Liverpool Fc @ Anfield - Reds Supporters Gatherings

[lls8]

Originally Posted by SKILLFULL LICK

know wat bro king,actually this game is none of my facking business..i sacrifice my sleep just wanna to see Arsenal drop points,hehe...

haha...reading yr comment is like hitting the right nail. i sacrifice normal sleep hours just to watch Liverpool's opponents lose or draw. I know ManUtd and Arsenal Match had nothing to do with Liverpool, but I will be smiling just to see them lose points. "tong beh tiau" when ManUtd beat Fulham, but so happy happy when Arsenal draw this morning.

I m sure there are many Liverpool supporters like us who watch the non-Liverpool game with the hope Chelsea, arsenal & MU will draw if not lose.
When Bolton beat MU, I was more happy than Liverpool win against Newcastle. Cos, thatis a big & surprise upset. Totally unexpected result. Early Xmas gift to all Liverpool supporters........

[carmeo88]

yes, yes, yes, Liverpool all the way!

[ANDYSIAO14]

Originally Posted by RUSHIE

Ian Rush has paid two of Rafa Benitez's squad the ultimate compliment – comparing them to himself and Kenny Dalglish.
The goalscoring legend claims the sight of Steven Gerrard threading throughballs to Fernando Torres - as well as the pair's workrate - rolls back the years.

"I think Torres has been fantastic," said Rush. "The way he has been closing players down, that's what I like about him. People don't realise the work he does.

"Liverpool's midfielders and defenders must love him because he is making their job easier.

"It is a team game. Once the others see Torres doing that they do it as well.

"Gerrard also does that, Kenny Dalglish and myself did that.

"Steven Gerrard is such a great passer he will put the ball in the path of Torres. They are maybe on a better wavelength than other players because they are such quality players. I think they complement each other very well."

Liverpool remain unbeaten in the Barclays Premier League as they chase a first league title since 1990.

One stat worth noting is that only twice in the club's 18 title-winning seasons have they amassed more points at this stage of the season.

So what's changed since last year when Liverpool were effectively out of the championship race by Christmas?

For Rush the answer is easy: "The difference between this season and last season is Torres.

"He wasn't prolific in Spain but I think he has scored 11 in 17 now for Liverpool. To adapt so quickly has been fantastic.

"The goal against Chelsea was his best. It was his first goal and the way he clinically knocked it past Petr Cech - I think that gave him his confidence.

"When you look at that goal against Bolton he is making it look easy now - and it isn't very easy. I think he is filled with confidence now. He is big and strong.

"If he can get 20-25 goals a season - that is what they have been lacking - maybe we have a chance of winning it."

Rush worked under three of the greatest managers in Liverpool's history: Dalglish, Bob Paisley and Joe Fagan.

He's an open admirer of the current regime and believes Benitez is just one trophy away from standing alongside anyone in Anfield folklore.

"The supporters want to win the league and if Rafa can do that then you can start to compare him with Bill Shankly, Bob Paisley, Kenny Dalglish.

"They may not win the league but if you can go into the last month of the season with a chance of winning it I think supporters can see the light at the end of the tunnel."

Quoted frm
http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drill...71206-1116.htm

[ANDYSIAO14]

Originally Posted by Stevie G

Steven Gerrard believes the combination of lethal finishing and hard work has made Fernando Torres one of the most 'frightening' strikers in the Premier League.
The skipper has been delighted by the way the Spaniard has adapted to life in England since his summer move from Atletico Madrid and revealed that it is is not just the forward's goals that have won him the admiration of his new teammates.

"Fernando is getting a lot of praise at the moment and rightly so because the way he has settled into English football has been amazing and the way he has played is frightening," said Gerrard.

"It can be difficult for players from abroad to settle into English football but at the moment Fernando looks like he's been playing here for years.

"Everyone is talking about the goals he has scored and the way he has scored them but I don't think we should lose sight of all the hard work he is putting in off the ball as well.

"He defends from the front and doesn't allow defenders to have a second on the ball. If they even think of dwelling on it he is on to them straight away.

"He is always looking to help the midfielders and the defenders and that makes a big difference.

"I've got to be honest, I'm made up to have him in our team."

