What's the problem?

[King Binny]

What do you think is the problem?

At the start of the season, it was reckon that this season is a good one for us to try and finally land the title. With Ronaldo and Tevez leaving Man Utd , Arsenal losing starting XI players and not signing that experienced midfield enforcer like so many have 'recommended', Chelsea only adding 1 big money signing in Zhirkov to an ageing squad + new manager etc.

Our key outs were Alonso, Hyppia and Arbeloa. Key ins were Johnson, Aquilani and Kyrgiakos.

Is it simply cos too many players haven't played to their highest standards? Or is it because of Alonso's departure (due to his influential role in the formation and 'success' last season)?

To be perfectly honestly, I haven't been able to catch as many Liverpool games this season cos of studies + dependent on streaming (which is always so lagging) cos of termination of sports channel subscriptions.

Have we played very much differently from last season? I know abt Carra's dip in form. Insua being a permanent fixture in the line up + addition of Johnson may have cos the defence to be unsettled a little. Lucas, no matter how good(or poor) a player he is, is obviously never going to fill in Xabi's big boots. Benitez previously pointed out about Stevie being able to do better too.

I think many may point to inadequate good squad players as a potential reason - Voronin, Ngog, Lucas (not exactly squad anymore), Dossena and Degen (who are almost 'non-existing/contributing' members of the squad) but this factor wasn't really taken into consideration when predictions were made about how we will run any other fellow title challengers close, was it?

So what's wrong? Is it down to the players/management for such a poor start to the season? ???

 

[Sheik Yerbouti]

A shit central midfield.

 

[Skullflower]

shit happens. we don't spend enough money to expect an awful lot more than we get with this club.

 

[Whaddapie]

Certain players, particularly those who aren't the starters, who aren't good enough and a manager who is too stubborn for our own good.

 

[DHSC]

*Awaits rage's contributions*

 

[Sheik Yerbouti]

[quote author=DHSC link=topic=36496.msg964499#msg964499 date=1255796874]
*Awaits rage's contributions*
[/quote]

We'll have entered a new millenium by the time he's finished penning it.

 

[jexykrodic]

The loss of a key player, a poor start, unexpected problems in central defence, and some injuries to key players.

Fortunately our competitors are also streaky, which is why there are so many teams within striking distance of the top position.

 

[eecheerow]

[quote author=Sheik Yerbouti link=topic=36496.msg964492#msg964492 date=1255796764]
A shit central midfield.
[/quote]

Yup. We're missing Alonso at least as much as many of us feared we would.

 

[rage]

if rafa had any shame he'd quit.

he's just here to squeeze as much money out of us as possible.

when he's finally kicked out he'll end up at a second tier spanish team - about his level.

 

[madmax]

To me the problem has been accumulated over the last two years.

1. We have had three really attrocious transfer windows on the trot.
2. Losing strong players to Real Madrid didn't help at all, when you add that to 1.
3. Persistently playing obviously shitty players ahead of better players does not help matters either.

Our squad is looking wafer thin....It is the truth. I hope Rafa keeps his ego out of this and finds a way out till january at least.

 

[Sheik Yerbouti]

[quote author=rage link=topic=36496.msg964508#msg964508 date=1255797022]
if rafa had any shame he'd quit.

he's just here to squeeze as much money out of us as possible.

when he's finally kicked out he'll end up at a second tier spanish team - about his level.
[/quote]

Bollocks

Bollocks

 

[aqua.Lai.ni]

[quote author=madmax link=topic=36496.msg964510#msg964510 date=1255797048]
To me the problem has been accumulated over the last two years.

1. We have had three really attrocious transfer windows on the trot.
2. Losing strong players to Real Madrid didn't help at all, when you add that to one.
3. Persistently playing obviously shitty players ahead of better players does not help matters either.

Our squad is looking wafer thin....It is the truth. I hope Rafa keeps his ego out of this and finds a way out till january at least.
[/quote]

wafer thin is one thing. wafer thin with fucking ZERO quality is another.

 

[rebel23]

injuries and Benitez not making changes until 70th+ minute is the main problem. Also poor performances from players who know they wont be dropped no matter how badly they play because Benitez either guarantee's their place or we dont have enough quality

 

[Ong]

Midfield are very poor.

