Liverpool v West Ham (A) - Post Match Thread

[little dave hedgehog]

am i the only one who thought stevie was a bit off the pace for large parts of the game?

[BobTheCharmer]

A lot of what we did was good. Defensively we looked poor but improved second half. I think it may be time to think of putting people on the posts and keeping two or three at the half way line to occupy their defenders.

Reina was alright, not a lot he could do really.
Insua was really good today, not afraid to get involved and come forward.
Carra had a nightmare first half but he improved in the second half
skyrtel makes me nervous, always trying to win the ball from behind
Johnson, another good game although his crossing was off, always a threat coming forward and stuck tighter to that little cunt in the second half.
Benni - was in 'walk it' in mode again but we're a better team with him in it at present, actually has the ability to dribble.
Gerrard - usual stuff really, I want to know who's decision for him not to take corners? His? Rafa's? Weird after 5 seasons.
Lucas - a different animal to last year. Not dynamic but fairly effective. bulked up no end.
Masher - still not quite at the races although I appauld the tackle for the yellow card, its the sort you have to make at times.
Kuyt - worked hard, huffed and puffed.
Torres - still looks like he's got a chip on his shoulder but at last he's starting playing again! The header was quality.
Babel - At ****ing last. He showed glimpes on wednesday, he got stuck in and took players on. excellent cross for the goal.

3 points.

now for city to win. any utd defeat almost feels as good as a liverpool win in fact better sometimes. they'll win of course, fletcher 1-0.

[DannyMan2006]

That blip's been going too long to be called a blip.

Has he really been that bad though John?

We have yet to concede a goal in open play after about 7 games. Shocking at set pieces but that's a team effort. Hines skinned him today, but unknown quantities can do such things.

[Shaggy]

Thought Lucas played really well. Passed the ball forwards crisply and incisively to feet.

[Guest]

Lucas and Mascherano were outstanding. Controlled the midfield in an Alonso'esque manner. Brilliant to see as West Ham can be a difficult side to play against because they're very good on the ball.

[wiw]

am i the only one who thought stevie was a bit off the pace for large parts of the game?

Nope. He looked a bit frustrated/sulky as well which annoyed me

[Reece]

Sexy Tits!!!

[Guest]

Thought Lucas played really well. Passed the ball forwards crisply and incisively to feet.

I don't think he lost the ball.

[DannyMan2006]

****ing love it

Not quite sure why but I was uber-pumped for that and spent most of that match swearing angrily, and went absolutely ****ing ape**** for both of Nando's goals

Went mad for the winner, and full time, even though I thought we had it wrapped up with us you never know.

[Finnish_Red]

The first one was absolutely brilliant from start to finish. There ain't many strikers who can pull that kind of goal out of the hat. And he doesn't even seem to be at the top of his form yet.

[Mattshark]

Thought Lucas played really well. Passed the ball forwards crisply and incisively to feet.

Nice to see Babel come on and be really effective.

[JohnDoe]

Has he really been that bad though John?

We have yet to concede a goal in open play after about 7 games. Shocking at set pieces but that's a team effort. Hines skinned him today, but unknown quantities can do such things.

Most of those set pieces were a result of our defensive pairing not capable of mopping up clearances and inviting pressure on us despite the opposition having little possession. West Ham's second was a corner but it was a result of Skrtel conceding a free kick when he really shouldn't have and gave them a chance to attack us.

One of the things that Chelsea and the mancs excel at is mopping up those clearances and winning the 50/50's high up the pitch to continue their initiative when having the ball. Carragher and Skrtel both first look for the easy way out and are usually exposed when they're not protected by either a full back tucking in or our central midfielders sitting deep.

We have a serious problem with them defensively against inferior sides because they're not the type of CB's who compliment a superior side having the ball and initiative most of the time.

[Guest]

Nando is getting there thankfully we didn't have to wait that long. Our start of the season was more of a case of our top players getting their fitness levels back and that is why we lost two games. Now I can see us getting on a good run and be challenging really soon. We've got a fantastic first 11 and we've still got Agger and Aquilani to come back.

We just have to hope that Ngog and al can bring something to the team when we're going to rest Torres and the likes. They need to step up, especially Babel, who has all the talent. He displayed it in cameos when he came on today.

[The Erectile Banana]

I think after a decent start to his LFC career Skrtel has begun to look decidely average.

[DannyMan2006]

Lucas and Mascherano were outstanding. Controlled the midfield in an Alonso'esque manner. Brilliant to see as West Ham can be a difficult side to play against because they're very good on the ball.

I think they did their job, I would not say they were outstanding. Thye kept the ball nicely, but I think they were a little short at times in supporting Carra and Skrtel with the pace of Hines, Cole and Diamanti.

I'm still looking for one of them to step up also and offer some sort of threat by way of spotting a pass and slippinmg a player in. I think Masch sees things early, but lacks the ability to provide the pass. All to often his passes our over hit.