Liverpool Rumours And General Discussion 2007/2008

Tusky

On Crouch and people giving out about him not wanting to fight for his place. Of course he wants to fight for his place but he can hardly do it from the bench. I get the feeling Crouch is ok with rotation and doesnt expect to be played every game but 1 start from 8 is pretty unfair considering he was our top scorer last season and I think on goals to minutes ratio he was second in the premiership.

Wasnt he 2nd or 3rd top scorer in Europe as well ? I think hes been treated unfairly so far this season.

machiavellianme

Yes but last season he didnt seem to be giving away a free every time he got the ball? Now, if we do manage to get the ball up front to him, you can nearly expect a free out.

Mr Alan

Crouch has had plenty of minutes on the pitch this season, and he has never impressed. He is not being harshly treated, Kuyt and Torres are better than him and Voronin has taken any chance he can to impress, Crouch will need to start doing the same if he wants to feature in Rafas long term plans.

Mr Alan

Team for the Derby;

---

Reina

---

---

Finnan--Carragher--Hypia--Arbeloa

---

---

Alonso--Mascherano

---

Gerrard

---

Babel-

---

---

Torres

---

Kuyt

---

Thats the team I'd like to see.

Any more updates on Alonso or Torres?

evil_seed

The next 3 games are massive! Here is someone elses thinkings. I couldn't have said it better

Everton Away - Last Season's result in this fixture hurt more than any other league result that season. They are going to be hoping for the same again and it's imperrative that we don't let them. We always go into every game wanting a win but this game is much more than just three points and it always will be. This is a must win in terms of points, bragging rights, and piece of mind.

Besiktas Away - Before the games started Rafa said that we needed to win all our home games and get some points away from home to be through. So far we've got a draw with Porto (one point away) and lost at home to Marseille. I firmly believe that we "should" win the rest of our home games so three points away to Besiktas would go some way to wiping out the loss at home to Marseille. I do believe that qualification is going to come down to the Marseille away game but I also believe it will be in our own hands. 3 points needed from this. A draw makes things difficult but not impossible.

Arsenal home - Now this really depends. It is a very important game in terms of showing that we can compete for the premiership. Arsenal have been looking very good this season and certainly appear to be setting the mark of standards again. But let's not forget that we're still unbeaten in the league. Everyone was saying at the beginning of the league that it won't be the results against the top four that will win us the league but the results against the teams below the top four. Well I say beat the top teams as well and you're onto a winner.

I feel that any Liverpool fan would ideally be happy with 3 points away to Everton (should never be happy with less against them), 3 points away to Besiktas, and a point at home to Arsenal.

I however have faith in a clean sweep of 9 points to stamp our authority that we may have just had our blip of the season and its all the way up from here on in.

yom 1

Doubt Mascherano will play if was playing for argentina last night due to the fact thats its an early kickoff again

Mr Alan

And did he definately play for Argentina?

tibor

Didn't see the matches myself but seems Gerrard's continued his recent form and had 2 stinkers for England.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYHggzKlAi4

yom 1

Mr Alan wrote: »

And did he definately play for Argentina?

yeah

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N157354071018-0928.htm

Mr Alan

in that case we better hope Alonso has made a full recovery or we'll be stuck with Momo booting people around the park

Actually come to think of it, this will be the kind of game he was born to play in

Nunu

yom 1 wrote: »

Doubt Mascherano will play if was playing for argentina last night due to the fact thats its an early kickoff again

Argentinas match was on tuesday night though , not last night.

yom 1

Nunu wrote: »

Argentinas match was on tuesday night though , not last night.

sorry just assumed it was last night

he might have a chance of starting so

~Rebel~

Mr Alan wrote:

Any more updates on Alonso or Torres?

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N157357071018-1355.htm

Rafael Benitez is hopeful Fernando Torres will be able to face Everton in the Merseyside derby on Saturday.
The Spanish striker has been receiving intensive treatment on his adductor injury this week and is now back in training.

"Torres trained well on Wednesday and we will have another session on Thursday and Friday afternoon, then we will make a decision," said Benitez.

"We have three players who are very close to returning and we will see how they are before I decide on the team to face Everton.

"It is always a risk but I will talk to the doctor and maybe it is not such a big risk here."

The Liverpool manager also revealed his team are looking forward to the derby and are eager to get their form back on track in the Premier League.

"Winning a game like this can change everything and we are looking forward to the derby," added Benitez.

"It's important for us to win this game. Everton are in a good position in the league and have started the season well.

"We know it will be a tough and very physical game. We have confidence and the players know how much this match means to our supporters."

Im thinking;

---

Reina
Finnan--Carra--Hypia--Arbeloa
Pennant--Gerrard--Masch--Babel

---

Kuyt--Torres

With Alonso making a sub appearance return.

Another interesting one;
http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N157352071018-1002.htm

Jamie Carragher today insisted the departure of Pako Ayestaran from the Liverpool coaching staff is not the reason for the Reds' recent dip in form.
The Spaniard's exit from the club was confirmed at the weekend, although he will remain contracted at Anfield until the summer.

