Benayoun for left midfield

[carrafan]

I've thought about it a lot and Benayoun's form in the 2nd half of last season is the best we've seen from someone in that position for a for a long time. Is it fair to expect that he'd maintain that form this season as well? Because if he does he'll probably be keeping out most left wingers in the world for that position.

 

He gets goals from wide midfield, plays his best football near the opponents box, has great close control and can spot a middle of the defence splitting short, through pass... something which most of our squad can not. And he FITS in our system as he works really hard and tracks back too, unlike a lot of the wingers out there.

 

So, my point is whether its a good idea to keep a right footed Benayoun and a left footed Riera in the squad and use most of our budget to get one or two strikers, a centrehalf and a right back? I've seen a bit of Silva and he's never matched the class that Yossi showed since Jan. Is it fair to expect more of the same from Yossi?

Edited June 11, 2009 by carrafan

[Berger]

We nearly shipped Yossi out between him and Pennant last season and we made the right choice.

We also had sticked with him through bad times despite a lots critics in his earlier Anfiled career. After putting so much works on him that he become a regular of the team. He may continue to improve to step up to Anfield core player status like those of Gerrard, Torres, Alonso, yet he's the subject of speculations of Barca.

Rafa, get him a new contract and tie him down for another 4 years. He is and will be good enough for our long time future with his efforts and attitudes.

[John am Rhein]

So, my point is whether its a good idea to keep a right footed Benayoun and a left footed Riera in the squad and use most of our budget to get one or two strikers, a centrehalf and a right back?

 

Yes, I'd say that was a good idea.

[carrafan]

Got a new contract now. Arguably first choice left midfielder next season?

[Farmer's Tan]

i thought he was our best player for the latter half of the season and if he can keep the level up i dont know anyone that could replace him outside of the ronaldo's of this world.creates,scores and works his b******s off,great combination.

[Ombudsam]

Yossi turned into an uber player towards the end of last season. There's someting I don't like about him and Kuyt outwide at the same time but they both played really well last season and deserve the jerseys.

[Zoob]

I've thought about it a lot and Benayoun's form in the 2nd half of last season is the best we've seen from someone in that position for a for a long time. Is it fair to expect that he'd maintain that form this season as well? Because if he does he'll probably be keeping out most left wingers in the world for that position.

 

He gets goals from wide midfield, plays his best football near the opponents box, has great close control and can spot a middle of the defence splitting short, through pass... something which most of our squad can not. And he FITS in our system as he works really hard and tracks back too, unlike a lot of the wingers out there.

 

So, my point is whether its a good idea to keep a right footed Benayoun and a left footed Riera in the squad and use most of our budget to get one or two strikers, a centrehalf and a right back? I've seen a bit of Silva and he's never matched the class that Yossi showed since Jan. Is it fair to expect more of the same from Yossi?

 

 

I'd agree with that. Think Yossi was absolutely world class in the 2nd half of the season. He added a lot to our general play, scored important goals and also set up a few. Even seems to be making more correct decisions in terms of when to pass and when to dribble / shoot etc.

[Ombudsam]

He was always one of those players who i always thought should be better than he was given the skills set he had and then second half of last season he suddenly became it.

Edited July 12, 2009 by sammya

[stressederic]

Some of the goals he scored were massive as well. Turned into a big game player did Yossi.

[Farmer's Tan]

Some of the goals he scored were massive as well. Turned into a big game player did Yossi.

this!! he rose his game when we were really turning the screw.

[Zoob]

Probably our best player when it comes to dribbling too. Regularly carries the ball past players even though he's not the quickest.

[psl]

Always liked Yossi.

[Red Kent]

Before Christmas he was looking like he was leaving.

[BG]

For me one of the big things about him last season (even well before Xmas) was that he started working a lot harder - especially defensively. I think this is basically a pre-requisite for Rafa in his wide players and was part of the reaso Yossi started getting more games. I thought he was outstanding too in the second half of the season.

[windy city red]

Probably our best player when it comes to dribbling too. Regularly carries the ball past players even though he's not the quickest.

 

He's fantastic running with the ball and its very underrated. It doesnt matter if you can run fast without the ball, its what you do when you have it.

[Swagger]

Problem with Benayoun and Kuyt is lack of width. Rafa addressed that problem on the right with Johnson, and the question is, can Insua do the job on the left. Dossena is useful attacking wise, but is very suspect in defence.

 

That said, Benayoun had a fantastic second half to the season, and fully deserves his new contract and his place in the side. He may be the reason why Rafa seems so relaxed about bringing in another attacking player.

[McBain]

Not really a fan of Yossi left mid if Kuyt is on the right. There's not enough natural width there

 

If we were to only play one though i'd go for Benny

[Barnesy_10]

Before Christmas he was looking like he was leaving.

He wanted to leave, his wife didn't due to how settled their children were... Ultimately he wanted first team football (from a mate who used to chat to his wife outside the kids school).

[Jarg Armani]

What game was his turning point?

[Barnesy_10]

What game was his turning point?

not sure mate to be honest, I just know that he wanted to stay providing he got more opportunities. His wife was enjoying living here and her kids were very settled in the school. Manchester City were interested in him which was an option due to not having to relocate out of the area. But ultimately he wanted to play a significant part in the team for Liverpool and be in the Champions League.

[Senrab_nhoj]

Not really a fan of Yossi left mid if Kuyt is on the right. There's not enough natural width there

 

If we were to only play one though i'd go for Benny

 

 

Agreed re the lack of width if Yossi plays on the left and no touch line hugging on the right... would make the last third tooo congested.

 

Only if Doss perhaps was playing leftback and was given licence to utilise the space out wide created would I feel a little more comfortable with Yossi to the left hand side

[meepins]

I'd only play him behind the striker unless we were stuck at right or left midfield.

[Mr Makaveli]

I've thought about it a lot and Benayoun's form in the 2nd half of last season is the best we've seen from someone in that position for a for a long time. Is it fair to expect that he'd maintain that form this season as well? Because if he does he'll probably be keeping out most left wingers in the world for that position.

 

He gets goals from wide midfield, plays his best football near the opponents box, has great close control and can spot a middle of the defence splitting short, through pass... something which most of our squad can not. And he FITS in our system as he works really hard and tracks back too, unlike a lot of the wingers out there.

 

So, my point is whether its a good idea to keep a right footed Benayoun and a left footed Riera in the squad and use most of our budget to get one or two strikers, a centrehalf and a right back? I've seen a bit of Silva and he's never matched the class that Yossi showed since Jan. Is it fair to expect more of the same from Yossi?

 

Benayoun didn't just show good form but he showed a desire to win that we hadn't seen in him before.

 

I'd start him on the left a fair bit, when gerrards out, I'd play him behind Torres.. If Kuyt was ever for some reason , not on the pitch, Benayoun would be first choice.

 

so ya... id kinda have him playing as much as possible.

[Mr Makaveli]

Agreed re the lack of width if Yossi plays on the left and no touch line hugging on the right... would make the last third tooo congested.

 

Only if Doss perhaps was playing leftback and was given licence to utilise the space out wide created would I feel a little more comfortable with Yossi to the left hand side

 

Kuyt often plays right on the line though. he may not be yer winger type player but he'll get the ball out in that area.. draw players to him and then pass it out... effectively playing the same role.

[Senrab_nhoj]

Kuyt often plays right on the line though. he may not be yer winger type player but he'll get the ball out in that area.. draw players to him and then pass it out... effectively playing the same role.

 

 

Not convinced by this at all