Liverpool 2010/11 Season Thread

[ExtremePabs]

Good call on that topic. I personaly don't think Rafa is going anywhere and I don't want him too but if there was to be a change surely it would only go to one man and he has previously stated he'd be interested, a certain Mr Mourinho

what do you think?

[abigsmurf]

Would be fairly amusing if Jose took over although it depends if Liverpool fans would want him. I think Benitez needs FA Cup or better to keep his job really but a champions league final appearence or carling cup would make it 50/50.

Personally I think he's a manager that can win cups but not leagues. He's not the right person to win week in week out in 'unimportant' games.

[nakamura]

it wasn't directly aimed at you nakamura but you were not exactly discussing, you said 'Liverpool no higher than third', that's a statement not a discussion and one aimed to draw a reaction.

I just don't get how people assume this crap after one game nor how benitez has failed at his job , as far as i'm concerned we have the most competitive league in the world, to achieve 2nd place ahead of the mighty Chelsea (who i agree do look very strong this season again) is no failure in my eyes. I'd also take the squad we have now over any we have had since the premier league began and that's down to Rafa.

I thought Arsenal were immense at the weekend, Van Persie is going to be one hell of a player this year imo, but will they struggle against certain teams, will Man U be able to cope without Ronaldo, will Chelsea be able to adapt to a new playing style under a new manager or will Citeh surprise everyone and rip the league to shreds?

I don't know because only 1 bloody game has been played!

From reading the comments on from the slaters or fence sitters or whoever i am genuinely interested in who would be a good, albeit realistic, replacement for Rafa if the decision were in your capable hands? - there's your discussion for you.

Haha ok thats fair and i take back my slightly harsh reply, im not often cheery in the morning!
But although it was a statement, no higher than third, it was as much my opinion and my side of the discussion. Liverpools season was great last year and you are spot on finishing second to anyone in what really is the best league in the world at last.

My point on the failings is something that has dogged liverpool since Houllier and now with Benitez, the constant use of frankly crap players in the squad.
Liverpool have had the most success in bringing in often useless squad players over anyone else in the top 4 in recent times. I could make a list but i dont think i need to. In contrast United had players like Jordi, Poborski, Taibi and others but still managed success as the squad overall was still strong.

[Adrock]

Its quite clear it all comes down to money when building a squad. Liverpool have definitely spent money, but to get them from where they were before Benitez to what they are now takes some decent management. But there hasn't been large enough sums to be able to spend big on single players regularly.

The squad still needs strengthening, but they cant go out and spend 7 or 8mil on players who can warm the bench. Also, Rafa won the league twice with Valencia so I'm confident he has what it takes to win a league regardless of the country.

[Team Andromeda]

I keep hearing people saying we've failed to strengthen...what imaginary money are people wanting us to spend here? Apparently the transfer budget for this summer is £0.00. All purchases to be paid for by sales and we've only got £2m left from the money raised so far.

And who's fault is that , when you seen the list of players that Liverpool have brought under Raffa and the ammount of Money Raffa and Houllier have spent between them , The so called lack of Money , is rather lame excuse .
Quite frankly Liverpool have spent big on average to half decent players in the main , that are not game winners , it's all rather much like Newcastle , Millions spent on sh8t , or half decent players

I look at Liverpool current squad and front bench , and its the worst I can remember, since Graham Souness (Who I blame for starting the Rot inthe 1st place

Every year we hear Arsenal will come short , because the squad not big enough , so what makes people think Liverpool will win the Title with that squad and bench >
David Ngog is sh8t , so is Lucas , and Javier Mascherano is a complete waste of 17 million . That's something like 26 million spent on sh8t right there . And while I rate him , and he's been a model defender , I fear the best of Jammie 'Pass back' Carragher is far behind him

Liverpool will finish 3rd or 4th this season imo

[baad bwoy]

Few generalisations there dude...wonder what you will do if the pool win the prem this year? think it would be funny to read your posts

[Steakman]

Mascherano is useless, seriously mate, you must be fishing? That's why the current European champions have been chasing him all summer, because he's useless at protecting the back 4 and can't tackle for toffee.

[Team Andromeda]

Few generalisations there dude...wonder what you will do if the pool win the prem this year? think it would be funny to read your posts

I had that levelled at me last year , and Liverpool didn't win . I don't expect things to change

Mascherano is useless

Yeah he is , he's not worth 17 million quid , and I couldn't give a flying toss , what European side is after him, I really don't .
I care about the British domestic league , and he's simply not up to task , of playing in the top league side like Liverpool imo, Lucas needs to go back the Beach , and the less said about Ngog the better .

[baad bwoy]

must be on a wind up...or had a bad day or something...chill out dude

[hudson]

It's not like we've got money to play with. We've dick'ead owners. Can't blame Rafa for bringing in new unknown (well, hopefully well scouted) talent in and then they don't do too well. Fooks sake, poor Ngog hasn't had much of a chance! You really are a bell lol.

[ExtremePabs]

Mad Masch is second only to Essien as the best defensive midfielder in the world. You are a clown sir!! he's the Argentine captain too and I for one would have sold Xabi rather than Masch any day of the week.

[SharkSkin-Man]

And who's fault is that , when you seen the list of players that Liverpool have brought under Raffa and the ammount of Money Raffa and Houllier have spent between them , The so called lack of Money , is rather lame excuse etc etc.

Well it's the owners fault isn't it...you know, for not actually having any and infact saddling us with a **** load of debt.

Rafa has of course spent big and to show for it he had a squad that finished second last season scored a bucket load of goals and were incredibly hard to beat...so the logical idea would be to try and keep your best players from that squad, get rid of some dead wood and sign a couple of players to add the little extra needed to get those extra 5 or 6 points that would've won it. Because remember thats how far behind we were, 4 points...or more to the point, that's how far we have come since finishing a million miles behind when Rafa came in.

Unfortunately Rafa cannot do that, because we appear to have no money to spend on players, literally not a single penny. So he's left in a position where he must sell to buy and therefore in the best case scenario, we'll be in the same condition as last year quad wise, just with a couple of different faces - but still lacking the same depth...and really, there isn't much Rafa, Bob Paisley, Bill Shankly or anyone else can really do about that.


Mascherano at his best is absolutely brilliant btw.

[Super Grover]

Javier Mascherano is a complete waste of 17 million

Any credibility of your points of view are null and void after such a ridiculous comment.

[Steakman]

Chelsea 1-0 down at half time... well that's their title chances up in flames if it stays the same. Off with Ancelotti's head!!

That would mean sunderland would be 2 games out of 2, surely red hot favourites now?.

Who would your midfield for Liverpool be then mr andromeda, realistically of course?.

[ucci]

I think Mascherano will come into his own this season, you can see the increased responsibility after Xabi leaving having a positive effect on him. He just seems that kind of player, put faith in him and he will be a winner. Both Maradona (made him captain of Argentina) and Benitez know this.

So many positives to take from the Tottenham game - Johnson looks class and linked up well with Gerrard which when in the final third of the field will be very dangerous, Benayoun continuing his form from last season you would need to spend big money to find a player like him he can dribble, assist and score, signed a new contract in the summer. Insua kept Lennon quiet and that was with the attack minded Babel in front of him, he moved the ball quick and got into attacking positions well for a left back. I don't remember either Corluka or Assou-Ekoto going past the half way line in open play. Tottenham is a difficult place to go to, none of the top four won their last season.