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[Don Quixote]

Nobody thinks we were playing 442 today, do they? Or 433?

Now we have the personnel, we can see the system really working. We were better than them, marginally, without a first choice team out. Evidence that squad rotation is not something to be feared. We don't have to find a one-size-fits-all solution to having three amazing central midfielders (world class ones?).

I felt that the game exposed the weakness of 433 by having no creativity between the lines. Chelsea are SO linear, it's crazy. I know we've been boring with Crouch and Morientes up front and Kewell on the left, but with better players it's obvious that Rafa's style is more interesting that Mourinho's. He can't level any accusations of a boring defensive style against us. We're more inventive than them.

Not everything Garcia does comes off, but he and Bellers are really good second strikers, different styles, but both top class players. Bellers, having more pace, likes to roam wide more than Garcia - but they can both play between the lines cleverly, doing things the opposition might not expect - it's a position not just anyone can play - and we know that despite his superhuman abilities, it's one Gerrard isn't up to.

We just need a better target man than Crouch and to not play Zenden too often and we really really might be away.

More of the same please, Rafa.

[Shaggy]

Can anyone name me a better manager in world football than Rafa? I love his footballing philosphy and his vision for us is a great and true one.

On a slight side-issue - all those who continually slate Rick Parry should have a word with themselves. He got us Rafa, which was a supreme appointment, a coup and will in all likelihood be Parry's legacy.

[G_Man]

Can anyone name me a better manager in world football than Rafa? I love his footballing philosphy and his vision for us is a great and true one.

Only Guus Hiddink comes close in my estimation, again another quiet effective manager who brings the best out of a collection of players.
It was a great bit of business by Parry

[andyinswinton]

There was a post somewhere a while ago about the team we put out at Burnley a couple of seasons ago and what our second team would be now. Without looking up the teams, you can imagine that there is a world of difference.

There is a real flexibility about the squad now that has been built with quality players who can come in and who can also interchange as and when necessary. The wholesale changes today and how the team played is a credit to Benitez. He is truely building something special here.

[ronan]

Liverpool : Dudek, Raven, Hyypia(C), Whitbread, Traore, Warnock, Welsh, Biscan, Potter, Pongolle, Nunez

Subs Used : Baros for Traore (65), Mellor for Welsh (75)

Subs Unused : Harrison, Smyth, Otsemobor

[bazza76]

Nobody thinks we were playing 442 today, do they? Or 433?

I guess you can say, there is no real formation under Rafa, as players will take up positions that they feel restrict the oposition and help our attacking play, I guess you can say, the positions you can be sure of nder Rafa will be the two centre halves and the goal keeper lol. They will know their general areas. Also I guess you could say the two central midfielders at times are almost an ever present. But it fely like sissoko was everywhere today.