Rafa on todays game

[Bender]

Rafael Benitez admits Liverpool made hard work of their 2-1 win at Derby County and has warned his players they must be more clinical in front of goal.
With Manchester City not playing until Thursday night Steven Gerrard's last gasp strike moved the Reds up to fourth place in the Premier League, but the boss felt his team should have wrapped up the points before his skipper's moment of inspiration.

"The first half was really good because we were in control, had plenty of possession but you must finish the game," said Benitez.

"I don't know why but we couldn't get the second goal. In the second half they were more physical and aggressive and when we conceded a goal we became a little bit nervous.

"We still created good clear chances, though, through Xabi Alonso, Fernando Torres, Dirk Kuyt and Andriy Voronin.

"Gerrard won the game for us at the end and we know how good he is at getting from box to box, but as I said we should have had the game won a lot earlier than what we did."

The Reds boss revealed that he will have to assess the fitness of Sami Hyypia at Melwood on Thursday to see whether he will be available for Sunday's trip to Manchester City.

"Sami had a problem with his ankle and we will need to see how it is. I will need to talk to the doctor," added Benitez.

[paulcooper4]

couldnt argue with any of that.

for some strange reason our players DID **** themselves when derby did nothing more in the second half but come out agrresively. They will learn from that though, and **** it, we won

[CharlieMansonsSquint]

One of those days then?

Lots of players underperformed. Even Gerrard couldn't get into the game until the last 15 minutes.

Sometimes that can happen, but what worried me about today was our lack of cohesion and composure. Our passing in general was appalling, and there were long balls galore. It reminded me of our hapless away performances of recent seasons under Rafa.

Still good to hear Rafa admitting we were ****e.

Big game against the squatters on Sunday.

[alunevans]

couldnt argue with any of that.

for some strange reason our players DID **** themselves when derby did nothing more in the second half but come out agrresively. They will learn from that though, and **** it, we won

interesting. i didn't see this game but we're not very good with physical stuff are we.

[Sir Bob]

I think the number of long balls we played today was concerning, and this is often the case away from home. I think we get carried away with torres' pace. Sure the odd long ball over the top is fine but all too often its the majority of attacks we make. We need to learn to be more selective rather than lump it for Torres so often.

[Flake]

I think the number of long balls we played today was concerning, and this is often the case away from home. I think we get carried away with torres' pace. Sure the odd long ball over the top is fine but all too often its the majority of attacks we make. We need to learn to be more selective rather than lump it for Torres so often.

its not a lack of long balls specific to today or being away from home, its merely symptomatic of a lack of guile in our play.

A guile which would come if we had an older head, a gary mac if you will...Someone to craft the play.

I think this is a player Xabi coud become, but he aint there yet.

[Sir Bob]

its not a lack of long balls specific to today or being away from home, its merely symptomatic of a lack of guile in our play.

A guile which would come if we had an older head, a gary mac if you will...Someone to craft the play.

I think this is a player Xabi coud become, but he aint there yet.

Its not one player though is it, its all of them who at times are guilty of lumping it towards Torres. I think the problem is that our defenders aren't good enough on the ball so if no obviousball to the midfield is on its lump it forward to torres time. it was the same last season but it was Crouch not Torres. Lets face it, Agger apart not one of our defenders are 100% comfortable in possession.

[Flake]

Its not one player though is it, its all of them who at times are guilty of lumping it towards Torres. I think the problem is that our defenders aren't good enough on the ball so if no obviousball to the midfield is on its lump it forward to torres time. it was the same last season but it was Crouch not Torres. Lets face it, Agger apart not one of our defenders are 100% comfortable in possession.

I'd have to agree with that.

But the same could be said of our midfield. they are impatient. when they should be teasing the opening, they put in that ****ty diagonal ball into the box from 30 yards out.

instead of holding possesion and stretching the play, we allow ourselves to become more and more compressed in attack,instead of drawing players out of possition.
i could go on. but its clearly something Rafa strives towards, as its what valencia did to us.

[der_Fuchs]

I would agree we were too reliant on the long pass to Torres, hence the introduction of Yossi seemed not to have much effect. In the last 15 minutes we were better because Stevie G drove forward more: I'm not sure if he was under instruction not to get forward until then, but it makes a hell of a diffeence when he does start running at defenders.

[kopash]

until we get full backs comfrotable carrying the ball forward like Evra/Clichy/Sagna etc. we will struggle with Agger out. Carra/Sami just don't ever bring the ball out from the back.

Did Stevie's shot against the ball cross the line? impossibre to tell from where I was.

[Guest]

One of those days then?

Lots of players underperformed. Even Gerrard couldn't get into the game until the last 15 minutes.

Sometimes that can happen, but what worried me about today was our lack of cohesion and composure. Our passing in general was appalling, and there were long balls galore. It reminded me of our hapless away performances of recent seasons under Rafa.

Still good to hear Rafa admitting we were ****e.

Big game against the squatters on Sunday.

Man Utd was ****e against us but they won.

[Red_Al_77]

until we get full backs comfrotable carrying the ball forward like Evra/Clichy/Sagna etc. we will struggle with Agger out. Carra/Sami just don't ever bring the ball out from the back.

Did Stevie's shot against the ball cross the line? impossibre to tell from where I was.

No, was at least a foot away from the line.

[kopash]

No, was at least a foot away from the line.

Ta. Seen that on MOTD now too.

[BigChief]

Its not one player though is it, its all of them who at times are guilty of lumping it towards Torres. I think the problem is that our defenders aren't good enough on the ball so if no obviousball to the midfield is on its lump it forward to torres time. it was the same last season but it was Crouch not Torres. Lets face it, Agger apart not one of our defenders are 100% comfortable in possession.

Don't agree with that. Arbeloa is very accomplished on the ball and we all know about Agger. Finnan unfortunately is reverting to type and doing a Riise too often. But with a backline of Arbeloa, Carra, Agger and Aurelio only Carra would lump it forward more often than not.