Why has Anfield become such an easy stadium to take points from?

[Kevin D]

Please someone fucking tell me. Name a name. Who is the fucking mythical right winger we should have signed?

 

To be fair we're not paid 2.5m a year with a world network of scouts. The fact of the matter is that in the 5 years Rafa has been here , RW has been a problem position. Is it too much to ask that he'd have solved the problem by now?

[hamstrung]

I'd still like to see Gerrard there sometimes.

[Dicko]

To be fair we're not paid 2.5m a year with a world network of scouts. The fact of the matter is that in the 5 years Rafa has been here , RW has been a problem position. Is it too much to ask that he'd have solved the problem by now?

 

Simao or possibly Alves would have done the trick and you can't blame him for not trying.

[Kevin D]

Indeed , they were good options but was the net logical step Jermaine Pennant? You've got to admit there is a huge gap in quality there.

[Catch22]

Indeed , they were good options but was the net logical step Jermaine Pennant? You've got to admit there is a huge gap in quality there.

 

 

Problem was/is that Gerrard had basically had enough of playing on the right by the end of '05-'06 (despite winning player of the year), especially egged on by Sky,etc.

 

So we had to get someone on the right.

 

Have a look at who else was actually transfered that summer & Pennant doesn't seem too bad

[aws]

Rafa was also vetoed on Walcott.

[ScottyT]

The 17 million we spent on Kuyt and Bellamy that summer could have paid for Alves, especially as Crouch had done so well the previous season.

 

But it's easier to blame Parry than Benitez's transfer acumen.

[redrosetints]

So after dropping just 14 points in an entire year, were still discussing this ?

[Benitaur]

Anfield is such a problem because teams don't come here to play us. They come to defend and hope for a draw, and try their luck at set pieces, and if they have the pace, at counter attacks. Its not a surprise if our main goal threats are not in top form, we struggle to score.

 

I read an article a few weeks ago about Brazil also having problems with teams that park the bus in front of their goal. The typical response to that would be to have width with capable dribblers there opening up the defense.

 

Think about that, Brazil with Kaka, Ronaldinho, Robinho etc etc having problems with a packed defense. Like us, Brazil relies on wingbacks, not wingers for width.

 

Wingers are always going to be a gamble. Not every winger is going to end up a C Ronaldo or Robben. Us buying Pennant at 6 mil was a decent gamble, IMO still a better gamble than SWP or Lennon for 15+ million.

 

Imagine if we bought Queresma or Joaquin years ago. We definitely will be calling for Rafa's head by now if they were bought for their expected price (15+ million) and they turned out the way they did now at Inter or Valencia.

[Benitaur]

Anfield is such a problem because teams don't come here to play us. They come to defend and hope for a draw, and try their luck at set pieces, and if they have the pace, at counter attacks. Its not a surprise if our main goal threats are not in top form, we struggle to score.

 

I read an article a few weeks ago about Brazil also having problems with teams that park the bus in front of their goal. The typical response to that would be to have width with capable dribblers there opening up the defense.

 

Think about that, Brazil with Kaka, Ronaldinho, Robinho etc etc having problems with a packed defense. Like us, Brazil relies on wingbacks, not wingers for width.

 

Wingers are always going to be a gamble. Not every winger is going to end up a C Ronaldo or Robben. Us buying Pennant at 6 mil was a decent gamble, IMO still a better gamble than SWP or Lennon for 15+ million.

 

Imagine if we bought Queresma or Joaquin years ago. We definitely will be calling for Rafa's head by now if they were bought for their expected price (15+ million) and they turned out the way they did now at Inter or Valencia.

[Dicko]

The 17 million we spent on Kuyt and Bellamy that summer could have paid for Alves, especially as Crouch had done so well the previous season.

 

But it's easier to blame Parry than Benitez's transfer acumen.

 

Reina

Arbeloa

Agger

Skrtel

Mascherano

Alonso

Torres

Riera

 

All results of his transfer acumen. As was Crouch who you mention. As far as Alves goes I doubt there was a price we could ever have negotiated with Del Nido that would of seen him become a Liverpool player.

 

It's interesting you mention Parry, because there's more evidence of him mishandling contracts & transfers than there is of Rafa. Infact why don't you go and look at Daniel Agger's comments over the weekend.

[Redexile]

Heres a tip to you, Im not telling anyone Im better than them, just expressing my opinion.

 

After every single draw this season this place has been pathetic. People, not necessarily you, need to grow a set and support the team, we've have the courage, conviction and balls of a St Trinians hockey team.

