Mentality

[carlton]

Mentality is an interesting one cos it seems in Europe there is no problem with it. We seems to be able to rise to the occasion time and again. I think its getting better in the PL. We drew home and away with 2 of the other big three clubs and In know beating them is a sign of improvement but the signs are good. Obviously the mancs continue to be a problem and perhaps this is where having some extra quality comes in, when we can bring a 20M pound striker off the bench like the mancs can its game on. The inability to unlock some of the smaller teams defences has cost us big this season as we do not posess enough quality in the squad at the moment. We are not far way though.

[Roboklopp]

It is 3 things:

1) Lack of top top quality players- espcially in creative & attacking areas.
2) Mentality- which is improving as has been mentioned.
3) Our tactics are sometimes too conservative, which means we end up with 1 point, not 3.

Resolving 1), would help remedy 2), as evidenced by Stevie's comments to the effect that "with Nando in the team, we always havea chance" & Torres' reciprocal comments.

REsolving 1) would also mean 3) was less of a problem cos we'd be much more likely to put our chances away & be 2-3 gola up rather than 1 & therefore there be less of a risk of dropping 2 points through some stupid ****up.

[Parm]

Yeah we do.

Torres
Gerrard
Alonso
Agger
Reina
Mascherano
Babel
Carragher

That's an 8 player core which could win the premiership. Our strength is evenly distributed around the field now too, we dont just have a 'good defensive unit' or 'a great centre midfield partnership'. Add to that list the full backs Arbeloa and Aurelio plus Kuyt and you're got a decent team. It's the squad behind that lot which is important though, the likes of Skrtel, Hyypia, Riise, Crouch and Lucas sitting on the sides waiting for a chance.

I think we're fine, just a little tweak in the close season

I think it is quality and depth of the squad we need to address. Utd and Chelski are streets ahead of us in this department. How many 15mill + players could we buy and be able to leave on the bench just in case we may need them? at the moment, none. Every big money signing we make has to play straight away.

[MindGuerrillas]

I think it is quality and depth of the squad we need to address. Utd and Chelski are streets ahead of us in this department. How many 15mill + players could we buy and be able to leave on the bench just in case we may need them? at the moment, none. Every big money signing we make has to play straight away.

Despite all this I don't think that we are that far behind United. The gap between us now after 35 games is 12 points. This is just the 2 games between us. Win just those 2 games rather than lose them and we'd be joint top now. All this means that we are pretty much matching United point for point over 33 games even taking into account all the draws we've had. The difference being just the games between the two teams. If we can sort out the apparent mental block we have against them and start to win the odd game we'll be right on the verge of finally getting the title.

[redwien]

Yeah we do.

Torres
Gerrard
Alonso
Agger
Reina
Mascherano
Babel
Carragher

That's an 8 player core which could win the premiership. Our strength is evenly distributed around the field now too, we dont just have a 'good defensive unit' or 'a great centre midfield partnership'. Add to that list the full backs Arbeloa and Aurelio plus Kuyt and you're got a decent team. It's the squad behind that lot which is important though, the likes of Skrtel, Hyypia, Riise, Crouch and Lucas sitting on the sides waiting for a chance.

I think we're fine, just a little tweak in the close season

I don't know what makes you think Babel is a prem winning player. He's a somewhat useful sub at best.

[El Jefecito]

Despite all this I don't think that we are that far behind United. The gap between us now after 35 games is 12 points. This is just the 2 games between us. Win just those 2 games rather than lose them and we'd be joint top now. All this means that we are pretty much matching United point for point over 33 games even taking into account all the draws we've had. The difference being just the games between the two teams. If we can sort out the apparent mental block we have against them and start to win the odd game we'll be right on the verge of finally getting the title.

Thanks for that post Makes me feel much better about our chances. Let's wait and see what the summer brings us.

[mersey86]

Despite all this I don't think that we are that far behind United. The gap between us now after 35 games is 12 points. This is just the 2 games between us. Win just those 2 games rather than lose them and we'd be joint top now.

Actually we'd be 3 behind Chelsea, but your general point is fair enough. I'd rephrase it as, win the home game against United and avoid silly results like we had in January and we'd be right there. We are a little short of United, but not a lot.

[MindGuerrillas]

Actually we'd be 3 behind Chelsea, but your general point is fair enough. I'd rephrase it as, win the home game against United and avoid silly results like we had in January and we'd be right there. We are a little short of United, but not a lot.

[Slinky Skills]

We are improving that's plain to see. The squad Benitez has assembeled is by far the strongest squad we've had in a long time. We are still missing something though, Torres needs a striking partner but he's needs someone of real top quality like himself such as an Eto or Ibrahimovich type of player. We also need two real good wingers and a decent left and right back with pace.

The core of the squad is excellent, the team have performed a lot better this year. I mean how many games have we lost this year in the league, what is it, 2 or 3 or something. That's pretty impressive by any team's standards.

We just need to eradicate those draws and turn them into wins. I think the fact we've drawn so many games this year has had a pshycological effect on the team as the season has worn on. When we started so well we were flying but the players just let it get to them. I think next year will be different, you'll such a much more aggressive Liverpool team that will have a different attitude in matches, they will play with less fear especially against the top three. As for playing against Utd the players just need to go on the attack and cut out the negativity, get the foot in there and boot the *******s. Utd don't it like it when the opposition are on top of them, it stops them from playing their own game and that is the key to beating them.

The core of the team have been playing together for years now and the understanding with each other will be a lot better imo.

[the rev leeroy brown]

I don't know what makes you think Babel is a prem winning player. He's a somewhat useful sub at best.

is that you stevie wonder??

[Norbs]

I don't know what makes you think Babel is a prem winning player. He's a somewhat useful sub at best.

[Parm]

Despite all this I don't think that we are that far behind United. The gap between us now after 35 games is 12 points. This is just the 2 games between us. Win just those 2 games rather than lose them and we'd be joint top now. All this means that we are pretty much matching United point for point over 33 games even taking into account all the draws we've had. The difference being just the games between the two teams. If we can sort out the apparent mental block we have against them and start to win the odd game we'll be right on the verge of finally getting the title.

spot on mate, the gap is not that big, but as I say it is that extra quality that has allowed the mancs and chavs to nic a few extra points when we have dropped them.

[Catrin]

Mentality does play a part but in many different ways. In terms of confidence, the mancs and the chavs (though to a lesser extent under Grant) have an advantage in that most of the opposition turn up expecting to lose. They themselves turn up believing that they are the better team and expecting to win. Having a certain ruthlessness also helps. The Liverpool team of the Dalglish, Rush and Souness days would give the opposition absolutely nothing. We have got a lot better in that respect under Rafa and if we could find some quality for the flanks and a bit more depth up front we can widen that confidence gap between us and the opposition.