thoughts on tonight

[Red_Al_77]

Why are we so dreadful in the 1st half of games. Bitterly disappointed with aspects of our play tonight.

[Tom]

A typical Rafa Benitez-type away performance against a domestic rival. We see all too many of these and after three years it's no longer good enough. We're just too easy to stifle, no craft, no guile, no finesse. And now we've money we're looking at filler like Voronin, Simao, Pedersen etc.

Make no mistake, that 20 minute spell after the break where we sort of had the ball a bit, that was our 'big response', our 'go at them at full tilt' type football. Sometimes under Rafa, and GH before him, our efforts to rouse ourselves and claw back a defecit is the singularly most pitiful, lamentable and downright depressing thing I've ever seen.

Agger was owned tonight by diver Drogba and Carra struggled on him as well. He always does well against us.

The selection of Zenden was surprising, his retention for the full 90 minutes was bordering on the ridiculous. Why bring on Crouch if you know there's nothing on the flanks to service him? An appalling blot on Rafa's copybook.

Xabi had a very poor game with his passing.

Arbeloa was solid enough defending-wise but distribution was shocking at times.

Now that Chelsea can sit back in the second leg and watch us shuffle it about in front of them, and hit us on the break like they love to do, it's easier to see them scoring before we do. And the way we play, us getting the first goal is crucial.

We're relying on the Anfield factor to lift us and in my opinion we'll need a wonder goal or set piece to score because we're such a laboured workmanlike attacking 'force' I can't see us scoring any other way.

And so much for resting players. Some of our guys looked like they were coming out of a coma. The only consolation is that we are only 1-0 down as it could and should have been 1-0 before it was and Gerrard's chance apart, they had the better chances after that as well.

Very unhappy after that. Cat and mouse battle tonight. Who were the mice?

What he said.

[Helios Creed]

don't worry i'll ban me-self. hang on, wrong internet forum....

And you started a thread again. Expect to be put in your place very soon.

[Cisseshairdresser]

2nd leg we have to start with SG in the middle, JP on right, Speedy on left. This means he has to drop one of Mascher or Xabi. Unfortunately I can't see him dropping either!

[Gaz]

It's just been proven that while Arbeloa hadled the ball he was 5 yards outside the box so stik that in your pipe Jose you dick!

What a complete muppet, he should watch the replay's before mouthing off on National TV.

[kurtangle01]

I won't be surprised if Kewell starts at Anfield.

Behave yourself lad.

[kemm1]

We need better & more skillful players in our squad, unlockers, jinxy players that make things happen, better forwards as well, no-one held up the ball to bring others into play - the final pass was woeful (from both midfield & forward lines) to say the least.

Hard work won't get us through this time, the unexpected line-up just might though.

I agree, not enough skill and creativity in the team we've had this problem for about 8 years now though.

[Kopite_Colin]

It will be very difficult from now on. Essien returns in the second leg which makes them even stronger. I hope Pennant and Gonzalez starts.

They have too. We will need creativity and goals against a 10 man defence.

[anfieldanfield]

A typical Rafa Benitez-type away performance against a domestic rival. We see all too many of these and after three years it's no longer good enough. We're just too easy to stifle, no craft, no guile, no finesse. And now we've money we're looking at filler like Voronin, Simao, Pedersen etc.

Make no mistake, that 20 minute spell after the break where we sort of had the ball a bit, that was our 'big response', our 'go at them at full tilt' type football. Sometimes under Rafa, and GH before him, our efforts to rouse ourselves and claw back a defecit is the singularly most pitiful, lamentable and downright depressing thing I've ever seen.

Agger was owned tonight by diver Drogba and Carra struggled on him as well. He always does well against us.

The selection of Zenden was surprising, his retention for the full 90 minutes was bordering on the ridiculous. Why bring on Crouch if you know there's nothing on the flanks to service him? An appalling blot on Rafa's copybook.

Xabi had a very poor game with his passing.

Arbeloa was solid enough defending-wise but distribution was shocking at times.

Now that Chelsea can sit back in the second leg and watch us shuffle it about in front of them, and hit us on the break like they love to do, it's easier to see them scoring before we do. And the way we play, us getting the first goal is crucial.

We're relying on the Anfield factor to lift us and in my opinion we'll need a wonder goal or set piece to score because we're such a laboured workmanlike attacking 'force' I can't see us scoring any other way.

