Solid Defence

[dom9]

OK, a different slant on things, but I haven't seen it mentioned.

Has anyone noticed that in 5 games this season so far, we have conceeded two penalties - and that is it. Teams haven't even looked like scoring against for the most part.

People can talk about the forwards missing chances, or the midfielders settling in, but our defence is surely the best around. Better than I can I remember in fact, even in recent times.

Sadly it still won't stop the likes of Andy Gray and Jim Beglin banging on about zonal marking.

[Pablo]

The thing about zonal marking is I have no idea how it works, but it does, I cant get the logic of it. Surely someone with a running start will outjump someone standing still?? That said it works beautifully theres no denying that.

Our defensive line is majectic, always in a perfect line. We get nearer and nearer to Rafa's Valencia as the years go by.

[Shaggy]

The We get nearer and nearer to Rafa's Valencia as the years go by.

Very good point. Thought the same last night. Our relentless pressing, our rock solid centre and our flair in wide areas is really reminiscent. I think we're closer to Rafa's Valencia side now than we ever have been.

[wiw]

Very good point. Thought the same last night. Our relentless pressing, our rock solid centre and our flair in wide areas is really reminiscent. I think we're closer to Rafa's Valencia side now than we ever have been.

I've thought that too, mentioned it somewhere else today as well.

Our squads also similar to that of Rafa's Valencia, surely? Young,gifted HUNGRY as players with a point to prove, with a good mixture of experience, guile, independant tactical decisions, hard work, shared leadership, varied play/qualities, good discipline.

We also have 5 possible 6 world class players as someone else mentioned today.

We also have good ball carriers, and decent wingers (i know some may argue) with a mix of the classic - Pennant, the powerful cuter-inner - Babel, the skilful nippy Bennayoun to drift into the Garcia role, the skill and cleverness of Kewell (if he ever plays)

We threaten goals ALL over the pitch now

I think we're the best team in the league at the moment and theres no reason why we cannot maintain that in my mind.

If this season we win against weaker teamers more convincingly, it sets us up nicely for getting the results we usually deserve for battering top 4 teams too.


The future is really ****ing bright

Teams are dreading playing us, that i am convinced of.

Oh and we scrap better and control games better than anyone in the league imo The difference last season was that Utd scored more goals for their pressure

[wiw]

And we are also nowhere near the finished article

[dom9]

The thing about zonal marking is I have no idea how it works, but it does, I cant get the logic of it. Surely someone with a running start will outjump someone standing still?? That said it works beautifully theres no denying that.

Our defensive line is majectic, always in a perfect line. We get nearer and nearer to Rafa's Valencia as the years go by.

I guess it works because if you mark a zone, you make sure that if the ball comes into your 'area', it is cleared.

If you mark a person, they can lose you with their movement, so they get a free header or whatever. That happens every week to other teams.

[Mattshark]

I guess it works because if you mark a zone, you make sure that if the ball comes into your 'area', it is cleared.

If you mark a person, they can lose you with their movement, so they get a free header or whatever. That happens every week to other teams.

Exactly, this is why we concede less goals from set pieces than anyone else.

[Pablo]

Yes, you are right of course, it still seems strange that it actually does work.

Imagine Carra is in the pefect zone as the ball corner in, its flying right towards him just as Terry charges in at full pelt and leaps in the air towards the ball. Surely Terry has the advantage with a running jump?

But...stats dont lie and we barely concede of corners so I am well aware that Rafa knows best, lol.

[nbryan1764]

OK, a different slant on things, but I haven't seen it mentioned.

Has anyone noticed that in 5 games this season so far, we have conceeded two penalties - and that is it. Teams haven't even looked like scoring against for the most part.

People can talk about the forwards missing chances, or the midfielders settling in, but our defence is surely the best around. Better than I can I remember in fact, even in recent times.

Sadly it still won't stop the likes of Andy Gray and Jim Beglin banging on about zonal marking.

I know, it was incredible that Tyldesley and Beglin were STILL moaning about it last night. One of them said "he we are still talking about it" and the other said"yes because there have been a lot of goals conceded" (or words to that effect. When and who against I ask??

[JohnDoe]

Part of the reason why our defence is so good, is that it starts with the front two. The pressure they apply to the opposition's back line reduces their passing's accuracy and efficiency and helps us retain possession.

[Fubar]

we rock



all the actual good points have already been made in this thread so i thought i would just agree

[bobbyfallon]

Part of the reason why our defence is so good, is that it starts with the front two. The pressure they apply to the opposition's back line reduces their passing's accuracy and efficiency and helps us retain possession.

very good valid point........ kuyt is very good at tracking back putting pressure on defencsive passes and torres chases after everything including lost causes (and seems to win the ball back more than not suprisingly) !!!

[Morph]

I know, it was incredible that Tyldesley and Beglin were STILL moaning about it last night. One of them said "he we are still talking about it" and the other said"yes because there have been a lot of goals conceded" (or words to that effect. When and who against I ask??

just typical cocks on ITV looking to make something up so they look intelligent

[Woobus]

Part of the reason why our defence is so good, is that it starts with the front two. The pressure they apply to the opposition's back line reduces their passing's accuracy and efficiency and helps us retain possession.

The way Sissoko played during the week really impressed me, the amount of times he broke up play in dangerous areas of there half was excellent and kept the pressure on. As you say the forwards pressed there defenders cutting down there passing options which let Momo clean up.

[cled the red]

I know, it was incredible that Tyldesley and Beglin were STILL moaning about it last night. One of them said "he we are still talking about it" and the other said"yes because there have been a lot of goals conceded" (or words to that effect. When and who against I ask??

It's maddening how they harp on about zonal marking. In the Spurs v Everton game, Lescott lost Gardner to score from one set piece and later on in the half Gardner lost Lescott to equalise - did we hear anything about man-marking(or lack of in this case) causing both goals, did we hell!!!!

Bottom line is that Liverpool have one of the best defences is the PL so zonal marking must have its advantages!!