Galatasaray

[Exiled_red]

I'm not too bothered about the results, last night's team was more or less a reserve side anyway. The friendlies so far have featured a number of players who whether they are here or not come the close of the transfer window won't be involved!

The main thing I was hoping to learn from these friendlies was how we are looking to set up the side and at present (2 weeks away from the start of the season) we are no closer to knowing, I find this slightly worrying, hopefully the coming friendlies will be taken a little more seriously and we can get some ideas of what we can expect when we get something close to a first 11 playing.

[Lecter]

How many things from back in those days are still the case now?

Very different nowadays.

The point is, you get into a losing habit and it can carry over into the season - it happened the season we got dicked by Mainz and it'll happen again this year if we dont get our **** together soon.

The ball is round, you have 22 players on the pitch, you still have to score more goals than the opposition to win the game

People talk too much about the game changing

The fundamentals are the same

We use to have fans moaning back in the 70's & 80's about the manager buying the wrong players, playing the wrong system, getting beat in pre-season by crap teams etc...

The only thing that has changed is the discussion has moved from the pub to an internet forum (sadly)

[dww]

I don't think it really mattered about last nights result. No Suarez, Lucas, Gerrard, Pepe, Downing, Adam or Carragher. Thats 7 first team players, and possibly Henderson too. So I wasn't too worried. I would be more worried if these players were playing and the fitness excuse was used.

Point is last night just re-inforced to us that we have players that cant cut it.

While to some degree there is truth in that I think making judgements on players (or even the team) from pre-season games is a fools game.

It would be nice to see a system coming together - and have some idea of formation and defensive strategy before the season starts but really that is a selfish fans desire when it comes to friendlies. There are lots of things that managers might be trying to do in a friendly they don't intend to do in the season or might reject as an idea after it fails to work.

[RedReet]

Pretty glad I fell asleep after 30 mins.

[Craig_H]

The ball is round, you have 22 players on the pitch, you still have to score more goals than the opposition to win the game

People talk too much about the game changing

The fundamentals are the same

We use to have fans moaning back in the 70's & 80's about the manager buying the wrong players, playing the wrong system, getting beat in pre-season by crap teams etc...

The only thing that has changed is the discussion has moved from the pub to an internet forum (sadly)

Aside from everything else, you must surely accept (having played the game yourself) that getting into winning habits is beneficial whilst the opposite, where you're being dicked in games, isnt.

[Lecter]

Aside from everything else, you must surely accept (having played the game yourself) that getting into winning habits is beneficial whilst the opposite, where you're being dicked in games, isnt.

Winning habits helps but nobody will be worrying on pre-season results at Anfield

[Craig_H]

Not just the results - but the fact that we're looking utter **** and nothing is clicking into place yet. Obviously the bulk of the first team havent played together yet, but i'd like to see that happen sooner rather than later, given there's only 2 more friendlies left - wouldnt you rather see them playing together before we actually start the PL season?

[pondus]

Saw the second half and was pretty appalled by some of the play. Thankfully it's 'only' pre season

Lucky you, the first half was far worse


When Kuyt and Aquilani came on we actually looked like a football team. Ah well, only a run out for our reserves, actually think it was good that a lot of our better players didn't have to make that trip, hopefully they'll play in Oslo, we get a good result and gain some momentum and confidence ahead of the season opener.

[RichC]

Not just the results - but the fact that we're looking utter **** and nothing is clicking into place yet. Obviously the bulk of the first team havent played together yet, but i'd like to see that happen sooner rather than later, given there's only 2 more friendlies left - wouldnt you rather see them playing together before we actually start the PL season?

Not fussed about the result either but I agree that we see the majority of the 1st team starting the next couple of games.

[Lecter]

Not just the results - but the fact that we're looking utter **** and nothing is clicking into place yet. Obviously the bulk of the first team havent played together yet, but i'd like to see that happen sooner rather than later, given there's only 2 more friendlies left - wouldnt you rather see them playing together before we actually start the PL season?

