Valerenga vs Liverpool

[Arn]

He doesnt want to be here, he wants to go back to Italy

I think it is a mix that Kenny don't have him in his plans and that Aquilani have the Italian league as his first option.

I don't think you can say that it is all because Aquilani want to leave. I don't think he would play worse if he ended up staying because that would make interested clubs in Italy less interested.

He would still give 100% out there so he can get a move in January or next summer. I don't see any problem at all if he ended up staying.

[SB]

Good match report here. Keep the Aqualini debate for the Aqualini thread hey. It's boring at best.

Liverpool drew with Valerenga in a pulsating encounter in the sunshine of the Ullevaal Stadium in Oslo, Norway.

Valerenga are mid way through their season and would provide another stern fitness test, as Kenny reshuffled the pack – giving more of the senior players a longer run out than in previous friendlies.

Before the game a period of silence was held for the victims of the tragic recent events in Norway, and the Liverpool players laid flowers behind the goal.

First half

Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Agger, Robinson, Adam, Henderson, Downing, Kuyt, Spearing, Carroll

The reds started brightly, with Downing on the right and putting some slick passing together in a good opening 10 minute spell.

Glen Johnson was one of the returning players, after an absence with injury, and he suffered with positioning and pace in a dramatic spell which saw the reds go 2-0 down.

A ball played through to the wing, saw Johnson too far away from his man, who slid the cross into the penalty area. Carragher couldn’t reach the ball and the Norwegian’s took an easy 1-0 lead.

Moments later, and an almost identical position saw Johnson beaten, and then Agger and Adam attempt to go for the block. Adam declared the culprit with the Valerenga player who was awarded a relatively soft penalty. They duly converted the penalty to take a 2-0 lead.

Downing, Adam and a thunderbolt from Agger were all good chances from Liverpool in the first half, and gradually the reds got themselves back involved in the game – after the initial shock of conceding twice against the run of play.

Shortly before half time the reds pulled one goal back, a great cross from Downing found Carroll who controlled with his chest and a little bit of arm before firing in with his right arm.

Second half

Reina, Johnson (Kelly 68), Carragher, Agger, Robinson (Flanagan 68), Adam (Shelvey 68), Henderson (Aquilani 78), Downing (Sterling 78), Kuyt, Spearing, Carroll (Ngog 78)

No changes in personnel during the half time break – although Liverpool altered formation, swopping Downing and Kuyt back on to opposing wings.

Adam went closest early on when he fired a 25 yard shot towards the goal.

Just before the 70th minute the reds made some changes, and Shelvey added some freshness to the midfield as the reds upped the tempo.

With just under 15 minutes left a further trio were sent on, Aquilani and youngster Raheem Sterling amongst them.

Aquilani made an immediate impact, a chest and a powerful swerving volley from him was tipped wide. From the resultant corner Aquilani found Agger’s head, and the Dane powered in the equaliser.

Liverpool took a brief lead moments later, from an almost exact replica. Aquilani shot forcing the corner, again the Italian took the corner, this time Kuyt heading on from the front post to find Agger smash in the reds third.

Into injury time though, a swerving shot from Valerenga unusually beat Pepe Reina in the Liverpool goal to share the spoils in the reds penultimate pre-season friendly.

Summary

Plenty to take positives from, although the reds have now conceded 3 goals in all five pre-season clashes. Liverpool will be hoping to iron out some of these defensive problems ahead of the weekend’s friendly against Valencia.

Alberto Aquilani continues to provide food for thought – especially with the elongated absence of Steven Gerrard.

[RedReet]

Why can other clubs have good preseasons and we cant?

Chelsea were absolutely dire in pre-season last year and started the Premiership on fire.

Have faith.

[SB]

Chelsea were absolutely dire in pre-season last year and started the Premiership on fire.

Have faith.

We manage to look ****e every pre season and never start on fire

[RedReet]

What formation did we play first half anyway? Looked like a 433, except Downing was playing wide right and Kuyt and Carroll were playing as CF's.

Looked much, much better in 2nd half playing 4231 with players in natural positions.

Looks like Insua has no future here though.

[Arn]

We manage to look ****e every pre season and never start on fire

We started on fire the 2008-09 season but when you can remember the only time we did that in the last 20 years or so then that is a problem.

[RedReet]

We manage to look ****e every pre season and never start on fire

Did ok in 08/09. Very entertaining too.

[Arn]

What formation did we play first half anyway? Looked like a 433, except Downing was playing wide right and Kuyt and Carroll were playing as CF's.

Looked much, much better in 2nd half playing 4231 with players in natural positions.

Looks like Insua has no future here though.

Insua sat on the bench the last eight months or so of last season at Gala because of some strange rules created by them that they didn't want to play the on loan players.

He need to play games. It will take longer time for him until he is match fit. You can't expect a player to perform straight away after not playing at all for something like eight months.

[little dave hedgehog]

where's maxi?

[Craig_H]

Chelsea were absolutely dire in pre-season last year and started the Premiership on fire.

Have faith.

I need to see something working well, in order to have faith.

Otherwise, i'm 'having faith' courtesy of what? **** performance after **** performance? And that's meant to generate faith?

[Chris]

Insua sat on the bench the last eight months or so of last season at Gala because of some strange rules created by them that they didn't want to play the on loan players.

He need to play games. It will take longer time for him until he is match fit. You can't expect a player to perform straight away after not playing at all for something like eight months.

He played games for them towards the end of the season, I watched them with my own eyes! He just couldnt get in their team regularly because like when here he was nowhere near good enough.

[RedReet]

Insua sat on the bench the last eight months or so of last season at Gala because of some strange rules created by them that they didn't want to play the on loan players.

He need to play games. It will take longer time for him until he is match fit. You can't expect a player to perform straight away after not playing at all for something like eight months.

Arn, I'd like to see him given a chance, but I just can't see it any more. I took encouragement from his early tweets, but I don't think Kenny sees him as part of his first team plans.

BTW, he played as much under Hagi as he did before, despite what Hagi said about loan signings.

[SB]

We started on fire the 2008-09 season but when you can remember the only time we did that in the last 20 years or so then that is a problem.

Did ok in 08/09. Very entertaining too.

I knew someone would pick me up when I wrote never instead of seldomly. Well done

[Lecter]

I think it is a mix that Kenny don't have him in his plans and that Aquilani have the Italian league as his first option.

I don't think you can say that it is all because Aquilani want to leave. I don't think he would play worse if he ended up staying because that would make interested clubs in Italy less interested.

He would still give 100% out there so he can get a move in January or next summer. I don't see any problem at all if he ended up staying.

I can only tell you what I was told

Aquilani DESPERATELY wants to return to Italy

As such Liverpool and Kenny will let him go

They will not stand in the way of ANY player who wants to go

[RedReet]

I need to see something working well, in order to have faith.

Otherwise, i'm 'having faith' courtesy of what? **** performance after **** performance? And that's meant to generate faith?

Me!