Saintslfc13

I've since come to the conclusion that my posts would get across better if i break them up into short segments rather than overloading you lot with a full page of text at one time. My apologies However if you took the time to read it anyway you should've found that there isn't much there that's not true or doesn't at least make some sense given the topic(s) of this thread. So at least you didn't waste five minutes reading something that has S*** to do with anything.

For the first time in a while you've posted something thats completely spot on. Riise definitely isn't the best footballer or defender at the club, but he would be a massively good squad player for us in my honest opinion. As said He loves the club and this is clearly where he wants to end his career. I'd have no problem with him doing that but his tenacity has to improve for him to be offered a new contract, and unless he loves the club enough to take a pay cut it might be too late for him to show the manager he's up to it. The problem most have with Riise isn't that he's crap, but it's that lately he's made a habit of making stupid decision or taking a break during vital parts of the game. The own goal was Traore-esque and no one can deny that, he might as well have tried to rainbow it onto his head with that feeble attempt at a clearance, and he scored another own goal earlier in the season that was rather boneheaded as well. The problem with that is, Riise knows what everyone thinks about his monoped abilities and that is probably a reason why he didn't take a whack at it with his right foot, he's bought into everyone's continued lack of faith in that side of his lower body and thought heading it was the better option, and HAD he gotten it out of the box or over the bar we wouldn't have had too many complaints. What I found more disturbing was his lack of effort on both Drogba goals in the second leg. The own goal, while it was Riise who headed it in, was more of a collective f*** up by our entire defence where as on those two Drogba goals Riise could've made an effort to block the first shot and SHOULD HAVE closed Anelka down when he was making his way towards goal on the touchline. Instead he lifts his hand in protest and jogs towards his near post. Even a sprint towards his near post in that situation could've made the shot harder for Drogba, or the pass from Anelka may have even gone somewhere else, but he jogged and you would have thought we were 2-1 up at the point instead of Chelsea. I have no problem with Riise staying as a squad player but he isn't good enough for first choice anymore, he got comfortable and leveled off instead of continuing to improve his game. To be fair though I think he prefers being in Midfield and that is a big reason why he has lapses in the defensive side of his game, but he definitely isn't good enough for first choice left mid (wing now) either so he either needs to develop a Kuyt-like enthusiasm for the game and work rate, or be moved on to the highest bidder. Crouch on the other hand can F*** off back to Pompey if thats what he wants to do, I didn't think he was good enough when we bought him and I don't think he's good enough now, decent forward to have as an option but he overvalues himself in my opinion and that's probably due to him being an England player now. Also, since this has apparently turned into a Rafa f***ed up thread, I should comment on that. The guy is human, all humans make mistakes. He's still the best manager out there and the lot of our players seem to agree with that train of thought. His selection policy has been questionable at times, but he's also right. The same players can't play every game week in and week out. You will find, as has probably already been noted (if not in this thread then certainly elsewhere on the forum), that Rafa changes his team about as often as everyone else does. The problem is, as has also been identified, Chelsea and United in particular rotate with a bench that is composed of mulitple 15-25m pound signings. They have spent loads of money on the Starting 11 as well as the bench, whereas we have spent less money on the starting 11 than either of them have spent on squad players. These clubs can afford to spend millions on unproven talent, we cannot, in other case they're simply buying really good players for the squad. Some of these teams bench players would be starting for a good portion of the teams in europe and that is why there is such a big gap between us the top two. A good thing is, Rafa has been buying loads of young talent, in some cases nicking them from other big clubs across europe, and if Rafa stays here and gets the academy/reserve system set up how he wants they will eventually make the jump to the senior squad. When that starts to happen we will see improvement, and if DIC or any owner with the funds to do so comes in, then we will also see significant upgrades to our starting 11 which will demote the current squad players in our starting 11 to the bench where they belong. What's great is that with the exception of United away this season, we played very well against the other "big three" and were unlucky not to get the 3 points against Chelsea, Arsenal, or even United at Anfield. That shows that our starting 11 is already on the right track and if we make the obvious improvements we should definitely be within touching distance of the title next season. If you take into account all the turmoil going on this season behind the scenes thats been made public, it's a wonder we've gone as far as we did. Other clubs would've been relegated if they had to deal with the same s*** this season, but we're Liverpool and we don't let s*** like this come between us and our football too much.

