Liverpool Fc @ Anfield - Reds Supporters Gatherings

[KingEros]

Old cliche, I know ... but a win is still a win.

From this match, I see 4 take-aways:
1) Arbeloa is a brilliant steal ... he can defend against the best (Messi) & he has the footwork to score good goals too.
2) Finnan is brought back down to earth ... played Reading onside which allowed their goal to stand, despite Carra's vehement protests.
3) Sissoko is rubbish still ... think he's still affected by that eye injury, seems like his confidence is shaken a wee bit ... besides his inability to pass right at more than 20m distance, he's not tackling quite right too.
4a) Pennant is certainly on the way to playing his best, which may well be good enough for LFC afterall ... his cut-back to draw 2 defenders with him, then that deliberate cross with the outside of his boot to Kuyt ...
4b) Pennant's never-say-die attitude at running after what others would consider as lost cause ... just too bad his brilliant cross under those cirscumstances yielded nothing becoz his own strikers didn't believe he could do it & were not there to receive it.

[rahl]

Originally Posted by adamking80

yes i agree citizenship counts for nuts... let me shed some light on what i mean... if you take some time to observe, soccer style in different countries are played in a different way... EPL = fast & furious, no time to dally on the ball... in la liga, ball is often passed to a single playmaker for him to create openings and make things happen... they get more time and space on the ball... if a player is used to playing a single style since young, he'll have a hard time adjusting... if you compare alonso's performance for real soc. and pool, you'll be able to get what i mean... if you need another example look no further than mark gonzalez...

This I don't agree. Contrary to what the English media regularly print, English football is no longer rush and puff. Second, even if it were so, rush and puff can be defeated by good football, just as the best defense and organisation can be unlocked by a moment of genuine quality or poise.

The very premise has to be questioned.

If you look at Man U and Arsenal, they have played some blistering and intelligent football to overpower, outplay and outfox the rush and haste of the typical English teams. In fact, pretty easily. If only English playing teams can master the English league, how did the Henrys, Cantonas and the Ronaldos (sorry I got to bring in the Scum players as examples) flourish and win loads of medals?

So I think it premature to say what kind of team fits what kind of league. The important thing is you need to have versatile players for different kinds of opposition. Rafa hasn't got that right yet, partly cos he has brought in new players who need to blend in, but I have no doubt that he will put together a team that will frustrate the Barcas and Juves, as well as one that will outsmart the Villas, Wigans and Boltons.

[chairman-mao]

ha ha ha ha ha. Man U leadind is cut down into 3 pts.
FT Portsmout 2 - 1 Manchester United

[Cum_Luver]

oh yeah,what a week for the REDS !!!
Arsenal lost 0-1, Chelsea won 1-0 and Man U lost 1-2....
this is a fantastic week for the REDS.
Now the lead is cut to 3 pts, so the match at Stamford Bridge will be very interesting and competitive...it may turn out to be the decider of the EPL...

[KingEros]

Originally Posted by rahl

This I don't agree. Contrary to what the English media regularly print, English football is no longer rush and puff. Second, even if it were so, rush and puff can be defeated by good football, just as the best defense and organisation can be unlocked by a moment of genuine quality or poise.

The very premise has to be questioned.

If you look at Man U and Arsenal, they have played some blistering and intelligent football to overpower, outplay and outfox the rush and haste of the typical English teams. In fact, pretty easily. If only English playing teams can master the English league, how did the Henrys, Cantonas and the Ronaldos (sorry I got to bring in the Scum players as examples) flourish and win loads of medals?

So I think it premature to say what kind of team fits what kind of league. The important thing is you need to have versatile players for different kinds of opposition. Rafa hasn't got that right yet, partly cos he has brought in new players who need to blend in, but I have no doubt that he will put together a team that will frustrate the Barcas and Juves, as well as one that will outsmart the Villas, Wigans and Boltons.

