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Good post.

The "chopping and changing" that has affected the team are the changes made by necessity: The injuries to Agger, Alonso and Torres.

Please.... this has NOTHING to do with rotation! We fielded the strongest side we could possibly do baring in mind the injuries and that Alonso is short of match fitness. We were s****, yes, but keep the faith. Sacking Rafa will not solve anything IMO.

Totally agree. We used the ball a lot better after Lucas came on.

Gerrard played down the left in the second half.

There is and if I meant long accurate passing I would have written so I think..

We are looking far more positive now. Spearing has made a couple of good runs.

Insua just hit the bar with a great shot. We are 1-0 down with 30 mins left.

Watching the game now on .tv. Quite boring so far, a lot of hoofing from us I must say. San Jose looks like a good player, as does Plessis and of course Insua. Lots of affort from Putterill, but he seems to be a bit weak tactically yet. I'll be very surprised if I ever see Brouwer or Linfield play in Premier League though.... Not very impressive.

Another talented kid in. http://www.clubcall.com/index.jsp?storyID=326196 Benitez beats Real to 'new Messi' 20070929 13:59 Liverpool have signed a 16-year-old Argentinian prospect from Real Madrid - who is being dubbed the 'new Leonel Messi'. Rafael Benitez has swooped to capture the schoolboy star from the Spanish giants, taking advantage of the same loophole in junior contracts that enabled Arsenal to snap up Cesc Fabregas from Barcelona. Gerardo Bruna will arrive at Anfield on a three -year deal, carrying a big reputation after dazzling performances in midfield for the Real youth set-up. Spanish newspaper AS reports the deal today as a major blow for the Madrid club who had likened his talent to that of Messi. Bruna is half Spanish and has an EU passport which means he won't need a work permit to play in England.

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N...070904-2123.htm PUTTERILL SPOT ON TO EARN REDS A POINT Steve Hunter at the Riverside Stadium 04 September 2007 A second half penalty from Ray Putterill earned Liverpool Reserves a 1-1 draw with Middlesbrough in a highly controversial encounter at the Riverside Stadium. It was the Reds first Barclays Premier Reserve League North match of the season and it was a game full of many talking points. Middlesbrough's opening goal will be talked about for a long time. In scenes reminiscent of Diego Maradona during the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, striker Tom Craddock punched a Gaizka Mendieta cross into the back of the net. Liverpool goalkeeper Charles Itandje was incensed but despite the Liverpool protests the goal was given. It was tough on Liverpool who played very well on the night, but Gary Ablett's side kept working hard and they got their just rewards when Putterill equalised from the penalty spot, after a hand ball from Boro defender Jonathan Grounds. Liverpool probably should have taken all three points on the night but despite creating some glorious opportunities they were let down by wasteful finishing. French goalkeeper Itandje and Spanish youth international Mikel San Jose made their first appearances for the Reds and both players did well. Itandje was steady and he made a brilliant save towards the end of the game, while San Jose looked calm and composed at the heart of the Reds defence. Brazilian international Lucas and Argentine winger Sebastian Leto also started the game for Ablett's side, while French Under-21 international Damien Plessis made his debut as a second half substitute. Jack Hobbs captained the team and partnered San Jose at centre half, while summer capture from Stockport County Ryan Crowther made his debut on the right wing. On show for Middlesbrough was Spanish international Gaizka Mendieta in midfield, who once cost Lazio £32 million pounds. Liverpool have made some very astute purchases during the summer and in Leto and Lucas the Reds have two very talented players. The pair caught the eye on the night and the Argentine left winger terrorised the Boro defence on the left wing throughout the game. Lucas combined really well with Jay Spearing in central midfield while Putterill was outstanding when he came on down the right wing. There are many positives for Ablett to take from this game and the Reds would have taken all three points but for a goal that should never have been given. Middlesbrough Reserves: Jones, McMahon, Johnson, Hines, Grounds, Cattermole (Thompson), Mendieta, Goulon (Smallwood), Craddock, Hutchinson (Cronesberry), Bennett. Liverpool Reserves: Itandje, Darby, Insua, San Jose, Hobbs, Spearing, Crowther (Flynn 45), Lucas (Plessis 77), Lindfield, Brouwer (Putterill 59), Leto. Subs' not used: Martin (GK), Threlfall. Referee: Mr P E Curry. Liverpoolfc.tv Man of the Match: Sebastian Leto. Outstanding and always looking to take on defenders and create chances.