In recent seasons the Reds have lacked the pace to seriously expose Premier League defences on a regular basis, but Gerrard reckons those days are now over, and is relishing the prospect of laying on more chances for 'El Nino' in the years to come.

"It is great to have someone who gives us that different option," he said. "Fernando loves running in behind defenders and that gives us the option of hitting him early before defences have even had a chance to react.

"He's had a great start to his career and long may it continue."

Quoted frm
http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drill...71206-1208.htm

[lls8]

IF you want to see what made Rafael Benitez smile , visit www.youtube.com and type ‘Mourinho Benitez Impressions’ in the search box.

[beck7777]

I told Rob Style was the worst referee we had this season...

Tonight's ref just show prove me wrong.. He was 10 times worse!
3 clear penalty denied!

[rahl]

It hurts to lose like that...but:

Let's give credit to Reading who are short of players and took revenge for the Carling Cup game.

I'm not happy with Rafa's attitude at all. Once again he gives a slap in the face to the travelling Pool supporters. Takes out Torres (OK, he's got a knock), Stevie and Carra (both saved for Marseillie) and basically throws the game at 3-1. Granted I can understand his frustration at the officiating but this is not the Liverpool way of doing things. I don't mind losing but certainly not without putting out the best team with the best chance of turning round the match.

[KingEros]

Originally Posted by rahl

It hurts to lose like that...but:

Let's give credit to Reading who are short of players and took revenge for the Carling Cup game.

I'm not happy with Rafa's attitude at all. Once again he gives a slap in the face to the travelling Pool supporters. Takes out Torres (OK, he's got a knock), Stevie and Carra (both saved for Marseillie) and basically throws the game at 3-1. Granted I can understand his frustration at the officiating but this is not the Liverpool way of doing things. I don't mind losing but certainly not without putting out the best team with the best chance of turning round the match.

Beg to differ ... I was even expecting him to start with neither Gerrard nor Torres, simply becoz of the Marseille game.
It does tell you something when Hobbs was started, ahead of Hyypia (as I correctly predicted) ... even Coppell conceded that if he were in Rafa's shoes, he would also prioritise the following as such:
1) Marseille
2) Scums
3) Reading

Honestly, if LFC managed to beat both Marseille & Scums (but Reading) ... would it not be easier to swallow?
Or you mean you rather they wallop Reading but lose to Marseille & Scums ...

Of course, getting beaten by another "crap team" (sent out by LFC) at home last time around stirred up everything they had in their groins ...

Surely, the ref screwed up by giving a penalty that wasn't (just like the time Reina was penalised for taking his drop-kick outside of the box) ... plus the ref screwed up more by denying LFC 3 other blatant penalties.

BUT, if Sissoko, Arbeloa & Voronin turned out to be your Top 3 players in that match ... you know there's gonna be no way your side will go away with another 3 points.

[KingEros]

RAFA: DECISIONS WENT AGAINST US
Paul Hassall at the Madejski Stadium 08 December 2007

Rafa Benitez blamed a combination of poor refereeing and missed opportunities as Liverpool slumped to their first Premier League defeat of the season at Reading.

The hosts took the lead courtesy of a controversial Stephen Hunt penalty and after Steven Gerrard levelled for the Reds, they were denied a spot-kick of their own when Fernando Torres was brought down by Ibrahima Sonko.

It was a moment that Benitez felt turned the game as Reading went on to secure the points with second-half goals from Kevin Doyle and James Harper.

"I'm not happy with the decisions," said Benitez.

"But we also had chances that we didn't take and maybe that was the key."

"The difference was that one penalty was given and one was not. But we had the chances and we needed to take them, but in the end we didn't."

The Reds manager also defended his decision to substitute both Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard, admitting that with the Reds trailing late in the match, his thoughts had switched towards the key Champions League clash with Marseille on Tuesday.

"We were losing 3-1 and so I was trying to protect the key players for the next game," he said.

"We had quality on the bench and we tried to change things with different players who had pace.

"It is an important week for us now and we have the Champions League match to look forward to. We must approach it with confidence and try to win.

"Only then can we think about Manchester United because you know my idea is to take one game at a time. The target is now Marseille."

