I didn't get to see the match live so am watching a rerun on Liverpool tv and am mighty impressed with how fit Andy Carrol looks.He seems to have really taken his pre season seriously (and so he should you all say) and looks the leanest I have seen him.Reacted well to score the 1st goal too.Think he is gonna score a hatful for us this season.You forget he is only 22. As for the others Downing looks good,henderson and Adam solid.The back 4 look good too (at last) aqualani looks a little lost in his more advanced position. But the guy who has impressed me most is little Jay Spearing..he is everywhere and I love the way he is marshalling those around him!!Even when he gives the ball away he gets back and wins the ball.He reminds me so much of Sammy Lee the way he covers the ground and seems to pop up all over the place.Good on him.Before kenny came I would have said he was Championship quality but KK and Steve Clarke have bought him on leaps and bounds. The team play as a whole looks very good and there seems to be more pace through the whole side (Carragher excepted of course).With Suarez,Gerrard,Mereiles.Skrtel to come back its looking good for this coming season. It's a long time since I was looking forward to a new season..lets hope its not a let down .
One other thing..if Kennys choice was between Downing and Mata,on this showing thank god we got Downing!! mInd you if Mata wants to come he would be very welcome.
Looking forward to the new season now! All the players are match fit now and I believe that they will gel and we will do well this season. I also believe Carroll will get goals this season because he will get the support he needs to score goals.
Don't forget this is just phase one of John Henrys master plan for a sustained period of Liverpool domination. Its on its way, the title is coming home eventually although it will take a bit of time, and the first one is the hardest to win, but as soon as it arrives,then they will come in their droves.The red machine is almost at full effect.Watch out Fergie,we're coming to get you.
Carroll was brilliant today (bar that tackle). He made several runs, even down the channels. Just needs to gamble for some Downing low crosses and tap ins sometimes and not always await the ball for a header. Lots of battling and looked fit, just add little Luis and we'll be set!
Into the 2nd half now and even with several changes we are moving the ball well (sorry if you have already seen the game) and Lucas, in a short time on the pitch, looks awesome.Even Joe Cole is putting a shift in.N'gog,despite having a good touch, never really convinces me that he is going to score.He needs to be meaner and use his physique more,he has enormous shoulders just needs to use them.
What I liked about Andy Carroll today was his persistence.He forced Albelda into that mistake and punished him for it,and when the initial shot didn't go in,he gambled and scored from a tight angle. I want to see more of that. It was very encouraging. He does look fitter and leaner than he has done for a while.
Couldn't agree more on Spearing, I remember the 1st time I watched him play was when I went to the Stadium of Light (the beach ball incident game) and he was in the starting 11, I thought to myself we are going to get run over here and we did. Now when he is in the starting 11 you can be assured it is a strong enough midfield with him in it.
I don't know if its just me, but I believe that Lucas has taken Jay Spearing under his wing and thats who he's learning from. Its Lucas under Kennys guidance thats improving him.
was at the match today and yeah spearing is really impressing. adam and downing fit the team perfectly. n'gog (as we know) needs good service else does nothing. carroll is looking promising but i just find three problems: - he never looks like he wants to head the ball in the middle of the park when it is passed up by reina or the defense - he has slow acceleration which means he struggles to dribble past anyone (more notable seeing he is following in Torres' footsteps) - he can sometimes appear a bit lazy- a few times today, the ball went down the flanks and he didnt run forward quick enough to provide an aerial threat in the box; once he even remained in central midfield with nobody in the box some of these wont be too much of a problem when suarez returns but i found them a bit frustrating watching today but fair play to him, he is putting the effort in
I suggest backing carroll e/w to be premier league top scorer - 22/1 available - have put a few quid on
thought that Carrol had ok game a bit reckless with that tackle He got a goal that will give him confidence but there were times that he did not fight for the ball Carrol will get goals but top scorer hmmmm
Intresting opinions on Andy. To my mind, he's one thing a target man. He's not there to run the channels, not there to hit the corners. His job is to hold the ball up, get on the end of crosses and bring others into the game. He's a throw back to a long forgotten era of big target men, scaring the ****e out of center halfs. The Valencia center half, was beaten as soon as he started moaning at the ref. Suarez and Carroll are as good as any partnership you'll see in the premiership next season.
Molby. As we all know centrebacks are bullies,thats their job to bully strikers. I'm not saying there is anything wrong with that. There is no harm in strikers bullying defenders. Andy Carroll bullies them. Maybe he could put more effort in challenging the defenders and getting on the end of chances created, because when he does, he will score goals. He needs to be told to be persistent, his persistence will be rewarded. His persistence yesterday was rewarded.
Surprised there hasn't been more talk about Alberto Costa, he's a really fine passer and has a fantastic shot. Had a good season at Valencia, scored one of the goals of the season (youtube it).
We need another central midfielder as much as we need Hicks and Gillett back. We're off-loading them...not signing them.
I think you need to concentrate on getting back into the top 4 first, which I think you may struggle to achieve this season.
Name me 4 teams that could finish ahead of us this season? I can only name three (Utd, City and Chelsea). 4th is for the taking out of Arsenal, Tottenham and Liverpool. And in my opinion, we have been playing the best football and more improvement then the others. I could even go as far as to say we may even snatch 3rd.
Return of the berb Read my post again,I did say its only phase one. There is more to come. You are entitled to your opinion,however its my opinion to disagree with it, in the same way that you may disagree with my opinion that I don't think Manchester United will win the premiership.The reason being they don't have a central midfield and an experienced premiership keeper.
