Given the output we've seen in the last 6 games or so...

[Kopite_Colin]

...what's the common theme?

I'd say is class players, fit, playing in their correct position, and more importantly, starting with eachother. When fit, it looks as though the front 6 will be:


-----------------Torres----------AN Other--------------


Kewell--------------------Gerrard--------------Benayoun


----------Mascherano / Alonso / Lucas / Momo-----------


There's not much rotation in there is there?

The only candidates are the Def CMer and Torres's strike partner. That may be the answer. Babel's versatility also covers Kewell, Benayoun's and the strike partner positions.

I'd be happy for us to continue in this vein until mid-Jan or whenever new signings come in to provide additional creative options.

[slimbimjim]

The common theme is cohesive attacking and getting into goal scoring positions. At last we are seeing Liverpool bringing the ball forward as a team and not a couple of players trying to run from the half way line.

[Kopite_Colin]

I still say starting your best players in their best positions is the way forward. It's no accident that our form has picked up when our creative options have improved from the start (i.e Torres up top, SG in CM and HK now starting at LW, with Yossi playing more regularly at RM, with Pennant injured).

[sonsofthedesert]

The spine of the team, Reina, Carra, Gerrard, Torres. Obv. with Hypia at mo but agger soon, it is one of the strongest spines of a team in the league.

[CharlieMansonsSquint]

It's simple.

Stevie G back to his best and Fernando Torres fit and playing.

Yes we have other top players but those two are our key players.

[rage]

pennant injured, momo and kuyt really poor has limited rafa's ability to rotate too much in our attacking 1/3 of play.

yossi is a threat, kewell adds balance, babel is a good impact player and arbeloa is solid.

just hope rafa doesn't go and change too much at reading. If he wants to rest players i'd rather we get a lead and take players off.

[Parm]

The spine of the team, Reina, Carra, Gerrard, Torres. Obv. with Hypia at mo but agger soon, it is one of the strongest spines of a team in the league.

[Craig_H]

pennant injured, momo and kuyt really poor has limited rafa's ability to rotate too much in our attacking 1/3 of play.

yossi is a threat, kewell adds balance, babel is a good impact player and arbeloa is solid.

just hope rafa doesn't go and change too much at reading. If he wants to rest players i'd rather we get a lead and take players off.

Thank feck for all that happening then...

I just hope Rafa limits the rotation when players return from injury - the stability in our team, week in, week out, has played a big part in the upturn of form.

[Guest]

Finnan was rotated, as well as Mascherano and Voronin + Babel !!! That's 4 players ! Still we won because we're starting to run into form and we've got rid of international matches. You'll all start wingeing again when we hit a bad patch.

[desertscouser]

Finnan was rotated, as well as Mascherano and Voronin + Babel !!! That's 4 players ! Still we won because we're starting to run into form and we've got rid of international matches. You'll all start wingeing again when we hit a bad patch.

Difference is, Finnan was replaced by Arbeloa. Mascherano with the Brazilian golden ball winner. Babel with Kewell and Voronin with Crouch. Arbeloa, Crouch, Kewell and Leiva are class players and their involvement doesn't really weaken our side. Earlier on the season the likes of Kuyt and Momo were playing and with all due respect to them they're very average players and every time they start we seem to under perform. Rotation is fine if we are replacing good players with good players.

I will only start whingeing when the following happens:

a) Torres doesn't start unless he really badly needs a rest.
b) Kuyt starts or worse...he starts with Voronin
c) Momo starts
d) Players are played out of position.

If none of the above happen then we will imo continue to play as well as we are right now.

[Guest]

Difference is, Finnan was replaced by Arbeloa. Mascherano with the Brazilian golden ball winner. Babel with Kewell and Voronin with Crouch. Arbeloa, Crouch, Kewell and Leiva are class players and their involvement doesn't really weaken our side. Earlier on the season the likes of Kuyt and Momo were playing and with all due respect to them they're very average players and every time they start we seem to under perform. Rotation is fine if we are replacing good players with good players.

I will only start whingeing when the following happens:

a) Torres doesn't start unless he really badly needs a rest.
b) Kuyt starts or worse...he starts with Voronin
c) Momo starts
d) Players are played out of position.

If none of the above happen then we will imo continue to play as well as we are right now.

Kuyt & Momo still played in our demolition of Newcastle last week.

Torres gives us an edge, and we need another player of the same caliber upfront. That's the difference in my view, and the fact that the team is playing with more confidence.

[desertscouser]

Kuyt & Momo still played in our demolition of Newcastle last week.

Torres gives us an edge, and we need another player of the same caliber upfront. That's the difference in my view, and the fact that the team is playing with more confidence.

I agree regarding having another striker in the Torres bracket.

But Momo is rubbish and Kuyt is an average striker. Yes they were involved in the demolition of Newcastle but lets not forget that Momo was without question the worst player in a red shirt and this was against the worst Newcastle side I've seen in years. Anyway, it's obvious Rafa agrees with alot of us hence why Kuyt and Momo's involvement in the first 11 has been limited of late. It was only a matter of time before Rafa realised that both players are not LFC standard. I would be shocked if either were with us next season.

[Craig_H]

Finnan was rotated, as well as Mascherano and Voronin + Babel !!! That's 4 players ! Still we won because we're starting to run into form and we've got rid of international matches. You'll all start wingeing again when we hit a bad patch.

I think it's more that Finnan, Babel and Voronin arent part of the strongest spine and Mascherano's role is redundant in games like today, where the opposition arent going to be attack minded.

Nice try though.

[Craig_H]

Difference is, Finnan was replaced by Arbeloa. Mascherano with the Brazilian golden ball winner. Babel with Kewell and Voronin with Crouch. Arbeloa, Crouch, Kewell and Leiva are class players and their involvement doesn't really weaken our side. Earlier on the season the likes of Kuyt and Momo were playing and with all due respect to them they're very average players and every time they start we seem to under perform. Rotation is fine if we are replacing good players with good players.

I will only start whingeing when the following happens:

a) Torres doesn't start unless he really badly needs a rest.
b) Kuyt starts or worse...he starts with Voronin
c) Momo starts
d) Players are played out of position.

If none of the above happen then we will imo continue to play as well as we are right now.

[Guest]

I think it's more that Finnan, Babel and Voronin arent part of the strongest spine and Mascherano's role is redundant in games like today, where the opposition arent going to be attack minded.

Nice try though.

But that's why the manager is paid to do. Alter our team to suit the opposition. Why is it that Kuyt will more certainly play against manure, but isn't against teams such as Bolton ? All these players have been bought with that specifically in mind. We need variety and we have that. We probably need a Torres equivalent upfront and possibly and world class right winger to compete with Penannt and Yossi. But the idea is to have variety and options.