Chelsea vs Liverpool Post Match Thread

[dww]

Thought Kuyt worked well yesterday but the key to stopping their fullbacks is our own fullbacks pushing on to them

LFC always had this philosophy when Kenny played and managed, its as if we say "we dont care what you think your fullbacks are going to do because they are going to spend a lot of time worrying about ours pushing up and attacking them"

I can see that - and in general agree but I think we played too deep a lot of the time for that to be entirely the case. There were big gaps between Kuyt (and occasionally Meireles) and the rest of the team - which could easily have allowed a full back either side to step into midfield.

It was an excellent overall defensive performance and everyone played their part. We will have to evolve to offer more than that but given how shaky we have been until the last few games in defence you have to give Kenny a lot of credit for the way we dealt with Stoke and Chelsea.

[Lecter]

I can see that - and in general agree but I think we played too deep a lot of the time for that to be entirely the case. There were big gaps between Kuyt (and occasionally Meireles) and the rest of the team - which could easily have allowed a full back either side to step into midfield.

It was an excellent overall defensive performance and everyone played their part. We will have to evolve to offer more than that but given how shaky we have been until the last few games in defence you have to give Kenny a lot of credit for the way we dealt with Stoke and Chelsea.

Would agree with what you are saying for the latter part of the second half but the rest in particularly the first half Johnson was camped in the middle of their half he was pushing so far forward

[Cormack74]

From the Telegraph (sounds familiar):

"Torres had 29 touches during his 66 minutes on the pitch, fewer than any other outfield player in that time."

[dww]

Would agree with what you are saying for the latter part of the second half but the rest in particularly the first half Johnson was camped in the middle of their half he was pushing so far forward

You may well be right - the latter part of the match has certainly stuck in my memory more (and frankly without being paid re-watching the early parts of that game is not particularly appealing).

[DeanoUK]

I'm happy to concede I'm wrong about Kuyt if so many of you think different. I just can't see it myself.

[McDermotX]

From the Telegraph (sounds familiar):

"Torres had 29 touches during his 66 minutes on the pitch, fewer than any other outfield player in that time."

Shocking performance, one not expected of a new player coming in who has experienced the league already over the past few years.

Lets face it though, it was rather like a lot of his performances for us over the last number of months.

[dww]

I'm happy to concede I'm wrong about Kuyt if so many of you think different. I just can't see it myself.

You are like the anti-Craig H

[dom9]

I can't find that Hodgson quote about being the perfect guy to work with this group of players. Can anyone help?

[Fosterbloke]

I think I'll download the 2nd half and savour.

[SB]

I think I'll download the 2nd half and savour.

From where mate

[Shaggy]

Isn't it funny how all those absolute pricks in the press have suddenly stopped talking about 'Benitez's legacy' and LFC fans mistreating their mate Hodgson

[Craig_H]

Craig, all the other stuff, banners, chants and all is fine, but seriously, chucking stuff on the pitch, amusing? Can't believe you are coming out with that. Never acceptable to throw things on the pitch. Never. Its beneath everything we stand for as fans. I really enjoyed everything about today. The low point was when an object was thrown at Torres. Whatever he has done, no player deserves to have stuff thrown at them. We let ourselves down with that ****.

Was mainly referring to the Torres shirts, scarves and flags which got chucked on - i thought that was quite amusing and a nice bit of closure/liberation. And they didnt even make it onto the pitch, they were more 'dropped' over the advertising boards, rather than 'chucked onto the pitch' at full pelt.

[Mattshark]

He also missed an absolute sitter and played one of the worst passes I've ever seen. Could quite easily have resulted in a goal.

Stats are all well and good, but they don't paint the whole picture.

And two incidents don't mean a player had a poor game.

[Craig_H]

Not so long ago we would have just been hacking the ball clear, but by Lucas bringing it out the way he did he relieved so much pressure on our defence late on.

He's boss

Such is the level of performance and assurance, you forget he is only 23. But he's like a senior player now, so reliable and responsible. Fantastic performances on a consistent basis.

[Shaggy]

I can't find that Hodgson quote about being the perfect guy to work with this group of players. Can anyone help?

You mean this?

'I don't have any fears, worries or concerns,' he said. 'But if you put it to me "You feel there is no chance whatsoever of you getting sacked" then I would be in a minority of one in that respect.

'It happened to Chris Hughton, it happened to Sam Allardyce, Martin O'Neill resigned - we are all in that situation.

'But as someone who prides himself as a professional, who knows his job and is comfortable with doing his job, then you would excuse me for not going down the route you want me to go down in terms of "Who can we get rid of next?".

'Because basically speaking unless there is a major inflow of cash into the club and the team is going to be changed from one moment to the next then whoever takes my place will be doing a similar job with similar players.

'The owners have made it perfectly clear they are in it for the long term and they are going to be patient. They realise it is going to take time.

'They realise we can't turn things around overnight and they also realise that the team I am working with is not the team I put together.

'You don't turn things around overnight and they are aware of the magnitude of the task but they are very focused on what needs to be done and I am convinced they will help me get it done.'