The Truth Behind Alberto - International Review - How Skrtel Recovers So Quick & More
Friday, 14 August 09, 04:47 AM · Comments (12)
Good afternoon Kopenders.
It's a good day indeed. Skrtel has been declared fit for Sunday, I have no work tomorrow and the other night all of our players came through their respective games uninjured. The only down side is the lack of news circulating about our club. It feels like the news has been in decline ever since this blog began *Looks around suspiciously*. On today's Rasta we will be looking at:
| The decline of Reggae in... Wait, I meant Roster!
My bad:
| Internationals - Positives and Negatives for the club.
| The man to ease Alonso's departure.
| Why Rafa signed Alberto - The truth
| Gerrard predicts a new era
| The reason behind Martin Skrtel's speedy recoveries.
| What to expect over the next few days.
Right so let's kick-off. Last night was a night that Liverpool fans everywhere should be proud of. The group of players we expect quality from didn't let us down, but more importantly nobody was injured. Last night saw a large number of Liverpool first teamers play, so let's take a look at that:
Dirk Kuyt did what was always expected and scored. Although it must be said, RVP did not look too impressed at the fact Kuyt did it all by himself. The only negative about Kuyts performance was the fact he played nigh on 80 minutes, something Rafa probably isn't too pleased about. Ryan Babel came on in the second half and totally tore the wing apart, he made some good tackles, great runs and had his shooting been the standard we expect from him, then I'm sure he would have scored. Glen Johnson didn't have such a great game, he got to know his new team mate, Ryan Babel, up close and personal. Babel came out on top, but this is more down to the fact he had a great game. Johnson also played a full 90 minutes. The main positives from this game are the fact that all our players looked sharp with Kuyt and Babel looking ready for the game on Sunday. On a down side Defoe looked even more up for it...
Torres, Reina and Riera played for Spain. If you get the chance, try to watch these highlights. It's arguable that Jose should have done better with the goals he conceded, but Spain did win, so it doesn't really matter. Torres showed why he is a threat in the box, and Riera came back from his knock with an impressive display, scoring a belter from an angle he shouldn't even have shot from, let alone score.
Mascherano captained Argentina to victory, beating Russia 3 - 2. Another worry ahead of Sunday's game is the fact Masch's played 90 minutes and Pavlyuchenko looked sharp, grabbing himself a goal.
Elsewhere - Degen, Nemeth, Benayoun all played roles for their respective countries.
So... A good night all in all. Sundays game should prove to be a very good one.
Swiftly moving on. It has appeared that Liverpool didn't need to buy an Alonso replacement as they already have one in the form of (don't laugh)... Lucas Leiva. Lucas is eager to prove his worth and step up his game. Here's what he had to say:
| I feel as though I'm at the same level of strength and fitness as everyone else in the squad. Now I can start to mature in the Premier League. I'm looking to play more games now that Xabi has gone. The competition between the players in central midfield is really fierce and even Stevie can drop back into that position. I know I'm going to have to play well and work hard, that's the only way I will be in the team. I'm pleased with my own form. Last season I played some games and this season I want to play more. I'm doing extra work on the weights and that's helping me a lot. I'm just trying to be focused on the season. |
I can already hear you laughing in your head, so stop it, OK? It's a good sign when a player wants to prove his worth by stepping up a level. I admit that in previous seasons Lucas hasn't been great, but he has shown instances of quality, like the memorable 4 - 1 victory over United or the world class through-ball he played to Gerrard vs.. Newcastle.. What we also have to bear in mind is the fact that like Denilson and Anderson, he is an attacking player being played in defensive midfield. It is a tall order to fill, and do I really think he can fill Alonso's gap? No! Will he step up and prove the fans wrong? Yes, I'm sure of it.
Onto our next subject, Rafa has revealed ulterior motives for signing Aquilani from Roma. The gafa wasn't given much transfer funds, and was told to work with a profit. So in a search for a bargain he went to the 'clearance shelf' in the transfer window:
| If Aquilani was in a normal market he could cost £25-30m but because of the operation he has on his ankle he was a bit cheaper," Benitez explained "We have to wait for a month for him to be fit, but he is a player we are signing for five years not for five matches. He had a bad tackle and an operation and that's normal he missed matches. It would be the same with Torres or Gerrard. That is why I don't think his signing is a gamble. I was talking with a lot of people in Italy and people are saying it is a fantastic signing. |
That's funny Rafa. The Italians I spoke to say he will be a fringe player, especially seeing as he only managed 14 appearances last season due to injury, and 21 appearances the season before. Do you think this is a case of smart buying? Because personally I think it's a risky move, he could only end up playing 15 games for us this season, then what? We will be short another player and the team will have to be re-formatted. In saying that, the team could do better during Alberto's absence. If that's the case, what would Rafa do then? Disrupt the team? It just doesn't seem like the smartest of things to do.
In other news Skrtel looks likely to start Sundays game. I don't know how Skrtel always manages to heal so quickly, so in true Kop End form, I did my research.
