Team Passing

[TartanTerror]

Was it just me or was the display today the best of the season? On average the passing was crisp, decisive, and the lads seem to know where each other would be. Certainly this was more so in the second half. They also seemed to move very well off the ball today, in fact, I thought the team looked very "fast" overall. . . . or is it just the fact that I was hungover and my eyes would have struggled to keep up with a rampaging tortoise

[NICKZS]

No, it's not just you. Today we looked like a team worthy of a "championship-contender" status and, although we still need to put more of our chances away, actually provided Anfield with a bit of footballing entertainment in the second half.

Which was nice.

[Red_Al_77]

I think the 2nd half was up there with the first half against Villa at home and the 2nd half against Spurs at home. The passing has definitely improved though since and including the Charlton game.

[Flake]

Today I thought we we're more and more starting to resemble Rafa's Valencia.

I still think the dizzy heights of some of their displays are a long way off, and I'm not suggesting that one second half performance against a negative Bolton makes us the finished article;
however for the sheer pace and consistency of pressure throughout the game, added to, as you say, the crispness of the passing, made us resemble the Valencia who just dragged our defence around and around with crisp passing around the box, until an opening presented itself.
This is a very clear difference and improvement from the Liverpool who snatched at chances, pulling the trigger too late or too quick, because now it seems the know how to hold onto possession, and engineer an opportunity, at least for some periods of the game.

If we get to a point where we can do this consistently for 90 minutes, with the same level of energy, and willingness to be patient until the the other team presents the opportunity, we will be unstoppable.

All in all, feeling very positive today, not specifically with todays performance, but the direction recent performances are taing us, and the leap in understanding that is occurring between the players.

[AFII]

I wonder if Sissoko will get his place back? Before the injury he started more or less every game but do we really need him to start every game?

I don't think so. I would keep Alonso and Stevie in the middle. Momo is great at what he is doing but does that really make the team better?

Once again, I don't think so. In some games we may need him to change the game but Momo isn't a starting XI player as long as Gerrard or Alonso isn't injured, tired or suspended IMO.

[Flake]

I wonder if Sissoko will get his place back? Before the injury he started more or less every game but do we really need him to start every game?

I don't think so. I would keep Alonso and Stevie in the middle. Momo is great at what he is doing but does that really make the team better?

Once again, I don't think so. In some games we may need him to change the game but Momo isn't a starting XI player as long as Gerrard or Alonso isn't injured, tired or suspended IMO.

I see what you're getting at, and I figure this is the toughest choice being presented by the football we've been playing.

However, I can see some games were we will play 4-2-3-1, with gerrard advanced in the middle, and others were Stevie will be wide right.

As he becomes cleverer as a player, he might use the free role, which starts on the right, more appropriately. After all Zidane was a nominal left winger, didn't mean he couldn't run the game.

I personally think the whole strict role thing people talk about with Gerrard is in fact complete horse****. It might play on Stevie's mind, but I've seen him be just as effective out wide as in the centre. I've also seen him go missing in games both in the center and out wide....

Momo brings a certain energy to our play, and as he grows as a player I think we'll find ourselves with a midfield three who play as much as possible, and an attacking three that varie depending on the amount of energy they have.

If we continue to improve our understanding as shown in recent games, and with a fit Kewell returning, it'd be pretty difficult to deny a liverpool side that consists of a back five who are showing themselves to be the most miserly in the prem, a midfield trio of Alonso, Momo, and Stevie,

And an attacking trio of any three from pennant, kewell, gonzalez, crouch, bellamy, kuyt, fowler, garcia...
of course there'll be games Momo won;t play, and some were stevie doesn't...

but its a nice problem to have eh?

[Morph]

depends on formation imo AFII

[andyinswinton]

I thought the passing was a lot better in the final third of the field.

Sometimes, I think we lose our way when we get on the edge of the oppositions box. Today, we appeared to be a lot more decisive.

It was a good performance all round today. Hopefully it will continue throughout 2007.

[Aus_LFC]

I thought we had a high tempo for the whole game, the passing was mostly crisp and fast, the play was better, but the determination and heart of the players was brilliant. They knew it was going to be physical and pushed Bolton from the first whistle to let them know who was really boss.

If they can maintain this form through the next hell run for us (Arse X2, Chelsea and Barcelona) we should have a nice swag of wins over the next month or so !

YNWA.

[kopdan]

I think Kuyt deserves a lot of praise especially in his lay off passing. The play seems to tick over nicely when he is on the ball.

[alunevans]

I think the 2nd half was up there with the first half against Villa at home and the 2nd half against Spurs at home. The passing has definitely improved though since and including the Charlton game.

i thought we were too slow shifting the ball in the first half but the second half was good yes. so i agree with you.

[alunevans]

Also, aren't Bolton the ugliest team in the league. Time wasting and big wellies. And diving. And elbows. Its sad that its been so effective for them.

[thesilverfoxlfc]

Very impressed with the passing moves shown today. It was the best id seen for a long time. I hope they can keep it up and use it more consistently

[Big-Red-Ed]

I think Kuyt deserves a lot of praise especially in his lay off passing. The play seems to tick over nicely when he is on the ball.

I agree. Kuyt's enthusiasm, movement and eye for a pass are an absolute delight to see.

[tomasjj]

I was critical to Kuyt a week ago, but yesterday his overall play was tops.