BBF I was just asking KPR to explain his logic, it wasn't a dig at your team. I hope he will answer it without using one of his unfalsifiable statements like 'Kenny has the charisma that most managers don't have' in order to get around it, its not vey likely though.
Robin When I mention Kenny's charisma,I was refering to the way he gets players to think the way he does.Thats how he signs players.I wasn't refering to systems. Secondly Swarbs,Rafa didn't build a team around Alonso,Alonso was key to how the system worked effectively,but the team itself was built around Gerrard.
No, what i was asking you to explain was your statement that if you bought 5 world class players then you would challenge for the title. Does that not apply for any team above 7th place?
Robin. It depends on what they have to start with.Liverpool already have a nucleus of top players,they need additions.Flair to go with the substance they already have.Liverpool have plenty of substance not enough style.Arsenal have loads of style,not enough substance. To be honest,If Arsenal signed possibly 4 players with real brute strength to go with their obvious style.I reckon nobody would be able to touch them. But then again I'm not the Arsenal manager.
Ok fair enough thanks for answering my question. However I disagree that you have enough substance, I think you need another CB as Carragher is getting on a bit and Skrtel is not a top CB in my opinion. Other than that I would agree with it though.
Maybe it's time the Premier League was reduced. How about relegating the bottom twelve teams? We'd win it at a canter then. Man City went the way of Chelsea and United, as the reds produced a brilliant display to easily see off Roberto Mancini's expensively assembled side. A little over a week ago we were outplayed by West Brom. So annoying. This was an outstanding performance, probably our best of the season. We were comfortable at the back, relentless in midfield and dangerous up front. Every part of the team functioned well and City were comprehensively outplayed. Andy Carroll got off the mark in spectacular style with two great goals, Suarez was always a danger and Kuyt just terrorised their defenders with his non-stop chasing and harrying. He didn't give them a second's peace, it was a collossal performance from Dirk. Spearing and Lucas followed Kuyt's lead, closing down and snapping at people's heels all night, and how good was young Jon Flanagan? The biggest compliment I can pay him is that this was the kind of performance he puts in at every week, be it for the under 18s or the reserves. He stepped up to the top level and just played his usual game. Kenny clearly had faith in the lad, but now he knows for certain he can count on him. You can never be 100% sure a youngster will be able to make the step up until they are given the opportunity, but I wrote some time ago that of all the players coming through Flanagan was the one I had the most confidence in because nothing fazes him. I spoke to someone close to him who described him as 'a machine', and I'm not going to argue with that. He just churns out solid performances week in week out, and now he's shown he can carry that into the senior side. The presence of Carra next to him obviously helped him settle, and it must have been a proud moment for Carra too as he's known Flanagan since he was a kid (John's uncle is Carra's business partner), and even coached him at the Academy when he was doing his UEFA badges. With Johnson and Kelly also in the ranks we're well stocked at right back. Shame we don't have that kind of depth on the other flank. If Aurelio wasn't made of papier mache then we'd be fine. The Brazilian returned from his latest injury to put in atypically assured, classy performance, but it's inevitable that he'll break down again before the season is out. Very sad, as he's a terrific footballer. I'm sure in the coming weeks we'll see Jack Robinson given his opportunity to show he can emulate his pal 'Flano' and show that Kenny can count on him for next season if need be. There are a lot of gaps that need filling in the squad, but if some of the young players can do that then it means whatever funds are available for Kenny (and I'm assuming it will be Kenny as there's no logical reason for it not to be) can be used to get a few top quality players to go straight into the side. If we don't need to fill gaps in the squad that will save us a small fortune, and when you look at the impact people like Spearing, Kelly and now Flanagan have had, then why wouldn't you look to see if more of the young players can step up? There's more where they came from. It's the polar opposite to what City are doing. A few years back, City had arguably the best youth set up in the country. Now