CL Semi Final - Post Match Musings

[rage]

Need a (non gay) hug mate?

no some we win some we don't

what's that saying about rising from our greatest falls and that.

bring on next season, we had a good run, some brilliant memories.

[Leyton388]

Well guys roll on next season where we might have the sheik onboard

[Exiled_red]

Hopefully that is Hicks done and dusted as there is no more champions league money

Hopefully...

[BrooklynRed]

Great post, but I think Alonso (whilst agreeing he's short of confidence) is shackled by Rafa. If he's doing what he's told, he can't be blamed.

If so, then fair play to Grant for his tactical acumen and shame on Rafa for leaving Xabi back and trying to force the game solely through Stevie. I think it is a combination of both, probably. Either way, Xabi hardly had any influence on the match tonight while Ballack almost scored a free kick and won a penalty, and Lampard scored a penalty and sent Drogba through for what should have been a goal. We lost the midfield tonight and, in my opinion, playing Xabi as a second holding midfielder (if those were his instructions) did us no favors at all.

[stuartb]

I think its been done to death but I agree that Risse is done. He took a free kick in the first half and im thinking - please make amends and it didnt even get close to clearing the wall but to be honest hes been shocking all year. Has he scored even 1 goal? Been all corner flag shots from what Ive seen. Your done. Villa and Newcastle can have him for 5 million and its good business.

Goodbye Risse

Kuyt is most effective when he can hassle and force mistakes. On a field like that with the rain, hes mitigated as he cant turn and run and turn and run. One surge and theres no turn on that field to keep hassling. But for Skittles injury, surely it would have been Crouch for Kuyt - ill get to Crouch later though. Kuyt remains an effective squad player based on the circumstances. However I think 10 million is far too much to pay for an effective squad player

Not sure how to diagnise Xabi except to say he didnt do anything. A previous post summed it up perfectly saying that Yukalele man marked Gerrad out of the game but that should have given Xabi license to take control. He was too defensive and Maschers there to do that. If we can get 10 million for him id take it. Hes lost something and I dont understand why. Goodbye

I feel sorry for Crouch - it was asking for him to come on and make a difference regardless as to who you think should have been taken off. I think hell go in the Summer and ill wish him all the best. Could have been used more effectively across the season IMO

I just hope to hell Torres was injured as there is no other justification for taking him off. Please tell me thats why he was subbed?

Weve done the Chavs three times in semis - twice at the most important ones so tonight just wasnt our turn. Lets hope they have their historic day and win #1 rather than Manure taking #3

YNWA

BTW - but for the own goal, we would have gonre through

[FatTony]

The difference in squads is huge. Lets be honest, man for man we're miles behind and to come out winners takes a bit of luck and 110% effort. Tonight wasn't it.

Cech, Terry, Cole, Carvalho, Cole, Essien, Ballack, Lampard, Makelele, Kalou and Drogba.

Really, compare the above against ours and there's moss growing in the gap....

We've done bloody well to achieve what we have recently with this squad, the only worry is that Chelsea had a quiet transfer season last year, whilst the mancs will go out and spend another £50m on a few quality additions.

We're trying to play catch up but we haven't even bridged the gap yet.

[Joe King]

why what was said?

Keys started this conversation with Souness by asking: 'If Torres was injured, what are they saving him from?' I'm guessing from further damage. He is a right ****.

Souness replied that hamstrings are dodgy so you have to take him off.

Souness's assessment of Rafa was that he felt Rafa must have assessed the squad at the start and realised his side isn't good enough to win the title but good enough to win the Champions League and bring in money that way. Whilst Man U and Chelsea have masses amount of money, Liverpool don't and its been difficult for Rafa recently so what Rafa is doing is a step in the right direction but what all Liverpool fans like himself would like to see Liverpool do is to buy one Fernando Torres signing and they can challenge properly for the title.

