Gerrard's fit, Torres & Riera out injured

[Ryan]

According to the Guardian anyway...

Steven Gerrard returns as Liverpool aim to avoid worst run in 22 years
• Next six days key for flagging confidence
• Torres not recovered for match with Lyon

Andy Hunter guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 20 October 2009

Rafael Benítez has denied Liverpool's season has punctured prematurely but believes the next six days at Anfield, when Lyon visit in the Champions League and Manchester United renew domestic hostilities on Sunday, are key to restoring their flagging confidence and title aspirations.

Liverpool entertain Claude Puel's Group E leaders tonight and defeat would see them lose four consecutive matches for the first time since April 1987. Captain Steven Gerrard is fit to lead the side having missed Saturday's bizarre defeat at Sunderland with an adductor strain, although Fernando Torres has not recovered from a similar injury and remains a doubt for Sunday. Albert Riera is the latest addition to Benítez's absentee list having suffered a hamstring strain in training.

The pressure is mounting on Liverpool domestically and in Europe, with the side third in their Champions League group and seven points behind Sir Alex Ferguson's team in the Premier League. Benítez, however, insists Liverpool have proved under his tenure they can never be discounted, and believes their campaign will recover, not implode, at Anfield.

"I have some experience in difficult situations, all managers do," he said. "But at this time we have lost four [league] games and people are talking about the quality, the depth of the squad. But again, like last year, the main thing is to be calm, work hard and find solutions to the problem. That is the only way in football. If you lose and don't play straight away then you think about it for a week, 10 days, but this week we have an opportunity to change everything. This week can change everything for the positive."

Benítez conceded it is "my obligation to be positive" but his optimism was not purely for the benefit of a squad disrupted both in terms of personnel and self-belief. "I think we have more quality than we are showing now. As soon as we play well twice, hopefully this week, people will start saying maybe I am right," he added.

The Liverpool manager claimed injury to central defenders, as well as Gerrard and Torres, explain a mediocre start but denied those defeats have highlighted the lack of strength in depth at Anfield. "We are talking about five players at the same time, it's a big number," he said. "It is easier to give a young player a chance if the team is doing well. If you play with five or six young players at the same time in the Premier League it is not easy for them. Four or five players of the eleven starters? It is too much."

Liverpool may boast a proud record of blossoming under siege but that attribute is in danger of losing its lustre when required yet again in the October of a season that demanded a title challenge. An added concern for Benítez as he awaits a necessary response against Lyon is the lack of spirited leadership from his players. Last season Liverpool stirred whenever they fell behind, overturning deficits to beat the likes of Middlesbrough, United, Manchester City and Wigan Athletic. This term they have only achieved that feat once, away at Bolton Wanderers.

"When a team is losing games in a row then it is always fair to criticise," said the Liverpool defender Daniel Agger yesterday. "It is not only one thing, it is a lot of small things we need to change. I don't think it will take us that long to get there; a few good results and confidence will go up, and a team with confidence also gets the luck. I think we are together as a dressing room, that is my feeling and my opinion. There is a positive atmosphere in the dressing room and I can't see any difference between this time and a year ago."

 

[Ryan]

From somewhere else...

Benitez said: "Gerrard is now fine, he has trained normally today and will play against Lyon.

"But Fernando is not close enough to fitness to be considered. He will miss this one but I hope he will be OK to play against Manchester United next weekend."

 

[Glock21]

Rafael should partner Babel with Kuyt up front. Gerrard at right wing and Benayoun on the left. Lucas and Mascher in the middle. The back four should be Agger, Carra, Johnson and Insua.

 

[Ryan]

[quote author=Glock link=topic=36535.msg965980#msg965980 date=1256003932]
Rafael should partner Babel with Kuyt up front.
[/quote]

I'd prefer to partner you up front with Kuyt than that useless lumbering cunt Babel.

 

[Glock21]

[quote author=Ryan link=topic=36535.msg965981#msg965981 date=1256004607]
[quote author=Glock link=topic=36535.msg965980#msg965980 date=1256003932]
Rafael should partner Babel with Kuyt up front.
[/quote]

I'd prefer to partner you up front with Kuyt than that useless lumbering cunt Babel.
[/quote]

Very funny Ryan boy. Babel has been average this season partly because of Rafael chose not to play him where he is more effective which is up front. We shall see if Rafael give him the chance instead of N'Gog.

