Liverpool Banter Archive December 07 2013

07 Dec 2013 21:28:21
Did anyone else at the game today think that we did ok to break West Ham down just before half time - play exceptionally well for a 15 min period when we went 2-0 up, pressing high up the pitch, passing with a high tempo and should have scored a third - But, when West Ham scored, once again we sat back, invited the Hammers on and looked a little shaky! I sit on the Kop and you could feel the tension until the third goal went in.

My point is, we play so much better when we press, close down and attack the ball in the final 3rd.

Hard to sustain for 90+ minutes.
We're a work in progress, we'll get there.

Agree with you Ken, not many teams can press for 90mins, point I was making was the fact that as soon as WH scored we retreated and invited the opposing team on - like we always do.

I feel we just need a little more of steel and confidence when it comes to a set back ie a goal scored against us and with us still winning by a one goal margin. If that makes sense.

I really hope we turn up against Spurs next week, it's not been a happy hunting ground of late.

Looking at how Chelsea and City were pegged back yesterday, I feel we can nab a few points over the Xmas period. If we're still in and around top 4 come Jan I really feel we can push on.

Let's see
COYMR.

07 Dec 2013 20:10:28
brilliant result today. takes the pressure off a bit coming into a tough run of games.
Thought Allen played well today, looks to be getting his confidence back hope he scores soon to help the lad

07 Dec 2013 19:57:05
Sydney! still thinks man united will finish above Liverpool haha! Need to beat the spuds next week and we will be in a very strong position

The only way they'll be above us is in the most physical sense in that after they're relegated they'll come catch the odd game from the stands.

07 Dec 2013 19:40:06
Great to see we played more like a team today, after a stinker against Hull Glen Johnson has played well in both home games, the midfield and attack took more shots, 30 chances created, well happy, and United and Chelski got beat! if this keeps up I may open a can!

Really? I thought Johnson was poor again, giving the ball away on numerous occasions. Except that brilliant cross, I thought he was quite poor. He also let Jarvis jump over him and head down which led to the Skrtel own-goal.

07 Dec 2013 19:33:39
I looked an article having the title 'United lost back to back home matches'. Below the article, there was a another article with title 'Moyes: Still more to come'. I can't control my laugh.
ynwa

07 Dec 2013 19:15:25
Unfortunately I had to work today, so I missed the game.

Can anyone tell me how Skrtel and Sakho did at the back?

Also, great to see Assaidi contributing to the Liverpool cause. Well done to him.

Thanks,

Red Rum

They were both rock solid at the back. The best centre back pair for me.

I thought they were very good. Both seem determined and ready to take their chance.

07 Dec 2013 19:01:45
Had a match myself today only seen the second half just wanna ask why agger didn't play today not moaning just wondering sakho played well skrtel play well yet again unlucky own goal but he done grate for sakho's goal putting pressure

Think he had an illness.

{Ed002's Note - Perhaps a little something in his Sugar Puffs?}

Sakho did the job rightly

07 Dec 2013 18:37:51
Anyone else think Allen was fantastic when Gerrard came off? That second half team was absolutely perfect. Henderson bombing up and down the pitch like it's the opening 10 minutes of the game, Lucas sitting in the holding role just in front of the defense and Allen freeing up just in front of him. I thought it was a great finish to the game, and if Gerrard is injured (let's hope not) I hope to see that kind of formation against the Spuds. Great win today! YNWA!

Aye? We went to pieces when Gerrard went off, hey could have quite easily pulled it back to 2 all and then panic stations may have set in. Allen played well untill Gerrard went off. Allen and Ludas cannot play together. Yes Henderson can run around as if it's the first ten minutes but where's his end product. What does he actually do in the finl third? The final score flattered us today.

I can't agree the final score flattered us, but the midfield lost it's way for while after Gerrard went off .

When is the last time your lady flattered you Ozone? We have one of the best strikers in the world, he was the difference today. Our passing at times today was a spectacle to watch. I can see progress, don't know about the rest of you.

Not sure what game you were watching Ozone - that was one of the best passing displays I've seen from us. Closing down high up the pitch too. We are second in the table fella, have break!

Hendersons pressing consistently leads to either him or a Liverpool player winning posession high up the pitch, creating chances.

Got to agree with 'Ozone'as regards Henderson.Would he get in a City, Chelsea or Arsenal team?We need an improved midfield, one that regularly scores goals if we are ever to get back up and more importantly, stay there!

Eman34 - he wasn't the difference against Hull.

Calm down - his pressing didn't lead to any possession high up the pitch against Hull.

Fowler99 - I was watching the West Ham game mate. Anyone can stroke the ball around in the middle of the pitch against a team who came to park the bus. At times I felt the 'hoof' may have been more effective as 90% of the time our passing just ran out if ideas around their penalty box. We forced the ball over the line three times. We didn't score 3 clinical goals.