 

Yep now you're expressing your opinion but your first post wasn't. Regarding people growing a set you're right but it's the nature of the beast that is the internet.Years ago some of the stuff posted on here was argued about between mates in the pub now you've got wum's and blokes you don't even know posting opinions and it tends to upset people a lot easier than if it was your mate saying it.

Having said all that if you think dropping 10 points at home wouldn't have been a cause for concern back in the 70's and 80's I'd have to disagree.

[Code]

League table:

1. Man Utd 26 19 5 2 46-11 62p

2. Liverpool 26 15 10 1 43-18 55p

3. Chelsea 26 15 7 4 45-15 52p

4. Aston Villa 26 15 6 5 40-25 51p

----------------------------------------

5. Arsenal 26 12 9 5 38-25 45p

 

Home league:

1. Man Utd 13 12 1 0 30-5 37p

2. Fulham 12 8 3 1 21-9 27p

3. Liverpool 13 7 6 0 20-8 27p

4. Arsenal 13 7 4 2 18-11 25p

 

Away league:

1. Aston Villa 13 10 0 3 22-12 30p

2. Chelsea 13 9 2 2 24-8 29p

3. Liverpool 13 8 4 1 23-10 28p

4. Man Utd 13 7 4 2 16-6 25p

 

First half league:

1. Man Utd 26 13 12 1 22-5 51p

2. Chelsea 26 13 8 5 24-7 47p

3. Fulham 25 8 15 2 12-7 39p

4. Manchester City 26 8 14 4 19-10 38p

5. West Ham Utd 26 8 14 4 17-13 38p

6. Arsenal 26 8 13 5 14-9 37p

7. Liverpool 26 7 16 3 13-9 37p

 

I think the fact we have only scored 13 goals in 26 games during the first half speaks volume, thats on level with Fulham and its simply not good enough.

 

We have a better away record than the mancs, but their home record is superior to ours, having lost only 2 points at home this season in the opening game against Newcastle.

 

We need to throw the cautious approach at home out the window if we ever will win this league, the question is if that ever will happen under Rafa?

[Carra_is_legend]

We need to throw the cautious approach at home out the window if we ever will win this league, the question is if that ever will happen under Rafa?

 

No. That was the 1 single wish I had at the start of the season but I think I can safely say it is NEVER going to happen under Rafa.

[Code]

There are 11 teams who have scored more or equal our amount of goals in the first half and thats pretty shocking from a team with title ambitions, especially considering we are not actually water tight at the back either.

[ScottyT]

Stats never tell the full story. They don't tell you that most teams come and defend with 10 men behind the ball and fight for their lives, which is why our points haul is better away from home. That's not excusing our woeful lack of urgency and creativity at home, but it's never as black or white as the stats indicate.

[JustTosh]

We’ve played 26 PL-games this season. When we’ve stopped the opposition from scoring the first goal our record is 10-7-1 = 2,05 p/match. When opposition’s got the first goal our record is 6-2-0 = 2,5 p/match, quite extraordinary.

 

You’d expect us to gain considerably fewer points when opposition scores the first goal, yet facts show the opposite. OK, it could all be explained with random chance and statistic variation. But could there also be a real reason? Have no doubt – there is!

 

We are overcautious. We control them, and let them control us. If nothing happens we go on like that for 90 mins . Yesterday was a must-win match, but still the same old story; no tempo, no threat, no chances. Had City not scored I bet it would’ve ended 0-0 like Stoke, Fulham, West Ham etc.

 

But when the other side scores it’s a wakeup call. The players suddenly realise we need to score not once but twice, and we haven’t got all day to do it either. Out of the blue team spirit changes, tempo rises, fear of conceding vanishes. Suddenly we play with urgency and aggression, we charge them high up field, fullbacks overlapping, we’re creating chances, playing some descent football, and we score (100% certainty this season)

 

So why the f*** don’t we start games like this. We know we can do it, but we never do. Had we started every game like we play after we’ve conceded I’m absolutely sure we’d be top of the league today.

 

Lousy set pieces, zonal marking at corners, rotation, whatever, are all relevant issues. But IMHO the reason we’re not in the title race any more is down to the fact that we don’t dare to go into matches with a stronger will to win than fear of losing.

 

Whether it’s you or the players, get this right Rafa lad. If you can’t you haven’t got what it takes to manage Liverpool Football Club.

Edited February 23, 2009 by JustTosh

[Bourbon]

...and rinse and repeat.

 

Caution and negativity aren't the reason we are drawing at home for the most part. Lack of quality is.

 

This and the fact that there is NO atmosphere at home games; people from all corners wandering in to watch and just "be" at the match.

