Dalglish

Yeah. I already forgot about Carson, Riise and Guthrie That's pretty equal so far: IN Keane OUT Crouch IN Dossena OUT Riise IN Cavalieri OUT Carson IN Ngog OUT Guthrie IN Degen

Some quotes from Rafa before today's match: Anfield boss Rafael Benitez says his transfer plans do not depend on his side beating Standard Liege. "I don't think, at least for me, that it will make any difference," he said. "We know the money is important but we are so close to the end of the transfer window it won't make a big difference.

Tottenham sold Young-Pyo Lee to Borussia Dortmund today for an undisclosed fee. They also shipped out Pascal Chimbonda, Paul Robinson, Teemu Tainio, Robbie Keane, Anthony Gardner, Steed Malbranque and Younes Kaboul over the summer. Apart from selling Crouch we didn't fare too well so far. Why is it so difficult for us to sell the likes of Pennant, Voronin, Itandje & Co - do we demand too much money? Would it be ok if Pennant, Voronin and Itandje leave for a total of 5 mio pounds or should we keep them until someone comes up with the required transfer fee and until then continue to pay their wages?

This makes no sense to me. It's clear that Rafa wanted Barry - now we get Riera and will then try to make another bid for Barry if Alonso is sold? If Barry comes in he will start most of the matches. I know it's all about "possibilities", players getting injured etc. But if we get Barry and Riera, the latter one will mostly watch matches from the bench. This could be Dudek & Kirkland pt. II. We already have too much squad players who won't get into the starting formation for the majority of the matches. I just hope we get rid of some of these players. GK: Reina, Cavalieri, Itandje ($) RB: Arbeloa, Finnan, Degen (?) CB: Carragher, Hyypiä CB: Agger, Skrtel LB: Dossena (?), Aurelio, Insua RM: Kuyt, Benayoun, Pennant ($), El Zhar CM: Gerrard, Lucas, Plessis CM: Mascherano, Alonso LM: Babel, Riera (?) ST: Torres, Keane, Voronin ($), Ngog (?), Nemeth (?) = Too early too judge ($) = Exit would not harm us We have a strong spine down the middle, as has been the case since GH took over. Let's hope that Dossena and Degen/Arbeloa work out fine, as we haven't had a superb RB/LB since Babbel left. Left midfield is also bothering us since the end of McManaman. IMHO we have some awesome players, some mediocre players and too many spare-parts at the moment. Let's hope that Riera isn't another Benayoun or Pennant - someone who can do a job but might not make a difference when it comes to competing with the best.

It's a pointless discussion, I agree. Ideal workflow: Manager gets budget from owners -> Manager identifies targets to improve team -> Club person negotiates and does transfer dealings quickly If signings don't work out, it's always the manager's responsibility. Therefore he should be given total control in who should be bought or sold.

Regarding Downing vs. Riera: If the owners are so concerned about sell-on value they will press for a deal with Boro. Downing is English and likely staying in the Premiership for the rest of his career. Given that the prices for British players are exorbitantly high, Downing represents greater long term value than Riera when it comes to selling. Provided in theory that both players deliver the same performances.

I agree - this would have been, or still could be the best formation available.

1. Reina 2. Agger 3. Carragher

Freekick on goal by Gerrard after foul by Axel Witsel

Sad. The long ball is still the first option instead of trying to work the ball towards the goal with short pass and move. No options for our defenders to pass to when no one's moving.

After watching Spain and the Netherlands in EURO 2008, with their main focus on keeping possession and playing the short ball with the opposition chasing, I thought and hoped that Rafa would try to establish similar tactics at Liverpool.

I hope we're not using up all of our luck before the season has started.

Poor set piece from Xabi there... We're still trying to get into the game. Penalty?!

Pellegrino?

I've bought or was given to shirts with Redknapp (1995), Fowler (1998), Gerrard (2000), Kewell (2002), Gerrard (2004) and Alonso (2006). I thought long about getting a name on the new Adidas-shirt, with Carragher, Torres and Keane my top choices. Instead I decided against having a name on the back for the first time in over 10 years.

The Babbel predicition and the headline "Bixi is ours!" are what I remember most when I think back of BB and the Teamtalk days.

With Barry probably in and Pennant, Finnan out I would go for the following formation. ---------------------Reina------------------ Carragher----Skrtel----Agger-----Dossena -----------------Mascherano--------------- -----------Gerrard-----------Barry--------- --------Kuyt----------------Keane---------- --------------------Torres------------------- Subs: Cavalieri, Arbeloa, Degen, Alonso, Benayoun, Babel, Ngog No place for Hyypiä, Lucas and Aurelio on the bench if all players are fit - which they will never be.

Dalglish and his Red Army are in!

It's not Rapid Wien. It looks like a scarf from Betis Sevilla though.

Hi Ged! I've been here all the time, but spent 99% of my time reading threads instead of posting. Many things happened over the last year (got married, moved away from Vienna to a beautiful village near Salzburg, etc.). Just one small thing before a mod becomes suspicous about this posting not being football related: I watched Canadas U19-hockey team in Salzburg this winter, chatted with Steve Stamkos, John Tavares and Luke Schenn and got autographs from Kyle Turris and Brad Marchand BTW today is draft-day in the NHL...

BBC Gossip: Daily Mirror says that rafa wants David Silva from cash-strapped Valencia. IMHO he could prove to be a very good aquisition. It's formation time ----------------Torres---------------- ----Silva-----Gerrard------Babel/Kuyt -------Barry/Alonso---Masch------- P.S.: I posted this topic in the Xabi-thread by mistake...

BBC Gossip: Daily Mirror says that rafa wants David Silva from cash-strapped Valencia. IMHO he could prove to be a very good aquisition. It's formation time ----------------Torres---------------- ----Silva-----Gerrard------Babel/Kuyt -------Barry/Alonso---Masch-------

Ümit Korkmaz was not booed by the fans. They chanted "Üüüüümit". And yes, he will play for Eintracht Frankfurt next season, which is a good move for him and Austria because we need more players playing in stronger leagues. Austrians are weird? What makes you think like that? Words from the media? Your gf's mother? By the way, I'm Austrian. And some words related to Podolski: Don't judge him on one match or highlights. He had a s**** season at Bayern, lost his place in the side and was close to being sold. He always plays well for Germany, but is by no means a world beater in the league.

In case it hasn't been mentioned yet: Former target Daniel Alves (Sevilla) officially signed for Barcelona. The fee is 29,5 mio.€ and can rise up to 35,5 mio.€.