Semi-final

[Gods back]

I repeat...Cisse is a monstrosity of a footballer. He has absolute zero composure and footballing intelligence. It's quite frankly sickening that we paid so much money for such a limited football and pay him so much every week.

 

 

FOR THE FIRST TIME ME AND YOU AGREE ON SOMETHING!!!!MAYBE IT,S THE TENNENTS! :D :D

[Gods back]

Some observations on today's game, written without reading the forum. Like RedRobMol used to do, but mine are numbered.

 

1) Well done lads, job done.

2) Before Kewell went off we were pretty outstanding.

3) After Kewell went off we were probably a lot better than it felt - but it's a good job we got two before they did.

4) John Motson and Mark Lawrenson should be forced to spend the next 12 months commentating on gay sports because they are crap at commentating on football. I'm sure there will be openings for them in Ice Hockey and Baseball.

5) Pepe Reina was unlucky not to get to the ball before dogshit. He otherwise had a very good game.

6) The defence did well. Carra led the troops. Sami did what Sami does - stayed cool under pressure. Riise and Finnan were hardly needed defensively, but Riise might want to take a bit of the blame for their goal. His goal for us cancels that out though.

7) Gerrard had a better game against them than he normally does, Momo had a couple of nervous moments but otherwise was OK. Xabi is going to be player of the tournament in the World Cup at this rate, unless he's beaten by Kewell who's still showing us how good he can be. Just hope that injury is nothing serious.

8 ) Crouch ran wild, in a causing trouble for them and keeping possession for us sort of way. When he went off we knew he'd gone off. Luis was Luis - frustrating and outstanding all in one game.

9) As for the subs, Djimi's lack of games this season mean he's not anything like at the level he finished last season at. Cisse wasn't as bad as Motto tried to make out - but I can't really pay him too many compliments. Morientes was very good playing that little bit deeper with us playing a more cautious game by that stage - he retained possession every time he got the ball and I wonder if a more regular role in that position might have helped his confidence a bit.

10) Rafa was class as ever after the game. He wouldn't bite over the fact Tranny wouldn't shake his hands, even though the Beeb's interviewer kept asking him about it.

11) Tranny was a shit as ever after the game. It's a good job for him he wins as often as he does, because he really can't take defeat.

12) The FA Cup final will be against Boro or West Ham. It will be built up as a David and Goliath final. There will be lots of comparisons with Wimbledon. There will no doubt be a lot of photos used of Crouch next to whoever is the short-arse of the other finalists' squads. It will piss us all off, but be worth it in the end because we will lift that cup.

13) Unlucky Chelsea. Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha haaaaaaaaaa.

14) Whoever threw the beer bottle - you complete tit you. Fuck off and support someone else. I hope you are caught and banned.

15) Greetings to Cardiff - guess who's coming back again?

16) YNWA being played over the PA System at OT. Did that really happen? I've been taking shitloads of painkillers this last couple of days and I seriously thought I'd overdone it when I heard that.

17) Again, well done lads, job done.

 

Right - I'll go and see what's been said and moaned about this evening and no doubt get all my enthusiasm sucked out of me.we speak from the same hymn book!! ;)

[Paul]

My tuppence worth:

 

That was the best we've played against them until they scored. After a strange first ten minutes where we seemed to be wondering why they had an intentionally weaker team out, we settled into bossing the game. There must have been some method in The Translator's madness, but I couldn't see it. I assumed he'd gone for that line up in order to stifle Xabi and out-number Mo in the middle. However, that simply didn't happen. I can't believe some journalists still insist upon declaring his tactical genius. I think he's absolutely shite, tactically. He's obviously a good motivator, but this and his Huth plan show him to be Rafa's inferior by some distance in that regard.

 

In terms of our performances, I felt the midfield showed its strength with real disciplied performances from Xabi, Mo and Gerrard, and Kewell having his best performance in a Red shirt. He now looks like a real footballer of quality to me: touch, passing, movement, ball retention, decision making and vision are all top drawer. What a shame it looks like he's got an injury again (although if it means he misses the WC and then is ready for a good pre-season, maybe it's no bad thing - for us, if not him). However, I still think The Translator was significant in Harry's performance. Why didn't he put Ferreira, the specialist full-back, up against him when he saw how torrid a time Geremi was having? Tactical genius, you see.

 

Up front, I felt Crouch once again showed how important he is to our style of play and I was worried (correctly as it almost immediately turned out) about our ability to retain possession when he went off. That is our one real Achilles heel this season: when he's not there and we're on the back foot, we simply revert to the GH plan of hoofing it forward and then immediately having to face yet another onslaught. The fact that we're so good at resisting such attacks is immaterial really.