He was trying to get the ball away from their best midfield player at the edge of the box, excuse him for clipping the guy on the inside of his foot it wasn't anything like when Drogba took Sami's knee out from under him. Ballack could've kept playing which is evident because he made the pass he was trying to make, he decided to fall under the contact because he realised Sami had touched him and that the shot from his teammate probably wasn't going in. Bottom line, Ballack could've stayed on his feet but he didn't and he didn't have to because Sami did make contact inside the box. Sami got his knee clobbered out from under him and the ref saw it but bottled the decision. Personally I think the ref figured Sami, being a big man and a defender, tripped over the ball rather than get his knee clobbered but we've all seen the replay and both Drogba and Terry know that was a pen, but their side caught the breaks. Hopefully this will put a stop to all the ghost goal crap about Luis but I won't hold my breath.

Are you sure you watched the same game everyone else did? He gave the ball away far too often, pretty much every touch he had on the left resulted in loss of possession or a crap pass, and he came way too far inside exposing Riise to a good attacking player in Essien (Which is a big reason he was swapped for Kuyt). Apart from the one run he didn't do much good all game, he's a s*** version of Luis Garcia (real one) and therefore we need upgrade and possibly get rid. Until that run, which was only good because Torres scored from it, he was our worst player on the pitch and killed nearly every piece of attacking play that came through him.

Just shrug those two off man. It's what Sami did, he was all smiles when Terry was having a go at him, trust me He knows they're full of s***. The ref blew it, plain and simple. It really shows our class though doesn't it? Sami gives up a pen, and the only player contesting was Arbeloa, even though Ballack goes down like Sami just sledgehammered his shin in when it reality it was clip on the inside of the foot at best, but it was in the area and he didn't get the ball so its a Penalty. Essien and Drogba batter Sami in the middle of their penalty box, sending him tumbling over by taking out his knee while missing the ball, and it's not a pen because Terry and the rest of the chelsea team have a fit about it, causing the referee to take the whistle out of his mouth. Sami fell because he got clobbered, Ballack fell because he knew Reina was going to save the shot after his pass, and because he knew he could get away with it. Babel one was also a pen but the Ref wasn't in the position to see it so I understand why it wasn't given, the linesman should've had a say but they never seem to do they? The s*** thing of it is it's like the dissent thing all over again. Terry and Drogba complain to the ref about our pen and it isn't given and they have a go at Sami for it with neither of them getting a booking. Masch complains to a ref about his player getting booked for being fouled and gets sent off. I know they're from different FA's (the refs) but it's still ridiculous how double standards seem to apply when it comes to Liverpool FC.

While I agree Drogba's shot was perfect in terms of precision, and I don't really fault Reina for the Goal. He had plenty of time to get over there which was shown because he DID get over there, He just couldn't react quick enough to Drogba's shot, in order to stop the ball at that pace, from that distance he would have had to get his whole body down just after or exactly when Drogba made contact with the ball. Watch a replay of it if you can bear it, and you'll see what I mean. Reina had already recovered from the first save but the second shot just didn't give him enough time to react and his mind was probably telling him he had cut the angle down anyway and it was going to hit the post, sometimes people trick themselves that way it happens. He has conceded on his near post far too many times this season, but then again he's made saves for us that no one else would have and he's only going to get better over the Summer.

Let me clarify, I meant anyone who is more interested in Football and Success than having an overly long London vacation. Besides the incredibly rich Russian, Chelsea doesn't have much to offer and are a CL loss and a Manc win away from a possible mass exodus. Arsenal can perhaps use that to their advantage but Wenger prefers his players young so they can grow together, and therefore regardless of the amount of money he spends will probably buy young as well. The thing that could keep players away is the string of burglaries our players have had to deal with, but hopefully that will be a non-issue.

I can't see anyone preferring Chelsea or Arsenal to coming here. We're a constant threat in Europe and players from other European sides have said they fear us more than the other english teams when it comes to the competition. With 3 semi's and 2 finals in 4 years we shouldn't have a problem attracting players. Also remember that Chelsea need one of the league or CL or there could be a mass exodus of talent from there, and neither is a guarantee, they have a better shot at the CL as they control their own destiny there. Our league form will improve with the squad improving but most players value European success when it comes to deciding where they go and neither Chelsea, Arsenal , nor the Mancs for that matter have a better record there than we do. I do agree that some of the deadwood needs to chopped away, I'd like to get rid of yossi, bring in a replacement for Riise who isn't injury prone, and see us upgrade the wide areas (wings and fullbacks). Also if Rafa can get an attacking mid for the role Gerrard plays, we could drop Gerrard to Xabi's role and he may just be better suited for that. Sometimes it seems he lacks the quickness he needs to produce something when he's surrounded by 3 or more opposing shirts, which happens often in the role he's currently playing in, but he's also had some great performances there as well so we will see if he adapts his game. We also desperately need another quality striker if only for when we need to rest Torres. See people mentioning our centre back situation as being suspect but I can't say I agree. We have 3 very good Centre backs, even if Carra is slowly on the decline, which I'm not a believer of, he's still better than most in the prem. Agger was great before the injury and Skrtel has been great since he's came in. The two best will play, the one who is left out will provide depth at CB and LB or RB. Not sure Agger has the pace to switch to leftback full time but what a difference he could've made if available to do a spot job, I'm almost certain Riise wouldn't have even been on the bench for the first leg had that been the case.