Yesterday we had Carragher, Johnson, Agger, Reina, Skrtel, Lucas, Gerrard, Suarez, Downing, Henderson & Adam missing

Against Hull was the first time our 3 signings had been on the pitch together

I must say I was surprised that the 3 signings didnt travel but not when I saw when and where the next game was

My first thought yesterday looking at the team was "we'll get a right shoeing here" and even second half when things improved slightly I still looked and though there really isnt many of these players who are A) going to be here once the season starts and B) if they are probably will be on the bench at the best

[Craig_H]

The question was wouldnt you rather see the bulk of the first team playing together before the PL season starts?

I'm sure you would

[Chris]

How bad was Joe Cole! That's a rhetorical question - he was ****ing dreadful! He's trying to play with a smile on his face, even when everything he touches turns to ****. He's desperate to do something good so he can build confidence, but he's making bad decision after bad decision. Shadow of his former self. Come on Arry, get involved.

I'm hoping the next preseason game is when we start playing our first team players to build understanding and (hopefully) form!

He was hopeless, as was Insua, Degen, Poulsen etc. Its incredible we've got so many players on our books that wouldnt even stand out in league two.

[Mostar]

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/latest-news/lfc-will-always-be-in-my-heart

'LFC will always be in my heart'

Milan Baros admitted he was delighted to net a brace for Galatasaray during Liverpool's 3-0 defeat in Istanbul on Thursday night - but insisted the Reds will always retain a special place in his heart.

The Czech forward struck twice in the first half at the Turk Telekom Arena as Kenny Dalglish's side slipped to defeat.

However, having made 108 appearances for Liverpool between 2001 and 2005 and featured in the Champions League final victory in Istanbul, Baros remains an enthusiastic follower of our fortunes.

"It is always nice to play against a team who you have played for. I was happy I scored and I think we played well," the striker told Liverpoolfc.tv. "I wish Liverpool all the best for the season.

"This is my fourth season here at Galatasaray and I am really happy. We didn't play well last season, but now we've signed some good players and I hope it's going to be better than last year.

"Of course I still look out for Liverpool's results. I always follow them because I am a big supporter of Liverpool. I spent three and a half years there and won the Champions League.

"I think it (the Champions League final) is the greatest game I have ever played in. Especially when we were 3-0 down at half-time and still managed to win. It was a special night and I think it was my best night in my football career.

"Liverpool will always stay in my heart. I hope they are going to play better than last year and they'll be closer to the top four and play for the title."

Baros has been impressed with Liverpool's resurgence under Dalglish - and he is confident the club's summer transfer dealings will see them challenging for the game's top honours in 2011-12.

He added: "The new signings add more quality to the team. The English league is very tough, but if everyone is going to be fit like Stevie G, Carra and all of the new players, I think they have a chance to be back up there."

One man in particular who has caught Baros's eye has been Luis Suarez.

The Uruguay striker made a seamless transition into English football following his January transfer to Anfield from Ajax - but Baros reckons there is more to come.

"You saw him at Ajax and for the national team and it was clear he had quality," he said. "He is a great player and is still young, so he can still improve. I think he will be a great player in Liverpool's future."

Only a handful of Liverpool fans made the journey to Istanbul for the friendly with Galatasaray on Thursday, though Baros is dreaming of a return to Anfield and a chance to come face-to-face with the Kop once more.

He said: "Liverpool fans have always been nice to me. I hope I can come back to Anfield one time and I can clap the fans. I hope they will be happy with the players, the team and the results and they will enjoy trophies again."

[Rich]

"We’ll have people back who weren’t eligible for this game."

Reckon that was wrong word choice by Kenny or what?!

Seems strange that some of our players would be ineligible for a friendly

[dww]

"We’ll have people back who weren’t eligible for this game."

Reckon that was wrong word choice by Kenny or what?!

Seems strange that some of our players would be ineligible for a friendly

Are there work permit restrictions for Turkey? Otherwise you would think it might be covering himself about the selection. I guess injured players might count as ineligible.