 

Lil' Luis as Crouchinho's partner did exactly what he's so good at: scoring great goals in massive games. The bloke is class and I think the faults in his game are more Rafa's problems to deal with than his. He needs to play in a position that maximises his strengths and minimises his weaknesses, and that's up front. His movement, trickery, eye for goal and work rate are all perfect for up there, but his propensity for giving the ball away suddenly becomes far less of an issue. That's the way to go with him next season (unless Rafa cashes in - which I hope he doesn't).

 

At the back, we were classy as ever. That back line is the strongest I've seen at Liverpool since Jockey's day and Carra's leadership is the key ingredient - despite the immense impact Pepe has made and the hugely significant qualities the other three bring to the equation. It was telling that Gerrard talked of how, "The rallying cry went out from Carra at the back" when asked about the five minutes of injury time at the end. In my opinion, he now stands comparison with any of the greatest leaders this club has ever had, and I think it's an incredible insult to this giant of a player that Rio Ferdinand will almost certainly partner the equally immense John Terry for England this summer. However, that's a good thing for Liverpool; just a rip-off for Carra.

 

On their goal, I just don't see how anyone could blame Pepe. JAR clearly fucked up - albeit for the right reasons as he'd seen an opponent begin to gamble round the back of him and didn't realise he no longer had to make such a desperate header. Once that ball was falling to Drogba, Pepe had no choice other than to attack it. Drogba was clearly favourite to win it - as was proven by the goal - and Carra was still marking Crespo (?) when Pepe went for it; and besides, he didn't get goal-side anyway. In the end, it didn't prove decisive, but it irks me somewhat that Pepe has had unjustified criticism. It seems much of it is centred around his punching with people failing to realise that he's under instructions to do so. I wouldn't mind if the punching had led to a succession of fuck-ups and goals, but it hasn't. Get used to it, people; this is the way we're going to play under Rafa, regardless of who's in goal.

 

Of the subs, Nando did exactly what was required in keeping possession. Cisse on the other hand, wanted shooting. Oh well; Cardiff here we come. Viva la Rafalution.

[Anubis]

On the Chelsea goal, I do think Reina lost his head a little bit. It was his only mistake of the game. The ball was a long time in the air, was dropping at an angle where Drogba could do very little with it other than head weakly, and had he tried to get it down Carra was on him.

 

But who cares. We won. We're in a cup final. And Translator is providing us with the usual post-match entertainment. Once again, they have never lost a cup game......

[Rashid]

Superb post Paul.

 

Our midfield 4 totally dominated the first 60 minutes and credit to Kewell - Mourinho played two defensive players out wide on the right and they couldn't stop him. He was excellent and paid back a lot of people who have stood by him from day one - Rafa being the main one.

 

What I love though is that the team have this superb spirit and awareness of their performances. Stevie had a massive go at Garcia in the dressing room but really appreciates his talent:

 

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard paid tribute to his teammate's goal-scoring effort although he did concede that his first half miss caused anxiety - and a lot of criticism - in the winners' dressing room.

 

"That's Luis for you. He misses a couple of tap-ins then puts an impossible one into the top corner from 30 yards. He's a fantastic player and he's scored some very important goals for this club," said the England man.

 

"I give him a rollocking for missing that chance at half-time but that's Luis. We don't want to give him easy chances because he doesn't seem to score them. He just scores the impossible ones.

 

"And this time it crossed the line - just a little bit! I certainly saw the net ripple."

 

The team learns from its mistakes something we have never done in the past.

 

The game changed when Crouch and Kewell went off, we longer had the out ball. I could see why Rafa took of Crouch as on the counter attack he is maybe a little too slow and any flick on was going to nobody - Cisse was perfect for the ball over the top. However he just went about proving instead that he was perfect for long ball French team.

 

The plan by Mourinho was clearly to hold us to 0-0 for 60 minutes prevent us from getting an early goal to hang on to and then blitz us with his wingers unfortunately he didn't anticipate us attacking them.

 

Finally - Rafael Benitez - Nothing more needs to be added here.

[Captain]

I see Paul has lost faith in Carra playing for England in the summer. Unfortunately, Carra will go to the World Cup anyway, so I don't think the club will benefit much from him not playing.

 

There is of course less of a chance he'll pick up an injury if he doesn't play, but that really is a moot point when it comes to Carra. He's never injured (broken leg apart), he's made out of rock. It's part of the reason Carra has played more than 400 games for us already.

[Paul]

I see Paul has lost faith in Carra playing for England in the summer. Unfortunately, Carra will go to the World Cup anyway, so I don't think the club will benefit much from him not playing.

 

There is of course less of a chance he'll pick up an injury if he doesn't play, but that really is a moot point when it comes to Carra. He's never injured (broken leg apart), he's made out of rock. It's part of the reason Carra has played more than 400 games for us already.

My loss of faith has nothing to do with the best centre back in Europe, but everything to do with the fucking idiot picking the England team.

[Captain]

I know Paul, I rate Carra too.

 

I wouldn't go as far as to say Svennis is an idiot for picking Ferdinand though. He's more or less been an everpresent during Eriksson's tenure. It would be a major surprise if Svennis decided to drop him to the bench in Germany.