Next weeks the big challenge. Their midfield will destroy us. If we come away from white hart lane with a nil nil I'll be happy, same at City. Chelsea I fancy our chances, they also have a lightweight midfield.

07 Dec 2013 18:15:28
Hi eds,

Could I pick your brains as to the reason why we've been so shaky at the back? I think the statistic is 1 clean sheet in 12 which is frustrating.

Is it the players, the line-up, the training or the coaches to blame?

Thanks

{Ed001's Note - for me it is a mixture. I don't like the way Skrtel always drops behind the rest of the defence, it gives them space and creates opportunities for deflections which cost us against Hull. The line up allows a lot more freedom for our forward thinking players, so that gives the opposition chances. The coaches are obviously not drilling the players enough as a team and as partnerships as none of them work together.}

Ay ed, defending corners - it's like Russian Roulette.

Okay, and if you could pick our starting pair for next week?

{Ed001's Note - on present form it is tough, they are all looking a bit off the pace, but I would go with Agger for his ability on the ball, as we need to keep the ball better and Toure. Toure offers extra pace and power over Skrtel and doesn't drop deep needlessly. Long term, much as I love Agger, Sakho would suit our play far better, if he can use the ball better from the back.}

As much as I like agger too, sakho's making him look average.

We played a high line today though, well for like 70 mins anyway and it worked pretty well I thought. There was like a 10 min spell where we just absolutely killed them with the high defensive line and the high, aggressive press.

It was beautiful and fun to watch. So. Much. Fun.

Would skrtel be told to drop like a sweeper? And we scored an o.g today that's luck

{Ed001's Note - no, Skrtel doesn't naturally play a high line, he drops deep automatically, because he knows he doesn't have enough pace to allow attackers to run in behind him.}

Like carragher would u say ed001?

{Ed001's Note - spot on, it is a natural reaction to having a lack of pace, you drop off and give yourself a bit of time to see the play in front of you and can stop yourself being caught out by a ball over the top. That is not so bad on the halfway line, though it does stop us being able to press higher up the pitch, but in our own box we have seen so many problems are caused. It is too late to react when the shot is hit in your direction and leads to deflections or just an obstruction of the keeper's view. It also gives an attacker so much time on the ball. Houllier and Rafa used to get round it by dropping the whole team deep and having pace up front to knock balls out of defence too. We have been doing the same with Sturridge, but without him it makes us look vulnerable as the opposition can hold a higher line and force our whole team back.}

07 Dec 2013 18:01:46
Great win, nice to see sterling and allen have good games. I loved the roar from the Kop for Flanagan to shoot.
On another note I feel we need to convert more of our chances Man City and Chelsea will punish us if we don't.

I think Diame would be good for us, he would better with good players around him, even as a squad player at the right price of course.

Diame is average IMO.

07 Dec 2013 17:52:32
What a game that was. Everyone played better. Next 4 matches with spurs, chelsea and city away with cardiff home. I don't know why but I feel we will have good game against them.
ynwa

Anything above 8 points from the 4 games will be tremendous.

But we need at least 6 points from the 4 games or we are screwed.

07 Dec 2013 17:37:40
Fantastic day of football with our win and Chelski and Man City dropping points. Our football today seems to be very fluent with Allen and Henderson in the middle. I think Allen provides a lot of space to his collegues with his mobility. Sakho today was a rock at the back. I believe Rodgers should stick to this line up against Spurs with Lucas replacing stevie if he is not fit.

07 Dec 2013 18:30:38
Lucas should come in against Tottenham irrespective of Gerrard's fitness.

Allen's played well on the ball, and he's clearly demonstrated to his doubters that he can have a role in the team, but I don't think I saw him a tackle in 180 minutes against Norwich and West Ham. It's just not a strong aspect of his game.

Tottenham haven't exactly been putting away chances to punish teams, but at the same time I don't want to concede the midfield battle to them.

07 Dec 2013 17:14:42
Hi Eds,
happy after another win. Second in the table, second best in goals scored. Looking good. Pity we didn`t keep few more clean sheets, we lost too many goals as well. Rodgers must work hard on defence as Spurs, City and Chelsea wait to take on the Reds.

07 Dec 2013 17:11:35
For the first time in so many years I actually saw Lucas trying to shoot. haha . a great personality, absolutely love him
sterling was the most dangerous player today and I think he came off so he can have sm rest
henderson was good in the second half. mostly did well I thought
unlucky for skrtel and mignolet
btw that save from mignolet was amazing
bt that is what he has been doing everygame
one more thing, diame came up against henderson a couple of times and henderson did overpower him most of the time
oh and great to see kelly back
other results going our way again
let the good run continue

07 Dec 2013 17:05:03
People are saying we have some tough away games coming up - but we have already played everyone above us in the league away from home? ;)

Great point Chris. We are where we are on merit. And should fear no one!

