Skillz

What we want is attacking players like Placcy and Rooney and play them in a 4-2-3-1. That way we can stop Manu aswell as playing them of the park. Having said that i expect Rafa to have 2-3-4-twelvty different options in his set up options next year.

Very deflating. Thought we played well and Rafa had it right, unfortunately the goal before half time changed a lot of things and it was always going to be difficult from then on. Alonso and Mash had fantastic games along with Pennant. also thought Stevie was pretty good in a role he doesnt always perform in.

Sorry Don. Arsenal Fan is an idiot though

don1980 You are an idiot. Agger is or will be close to our player of the year. Cant be bothered to discredit the rest of your post.

Rafa does what he can with the cattle he has. Wait until he has a bit more quality and then see if they still complain.

Certainly gives the impression both he and Rafa are well on top of what needs to be done. We will climb the hill with these guys in charge. Ps Dont f*** with Pako!!!!

That is exactly what i was thinking while i was watching. Bloody surreal the lack of pressure on the ball carrier all night for me.

I would expect the fact he has had to come off injured in the last 2 finals would be his inspiration. Remember he left his family at 15 and moved to England following his dream. That dream was winning trophies for Liverpool and starring in the process. That is why he engineered his move to Liverpool from Leeds. He has won trophies here but is yet to STAR. He will have another opportunity on Wednesday and i hope he delivers, he deserves to and in my opinion was born to deliver on the biggest stages, unfortunately his body hasnt allowed him to do that yet. Lets hope his long rehabilitation pays dividends for the club, the fans and Harry himself. He sure as hell has the talent, that is for sure.

Well i just followed the link to "Mr Prentices" article and saw the voting for player of the year and Xabi is running third. Thought that was funny tbh and it shows that there are some people that appreciate what Xabi offers. Personally, i feel Xabi will stay because Rafa will be determined to keep him. He will play most games alongside Mash with Gerrard either ahead or to the right. Xabi will be afforded more license to get further forward where he will be in a position to play a lot more "killer balls" but he will still essentially be a defensive midfielder, IMO.

Well said, very well said See no reason why this clowns ridiculous comments about our club should be left alone. Rafa is THE master in the media among PL managers. Just ask Jose who has been played to perfection by Rafa IMO. In fact i doubt if Jose will bother engaging next year assuming he is still here.

Personally i feel the difference between last season and this in terms of points can be related to our left side, in particular Harry Kewell. He may not have a heap of goals or assists but he was very important. In other words the lack of quality was the loss of Kewell. everyone wants big sgnings this year to improve us (so do I) but a fit Harry Kewell will be the best signing we could hope for.

I agree with that. We have a much better keeper, a better defence and better defensive midfielders, IMO. With Harry/SG/JP we can attack as well as them. Lets give it to them better than they reasonably expect, perhaps a 3-0 lead at half time and then see if they can come back.

Thats a good guess i reckon. Really glad Rafa responded to this. He has once again done it at a good time and more importantly put the bloke right back in his place. He's a class act is Rafa. He has dismissed Jose in the media like a rag doll IMO. When it comes to media engagements i have more faith in Rafa than i do with his chances in a ECL tie. He is a star and it is just beginning to rise, IMO

Thats the bit that caught my eye. Seems as though he is confident all the main players will still be there eg Alonso, Sissoko

Personally I feel Berbitov is the player we need. Berbitov/Tevez/Alves Thank you

You need to drink it 1st though cos its too good to throw away. Dont worry they'll never live to have the opportunity to open it!!!!!!!

If h's fit he should play and he should start. If he is a sub he has the prospect of breaking down again and having to be subbed off again (this is why he started in Instanbul i believe). If he is a sub because he can only last 20 minutes what good is that if we have extra time. I suspect he is much fitter than that, he is also mentally very strong so i expect he will be driven to make the squad and put in a strong performance to shake the demons of his past. I for one wish him all the best if he gets his chance.

Please let this thread grow. The last one had me laughing for ages.

He's a bloody legend, for sure.

I'm 37 and i cant. Lose weight NOW.

As he, and the rest of them should,....... seeing as they are reporting an event and it is relevant. It is obvious that these factors are not always recognised and thats OK, if its in the media and some SKY SPACE CADET wants to ignore/criticise us. Where it is not OK is when an opposition manager to deliberately INFER we are a small club compared to Chelsea. I do not care what context he went into, the fact is he said what he in a considered fashion to attract the swarm. He simply can f*** off, sorry, but i have lost all respect for him. IMO he has been told to restrict these types of comments but he has deliberately been over the top confrontational. He wants out, has done for at least 6 months, but he wants the payout, therefore he needs the sack. He seems to be in a rush to get it. Personally I hope he gets it. Like Rafa said he made a mistake when he made the small club jibe. Rafa f***ing owned him. After the Portsmouth game Rafa focused on this game and attacked Jose. It is all he deserved, it was well executed, it had dignity. Most of all it signified the end of Jose and announced to the uninformed majority that is the rest of the planet besides us, Rafa is number 1

I agree with that, Agger and Mash could go either way. I would have to say though that Riise was close behind. He played a great defensive game today which for me was clearly his best this year. Reina was just boss throughout.

I'm pissed, going to bed to get 3 hrs sleep b4 getting up at 4am to watch THE MIGHTY REDS Come on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

No 3. Been feeling better all week. Rafa's response to Jose has lifted me. He is playing the games now and using Jose's comments last week against him. The rally call to both players and supporters is out there. Jose disrepected our great club, no 2 ways about it and like Rafa said that was a mistake. It will save any need for Rafa to make some inspirational speech, all he needs to do is remind the players what he said before they walk out into the storm of support that is Anfield. PS Having said that i will be a 1 at kick off, without doubt. EDIT My calmness comes from the fact Rafa always buys Montse a watch every year!!

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