Ayestaran's departure has coincided with a disappointing series of results for Rafael Benitez's men, but Carragher is adamant the two events are not linked.

"Gerard Houllier had the same thing thrown at him when Patrice Bergues left, and in that case I do think that had a big impact," said Carragher.

"But the difference now is that Rafa Benitez is a coach, while Gerard Houllier was more of simply a manager and observed coaching rather than actually taking it.

"I got on great with Pako, he was superb at his job and he had a great relationship with the manager, but he was the fitness coach.

"Rafa is the coach. At the end of the day, we've lost a fitness coach, not a football coach, although it's a fitness coach who was outstanding at his job.

"But it's still the manager picking the team. Rafa is the football man and that hasn't changed, and I'm sure the results since Pako has left is just a coincidence.

"I can understand why people might look at that. People are always looking for reasons why a team isn't playing so well, but in the training sessions we are still doing the same things.

"If people do look at Pako leaving as the reason for our loss in form, I think they are looking for excuses really."

yom 1

They saved the best pic till last

mike65

Holy Crap I see a low flying pig! D

This would not be the best game to bring him back, I'd wait for Arsenal.

Mike.

missingtime

---

Reina
Finnan--Carra--Hypia--Arbeloa
Pennant--Gerrard--Masch--Benayoun

---

Kuyt--Voronin

?

~Rebel~

Agreed Mike, sub appearance against Besiktas maybe, see how he gets on in the last 20 or so, then put him on against Arsenal for 30 or so. Wonder how his fitness is, how far away he is from being able to start.

I have a feeling Torres will start. Babel needs to start this weekend, hasn't played in ages.

Mr Alan

missingtime wrote: »

---

Reina
Finnan--Carra--Hypia--Arbeloa
Pennant--Gerrard--Masch--Benayoun

---

Kuyt--Voronin

?

Torres instead of Voronin i'd imagine.

mike65

Riise will play LW I'd say, he can take a knock.

---

Reina
Finnan-Carra-Hyppia-Arbeloa
Pennant-Gerrard-Masch-Riise

---

Voronin--Crouch

Sissoko might just be in as a disrupting influence.

Mike.

missingtime

I'd wonder if Torres is still a bit tender is it worth risking him against a team who wouldn't be too gentle on him.

Agreed with ~Rebel~ babel needs to play some more. If he has as much potential as we're hearing then it's not going to develop if he doesn't get propper game time. Everton would be a decent test for any newbie...

DeadSkin

SSN saying Liverpool are set to hold talks with Sammy Lee on the assistant job at Anfield.
Could be a good move, there's no doubting he's a good No.2.

PiE

Torres is Rafa's prize asset so I can see Rafa wrapping him in cotton wool rather than throwing him into a Mersey derby at anything less than 100% fit. Probably too much of test for Babel at this stage, though I'd like to see him upfront myself. Can't see Benayoun starting - a bit too lightweight, I'd say Riise will get the nod over him aswell.

Cyrus

why would we try to outmuscle everton in the derby, we should be able to outplay them

missingtime

Its are derby match though, they are never really graceful occasions

Mr Alan

we definately have to play Torres if he is fit, after the drubbing we got there last year, we have to win.

herbieflowers

How fit is he? Has he recovered? Pool definitely look a poorer side without him, they could well struggle against a rugged side like Everton...they're not the best at breaking teams down tbh...

DeadSkin

mike65 wrote: »

Riise will play LW I'd say, he can take a knock.

---

Reina
Finnan-Carra-Hyppia-Arbeloa
Pennant-Gerrard-Masch-Riise

---

Voronin--Crouch

Sissoko might just be in as a disrupting influence.

Mike.

Up front I'd have Torres & Kuyt, if Torres fails fitness test I'd go with Voronin alright.
Will he go with Momo tho', after his brutal display against Marseille?

Mr Alan

I'd imagine he is fit, he's been training since Wednesday afaik.

~Rebel~

DeadSkin wrote:

SSN saying Liverpool are set to hold talks with Sammy Lee on the assistant job at Anfield.
Could be a good move, there's no doubting he's a good No.2.

Thats excellent news. Him or Gary McAllister would be my choices.


For this match, there is also some chance of something like this maybe;

Pennant--Sissoko--Masch--Gerrard

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Torres/Voro---Kuyt

could actually see Voro scoring in this one, seems his type of game, beit from the bench or the start.

DeadSkin

~Rebel~ wrote: »

Thats excellent news. Him or Gary McAllister would be my choices.


For this match, there is also some chance of something like this maybe;

Pennant--Sissoko--Masch--Gerrard

---

Torres/Voro---Kuyt

could actually see Voro scoring in this one, seems his type of game, beit from the bench or the start.

That's what I like about Torres/Voronin/Kuyt, they can take a kickin' and can get physical themselves.