Yea, I suppose, but it's not quite the same thought is it? I'm not saying that because England is out or anything of the sort (I'm not even english) but when it comes to proper football nothing compares to watching Liverpool for me. I mean these results can completey ruin my week or make it the best ever even if everything else is s***. With internationals the passion just isn't as strong, even during the world cup. Hopefully there will be some entertaining games though as it beats mid-season Baseball any day. Now that I think about it, it's great that England is out as Stevie will have a normal offseason and depending on how this hamstring thing plays out with Torres I may be hoping for an early exit from Spain as well, even if it would ruin the competition. Thanks for the reminder though.

Why stop there? To be honest I could see us winning both the league and CL next season providing we don't lose Rafa, and he gets backing the market this summer. I would say we could do the treble (CL, Prem, FA) but I don't think Rafa really rates the domestic cups, and certainly not over the Prem or CL. The crap thing is there aren't any other sports to watch all summer except Basketball, which will be over soon. Once that ends there isn't anything to be excited about until we kick off again sometime in August.

It's obvious Rafa wanted to tire them before bring Babel on and, to be fair, I'm not sure Babel could have done much from the start with Essien back there, the reason Yossi was getting touches was because he was drifting too far inside and Essien left him for someone else to deal with. Yossi didn't do much until Rafa swapped him and Kuyt which only worked because Cole isn't great going foward and Arbeloa can deal with him while Essien had too much pace for Riise. Gerrard needed to play deep in order to get possesion but I agree it left Torres without any options but he still looked Dangerous through out. I've been a big supporter of Pennant but I must admit I was hoping for Babel when he came on as well, I just think we could've killed the game in the 90 but Rafa had his plans and this time it just didn't work the way he thought it would. We still scored two there which has to give us confidence in the future, we need a good summer and we'll be off and running next season.

It isn't like that at all I'm afraid. I've been a big supporter of Riise since he's been here but think about how he must feel himself? There really was only one goal in it, and in the end He did gift a goal to Chelsea, I don't deny we didn't rise to the occasion like I had thought we would but we went out with respect and Chelsea knows they got lucky. Personally I think Rafa made a mistake when he took Torres off instead of maybe Xabi or if he wanted to keep the formation then Kuyt, but I will give him the benefit of the doubt and wait and see if Torres had a knock or was just too tired. Losing Skrtel early was a blow too as Sami didn't have one of his best game and was a bit off the pace at times. Edit: Seen Rafa has said it was Hamstring, well then there was little else he could do, he has to protect the player in that situation.

On the night perhaps, but overall I can't say I agree with that. Only one goal in it, so it really all comes down to Riise, might phone up Merseyside police and put them on suicide watch tonight as we without that oggie we win on aggregate.

Couldn't agree more. He's been running around like a chicken with his head cut off the whole first half. Also leaving Riise exposed down the left because he drifts way to far inside almost like a second striker, except he can't ever latch on to the ball and if he did looks as though he would miss anyway. Also this clogs the middle for Gerrard and Torres to work and if they happen to pass it to Yossi he almost always loses possession or plays a s*** pass. I would like to see Babel come on but at the moment anyone looks like an improvement over Yossi. Crouch, Lucas, even riise could move up if we have someone to play on the left or right on the bench. Oh well believe we can get it done and it just might happen, no one imagined Chelsea getting that last second o.g. last week so we can catch a break this week.