 

[mr_moo]

[quote author=Glock link=topic=36535.msg965983#msg965983 date=1256005009]
[quote author=Ryan link=topic=36535.msg965981#msg965981 date=1256004607]
[quote author=Glock link=topic=36535.msg965980#msg965980 date=1256003932]
Rafael should partner Babel with Kuyt up front.
[/quote]

I'd prefer to partner you up front with Kuyt than that useless lumbering cunt Babel.
[/quote]

Very funny Ryan boy. Babel has been average this season partly because of Rafael chose not to play him where he is more effective which is up front. We shall see if Rafael give him the chance instead of N'Gog.
[/quote]

Or rather, Rafa has not played him on the right wing, which I believe is his best position. However, Babel is more often than not ineffective wherever he plays, apart from keeping the bench warm ;D. It could be argued that Rafa hasn't helped his confidence by constantly playing him out of his favoured position of striker or right wing, but it’s obvious he can’t be trusted in those positions or even on the left wing where Rafa tends to play him. When he has be given the chance (yes albeit sparingly) in his favoured position, he’s been woeful. This combined with what I believe as poor performances and attitude in training and matches (such as not doing what Rafa wants – positioning etc...), is the reason why I believe Babel will never make it at Liverpool, or even fulfil his potential of becoming a good footballer. Yes you could argue that Rafa should show more loving and care for certain players, but he isn’t like that, something Stevie eventually realised and got on with it. If I was Babel, and probably like many others, I would want to prove Rafa wrong. Sadly, I don’t think Babel has wanted to, or is likely to in the near future.

 

[Holle]

Torres should retire from international football.

 

[Glock21]

[quote author=Doped White Mouse link=topic=36535.msg966085#msg966085 date=1256029048]
Torres should retire from international football.
[/quote]

Yeah followed by Gerrard, Reina, Kuyt, Mascher, Johnson and Agger. Fucking hell.

 

[Holle]

[quote author=Glock link=topic=36535.msg966122#msg966122 date=1256031600]
[quote author=Doped White Mouse link=topic=36535.msg966085#msg966085 date=1256029048]
Torres should retire from international football.
[/quote]

Yeah followed by Gerrard, Reina, Kuyt, Mascher, Johnson and Agger. Fucking hell.
[/quote]

The more of our players which cannot get injured in pointless internationals the better.

 

[Atlas]

What is happening with that Aqua bloke?
Is he still not fit enough to play?

 

[rage]

some deluded fools thought aqua would be back in by now. it'll be november before he starts at best. whether he's sharp enough then is another question.

gerrard needs to play centre midfield next to masch.

 

[Glock21]

[quote author=Asim link=topic=36535.msg966145#msg966145 date=1256033120]
What is happening with that Aqua bloke?
Is he still not fit enough to play?
[/quote]

Yeah, as i predicted, it'll be November before he plays for the first team. That's an awful lot longer than the 6-8 weeks Rafa said it would be.

 

[doctor_mac]

[quote author=mr_moo link=topic=36535.msg966078#msg966078 date=1256028428]
[quote author=Glock link=topic=36535.msg965983#msg965983 date=1256005009]
[quote author=Ryan link=topic=36535.msg965981#msg965981 date=1256004607]
[quote author=Glock link=topic=36535.msg965980#msg965980 date=1256003932]
Rafael should partner Babel with Kuyt up front.
[/quote]

I'd prefer to partner you up front with Kuyt than that useless lumbering cunt Babel.
[/quote]

Very funny Ryan boy. Babel has been average this season partly because of Rafael chose not to play him where he is more effective which is up front. We shall see if Rafael give him the chance instead of N'Gog.
[/quote]

Or rather, Rafa has not played him on the right wing, which I believe is his best position. However, Babel is more often than not ineffective wherever he plays, apart from keeping the bench warm ;D. It could be argued that Rafa hasn't helped his confidence by constantly playing him out of his favoured position of striker or right wing, but it’s obvious he can’t be trusted in those positions or even on the left wing where Rafa tends to play him. When he has be given the chance (yes albeit sparingly) in his favoured position, he’s been woeful. This combined with what I believe as poor performances and attitude in training and matches (such as not doing what Rafa wants – positioning etc...), is the reason why I believe Babel will never make it at Liverpool, or even fulfil his potential of becoming a good footballer. Yes you could argue that Rafa should show more loving and care for certain players, but he isn’t like that, something Stevie eventually realised and got on with it. If I was Babel, and probably like many others, I would want to prove Rafa wrong. Sadly, I don’t think Babel has wanted to, or is likely to in the near future.
[/quote]

You should post more Moo. I like that bovine thing you got going there.

 

[Fox]

[quote author=Glock link=topic=36535.msg965980#msg965980 date=1256003932]
Rafael should partner Babel with Kuyt up front. Gerrard at right wing and Benayoun on the left. Lucas and Mascher in the middle. The back four should be Agger, Carra, Johnson and Insua.
[/quote]

if we play two "I cannot score for toffee" at home again I will cry

Stevie has to play in the middle until Aqua is fit, especially at home FFS. We have proven we cannot keep clean sheets so goals are vital, the top 6 should be

Babel-------Masher------Stevie--------Aurellio


---------------Kuyt----------Yossi------------------

 

[doctor_mac]

Is Aquaman going to be fit anytime soon?

