Liverpool 2010/11 Season Thread

[SharkSkin-Man]

I think Rafa has decided playing with wingers is not for him/this league. His comments re: Barry last week suggest that if he was bought, he would be playing mostly on the left, which means he would be tucked in-field, rather than playing as a proper winger.
The only wingers currently on the books are Pennant (who will be sold) and Leto (who is out on a two year loan), it just doesn't seem like a priority.
Also, when we made contact with Quaresma, one of the things that stopped a deal even starting was the fact Rafa wanted to change his style of play...

I think wingers in the modern game are almost non-existent. I think a lot of players who 10-15 years ago would have probably been wingers/midfielders (Evra, Bosingwa, Alves, Rafina etc.) are now playing at fullback which is where the majority of top teams get their width from. Hence the signing of Dossena, who started out as a midfielder and moved to fullback (although, he has looked shaky as anything).

[ezee ryder]

A good point was made last night on Match of the Day by Alan Hansen regarding Liverpool's lack of wingers. Everything just goes through the middle and, to a certain extent, is easier to defend against because the defenders just have to really deal with threats immediately infront of them. If you throw some good wing play into the mix then that means the defenders will be kept on their toes and will be wary of threats from all angles.

You look at Man United, Chelsea and Arsenal, they mix up their play quite a bit and utilise the wings really well. Liverpool do not have that threat, compared to the other 3 their play is a bit more easier to read as they will rarely use the wings. All this is mainly because they do not have any typical wingers and it doesn't look like Rafa wants to change this, well not this season anyway.

[hudson]

True Sharkskin, I guess my reaction came after watching our first 2 competitive games. I guess Dossena will need time. Hopefully Degen will be back soon and hopefully give us a glimmer of hope as an attacking FB. Just not feeling it from Arbeloa at the moment. When Babel returns, we could at least put him on instead of Kuyt... pleeeease, Rafa? You know Rafa loves Dirk too much to let that happen

[Adrock]

Babel should be back next week some time. Seeing as Holland went out to Argentina yesterday in the quarter finals. So it'll be interesting to see what happens with him. I believe Benayoun is a problem, whenever I've watched him he takes one touch too many, is too slow and loses posession frequently.

In my opinion Benitez is asking his full backs to be more like wing backs in certain cases. The problem with doing that is you need a very good defensive midfielder to cover either side when the player makes a run up field or work horse wingers ala Kuyt. At the moment Dossena is playing his normal game, attacking he has looked ok for a new player taking time to settle, but there is a distinct lack of Mascherano or Alonso to mop up the gaps they leave.

Yesterday did any of you notice Kuyt swap with Benayoun? That was because Kuyt offers the protection for a more attacking player like Dossena than Benayoun does. Arbeloa is a more steady full back so wont bomb past his winger as much as Dossena will.

With Degen and Dossena playing Liverpool will pretty much have wing backs with 1 or 2 deep sitting midfielders to cover them and break up any counter attacks. I'm quite excited about this method from Benitez.

Its the first game of the season and I'm quite sure going to Sunderland and getting 3 points is a good achievement. Sunderland had an excellent home record last season, was the only reason they stayed up.

Less doom and gloom guys!

On a seperate note I'm quite worried about the Alonso situation, it seems he is destined to leave this season. Meaning Barry will arrive for a figure I cant begin to believe he is worth. Although Barry did show today that he is very good, he pretty much ran the show for Villa and had a hand in all the goals.

[prinnysquad]

benayoun is not liverpool standard along with pennant, kuyt, voronin, list goes on and on

I wouldn't mind any of them signing at Sunderland, they'd be good players in most teams but you're right they're not top 4-quality gamewinners.

The other day your boys got three points because of a moment of world class quality, otherwise I'd have said things were pretty even.

More game-changers in the ilk of Torres needed at Anfield to break the top 2.

[Supergoal]

I would really like to see Rafa buy one recognized winger of decent quality before the transfer window shuts.

I'm available.

[hudson]

I would love us to sign a player called Supergoal.

[saif]

I am not sure that is his real name....errr, hoolak.....

I thought we played pretty poorly but the result was fine - 3 points away from home is always nice and, although we dismantled them last year, Sunderland are a decent side to attack against.
Some strange decisions by Rafa though. Not sure why Sami played when he is obviously (now) the worst of our 4 CBs. Plessis offered v little and dead legged (allegedly....) Alonso gave more mobility and grace to the middle. Bringing El Zhar seemed a little odd to as I am not sure he has done that much - I can understand bringing him on when we are comfortable but I'm not sure we were at the time.

Great goal though with a good solid pass from Xabi who noted the space Torres had, good jump by Stevie to leave it (maybe our new No7 can learn that ) and obviously a supreme turn and shot. Shame that with an intl week, Torres is likely to return with a knock.....

[hudson]

Lucas was given a straight red card today in the Olympics semi-final for going through the back of Mascherano

[saif]

Straight red was really harsh. The other player also get sent off for taking the monster out.

Wish Brazil got knocked out earlier....

[Jusatsushi]

I ****ing love Gerrard

[Supergoal]

Have to say thought we had lost it never mind win!!!

[abigsmurf]

Just heard the result. 2 goals in the last 7 minutes? Looks like liverpool have used up their luck for the season.

[saif]

Hope we have some remaning for a dodgy penalty for an outrageous dive at the Bridge

[SharkSkin-Man]

Hmmm I think the only thing of note to come out of yesterdays game is the fact that Kuyt takes a much better corner kick than Xabi Alonso.