RedNik

Kuyt was simply fantastic - he was everywhere. Cracking goal, and apart from that chance early on from the Xabi ball, his ball control was magnificent. Xabi was class too. Passing was spot on and really had us ticking well during our spells of possession. Carra/Skrtel - both did terrific jobs on Drogba, Carra especially.

We don't really have another natural option at left mid, further compounded now with Aurelio being out. Yossi on the left just doesn't work for me - I think he's far better on the right or through the middle. Gerrard was awful there against Arsenal. So what else do we do? Leto?

No, probably not - but thats my point. I seem to remember lots of people slagging him off, for his heart not being in the right place, him not caring about Liverpool and so on and so forth (this was when the Gerrard to Chelsea rumors weren't just laughable).

Anyone remember if Gerrard was berated like this following his Carling Cup Final cck up against Chelsea?

Thought apart from the OG, he was piss poor positionally, chasing down players to the center of their midfield, leaving the whole left flank exposed. This was why Kalou was able to have so much of an impact. Also, in the build up to their goal - awful clearance by Mascherano. Should've left it for Arbeloa.

Said this some time ago. Think Alonso can do some damage to Chelsea, given Essien is out of the game. He's essentially going to be closed down by Fat Frank and/or Ballack instead.

This is appalling. He has absolutely no argument. Why should Liverpool give a fck about Sheffield, as opposed to Fulham. Its bs. We should have nothing on our minds but our own games - that's what makes the premiership great. Much rather this than a situation like in the serie A where inter will gladly support roma vs AC milan, just so AC doesn't win the scudetto (or vice versa). Clubs shldn't give a s*** beyond themselves.

How much of that sentiment was because Crouch was going to be our main striker - and now he clearly isn't ?

I think your argument applies to Barry as a replacement for Alonso too. Fact is there's only x amount of players a central midfield can accommodate - as we've seen this season.

If Alonso were to leave, I'd like to see Plessis making the step up.

Perhaps - but he showed his quality, when he has that little bit extra time. Essien being out for the next game could be huge for xabi and the team.

What if Kuyt were to go over to the left, and Gerrard play on the right, where he is much more comfortable, and able to influence the game? Kuyt has played there for Holland some times, but less so for us. Didn't see this happen at all tonight - so there must be some reason as to why not, but im just not sure what it is. At any rate, I wouldn't be surprised if Riise played on the wing against Chelsea.

It wasn't just a coincidence that he started to look good right about when we started to control the game.

The larger point I was trying to bring up is that when we score, we score in heaps. Our goalscoring hasn't been consistent enough.

Thats a manifestation of the problem though I think. We rely on our defense not conceding and then maybe getting a goal. Shyte goals happen - if we were able to score more, we wouldn't be talking as much about them.

Here's another example of why stats don't tell the whole truth. Kaizer, of our 29 goals at home, 4 came against Portsmouth, 6 against Derby, 4 against Bolton, 3 against Boro and 3 against Sunderland - that's 20 of our 29 goals coming in 5 matches. We still have been unable to put sides away at home - goalless against Birmingham, 1-1 with Wigan etc. Mind you I agree we have conceded some soft goals that have lead to draws, but this is also partly because we've not been able to kill games off.

Have to agree here. Don't think Gerrard ever suggested that he'd score more goals from being played in central midfield, after all he got 23 playing largely on the right. He wanted to be more influential to our play, both in defense and attack. Even when he's playing wing, almost every time we don't have a grip on the match, he starts to drift into the centre - its about influence, which his goal return doesn't measure.

I actually thought Kuyt linked the play up very well, particularly in the first hour of play. Haven't seen him play like that in some time now. That being said, his touch let him down a couple of times and he spurned a good chance. On the topic of us not playing football in the final third, I'd really like Rafa to start Crouchie. This has nothing to do with the goal he scored today. More so the fact that in his time here, we've played some of our best football with him on the pitch, and I think his ability to control the ball and bring others into play can help us in opposition territory.

IMO Momo's strength is in his ability to press and close down the opposition. With his long legs he then can make tackles and interceptions, even though he isnt in complete control because of the pace he's moving at. Mascherano can let the game come to him and play destroyer in that sense, Momo needs to attack the ball defensively - if that makes any sense.

Was 4 at the time - so needless to say I have no idea what winning the league would feel like. Personally its just exciting to be involved heavily in the title race (something I've only really witnessed once so far). Can't imagine what it would actually be to win it.

The payoff from keeping him in the squad is far greater than the 2M (at best) that we'd get for selling him.

Thats the case with players of the quality you mentioned. What about good solid squad players?

Theres 2 days before the deadline - in which we'd have to sell Crouch and buy a replacement. Don't see it happening. I also don't think Crouch will leave unless he forces the issue with the club.

He'll never be disciplined enough positionally or have the distribution abilities to play in a holding role. Also IMO if you place shackles on Momo in a positional sense, you get rid of his effectiveness.

He also called Crouch the Crouch-o-sauras, Crouch the Great multiple times. He then barked like a dog any time Toulouse had a chance. Never had a commentator be THAT Liverpool pro and yet annoy me.