I think Oliver Holt is the best of the lot.
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**** OFF HICKS AND GILLETT WE DON'T WANT YOU. -
What a joke. The player at fault for the goal we scored. And throughout ALL those articles, the only appreciative mention of Sissoko is:Originally posted by AFII View Post
"Good displays could be found all over, from Riise to Dirk Kuyt, Jamie Carragher to Momo Sissoko."
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It was Arbeloa who completly lost his position and allowed Deco a free header.Originally posted by dmulla View PostJust believe and you never know what will happen.
According to Benitez it's important not simply to go out to win but to go out prepared to win, which means players have to put in the same level of work on a daily basis. Anything else is unacceptable.
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No Risse should of been tracking his runner and allowed Deco a free header. Arbeloa should of opened his body up to see what was going on behind him but JAR was at fault for the 1st goal along with Gerrard who should of stopped Zambrotta getting the cross in.Originally posted by AFII View Post**** OFF HICKS AND GILLETT WE DON'T WANT YOU.Comment
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Could blame Riise too for not tracking backOriginally posted by AFII View Post
In Rafa I Trust
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I blamed ARbeola in another thread, but watching it again, Riise is the one who should have tracked Decos run from midfield. But also, Arbeola should have checked behind him...although that is not easyOriginally posted by Pacman View Post--== Because the gang and the government is no different ==--Comment
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the fault should first and foremost be Gerrards, and then Arbeloa and then Riise. gerrard messed up big time allowing the ball to be crossed...Originally posted by AFII View Post"I have decided to escape, to defy the shogun. Today I will begin walking the road to hell. But you will choose your own path. So, soon you may be seeing heaven. Choose the sword, and you will join me. Choose the ball and you join your mother, in death. You don’t understand my words, but you must choose. So… come boy, choose life or death."
"You would've been happier if you'd chosen to join your mother in her world. " - Ogami IttoComment
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Oh **** whose fault it was! I don't care!
Thanks very much for being ‘This Mornings’ Farmer’Comment
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Expect better of Ollie Holt.
It was like something you'd read in a red top.
Though some may suggest that The Times now belongs in the same category.I hate PolanskiComment
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Is this Liverpool's best ever European result?
Bellamy vindicates Benitez's faith
Liverpool have Rafa Benitez to thank for their win at the Nou Camp, writes Tim Wigmore - for his modesty as much as his tactics.
Benitez established a reputation as a sagacious tactician in leading Liverpool to the 2005 Champions League final, and then transforming a game seemingly irrevocably lost in the final. And this wonderful victory will rank highly in the pantheon of Liverpool’s European nights.
Benitez achieved much success at the Nou Camp with former club Valencia, winning two and drawing one of three meetings. Clearly, he has mastered a tactic for away encounters there; this chiefly involves playing on the counter-attack and nullifying the space given to key men like Ronaldinho. The Brazilian genius was reduced to a peripheral figure against Liverpool; and this was largely Benitez’s work.
The Spaniard is renound for being one of the world’s most erudite and meticulous coaches, earning him the tag of “the loner with the laptop”. Not that Benitez will care: he has more pressing concerns – principally, winning football matches.
To many, it would seem ludicrous in the extreme to assign a debutant left-back the less-than-auspicious task of marking Ronaldinho while simultaneously playing the regular fullback out of position further forward. Benitez, however, had doubtless long since been considering this, and had the courage to stick with his instincts. Of course, Alvaro Arbeloa, succeeded in marginalising Ronaldinho for former club Deportivo La Coruna en route to a 1-1 draw in November. Arbeloa had the better of the Brazilian again - Ronaldinho was unable to exert his authority on the game; and Benitez’s bold tinkering was stunningly vindicated. However, he fared less well against Lionel Messi.
Equally surprisingly, Benitez opted to line up with two strikers - Craig Bellamy alongside the dynamic and industrious Dirk Kuyt. Yet, in selecting Bellamy, he displayed remarkable detachment: while Bellamy certainly wronged (though to what extent, it is unclear), Benitez did not force himself to change his original plans out of simple necessity to punish the Welshman’s misdemeanour.
Indeed, Barcelona manager Frank Rijkaard foreshadowed his opposite number’s actions when, asked before the game if the training camp controversies Liverpool have been engulfed in would have an adverse effect on the side, said “if those players involved can't play the game, it is more difficult to show a reaction of strength”. Men more egotistical and less phlegmatic than Benitez would have stubbornly opted for a policy of ‘zero tolerance’ – but he is too shrewd to sabotage his own team’s preparations and was stunningly vindicated as both Bellamy and the man he is alleged to have attacked with a golf club, John Arne Riise, scored.
The team as a whole displayed remarkable resilience upon going behind; in the second half, they retained their defensive shape but sensed Barca’s anxiety and, accordingly, showed more attacking ambition.
Bellamy’s infuriating gifts have been neatly encapsulated over the past week: a fusion of off-field irresponsibility and sporadic on-field brilliance. This – a decisive performance away to the European champions - was undoubtedly the pinnacle of his career to date and it would have been all the more enjoyable for the lazy pre-match tabloid speculation that he had played his final game for Liverpool.
As it transpired, he had an outstanding game, offering creativity as well as tremendous running and commitment. Immediately upon arriving at Anfield, critics seemingly oblivious to his phenomenal late-season endeavours for Blackburn believed him lacking the attributes to thrive at Anfield. He started uncharacteristically timidly; but a goal against his former side induced confidence and improved form.
This was his ninth strike of the season – a very respectable tally considering he has been in-and-of the side and utilised in different positions. Bellamy is loathed by many but is clearly determined and his gifts – vibrancy, versatility and single-mindedness – are deserving of a club of Liverpool’s stature.
And now? Bellamy must apologise, accept any punishment, make sure this discretion is his last and rekindle his form of a year ago. Then he can join his manager in reflecting on a truly outstanding result.
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Riise and Arbeloa should never have had to deal with the cross. If the cross was stopped, there never would have been an issue....Comment
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The chicken did it. The egg is totally blameless.Remember, we're only adding to the nonsense.
Walking a lonely road one night, Nasruddin saw riders approaching. His imagination ran riot: he saw himself robbed or killed, so he climbed a wall into a graveyard and hid. Puzzled at his behaviour, the riders, who were followers of the Mullah, followed. Finding him cowering behind a grave, they asked "Great Sage, why are you hiding here?". "It's more complicated than you think" he replied, "I'm here because of you - and you're here because of me"Comment
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