Click here to find what I discovered.
Steven Gerrard predicts that Manchester City could well be title challengers this season due to the players they have purchased.
| They have made everyone sit up and take notice. They're definitely going to be gunning for that top four. And looking at the standard and quality of players they have brought in, they might even be capable of pushing on for the title if it all clicks together for them. |
I disagree. They need at least 1 season to click. On top of that they need to take a look at their problems in defence. Manchester City will have an outcome on who wins the title, but I don't for one second believe they are ready to win any silverware...
So, what can you look forward to over the coming days?
| My expectations for the coming season - I will be taking an in depth look at the players I expect to shine, the problem area's in our squad, the biggest threats and my all round views on the up-coming campaign.
| vs.. Tottenham Match Report - I will take a look at the Tottenham game and give a match report, as seen from a Liverpool supporters point of view.
| When two blog's go to war, The Kop End vs.. Harry Hotspur Q&A - I will be having a no holds barred discussion about the game with well known blogger, Harry Hotspur.
Till tomorrow. Walk on, with hope in your heart
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Posted by Neverwalkingalone
| Comments (12)
12 Comments · Add yours
It's clear you have a deep love for LFC. Pleased about that. Good site. I'll be visiting more regularly from now on.
One real disagreement...the boy Aquilani. If he's good enough, he'll come in. I'll trust Rafa - as he'll see him on the training pitch every day.
Secondly, I don't the shape will be disturbed. I think he can play the "holding" role...distribution's the game...(as we well know, because we had one of the best)...but he can tackle - he's hopefully gonna rise to the physical challenge. He's not small. If he has the discipline to track back - then he's changed Liverpool into a slightly more forward thinking team. Less Hollywood passes...'cos I have a feeling we're gonna be deadly down teh right with Glenn n Dirk...so we'll build more that way.
And here's hoping Lucas will come on like the brief glimpses we got last year you've mentioned...and less of the brief glimpses like a last minute hanging leg against Wigan. He kinda brokoe my heart that night. Didn't think he would ever be a tackler after that.
Anyway, tra fer now. Cheers.
(Mi Tottenham mate says 2-0 Spurs - Crouch n Keane obviously). Please no! UP THE POOL.
FATZIDANE.
finally sum1 appreciates lucas but don't try and say rvp is unhappy bout kuyt scoring and aquilani'll be brilliant just you wait and see
I'm sure Rafa has an idea about the tactics. Maybe the system will be different when Aquilani plays, who knows. If we are winning already when Alberto heals, it will be a good problem to have.
Not a fringe player in the least in the matches I saw for Roma. He just seemed a player that had a good sense of shape and where he needed to be, but would always have the outstanding moment. He always does the necessary things is what I was told by a Roma supporter. Rafa-type player.
Are u sure you a Liverpool Supporter? u have a go at our new signing before a ball is kicked.When have u seen him play?. Sorry mate thats Poor then u have a go at Rafa for signing him? U sound like the rest of the United biased media. I will trust My manager to make the right decision after all he won the Champions League, Fa Cup,2 La liga titles and Uefa Cup so i will trust his judgement over your heresay by the way what have you won? Liverpool supporters support their team and trust their manager not mouth off on a blog about risks. Back the team, players and manager dont mouth us off be supportive positivity can only be a good thing we get enough negative comments every single day in the media we dont need our own also having a go at us , cheers YNWA
Oh I'm sorry DIE HARD RED. I didn't know that I wasn't allowed an opinion on my club. It was totally unaware to me that dedicating my life to writing about my club makes me a bad supporter...
Does disagreeing with certain choices make me a bad supporter? No its doesn't. Quite on the opposite actually. You see I have anough heart to question certain decisions, and as a fan its my right to expect the best from the club and who manages it.
If your honestly telling me you have never questioned Rafa's team selection/rotation policy/transfers then your lying. I bet you wonder why Voronin is at the club or why Degen is still here, etc etc etc.
So dont lecture me for supporting my club, when fact of the matter is, the real negative supporters are the ones who dont have an opinion and are happy to just sit and watch.
It's perfectly fine for a fan to question, write about, even be critical of a manager or player (or owner(s)). I highly doubt that Neverwalkingalone is one of those fans standing in the Kop and booing Lucas. "Supporters" like that disgust me. NWingA isn't hoping Aquilani fails or anything, in fact I am sure he desperately wants Aquilani to turn out to be better than Gerrard, because, he wants as badly as any other supporter to win.
In my book he is a great supporter for blogging and giving supporters a place to discuss things and have a community based around supporting LFC.
DIE HARD RED, you're telling me that if Rafa bought some rodeo clown for 20 million that you wouldn't be questioning it? If he put out a starting eleven of youth players against United or Chelsea you wouldn't question? Supporters want Liverpool to win and will debate strategy and tactics to make sure we have the best opportunity to do so, and not only just because we love Liverpool Football Club, but also because we love the Beautiful Game.
