fred milne

D'oh.

Not necessarily. Back in the day, Carragher was an accomplished right-footed LB regardless of who he came up against.

That's a fair comment. He's scored in the 2001 SuperCup against Bayern, the 2005 League Cup against Chelsea, against Leverkusen in 2005 (when both Gerrard and Alonso were out of the side), the 2006 FA Cup Semi-final against Chelsea, the 2006 Community Shield against Chelsea.....I'm sure I've missed others.

The lad is a limited footballer but he does have two useful attributes - his ability to get into the box and his shooting - both are best served by him playing in midfield.

I'd go along with that, although Gerrard is unlucky to miss out after a stellar first half.

I hope we don't let him slip away this summer like we did with Didi last year. I reckon he could carry on for a few years yet. P.S. Cheers for translating the article.

How on earth do you know that for sure?

That's what I reckon too.

Its going to be key that we keep the ball well tomorrow and having Riise and Sissoko in the same midfield gives me a few worries on that score. Putting it another way: if we still had Hamann then I'd have him as the first name on the teamsheet for tomorrow. I guess I'm hoping that Mascherano could fulfil a similar role alongside Alonso. However, there is always the chance Rafa will judge it too early for Mascherano to be trusted with that kind of responsibility and opt for Sissoko instead. Time will tell.

I feel the same way. We have Gerrard, Pennant, Finnan and Arbeloa for the right-hand side. On the left-hand side, we have 3 players whose fitness records are suspect (Kewell, Aurelio and Gonzalez) plus Riise.

You wouldn't expect to create that many chances against a top side. After all, one of the reasons they are a top side will be that they have a top defence. It makes you think about last season when the first choice strike-force was Crouch and Morientes.

Why do you say that?

You certainly can't compare it to say Wembley 96, Anfield 97 or the FA Cup game at Old Trafford.

I was disappointed with him on Saturday - he never really looked like getting the better of Neville. However, I still reckon there's a decent player in there struggling to get out. He needs a spell free of injury and a consistent run in the side, though.

I've not always been convinced that he merits all the praise he receives on here but I did think he had a good game on Saturday.

Agree with that. Its just plain daft to come out with all that stuff. Reckoned he had one of his better games of late.

I thought he was their best player in the first half. Great short-passing game and as competitive as ever.

I think it was Toshack who predicted before the season started that we would struggle to close the gap this year for those very reasons.

He started the season well but from PSV away onwards his form nose-dived.

I wouldn't disagree. There is a shared idiot mentality behind both, though.

Did anyone else see "Munich 58" scrawled on one of the signs around Kirkby on the East Lancs?

I reckon Kewell's contribution to our league form last season has been overstated. The slow starts of Reina, Carragher, Gerrard and Bellamy this time out were more important. The other factor is Sissoko - he hasn't had the same impact that he had last season. Of course, part of that is down to injury but even when he's been fit I think his form has often disappointed. I'm hoping its just 2nd season syndrome and that next year his development as a player will kick on a level.

I would have thought they have to chase the game from the start. In any case, Bellamy should start because he is our best striker.

Quite possibly. He has become more prolific this season but the goals have dried up elsewhere and as a result they are struggling to retain their title.

Cantona and Hughes?