There it's been fixed. As far as resting goes, I agree give some of the ressies a run on the senior level, and play our role players at the other positions. The only two we really need to take care of are Pennant and Crouch and they should be able to get through one game against Brum unscathed. Originally I had thought we should give some starters a run, but aside from Riise (to get his confidence back), I don't think it will be necessary you can get the same, if not more of a workout on the training pitch that you can in a meaningless game. The only difference is the people you're playing against aren't trying to take your legs out on every tackle (not saying the Brum are dirty, just that obviously challenges are harder in a real game as opposed to training). To be honest I wouldn't mind him sticking Riise at right back and telling him under no circumstances is he to use his left foot unless it's to stop a goal bound ball and if he doesn't comply then he will be left out of the Chelsea squad. It might light a fire under him to perform well and he definitely needs to practice to give him some confidence in his other peg. We've been in worse situations and I also feel Chelsea will be arrogant of their home record and will sit back trying not to concede moreso than they will come out and attack us, this is good because I'd rather the home side be sitting on its heels for most of the game, taking their already impotent fan support out of it even more, while we try to press the issue. Also I have a feeling Grant may put out a 442 which will allow Gerrard to fit in the Gap between midfield and defense which could be a real difference maker. We all know how good Gerrard can be with space to run into the box with the ball, and it will also open up passing lanes to Torres as well. Oo and Tyler, please f*** off to West London if you're going to have that attitude. It's not so much the pen comment as I would rather it didn't go there either, but with Reina we always have a chance, its the "it's chelsea's year" one F*** that it's OUR competition, they can have their year in the Prem for all I care but this is ours to lose. Optimism is contagious and if the fans believe we have a chance then we can drive the players with our support, especially the Scouse and English ones as you lot actually have the opportunity to go to the game.

This content is not viewable to guests.

R.I.P. Terrible tragedy, occured just months (literally I was born on the 15th of August) before I was born. Y.N.W.A. to all who have gone and lost in the disaster.

The thing is, even had the penalty been given against us in the Hleb incident, our keeper seems to specialise in stopping them and therefore it probably wouldn't have been an issue anyway. When Gerrard stepped up to take it every ar*e supporter worldwide knew it was going in, even if us liverpool supporters were a bit nervous. They Babel one looked a peno to me and when Hleb went down I thought forsure they would get one for them in the first leg, but the refree didn't see it that way and therefore we've come out on top. Also we'd have gone through 5-4 had they gotten and converted that peno so all the whining on their part is really for nothing innit?

Do you honestly believe the sky interviewer wants a "Yes, I'm very happy" from our captain? I think he'd be far more pleased if Gerrard threw a tirade condemning Rafa, the new formation, and his new role after every match. What Gerrard does is stay on the fence, maybe he's still unsure what's going to happen as he never backs Rafa completely but you never see him throw the man under the bus either. The answer he gives though surely plays into SKY Sports hands far more than a simple "Yes, very happy" would. I actually think SKY would s**** themselves if Gerrard ever had a truly positive post-match interview as it would show that finally the whole team is on the same page. Besides, he's the captain and with Pako the motivator gone he needs to fill that role too rather than just sit there and pretend it goes unnoticed. Also I will praise him as he had a great game yesterday, and was the cog that kept our team rolling, perhaps he's just trying to back Rafa but emulating him, some of that imitation is the highest form of flattery stuff, but it would be nice to hear him full of confidence every once in a while, if not for Rafa (who I don't think cares what Gerrard says as long as it can't be used against the team or club) then for the other players in the side who look to Stevie for leadership and confidence. If Rafa is our General Lee, then Gerrard is surely our Stonewall, and as such will be looked at to rally us when needed (American Civil War analogy, apologies to those who don't get it, if you want to know just ask me).

What I don't understand is what gives FIFA the rights to tell Liverpool players (or employed players of any club for that matter) that can opt out of their contract after a set amount of time? I understand they have to pay a compensation fee but it is considerably lower than what we could potentially make off Crouch with him being an England striker. The whole thing sounds like a Club - Player issue where the player should have had that clause written into his contract before he signed it, rather than International Footballs governing body being able to tell a Club's employee when he can "opt out" of his binding agreement to play for the club for a set amount of time. I could see if FIFA owned all player rights or in the case of Joorabchians player's where he owns their playing rights more than the club does then he could certainly tell them they're done playing for that club, but neither is the case in this situation. To be on topic though I'd be glad to get rid of him, I know he's our only England striker, but with how England strikers perform when they're called upon I'd be far more happy if we bought another Spanish, French (Henry is the only one I can think off, unless you consider Benzema a out and out striker), or even a Brasilian one to compete with Torres, Kuyt, Voronin and Babel for the attacking positions in our formation. An england-priced Crouch would do a lot for us if we sell him on, because of the money the England tag accounts for. Besides he doesn't fit our style anymore more. If that Ballague interview with Rafa is to be believed, then we need someone who can play pass and move football, taking players on when it's needed, OR hold the ball up when we need to play the long ball, and so far Crouch is only good at holding the ball up and even then he doesn't have the end product needed whether it be goals or that little outlet pass to a supporting midfielder or one of the wings. I think if we could've nicked Pato from Brasil before Milan did, he'd have been great to develop into that role as he has the technique and could gain the strength quickly since he is so young, but as it is he's probably going to be a Milan player for good barring a meltdown on their part (which is conceivable as they might not make 5th in the Serie A and that could lead to some changes, we all know how important it can be for certain players to have the Manager that recruited them still at the club, so we can see about that at a later date.)