[calvoboy]

Well guys we will be back next year and i am sure we will be going for this again. But next year we need a push for the league. Well done Avram go on and win it. The man has class unlike Jose

Yep - marked difference in the relations between the two clubs. Both managers showing respect for each other in the post match interviews and both talking sense. I reckon Rafa had a word with Drogba after the game too, as both Drogba and Rafa sounded respectful of each other in their interviews too.

Respect for Avram too, with the story about his dad burying his grandfather with his bare hands during the holocaust, and this being holocaust day in Israel. With that and Lampard's recent bereavement it must be an emotional dressing room at this moment!

I'd like to see him go on and do the double now that we can't win anything.

[Robster007]

no some we win some we don't

what's that saying about rising from our greatest falls and that.

bring on next season, we had a good run, some brilliant memories.

That's more like it matey. Bring on DIC (hopefully) and next season.

[Exiled_red]

by the way - Pennant nearly go MOM last year in the CL FINAL against Milan......

.... but he never turns op at the big matches ;-)

I'm impressed with Pennant when he's been out of the team for a while, he reacts like he has a point to prove but at times when he's had a run in the side his form seems to dip like he gets complacent.

[Leyton388]

Keys started this conversation with Souness by asking: 'If Torres was injured, what are they saving him from?' I'm guessing from further damage. He is a right ****.

Souness replied that hamstrings are dodgy so you have to take him off.

Souness's assessment of Rafa was that he felt Rafa must have assessed the squad at the start and realised his side isn't good enough to win the title but good enough to win the Champions League and bring in money that way. Whilst Man U and Chelsea have masses amount of money, Liverpool don't and its been difficult for Rafa recently so what Rafa is doing is a step in the right direction but what all Liverpool fans like himself would like to see Liverpool do is to buy one Fernando Torres signing and they can challenge properly for the title.

About the best thing i have ever heard souness say

[calvoboy]

The difference in squads is huge. Lets be honest, man for man we're miles behind and to come out winners takes a bit of luck and 110% effort. Tonight wasn't it.

Cech, Terry, Cole, Carvalho, Cole, Essien, Ballack, Lampard, Makelele, Kalou and Drogba.

Really, compare the above against ours and there's moss growing in the gap....

We've done bloody well to achieve what we have recently with this squad, the only worry is that Chelsea had a quiet transfer season last year, whilst the mancs will go out and spend another £50m on a few quality additions.

We're trying to play catch up but we haven't even bridged the gap yet.

Cech, Terry, Cole, Carvalho, Cole, Essien, Ballack, Lampard, Makelele, Kalou and Drogba.

Reina, Carra, Skrtel, Agger, Mascher, Gerrard, Alonso, Torres

I don't think we are that far behind personally. And I don't believe that it is all about individuals either, as Real Madrid proved during the Galactico era. There's no comparison between Kuyt and Kalou, but neither could play the other one's role in their respective teams.

[Barnie7]

it was fair comment from Souness but Keys is a complete a*se and talks so much s*it its unbelievable...and we the punters who pay for sky pay his wages!?!

[Exiled_red]

Keys started this conversation with Souness by asking: 'If Torres was injured, what are they saving him from?' I'm guessing from further damage. He is a right ****.

Souness replied that hamstrings are dodgy so you have to take him off.

Souness's assessment of Rafa was that he felt Rafa must have assessed the squad at the start and realised his side isn't good enough to win the title but good enough to win the Champions League and bring in money that way. Whilst Man U and Chelsea have masses amount of money, Liverpool don't and its been difficult for Rafa recently so what Rafa is doing is a step in the right direction but what all Liverpool fans like himself would like to see Liverpool do is to buy one Fernando Torres signing and they can challenge properly for the title.

Keys just has it in for us, if we'd have kept him on he'd have had a go at us for leaving an injured player on. Any stick to beat us with

[Robster007]

Keys just has it in for us, if we'd have kept him on he'd have had a go at us for leaving an injured player on. Any stick to beat us with

Does anyone really give that much of a **** what he says?

I don't.