Liverpool v West Ham (A) - Post Match Thread

[Guest]

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.

If they play like this I'll be delighted. Basically we need to keep the ball and they did this very well today. Holding midfielders aren't supposed to bring more to a team's attack but Lucas has an eye of a run and his movement is excellent, he just lacks the end product and some experience.

[reds123]

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

And what about Carra? Imagine if it was Lucas who had done the useless penalty?

[DannyMan2006]

I think we have to remember that our defence is short on confidence and seem to be on tenter hooks most of the time. Carra has been having a different partner every game in the early weeks whilst Skrtel has been stop, start with injuries.

As noted with Torres a striker can play when out of form and ease his way back in. A centre back doesn't have that option and the team suffers when they our of the pace. But needs must. Kyrgiakos was not match fit to our standards when signed, Ayala and Kelly our not yet good enough whilst Agger is slowly coming back. They have had to play.

[lickedlollipop]

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

you better choose your words.. HE knows !!!

[Joe King]

Torres was immense before he scored the first and became incredibly quiet. He looks like slowly coming back to his best. Our defence is shocking to say the least. Agger and Aurelio should change that.

[JohnDoe]

Lucas and Mascherano are good players, but both of them need an influential player next to them. They don't have that presence and vision to dictate our game. When Lucas gets the ball first, Masch isn't a good passing option for him and he doesn't offer a threat running forward. When Lucas is the one going forward, it looks a bit more promising, but then Masch is very limited when initiating attacks. They don't attack together, it's always one going missing on a certain play and one having the ball.

They don't mesh well, even when they're not particularly having poor games.

[DannyMan2006]

If they play like this I'll be delighted. Basically we need to keep the ball and they did this very well today. Holding midfielders aren't supposed to bring more to a team's attack but Lucas has an eye of a run and his movement is excellent, he just lacks the end product and some experience.

Sorry mate, but they are when you play with two. It's not like we are the Real madrid team who had Makalele sitting whilst the world best talent did their stuff.

Last year Alonso did the business and Masch sat in the back ground with side balls. This year it's up to both Masch and Lucas to take turns and offer something else.

[DannyMan2006]

Lucas and Mascherano are good players, but both of them need an influential player next to them. They don't have that presence and vision to dictate our game. When Lucas gets the ball first, Masch isn't a good passing option for him and he doesn't offer a threat running forward. When Lucas is the one going forward, it looks a bit more promising, but then Masch is very limited when initiating attacks. They don't attack together, it's always one going missing on a certain play and one having the ball.

They don't mesh well, even when they're not particularly having poor games.

I agree. The biggest problem is Mascherano seems to take it upon himself to do things he can not do. I've been watching him for Argentina and this has been slowly creeping into his game. I admire his efforts but a football player is at his best when he knows his own limitations.

[Le Chef]

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

Agreed

[Shaggy]

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

Sounds totally lame but in his post-match it was obvious he has a cold. Quite a bad one! Might've had summat to do with it...

[JohnDoe]

I agree. The biggest problem is Mascherano seems to take it upon himself to do things he can not do. I've been watching him for Argentina and this has been slowly creeping into his game. I admire his efforts but a football player is at his best when he knows his own limitations.

Ever since he got that captaincy, he's not the same player. He needs the pressure off him to do what he does best. Alonso allowed him to concentrate on winning balls and pressing teams high up the pitch while sitting deep and orchestrating our game. Now he's got Lucas next to him and he's the senior player needing to take more responsibilities. It's not working.

[Reece]

Sounds totally lame but in his post-match it was obvious he has a cold. Quite a bad one! Might've had summat to do with it...

Haha I commented on that to my mate too. Bless him

[DannyMan2006]

Sounds totally lame but in his post-match it was obvious he has a cold. Quite a bad one! Might've had summat to do with it...

It does effect and maybe that's the reason. Towards the end I saw Babel (full of energy) and Torres running all over the park to harry West Ham into mistakes, whilst Stevie just mumbled around.

One great moment for me was Fernando sprinting back late on and doing a perfect sliding hook challenge to win the ball. Magic. Thta is why the boy will become a legend for this club.

LOL at the posters who did not want to start Torres today!

[DannyMan2006]

Ever since he got that captaincy, he's not the same player. He needs the pressure off him to do what he does best. Alonso allowed him to concentrate on winning balls and pressing teams high up the pitch while sitting deep and orchestrating our game. Now he's got Lucas next to him and he's the senior player needing to take more responsibilities. It's not working.

I think with Argentinas coming games (Peru) it is clear they will qualify. When they do I think he may just be able to relax. But he needs to forge a better understanding of what Lucas can do and allow the Brazilian more of a chance to do what he is capable of. Javier is the best in the business at what he does. But I would not ask Yossi to be a defender anymore than I would ask Masch to be a deep lying playmaker.

Problem at present is i think he sees the youth of Lucas and so sees the pressure on himself to deliver Alonso style balls. Previous years he just won the ball and did what Lucas is so derided for, a 5 yard pass to the other CM (Alonso).

[Marky]

****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

I'm like that for every match tbh and i dont know why. I'm a complete lunatic watching our games which is why i'm very rarely seen in a pub when we're on.