Workhorses or footballers?

[Shaggy]

Anyone notice anything about the teamsheet today? Out with the industrious workaholics, and in with the footballers.

The likes of Kuyt, Riise and Sissoko sacrificed for players far more comfortable with the ball at their feet - like Crouch, Aurelio and Mascherano. We had four ball players strung across the midfield, ball players in both full-back positions and ball players up front.

And what a difference it makes, huh?

At the moment, to me, this looks our strongest side. Gerrard in a free role and offering pace down the centre, and Gonzalez (much improved today) and Pennant (ever improving) offering pace from wide areas. Strength and solidity through the spine with one key, common attribute - comfort on the ball. Throw in a ball-playing centre-back in Agger, and we've got a team packed with ability.

Great team selection from Benitez today. I just hope he sticks with it. He won't, but I hope he does.

[Kopite_Colin]

Thank fook for that. AT last - someone else who thought Gonzo wasn't that bad today.

[Morph]

I agree, be better with Kewell at LW tho and the option of Garcia wherever Rafa chooses to play him. It's games like this that give us hope we can actually move forward next season, let's hope it isn't misguided.

[Dhav]

Anyone notice anything about the teamsheet today? Out with the industrious workaholics, and in with the footballers.

The likes of Kuyt, Riise and Sissoko sacrificed for players far more comfortable with the ball at their feet - like Crouch, Aurelio and Mascherano. We had four ball players strung across the midfield, ball players in both full-back positions and ball players up front.

And what a difference it makes, huh?

At the moment, to me, this looks our strongest side. Gerrard in a free role and offering pace down the centre, and Gonzalez (much improved today) and Pennant (ever improving) offering pace from wide areas. Strength and solidity through the spine with one key, common attribue - comfort on the ball. Throw in a ball-playing centre-back in Agger, and we've got a team packed with ability.

Great team selection from Benitez today. I just hope he sticks with it. He won't, but I hope he does.

Interesting point.

But no, he wont stick with it. We all know it'll be Kuyt and Bellamy up front on Tues

[Shaggy]

Thank fook for that. AT last - someone else who thought Gonzo wasn't that bad today.

He's got loads of room for improvement still but that's because he's a good player - he just needs a run of games and more self-belief.

That was his best performance for us for a while, and it was Aurelio's best performance for us full-stop. When he got the ball in the build up to the 2nd goal, I said aloud "this'll be a peach of a cross" - and wasn't it just? His consistency of delivery is top class.

[Kopite_Colin]

I thinK Gonzo and Aurelio should be given a run on the left now. Masher was simply superb. I love the way he bites into tackles. I just wish we had a natural finisher to play up with Crouch / Kuyt. Arbeloa looks a decent buy.

[Xabi_is_God]

its all about finding the right balance between workhorses and footballers. ideally our new signings will posess both qualitys.

[Guest]

When I was saying that Aurelio was a superb player plenty on here thought I was deluded. With each passing game he's starting to show what a good left back he is.

[lfc4ever]

plenty on here thought I was deluded.

We still think that though tbh.

With each passing game he's starting to show what a good left back he is.

For the 2nd time in one post I agree with you!

[Guest]

We still think that though tbh.

[Marky]

Bita both would be nice.

[Shaggy]

Bita both would be nice.

But with the players selected today, you DO get a bit of both. Crouch works just as hard as Kuyt, he just doesn't do his hard work 60 yards from goal. Mascherano works very hard, and Aurelio isn't workshy either. It's not like the workhorses were replaced with lazy ball-players.

We just looked so much of a better side with players comfortable in possession. I'm clearly referring mainly to Kuyt, Sissoko and Riise, and I think Crouch, Mascherano and Aurelio make us a better side.

[desertscouser]

Absolutely Shaggy. Our football today was excellent, plenty of passing and movement throughout the side. Everyone was comfortable on the ball and it showed. Crouch's first touch was infinitely better than Kuyt's, Mascherano's ability to break up play and keep possession was top class and the likes of Aurelio didn't hoof the ball at every opportunity.

My most enjoyable LFC performance of the season....even though the commentary was in Chinese

[DannyMan2006]

I say every season that players brought in should be judged on their overall performances at the end of the season. Having not seen the match I find it interesting to see players normally slated get a bit of support.

Foreigners and youngsters should always get extra time whilst all should ony be judged after a sustained run in the side. Its just a shame that most are only starting to show their true class now. However, concistancy is the key and most havent shown it this season, lets hope that an improved run in can show that we neednt buy a load of players to improve the squad, and that only a few world class players are needed.

Most frustrating thing today? See Crouch bag a hat-trick. Why hasnt he shown this sort of finishing all season? I'd all but written him off myself, but maybe a good finish to the season could prove me and others on here that he's got a future at the club.

[CharlieMansonsSquint]

Can't understand why Rafa insists on Kuyt instead of Crouch.

Yes Crouch played very well today, he's the superior player to Kuyt. He's outperformed him in every department this season. Not much more to say really.

Not that Kuyt is a bad player or anything but I'm not convinced by him.

Credit to Pennant, he's getting better. Next season will be telling. Same with Gonzalez. He has pace and a powerful shot, so he has a chance to make an impression, a run of games won't hurt either. One big concern with him is his passing, can be a bit wayward at times.

Today we flew out of the traps, and played into Arsenals weakness, that and Shaggy's point being relevant, better technical players. Our passing was better, and so was the result. That said there is still situations where a Sissoko would have a positive effect. A home game in the league just isn't one of them.