Liverpool Vs Sunderland Match Thread

[destinydude]

Should have killed the game off, but I think this new look Liverpool side is absolutely terrific!

Aye. Add in Gerrard and Johnson to this starting line up and we'll look even more awesome.

And then Kelly, Skrtel, Raul, Aquilani, Joe Cole on the bench will give us more options

[davegrady1]

I think attacking the Kop, we could rack up a decent score in the second half. Then again, we'll probably give away a soft goal and make it hard for ourselves.

Let's hope its the former not the latter.

[el matador]

theres a lot of positives but also still a hell of a lot to work on. enrique is feeling his way in, henderson on the right is doing more defensive work than attacking, downing is getting used to another new left back partner.

with time all of the above will sort itself out. suarez is amazing, just cant keep the little fella down. carroll has shifted some timber and looks very strong and a right handful. Flano on the right keeps things simple and aggers still on the pitch so thats a bonus.

we need to score a few more in the second half and finish this game off.

[SB]

That was a good 1st half and I hope we can play at that pace for the 90 mins.

That would have been some 1st goal had Downing's shot gone in.

Looking good so far and as someone else said, an early 2nd half goal will settle the nerves.

The new lads look good which is pleasing to see

[BobTheCharmer]

Henderson out, Kuyt in and we are set. Henderson is just trying to keep it very very simple.

But all our current players are comfortable on the ball. When Kuyt comes on I guarantee it'll be coming off his shins. Mind you I fancy dirk to score.

[Mostar]

Decent first 45 minutes.

Some very positive things. Downing will be massive signing for us. Suarez is only about 50% where he was last year and still most dangerous player on the pitch. Adam is deadly from set pieces. Enrique will be great but you can see he's playing with a great caution and will need some time to bed in.


I realize it's still early days but I don't like what I see from Hendo so far and I'd like to see Kuyt in the second half. Lucas looks very rusty too.

[GypsyRed]

@LFC twitter feed had me worried - reported Sunderland equaliser one minute into extra time!

Now admitted c*ck up!

[kris90210]

Enjoying this game. Everyone playing well. Carroll has been excellent - holding the ball up very well. I didn't think that should have been a free kick against him personally. He barely touches the guy! If that's a freekick there would be penalties given from every corner.

I'd like to see Henderson look to play it forward a little more. Seems like 9 out of every 10 passes he makes are backwards.

Let's hope we can get the second!

[Muddled]

Missed the begining of the game due to a ****e stream, but have managed to find one that holds its own.

Anyhoo, my musings:

• From what I've seen, I would say the possession stats will weigh heavily in our favour; we are comfortable on the ball and are happy to play it back and across the lines to bring Sunderland on to us and look to break.
• What has been interesting is Downing and Henderson interchanging, but not just on the flanks, but the way they drop to cover the full-backs too, Sunderland don't know how far to track them and it's creating space behind their full-backs.
• Adam has obviously been told to reign in his hollywood balls, but it's good to see him mixing it up and when he has hit it long in to the channels, he knows he has a willing runner in Suarez.
• Carroll has dropped deep and his link up play is improving, it's also creating space for Suarez.
• Lucas is doing what Lucas does, simple, effective and keeping us ticking over.
• Not really been exposed too much, Sunderland are lacking in the final third and they will rely heavily on set-pieces, but going by their last delivery when Reina was in no mans land, we need to be more switched on.
• Gerrard, Kuyt and Adam should surely be on penalty duty?
• A goal to settle the nerves, a third to gloss it off and a clean sheet would be a great start to the season.
• Roll on the second half.

[dom9]

Some woman analysing Michael Owen's autograph on my stream. WTF?

[Mostar]

This is far from over.

Sunderland didn't' really look particularly dangerous but things could change in a second.

Need that second goal and hopefully it comes shortly after we the re-start.

[McDermotX]

No changes at kick off

[lickedlollipop]

don't be so harsh on hendo. i know he's professional and that he's not like 5 yrs old, but he's playing his first official game for lfc,against his former team. he's a little bit nervous, just like enrique.

everything will be much much better!

YNWA!

[Fredo]

So you're evaluating him after 45 minutes of competitive football in a red shirt. Wow, Nigey, I didn't think even you were that dim.

How was Aquitaine?

I wasn't evaluating him FFS, just an assessment on his frist 45 minutes for us, I think it was a fair enough one and I did say he was very good. He looks like a Liverpool player with his quick vision and passing.

We were in the Pyrennees Atlantique and it was very nice.

[red g]

Apart from Carragher everyone of our players can control and pass a ball, amazing transformation, love how confortable we look, constantly looking for a opening and love the mix of short and long passing.