All systems are go

[checkpoint]

Benitez is a great tactician. No doubt. We've seen that time and time again. But is the tactics deployed depending too much on who's actually playing?

I mean, it's a bit sad to say, but if I was to come up with teams that seem to have a good basic tactic which seem to work wonders regardless of who plays, it must be Man U (*barf*) and the arse.

They seem to play football the same way wether it's Aliadiere or Henry up front, or Fletcher or Ronaldo on the wing.

Is there a "Liverpool Way" still, or is Benitez willing to change our game depending on who we meet and (again) who's playing?

I mean, we're beating Barca away in europe and loosing to Blackburn (who lost to WH today by the way) in the premiership.

Don't get me wrong here, I'm as pro Benitez as they come, but does he have a bit left to learn to get us really going in the premiership?

Please be gentle with me....

[Rashid]

Manchester United have one of the worst teams ever to win the league but will win it due to a few extremely talented attacking players. Until we get top drawer attackers then we won't win the league.

[checkpoint]

Manchester United have one of the worst teams ever to win the league but will win it due to a few extremely talented attacking players. Until we get top drawer attackers then we won't win the league.

But is it only due to the supposed 'greatness' of Ronaldo/Rooney that they are top?

I've been saying all season that 2-3 injuries for them and they'd buckle. I mean, there's clearly a certain way they play football, and I totally agree with you regarding team quality.

But on the other hand, doesn't that underline my point regarding a certain style of play and tactics, which sadly seems to work, when that compensates that much for the lack of obvious world class players?

[Rashid]

But is it only due to the supposed 'greatness' of Ronaldo/Rooney that they are top?

I've been saying all season that 2-3 injuries for them and they'd buckle. I mean, there's clearly a certain way they play football, and I totally agree with you regarding team quality.

But on the other hand, doesn't that underline my point regarding a certain style of play and tactics, which sadly seems to work, when that compensates that much for the lack of obvious world class players?

They have been ravaged with unjuries lately but still beat teams by 4 and 5. Ronaldo has set up about 20 and scored 17!! That's more than our midfield combined....

[checkpoint]

They have been ravaged with unjuries lately but still beat teams by 4 and 5. Ronaldo has set up about 20 and scored 17!! That's more than our midfield combined....

Yes, I see that Ronaldo has been huge this year (world class if you want), but WHY is he that good?

Sorry to almost turn this into a pro-scum tread, but it has taken more than the skills of Ronaldo to keep that team running THAT good for SO long this season.

I remember Ronaldo's first seasons and the 'riverdance' appearances he had. It seems like he's more part of the system they have now then before.

So. Would they be where they are now (or there about) without him or do you mean that the scum is a 'one man team'?

[dww]

The thing is that we have to change tactics because we don't have (and until now have not been able to afford) really top attacking talents. The more likely you are to score the less you have to alter your team tactically or personel wise to counter the opposition. It has taken Fergusson several years to develop the team he has now (which contrary to the belief of some on here full of good players who are well adapted to the style of football they play) and he has had the finances to go out and buy top players. Rafa deserves the opportunity to do the same.

Man United have played well (and surprised me) even without many of their top players at times this season. They have also altered their tactics subtley but frequently in central midfield and in terms of how theit wingers and full backs play.

They have been a bit lucky in that Chelsea are only 6 points behind them despite loosing two of their key players (Cech and Terry) for large parts of the season. However to a large extent you make your own luck. They have managed their squad, which looked lacking in depth at the start of the season, very well.

[Marky]

Benitez is a great tactician. No doubt. We've seen that time and time again. But is the tactics deployed depending too much on who's actually playing?

I mean, it's a bit sad to say, but if I was to come up with teams that seem to have a good basic tactic which seem to work wonders regardless of who plays, it must be Man U (*barf*) and the arse.

They seem to play football the same way wether it's Aliadiere or Henry up front, or Fletcher or Ronaldo on the wing.

Is there a "Liverpool Way" still, or is Benitez willing to change our game depending on who we meet and (again) who's playing?

I mean, we're beating Barca away in europe and loosing to Blackburn (who lost to WH today by the way) in the premiership.

Don't get me wrong here, I'm as pro Benitez as they come, but does he have a bit left to learn to get us really going in the premiership?

Please be gentle with me....

First of all a thread on this topic already exists in the forums.
Secondly, if Rafa isn't the man, who the hell is

[checkpoint]

Man United have played well (and surprised me) even without many of their top players at times this season. They have also altered their tactics subtley but frequently in central midfield and in terms of how theit wingers and full backs play.

Well, I agree on the first point there, but does the style of play that they play differ that much from match to match? I agree totally regarding building a team, Benitez is due at least 5 years of that before he gets any stick from me.

I guess my main point is, is there still a 'Liverpool way' or is the way depending on who we're playing, who we're fielding and in what competition?

A friend of mine said that we should get Benitez to take care of our home PL games and any european games and hire someone to take care of our away games in the PL. Just a funny idea, I know

[checkpoint]

First of all a thread on this topic already exists in the forums.
Secondly, if Rafa isn't the man, who the hell is

Sorry for the duplicate, didn't know

This is not a anti Benitez thread. Rafa IS the man!