It's funny you lot say we should sign De la Red. I was just laughing at his name. In spanish La Red (at least everytime i've heard it or used it) refers to the internet. All the same I was thinking the same thing, what is his position? I don't watch Spanish football very often, and even then it's usually the Barca and Real games that are on.

Can't see where?? You can be classy and still lie about something, besides that was probably the wrong comparison. What we really need is TRUE, FACTUAL, dirt on Hicks to be leaked to the press in that calm, dignified way. Something that would make him embarrassed to be known in America, let alone Liverpool and will force him to sell up. You'd think the hatred from the Red half of the city would do the trick but lets face it. Hicks might as well download all the chants off the internet and play them on his Ipod as he gets driven to the bank to negotiate his next loan. The songs have no effect on anything but his ego, and as far as that goes they seem to be counter-productive because it looks as though it's getting bigger. Singing him out of the club isn't going to work. Do some research and make him look terrible, or start boycotting the actual matches, those are the only two things the could force him out of the club. However, as I said before How will the players take to a sea of empty seats? The fans make the club and without our support they'd find themselves out of a job in a hurry. It seems to me that most people don't like the idea of unemployment and would walk for a more stable workplace and guaranteed money in that circumstance. But hey on the bright side we could probably keep Riise.

I'm American and I'm hating the fact that this Texan (I refuse to acknowledge he is from the same country as me THANK GOD he isn't from California) is ruining our club and his "partner" (Hicks must have some type of dirt on Gillete, he's got to be the most uninvolved half owner of a business I've ever heard of or witnessed.) is just sitting there not doing anything about it, and making all Americans look like right c***s in the process, trust me when I say he is the exception and not the rule (unless you're talking about white Texans then I'd say he fits the stereotype perfectly). That said if we really want these two out of the club then all supporters that want to be involved need to dig for any type of leverage they can find to make Hicks look bad. Stir up a propaganda machine to rival that of the WWII Nazi's (no offense to any Jewish, German or other person who might be taken back that I brought them up but when it came to words and filling general public minds with their doctrine and beliefs the b******s got it done) and talk to the press about the reasons we feel betrayed in a calm, dignified, LIVERPOOL way. Not make ourselves seem more like the hooligans that most Americans (European's) know proper (English) Football for. Remember in war, TRUTH is the first casualty and with Hicks seemingly unstoppable way of making HUGE lies look like slight misunderstandings, it seems he has already acknowledged that fact. As far as the hometown supporters go, at matches YOU LOT need to get behind Rafa and the Boys and motivate them to big run in the CL and home (at least) wins in the Prem to close out this season. Let them know you're still behind them and always will be, and that not even this "everything's bigger" Texan and his dope of a partner will make you lose sight that the support for the club, players, and manager are more important than anything (save wife, kids, etc. for some of you? maybe?). Remember the players and the manager have openly hinted that this mess has effected their play on the pitch, while it can be argued that they have a responsibility to play and do their best regardless if all of you show up at the match in full battledress with fixed bayonets and loaded weapons or not, they seem to think it's f*****g them up. So, to me anyway, it's best to save any match protests for the end if at all. As was said earlier a massive boycott of a televised match will definitely do the most to get media and attention, what type of message does it send to the players who need our support at a time when the only thing they are sure of IS OUR SUPPORT. Let's face it they don't know who will own them next season, they don't know who will manage them next season, but THEY KNOW that LIVERPOOL (excluding the bitter blues****) will ALWAYS be for them and if they see an empty stand how do you think they will feel about it?? Common sense says they should understand but, common sense can be lost to emotion and if for one second they feel abandoned by the fans what makes you think the ones that can won't walk in the summer?

Thanks for the refresher mate.. With all these positive thoughts going around I was having withdrawls from the drama (Sarcasm) Would like to see that 40m Rafa quote though if someone has the link?

That settles it then Rafa will steal Tim Tebow from UF and have him partner Torres forming a partnership called the Terrible T's lame i know... but anyone familiar with NCAA and particular SEC College "gridiron" will get it On the serious side of thing out of our current lot I think whoever has shown the best current form should partner him in games where its necessary Right now thats Crouch, but in a month it could be Kuyt or Voronin I don't know. Personally i think Adriano would be the perfect partner for Torres IF he could realise his potential. However, since he's been a lazy c*** at Inter the past few years I don't think Rafa will roll the dice on him.