Fernando Torres is back

[Vermilion]

Chicago Rock on Peter Street was my venue of choice to watch the game.

Almost deserted by the time of the final whistle, just like their stadium.

I know this is a gross generalisation, and yes I have some mates that are United fans and good people, but United fans are utter, utter scum.

[Pablo]

What an utter bellend

http://www.skysports.com/opinion/story/0,25212,15205_5042158,00.html

A different class
Liverpool need to attack, but will Rafa do it?

Paul Merson Posted 12th March 2009 view comments

Liverpool have to win on Saturday, it's as simple as that. I'm just not sure that they can.

A draw is no good to them if they want to win the league and let's be honest, a 5-0 defeat is about as much use to them as a goalless draw. If they fail to win, they can't catch United - but I'm just not sure they can win the big league games when they need to.
Benitez: Liverpool to lose by two goals?

Benitez: Liverpool to lose by two goals?

Everybody will be talking about the win over Real Madrid and it was undoubtedly a great result. But this Madrid team are not as good as people seem to think they are, they still seem to be living on former glories.

That result does not prove Liverpool have what it takes to win on Saturday because they already had a one-goal lead and I fully expected them to win at Anfield. They scored the early goal and when they got going they proved what a force they can be in Champions League football.

It is easier for English teams to win the Champions League than the Premier League and it is much, much easier to beat Real Madrid than it is to beat Manchester United.

Paul Merson
Quotes of the week
MAN UTD v LIVERPOOL
12pm, Sat, Sky Sports 1&HD1

It is easier for English teams to win the Champions League than the Premier League and it is much, much easier to beat Real Madrid than it is to beat Manchester United. Madrid are not even close to United in my eyes.

This is a very different game, but they have got to go into it with the same mentality. This is a must-win game if they want any chance of winning the title (not that I think there is much hope left) and they have got to go out there and attack.

If they have a go at Manchester United then who knows what could happen? If they go out there and try and defend I expect United will still create enough chances to win the game.

But you never know with Rafa Benitez. I wouldn't be surprised if they run out on Saturday and neither Steven Gerrard nor Fernando Torres are in the team. He didn't put his best team out against Stoke, he didn't put his best team out against Portsmouth - who knows what he'll do against Manchester United?
Weakness

There were signs of weakness for United against Inter Milan. The Italians created lots of good chances against them and we could easily be sat here talking about United being out of the Champions League.

For me, Inter are not a top-drawer team. They may be top of the Italian league, but in the last two days we've seen how Italy's best teams compare to England's best teams. Their league is not that good in my opinion.

It's not very often that teams have a go at Man United, that's one of the reasons why they have kept so many clean sheets this season. But if Liverpool want to keep the title race alive they have to have a go at them.

If they do that they will cause problems because Liverpool have got some wonderful players going forward.

It's hard to read Benitez, but I just don't think he'll do that - and that's why I think United will win the game.

[Guest]

He's a real idiot this guy and this is an understatement.

[Shaggy]

I might be stating the obvious but I wanna point it out anyway.

Nando has now scored goals against the Mancs, Arsenal, Chelsea, Everton (I know I know, they don't belong in this company but you know what I mean), Real Madrid and Inter Milan. He can't be far off notching against every Prem club too.

Best striker in the world, no arguments.

Fowler was great - a hero, a legend, the works - but as ****-hot as he was I think it's fair to say he was never the best in the world.

Fernando

[Rich]

I was talking to my last night while re-watching match of the day, and he was on about that Torres took one touch too many for his goal but I think that is the genius of the man, he doesn't take the shot when the goalkeeper expects it. That extra touch allowed the angle to open up just a fraction more to allow Torres to beat Van Der Sar. Class.

[Harv]

I might be stating the obvious but I wanna point it out anyway.

Nando has now scored goals against the Mancs, Arsenal, Chelsea, Everton (I know I know, they don't belong in this company but you know what I mean), Real Madrid and Inter Milan. He can't be far off notching against every Prem club too.

Best striker in the world, no arguments.

Fowler was great - a hero, a legend, the works - but as ****-hot as he was I think it's fair to say he was never the best in the world.

Fernando

Its always bothered me how Robbie never really got a look in for England. He only played 20 odd games didnt he? Thats criminal really.

[Ben_Itez]

I was talking to my last night while re-watching match of the day, and he was on about that Torres took one touch too many for his goal but I think that is the genius of the man, he doesn't take the shot when the goalkeeper expects it. That extra touch allowed the angle to open up just a fraction more to allow Torres to beat Van Der Sar. Class.

****ing hell.....that's splitting hairs innit!??!?!

[Guest]

Its always bothered me how Robbie never really got a look in for England. He only played 20 odd games didnt he? Thats criminal really.

