Dossena for all his obvious ability in Serie A, has failed to show anywhere near that level since joining LFC. Which makes you wonder whether Rafa should risk playing him over the next couple of weeks (could be a chance for him to settle), or whether he should consider other options at left back.
Insua lacks experience but has potential and currently looks a safer bet than Dossena. If Rafa were concerned about testing Insua in the Premiership, then why not consider Agger at left back (Hyypia can go centre) who would be more than capable and reliable in that position.
LFC has confirmed that Aurelio will be out again for about 2 weeks due to a calf strain he picked up the other night. Like all Reds fans, I want us to win the Premiership. I hope Rafa makes the right choice.
Archives for November 2008
November 28, 2008
Third time unlucky for Torres
The last thing I reckon any Reds fan hopes for is an Owen-style series of injuries for Torres. But with Torres suffering his 3rd hamstring injury in just a few months, it makes you wonder if we can expect to see more recurrences of this.
This time he'll be out for about 3 weeks, fingers crossed Rafa won't try rushing him back into play. It would be better for all of us if he were out for an extra week or two to ensure he's fully recovered rather than risk further spells out.
This time he'll be out for about 3 weeks, fingers crossed Rafa won't try rushing him back into play. It would be better for all of us if he were out for an extra week or two to ensure he's fully recovered rather than risk further spells out.
November 27, 2008
Lucky win against Marseille
While the first half looked promising at times, it was discouraging to see the lads relax after Gerrards stunning goal. The overall performance of most Liverpool players clearly lacked any conviction when in possession and we gave the ball away far too easily.
Mascherano must have set himself a new record by having 2 nightmare performances in a row, which wasn't helped by his needless scissors tackle on Valbuena (who cynically returned the favour within a couple of minutes).
We're supposed to be one of the best teams in Europe but it really didn't show, with Marseille making us look ordinary at times. A draw would have been a fair result, but I'll take a win in these circumstances any day of the week. The important thing is that we've qualified for the knockout stages.
Mascherano must have set himself a new record by having 2 nightmare performances in a row, which wasn't helped by his needless scissors tackle on Valbuena (who cynically returned the favour within a couple of minutes).
We're supposed to be one of the best teams in Europe but it really didn't show, with Marseille making us look ordinary at times. A draw would have been a fair result, but I'll take a win in these circumstances any day of the week. The important thing is that we've qualified for the knockout stages.
November 24, 2008
Stevie's niggling groin has stopped niggling
Apparently Stevie's niggling groin has stopped niggling him. Having missed England's worthless friendly and our boring 0-0 draw with Fulham, the lad is back and ready (according to the BBC) to face Marseille.
It's great that he has been with LFC for 10 years now, and also wants to stay for another several years. Hopefully the return of our captain might encourage a sense of urgency in the players so we can secure an early passage through to the knockout stages of the Champions League.
It's great that he has been with LFC for 10 years now, and also wants to stay for another several years. Hopefully the return of our captain might encourage a sense of urgency in the players so we can secure an early passage through to the knockout stages of the Champions League.
Still top of the table, despite another stumble
Sure it was yet another poor performance from Liverpool resulting in a boring draw with Fulham. But these things happen to all teams throughout the season. Fortunately our latest stumble has coincided with all our title rivals suffering frustrating results also. Chelsea and Manchester United both experienced 0-0 draws, while Arsenal were hammered 3-0 by Manchester City.
It seems a like lost opportunity for 3 more points (which it is) but let's pretend this past weekend never really happened as we're still top of the table. The harsh reality though is that if we want to win the Premier League this season, then we're going to have to put in far more effort against the 'smaller teams' rather than take them for granted.
It seems a like lost opportunity for 3 more points (which it is) but let's pretend this past weekend never really happened as we're still top of the table. The harsh reality though is that if we want to win the Premier League this season, then we're going to have to put in far more effort against the 'smaller teams' rather than take them for granted.