 

I know we have a huge global/national contingent but we need fierce defence of our Club and team, its culture and some communal understanding of the club's connection to the City's mindest.

 

A spiteful, anti-opposition pre kick-off vibe; not Sugababes, biffs from Tiverton on tour with frosted hair and Torres 9 tops on taking photos on phones and that Ring of Fire shite.

 

Breeds antipathy.

 

First twenty minutes come out, get a goal, then he can strategise and tinker around to his heart's content.

 

People STILL think "we've got all game to get the goal" then all of a sudden its 40 minutes in, 0-0 and the oppo are growing and starting to fancy it.

 

Unless its the Utd, Chelsea or Europe, Anfield can be a santised embarrassment and it clearly feeds into the opposition's hands.

 

"Beating them there isn't special anymore". Brian Gayle, early 90's, playing for Sheff U.

 

Brian fucking Gayle.

 

The same still stands.

[JK1980]

This and the fact that there is NO atmosphere at home games; people from all corners wandering in to watch and just "be" at the match.

 

I know we have a huge global/national contingent but we need fierce defence of our Club and team, its culture and some communal understanding of the club's connection to the City's mindest.

 

A spiteful, anti-opposition pre kick-off vibe; not Sugababes, biffs from Tiverton on tour with frosted hair and Torres 9 tops on taking photos on phones and that Ring of Fire shite.

 

Breeds antipathy.

 

First twenty minutes come out, get a goal, then he can strategise and tinker around to his heart's content.

 

People STILL think "we've got all game to get the goal" then all of a sudden its 40 minutes in, 0-0 and the oppo are growing and starting to fancy it.

 

Unless its the Utd, Chelsea or Europe, Anfield can be a santised embarrassment and it clearly feeds into the opposition's hands.

 

"Beating them there isn't special anymore". Brian Gayle, early 90's, playing for Sheff U.

 

Brian fucking Gayle.

 

The same still stands.

 

Its all well and good blasting the "Global Support" but what about the oh so special local support who boo and moan and groan the whole way through a game offering no support to out of form and out of confidence players- some of whom are young and not living in a place they find hard to get used to?

 

You really think that helps our title chances?

[JMARKH]

It seems far too easy for any team now to defend against us and unless we bring in some real quality match winners in terms of creativity and chipping in with goals it is hard to see how this will change, the passing and movement of the team needs to be worked on as we seem very static most of the time.

 

The majority of games have become so boring to watch at Anfield since last season especially when compared to 05/06 and I have decided to give up my ticket as I can't justify spending that amount of money on something I am not getting a buzz out of any more.

 

Only the away performances which by and large have been impressive have kept us in the hunt but I fear after yesterday it is game over and we will have to rely on winning the Champions League for the season to have been a success.

[Bourbon]

Its all well and good blasting the "Global Support" but what about the oh so special local support who boo and moan and groan the whole way through a game offering no support to out of form and out of confidence players- some of whom are young and not living in a place they find hard to get used to?

 

You really think that helps our title chances?

 

I dont' agree with negativity but it's their right to, sweetheart.

 

If you don't like it, stay local and do the same.

 

Simple.

[ScottyT]

Its all well and good blasting the "Global Support" but what about the oh so special local support who boo and moan and groan the whole way through a game offering no support to out of form and out of confidence players- some of whom are young and not living in a place they find hard to get used to?

 

You really think that helps our title chances?

 

There's more of your sort in Anfield these days, hence the shite atmosphere. If only we could wire up your PC to the stadium, it would be rocking in no time.

[Whelan]

There's more of your sort in Anfield these days, hence the shite atmosphere. If only we could wire up your PC to the stadium, it would be rocking in no time.

 

That makes no sense at all.

[CaptainK]

Its all well and good blasting the "Global Support" but what about the oh so special local support who boo and moan and groan the whole way through a game offering no support to out of form and out of confidence players- some of whom are young and not living in a place they find hard to get used to?

 

You really think that helps our title chances?

Spot on!

 

Some of the local support are some of the quietest but then turn into the biggest moaners when this week's scapegoat misplaces a pass.

 

IMO it' not just the players and manager that need bottle during a title challenge, it's also the supporters. Too many supporters, including the local ones have bottled it.

[JK1980]

I dont' agree with negativity but it's their right to, sweetheart.

 

If you don't like it, stay local and do the same.

 

Simple.

 

Yeah, the problem with arrogance is all you ever think about is what your rights are, as oppose to other peoples rights, and your responsibility towards them.

 

If you feel you have the right to see a succesful team playing on the pitch, You have a responsibility to support that team. Otherwise you're just a moaning twat.

 

But hey, whatever.