mattster

Agger was frighteningly good - he was awesome and his performance left me thinking Sami is going to struggle to get back in.

I used to think this was a forum used by decent Liverpool FC supporters, but using words like mong is disgraceful and you should be ashamed of yourself - bring something different to the table FFS.

Kvarme, that headline was used by one of our players in a discussion with myself - thought it was appropriate to use as a result.

Captain Xabi, I'm very calm, just making a point about today's game with the rest of the season in mind. Let's not forget Kvarme, before you get on your high horse, the Premiership is the one we want above all others. The topic was raised to discuss today's team selection, not to go slagging each other off. I've got my views, hopefully I've put them across welll enough for others to make a reasoned argument one way or the other and panic doesn't come into it. I know we'll be there or thereabouts, but I'm hoping for first place this season, not second, third or fourth.

It's not knee-jerk, why is it knee-jerk, I've put a thread up for discussion, yet you make it sound like I'm slagging the management - I'm not.

I think not. The players were all left scratching their heads about Rafa's team selection for today's game, and I can understand why, we were on the back foot as soon as the team sheet went up. It's early days, but 4 from 9 is not the start we wanted with a tough game at Stamford Bridge looming, especially when you budget for a likely 7-9 (possible 9-9). Benitez is already an Anfield legend and I'm convinced we shouldn't be overreacting at this stage, but his tactics today were naive - Burnley naive - and we were made to look second rate at times. Okay, we had a few great chances to get back in the game, but that's always exaggerated when a team are sitting back and I thought Everton deserved their victory, as much as I hate to say it. Where was the width today? It was non-existent.

We do need money and as much I'd hate to see him go, Alonso would be my idea of the best sale option. You'd have the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona coming in for him with big bucks and £25mill is a realistic valuation. It's in his plans to return home soon, anyway.

He'll be training with City in the morning. liverpoolfc.tv got this one wrong - tried to get hold of them to put the record straight, but couldn't.

Lots of same-name replies and obvious candidates, which is good - it shows consistency. However, I wouldn't have Ribery (a name popping up here, there and everywhere) near my eleven and reckon him to be overrated. Going into this World Cup, the Frenchman was mentioned in the same breath as Lionel Messi but, for me, the gulf between the duo is huge. One will go on to be the best in the world, while the other, who I see as an upmarket Mark Walters, will never live up to the hype. For the record, here are my five players to take from the tournament. 1) Cannavaro - without his leadership Italy would not have won the World Cup - he was a collosus throughout for them. 2) Zambrotta - A class act, very attack-minded and possesses a Sissoko-like engine on him 3) Hargreaves - possibly on a sticky wicket with this one, but his performance against Portugal was simply one of the most impressive disaplays of athleticism I've ever seen from a footballer and his show of fitness was, well, bloody impressive - I'm converted as far as he is concerned and I hope he removes Frank Lampard from the side 4) Makelele - what a player this man is, he does such a wonderful job for his team and works tirelessly for the good of the unit. He's unselfish and every team should have a 'Makelele' 5) Gigi Buffon - the best cat in the tournament, now i know why he cost so much One of the signatures of this world Cup was the below-par performances of certain world class individuals. Here's a few to argue over. 1) Henry - looked a shadow of the player we regualrly see turning out for Arsenal week-in week-out 2) Ronaldinho - For me Barca he is sublime, for Brazil in this World Cup he failed to show the world what he is made of, much to the detriment of the tournament 3) Steven Gerrard - I won't have a word said against the man I regard as the greatest plyer ever to pull on a Liverpool shirt. However, I believe i'm amongst my own on YNWA, so feel comfortable in saying he performed well below the level we all know he is capable of. Three world-class players there, then, and what links them all with regard to this World Cup - poor management - all three were mis-managed in my opinion and it shows the worth a great coach (like Rafa) is to a team.

Sure about what, Kev, the bit about Rafa or the bit about City?

He's off to City - I say again - Rafa didn't want him back

It is mate, I'm not actually that fat

Expect him to sign for Man City. He never really wanted to leave, but Rafa has blocked his way back into the club. We shouldn't forget the service he hasgiven our club, truly tremendous,

I respect everything Elisha has to say, and the likelihood is Didi will leave, mainly because the manager doesn't feel he needs him next season. However, it is my understanding Bolton is a bit too beans on toast for our lad, and I don't believe they've made a very good impression - we'll see, but if Bolton isn't the club for him, there will be plenty of others in for him, because he's a class act

I'm not sure he has, he's been there before for a medical you know - last summer

I wouldn't be surprised to see Carra used in the holding role on occasions next season

Coaching role - don't think Rafa would consider him to be honest

My personal opinion is that he will go, but as he's a mate, I'd want a lot better than for him to see out his career at Bolton

Lads, I'm not saying he won't go, because Rafa has told him he can move on if he can find a club - it just appears Bolton might not be the best place for him to go to.

True, Didi had a medical yesterday, but the thought of leaving our great club, not to mention the great facilities (Bolton is a kip of a club, with kip of a training ground), has hit home. Yes, he may well go, but my understanding is it is not definite, as he does still have a year left on his contract and could yet sit it out.

johnqibo ypc, I've met his mate a few times here and there, and I can tell you he's a sound lad, a genuinely nice guy, and certainly no jimmy five bellies.

I thought his attitude last Saturday was shameful to be honest and I can remember thinking at the time how glad I will be to see the back of him this summer. First of all, admittedly after scoring a great goal, the idiot changes his red and white boots for flourescent ones (attention seeking) at half time, then he gets injured and milks it for all it is worth, unlike the others, in particular Steve Finnan, who could barely walk. I quite like players with a bit of attitude but Cisse's talent doesn't measure up to his ego and summing up - I hope Cisse leaves.

Sander Westerveld on a short-term contract. Hope he does okay for them, he loved-loves LFC.

Gerrard Finnan Carra Reina For me, these four have all been outstanding, with Stevie coming out on top.

Andy Johnson is the man, if owen doesn't come back