they'd rather stockpile overpriced, overpaid, over-rated ****e, and you have to say that for what they have spent they have got very little. Both teams lined up in what was for the most part 4-3-3 formations, or variations of it. City's midfield consisted of Yaya Toure, Gareth Barry and James Milner. Ours was Lucas, Meireles and Spearing. A massive difference in terms of cost, and there was a massive difference in terms of impact on the game too. Not in the way City would expect though. Toure is reportedly the highest paid player in the world, but he was outperformed by Lucas. Barry is an established England international, but Spearing was much more impressive. In fairness Milner was probably City's best player before he was subbed by the clueless Mancini, but City were second best all over the pitch. The loss of Tevez clearly hurt them, but I'm sorry, if you've spent the kind of money they have then they should be able to cope with the loss of any player. Tevez picked up an injury in the build up to our opening goal. He went for a loose ball with Carroll, and seemed to tweak his hamstring. The ball broke to Meireles, and his overly ambitious shot was blocked by a defender and landed at the feet of Carroll. One swing of his left leg later he was celebrating his first goal for the club, and I was celebrating the ã35 I was going to pocket later for backing him to get the first goal. We should have already been in front at that stage, but Suarez saw his shot tipped onto the post brilliantly by Joe Hart after Carroll had sent him clear with a superb first time pass. We'd started the game really well, playing at a very high tempo and although it was a Premiership game it kind of reminded me of a Champions League night. The high tempo start, the way we were closing them down and moving the ball swiftly, it was exhilarating stuff. It's difficult to single out any individual player for that, as it was a collective effort. The midfield and forwards pressed City in their own half, we closed them down and didn't give them any time to play, and the back four dealt comfortably with whatever was thrown at them. It's quite rare that you get these performances where every single player is on top of his game and there are no weak links, but this was one of those games. I can't fault anybody. The second goal was a microcosm of what we did in this game. City just couldn't get the ball away as we swarmed all over every loose ball. The attack appeared to have broken down at least three times, but each time it was a red shirt picking up the loose ball and putting it back into the danger area. They couldn't get the ball clear, and eventually Dirk put them out of their misery with a composed finished to make it 2-0. Within no time it was 3-0, as Carroll majestically flicked in Meireles searching diagonal cross. That was game over, City were not coming back from that as they simply don't have the collective team spirit and character to do it, and they don't have a manager capable of inspiring them. I was embarrassed for them watching that waster Balotelli. Vastly over-rated, and a huge gobshite to boot. If that's what having unlimited pots of cash gets you, I think I'd rather be skint. Well ok, I'd rather have the cash but not spend it on petulant, selfish little ****houses like him.
It was always going to be difficult for the second half to match the first, and it's fair to say it wasn't as spectacular. Having said that, we could and should have put the seal on the win by adding at least one more goal, as we continued to go forward and created several good openings. The only thing missing from the performance was the goal in the second half to put give it the coup de grace. Aside from that, this was just about perfect. City didn't give us any trouble, and a scorching 30 yard shot from Yaya Toure was just about the only thing Pepe had to do all night. At the other end, Carroll, Suarez, Kuyt (twice) and Meireles all had chances to add to our lead. The system we played suited us down to the ground. It appeared to be 4-3-3 when we attacked, with Dirk tucking back in when necessary to make it 4-4-2 when we defended. It's difficult to pigeon hole what we did, as it was very fluid and flexible. Meireles wasn't exactly left wing, as Suarez often went to that side which allowed Meirles to tuck in a bit, and he had his best game in a while. The movement of Suarez and Kuyt buzzing around Carroll was too much for City. Their left back is crap, but I imagine he cost a fortune. Lescott is crap, and I know he cost a fortune. Kompany is very good though, but he can't hold together a defence on his own. Our front three just gave them the runaround, but City won't be the only side to suffer from that. Suarez and Carroll will pose