Bounty Hunter

~Rebel~ wrote: »

For this match, there is also some chance of something like this maybe;

Pennant--Sissoko--Masch--Gerrard

---

Torres/Voro---Kuyt

Gerrard at left wing?

Guy:Incognito

Bounty Hunter wrote: »

Gerrard at left wing?

Maybe he has Torres and Kuyt playing behind a front 4.:)

Peyton Manning

FERNANDO TORRES is out of tomorrow’s Merseyside derby after failing a fitness test yesterday.

And the Spanish striker is now a serious doubt for Liverpool’s Euro cruncher at Besiktas next week.

Torres got a thigh strain training with Spain last week but told Reds boss Rafa Benitez to count on him for the Everton game.

But Spain’s doctors have told Torres, 23, to rest for 10 days — ruling him out of the Goodison clash.

A close pal revealed: “Fernando had a tremendous desire not to miss this game, he knows it means a lot to the fans.

“He wanted to be there for the team but he realised he wasn’t fit and was very disappointed.

“He is now targeting the trip to Istanbul although the game against Arsenal a week on Sunday is a more realistic prospect.”

Dub13

Thats bad news about Torres,I wanted to see how he got on in the Derby game...as there is a bit more hustle and bustle than a run of the mill game.

PHB

My money is on a game dominated by Liverpool but with no chances taken, then Gerrard getting a last minute wonder goal winner

zing

yom 1 wrote: »

They saved the best pic till last

They must have dug that one out from the archive

Daemonic

PHB wrote: »

My money is on a game dominated by Liverpool but with no chances taken, then Gerrard getting a last minute wonder goal winner

I'll take that

~Rebel~

Stekelly wrote:

Maybe he has Torres and Kuyt playing behind a front 4.:)

heh

Nah, just thinking from the point of view of this being a physical game that Sissoko might get in. Sissoko + Gerrard in the center is a nightmare, hence Masch.

Also Gerrard would be no more left wing then he ever was right wing. Whenever he's wide its effectively a free role on the side of that pitch. Added to this that RB is probably the weaker part of the Everton back, and that if Neville happens to play there Stevie would be loving it!

With Torres out, any chance of Babel up front i wonder?

Kanney

The way Rafa was talking during the week, if Torres is at all fit he will play.
Just saw Alonso interview on LFC Tv, very good interview, hopefully he can start. Mascherano's international was in Venezuela..

Zapp Brannigan

Archimedes wrote: »

FERNANDO TORRES is out of tomorrow’s Merseyside derby after failing a fitness test yesterday.

And the Spanish striker is now a serious doubt for Liverpool’s Euro cruncher at Besiktas next week.

Torres got a thigh strain training with Spain last week but told Reds boss Rafa Benitez to count on him for the Everton game.

But Spain’s doctors have told Torres, 23, to rest for 10 days — ruling him out of the Goodison clash.

A close pal revealed: “Fernando had a tremendous desire not to miss this game, he knows it means a lot to the fans.

“He wanted to be there for the team but he realised he wasn’t fit and was very disappointed.

“He is now targeting the trip to Istanbul although the game against Arsenal a week on Sunday is a more realistic prospect.”

Any source?

Mr Alan

Archimedes where did you get that? Source? or did you type it up yourself?

seriously, if you did, its probably the saddest, most trollish thing i've seen on these boards (and thats saying something)

Why would Spains doctors be doing a fitness test on him? hes back on merseyside since wednesday-ish

Peyton Manning

Mr Alan wrote: »

Archimedes where did you get that? Source? or did you type it up yourself?

seriously, if you did, its probably the saddest, most trollish thing i've seen on these boards (and thats saying something)

Why would Spains doctors be doing a fitness test on him? hes back on merseyside since wednesday-ish

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/article360928.ece

Up your hole son...

Mr Alan

i didnt say you made it up, i said IF you did.

anyway, not too sure about its credibility, that ****ing rag doesnt have a clue.....plus why would spains docs be treating him?

i aint ur son and less of the up ur hole talk, thank you

Dub13

Well Liverpool fans don't think much of the sun so lets hope its yet another made up story.

Tusky

Buzz around the internet seems to be thats he out anyway...although thats the only article I can find and the bit about the Spanish doctors must be bull****. Unless Liverpools doctors are Spanish ?

~Rebel~

Ok, my final gut feeling (if torres is out) is;

---

Reina
Finnan---Carra---Hypia---Arbeloa
Pennant--Gerrard--Masch--Riise

---

kuyt--babel

Malice

I hope Torres makes it but if not I would love to see the Voronator start. I think he'll offer far more of a goal threat than Kuyt.

mike65

Fantasy rafa deadline in a few mins I think!

Mike.

Waster

Mascherano won't start as far as I know.

DeadSkin

Is Kuyt fit, read somewhere that they are goin' to assess his hamstring???
Oh, anyone know will it be streamed online, might not make it to pub :mad: