Atlético Madrid Match & Post-match

[DannyMan2006]

They bought Rafael so that doesnt count, atm they have no great young defenders they have brought up themselves.

Johnny Evans, though not a teenager is a good player.

[Mike]

Johnny Evans, though not a teenager is a good player.

Yes but we were on about 18-19 year olds right now.

[pondus]

Lots of positives for me:

1. Johnson. Quality.
2. Insua. Quality.
3. Lucas. Quality. Finally stepped up and started to take control of the game.
4. Martin Kelly. Him, along with Spearing, are the two youngsters who can make it into the first team squad.

Also, hadn't Phil Dowd been a cunt we would have at least two penalties today. Torres is close to his best, Gerrard too, N'gog looked ok when he came on.

Kelly have done really well at right back in the last two games, he will become a good player I think.

We will be all right for next sunday, just hope Carra i s ok, and Agger or Skrtel is fit.

[vlahka]

They had him when he was that age and he was good then as he is now. We also bought Jose and Ayala.

[JohnDoe]

Yes but we were on about 18-19 year olds right now.

Cathcart and Corry Evans (Jonny's brother)

[BobTheCharmer]

Much better second half by the two rookies. Looks promising, they've surely benefited from this experience. In fact we played with a whole new backline today and I think we did well. Good match, excellent workout for the lads. Bring on Spurs next week.

its the first friendly i've seen in a while and my first ever internet streamed game, i rather enjoyed the whole experience, bollocks and all.

Johnson & Insua look very comfortable. Lucas looked good, Masher put himself around and ngog faced the side line and shot exactly where he aimed and produced comfortably the funniest moment in a red shirt this year experience.

we had a saturday mid afternoon porn viewer, a chinese spy and someone moaning about how our youngsters aren't as good looking as utd's. right it must be time to have a gin and breast milk or two.

[Mike]

Cathcart and Corry Evans (Jonny's brother)

Who?

[Vermilion]

Pepe and Torres need to sweet talk Aguero...

Could we even afford the lad though ?

[little dave hedgehog]

Not sure if it's true,but I read somewhere that atletico turned down £30+mil for an old diego forlan. Real madrid wanted him apparently

[ric.williams]

thought it was obvious we missed xabi today. didnt control the midfield or the general play.

big plus points for me was Insua and Kelly s performances. Lucas was decent too

[Dantheman]

Bit surprised Kelly didn't play CB today. He looks the best of the young 'uns in that position by a long way. Has Rafa got him down as a RB now or is it one of his development positions?

[andrewces38]

its the first friendly i've seen in a while and my first ever internet streamed game, i rather enjoyed the whole experience, bollocks and all.

Johnson & Insua look very comfortable. Lucas looked good, Masher put himself around and ngog faced the side line and shot exactly where he aimed and produced comfortably the funniest moment in a red shirt this year experience.

we had a saturday mid afternoon porn viewer, a chinese spy and someone moaning about how our youngsters aren't as good looking as utd's. right it must be time to have a gin and breast milk or two.

Quality post mate

[Rafael Benítez Maudes]

Jamie Carragher suffered a freak injury yesterday to leave Liverpool facing a possible defensive crisis even before the season starts.
The 31-year-old defender twisted his ankle off the ball after just 13 minutes against Atletico Madrid at Anfield.
In a quiet ground, Carragher's cries to attract the attention of the physio were clearly heard - and his bizarre predicament even caused some amusement before the crowd realised the full extent of his pain.

The former England defender played no further part in proceedings and required substantial strapping on the injury.

Manchester United and Chelsea target Sergio Aguero stole in for the Spanish club's first goal while Liverpool were still reorganising.

Of far more concern to Liverpool, however, are their growing defensive problems as they prepare to kick off the Premier League season as many experts' favourites for the title.

Martin Skrtel and Daniel Agger both missed yesterday's match because they are already carrying injuries.

Now Carragher faces a race to be ready for the big kick-off too even though Liverpool were trying to play down the extent of his injury last night.


A spokesman said: 'Jamie turned his ankle and came off as a precaution. I have been told it isn't serious, though the ankle has been strapped up.'

The true extent of the injury will probably be known only today, when Liverpool's medical staff are expected to make a fresh assessment.

Yesterday, former Old Trafford star Diego Forlan had the last laugh on the Liverpool boo-boys when he struck a sublime second for Atletico in the 33rd minute, finding the net with a first-time curled shot.

Fernando Torres had countless chances to make his mark against his old club, but even when clean through on three occasions he failed to beat Atletico keeper Sergio Asenjo.

And, seconds after Forlan's strike, he hit a post. The visitors enjoyed most of the luck and should have conceded a penalty when Tomas Ujfalusi appeared to bring down Torres in the area.

Referee Phil Dowd declined to point to the spot and Liverpool became increasingly frustrated until Lucas came up with a consolation goal in the 82nd minute.

After this, manager Rafa Benitez will be unable to go into the new season with the notion of Anfield as a fortress.

The more important question is whether they will be able to start their campaign with any fully-fit central defenders.

[-V-]

Carra and Agger will both be fit next week

Lucas

[Daffy Duck]

How did Spearing play?