major problems for anybody, and whilst the same can't always be said of Kuyt, when he plays like this he's a major asset to us. The system helped him, but he's generally very good in these big games anyway. When we play the better sides, our game is all about getting on the front foot and getting in their faces. We play the game at a high tempo, and Dirk's constant pressuring and harrassment of defenders sets the tone for how we play. Put us up against a crap side who sit back and ask us to make the play and break them down, and he can be a liability unless he's playing up front. I guess what I'm saying is there should be a place for Dirk next season, but not every week. It's just really difficult to know what to make of us at the moment. We lose to relegation sides, we look great against the top four. We're excellent at home, we struggle away. Overall, things are looking promising because we have a front pair that looks like they could become the envy of everybody. That's a great starting point to build upon. I also think the best thing that could happen to us is to not be in Europe. When we have a full week to prepare for a game, we're generally very good. When we're coming off the back of a European game, or an international week, we're generally very disappointing. We had nine days to get ready for this, and look at the high tempo we played at. We had eight days to get ready for United, same thing. West Ham away after a European game? Garbage. West Brom away after an international break? Garbage. So if we miss out on Europe next season, I don't see it doing us any harm except for the loss of revenue. And if we do somehow end up in the Europa League again, **** it let's just rest everybody and play the kids. I'm fascinated now though to see what happens next weekend at Arsenal. We'll have a full week to get ourselves ready for it, and Carroll and Suarez will pose them serious problems if we can get them the ball. I don't see any reason to change the team either, let Flanagan have another run out and let's stick to the same system. This win over City has really lit a fire underneath the fanbase. People are buzzing, I am too, but at the same time there's a nagging thought in my head that we'll go and lose again to someone **** before the season is out. If we can cut that out and then add the right pieces in the summer, next season could be a hell of a ride. On the form we showed against City, no-one could live with us. We just have to find a way to produce that form more often, or at least something close to it. Star man could have been virtually any of the outfield players. In the end I narrowed it down to Carroll, Spearing, Kuyt and Flanagan, and I'm going to give it to 'Flano' as he was thrown in at the deep end. It's not like he's had some League Cup or Europa League games to get his feet wet, this was sink or swim and he was like Duncan Goodhew with hair and a scouse accent. Team: Reina; Flanagan, Carragher, Skrtel, Aurelio; Spearing, Lucas, Meireles; Kuyt, Carroll (Ngog), Suarez:
For me, Kenny was a good manager at an already successful club and football has changed so much since then that it is obvious he has to prove himself all over again, as Hitler could tell you if he was alive, Force of will is not enough to win, there needs to be the right plan. You can have the best staff you want but if the plan and preparation are falling short then so will everything fall short. Kenny has to prove himself imo. He has done a decent job considering what he walked into so I think he has earned the right to go on,we should have beaten City 6 0, the forward movement has been so much better on the whole since roy\nando left, he was too static as were chelsea's attack last night, all standing still and 30 yards from each other. Liverpool need to be a little more ruthless in ront of goal
BBF. Why is it on here that people are able to pin point Liverpools flaws(Which are glaringly obvious),but aren't quick to comment on other teams flaws.Yes even Man United and Arsenal have flaws. Okay if it makes Swarbs feel better.Liverpool are a top 6 team that will never amount to anything other than top 6.And Kenny hasn't a clue what he's doing even though he's been in the game for over 40 years and was taught by the best.
Why do you keep talking about me when I'm not even in the debate? At first it was flattering, but now it's getting pretty disturbing...
Swarbs, did you make those points yes or no. You have no evidence to back it up,that Liverpool will be nothing more than a top 6 side. Now if you're so clever,point out the obvious flaws in the other members of the top 6.Guess what,they have flaws.I pointed them out before,so it shouldn't be that hard.Oops I forgot in Skankville.Only Liverpool have flaws.
