Maxi Rodriguez

[Roboklopp]

Aye, disappointing. Altho it is only 1 game.

[Lee]

It was indeed.

But I guess we're not going to sign Downing for £18m (or whatever) and stick him on the bench. That's why I was disappointed to see Henderson start instead of Kuyt on Saturday too.

Surely the team / squad should be picked on performances rather than reputation / transfer cost.

[Roboklopp]

Aye, the Kuyt one was the big mystery to me, but mebbe it was cos it was Henderson's old club?

Cannot explain Maxi not being ont bench tho.

[Lee]

Aye, the Kuyt one was the big mystery to me, but mebbe it was cos it was Henderson's old club?

Cannot explain Maxi not being ont bench tho.

Yeah possibly, and to get Henderson's debut out of the way.

Maxi and Kuyt towards the end of last season were both in the peak of their LFC form, so surely it makes sense to stick with that winning formula.

Oh well, onto the next game.

[Lee]

Ah, speaking of Maxi:

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/latest-news/i-m-up-for-the-challenge

Maxi Rodriguez believes Liverpool's transfer business can steer the club towards a bright future - and revealed he's prepared for the fight of trying to hold down a regular starting berth.

The Reds have been busy this summer, recruiting Jordan Henderson, Charlie Adam, Alexander Doni, Stewart Downing and Jose Enrique to significantly bolster the ranks for 2011-12.

While Maxi acknowledges the new arrivals will provide further competition for places in the side, he's ready to rise to the challenge.

"Healthy competition is always good," said the Argentina forward.

"Competition for places is always a positive thing for the club and I think it's great that the signings who have arrived are of such high quality with a great level of skills and technique.

"It means the manager has to decide what he thinks is his best 11 but that is something he will decide and we will all be hoping we are in it.

"It's always nice to welcome new faces to the club and you always go out of your way to make them feel as comfortable as possible. They are settling in well."

Liverpool kicked-off the new campaign with a 1-1 draw against Sunderland at Anfield on Saturday.

Arsenal are up next for the Reds at the Emirates this weekend, and Maxi knows a solid start can go a long way to determining the outcome of Kenny Dalglish's side's season.

"I don't think you can stress enough the importance of the first few weeks of the season," he said.

"If you can see yourself near the top of the table it's great and the confidence that gives helps you grow as a team and as a squad.

"It also means that the teams you are facing will maybe come to Anfield with a different attitude, perhaps showing more respect when they're coming to play against you.

"I think at the start of any season your ultimate goal is to win the league and to come out as champions.

"If you can aim to achieve that then by the very fact that you are fighting for the title it will almost guarantee that you will be involved in the Champions League the following season.

"A team like Liverpool has to be battling on that level and have those kind of aspirations for the season."

[Exiled_red]

But he can't create **** when he's stuck out wide. Might as well not play him in that case.

Wasn't there a stat that last season he created a decent amount of chances but none of them were taken?

[Exiled_red]

It's insane to not have him on the bench, especially when Ngog's taking up a space. With Kuyt sub or out wide he can act as a back up striker. Maxi's link up with Suarez (and Kuyt and Meireles) was invaluable last season. He's very intelligent, keeps the ball (something we couldn't do to save our lives in the 2nd half on Saturday), gets into the box and takes up smart positions (hence the glut of goals).

[Craig_H]

I have a worrying feeling that Kenny's gonna stick with Henderson.

[dww]

Wasn't there a stat that last season he created a decent amount of chances but none of them were taken?

There was. Depends if there was a reason though - for example a similar stat was available for Bale and most people believe the explanation for him was that he ran beyond his support too quickly meaning that they were always just throwing themselves at crosses. Obviously the same explanation wouldn't fit Maxi but the lack of conversion might represent a failing of his crosses say rather than problems with our strikers or tactics overall.

I like Maxi and think that indirectly players like him that help you to keep possession and search for opening are very valuable even if they don't get direct assists.

[anfieldanfield]

I have a worrying feeling that Kenny's gonna stick with Henderson.

Got the same feeling.

To play him ahead of Kuyt on Saturday would be a big statement.

[Roboklopp]

Me too & aye.

[Mostar]

I have a worrying feeling that Kenny's gonna stick with Henderson.

Got the same feeling.

To play him ahead of Kuyt on Saturday would be a big statement.

Same here.

You don't spend big time money on a player and then drop him after first game.

Imo he'll start on Saturday.

[Kenneth]

[wiw]

Is that such a bad thing? Do you all seem disappointed because you don't rate Henderson, or simply because you rate Kuyt more?

I think Henderson is going to be a v.important player for us this season but Kuyt deserves to be in the team on merit. It's a shame we have Carroll otherwise both could play

[Angryred]

Has to be Kuyt as he's proven himself in the team whereas Henderson on the bench can see how it's done by Kuyt!