rafa's valencia

[redlancer]

barca 2-1 2001 same season as 10 man arsenal trounced us

7 points clear (briefly) was nov 2002 - same season as the 2 valencia defeats

that's the 2 games I was thinking, Arsenal were miles better with 10 men than Barca, although we were doing OK until they went to 10 men.

[bazza76]

barca 2-1 2001 same season as 10 man arsenal trounced us

7 points clear (briefly) was nov 2002 - same season as the 2 valencia defeats

[redlancer]

I was at the Barca game, and I agree, the scoreline flattered them. However, I did also think our formation looked a mess and we totally lost the run of ourselves in the latter stages. It was horrible watching them pass the ball around like that in the lead up to one of their goals.

but it was only for 10 minutes when we were pushing forward.

The difference Ged tried to chase the game and we lost it more than Barca teaching us a lesson.

[rushscored4]

but it was only for 10 minutes when we were pushing forward. The difference Ged tried to chase the game and we lost it more than Barca teaching us a lesson.

Keep digging!

[Howard_lfc]

disagree strongly

I meant to say the best VISITING team.

[enema of the state]

I meant to say the best VISITING team.

fair enough

id say the arsenal team that beat houlliers reds with 10 men might just pip them

[redblood]

Saw Valencia play us twice in the flesh and they were the most impresive team i've seen play us for a long while - better than when Arsenal tore us apart.. They tore us to pieces in the 1st 20 minutes were clinical and gave us nothing. As been said the passing and speed of play was a joy to watch.

Rafa did inherit a lot of world class players, but he also got rid of a lot of the fans favorites.

I think Owen Carra and Gerrard were quoted as saying that Valencia under Rafa were by far the best side they had ever played against at Anfield.
Which is why it was incredibly strange when Owen ****ed off and Stevie considered it.

[Rashid]

The reason Rafa's Valencia battered us is because they were a rich man's Liverpool at the time. Where Houlllier didn't have a clue, Rafa did. Where Liverpool liked a scrap, Valencia were better at it, where Liverpool liked to hoof it, Valencia liked to keep the ball and press high up the pitch. Rafa did his homework and Liverpool were easy prey.

The only worrying thing about Rafa is that none of his teams have scored many goals over a season.

[enema of the state]

The only worrying thing about Rafa is that none of his teams have scored many goals over a season.

thats because they didnt chase further goals when leading by 1 or 2.

they conserved energy instead and gave nothing away at the back.

they could have if theyd needed to

[Rashid]

thats because they didnt chase further goals when leading by 1 or 2.

they conserved energy instead and gave nothing away at the back.

they could have if theyd needed to

I don't know if I like that approach, the reason Man United can come back from 2-0 down away is because they are confident of scoring goals. Goals breed confidence and 80% of the Premiership are rubbish so we should go at them a bit more.

[badpiggy]

I don't know if I like that approach, the reason Man United can come back from 2-0 down away is because they are confident of scoring goals. Goals breed confidence and 80% of the Premiership are rubbish so we should go at them a bit more.

this is what i think and before rafa became our manager i don't think any liverpool fan would have chosen this approach as the preferred one. i know that people want to be supportive of rafa but i don't get some people eulogising efficiency and slagging of flair, goalscoring and open attacking play - you'd swear that efficiency, energy conservation and 1-0 shutouts were the reason they liked football to begin with.

remember when rafa was asked if he'd prefer to win 2-0 or 4-2 and he answered 4-0? i didn't believe him and if what people are saying about valencia is true then what he meant to say was 1-0 and frustrate your opponent.

[redblood]

The reason Rafa's Valencia battered us is because they were a rich man's Liverpool at the time. Where Houlllier didn't have a clue, Rafa did. Where Liverpool liked a scrap, Valencia were better at it, where Liverpool liked to hoof it, Valencia liked to keep the ball and press high up the pitch. Rafa did his homework and Liverpool were easy prey.

The only worrying thing about Rafa is that none of his teams have scored many goals over a season.

Don't think that's true mate they outscored Real over a couple seasons if I remember correctly.

[enema of the state]

Don't think that's true mate they outscored Real over a couple seasons if I remember correctly.

if we consistently won a series of big games 1-0 - wed win silverware and the higher scoring victories over weaker sides would follow effortlessly.

its building a side to win those big games 1-0 thats the difficult bit

[lfcruleus]

And me. Men against boys, it was. Never have I witnessed an LFC team get such a thorough chasing.

Barca did it too 3-1 pissed on us they were amazing that night, they kept the ball for like 5 minutes at one point.

[Roboklopp]

"Like" five minutes?

Yeah, Barca were ace in patches, but Valancia were consistently unplayable in those games. I'd love us to be able to emulate that, but we need players that are more comfortable on & imaginative with the ball.