I want to say something about Steven Gerrard and Ryan Babel

[JonesLegend02]

I'm a 4-4-2 man as a rule but I like the idea of 4-3-3 with Kewell (left) and Babel (right) either side of Torres. I don't think Rafa's tried that one, probably due to our Aussie friend's fitness record.

In time Babel and Torres could be devastating as a pair.

[dww]

His left foot seems rather poor but the threat he offers cutting in from the left and shooting is a big one. I’d say he’d be equally effective as a right or left-sided forward (as opposed to a left midfielder – it’s not ideal playing him on the flanks in a 4-4-2).

I actually quite like him on the wing in a 4-4-2. I think he needs time to adapt but I think he can give us a lot of options in the way that Hleb/Rosicky do for Arsenal.

[Mattimetal]

For those of you who thought Babel was **** last night answer me this:
He had all the best shots on goal than any of our players in the first half, and all those shots except for the one that hit the post were floating in around the box centrally behind the front two. He can sniff out a goal and has a terrific shot on him.

These are Rafa's tactics he plays on the wing but you don't notice him sneak into a goal scoring opportunity behind the front two until he shoots!

For once Andy Gray summed up what I was thinking that Liverpool will unleash Babel with Torres next season and that is probably what Rafa explained to Ryan when we were chasing him, it all seems to be working.

[Skillz]

man, never thought I'd agree with DJS on anything.

When he is on form he posts so much he ends up contradicting himself. That's when we all agree with him

[Dhav]

When he is on form he posts so much he ends up contradicting himself. That's when we all agree with him

[Skillz]

For those of you who thought Babel was **** last night answer me this:
He had all the best shots on goal than any of our players in the first half, and all those shots except for the one that hit the post were floating in around the box centrally behind the front two. He can sniff out a goal and has a terrific shot on him.

These are Rafa's tactics he plays on the wing but you don't notice him sneak into a goal scoring opportunity behind the front two until he shoots!

For once Andy Gray summed up what I was thinking that Liverpool will unleash Babel with Torres next season and that is probably what Rafa explained to Ryan when we were chasing him, it all seems to be working.

Babel is going very well. Rafa deserves praise for the way he handled him IMO. He is starting to look more comfortable, infact he looks hungry for more. He has a lot of great attributes already but his upside is still massive.

[The Erectile Banana]

For those of you who thought Babel was **** last night answer me this:
He had all the best shots on goal than any of our players in the first half, and all those shots except for the one that hit the post were floating in around the box centrally behind the front two. He can sniff out a goal and has a terrific shot on him.

These are Rafa's tactics he plays on the wing but you don't notice him sneak into a goal scoring opportunity behind the front two until he shoots!

For once Andy Gray summed up what I was thinking that Liverpool will unleash Babel with Torres next season and that is probably what Rafa explained to Ryan when we were chasing him, it all seems to be working.

Agree with this.



As for Pennant. I thought he played reasonably well, but as previously said some of his crosses seemeda bit lofted and aimless, like they were hit with more hope than conviction and against a team like Luton it's concerning that he still offered very little goal threat.

[Skillz]

Agree with this.



As for Pennant. I thought he played reasonably well, but as previously said some of his crosses seemeda bit lofted and aimless, like they were hit with more hope than conviction and against a team like Luton it's concerning that he still offered very little goal threat.

Pennant started very well, got injured and wasn't diagnosed (? WTF) and played with a stress fracture. No wonder his form dipped!

Pennant is a decent player and we shouldn't write him off yet, no way.

EDIT: apologies, I am obviously referring to the season as oppoosed to the game, cheers

[bobbyfallon]

Yup. Crouch’s header for instance. That was one of the most bizarre, pointlessly looped crosses I’ve ever seen. The direction on Crouch’s header could’ve been better but it was impossible for him to generate any power whatsoever.

crouch cant generate power on a header full stop. he at times actually takes the power off them. he is **** in the air for such a long ****er and should be sold. not good enough big fella. so **** off :bird:



that felt good

[Skillz]

crouch cant generate power on a header full stop. he at times actually takes the power off them. he is **** in the air for such a long ****er and should be sold. not good enough big fella. so **** off :bird:



that felt good

Very harsh. True though, he is a shocking header of the ball. Surprisingly good with his feet. Still not good enough though.

[Shaggy]

he is **** in the air for such a long ****er

What does that mean though? It’s bull****. Just because he’s “long” , why should he be good in the air?

He scored about 9 headers last season so he’s obviously not as ‘****’ as you think.

Dennis Wise is very short – does that mean he should’ve been great on the deck?

As for Crouch’s form – it’s not very good, no doubt – but anyone who’s ever played up front will tell you it is impossible to find form and momentum when you only play once a month. Kuyt, and to a lesser extent Voronin, have no such excuse.

It’s just like Fowler under Houllier – he couldn’t find any form cos he was hardly ever given a game...yet, surprise surprise, you won't find many 'Reds' being as sympathetic and understanding towards Crouch as they were with Fowler.

[bobbyfallon]

Very harsh. True though, he is a shocking header of the ball. Surprisingly good with his feet. Still not good enough though.

very good with his feet in fairness.... hopefully he uses them aswell as those long legs and walks up to city... shoulnt take him long

[dww]

I'm not sure I agree that Crouch is a 'shocking' headre of a ball. He certainly isn't a consistently powerful header of the ball but he is very good at knockdowns and heading the ball into dangerous areas from deep crosses.

He may well not be good enough to move us forward but he is a valuable option for us right now. i would like to see him play more.

[The Erectile Banana]

I'm not sure I agree that Crouch is a 'shocking' headre of a ball. He certainly isn't a consistently powerful header of the ball but he is very good at knockdowns and heading the ball into dangerous areas from deep crosses.

He may well not be good enough to move us forward but he is a valuable option for us right now. i would like to see him play more.

I don't think it's that Crouch isn't a good header of the ball.

As dww said his knock downs and flick ons can be highly effective.

What he's not good at is attacking the ball.

[Pablo]

I'm not sure I agree that Crouch is a 'shocking' headre of a ball. He certainly isn't a consistently powerful header of the ball but he is very good at knockdowns and heading the ball into dangerous areas from deep crosses.

He may well not be good enough to move us forward but he is a valuable option for us right now. i would like to see him play more.

Agreed. But it was funny seeing him slide ass first into the past last night