 

[King Binny]

[quote author=rebel23 link=topic=36496.msg964513#msg964513 date=1255797151]
injuries and Benitez not making changes until 70th+ minute is the main problem. Also poor performances from players who know they wont be dropped no matter how badly they play because Benitez either guarantee's their place or we dont have enough quality

[/quote]

Good point.

Boils down to squad's strength in depth like what many have suggested.

Failing to get rid of the likes of Dossena, Degen, Voronin (and even Itandje - only out on loan) seems to have hit Rafa's spending plans.

 

[King Binny]

[quote author=Sheik Yerbouti link=topic=36496.msg964492#msg964492 date=1255796764]
A shit central midfield.
[/quote]

Yeah. And isn't it ironic how it used to be one of our strongest department.

 

[SaintGeorge67]

[flash=500,400]http://www.youtube.com/watch/v/QBYyKegNWBk[/flash]

 

[Skullflower]

[quote author=SaintGeorge67 link=topic=36496.msg964528#msg964528 date=1255797808]
[flash=500,400]http://www.youtube.com/watch/v/QBYyKegNWBk[/flash]
[/quote]

hahaha

 

[Sheik Yerbouti]

[quote author=Binny link=topic=36496.msg964527#msg964527 date=1255797747]
[quote author=Sheik Yerbouti link=topic=36496.msg964492#msg964492 date=1255796764]
A shit central midfield.
[/quote]

Yeah. And isn't it ironic how it used to be one of our strongest department.
[/quote]

Well, in reality, if this Italian lad is as good as he's being made out to be, then he'll be at least the equal of Alonso. Unfortunately, not having him for the first 2 months of the league has put us on a bit of a sticky wicket.

 

[King Binny]

[quote author=Sheik Yerbouti link=topic=36496.msg964537#msg964537 date=1255798035]
[quote author=Binny link=topic=36496.msg964527#msg964527 date=1255797747]
[quote author=Sheik Yerbouti link=topic=36496.msg964492#msg964492 date=1255796764]
A shit central midfield.
[/quote]

Yeah. And isn't it ironic how it used to be one of our strongest department.
[/quote]

Well, in reality, if this Italian lad is as good as he's being made out to be, then he'll be at least the equal of Alonso. Unfortunately, not having him for the first 2 months of the league has put us on a bit of a sticky wicket.
[/quote]

Yes mate. I just hope the lad won't be victimized by critics with the added pressure on him due to our poor start by the team (and ppl looking for him to be the 'solution'). Back from long term injury, playing in new league and team. It's really going to be a challenge for him.

 

[Sheik Yerbouti]

[quote author=Binny link=topic=36496.msg964539#msg964539 date=1255798191]
[quote author=Sheik Yerbouti link=topic=36496.msg964537#msg964537 date=1255798035]
[quote author=Binny link=topic=36496.msg964527#msg964527 date=1255797747]
[quote author=Sheik Yerbouti link=topic=36496.msg964492#msg964492 date=1255796764]
A shit central midfield.
[/quote]

Yeah. And isn't it ironic how it used to be one of our strongest department.
[/quote]

Well, in reality, if this Italian lad is as good as he's being made out to be, then he'll be at least the equal of Alonso. Unfortunately, not having him for the first 2 months of the league has put us on a bit of a sticky wicket.
[/quote]

Yes mate. I just hope the lad won't be victimized by critics with the added pressure on him due to our poor start by the team (and ppl looking for him to be the 'solution'). Back from long term injury, playing in new league and team. It's really going to be a challenge for him.
[/quote]

Unfortunately we need him to hit the ground running if we're to have a decent shot at the title.

 

[rebel23]

Aquilani will have to deliver and it's not unreasonable considering he cost 20 million, i think he can do it.

anything is better than what is currently out there

 

[King Binny]

[quote author=rebel23 link=topic=36496.msg964544#msg964544 date=1255798307]
Aquilani will have to deliver and it's not unreasonable considering he cost 20 million, i think he can do it.

anything is better than what is currently out there


[/quote]

Longer term wise, yes, that's for sure. But any expectation of instant impact is rather ridiculous in my opinion. Of cos, I would love that to happen but I'm not pinning my hopes on him. Not at the moment.

With the backroom exodus, I'm wondering if Rafa is surrounding himself with too many 'yes-man'.

