RedHarvest

This is Chelsea minus Essien, Carvalho and Drogba trying to break down massed defences. I reckon this is the most vulnerable we'll see them all season, although injuries could blight them even further - hopefully! there's no point in arguing that we are as strong as them or utd cos we're just not, due to our lack of depth,,finish above both teams and you've won the league - it's unlikely but not impossible, thats the beauty of the game.

This "truism" is so overused it's meaningless...all the top four teams regularly play badly or not up to standard and get the win due to superior players in general and finishing specifically. In fact it seems to be the norm since the two tier league has become more and more pronounced. If I'm being totally honest with myself I dont see us winning it mainly because Chelsea are so strong, but I believe to finish ahead of utd this season, regardless of the chavs, would give us a huge mental boon to go on and claim it back next year - it's kind of defeatist but DH is right - we have the players and the manager.. not the depth of squad,,what would give us the belief? Finishing second to a frighteningly strong Chelsea would help.

Alonso Dirk Carra

He's quietly gone about being our and the Premierships best midfielder this season. His doubters (possibly including Rafa) must concede this now even though they'll point to the whole Barry affair to be the proverbial kick up the a*** he needed. Xabi is pure class and a Liverpool legend in the making.

History's against him when it comes to Italian players adapting to other leagues...in England I can only think of Zola (who's Sardinian) and Cudicini who've thrived in any way.

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Alonso Arbeloa Agger

second that

Xabi Pepe Riera

What's the difference between that performance from Dirk and all the others? Answer: 2 goals He was immense today as always, and the goals are finally starting to come...I'm made up for him.

Kuyt Riera Alonso special mention for El Zhar, thought he did well thrown into a chasing game

Wise words..the "it's on" brigade should take note of this

thats deadly...Gerrard is spot on

you'd better not read the "Could Katona be the answer on the right" thread so...

they cant flog him if he doesn't want to be sold. ...unless they poach Rafa too dont worry Torres is going nowhere soon,,when he does I'll bet it's back to Spain.

Gerrard Skertl Torres

That's overly harsh,,his only crime was not being good enough, he was never cowardly

Not your typical footballer in that respect, always thought he was a decent person and a great player. Also reckon Anderson will come good for the mancs

I dont think Aurelio's had enough time in the team to show what he can do from a free kick,,he has the technique to get it up and over the wall - Gerrard is more about power and accuracy. Obviously having both options is best for the team.

Aurelio has a great delivery from corners. And though none of them came off on Sat he's our only FK specialist,,I expect a few goals from direct FKs from him this season.

True, and another consideration is that he's just sprinted 50 yards full pelt to be in a position to recieve it..unlike say Berbatov, undoubtedly more blessed in natural skill and touch than Kuyt, but recieves much less ball cos he couldn't be arsed running for it.

Xabis been our best player so far this season, he was class today, close to his best. It would absolutely kill me to see him sold to Arsenal

promising start for Riera, thought he started off the pace but came into the game gradually. We finally looked balanced on the left side, with him and Fabio linking very well.

Xabi Masch Aurelio Great perfomance also from Riera,Skirtl, Carra and Kuyt

To be fair to Stevie didnt Rafa say at the start of last season he'd be playing him in the centre more? Gerrard is a maverick genius not a positional specialist, a player who wants to be in the thick of the play at all times. You just know that another manager would accomodate him and build the team around him at his preferred CM. Benitez is not known for his cosseting of players over systems but I got the impression that the attempted Barry purchase had a lot to do with accomodating him at CM in various formations. Look at Fergusons handling of Rooney - he seems to have disimproved in subjugating his natural instincts for the good of their system but it's obviously worked for the team.