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Watched this documentary on the Ajax academy some years ago. They pick kids out who are technically adept, drill them technically and tactically. Basically, the football played in the club was the same across the board at every level. The Dutch total football philosophy seemed like the best thing out there. Not sure what's happened to them in these past few years though. We did get Babel from then didn't we but? Was Wesley Sneijder a youth player that came through the ranks? Anyway, you couldn't see that happening at Liverpool under Rafa, for the very reason that he changes his system to adapt to opposition teams. Even against Sunderland at home. And although I might have veered off a bit, that is the crux of my (and probably many others') gripe with his methods. And also why I think if he doesn't tweak his methods without being able to spend crazy money, he will not win the league. In my opinion, football is a simple game based on three axioms: i) if you don't score you don't win ii) if you don't concede you don't lose iii) if you have the ball the opposition can't score (unless you want to throw a match away by scoring an own goal) I think Wenger bases his ideas in this order of importance: 3, 1, 2. I suspect Rafa has it in 2, 1, 3.

Cam, look up Knox Harrington's post about 3/4 pages back on Rafa's policy of buying two middle priced players instead of one top notch one in the summer of 06. Great argument that counters yours (which is valid).

Toure came on against us as a flying right winger/right back some 5/6 years ago, before being deployed more as a center back. Fabregas made his debut at 16. Rosicky and Hleb came as first team players with big reputations as star players in their respective teams. Both players were linked with Liverpool before moving to Arsenal. And are now in their mid-late 20's. Rosicky was a star for the Czechs at Euro 04. Eboue and Clichy were in their late teens when handed their debuts (just found out that Clichy made 12 appearances in 03/04 and qualified for a league winners medal, the youngest ever Arsenal player to get one). Stop talking out of your arsenal, mate...

That header should never have been attempted. Not so late on in the game. First thing that came to my mind was that he didn't have the confidence to use his right foot. If so, it's just appalling. Not surprised in the least bit, but still appalled nevertheless.

I'm using that as my signature...

I think he'd be a hit there. Close control, passing and movement looks to be of their standard. All that, and he's got a good goalscorer's instinct and ability.

I've been an advocate for Yossi to be played as a second striker for the longest time. If we're resting Torres for Crouch in matches like yesterday, or even Babel, Yossi would be the perfect man for this role. Alongside Torres he would be good too, well at least better than the other options in my opinion.

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I do apologize if this has been covered but... This past summer saw a record TV deal brokered in which Premiership clubs stood to get a lot of money - how much did we get exactly, and where has that money gone?

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He plays with passion. Not just in winning the ball back, but also when we're in search of a late goal he drives forward and makes plays happen. If you haven't noticed, the boy can pick out a pass too.

I'd put one of Benayoun, Kewell or Babel alongside/behind Torres. Preferably Benayoun.

Absolutely! It's infuriating!!! I'm surprised Rafa hasn't made him practice using his right foot for 3 hours a day after these past 3+ seasons. Maybe he realises there's no hope for that right foot?

He was better than at least half the team. If he was poor, there is no superlative to describe Kuyt. Who put in about as sh*te a Liverpool forward's performance as I've ever seen in the last 13 years in that first half. Got better in the 2nd. Benayoun needs movement around him and we just didn't have enough players taking up the right positions, either all clumped up centrally or too many too deep spread across the pitch offering no support.

He's definitely not been anywhere near his best this season. The peno against Villa sorta set the tone if you like, very un-Carra like. There has been some not-so-great decision making and a few little mistakes here and there which were very rare in his previous 3 seasons.

At his best, Momo is an average passer of the ball. On a normal day, many moves break down due to his sub-standard passing. Two seasons ago, he was an awesome player, and fit perfectly into our developing team. Personally I see him more as a stop gap player, but one who did an excellent job for us. Moreover, we have a team of fighters, all hard workers who will put in the yards but can also play. I suspect Momo would have been a fantastic addition to Roy Evans' Liverpool teams, almost a cure for those away day blues at the likes of Coventry and Wimbledon. This Liverpool team is more than capable of mixing it up physically with the hardest of teams. The past few weeks we have started to play better football due to the return of Kewell and Torres, the emergence of Benayoun and to a lesser extent Babel, and also Stevie's improved form. The little passages of play have been encouraging and effective; triangles and pass and move football. Can't wait for Alonso to be back! If we want to progress then there should be no place in the team for a player who can't pass the ball well, no matter how well he can win the ball back. At least 85% of matches anyway. And especially when we have Mascherano who is able to win tackles almost as well as Momo, and then pass the ball much better.

Made all the wrong decisions on Wed night I thought, Benayoun was unlucky to have been taken off instead of Babel. He is a talent though, but it seems like when he is on the ball he's about half as quick as when he doesn't have it. He will develop as the season progresses, and as long as the goals keep rolling in he will gain confidence...

Don't get me wrong, I think Gerrard is vital to our team, but Nedved's game intelligence is right up there with the elite European footballers. Stevie would be unplayable, whilst improving the team by that extra 10% if he was half as intelligent on the pitch as Nedved.

I think Gerrard needs to learn how to play the pass and move game a little better, in the way that Alonso does it. Pass it off, then follow the ball and ask for it again. Gerrard stands off play far too often (alot of the time because he switches play when he shouldn't) when he should be playing more short and quick one-two's and progressively moving the ball forward, with himself being in the thick of it. If he can learn to do that, he'll be able to make up for his midfield partner's lack of technical skill. Not that Mascherano is not adept technically, but to an extent I see where you're coming from with your point.

for me, this combination, above all others, is the one to be avoided You obviously have NOT seen Gerrard and Sissoko or even Mascherano and Sissoko play together...

Glad he had one of those games where he couldn't score to save his life yesterday when it didn't matter in the end. Even Shearer on MOTD said he probably could (and should!) have had at least a hattick, with Liverpool winning by 6 or 7 in the end.