 

[rebel23]

[quote author=Binny link=topic=36496.msg964549#msg964549 date=1255798496]
[quote author=rebel23 link=topic=36496.msg964544#msg964544 date=1255798307]
Aquilani will have to deliver and it's not unreasonable considering he cost 20 million, i think he can do it.

anything is better than what is currently out there


[/quote]

Longer term wise, yes, that's for sure. But any expectation of instant impact is rather ridiculous in my opinion. Of cos, I would love that to happen but I'm not pinning my hopes on him. Not at the moment.

With the backroom exodus, I'm wondering if Rafa is surrounding himself with too many 'yes-man'.
[/quote]

No it isnt, Aquilani is a 25 year old international and cost £20 million

it is not unreasonable to expect him to go straight in and perform and I think he will, he has to really

 

[Squiggles]

I think we've had the players to cover for the absence of Aqulani - just about - but Rafa's placed too much faith in Lucas and it's cost us. Gerrard and Masher should've been our CM partnership from day one. That, alongside our huge defences lapses have put us in this position.

It was squad depth which cost us today but that's nothing new.

 

[King Binny]

[quote author=rebel23 link=topic=36496.msg964552#msg964552 date=1255798630]
[quote author=Binny link=topic=36496.msg964549#msg964549 date=1255798496]
[quote author=rebel23 link=topic=36496.msg964544#msg964544 date=1255798307]
Aquilani will have to deliver and it's not unreasonable considering he cost 20 million, i think he can do it.

anything is better than what is currently out there


[/quote]

Longer term wise, yes, that's for sure. But any expectation of instant impact is rather ridiculous in my opinion. Of cos, I would love that to happen but I'm not pinning my hopes on him. Not at the moment.

With the backroom exodus, I'm wondering if Rafa is surrounding himself with too many 'yes-man'.
[/quote]

No it isnt, Aquilani is a 25 year old international and cost £20 million

it is not unreasonable to expect him to go straight in and perform and I think he will, he has to really


[/quote]

I get your point mate, but back from long term injury, playing in a league of different style and getting into an XI that's not inspiring form and confidence. I'm not too sure chance of that happening will be high. Besides, how many of his 11 international caps were from starts?

Wonder what Rafa can do now to turn things around. Pep talk? :🙂 Change in tactics?

 

[spider-Neil]

my observations are

a) the central midfield
they aren't filling the void alonso has left because 1) they are not seeing passes early enough and 2) they are even making hard work of elelmentry passes. they re way to slow and pounderous, I'm not talking mobility I'm talking keeping the ball tickingover at a high tempo. also they aren't showing for the ball when the defenders have it leaving the defenders to pass sidesways amoungst themselves like crabs on speed.

b) the attacking players
are currently running round with no rhyme or reason, is this lack or formation supposed to confuse the opposition because currently it is only confusing ourselves. the task of width has soley being given to the fullbacks and whilst the fullbacks should look to overlap the fact all the attacking players are coming inside is make the center of the pitch horribly congested playing right into the oppositions hands. at no time did we stretch s'land tody.

c) strikers/forwards
who was our presence in the box? the s'land centerbacks will not have an easier game all season as they had no liverpool players to mark so intent were the forwards on dropping deep for the ball

if I were to give the team so advice I’d say move the ball faster, don’t take an extra touch if you don’t need to, it is givng the opposition too much time to set themselves. We aren’t stretching teams and forcing them into mistakes because we are to pounderous.

 

[Jürgen4PM]

Having two cunts as our owners is the major one.

We had a huge opportunity this summer to push on and really take a march on our rivals, but G&H decide that now is the right time to turn LFC into a "sell before we can buy club"!!!

 

[rebel23]

[quote author=Rafa4PM link=topic=36496.msg964581#msg964581 date=1255799603]
Having two cunts as our owners is the major one.

We had a huge opportunity this summer to push on and really take a march on our rivals, but G&H decide that now is the right time to turn LFC into a "sell before we can buy club"!!!
[/quote]

and also a laughing stock consorting with Arabs and whoring the club around

missing out on the CL might be a blessing in disguise if it hastens their departure

 

[King Binny]

Detailed observations that, neil. Just triggered my thoughts: when did we last see a Liverpool side playing as well as the Valencia one which did under Rafa and earned our admiration? For all the promising prospect, that never seemed to happen. That's one of my personal disappointment. Granted, he has proved himself to be a master tactician at times, but I'm not sure he knows what he wants sometimes (LOL :🙂).