Liverpool 07/08 Season Thread

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Defend this:

Liverpool 1 - 2 Barnsley

The Link

The Kop- "We were wrong. It's time."
 
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Don't worry, I'm sure that Liverpool will shine in next years UEFA Cup.
 
I had to go to a meeting at the 75th minute.
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The man down for Inter was the difference in the match IMO. If Liverpool didn't win after all their possession and chances, it would have been very disappointing.
 
Great hat trick out of El Nino. He really is something special.

Looks like Tom and George are eying a sale. DIC might not be a whole lot better, but they really couldn't be any worse. Good effin' riddance.

Looks like Napolean might have to find a new team for the 3rd straight year.
 
I pull for Americans and American owners. (That explains my Aston Villa sentiment.)

I guess that I didn't get to Liverpool while I could still get free tickets and hang out in the owners box.
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Maybe I'll have to settle for the same at Pizza Hu(n)t park oR the HDC.

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THOUGHTS ON THE 4-2-3-1:

I really like it. It seems that Rafa has finally found a system that he will stick with (several in a row now). Here's what I like:

1. It plays to the strength of our roster. 2 of the 3 of Xabi, Monster, and Lucas will be on the pitch.

2. It allows Stevie MBE to play a free role. Given that he's going to do this anyway, having 2 defensive MFers covers for his lack of positional discipline.

3. It's getting Babel on the pitch regularly and he has looked fantastic. He tortured Bolton this weekend.

Problems to be resolved:

1. Kuyt is not a winger (he's barely a 2nd striker). We'll need to find someone to play opposite Babel in the summer. I'm guessing Rafa sees David Villa in this role (attacking MF).

2. We do not have the fullbacks for this system. Given that we have 2 DM, we need some attacking threat from out fullbacks. All of our guys are slowish, defensively minded guys. We need to find some guys like Sanja, Clichey, Ashley Cole, Evra, etc. I know it's a pipe dream, but Danny Alves would be freakin sweet.
 
I too am liking the 4-2-3-1, and you make some really good points about it. I'm hoping, as you said, that we go out and get an attacking fullback. I don't necessarily think that Alves is out of the picture. He had a really high pricetag slapped on him last summer, but I think it will come back to earth, especially as he's likely to want to leave this summer. Not sure if we'd pay the requisite 15M pounds or so, but he'd be an intriguing option for a variety of reasons - he could play in a 4-4-2, 3-5-2, and could even play as a winger in a 4-2-3-1. I'd be okay with us keeping Arbs as our #1 RB if we got a really good LB, but we need someone to provide an attacking presence from the fullback spot. The other guy Rafa's supposedly after is Rafinha, who also plays RB.

Kuyt has been linked today with Bayern Munich. I love the effort the guy puts out, but he's not Liverpool quality. Anything in the 7M pound range would be worth selling for.

My hope is that Babel continues to develop as a supporting striker who can play off Torres, that we keep Crouchy, and that Nemeth can come into the first team. I know it's only reserve games and U19 matches, but the kid has an unreal strikerate (better than 1 per game). At some point he's gotta get first-team action and see if he translates. I'm also hoping that Spearing, Hobbs, and Insua can make a first-team impact. I'm pretty sure we'll be seeing more of Insua, as he would fulfill our need at LB. Riise and Aurelio should be sold, although I guess I'd keep Fabio for cover purposes.

We make up our game in hand tomorrow v. West Ham. Time to take 4th and keep it.
 
All I can say about the Hicks situation is that the constant protesting and bickering by the fans in no way helps this team. The Kop regulars need to get over their problems with the ownership as Hicks is there to stay, he doesn't look to be selling anytime soon. I'm sick of all this DIC talk and just want this to be over...
 
Not playing Torres has been Rafa's downfall this year. When he don't play ...they no go.

Another hat trick today. That's two of the last three games. He's on a roll and could pass Adebayour and catch Cristiano Ronaldo for most goals in the EPL.

Uh, I think I'd start him.

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The "when healthy" point you are trying to make is where I'm talking myth. He supposedly had the flu ....bad flu on Wednesday, yet played anyway. Hmmmm.

Pompey was the beginning of the end for Liverpool this year. It's when the 'rotation' policy came under severe criticism in the press and by fans and he lashed out at the owners to create cover.

He didn't start against Birmingham because he was injured, but played. Same with Fulham. Hmmmm.

Rafa is always more focused on CL games than EPL games. Cup games get an 'ole from him.

The Barnsley result was utter humiliation, followed three days later by the biggest win of the year.

Rafa has created a significant amount of turmoil this year; turmoil that was unnecessary and certainly not needed.
 
The "when healthy" part means when he can play, i.e. not injured. I had heard only rumors that he had the flu, nothing official, so I'm not sure what the extent of the illness was. Flu does not equal injured. Torn abductor suffered on international duty does. Should he play then?

Not sure how you can say Liverpool's season was over after the Pompey game - we had gotten 11 out of a possible 15, with points dropped only to Chelsea (after an absolute ******** PK late in the game) and away to Pompey, one of the better teams in the Prem. The game was also right after international duty, which is why Gerrard and Torres were rested.

Rafa doesn't rotate any more than other managers in the Premiership. I saw a statistical breakdown of changes made over the season last year and Rafa was third, behind Mourinho and SAF. Wonder why the tabloids don't latch onto that?

Newsflash - not every player plays every game. When you're a big club you end up playing 60-70 games a year, and many of these players will be playing over the summer as well. Occasional rest adds to a player's longevity. Torres is young, was experiencing his first season in the brutal EPL; Rafa's got his best interest in mind.

Seems to be paying off now.

I'll agree with you that Rafa's comments to the media added to the turmoil at the club, but when you've got new owners who clearly do not understand the transfer window and refuse to authorize free/cheap signings and handcuff your efforts to improve the team, it can be frustrating. Hicks mouthing off to the media about Klinsmann was at least as bad, if not worse, than what Rafa said.
 
Monster is out for the Geordies this weekend (no big deal), and is in doubt for our visit to the San Siro on Tuesday (BIG problem).

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