No. I never made those points. I have consistently said Liverpool have the revenue, fan base and history to get back into the top four and mount a challenge for the title in the future, and that Dalglish is a good manager, although not the best in the PL. What I did say was I think Liverpool won't find it easy to get back into the top four. This is because United, Arsenal and Chelsea are well entrenched, and Man City and Tottenham have similar or better financial resources to Liverpool at the current time, and will also be looking to improve in the near future. They also have the appeal of immediate European football to offer potential signings, assuming of course Liverpool don't make 5th place this season. I also don't think Dalglish is a good enough manager to take a club fron 7th place to 1st place within three years in the current PL, and without massive financial support. He did in in 95, but that was in a much less competitive league, where United were the only challengers. Even Mourinho inherited a team which had seven consecutive seasons in Europe, and he only really had to contend with Arsenal as a genuine title challenger, and had vast amounts of cash to spend on whoever he wanted. No matter how you spin them, these value restrictions that FSG are putting on Liverpool's signings is going to make it difficult for you to sign established and experienced stars.
Yet again you pointed out Liverpools flaws. Now point out,Arsenals,Man Uniteds,Citys,Chelsea's and Spurs flaws,Yes they have flaws.I'm not blinkered enough to see that they too have flaws. The only restriction FSG have put is ''age' not ''value''.You won't see FSG forking out ã30+ million on a 27 year old with little or no re-sale value.Theres not a thing wrong with that.Theres a difference between ''established'' and ''over the hill''. They said they are prepared to spend big but there is an age limit when it comes to spending big.Didn't Ferguson say that in future he won't make big money signings over the age of 26?
Neither am I. In my opinion, Arsenal are lacking leaders and mental resilience, as well as being very reliant on Fabregas. United have aging players and are lacking top class creative players in the middle of the park. City have too many mercenaries and players who don't rise to the occasion or play for the team. Chelsea spend too much effort trying to buy all the best players without considering if they will fit their team and aren't bringing their young players through. Spurs are a decent side but inconsistent and without top class strikers. But, in my opinion, Liverpool's current flaws are at least as great as any of those five clubs. There's nothing wrong with it, and in the long run it will be more sustainable than Chelsea and City's approach. But it is going to delay the process of getting to the top. Carrick, Hargreaves and Berbatov weren't great value, but they have all played critical roles in our recent success - Carrick was the difference between second place in 2006 and 1st place in 2007, Hargreaves made a massive contribution to the double in 2008, and Berbatov is the PL's top scorer this season despite being our third choice striker. United have very rarely been a club that cares about the resale value of its players, only their contribution to the team. As a result, we have been the most successful English club over the past few years. Compare the success of United and Chelsea to that of Arsenal, and you see the restrictions that can come from having to sign players based on value. SAF never said he wouldn't sign any player over 26. That was reported as being the Glazer's policy in 2009, but only by one of the tabloids, and it was never confirmed by the club. None of the papers linking us with de Rossi and Sneijder, who will both be 27 in the summer, have mentioned it, so I assume they don't give it much credit.
Swarbs and KPR You pair can predict all ye want, what you cant predict is some rich fooker suddenly deciding to buy a club in the premiership and injecting cash into it. Business will out fox UEFA as tey do the regulators and governments, make no mistake, this affects clubs with less financial flexibility to move cash around. City will no doubt get some Madsive Etihad massive sponsorship deal, their first calss flights are like 15k btw I tihnk, and they will be in the green. Some rich loser could decide he wants to buy out the glaziers, he makes an offer they cant refuse, pre arranges with business associates sponsorship deals to instantly increase revenue and hey presto he can dump in cash and avoid breaking UEFAs rules and spend 100m on players every season. So who will be the best team in 3 years, you could nearly always predict that in the past but now it could be blackpool if the right zillionaire took them over. Last year your arguments would have had a very different hue with Liverpools troubles, in steps Henry Co ande it is a very different argument, and could be a very different argument 6 months later. The only thing I can be sure of right now at this particular moment is that I have never seen two people in one schizophrenic argue with each other so much
Swarbs. Wasn't there a strong report that Ferguson decided against putting in a bid for Franck Ribery in 2009 because he was 26?