07 Dec 2013 16:59:19
we were good today guys, especially 2nd half.first was a bit nervy.still well done.sterling was fantastic, as was allen, suarez was his self in the second half.hope gerrard is fine.onwards and up.YNWA!!

07 Dec 2013 16:56:51
Man I'd forgotten all about Assaidi. Switch to the Chelsea game and first thing I see is that goal. What a hit!

07 Dec 2013 16:53:19
City and Chelsea dropping points, awesome stuff, back in second!

We just need the Mackems to do their part now.

07 Dec 2013 16:52:10
Get in Assaidi!

Doing a Lukaku on Chelsea!

Can u say "They were Lukakued by Assaidi"?

07 Dec 2013 15:49:15
So far best players have been:

Mignolet
Sakho
Allen
Sterling
Coutinho

Awful 45 from Suarez, Gerrard, and Henderson.

We are only 1-0 anything could happen, this should be out of reach by now.

In the second half I'd say Henderson was fantastic. First half was frustrating bcause west ham were breaking us up so quick.

07 dec 2013 14:36:32
just want to say

there's only one david moyes

alan50

To his defense, he was never going to replace SAF; not many managers could. And I think SAF got out while he could. His squad has gotten old.

07 Dec 2013 12:06:17
Whilst he had a fantastic (half) season last year, Coutinho, I feel, is somewhat over- rated. There is no doubting his technical ability or vision, and he is actually fairly strong for his size, but he definitely has a few weaknesses swell. Just like Suarez, he actually tends to lose us the ball a lot with over ambitious shots or passes. He also tries to dribble past the whole other team quite often. Whilst I love having a creative force who drives us forwards in midfield, perhaps he's not quite as good as everyone seems to think he is?

Nonsense .

I think it's harsh to dismiss this comment as 'nonsense.' For me, I don't think it's so much that he's overrated, but the increased physical demands of the number 10 role he's playing this season are something he's having to get used to; last season, he wasn't faced with such intense closing down as he mostly played from the left, and the times when he did play number 10 (v Newcastle and QPR) the opposition didn't pose much resistance. I think he'll grow into it though and certainly we still play better with him in the team than without

Don't get me wrong, he's a good player. But you can't deny, he does actually lose the ball a fair bit, as do Suarez and Gerrard. Maybe that's just the price we have to pay to have players who drive the team forward.

Looked pretty good today yeah? lol. Creative players are always going to lose the ball. You can't create if you aren't ambitious.

He was always going to dip from his level last year as he has lost the element of surprise. He rarely loses the ball unless he is trying a really difficult and ambitious pass. Considering the directness he plays with, which we have missed in his absence, he has a great pass accuracy. He does fade when we are losing the midfield battle but as an attacker you rely on service. He is overrated by us on here but he is nonetheless a top player and if we can hold onto him I think he will become a severe player for us.

07 Dec 2013 10:38:32
Ed001 in your opinion who is the best defensive midfielder in the premier league and why??? And the world and why? Thanks

{Ed001's Note - in the Prem it would have to be Medel, because he offers so much more to the team than any other currently playing, as well as the ability to fulfil many other roles in the team if required. He has a lot more quality on the ball than others who play that role in the Prem, such as Mikel. In the world? Not a clue, there are so many I have not had a chance to look at lately. I am sure Xabi Alonso will be up there, if you can call him a defensive midfielder, as that would depend on your definition of one. There are very few with the ability to spot and then play an incisive pass, Alonso is head and shoulders above anyone else in that regard in world football.}

Alonso and Pirlo. The best examples of how to cherish the ball. Deep lying playmakers in my opinion. Xabi did tackle when he played for us. Not so much for Madrid. If only we could unearth the next Alonso or Pirlo.

I'd add Yaya Toure and Paulinho as contenders for best holding/defensive midfielders in the EPL. Both are solid defensively and creative enough to move the ball moving and keeping possession. The fact that both can score and are consistent scoring threats sets them apart from say a Mikel or our Lucas.

Mikel isn't a player I rate quite highly think he is a liability medel isn't a player I no much about I like Morgan S from Southampton myself and sandro but he's very hot and cold

Javi martinez by a long distance

he has everything good positioning excellent clean tackling, great distribution

the best dm in the world by a mile

07 Dec 2013 09:22:40
We really need to win again today and we should do, but this is potentially a banana skin match. This is typical of our season so far brilliant one match and the crowd up for it, followed by a total lack lustre performance were the team think all they have to do is turn up and are guaranteed 3 points.

We only do bad after international breaks dude

Thank god no europa league