Liverpool v West Ham (A) - Post Match Thread

[DannyMan2006]

Well Craig_H, Torres is probably going to sit out one of these league matches now and then, so it's not that ridiculous an idea, considering he was **** before this match. He gave a response befitting his status as one of the best strikers in this league, long may it continue. We need a good Torres week in week out. I think it was a fitness thing, not a motivational one.

Sorry Fredo, but it was a ridiculous idea. Liverpool Football Club this season should be all about winning the league. That should be priority Numero Uno. If we have to rest him in games then choose any one of the three other competitions we are in.

In the Champions League you can get away with dropping points as ten will get you through most times, at present in the league we need to be winning every one.

Besides, I said as early as the second game we contended this year that Torres was out of sorts, but needed games to get his sharpness back, not time on the bench to rest. He and the likes of Riera had an extended period of time off due to the confedrations Cup so they are building up fitness slowly.

Rest him for Leeds and play him against Hull. If he's tired after that rest him from the Fiorintina game and save him for Chelsea. Otherwise play him also against Fiorintina. As I've also said before, look to take Gerrard and Torres of when ever a game is in the bag.

[Marky]

I'm surprised a few more people haven't praised Mascherano's performance.
Thought he was sharp and passed the ball alot better.
The two big plus points for me was Torres and Mascherano looking back to their best, hopefully Gerrard will follow suit and with Agger, Aurelio and Aqua to come back(albeit fab played a few minutes the other day). Oh and maybe we'll see a different Babel as well after his great cameo appearance.
Things are looking up.

[MrMichael]

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.

Yeah, I tend to agree with this. Hopefully a fit Aquilani will change the dynamic of centre-mid for us (btw if I see anyone calling him aquaman from now on they get a tellytubby avatar, seriously people stop that!). I'd much rather we played wither Masch or Lucas in the holding role than them both together - I understand why its happening right now but there does just seem to be something slightly lacking when they play together.

I said several times in the summer that Agger would be a crucial player for us this season, and watching Carra and Skrtel in the games so far has only confirmed that opinion. Not only is Agger by far and away the best of the three in posession but he is a calming and composed influence on those around him. I would much rather see him partnering either Carra or Skrtel than have them both play together. A bit like Masch and Lucas in fact.

Still, on the positive side, that was quite a game of football; Torres seems to be getting back to his best, Insua was impressive again and Babel actually looked interested when he came on. I'd like to see him played on the right a bit more often, not at the expense of Duracell Dirk but I can see there being games where Rafa might consider playing Kuyt alongside Torres, dropping Gerrard back to partner Lucas or Masch, and in those I think Babel would be worth a shot out there. Certainly more than he is on the left.

Oh, I see Kuyt wants his goal to go to Stevie - "I touched it but if it is possible I will give it to Steve. It was a great header and I was there at the second post if the ball goes wide. If we can give it to Steve, I will be glad.” Doubt that'll happen, he touched it last so its his goal imo, but still, shows how unselfish the lad is

[EwarWoo]

Didn't get to watch this one in full, just MOTD highlights, but fantastic to see Torres finding form again, just very concerting with the defensive errors by Carra and Skrtl.

FFS Rafa! Torres IS the best striker in the league, surely

If he'd said yes it would have just been piling extra pressue on the lad. Rafa got it perfect .

(btw if I see anyone calling him aquaman from now on they get a tellytubby avatar, seriously people stop that!).

You can use the censorship feature of vb to auto change Aquaman to Aquilani

[MrMichael]

You can use the censorship feature of vb to auto change Aquaman to Aquilani

Hehe, yeah I had thought of that; I'll start with threats to people's avatars and titles first and hold that one in reserve in case the problem becomes an epidemic

[Reece]

Please do the same for Skittles/Skrtel as well

[Craig_H]

Oh, I see Kuyt wants his goal to go to Stevie - "I touched it but if it is possible I will give it to Steve. It was a great header and I was there at the second post if the ball goes wide. If we can give it to Steve, I will be glad.” Doubt that'll happen, he touched it last so its his goal imo, but still, shows how unselfish the lad is

That's Kuyt all over. There's no 'i' in team or in Kuyt...

Unless you spell it the Dutch way

[RedReet]

Please do the same for Skittles/Skrtel as well

Took the words right out of my mouth, er keyboard.

[RedReet]

Oh, I see Kuyt wants his goal to go to Stevie - "I touched it but if it is possible I will give it to Steve. It was a great header and I was there at the second post if the ball goes wide. If we can give it to Steve, I will be glad.” Doubt that'll happen, he touched it last so its his goal imo, but still, shows how unselfish the lad is

Booooooooo.

**** Gerrard, the goal was yours Dirk.

[dww]

Oh, I see Kuyt wants his goal to go to Stevie - "I touched it but if it is possible I will give it to Steve. It was a great header and I was there at the second post if the ball goes wide. If we can give it to Steve, I will be glad.” Doubt that'll happen, he touched it last so its his goal imo, but still, shows how unselfish the lad is

I thought the header might have hit the post actually.

[MrMichael]

Booooooooo.

**** Gerrard, the goal was yours Dirk.

I thought the header might have hit the post actually.

Maybe. I don't think it'll matter, Kuyt will be credited I'm sure, but that statement is just so him. Dirk rocks.

[dww]

Maybe. I don't think it'll matter, Kuyt will be credited I'm sure, but that statement is just so him. Dirk rocks.

I totally agree - I was more meaning to highlight that I think Kuyt is underselling his contribution.