November 19, 2008
Nothing wrong with LFCs trademark application
The latest scheme of Hicks & Gillet is to try and trademark the Liver bird logo which resides on the clubs crest. Not the most popular move in the eyes of most Liverpool fans, perhaps because of misrepresentation/misunderstanding of the facts by various media outlets.
Is it really all that unreasonable for them to trademark it under certain circumstances ? For example, if it's limited to 'their own' version of the image and it's usage in certain contexts (LFC or Liverpool FC related merchandising), then it makes reasonable business sense to do so.
The Liver bird is a symbol of Liverpool city and many versions of the image are used in many different contexts, LFC can never lay claim to those versions or any derivatives created. Truth be told, I'm more curious as to whether they'll heap the £450 cost onto their existing loan.
Is it really all that unreasonable for them to trademark it under certain circumstances ? For example, if it's limited to 'their own' version of the image and it's usage in certain contexts (LFC or Liverpool FC related merchandising), then it makes reasonable business sense to do so.
The Liver bird is a symbol of Liverpool city and many versions of the image are used in many different contexts, LFC can never lay claim to those versions or any derivatives created. Truth be told, I'm more curious as to whether they'll heap the £450 cost onto their existing loan.
November 14, 2008
Every cloud has a silver lining....
....or at least that's how the saying goes. Poor Degen hasn't been the most popular character with many LFC fans lately, simply due to a string of very poor performances.
Degen has also been quite injury prone since joining LFC, and now LFC has confirmed that he picked up a yet another injury while 'playing' against Spurs. This means he'll be out for about 4 weeks.
Seems like good timing as Arbeloa is suspended for this weekend, so that should force Rafas hand in to playing either Carra (highly likely) or Darby (desirable, but highly unlikely) at right back.
Degen has also been quite injury prone since joining LFC, and now LFC has confirmed that he picked up a yet another injury while 'playing' against Spurs. This means he'll be out for about 4 weeks.
Seems like good timing as Arbeloa is suspended for this weekend, so that should force Rafas hand in to playing either Carra (highly likely) or Darby (desirable, but highly unlikely) at right back.
November 13, 2008
Worst Liverpool performance in a long time
The scoreline flattered us, Spurs should have beaten us by far more than 4-2. Our performance was devoid of any decent passes, movement, defending, and our strikers were left isolated throughout.
I can't help but feel sorry for the fans who actually paid money to go and watch the match, they must feel robbed. The Carling Cup was never going to be an important competition for us, but you'd think the lads would've put more effort in, rather than the lazy and inept performance we were 'treated' to.
With Arbeloa suspended this weekend, the thought of Degen being on the pitch is very scary. Hopefully Rafa will go with Carra or Darby at right back. The one positive from the game is that Torres made it through without sustaining any injuries, which should help build up his fitness.
I can't help but feel sorry for the fans who actually paid money to go and watch the match, they must feel robbed. The Carling Cup was never going to be an important competition for us, but you'd think the lads would've put more effort in, rather than the lazy and inept performance we were 'treated' to.
With Arbeloa suspended this weekend, the thought of Degen being on the pitch is very scary. Hopefully Rafa will go with Carra or Darby at right back. The one positive from the game is that Torres made it through without sustaining any injuries, which should help build up his fitness.
November 12, 2008
Time for the youngsters to show their stuff
The Carling Cup has long been a competition which is looked down upon by the 'big four'. Tonight is less about revenge for last weeks surprise defeat to Spurs than it's about resting key players for the league campaign.
What most fans do have to look forward to is seeing if any youngsters show their potential in a competitive game. There's bound to be plenty of room for youngsters such as San Jose, Lucas, Plessis, El Zhar and Ngog to get their game tonight. Unfortunately I suspect that the likes of Dossena & Degen will get their game ahead of Insua & Darby though.
Torres is also in the squad, hopefully he'll be limited to a cameo appearance to help build up his fitness rather than risk a full 90 minutes in an otherwise meaningless game.