Originally Posted by KingEros

What you suggest is not totally untrue, but I see the same argument as a double-edged sword too.

In Rafa, he's one of the world's best tacticians/coaches becoz he's good at implementing his style of football ... for the time being, he's still trying to fine-tune his style to overcome the "fast-&-furious" hustling & bustling in the EPL.

It's not like LFC will be EPL champs if they can come up with the fastest & most furious team, right??

In the modern game (where every good coach has every player on the other side analysed in every detail), what matters now is the "element of surprise" ... why do you think Alonso was playing better last season than this?? or why Gerrard was scoring goals like nobody's business from the right wing last season??

In that sense, Rafa's concepts (& endless pockets of tricks) work but he needs to have players who are intellient enough to change the plot at his very instructions. So, unless he can find Englishmen who can do what he wants (in implementing Rafa's style of football), then what's the point of having an Englishman there??

It's a real wonder no conspiracy theory has arose yet ... of us being one & the same person. Great minds think alike??

[KingEros]

RAFA: WE DESERVED TO WIN
Lee Brown 07 April 2007

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez believes that his side deserved their 2-1 win over Reading at the Madejski Stadium on Saturday, but he was also quick to point out that they were made to work hard for the three points.

“We knew it was going to be a difficult game,” declared Rafa, whose side are now five points ahead of Arsenal in fourth after they lost at home to West Ham. “They are a tough side to play against and they pressed us and worked hard. I think we have done a good job and in the end I think we deserved to win.

“We had chances in the first half to kill the game, but at half time we knew we still had to be careful because we remember how they came back against Manchester United earlier in the season.

“We made a mistake for their goal and then we had to try to change things by bringing on different players to give them more problems.

“We still have work to do to finish in the top four. We have to be careful, but hopefully we will play in the Semi Final of the Champions League and if we can win enough games before then, it will enable us to focus on that competition.”

Benitez explained that Xabi Alonso missed today's game because he had taken a kick on his shin.

[KingEros]

FINNAN NOT INTERESTED IN PLAUDITS
Jimmy Rice 07 April 2007

One of Liverpool's most consistent performers claims he is not bothered about the lack of plaudits which come his way.
Steve Finnan says he is happy to miss out on column inches as long as he is helping the team to win trophies.

"I've never minded not getting plaudits. It's a question I've been asked many times, but I'm really not bothered," said the right-back.
"It's always been more important to me that the team plays well. There are other lads in the team who are playing well but don't always get the praise. In football you always expect the lads who are getting the goals to get most attention, and they deserve it. I'm happy with how things are going for me, but more especially for the team."

Meanwhile, Finnan has spoken of his desire to stay on Merseyside for the foreseeable future.

"I would definitely like to sign for more time, but that's up to other people," said the Irish international.
"Everyone can see the club is heading in the right direction with the new owners. It's an exciting time. Everyone wants to be a part of it, especially me."

[KingEros]

THOMAS SHINES AS REDS WIN DUBAI MASTERS
Paul Rogers 07 April 2007

Former Anfield star Michael Thomas proved the hero in Dubai on Thursday night as Liverpool romped to a second successive Masters title thanks to a 6-2 victory over Manchester United.

The midfielder, still best known as the man who cost the Reds the title in 1989 while playing for Arsenal, was voted the best player of the four-team tournament.

Liverpool kicked off the tournament with a 2-1 victory over Celtic, followed it up with a 5-3 against Rangers and then beat Manchester United 3-2.

The final saw the Reds put six goals past their Premiership rivals with Paul Walsh emerging as tournament top scorer.

Liverpool were cheered on by superb support from thousands of Reds in Dubai.

The fantastic weekend just got even better ...

[KingEros]

BENITEZ: MY PHILOSOPHY WON'T CHANGE
Jimmy Rice 07 April 2007

Rafa Benitez insists his philosophy of shrewd spending won't change no matter how much American owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks put in his transfer kitty.

