fred milne

Often wondered that myself.

Gerrard and Kewell would do for me provided we had a nippy 'un up front.

I don't think he is at all. Admittedly, Arsenal are a side in transition, just as they were between 1999 and 2001. However, I've no doubt that given time he will build another strong side at Highbury. As for why Real would want him - I'm sure they'd approve of the style of football his teams play and don't forget his in-transition side have just beaten Real at the Bernabeu.

I still think Wenger is more likely to be tempted than Rafa at this time.

Assuming Sissoko fulfills his potential, then I think its a better balanced midfield than nd's.

I'd agree that a pacy ball-carrying right mid is the priority so I think that makes Beckham an expensive luxury - we already have the fall-back option of using Gerrard as a right-mid who can deliver a telling cross.

Luton ahead of Goodison for me. (Normally, I would have expected putting Utd out of the Cup to top the list but for whatever reason it doesn't. Maybe its because Utd are no longer the force of old and were so mediocre on the day.)

In fairness, Dominic Fifield usually comes across as fairly sympathetic.

I never expected to see Fowler in a Liverpool shirt again either.... Having said that, I can't see it happening. I doubt Real would let him go on a free as by all accounts a) he's been their best player this season and b) he's key to their marketing drive. Leaving aside all the baggage (ex-Utd player, his wife etc), would Rafa really pay a big transfer fee (and big wages) for a player whose best days are behind him?

I don't see a major problem with a Xabi-Didi CM pairing, provided Stevie is at RM. The problem we had against Benfica was that Stevie was missing so the side looked very short on cutting edge.

Benitez confident of Sissoko recovery By Paul Walker Published: 24 February 2006 The Liverpool manager, Rafael Benitez, said last night that he is very confident his midfielder Mohamed Sissoko will make a full recovery from a career-threatening eye injury and hopes he will make a speedy return to training. Speaking at the club's annual general meeting in Liverpool last night, Benitez said Sissoko had made encouraging progress after alarming reports on Wednesday that the Mali international could lose up to 80 per cent of the vision in his right eye after being accidentally kicked in the face by the Benfica midfielder Beto during Liverpool's 1-0 Champions' League defeat in Lisbon on Tuesday night. Benitez said: "We had bad news, then we had better news. Now we need to wait for another opinion. At this moment, it's more positive and I hope to see him training with us soon." An eye specialist in London examined Sissoko yesterday and said there had been "some improvement" in his condition. Sissoko has been told to rest until next week, when he will be examined again. The loss of Sissoko from Liverpool's midfield would be a major blow as the club has an interest in three competitions, and Benitez will revise his plans for the coming weeks. It could signal the premature end of his decision to use Steven Gerrard on the right of midfield, having failed to secure a winger during last month's transfer window. Starting with Sunday's home Premiership game against Manchester City, Gerrard could find himself back in the centre of midfield. Sissoko has been under the care of "the best specialists in the country, " said Liverpool chief executive, Rick Parry. A club spokesman said yesterday: "We are glad to report there has been an improvement in Momo's condition over the past 24 hours, with the progress described as 'encouraging'." Sissoko was in a Portuguese hospital on Wednesday, when reports suggested his sight could be "compromised," as he had badly damaged his right retina. Sissoko's value is underlined by a statistical assessment of Premiership midfielders this season that revealed that their average work-rate is around eight kilometres (five miles) of running per game. Those figures showed Sissoko averages 12km a match. Benitez will now shuffle his midfield and make sure he replaces the high work-rate of Sissoko with Gerrard. German midfielder Dietmar Hamann does not have the mobility to do Sissoko's job while Xabi Alonso has to produce high-quality passing. The Liverpool manager, Rafael Benitez, said last night that he is very confident his midfielder Mohamed Sissoko will make a full recovery from a career-threatening eye injury and hopes he will make a speedy return to training. Speaking at the club's annual general meeting in Liverpool last night, Benitez said Sissoko had made encouraging progress after alarming reports on Wednesday that the Mali international could lose up to 80 per cent of the vision in his right eye after being accidentally kicked in the face by the Benfica midfielder Beto during Liverpool's 1-0 Champions' League defeat in Lisbon on Tuesday night. Benitez said: "We had bad news, then we had better news. Now we need to wait for another opinion. At this moment, it's more positive and I hope to see him training with us soon." An eye specialist in London examined Sissoko yesterday and said there had been "some improvement" in his condition. Sissoko has been told to rest until next week, when he will be examined again. The loss of Sissoko from Liverpool's midfield would be a major blow as the club has an interest in three competitions, and Benitez will revise his plans for the coming weeks. It could signal the premature end of his decision to use Steven Gerrard on the right of midfield, having failed to secure a winger during last month's transfer window. Starting with Sunday's home Premiership game against Manchester City, Gerrard could find himself back in the centre of midfield. Sissoko has been under the care of "the best specialists in the country, " said Liverpool chief executive, Rick Parry. A club spokesman said yesterday: "We are glad to report there has been an improvement in Momo's condition over the past 24 hours, with the progress described as 'encouraging'." Sissoko was in a Portuguese hospital on Wednesday, when reports suggested his sight could be "compromised," as he had badly damaged his right retina. Sissoko's value is underlined by a statistical assessment of Premiership midfielders this season that revealed that their average work-rate is around eight kilometres (five miles) of running per game. Those figures showed Sissoko averages 12km a match. Benitez will now shuffle his midfield and make sure he replaces the high work-rate of Sissoko with Gerrard. German midfielder Dietmar Hamann does not have the mobility to do Sissoko's job while Xabi Alonso has to produce high-quality passing. http://sport.independent.co.uk/football/li...ticle347331.ece

Were the ambulance crew Utd fans?

Did you see the Arsenal game?

Good post that, kop205.

I'm bothered about it.

Its on the Utd website: United and Liverpool issue statement 23/2/06 9:26 AM Joint Statement Condemns Ambulance Attack Manchester United and Liverpool have issued a joint statement after it emerged that the ambulance carrying Alan Smith was attacked on Saturday. The 25-year-old was taken to hospital after suffering a broken leg and dislocated ankle late in Saturday's FA Cup clash, but the vehicle was allegedly pelted with missiles and rocked from side to side by fans outside Anfield. The joint statement reads: "These people are not real fans of football or of Liverpool Football Club. "Manchester United were very impressed with and grateful for the speedy and efficient help of Liverpool staff. "Both clubs feel that these are the mindless actions of a few idiots and they should not overshadow the efforts of all involved to make sure that Alan received the best treatment possible as quickly as possible." http://www.manutd.com/news/fullstory.sps?i...icategoryid=119

Gary Neville is irrelevant to this thread.

Its indefensible.

You could probably say that about someone like Ray Houghton but Ronnie Whelan? Along with Barnes and Beardsley, he was one of the key players of Kenny's great side of the late 80's.

Any views on whether the Finnan of the last 12 months is a better RB than the Babbel of the treble season?

Thanks, mate.

The official website is saying that the match is at 12.15. Is that right or has it been changed, as its an unusual time for game on Sunday?

1. Hamann 2. Hyypia 3. Gerrard

I don't think its down to fitness at all. He generally does okay at Anfield - its away from home where the problems start.

Bring back Danny Murphy?