1. Zenden should start as a central midfielder if, and only if, 2 of Gerrard, Alonso and Sissoko are definitely unavailable. And then as the more defensive of a pair rather than the creative one.
2. Daniel Agger will replace Hyypia sooner than anyone, possibly even Rafa, thought.
3. We seem to have a squad full of squad players, players like Zenden, Aurelio, Warnock, Fowler, Pennant are ok if rotated in occasionally, 1 or 2 at a time. But if too many are played at the same time, they negatively effect the team as a whole. They can easily be passengers, who do nothing necessarily wrong, but dont add anything either. The team can carry one or maybe two of these at a time, relying on the quality of others to make the difference, but tonight for example, 4 played, and the team suffered big time, I didnt notice Zenden Pennant or Aurelio do much noteworthy, although Warnock was solid in the tackle as ever.
4. Whilst I'm completely behind him, sometimes Rafa's will to WIN games is lacking for me. Today I never felt we were going for anything bar a draw. I knew Bellamy would come off for SG, it was a defensive substitution, although as I said to a mate on MSN, he could win it with a moment of brilliance (and nearly did). This doesnt take away the essential negativity of the decision. We played 2 banks of 4 for the whole game today, with a left back (part time possibly) at left midfield for added defensive strength, and 2 defensive midfielders. Given that Pennant appeared out of his depth, where was the service to the strikers coming from, the long ball? Liverpool's mentality has always been to win games, nothing else was acceptable.
I realise this is only the first game of the champions league, and a point at the philips stadium isnt the worst result in the world, but it was the fact that we started the game with a view to a draw that disappointed me.
Player ratings:
Reina : 7/10 - One minor moment of miscommunication with Carra, but solid otherwise.
Finnan: 6/10 - Solid if unspectacular, didnt get forward as much as he does at his best. One very fine interception inside the box.
Warnock: 6/10 - See Finnan, provided a solid left side with Aurelio.
Carra: 7/10 - Did everything that was required.
Agger: 8/10 - There whenever he was needed, and distributed the ball well, one excellent challenge on the edge of the box.
Pennant: 5/10 - Ineffective, poor passing in the final third, and runs rarely came to much. Shaky when defending as well, almost let them in a couple of times as well as selling Sissoko short several times.
Sissoko: 6/10 - Not his best game, not his worst, offered little going forward though was as competitive as ever in the challenge.
Zenden: 4/10 - Dont remember an instance of me being pleased with or happy at anything he did. Frequently annoyed at his passing and weakness in the challenge.
Aurelio: 5/10 - Again, didnt do much of note, blazed over on the volley when he could have brought the ball down and kept a dangerous attack going.
Kuyt: 8/10 - A willing runner and worker, good link up and hold up play and dangerous in and around the box. I expect him to become our first choice striker soon (if Rafa has a first choice)
Bellamy: 7/10 - Dangerous, but service was lacking, would like to see him operate through the middle more, although presumably this will come when a more attacking left midfielder is present.
Subs:
Alonso: 6/10 - Still looks off the pace, didnt do anything wrong though.
Gerrard: 7/10 - Not much time to make an impact, but nearly won us the game.
Gonzalez: 6/10 - No real time to make an impact.
2. Daniel Agger will replace Hyypia sooner than anyone, possibly even Rafa, thought.
3. We seem to have a squad full of squad players, players like Zenden, Aurelio, Warnock, Fowler, Pennant are ok if rotated in occasionally, 1 or 2 at a time. But if too many are played at the same time, they negatively effect the team as a whole. They can easily be passengers, who do nothing necessarily wrong, but dont add anything either. The team can carry one or maybe two of these at a time, relying on the quality of others to make the difference, but tonight for example, 4 played, and the team suffered big time, I didnt notice Zenden Pennant or Aurelio do much noteworthy, although Warnock was solid in the tackle as ever.
4. Whilst I'm completely behind him, sometimes Rafa's will to WIN games is lacking for me. Today I never felt we were going for anything bar a draw. I knew Bellamy would come off for SG, it was a defensive substitution, although as I said to a mate on MSN, he could win it with a moment of brilliance (and nearly did). This doesnt take away the essential negativity of the decision. We played 2 banks of 4 for the whole game today, with a left back (part time possibly) at left midfield for added defensive strength, and 2 defensive midfielders. Given that Pennant appeared out of his depth, where was the service to the strikers coming from, the long ball? Liverpool's mentality has always been to win games, nothing else was acceptable.
I realise this is only the first game of the champions league, and a point at the philips stadium isnt the worst result in the world, but it was the fact that we started the game with a view to a draw that disappointed me.
Player ratings:
Reina : 7/10 - One minor moment of miscommunication with Carra, but solid otherwise.
Finnan: 6/10 - Solid if unspectacular, didnt get forward as much as he does at his best. One very fine interception inside the box.
Warnock: 6/10 - See Finnan, provided a solid left side with Aurelio.
Carra: 7/10 - Did everything that was required.
Agger: 8/10 - There whenever he was needed, and distributed the ball well, one excellent challenge on the edge of the box.
Pennant: 5/10 - Ineffective, poor passing in the final third, and runs rarely came to much. Shaky when defending as well, almost let them in a couple of times as well as selling Sissoko short several times.
Sissoko: 6/10 - Not his best game, not his worst, offered little going forward though was as competitive as ever in the challenge.
Zenden: 4/10 - Dont remember an instance of me being pleased with or happy at anything he did. Frequently annoyed at his passing and weakness in the challenge.
Aurelio: 5/10 - Again, didnt do much of note, blazed over on the volley when he could have brought the ball down and kept a dangerous attack going.
Kuyt: 8/10 - A willing runner and worker, good link up and hold up play and dangerous in and around the box. I expect him to become our first choice striker soon (if Rafa has a first choice)
Bellamy: 7/10 - Dangerous, but service was lacking, would like to see him operate through the middle more, although presumably this will come when a more attacking left midfielder is present.
Subs:
Alonso: 6/10 - Still looks off the pace, didnt do anything wrong though.
Gerrard: 7/10 - Not much time to make an impact, but nearly won us the game.
Gonzalez: 6/10 - No real time to make an impact.
I wish think your right we do need an old head there
Comment