Liverpool Vs Feyenoord

[stevie_gerrard_8]

unliesh the scally

Dont think Babel will be too happy with gerrard. He got nutted by the guy Gerrard 'slapped'

[REDSCOUSER]

It was not a slap, it was a punch. It clearly showed on the telly SG had a fist and he threw a punch.
Babel got to smell that bloke, no harm done.

[rushscored4]

It was not a slap, it was a punch. It clearly showed on the telly SG had a fist and he threw a punch. Babel got to smell that bloke, no harm done.

I wonder what Dirk thought of it all...

[Darth Marty]

id go for -

Reina
Finnan carra agger riise

Stevie xabi masch babel

voronin

torres

[REDSCOUSER]

I wonder what Dirk thought of it all...

so much for a friendly tourney eh ? Tbh that little ****head Drenthe should have been sent off for that dreadful tackle on SG.
Did you see you Mascherano started it all then walked away from it, chicken **** Argie.

[Marky]

What did everyone think of Babel when he came on?
I thought he looked properly fired up, showed good strength on the ball and generally looked dangerous.

[kurtangle01]

If we don't hammer Villa next Saturday I fear there will be loads of Jack Hobbs demanding "RAFA OUT" on here and 606...

I dread the thought.

[Gazzla]

What did everyone think of Babel when he came on?
I thought he looked properly fired up, showed good strength on the ball and generally looked dangerous.

Thought he did well when he came on, quick, strong and not afraid to get stuck in. I love this forum as after Fridays game he had been written off as ****e and not good enough and now after todays game there is genuine optimism about him

I think the criticism of Kuyt is a bit unjust, if his goal had been given would the same comments about him not been good enough appeared? I think he'll form a very good partnership with Torres, preseason is all about fitness and that scrap at the end will have got a little bit of fire in them.

Still not sure of the best eleven for Villa but we should do them over with the players we've got.

[Tee]

I expect a sluggish start to the league purely on the basis that Rafa likes to change the line up every week. We have so many good new players - what we need is genuine continuity so the team can gel. Will they get the chance?

I am a huge fan of Rafa and I am not in a position to criticise him, but I wish he keeps the changes to the team this season at an absolute minimum. When the players are in and out of the team it will be difficult and it will reflect in our disjointed displays.

[rushscored4]

I expect a sluggish start to the league purely on the basis that Rafa likes to change the line up every week. We have so many good new players - what we need is genuine continuity so the team can gel. Will they get the chance?

I am a huge fan of Rafa and I am not in a position to criticise him, but I wish he keeps the changes to the team this season at an absolute minimum. When the players are in and out of the team it will be difficult and it will reflect in our disjointed displays.

Rafa could pick two different teams for the league and all cup games (including Europe):

LEAGUE (MAINLY BRITISH/NORTHERN EUROPEAN)

Carson, Finnan, Riise, Carragher, Agger, Sissoko, Gerrard, Pennant or Benayoun, Kewell or Babel, Crouch, Kuyt.

I know Benayoun, Kewell and Sissoko aren't Northern European but I think Harry and Yossi have both proved themselves in the Premiership and Momo isn't afraid of getting stuck in.

CUPS & CL (MAINLY LATIN)

Reina, Arbeloa, Aurelio or Insua, Paletta, Hyypia, Mascherano, Alonso, Babel or Kewell, Leto or Lucas Leiva, Voronin, Torres.

I also know that Hyypia, Babel, Kewell and Voronin aren't latinos but they are all very experienced in Europe.

Of course, big game players like Gerrard, Carra, Torres and Reina would be involved in many of the bigger games regardless of the competition but this way we'd have a fairly settled side in the league with a British backbone plus a consistent side in the cups with a more continental approach. It would also mean players would be rested regularly to keep them fresh. It might also help with communication problems as the 'A' Side (league team) could talk English whilst the 'B' Side could speak Spanish.

or

[kurtangle01]

Rafa could pick two different teams for the league and all cup games (including Europe):

LEAGUE (MAINLY BRITISH/NORTHERN EUROPEAN)

Carson, Finnan, Riise, Carragher, Agger, Sissoko, Gerrard, Pennant or Benayoun, Kewell or Babel, Crouch, Kuyt.