He probably started no more than 20 games you're right.

Criminal from a player of his quality. The best natural goalscorer I've ever seen.

[Ben_Itez]

Its always bothered me how Robbie never really got a look in for England. He only played 20 odd games didnt he? Thats criminal really.

26 caps, 7 goals. Utterly criminal. He never really got a look in when he was at his peak and was forever warming the bench (usually playing cards with McMananman!). Then came the injuries.

[Shaggy]

I totally agree re Fowler/England but he was up against Shearer and, as much as it pains me to say it (Fowler had loads more talent IMO), no-one could really have any arguments. As well as Shearer there was Sheringham, Ian Wright, Andy Cole, Ferdinand and a few others. Naturally Robbie was better than all of them but at the time England had an abundance of prolific goalscorers to pick from.

[Leyton388]

Anderson, Nani and hargreaves WHAT a load of ****! Roy keane must be pissing himself laughing seeing what has replaced him.

Anderson is worse than Lucas IMO who showed yesterday what he can do. Nani is a poor poor mans Ronaldo and Hargreaves is cack. almost £50m wasted on them lets not forget veron too.

Hahaha

Anderson £17m
Xabi £10.5m
Lucas £7m

[DannyMan2006]

Anderson, Nani and hargreaves WHAT a load of ****! Roy keane must be pissing himself laughing seeing what has replaced him.

Anderson is worse than Lucas IMO who showed yesterday what he can do. Nani is a poor poor mans Ronaldo and Hargreaves is cack. almost £50m wasted on them lets not forget veron too.

Hahaha

Anderson £17m
Xabi £10.5m
Lucas £7m

Prior to yesterday 95% of people would have said that Anderson is a million miles better than Lucas. Before to the start of the game I was talking with my Manc supporting mate and comparing the two. Both Brazilian, both originally from Gremio, good mates with each other, etc etc.

Then I added that both were bought at the same time, but that Anderson had cost nearly three time as much as Lucas. His reply? "It shows".

And I don't think many would have argued with him prior to yesterdays game. Many would still harp on about Anderson having Gerrard in his pocket and moan about Lucas getting sent off.

But this season Lucas has shown tremendous spirit and that he has the required mentality to be a success at a big club. He's been booed by his own fans but he has not gone into hiding, he has stood up and been counted - Taking the criticism on the chin.

Yesterday he showed he has the ability to be a success at Liverpool. He was edgy at first and looked his poor usual self, but after that first 15 minutes he was simply fantastic. He wasn't the only one, but I single him out for praise as he has too often been singled out for ridicule when he has been no worse that the others on the pitch.

He hasn't set the world alight since being here, but maybe yesterday could prove to be a turning point for him. If the crowd can get behind him again he could well become a very good player for LFC.

[andrewces38]

I was talking to my last night while re-watching match of the day, and he was on about that Torres took one touch too many for his goal but I think that is the genius of the man, he doesn't take the shot when the goalkeeper expects it. That extra touch allowed the angle to open up just a fraction more to allow Torres to beat Van Der Sar. Class.

After watching about 20 million replays oh ok about 37, I was saying the same to my son that extra touch was just pure class it might not seem it to the ordinary folk but that touch could have easily taken him too near Van der wank any heavier and the chance was gone it just shows the pure genious of the guy.
His best performance has to be the Real madrid game considering who we was playing and his background with Athletico he was just so fired up for that game has Stevie G stated in the week, and yesterday he repayed the Scouse lads and all Liverpool fans a big thank you for the Madrid result with a "This is to you " performance not only has he settled so well into our club he is switched on with all the traditions too.
Legend is a often easily quoted tag nowadays but Torres is working his way up the ladder of the greats currently at 50th but after last 2 games he is flying up the charts....................long may it continue

[wiw]

I might be stating the obvious but I wanna point it out anyway.

Nando has now scored goals against the Mancs, Arsenal, Chelsea, Everton (I know I know, they don't belong in this company but you know what I mean), Real Madrid and Inter Milan. He can't be far off notching against every Prem club too.

Best striker in the world, no arguments.

Fowler was great - a hero, a legend, the works - but as ****-hot as he was I think it's fair to say he was never the best in the world.

Fernando

All absolute beauties as well. He seems incapable of scoring tap-ins (Madrid aside )

[EwarWoo]

****ing hell.....that's splitting hairs innit!??!?!

That's probably what he got from Rafa when he got in the dressing room

He hasn't set the world alight since being here, but maybe yesterday could prove to be a turning point for him. If the crowd can get behind him again he could well become a very good player for LFC.

It's amazing hey. 2 months ago anyone suggesting Rafa wasn't insane for giving Lucas a chance was almost universally shouted down. His one decision even people who like Rafa agreed was ridiculous.

Guess he really does know best