[Paul]

I know Paul, I rate Carra too.

 

I wouldn't go as far as to say Svennis is an idiot for picking Ferdinand though. He's more or less been an everpresent during Eriksson's tenure. It would be a major surprise if Svennis decided to drop him to the bench in Germany.

And that's why he's an idiot. The player has got the attention span of a goldfish yet he'll be picked because he's always picked. Nonsense.

[Rashid]

And that's why he's an idiot. The player has got the attention span of a goldfish yet he'll be picked because he's always picked. Nonsense.

 

Carragher is better than Ferdinand but you cannot dispute that Rio is better on the ball, is faster and has more composure. When a team is 4-4-2 without a sweeper in international football then it is important to have someone who can bring it out, hence why Rio will get in ahead of Carra. Carra is competing with Terry as the 'blocker' and Terry probabloy edges right now if only for his goal threat on set pieces.

[Paul]

Carragher is better than Ferdinand but you cannot dispute that Rio is better on the ball, is faster and has more composure. When a team is 4-4-2 without a sweeper in international football then it is important to have someone who can bring it out, hence why Rio will get in ahead of Carra. Carra is competing with Terry as the 'blocker' and Terry probabloy edges right now if only for his goal threat on set pieces.

I absolutely do disagree that Ferdinand has more composure than Carra. He's composed right up until he fucks up. Give me a choice of a defender who defends first and plays second over one the other way round, and I'd take Carra every fucking day of the week - and eleven times on match day. Ferdinand will cost England in the WC - guaranteed.

[Kopite]

I absolutely do disagree that Ferdinand has more composure than Carra. He's composed right up until he fucks up. Give me a choice of a defender who defends first and plays second over one the other way round, and I'd take Carra every fucking day of the week - and eleven times on match day. Ferdinand will cost England in the WC - guaranteed.

 

Percentage play in defensive positions is the only way to defend. Ferdinand tries to look good rather than defend, Carra just defends. If that means throwing yourself in front of the ball then so be it.

 

Give me a defender rather than a actor anyday of the week.

[Rashid]

Percentage play in defensive positions is the only way to defend. Ferdinand tries to look good rather than defend, Carra just defends. If that means throwing yourself in front of the ball then so be it.

 

Give me a defender rather than a actor anyday of the week.

 

I agree and I want the same, a defender to defend first. Rio is a waste at £30M but he is also a decent ball playing defender and I can see why a manager would want a player like that ALONGSIDE a John Terry or a Jamie Carragher.

[Ted]

And that's why he's an idiot. The player has got the attention span of a goldfish yet he'll be picked because he's always picked. Nonsense.

Although I couldn't give a flying fig about England ( or Southern Press FC.) I do echo your sentiments regarding Carra. He is far and away THE top defender in this country, possibly the continent. But Burnsy has his favourites, look at Owen, hasn't played since January, might get 2 full games at the most and he'll probably still be first choice, even though there is no way he'll be 100% fit.

 

Although thats not to say Owen isn't good enough or anything.

[Guest Momo Sissoko]

Why do you want Carra going anyway? He's just played a ridiculously long season for us and will be burnt out for next season.

[Paul]

I agree and I want the same, a defender to defend first. Rio is a waste at £30M but he is also a decent ball playing defender and I can see why a manager would want a player like that ALONGSIDE a John Terry or a Jamie Carragher.

Yes, but he's not the sort of player you're on about Rash. The type of player all managers would like is Hansen - but he was a great defender first, and a ball player second.

[Kopite]

I agree and I want the same, a defender to defend first. Rio is a waste at £30M but he is also a decent ball playing defender and I can see why a manager would want a player like that ALONGSIDE a John Terry or a Jamie Carragher.

 

Thing is Rash, you can have both. Hansen, Gillespie, Thompson, Hughes and Lawrenson could all defend but also play with composure.

 

Ferdinand tries to looks good at the expense of defending.

[Paul]

Why do you want Carra going anyway? He's just played a ridiculously long season for us and will be burnt out for next season.

Because,

 

...that's a good thing for Liverpool; just a rip-off for Carra.

[Ted]

Thing is Rash, you can have both. Hansen, Gillespie, Thompson, Hughes and Lawrenson could all defend but also play with composure.

 

Ferdinand tries to looks good at the expense of defending.

He tries to look like a Brazilian whilst defending. The only thing remotley Brazilian about him is that fucking wax job hanging of his stupid fucking chin.

[Kopite]

He tries to look like a Brazilian whilst defending. The only thing remotley Brazilian about him is that fucking wax job hanging of his stupid fucking chin.

 

And his immediate proximity to illegal narcotics (allegedly ;))

[Ted]

And his immediate proximity to illegal narcotics (allegedly ;))

Nah thats his Colombian tendancies, along with his Valderamaesque do.