I had a daydream yesterday to the tune of, "You're the Best, Arr-owwwnd! Nothing’s gonna ever keep you down!", where Aquaman was a revelation, pinging passes through to Torres and Gerrard, and unleashing the odd thunderbolt as we came from behind to win the league.

You should all try it.

 

[D.Winchester]

[quote author=doctor_mac link=topic=36535.msg966205#msg966205 date=1256037133]
Is Aquaman going to be fit anytime soon?

I had a daydream yesterday to the tune of, "You're the Best, Arr-owwwnd! Nothing’s gonna ever keep you down!", where Aquaman was a revelation, pinging passes through to Torres and Gerrard, and unleashing the odd thunderbolt as we came from behind to win the league.

You should all try it.
[/quote]

I heard he's penciled in for the reserves game this week against Sunderland.

 

[gkmacca]

had a daydream yesterday to the tune of, "You're the Best, Arr-owwwnd! Nothing’s gonna ever keep you down!", where Aquaman was a revelation, pinging passes through to Torres and Gerrard, and unleashing the odd thunderbolt as we came from behind to win the league.

You should all try it.

I keep trying it but all I see is this:

 

[doctor_mac]

[quote author=gkmacca link=topic=36535.msg966208#msg966208 date=1256037360]

had a daydream yesterday to the tune of, "You're the Best, Arr-owwwnd! Nothing’s gonna ever keep you down!", where Aquaman was a revelation, pinging passes through to Torres and Gerrard, and unleashing the odd thunderbolt as we came from behind to win the league.

You should all try it.

I keep trying it but all I see is this:

[/quote]

*looks away*

 

[Holle]

[quote author=gkmacca link=topic=36535.msg966208#msg966208 date=1256037360]

had a daydream yesterday to the tune of, "You're the Best, Arr-owwwnd! Nothing’s gonna ever keep you down!", where Aquaman was a revelation, pinging passes through to Torres and Gerrard, and unleashing the odd thunderbolt as we came from behind to win the league.

You should all try it.

I keep trying it but all I see is this:

[/quote]

Hmm. Somehow he looks familiar to me.

 

[Delinquent]

[quote author=Glock link=topic=36535.msg965983#msg965983 date=1256005009]
[quote author=Ryan link=topic=36535.msg965981#msg965981 date=1256004607]
[quote author=Glock link=topic=36535.msg965980#msg965980 date=1256003932]
Rafael should partner Babel with Kuyt up front.
[/quote]

I'd prefer to partner you up front with Kuyt than that useless lumbering cunt Babel.
[/quote]

Very funny Ryan boy. Babel has been average this season partly because of Rafael chose not to play him where he is more effective which is up front. We shall see if Rafael give him the chance instead of N'Gog.
[/quote]

Precisely what are you basing this on? He has spent the vast majority of his career playing in a wide position and the few times he's been tried up front for us, he's looked hopelessly out of his depth. You are simply repeating the same baseless claim that Babel himself has made, with (like him) fuck all evidence to support it.

 

[mr_moo]

[quote author=doctor_mac link=topic=36535.msg966179#msg966179 date=1256035145]
[quote author=mr_moo link=topic=36535.msg966078#msg966078 date=1256028428]
[quote author=Glock link=topic=36535.msg965983#msg965983 date=1256005009]
[quote author=Ryan link=topic=36535.msg965981#msg965981 date=1256004607]
[quote author=Glock link=topic=36535.msg965980#msg965980 date=1256003932]
Rafael should partner Babel with Kuyt up front.
[/quote]

I'd prefer to partner you up front with Kuyt than that useless lumbering cunt Babel.
[/quote]

Very funny Ryan boy. Babel has been average this season partly because of Rafael chose not to play him where he is more effective which is up front. We shall see if Rafael give him the chance instead of N'Gog.
[/quote]

Or rather, Rafa has not played him on the right wing, which I believe is his best position. However, Babel is more often than not ineffective wherever he plays, apart from keeping the bench warm ;D. It could be argued that Rafa hasn't helped his confidence by constantly playing him out of his favoured position of striker or right wing, but it’s obvious he can’t be trusted in those positions or even on the left wing where Rafa tends to play him. When he has be given the chance (yes albeit sparingly) in his favoured position, he’s been woeful. This combined with what I believe as poor performances and attitude in training and matches (such as not doing what Rafa wants – positioning etc...), is the reason why I believe Babel will never make it at Liverpool, or even fulfil his potential of becoming a good footballer. Yes you could argue that Rafa should show more loving and care for certain players, but he isn’t like that, something Stevie eventually realised and got on with it. If I was Babel, and probably like many others, I would want to prove Rafa wrong. Sadly, I don’t think Babel has wanted to, or is likely to in the near future.
[/quote]

You should post more Moo. I like that bovine thing you got going there.
[/quote]

Thanks Dr Mac