I just wonder if 3 or 4 of our players get injured, is the system that the players relate to THAT concrete that it doesn't f*ck up the way we are supposed to play?

It just seems like the top team now does well even without some of their 'top' players AND they seem to play the same way.

Maybe Rafa is TOO smart and taking too many things into consideration? Wow, that ALMOST sounded like a critical remark

[dww]

Well, I agree on the first point there, but does the style of play that they play differ that much from match to match? I agree totally regarding building a team, Benitez is due at least 5 years of that before he gets any stick from me.

I guess my main point is, is there still a 'Liverpool way' or is the way depending on who we're playing, who we're fielding and in what competition?

A friend of mine said that we should get Benitez to take care of our home PL games and any european games and hire someone to take care of our away games in the PL. Just a funny idea, I know

I think that we have established a style, physical and possession based in the PL. Look at the recent games we have lost at Man United and Arsenal we have had loads of the ball. The trouble is we are missing the couple of players that can really scare the opposition or carve out chances when the defence is packed against us.

We have a formation we stick to most of the time and I don't see that much difference between the way we change our team and the way Man United do in terms of use of width or picking a more defensive or ball playing central midfield partnership depending on the opposition. The real difference is that they have Rooney, Ronaldo and Giggs who can do several different attackin roles without them having to change personnel.

I would also argue that they failed to adapt their team to confront us at Anfield and only our poor finishing and slight lack of penetration prevented them from being badly beaten. They were also very lucky against Fulham.

I think we have a defined style but part of that is to be more tactical than the other sides. We are a more thoughtful team and lack a bit of flair and pace at present, but I think that Rafa will correct that in the Summer given the money.

[checkpoint]

I think that we have established a style, physical and possession based in the PL. Look at the recent games we have lost at Man United and Arsenal we have had loads of the ball. The trouble is we are missing the couple of players that can really scare the opposition or carve out chances when the defence is packed against us.

We have a formation we stick to most of the time and I don't see that much difference between the way we change our team and the way Man United do in terms of use of width or picking a more defensive or ball playing central midfield partnership depending on the opposition. The real difference is that they have Rooney, Ronaldo and Giggs who can do several different attackin roles without them having to change personnel.

I would also argue that they failed to adapt their team to confront us at Anfield and only our poor finishing and slight lack of penetration prevented them from being badly beaten. They were also very lucky against Fulham.

I think we have a defined style but part of that is to be more tactical than the other sides. We are a more thoughtful team and lack a bit of flair and pace at present, but I think that Rafa will correct that in the Summer given the money.

You make some good points there mate.

I can see that a better attacking force would have seen off some of the stalemate opposition this season, BUT it's just that it's in this area we've spent most money lately. Kuyt will come good though.

I'm confident that we'll get some more heavy guns in this summer and hopefully this would solve the lack of firepower up front (or the supply to them).

Maybe with them it will become more clear what kind of style we want and can play to get THAT trophy back.

Oh, well. Maybe it's my tactical knowledge that's lacking

[dww]

I can see that a better attacking force would have seen off some of the stalemate opposition this season, BUT it's just that it's in this area we've spent most money lately. Kuyt will come good though.

I wouldn't worry to much about your tactical knowledge, no one here is Rafa level At least you are willing and capable of having a reasoned discussion.

I seem to be almost alone in this but I think that our forwards are probably good enough. It is in attacking midfield we lack, particularly in terms of pace (well more specifically the ability to take the ball and do things at pace) and to make delicate balls.

Gerrard last season did some of this excellently from the right. The way that Rafa seems to like the team to be set up though it is much harder to do from a central position. Yet, this season Gerrard seems to have made the decision to adapt his game to play centrally no matter what (early in the seaosn when he was regularly on the right he was much less efective than last year and was permanently drifting into the centre).

I agree we have spent money in this area but £7m on pennant and £2m on Gonzalez is nothing compared to the money needed to get players on the Rooney, Ronaldo, Robben class.

[checkpoint]

I seem to be almost alone in this but I think that our forwards are probably good enough. It is in attacking midfield we lack, particularly in terms of pace (well more specifically the ability to take the ball and do things at pace) and to make delicate balls.

Partially agreed. I've seen games this year where the lads up front should have put it away more than a dozen times, but that we would have benfited from having a Ronaldo/Lennon/Robben type of player is beyond any doubt.

I was actually hoping that Gonzalez WAS that kind of a player, but it seems like he's not that 'speedy' after all

Let's clone Highway and Rush and it's all set for the 19th in the month of may
2008. A 'Barnes' would also be welcome.

[REDSCOUSER]

Only thing RAFA has to learn is how to beat the other big 3 consistently, his record against them is dreadful, otherwise he is the man to lead us to #19

[bazza76]

The Liverpool way under Rafa, is wining by whatever means possible, and exploring the best avenues that show our opponents weaknesses while based on a solid defence. It could be short quick passing, long ball, wing play, shoting from distance.