And so much for resting players. Some of our guys looked like they were coming out of a coma. The only consolation is that we are only 1-0 down as it could and should have been 1-0 before it was and Gerrard's chance apart, they had the better chances after that as well.

Very unhappy after that. Cat and mouse battle tonight. Who were the mice?

Agree with every word.

[Imy]

Natalie has been fired in the Apprentice

[Helios Creed]

If you think about how **** we've been away from home this season, that wasn't a bad result.... And we've been a million times better at home.

[kurtangle01]

Why are we so dreadful in the 1st half of games. Bitterly disappointed with aspects of our play tonight.

We started pretty well in the first 5 minutes but we faded after that. We just seem to lack that bit of guile and invention when it's tight. I'm certain that this will be resolved in the summer.

[LFC1892]

A typical Rafa Benitez-type away performance against a domestic rival. We see all too many of these and after three years it's no longer good enough. We're just too easy to stifle, no craft, no guile, no finesse. And now we've money we're looking at filler like Voronin, Simao, Pedersen etc.

Make no mistake, that 20 minute spell after the break where we sort of had the ball a bit, that was our 'big response', our 'go at them at full tilt' type football. Sometimes under Rafa, and GH before him, our efforts to rouse ourselves and claw back a defecit is the singularly most pitiful, lamentable and downright depressing thing I've ever seen.

Agger was owned tonight by diver Drogba and Carra struggled on him as well. He always does well against us.

The selection of Zenden was surprising, his retention for the full 90 minutes was bordering on the ridiculous. Why bring on Crouch if you know there's nothing on the flanks to service him? An appalling blot on Rafa's copybook.

Xabi had a very poor game with his passing.

Arbeloa was solid enough defending-wise (edit: goal apart obviously) but distribution was shocking at times.

Now that Chelsea can sit back in the second leg and watch us shuffle it about in front of them, and hit us on the break like they love to do, it's easier to see them scoring before we do. And the way we play, us getting the first goal is crucial.

We're relying on the Anfield factor to lift us and in my opinion we'll need a wonder goal or set piece to score because we're such a laboured workmanlike attacking 'force' I can't see us scoring any other way.

And so much for resting players. Some of our guys looked like they were coming out of a coma. The only consolation is that we are only 1-0 down as it could and should have been 1-0 before it was and Gerrard's chance apart, they had the better chances after that as well.

Very unhappy after that. Cat and mouse battle tonight. Who were the mice?

That about sums it up for me too. I think we're out to be honest.

[mick the click]

A typical Rafa Benitez-type away performance against a domestic rival. We see all too many of these and after three years it's no longer good enough. We're just too easy to stifle, no craft, no guile, no finesse. And now we've money we're looking at filler like Voronin, Simao, Pedersen etc.

Make no mistake, that 20 minute spell after the break where we sort of had the ball a bit, that was our 'big response', our 'go at them at full tilt' type football. Sometimes under Rafa, and GH before him, our efforts to rouse ourselves and claw back a defecit is the singularly most pitiful, lamentable and downright depressing thing I've ever seen.

Agger was owned tonight by diver Drogba and Carra struggled on him as well. He always does well against us.

The selection of Zenden was surprising, his retention for the full 90 minutes was bordering on the ridiculous. Why bring on Crouch if you know there's nothing on the flanks to service him? An appalling blot on Rafa's copybook.

Xabi had a very poor game with his passing.

Arbeloa was solid enough defending-wise (edit: goal apart obviously) but distribution was shocking at times.

Now that Chelsea can sit back in the second leg and watch us shuffle it about in front of them, and hit us on the break like they love to do, it's easier to see them scoring before we do. And the way we play, us getting the first goal is crucial.

We're relying on the Anfield factor to lift us and in my opinion we'll need a wonder goal or set piece to score because we're such a laboured workmanlike attacking 'force' I can't see us scoring any other way.

And so much for resting players. Some of our guys looked like they were coming out of a coma. The only consolation is that we are only 1-0 down as it could and should have been 1-0 before it was and Gerrard's chance apart, they had the better chances after that as well.

Very unhappy after that. Cat and mouse battle tonight. Who were the mice?

I agree with that wholeheartedly

[kurtangle01]

If you think about how **** we've been away from home this season, that wasn't a bad result.... And we've been a million times better at home.

Our prem results against the chavs. 1-0 to them at the bridge. 2-0 to us at Anfield.