in my earlier post...

on Crouch...what u say was in the past...if u look at Crouch now, he became a better player thru the seasons playing for the Reds and now looks an even better player @ Spurs...not a stellar striker in the Torres/Drogba league but a good squad striker to hv...definitely better than Babel, Voronin n Ngog...and again i ask why did Rafa hv to sell Robbie Keane, looking at the poor std of replacements for Torres?...

on Acquilani's purchase...i agree that this was a complicated issue...but then again i don't think Acquilani was the only viable replacement available, particularly one who is unfit and injured...to me Acquilani's purchase suggests a lack of depth and quality in Rafa's scouting team...which leads me to a v interesting article by John Dykes in last wkend's BT where he wrote abt Liverpool's legendary chief scout, the late Geoff Twentyman, as a book on this chap has recently been released titled "Secret Diary of a Liverpool Scout"...Twentyman was brought in by Shanks as a scout in 1967 and never looked back helping to build the Reds greatest teams up to 1986 when he retired...he was personally responsible in scouting and unearthing gems like Keegan, Neal, Heighway, Hansen and Rush...like what Dykes said in his article, it appears that Arsene Wenger has taken over fm where Twentyman left off in creating a v effective scouting team...Rafa appears to hv not done v well on this front...

on strategies/formation...well the Reds defence really stinks this season apart fm Reina, if not for him i think the Reds wld hv leaked even more goals by now...and Rafa is the manager, so the buck has to stop wif him...and let's not go down the road of talking abt other teams...all that matters to me is the Reds and how to kick start its season super quick and fast as things r reaching near crisis state now if it has not reached there already...

finally on the issue of Rafa walking out or being given the boot now...i agree that now is not the time to deal wif Rafa as i don't see any viable replacement neither do the Reds appear to hv any $$$ to strengthen its squad come Jan...so to me i guess its best to stick wif the 'devil u know' for the immediate future at least...but i am now really getting worried n despondent particularly after last night's defeat agst Lyon...looks like the bitter sweet feeling of being a longtime long suffering Reds fan shall hv to continue for me this season...

YNWA

Originally Posted by bochapsing

you'll never walk alone.....