What most fans do have to look forward to is seeing if any youngsters show their potential in a competitive game. There's bound to be plenty of room for youngsters such as San Jose, Lucas, Plessis, El Zhar and Ngog to get their game tonight. Unfortunately I suspect that the likes of Dossena & Degen will get their game ahead of Insua & Darby though.
Torres is also in the squad, hopefully he'll be limited to a cameo appearance to help build up his fitness rather than risk a full 90 minutes in an otherwise meaningless game.
November 10, 2008
Maybe Gerrard got Keane subbed
Keane scored an excellent brace, and the confidence in his play was evident immediately after the first goal. This should relieve much of the pressure he has been feeling lately and result in more goals from him.
Of course, most of us would have loved for Keane to get his hat trick. Perhaps Gerrard wanted the same for him. However, Gerrard seemed a little careless in his play, continually trying to play Keane through for a hat trick instead of taking the best option (maybe this is why Rafa really subbed Keane).
It was important that Liverpool get back to winning ways after recent results, and nothing less should have been expected against West Brom. All that really matters is the team and that confidence is restored in the side.
Of course, most of us would have loved for Keane to get his hat trick. Perhaps Gerrard wanted the same for him. However, Gerrard seemed a little careless in his play, continually trying to play Keane through for a hat trick instead of taking the best option (maybe this is why Rafa really subbed Keane).
It was important that Liverpool get back to winning ways after recent results, and nothing less should have been expected against West Brom. All that really matters is the team and that confidence is restored in the side.
November 05, 2008
Another get out of jail card for Liverpool
Atletico can whinge all they like about Gerrards dubious penalty claim, but the fact remains we were robbed of a legitimate penalty claim (deliberate handball maybe?) earlier in the half. Some people might point out that Carra also handled the ball in the penalty area but he had little or no control over that.
The first half was a bit of a non-event but at least the second half showed a determination from Liverpool to at least try score. Rafas subtitutions left a lot to be desired. What was the point in putting Ngog (completely rubbish) in place of Keane ? Or Lucas (another disappointing display) in place of Mascherano ?
A 1-1 draw seemed a fair result on the night, but it shouldn't be allowed to paper over the cracks in our attack. And with Marseille beating PSV, it's safe to say that both Liverpool and Atletico have the group pretty much wrapped up now. Which leaves us with room to focus on the Premier League again.
The first half was a bit of a non-event but at least the second half showed a determination from Liverpool to at least try score. Rafas subtitutions left a lot to be desired. What was the point in putting Ngog (completely rubbish) in place of Keane ? Or Lucas (another disappointing display) in place of Mascherano ?
A 1-1 draw seemed a fair result on the night, but it shouldn't be allowed to paper over the cracks in our attack. And with Marseille beating PSV, it's safe to say that both Liverpool and Atletico have the group pretty much wrapped up now. Which leaves us with room to focus on the Premier League again.
November 02, 2008
Our unbeaten run couldn't last forever
I feared Spurs might take some momentum from their 4-4 draw with Arsenal and that would impact our result. We've been lucky with some of our results this season but were unlucky not to win this one. Karma sucks sometimes.
Bringing Babel on for Keane seemed like an idea to keep Spurs at bay but in reality Babel had one of his off days and couldn't hold the ball up as well as Keane did. Carragher was unlucky with his OG, but despite his awesome performances over the years, he does score one too many OGs for my liking.
As much as the result hurts, we're still in a very healthy position. All that's needed is for the lads to show their strength of character and put the result behind them. We've got several 'easier' games coming up and it's best to gain maximum points from them before we face Hull City and Arsenal next month.
Bringing Babel on for Keane seemed like an idea to keep Spurs at bay but in reality Babel had one of his off days and couldn't hold the ball up as well as Keane did. Carragher was unlucky with his OG, but despite his awesome performances over the years, he does score one too many OGs for my liking.
As much as the result hurts, we're still in a very healthy position. All that's needed is for the lads to show their strength of character and put the result behind them. We've got several 'easier' games coming up and it's best to gain maximum points from them before we face Hull City and Arsenal next month.
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