usualsuspect

A typical case of bait and switch. Now the focus (they hope) switches to Eng. selecting from a shallow pool due the "numerous" foreigners blocking the kids, instead of the very very poor coaching techniques applied at youth level. Until the kids are taught to balance their skills by learning to focus less on "working hard" and more on technique and composure, nought will change.

You, my man are SPOT ON! We always talk about how the opposition should worry about us rather than us worrying about them. Arbeloa is better than Finnan attacking wise and is much more comfy on the ball. Seemingly our one and only consistent by-line threat. His supports Bennie well who likes to drift in-wards. We have Masch to cover any gaps he leaves behind

So is your rproblem with Babel or Rafa for playing him wide?

Who would you replace him with? If anything Lucas' contribution vs Everton showed just how replaceable Gerrard is Reina - I agree, Torres - too early to say for sure. Agree on Alonso.

excellent

used to think the Kaizer was a wind up merchant - am fast realising its pure lack of cleverness

In total agreement with Cobs on this one. What we saw was not a dip in form but more a CRASH in form. Cant have been the result of 3 players missing when we have decent replacements to bear. Hopefully we're out of the rot and rafa's philosophy becomes one of treating every game as a must win like we did on Tue. I have absolutely no dount if we play with the fluidity we showcased, we can wallop any team in this league (NOT 8 nil of course ) For me the greatest thing was watching the lads create chances rather than simply capitalising on mistakes which we seemed to do lately.

Your hair is ginger and you work for talksport...

Crouch and Voro start, Torres on bench..

your name says it all!

Interesting points. The question then is do we look at the likes of Parry who pick the manager? Even at Valencia Rafa ran a ruthless mean machine which it seems he is rying to create here. Valencia were not the most attractive to watch but got result efficiently and it almost seems he wants to replicate that. Sadly we dont seem to have the capacity to reach those heights.

Couldn't be further from the truth. Xabi has controlled the midfield pretty well, after the initial mistakes, for a lad coming back from a long lay-off. He's making a distinct difference.

Cobs, Cobs, Cobs - expect more maturity from u..

Certainly getting ridiculous this. So now he cant lose less than 8 games because of his tactics? So who do want as Manager sir?

Really? and how many matches has he "won" us this season apart from Villa?

I'm amazed at the vile being thrown at Rafa after a big big win. It seems most think it was the right decision because it won us the game (including me). Elisha we can understand your loyalty but your aggression implies much more happening behind the scenes.

Do you not think in the course of the week Rafa would have a word with SG on this? IMO It's really the media stirring things as usual. Credit to SG for not throwing his toys out of the pram when he walked off the pitch. Can u imagine the number of pundits who were dying for that to happen?

Its obvious having him off the pitch results us in winning games.. this season to date has showed us that

Even if the substitute had immense influence on the winning goal?

LOL and how many times has that tune been played?

What 'system' are we playing?

..and where is this law written that players above 10m have to have immediate impact? Frankly think you are just throwing out numbers based on pre-take over finances. I would also suggest that what Mancs & Ar$e pay is defo relevant as their activities affect the market.

Absolutely spot on article. Especialy the observation on how fluid we looked b4 his return.

Sorry but that's very narrow minded thinking. Lawro may not have cut the grade in coaching but that article couldn't be closer to the truth. With all due respect to Benitez but he has not cut the grade in the premiership YET and until he does he will be questioned if his tactics are not reaping the rewards expected of LFC. Time will tell if his tactics will work this season but the last few games are not encouraging. To be fair there are key players who have dipped in form but I dont remember us giving GH much leeway when that happened under him. Its not crazy to suggest that Rafa needs to find a way to shake themout of the lull. Anyone managing LFC will always be under pressure to succeed - esp in the league and it only gets worse with time.