Graeme Souness has his say

[tomasjj]

I actually think that Souness often talks more than sense than most as a pundit. His own shortcomings as a manager are pretty much irrelevant in that respect. No-one says Hansen's opinion is worthless yet he hasn't managed so much as a pub team.

I really didn't enjoy hearing it, but I found myself reluctantly agreeing with most of what Souness said.

Hoddle, on the other hand, is a know-nothing bozo.

But I saw a some different quotes at the end where Souness said the team didn't look like winning a big game in the CL or the premier league, whether that is with or without torres and gerrard, he is wrong....

[Guest]

You seem to be contradicting yourself a bit here.

Not at all. It just means that you cannot say that we aren't good enough because we have two world class players in our team who are injured and are not playing. We are good enough to beat teams such as Lyon and Sunderland, no question. We even beat United last season (at Anfield) without both of them.

[Guest]

God given right??? Don't make me laugh, we've still spent plenty enough to ensure that we shouldn't be going for a 5th consecutive loss. We've still spent enough that says we should'nt be 9 games into the league with an almost 50% loss rate.

Rafa is not "doing alright" at all. Thats complete and utter toss. Its his team, his tactics and his motivation that sets a team up. Yes we have a few of our best players out, but it was still Rafa's decision to play Aurelio in midfield against Foirentina, his decision to take of our main creative player last night for Voronin, his decision to spend 50% of his transfer budget on a player who's been injured since March and his decision to play a system that means that we'll never be able to keep 2 world class strikers happy at the club.

We heap praise on him when he's achieved, why is it not his fault when things go wrong. I for one support Rafa, I want him to stay at this club for many, many years but I'm not a bloody brainwashed andriod like some people on here who think the guy is beyond critism.

And nobody's talking about this god given right to win the league or european cup, but we are expecting to always be challenging and we're not even doing that at the moment.

Forget about the ****ing money, even Man. City have spent more than us this season. Rafa is not beyond criticism but to criticise him for replacing Benayoun (who was knackered) is absolutely ridiculous.

[zimbo]

Not at all. It just means that you cannot say that we aren't good enough because we have two world class players in our team who are injured and are not playing. We are good enough to beat teams such as Lyon and Sunderland, no question. We even beat United last season (at Anfield) without both of them.

Well, yes. We should be good enough, no question.

On our current form though, the evidence suggests we're not. Hopefully Sunday will prove me wrong. Or right. I've lost track of which it is now, to be honest.

[Guest]

Well, yes. We should be good enough, no question.

On our current form though, the evidence suggests we're not. Hopefully Sunday will prove me wrong. Or right. I've lost track of which it is now, to be honest.

It's all about form as you say. That's why I'm not really concerned (though very annoyed) about our results. We've turned things around before and will do so this time. Good players don't turn bad overnight. It will be a test of their character for sure.

[FatTony]

Forget about the ****ing money, even Man. City have spent more than us this season. Rafa is not beyond criticism but to criticise him for replacing Benayoun (who was knackered) is absolutely ridiculous.

How do you know he was knackered? Did he ring you from the bench, struggling to get the words out?

[zimbo]

But I saw a some different quotes at the end where Souness said the team didn't look like winning a big game in the CL or the premier league, whether that is with or without torres and gerrard, he is wrong....

Based on this season's form, it's probably correct. But I don't think anyone expects that this run will continue indefinitely, even those who have been most critical of our performances.

[Guest]

How do you know he was knackered? Did he ring you from the bench, struggling to get the words out?

Because he played for 80 mins and ran his arse off. But maybe I'm wrong and he was fresher than Voronin though, who was sitting on his arse all game.

[barnes10]

How do you know he was knackered? Did he ring you from the bench, struggling to get the words out?

ermm with gerrard injured, Benni is also expected to put in the performance of his life against Man U in a few days time.

Would you not opt give him a rest when the game looked to be heading to a 1-1? or would you prefer us to be even weaker against the mancs?

[Bender]

How do you know he was knackered? Did he ring you from the bench, struggling to get the words out?

Rafa said he was tired mate.........
Some boos rang around Anfield when Benitez replaced Benayoun with Andriy Voronin, but the Reds boss defended the switch: "The fans know Yossi is a good player, but I felt he was getting a little tired and I wanted to use some fresh legs.

"We needed to change something, to put a fresher man on - and it was a chance worth taking."

[FatTony]

Because he played for 80 mins and ran his arse off. But maybe I'm wrong and he was fresher than Voronin though, who was sitting on his arse all game.

Then every player on the pitch was just as knackered (except Reina).

I'd take a tired Benny over a fresh Voronin any day.

[FatTony]

ermm with gerrard injured, Benni is also expected to put in the performance of his life against Man U in a few days time.

Would you not opt give him a rest when the game looked to be heading to a 1-1? or would you prefer us to be even weaker against the mancs?

Didn't head to a 1-1 though did we. BTW, it was Tuesday last night and the match is on Sunday the last time I checked, both at home.

[Exiled_red]

That's pretty much how I saw it

Reina
Carra +
Agger
Masch +
Aquilani
Gerrard
Torres

Fit and on form that looks a really strong spine, and certainly not a 2 man team.

Your choice then of Johnson, Insua, Aurelio, Kuyt, Babel, Benny and Riera to fill the last 4 positions looks quite good.
Or

Reina
Carra -
Skrtel
Masch -
Lucas
Benny
N'gog

As things are right now that's just a disaster in the process of happening whoever else you pick.

[Maxiedge]

Zimbo, I do actually agree that he's one of the better pundits and in some instances they don't really require anyone else in the studio as he can talk all day long but, when the chips are really down, I wish he would back the manager/team and advise Hoddle and Keys on where they can shove it.

Oh and last time I saw wee Gordon he was very good in his analysis. They should guest him in more often.

[Guest]

Then every player on the pitch was just as knackered (except Reina).

I'd take a tired Benny over a fresh Voronin any day.

Thank **** you are nowhere near that bench of ours. The amount of rollicking I see Voronin under just begs me to ask if he will ever feel he is part of this club. If I was in his shoes, I'd just tell you all to **** off and I'd be just turning up just to piss you off.