The Spaniard says he won't splash the cash unless he is certain a player will help take the club in the right direction.

"It's not always the most expensive players who are the best, or the players you need," declared the Liverpool boss.

"If the new owners say we can sign players, we will do it, but the philosophy will be to do the same as we've always done, which means finding the right player for us.

"In the last two years we have won the FA Cup and the Champions League. Now we are close to the semi-final of the Champions League again.

"We finished third last season and we could finish third again in the Premiership. Because of this and people talking about money, it's normal for people to talk about big names – but our view will always be the same."

Benitez also revealed he has no idea how much money he will have to spend in the summer.

"When I was talking to the new owners they told me they wanted to do things to improve the club, but they did not talk about figures.

"What they have said is they want us to tell them what we want, and if it can be done then they will do it.

"It's true they have said we can go forward, but there's been no talk of 40 or 50 million pounds!"

While refusing to be drawn on transfer speculation, Benitez is keen to stress the importance of keeping the spine of his current team at the club for the foreseeable future.

He said: "We have some players now that we need to analyse their situation. We are not doing any of this at the moment but we will do something before the end of the season.

"All the players are important and I cannot talk about the situation of each player. It's better to talk to them. It's fair to say I am really pleased with my squad and would like to progress with all my players."

[KingEros]

Originally Posted by Cummon

Make sure you don't miss the the game against PSV next week!

With cable, I hardly get to miss any LFC matches on the box ... maybe now is good time & ample justification to apply release from OC to watch critical LFC matches together ... & orgas together after that??

[KingEros]

TableTop GP-W-D-L-GD-PTS
Manure 32-25-3-4-52-78
Chelsea 32-23-6-3-37-75

So, it still won't be enough for Chelskis to beat Manure on 9 May at Stamford Bridge ... due to their superior goal difference.

One of these 2 banana skins got to help trip Manure up ...
1) 17 Apr v Sheffield Utd at Theatre of Nightmares
2) 13 May v West Ham at Theatre of Nightmares

At the same time, the potential banana skins for Chelskis:
1) 18 Apr v West Ham at Upton Park
2) 28 Apr v Bolton at Stamford Bridge
3) 6 May v Arsenal at Emirates

For all of your quick reference, so you know who to cheer for when LFC isn't playing.

As is there for all to see, if Manure still have to surrender the EPL title this season, then they really dun deserve to win in the first place.
Even more orgasmic if they beat Watford to reach the FA Cup final ... only to be beaten by Chelskis in extra time.
Completely poetic justice if they beat AS Roma too to make it to the Champions League SF ... only to be beaten by Bayern by a last-minute odd goal.

[KingEros]

Originally Posted by KingEros

For all of your quick reference, so you know who to cheer for when LFC isn't playing.

Just when I was labelling van der Saar amongst the better keepers, he showed nerves & blundered twice in one game ... especially the own goal, where he really needn't have come out so early, so quickly.
Best of all, I will never forget the look of disguts on the arrogant brat's face ... the one that belong to Mr Ferdinand.

[Exciter101]

The lads shown their determination to win and boy what a week for us.
Can't help feeling so high....hahaha. .......
Momo need to brush up alot....passing is so poor...haiz
Anyway a win is still a win....

[Frankiestine]

Originally Posted by jootjoot

ya. that's glenn ong. sometimes flying dutchman will pair off with monterio (correct spelling bo?)! sometimes all 3 of them will go on air together.

monteiro "skinny ankles" long time no on air already....but going to on radio on monday morning and listen to FD rubbing it in to Glenn Ong on his Arsenal lost and of all places in Emirates Stadium to of all teams....West Ham..

[Frankiestine]

I think the ref was a bit too lenient on some of the rough house tactics of the Reading players..but King is right Sissoko is not the done deal, his passing game is way off...in the past before his eye injury..i was impressed with his intercepting skills but he seems to have lost some edge off it.