Skillz

Fact is the media are overly critical of everyone, except maybe the Champions. Every club complains about poorly written articles but ignore the good ones. I am sure there are fairly written articles out there but the fact is controversy sells and therefore the majority of articles written are controversial, biased etc. Every club has them though to stir up debate amongst the fans. It works, strangely enough. As far as ex LFC pundits are concerned they have to be anti Liverpool to appeal to supporters of the other 100+ clubs. Think about it, if they were constantly bigging up Liverpool they would get a barrage of abuse and no doubt prove unpopular and lose their jobs. I am sure many of them over do it but I can understand their rational in trying to "prove their worth" to the wider footballing public as it is in their interest.

Course we will. Can't you feel it. I can

Poor article IMO. Agenda driven.

No. I give AC more credit than that. They are a highly developed team. We however are far from the finished article IMO. Yet we have won one and lost one. No reason to think that Rafa will not improve us further with time IMO. His system works IMO but we are yet to master it, that is all.

He definitely would pick them. I think Masher plays better with someone like Xabi next to him. Allows him to focus on his role. The final is the best example, he had a single role to stop Kaka and he did. Xabi on the other hand is more senior and if SG left tomorrow would stand out as the next captain for me (controversial I know). Having said all that I think Masher has learnt a huge amount over the last week or so with the responsibility and how he needs to impose himself as a CM. He is world class when it comes to his defined role but he is young enough to continue his development in other parts of his game. At the end of the day we have the best CM in the world. Should write a song about it.

Sorry we were top weren't we? Went to the international break and then no Agger and Alonso? Your point in lack of movement i can agree for the last game or 3 but I put that down to lack of confidence. Our first team is likely to include the following players soon, all things going well (touch wood etc) Agger Fabio Alvaro Harry Nando Xabi Jermaine All ball players = pretty football (something remotely like the all conquering Arsenal team of 2007).

Sorry Cobs. Just do not agree. Mascherano has a massive amount of potential but against the best teams in the CL Final eg Barca if you had one of Xabi and Masher it is Xabi for me. Do not even have to think about it. Xabi is what makes us tick and Rafa gave one very good reason why very recently, his ability to switch the play and allow us to move forward as a team. I also believe Masher is an outstanding player and he plays much better with Xabi next to him.

True but this methodology has formed the basis of many, many great threads from the internet managers who (with the benefit of hindsight) are so much better than Rafa. Trust me, internet managers always win.

Because it fails against the best European teams. Our system is still being developed, our end game is a while off yet but it will resemble Rafa's Valencia in that it will be compact, organised and effective against the best. Infact I expect we will surpass his Valencia teams soon and be able to defend/hold/attack at will by next season. Will be even better the season after.

He could not get the funding organised because he has no companies of his own other than LFC. eg limited income from investments only. Fund managers would of seen him as a risk.

Good on you for posting that and I agree. Given the time Rafa will build an awesome team. We are being tested at the moment but it will soon turn around.

Spot on. Some say he should play 2nd striker but i disagree with that. He needs games, lots of games before he is sharp enough for that. Even though he apparantly prefers to play RW or 2nd striker, he is always effective on the left. He plays the position perfectly IMO and does with ease. His first touch last night was superb, stood out, and yet he has hardly played!

His 1st touch stood out like a sore thumb IMO. He is the one meant to be lacking in match sharpness but he stood out. TBH it is not the 1st time i have seen Harry do that. No matter what you think of him he is one of the classiest players in the league.

1. Gerrard 2. Harry 3. Masher

PLTBT

Bojan will be the best of that lot IMO. Having said that I have no idea really, its just a feeling and if I am right i will no doubt bring this thread back up in 4 years and prove my superior knowledge. If I was you I would pick one out and back him now. What can you lose?

Cheers. 1st time I have seen that. Great f***en goal to score for your first in front of the Kop. well in lad.

Harry's playing again!!!

Too right. He played very well in 05/06 on the left in a somewhat restricted role IMO. Harry was the width that allowed Stevie to roam from the right and it worked well. It did however mean Harry had limited opportunities to get in scoring positions. In the Voronin position he can do both and I feel he would be able to show all his talents. Like you say he needs to stay fit but if he can we just might start to see some exciting football that the hungry masses are baying for.

Bloody Rafa putting the mockers on him. Cant wait but really just want him to play 10+ games before anyone makes any sort of judgement.

I hope that was as hard to type as mine is because i agree totally. The sooner Slur Alex retires/dies a slow death (whoops!!)/gets the sack (please!) the better off we will be. Whisky nosed old b*****d knows how to play.

I agree. I am happy with Rafa and what he is trying to do, but he would be disappointed with Kuyt's goal threat. He would be happy with his play but he isn't silly. If he doesn't start being some sort of goal threat he will be shifted.

Anyone think Crouch will get his chance and win? I do. Essentially Rafa wins but i feel Rafa has been disciplining Crouchy on staying focused on winning. After all it is the least we expect on their wages! Crouchy to return triumphant!!!

I post/lurk on quite a few and this is still the best. Take Snorky and Junior out and it would stand head and shoulders above the rest. However i suspect they only post their negative s**** to strike up a debate.

With regard to Riise you come across very harsh although your points are correct IMO. He has been very good for the club and part of some very good defences as well as scoring some great goals albeit being one dimensional and lacking in technical ability. With regard to Mascherano I believe he is a player who will shine with good players around him where he has a specific role. He is exceptional at what he does but is one dimensional and needs a "Xabi" like player nearby IMO. Sissoko is similar except he plays higher up the pitch, both are very good in the right games.