anfield

Whether Sissoko scores soon or not is not the point though is it. Its about him getting forward to support an attack. And Alonso hardly seems to get forward anymore probably because he is instructed not to. He is not a Scholes type player but he is certainly capable of a few goals and plenty of defence splitting passes. We do need someone as a holding player and I think Sissoko would do better in that role allowing Alonso to move push further forward. Sissoko does not run with the ball, he's not the greatest passer (but that will improve) so it makes sense to have him as the dedicated midfield holding person. Of course it raises the problem that we can't have lose the ball in front of the back four which is why I think Rafa currently prefers Alonso there over Sissoko but perhaps that will change.

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What dodgy results. We're on a good run........I would rather drop Alonso than Sissoko tbh. Keep Sissoko in front of the back four. Alonso is not a maruading midfielder but we know what he is capable of with regards to passing. If he was played further up, he could be the fulcrum of our attacks out of midfield. fyi from what I've seen, Petit and Essien contributed quite nicely to their teams going forward. Is it any surprise that we do better when Garcia is on form. He gets into the box to support the strikers. How many times do we see the ball go into the box with our strikers crowded out and no support from midfield?

Its not as bad as that but with Sissoko offering so little going forward and Alonso staying so deep, it means our forwards have to work that much harder. Do we really need 2 players on the pitch dedicated to protecting the back four. Am I the only one who thinks this needs to change?

I think we can agree that the wide men we bought have failed to consistently perform. Our strikers will make a huge difference this year though

Fernando sent off for headbutting riise. Can someone who is actually watching the game please provide updates

Alonso off injured for Zenden. Crappy match thread this

Now you've gone and done it. Watch out for a slew of FAO Rafa threads

Didnt see that anyone else had started one so here it is Kuyt-9 brilliant, worked hard all game, held the ball up, created chances for others, and scored himself. I can't help feeling this is the striker we have been waiting for for a long time. One who will become a player for the record books. Crouch 8 both forwards did well and linked up well. Constantly a threat, got quieter as the game progressed took his goal very well from a half chance Garcia 8 When he's on fire, he's on fire. Was a constant threat down the left, put in some good crosses, scored a great goal, they just could not knock him off the ball at times. If only he was like this all the time....... Gerrard 7 linked up well with the forwards not a dominant performance but a good one. Sissoko 6 poor first half. got better in the second. Constantly being picked on by the refs seems to have affected him. He jumps into tackles with both arms raised as if expecting to be penalised, more often than not, does not win the ball but still disrupted Villa's play. In the second half, he started to actually run with the ball and pass......much better and showed what he is capable of alonso.7 nice workmanlike performance Hyppia 8 all over the place. Don't know how he does it despite being slow. Some great tackles and was constantly going foward. Set up Kuyts goal. Thought it bizarre that he was there to set it up to begin with Carra 7 did well and almost set up a goal with a cross. Constantly directing high pitched screams to disorient Villa forwards Risse 7 really linked up well with Garcia on the left Finnan 6 Did ok. Reina 7 Did well, one great save and some great punches. Had no chance with theit goal The first half hour, I couldn't help but notice that Crouch and Kuyt had to drop back in midfield as they weren't getting the ball. Neither of them are particularly quick so them getting the ball 40 yards from goal accomplished nothing. Garcia was our furthest player forward at that point. As soon as we started to get the ball to Kuyt and Crouch in the box they showed what they were capable off. Sissoko needs to actually hold onto the ball more and pass as he did in the second half.

brilliant work by sissoko and kuyt to set up fowler and he misses

They are getting some space in mdifield and looking dangerous. Hyppia saves with a tackle and sutton then blocks a shot for us

what a save by reina from sutton.

quiet crowd. I can hear carra's high pitched screams

He's doing better in the second half. But not so great in the first. I'm shocked that you are surprised that someone disagreed with you on a footy forum. Great ball from Gerrard but luis can't finish

Alonso almost nipped in to score

agbonlahor scores. Reina had no chance. Sissoko has been useless all game really. In games like this we really need a ball carrier more. lol villa fans chanting we're gonna win 4-3

Unbelievable, brilliant buildup but we just couldnt score

Our left side on fire today with Risse and Garcia linking well with Kuyt in the center lol Hyppia getting forward a lot today.

we have had 67% possession and 3 shots on goal, all of which went in.

Just being honest. Garcia has been brilliant, flipping between the right and left.

Ok just saw the third goal, some brilliant build up by gerrard, kuyt and crouch to set up Garcia for a great finish. Gerrard had been quiet till now

we have dominated without being dangerous, Sorenson did not make a single save before Kuyt's goal. All the goals so far were brilliant strikes, the only way we were going to beat them really cause we were lacking a creative edge

Finnan puts in a somewhat poor cross that bounces past two defenders, crouch sneaks in from behind with his feet all tangled up and smacks the ball past the defender into the corner....perfectly placed to beat sorenson.

lol you guys are ruining the game for me, fox soccer is 4 minutes behind what a goal by crouchy!

wow, hyppia is further ahead than Kuyt and knocks down the ball for him