Well, some may think he's just being diplomatic or even finding excuses ... but seriously, a manager (especially not Rafa, especially when he's no longer the Yanks' blue-eyed boy) will not throw away a game ... furthermore, a manager can only do so much.
I honestly believe Rafa was of the opinion that playing most of his 2nd stringers would still overcome Reading at the Madjeski, especially since his other 2nd team did exactly that in the Carling Cup, earlier this season.
Again, as in the memorable Bury game, his players let him down on the pitch.

[coolfire69]

I'd rather we lost to Reading than lose to the mancs or marseille...

And it's true, bro KingEros, the players sorta let Rafa down... granted though that the bloody ref was shite....

[rahl]

Originally Posted by KingEros

Beg to differ ... I was even expecting him to start with neither Gerrard nor Torres, simply becoz of the Marseille game.
It does tell you something when Hobbs was started, ahead of Hyypia (as I correctly predicted) ... even Coppell conceded that if he were in Rafa's shoes, he would also prioritise the following as such:
1) Marseille
2) Scums
3) Reading

Honestly, if LFC managed to beat both Marseille & Scums (but Reading) ... would it not be easier to swallow?
Or you mean you rather they wallop Reading but lose to Marseille & Scums ...

Bro, I'm not beating the old chestnut about what is more important, league or Europe. Neither am I denying that the officials once again had a horrid game of epic proportions.

My point is, having started with a strong team (it was not a crap team as Steve Copell put it) that could beat Reading, Rafa decided to throw the game at 3-1 down. He had given up. That's petulance and contempt for the game and for what Pool stands for. I will not be siding with Rafa on this one.

PS. If the consequences were not so dire, I would have been amused at the Fox Sports commentary (I watch online lah) - the Americans certainly like Pool, complimented them as the best passing team in England after Arse (bye bye Scum!) and lamented that we should have had 3 penalties in the game.

[WAKE-UP-U-FOOLS]

Yawnnn.................. Fools Make Me Sleepy!

Weak Weak Weak Lose 3-1 ??? Wtf! Buay Gan Pui

[KingEros]

Originally Posted by rahl

My point is, having started with a strong team (it was not a crap team as Steve Copell put it) that could beat Reading, Rafa decided to throw the game at 3-1 down. He had given up. That's petulance and contempt for the game and for what Pool stands for. I will not be siding with Rafa on this one.

Yes, Rafa started with a team he thought was good enough to put Reading away at the Madjeski & pocket the 3 points ... whether it was a strong team (your thoughts) or a crap team (Coppell's & my thoughts), doesn't really matter.

That the team didn't pocket the 3 points (or even 1), I certainly dun think he was wrong to give up at 1-3 down ... making sure Gerrard & Carragher dun end up injured (or unfresh) for the Marseille game was of utmost importance.
For the record, at 1-2 down, he did put in Kewell for Torres to balance the team better for a 2nd equaliser ...

I thought it was a crap team Rafa put up becoz he played Torres, Crouch & Voronin in attack and Gerrard, Sissoko & Marscherano in midfield - think as hard as I could, but I still couldn't fathom here the crosses were gonna come from & how to play it down the middle on a narrow pitch like the Madjeskis??

Perhaps, I didn't see it as "petulence & contempt for the game" ... becoz I'm an advocate for "living to fight another day"??
Especially after running into the troops like Reading's ... or like tonight's Boro vs Gunners. When teams like theirs get an early break, it's really a very big motivation for them to suddenly all put in 120% on the pitch ... to ensure that they get to enjoy one of their rare wins.

[SKILLFULL LICK]

HOSAY LIAO!!ARSENAL KENA SLIPPED BY BANANA SKIN!!!


BORO 2 ARSENAL 1

But i feel we must concentrate on wining instead of depending on others to slip up..

[KingEros]

Originally Posted by SKILLFULL LICK

But i feel we must concentrate on winning instead of depending on others to slip up...

IMHO, it just tells a lot on the competitiveness in the Premier League ... this is not a fluke (banana skin), as they also managed to pocket 1 single point at St James earlier this week.
What I am trying to say is ... you let your guard down for 1 week against any opposition, you lose ground.

This is why I have nothing against Rafa's rotation policy, amidst the barrage of criticisms from press & past players alike.
I buy his reason that it's his way of keeping everyone on their toes ... the singular onus being Rafa's ability to identify the best 11 on the day, afetr working them through at Melwood the week through.