I know Benayoun, Kewell and Sissoko aren't Northern European but I think Harry and Yossi have both proved themselves in the Premiership and Momo isn't afraid of getting stuck in.

CUPS & CL (MAINLY LATIN)

Reina, Arbeloa, Aurelio or Insua, Paletta, Hyypia, Mascherano, Alonso, Babel or Kewell, Leto or Lucas Leiva, Voronin, Torres.

I also know that Hyypia, Babel, Kewell and Voronin aren't latinos but they are all very experienced in Europe.

Of course, big game players like Gerrard, Carra, Torres and Reina would be involved in many of the bigger games regardless of the competition but this way we'd have a fairly settled side in the league with a British backbone plus a consistent side in the cups with a more continental approach. This might also help with communication problems as the 'A' Side (league team) could talk English whilst the 'B' Side could speak Spanish.

or

[red g]

Rafa could pick two different teams for the league and all cup games (including Europe):

LEAGUE (MAINLY BRITISH/NORTHERN EUROPEAN)

Carson, Finnan, Riise, Carragher, Agger, Sissoko, Gerrard, Pennant or Benayoun, Kewell or Babel, Crouch, Kuyt.

I know Benayoun, Kewell and Sissoko aren't Northern European but I think Harry and Yossi have both proved themselves in the Premiership and Momo isn't afraid of getting stuck in.

CUPS & CL (MAINLY LATIN)

Reina, Arbeloa, Aurelio or Insua, Paletta, Hyypia, Mascherano, Alonso, Babel or Kewell, Leto or Lucas Leiva, Voronin, Torres.

I also know that Hyypia, Babel, Kewell and Voronin aren't latinos but they are all very experienced in Europe.

Of course, big game players like Gerrard, Carra, Torres and Reina would be involved in many of the bigger games regardless of the competition but this way we'd have a fairly settled side in the league with a British backbone plus a consistent side in the cups with a more continental approach. It would also mean players would be rested regularly to keep them fresh. It might also help with communication problems as the 'A' Side (league team) could talk English whilst the 'B' Side could speak Spanish.

or

would do wonders for harmony of the squad be like holland in the euro championship!!

without doubt the daftest idea yet

[Red Chilli]

so much for a friendly tourney eh ? Tbh that little ****head Drenthe should have been sent off for that dreadful tackle on SG.
Did you see you Mascherano started it all then walked away from it, chicken **** Argie.

[rushscored4]

would do wonders for harmony of the squad be like holland in the euro championship 1988!!

without doubt the greatest idea yet

[alunevans]

I expect a sluggish start to the league purely on the basis that Rafa likes to change the line up every week. We have so many good new players - what we need is genuine continuity so the team can gel. Will they get the chance?

I am a huge fan of Rafa and I am not in a position to criticise him, but I wish he keeps the changes to the team this season at an absolute minimum. When the players are in and out of the team it will be difficult and it will reflect in our disjointed displays.

If we have another really slow start to the season I'd be very disappointed. Any team can play well for half a season. Very good sides are good all year round.

If we remain slow to start once again it would imply that lessons have not been learned. If the same problems recur over and over I think everyone will have the right to ask questions.

Unless Babel is the real deal I don't see that the first eleven is much strengthened as things stand though and that's my concern.

In defence, no change.

In midfield, I don't see the central pairing being any stronger than the four we had to choose from last season which is fair enough given their quality.

Benayoun I've always liked but is essentially a Garcia replacement. If Babel is one to use minimally until the season after then fair enough but it'd mean we still don't have the winger we need.

Up front Torres should hopefully improve us but beyond Crouch I see little strength in depth there.

So basically, the first eleven will be improved by Torres (hopefully), and beyond that isn't improved at all unless Babel is ready to go. Or so it seems.