Epic Swindle

Great game this, just going at it full pelt.

I sense a jammy win for Arsenal after all this. I still can't see them holding out at the Nou Camp or going through.

Amazing football.

WTF is going on here.

Men against boys so far.

I just don't see it. Xavi has licence to roam, he's the one that knits it all together and his range of passing is up there with the very best. Lucas might have the odd foray forward but he ususally operates in a specific zone and lacks any sort of incisive passing, short or long. I'd agree that the shape wouldn't be so bad with better players, as we saw with Xabi, but it's still more of a defensive minded set up compared to the one Barca employ.

Please don't tell me you're comparing Lucas and Xavi on any sort of level? One is constantly on the move, demanding the ball, playing crisp short passes and dictating the game, the other one barely leaves his 10 yard zone and more often than not plays the safe pass or gets caught in posession through indecision.

Too much White. We're Liverpool not Middlesbrough.

He's gone in the summer isn't he?

I agree if there was better wide players available, or chosen, then two defensive minded centre mids to close the midfield out becomes an effective tactic. But without that attacking quality I'd rather play to our strengths, which currently is Gerrard deeper and more firepower up front. I'd go Babel and Benayoun right and left but we know Dirk is nailed on for the right because he offers more defensively. This mentality just nulifies any sort of fluidity and we end up disjointed and fighting for scraps. There's nothing Keeganesque about picking our best attacking players away in Europe, it can just be as effective as shutting the game out as long as they know and do their jobs when we haven't got the ball.

Nice.

It's a bit pointless trying to discredit Jose. His record is unquestionable, with or without big money. He's arguably the best manager around and I think he'd be great for us, though I can understand why he turns some off.

Same. I'd like to finish the season strongly, finish 4th and not look back, but a big part of me thinks it will just be de ja vu next season. His nature is to be cautious and he's not going to change now. The financial situation dictates the position though. He seems to be on good terms with the board and is tied to a long deal.

Jose's comments last night were well weird. I think he's preparing his exit and I hope it's not to City.

I haven't got the stats but I'm sure before this season his record against the top sides was pretty poor. Anyone can beat anyone on their day, and you'd expect with the team he's got to be giving those sides a game, especially early in the season. Over the distance I think he's limited and his ideals are outdated.

Could just be part of the negotiations for Pepe's new deal. I can't see Rafa going for a new keeper unless Cavalieri wants to leave.

Fees and net spend can be very misleading. I always thought wages were the big determining factor in league position and success? As for O'Neil, he's a limited manager who is better in a smaller role were he's the underdog and his passion and enthusiasm gets the best out of average players.

I'm not sure about that. We didn't have the funds certainly but I think those names will have already been well established among most top scouts.

Keys was in cringe overload last night. "Not for the faint hearted" I've seen worse injuries walking round Tescos. Out for a month to mess up their run in, and fit for the WC build up, if only to save ourselves from metartarsal-gate, will do nicely.

Agreed. Rafa is undoubtedly at his best in Europe but he often had a player of Alonso's quality in one of the holding positions.

Two big players there. It's their defence that's the problem though. Dimichelis is like Palleta.

Doesn't look too serious that, might miss Chelsea though.

Get in!

Rooney goes over the ball and Gray just laughs.

I think Nani's been taken out by a sniper.