rjlfc

Our passing is atrocious

No need for panic or knee jerk. We've not been great, but been the better side, especially (and obviously) since extra man. We've not been good in the final third, but then they are bringing everyone back. Our extra man is counting in the midfield not up front, so be patient and we need to bring on pace to stretch them. Continuing with Carroll is playing into their hand IMO

We are carrying Carroll here, looks like a spare part, slow and offering nothing. Get bellers on ASAP to make the most of extra man

Well I said half time and I'll say again, our defence and midfield are very poor when pressurised and spurs exploited it, as did Brighton 2nd half as did Sunderland 2nd half etc. However, instead of saying f*** you and trying to at our own game when happens we drop 15 yards deeper and makes the situation worse. Bellers and Suarez were chasing longish balls most 2nd half. We have to sort that s*** out, although I suspect our cumbersome defence is a major factor. Someone said it's an inexperienced back 4 - yes it was but we will probably be playing with 3 of them for the next few weeks so it better improve

IMO footy is a basic game. Forget all your complicated tactics, they've stepped it up and are pressurising us all over and also higher up the pitch. It's something we've always struggled with. Secondly, we've stopped pressing them and are much deeper. Hence we are camped mostly in our half.

Eh? Lucas and Henderson probably do more running than most players put together. Granted neither are technically that great but you can't say they'll get out run/worked!!! Adam I agree with and Henderson needs to be dropped but for different reasons certainly not his workrate

Deliberate handball Parker. No booking

In a nutshell- We've stood off them from 1st minute, inviting pressure, runners, shots as somebody said, can't see the point in Henderson Adam - will be useful understudy to gerrard but only against poorer opposition Carragher and skrtel need benching when our squad is fully fit. Carra's passing is diabolical for a proffessional footballer Ref, it seems, cannot wait to book our players and blow for free-kicks. It's almost as if after that meeting theyve got together and said f*** liverpool. For me, you get nothing for being nice as we have been Finally, forget about the price tag, but Carroll looks at the moment, a championship player at best

I just f***ing hate it when we stand off, really winds me up. EVERY time we play well, and every top team for that matter, has to start with a high tempo pressing game . Oh f*** Adam sent off. Thanks ref

Press press press. Whenever they have the ball, even right on the edge of our box, we stand off them? Fecking crazy, it's like we are so scared of conceding a foul the alliterative is just to let them play and pull us everywhere??

Enrique caught a dose of PFK-itus then, totally sleeping. Carragher distribution woeful already.

Thought I read somewhere Coates wasn't in the squad? Anyway, be amazed to see him start. Think we'll take a risk on Johnson and RB. Adam looked to be training fully according to the photos so think he'll also start. I'd normally say kuyt for this match but he might give hendo the nod given his recent form in last two matches. Also think he go with Carroll given it's Stoke plus he'll have a point to prove

This. The beeb have been on the look out for this sort of intelligent punditry for years and looks like Lee has finally stepped up to the mark. Fingers crossed he maintains this form for the rest of the season... Back to downing. Qwality

That's 3 arsenal attacks started by kuyt

Very very nervous about this. The dissappointing draw last week at home, the high expectations for the season with lots of new signings, arsenal 'in crisis', Atkinson reffing. You just know it'll all go horribly wrong!

Then why the f*** is he playing for prem team challenging for top honours if that's 'his level'. I don't know why people are surprised by our shocking fitness levels. Ive made the point recently that our preseasons are a f***ing farce. Every top team plays a core of their (available) first teamers sprinkled with a few youngsters/fringe players but maybe only for 50 minutes or so. Then as the pre-season progresses increase it. So they 'gel' together quite quickly, get fitter quicker all with the added bonus of probably winning and breeding confidence. Our preseason is a f***ing shambles where our reserves/third team predominantly play the first 4 games then throw the first teamers together for the last match. Could see this coming a mile off. I'm also concerned about STILL having a lack of general pace in the team bar the odd excepotion and still having a poor defence. Loads of centre mids mind.

So, here we go. How do people honestly think we'll do? I've been suckered into having unrealistic expectations at the start of each season over recent years, even last. Like most of us I presume. This season is different. I love kenny, and I think we've made some solid signings. Adam will give us a bit of forward momentum just infront of Lucas and downing is as good as we've had on the left for a while (not hard I know). Not sure by Henderson yet, looks to have quite a few misplaced passes in him, hopefully he'll improve on this as he's certainly got an engine on him. I think caroll will get better and I think Suarez is world class. So lots of reason for optimism. However, I have a nagging doubt our lack of pace and 'quick movement'. Ibalso dont think our strikers Have decent backup. Ngog clearly isn't wanted or good enough and despite dirks decent cameos up front he was moved away from there long ago as he's not really a striker anymore. I'm also concerned by our defence. I don't think we've ever really replaced hyppia and carra is on the decline. Likewise we are desperate for a lb which we'll lll hopefully solve soon. I'm really looking forward to the season but I think top 4 will be a real battle. Can't think anymore positively than that, but will be chuffed if we do that.

Does nobody else think we'll start with aquilani? I didn't, but after seeing him start on sat, I'm wondering if he'll pick the same formation and team, with a toss up between hendo and kuyt for the right. I.e front 6 of Kuyt/Henderson Lucas. Adam. Downing Aquilani Caroll

Not sure if this is right forum but I'm in need of help. My sons 8th birthday on Friday. He's desperate for the 3rd kit long sleeve. Can anyone recommend any decent online sites? Jjb and sports direct don't have the junior long sleeve and the lfc store online doesn't have Suarez 7 in stock! I'm really annoyed cos i was up there yesterday for the valencia match and had the bloody thing in my hand ready to buy but didn't want to queue over an hour for the printing....! Ta

My point is why play the reserves in the first place. We need to play close to our first team, or a large core of them, and blood a couple of youngsters and fringe players mixed in. Then change it round after 60-70 mins. I know we've got injuries etc, but there's no reason why we can't be playing a much more senior team to get them working together especially with the new signings. It's what every f***** else does and it's not as if it's ever done us good at the start of every season. I remember a few seasons back with rafa, we got trounced every friendly and hardly scored a goal, playing 7-8 crap players with 2-3 others carrying them. Everyone said don't worry it's a friendly it's just for fitness, but we started the league like a bag of schite. We do most seasons...

I agree pre season had been a total shambles so far. What the f**k was the point of that exactly. I mean degen? Poulsen? Robinson at left mid? Insua? Kelly and the Greek at the back? Playing w*** players in all these friendlies, conceding loads of goals every game is gaining what exactly? Every year is the same, play all the schite until 2 games from the end and we wonder why we start the season on the back foot, with no real fitness, confidence or cohesion. I was hoping the new management and coaching team would change all that. All the top teams play 70-80% of their first team in these friendlies, throwing in a few youngsters and squad players here and there and making wholesale changes only after 60-70 minutes. Have the players tonight wouldn't get into our 2nd eleven, never mind the first. Just can't get my head round it, never have, never will.

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Sell raul, poulson, insua, ngog, Wilson.. Loan shelvey. Keep aquilani and cole. Buy LB, CB and a cheapish 4th choice striker (I like Shane long personally, quick, eye for goal, runs all day, inexpensive). Job done. Easy

Aqua, brilliant again. Admittedly he's got so much time and space it's unreal, but class today

More annoyingly, he plays like one Kelly looks really off the pace. Understandable, but very noticeable