I wouldn't say we've "struggled" at any point this season. I think our lowest placing at any point has been 13th, when we suffered consecutive defeats away to an excellent Southampton side and then at home to Palace, who we outplayed and really should have beaten. Yes, the suggestion of a backlash is understandable, but Steve Bruce has instilled a very positive and together mindset in the squad and they are visibly growing into the idea that, despite being seen as having a weak squad on paper, they can actually match supposedly stronger teams by working hard and being super-disciplined when it comes to keeping their shape and following the manager's instructions.
Incidentally, what are your thoughts on Steven Gerrard? Apart from his excellent free kick goal at our place, I was quite disappointed with his all round game. Has he finally lost his edge? Actually, "disappointed" is the wrong word; he was largely ineffective in my opinion, which suited me just fine.
When we have possession he is a great asset. His ability on the ball is still second to none and his set-piece delivery (free-kicks, not corners) are superb too. However, his legs aren't what they were and we have played much better since he got injured mainly because of the energy and work rate that Henderson, Lucas and Allen provide as a trio. Our game is about pressing the ball as quickly as possible when not in possession, put Gerrard in the side for any one of those three and that tactics becomes very difficult to operate. I love Gerrard and he is by far and away the greatest player I have witnessed playing for Liverpool but it is time for him to be eased out and become a squad player like Fergie did with Giggs and Scholes. However, we also need the players to be able to do it, I'm not convinced the trio I highlighted are the long term answer.
Right. That's kind of what I was thinking. From what I've seen of him, he just doesn't seem able to exert the same drive any more, although he is obviously still an excellent passer of the ball, with great vision. he must be worth a place on the bench though, as someone to bring on when a little something extra is required?
That's what I'd prefer to see but BR will bring in back in once fit IMO. Its another bug bare of mine; captains automatically play! If he is to play, I'd prefer to see him pushed further forward, either on the right or in the hole. Only problem with the latter is where does Coutinho play if Suarez and Suarez are on the pitch (meaning its a 4312 system). Maybe he could play in the hole in a 4231 but the two would have to be Lucas and Henderson IMO. He will suit the England set up though as there is no way Roy will want is team to press the ball.
He's not that far down the pecking order I take it you didn't hear what I said about the captaincy either Anyway, its late. Been a good chat pal, hopefully we'll see you in the match thread through the week etc. Goodnight pal
yeah i am sure Clarkey is sat at home thinking the exact same thing lol, come on seriously evens itself out. as already pointed out to you we had a good run of results scoring quite a few goals, nothing wrong with having confidence in our team, also this fixture is on home ground not away, i gave you credit on the previous meeting and feared the worst as you will be playing for or trying to get as many points as you can from home games and anything away from home a bonus. see arrogance in that fair enough, i will quite while i am ahead, pointless. also Eto should have gone in the FIRST minute, you know as well as i do its a dif game then, may have even helped Chelsea more who knows, trouble is we got no favours or had any chance at all did we. we got shafted against City and same against Chelsea, everyone can see this, evens its self out, well we will see, big dif being top of league and 5th, especially attracting players when we have teams above us with stupid money to spend rely on bent officiating.
You lot make Lawro look like a footballing genius ffs It's not hard to see why you're seen as being totally deluded
is this what constitutes as wumming now days ffs. have to see if i can lose my internet connection for a couple of weeks, obviously seems to help.
I did mention the early Eto'o challenge. I hear what ya say about it being a different game from then on though. The result may well have been different. As a supporter of a Small Club, I do find it amusing when I read a supporter of a Big Club like yours going on about refereeing decisions, though. Maybe it takes an outsider to see the irony? Supporters of teams outside the Big Ones are constantly going on about how referees favour those Big Clubs, yet here you are suggesting that poor little Liverpool suffer because there's a bias towards the likes of Chelsea? Honestly, I'm not spoiling for a scrap here, but you need to get real! FWIW - I don't think refs are bent, although I do think they sometimes make decisions in favour of Big Clubs without even realising it. There's definitely some kind of subconscious deference at play.
