Search the Community

..Vincent.

When Alonso inevitably leaves I think Benitez might have to consider changing our approach to the way we play slightly. The fact is at present the majority of our play goes through Alonso – He is the player who takes the ball off our centre backs, he is the central midfielder who is always free and willing to have the ball. Not to mention the fact he feeds Gerrard and our wide midfielders. Sure he doesn’t get many assists, however he does make us tick, gives our side control and is often the player who makes the telling pass before the assist… similar to Xavi at Barcelona. Now Benitez can go for a like for like replacement, however just looking at the thread on possible replacements for Alonso, it is clear – that there aren’t many (if any) who are good enough, within our budget or would be willing to come to Anfield. But it is clear Mascherano needs a ‘footballer’ alongside him who can pass well, make our side play and pull the strings in midfield. Personally I think given there are very few options, then we’d be better off putting Gerrard back into midfield, rather than relying on Lucas or an inferior replacement for Alonso. The reason for this is if we are not controlling games, then Gerrard is pretty much wasted playing so high up the field as he is not involved fully in the game. He’s our best player and we need him on the ball as much as possible, giving him as much chance to stamp his authority on games and ultimately influence them. It also might give our side a new dimension in attack, as Alonso wasn’t really contributing in terms of goals and assists, as Gerrard can provide. I do think Benitez will be reluctant to break up the Torres / Gerrard combination and who can blame him, as it is arguably the best in the world. However that is not to say other players could link up well with Torres, as Yossi showed last season. I also think there are far more attacking players who are more likely to link up well with Torres, than there are top central midfielders who can offer what Alonso was. This is why I’d look to put Gerrard back into the centre. Gerrard is not the indisciplined youngster that Rafa inherited when he came to the club. He’s matured and shown he can play the more disciplined role in centre midfield. The last few season’s he wasn’t needed in the middle as we had the luxury of having a brilliant combination in Alonso and Mascherano. However now it is different and I think we need to use the departure of Alonso as an opportunity to improve our team as a whole and I believe that is achievable by putting Gerrard into centre midfield, where he can dominate, get goals, assists and we aren’t just relying on the front four players for this. We might lack less control, however we’ll have more dynamism, energy, threat, urgency and intent… this is what we need in the Premiership a league where you have to win games, rather than not lose them. I suspect |I am in the minority, but I think it is time for a change and I would be looking to put Gerrard back into the heart of our team.

If he signs for Mourinho at Madrid won't it just be admitting he should have signed for him at Chelsea in 2004 and 2005?

Liverpool * 25 Reina * 05 Agger * 22 Insua * 23 Carragher * 37 Skrtel * 08 Gerrard yellow card * 17 Maxi * 20 Mascherano yellow card * 21 Lucas * 18 Kuyt * 19 Babel Substitutes * 01 Cavalieri, * 12 Aurelio, * 34 Kelly, * 04 Aquilani, * 11 Riera, * 15 Benayoun, * 09 Torres 1. 2. 3. Thanks.

Anyone else going to this? When are you heading out to Bucharest? I'm also in need of a ticket, so gimme!

By Chris Bascombe, 20/02/2010 JAMIE CARRAGHER has told Sport of the World that he's fed up with fans blaming Xabi Alonso's untimely exit to Real Madrid in the summer for Liverpool's failings this season. In a hard-hitting exclusive Big Interview in Sunday's Score pull-out, the popular defender speaks frankly about the Merseysiders' campaign and his own form and future. Carragher feels Alonso's absence is just one of a number of factors behind the Reds' disappointing campaign - but he does accept that Rafa Benitez needs to bring in two or three quality additions during the close season. "I've heard the arguments about what would have happened had we kept Xabi Alonso this season," he told Sport of the World. "Xabi is a good mate of mine and a great player. I was disappointed when he left. "He was here for five years and he great for us, but we didn't win the league during that time, did we? "There's no way you can say if he was here we'd win the league. There's more to it than that. "You can't keep looking back like that. I wish Kenny Dalglish and Ian Rush were still in the team too so you might as well be arguing we'd win the league if we still had them." Carragher realises it's imperative that Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres are kept away from Manchester City's clutches as he wants Benitez to strengthen the squad. "I'm sure there will be changes in the summer," he added. "And the main thing for us is keeping the top players here. "There are times you feel you're a long way off, but it may only need some top-class additions for us to get back up there. "I'd say we need two or three good buys and we wouldn't be as far away as many think. "We just need beefing up. I know next year we don't want to be fighting for fourth again." CARRAGHER: STOP BLAMING ALONSO SALE | News Of The World

Looked awesome for Forest today against Wednesday, certainly too good for that level. Wonder why he was never really given a shot here? Can any regular reserve watchers shed any light on it? I know there's a big class gulf between the leagues, but on that display, I'd rather his pace, skill and direct approach than that cunt Babel anyway and maybe Riera half the time too for that matter.

Same old boring Liverpool. But at least we controlled the game. Fucking sick of it.

Guys, Help, someone asked this question today: "what comes on at half time and doesnt leave until monday?" Help im stuck, anyone got an answer? Dave if this should be in the GF im sorry, thought that this was a FF Thing. P