Thanks:) Looking forward to seeing him back in action. He seemed to be highy rated at the time we bought him. Arsenal was chasing him as well.

Anyone knows what`s happening with him? He seemed to be a very talented player beføre his injury last season. Can`t remember seeing him mentioned this year. Still injured?

It`s really hilarious that someone here dismiss him as "not good enough" or "squad player" etc after the lad has played 70 minutes of competetive football for us. 19 years old, making his debut, packed stadium, little help from the fullback...what do you expect? The fact that Rafa used him this early in his career here should be enough to give him somere more time..?

In my opinion Crouch proved one thing yesterday: That he should be fourth choice. He did a decent job, but his position and finishing are not good enough, he also slows the play down a lot. Crouch is a good player, but Torres, Kuyt and Voronin have deserved to be ahead of him. He should keep his mouth shut and get on with it.

I agree with you regarding San Jose. he was truly excellent in the euro u19s. Some great passing. Reminded me of Alonso.

According to a highly rated Norwegian scout who works for Bayern Leverkusen, Leto is one of the most skilled players in Argentinian foootball right now, He says that he has all the ability in the world, but that his success depends on if he`s able to handle the psysical challenges of English football. If he succeeds, he says, Leto will be a major star in the Premier League.

Ah, sorry about that: "One of the lads who posts on here has a mate who works at Anfield, and he texted me earlier this afternoon saying his mate had seen Torres entering the Kop offices. He also texted me earlier today saying Rafa was at Anfield." Same as reported on RAOTL then more or less..

usher on liverpoolway: "The lad who texted me is sound, he doesn't make stuff up. I don't know his mate who works at the club, but stuff he's said before has been reliable. Obviously I'm not saying this is defo true as at the end of the day it is third hand info and I'm not going to swear to anything, but it ties in with other stuff I've heard about money finally being made available." I am starting to believe this is really true now...

According to "the count" on TLW (everyone seems to take his words for gospel, so I guess he has a good track record there) Rafa will have no money to spend this summer other then what is generated by selling players. Usher has backed this up.

Gillette jr

I like the way Pennant is trying to look intelligent in that picture

Will act as a link between the academy and melwood.

Welcome back:) Missed your info. Anything else you would like to share with us?

First interview: http://home.skysports.com/list.aspx?hlid=4...+turn+down+Reds Brazilian ace Lucas says he could not turn down the chance to join Liverpool. Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez confirmed the club are close to agreeing a deal to sign the highly-rated Gremio star. The Brazilian youth international is relishing the opportunity to move to Anfield. "Regarding my transfer to Liverpool, to tell you the truth, I really didn't expect to leave Brazil so soon but what I have been offered and the team from which it came from made it impossible to say no," Lucas told Terra Brazil. "Liverpool made me an excellent proposal in the financial and professional part. "In addition I know that my departure is going to give a big hand to Gremio for resolving some financial problems so that makes me happy and makes me calm with the decision that I took of accepting the transfer." The 20-year-old will remain at Gremio until the end of their Copa Libertadores campaign and Lucas is hoping to leave the Brazilian club on a high. "I wish to travel to England in July taking in my suitcase the Copa Libertadores title," added Lucas. "I am very happy and thankful that I have been given the chance to remain at Gremio until the end of the Copa Libertadores because playing this competition and having the chance to win it is something that I have been waiting for since I was a child