Well done you for setting up this site.
It will provide for an entertaining outlook on a daily basis whilst i try to stay awake on the many meetings am subjected too at work.
Walk on to the title fellas!!!!
RVP was gobsmacked. Find the clip. RVP was screaming at Kuyt to pass him the ball
I hope to see you soon. Get involved!
No doubt i do question sum decisions offcourse i do like why we dont invest in a proper right winger so that Kuyt can compete for a striker role with torres but i wont crtitisize a player without seing him play yet as well as i wont question Rafa's intentions for this club because he only wants the best. Fair enough if u dont think Aquilani is any good who am i to question as i havent seen him play i seriously doubt rafa hasnt given consideration to his injury history but i heard that he was given the run around with regards to his ankle by many different doctors at Roma which makes him look injury prone, when he came our dr immediately saw the problem and said it can definitely be fixed but what better way to give Lucas a chance to shine in midfield? who im a big fan of. My frustration comes with the fact that every day i see negativity in the media with regards to Rafa and LFC , like when we lost to Spurs i saw an article "Liverpool going the Leeds Way" then i see an ex player like Redknapp absolutely blast Rafa claiming that we will be lucky to make the top 4 and when i see a fan also question rafa it makes me upset. Im not here to argue with a fellow supporter and im sorry for offending you im just sick of people blasting our manager and club on a daily basis. YNWA
Thumbs up there Die Hard.
Im a fan of Lucas too, very fond of him now. I dont question Rafa because I dislike him, infact I think he is a great manager. I do somethimes wish he would play Babel upfront with Torres though :(
Its all opinion's. I'm sorry if it comes across as if im having a go at the club. Thats not the case. If it was, i wouldnt write blogs about the subjects in my spare time. everybody has a view, and its good to share.
Thanks for sharing yours.
Cheers buddy no worries, i like Lucas alot he seems to be an intelligent type midfielder and could develope into a fantastic one i hated that he got booed but i think its made him more mentally strong. I would also like to see Babel given opportunities upfront cause its his natural position, he seems to be very much a confidence player though but i hope he will come through for us this year as i feel if he doesnt he will be sold at the end of the season.
It's clear you have a deep love for LFC. Pleased about that. Good site. I'll be visiting more regularly from now on.
One real disagreement...the boy Aquilani. If he's good enough, he'll come in. I'll trust Rafa - as he'll see him on the training pitch every day.
Secondly, I don't the shape will be disturbed. I think he can play the "holding" role...distribution's the game...(as we well know, because we had one of the best)...but he can tackle - he's hopefully gonna rise to the physical challenge. He's not small. If he has the discipline to track back - then he's changed Liverpool into a slightly more forward thinking team. Less Hollywood passes...'cos I have a feeling we're gonna be deadly down teh right with Glenn n Dirk...so we'll build more that way.
And here's hoping Lucas will come on like the brief glimpses we got last year you've mentioned...and less of the brief glimpses like a last minute hanging leg against Wigan. He kinda brokoe my heart that night. Didn't think he would ever be a tackler after that.
Anyway, tra fer now. Cheers.
(Mi Tottenham mate says 2-0 Spurs - Crouch n Keane obviously). Please no! UP THE POOL.
FATZIDANE.
finally sum1 appreciates lucas but don't try and say rvp is unhappy bout kuyt scoring and aquilani'll be brilliant just you wait and see
I'm sure Rafa has an idea about the tactics. Maybe the system will be different when Aquilani plays, who knows. If we are winning already when Alberto heals, it will be a good problem to have.
Not a fringe player in the least in the matches I saw for Roma. He just seemed a player that had a good sense of shape and where he needed to be, but would always have the outstanding moment. He always does the necessary things is what I was told by a Roma supporter. Rafa-type player.
Are u sure you a Liverpool Supporter? u have a go at our new signing before a ball is kicked.When have u seen him play?. Sorry mate thats Poor then u have a go at Rafa for signing him? U sound like the rest of the United biased media. I will trust My manager to make the right decision after all he won the Champions League, Fa Cup,2 La liga titles and Uefa Cup so i will trust his judgement over your heresay by the way what have you won? Liverpool supporters support their team and trust their manager not mouth off on a blog about risks. Back the team, players and manager dont mouth us off be supportive positivity can only be a good thing we get enough negative comments every single day in the media we dont need our own also having a go at us , cheers YNWA
Oh I'm sorry DIE HARD RED. I didn't know that I wasn't allowed an opinion on my club. It was totally unaware to me that dedicating my life to writing about my club makes me a bad supporter...
Does disagreeing with certain choices make me a bad supporter? No its doesn't. Quite on the opposite actually. You see I have anough heart to question certain decisions, and as a fan its my right to expect the best from the club and who manages it.
If your honestly telling me you have never questioned Rafa's team selection/rotation policy/transfers then your lying. I bet you wonder why Voronin is at the club or why Degen is still here, etc etc etc.
So dont lecture me for supporting my club, when fact of the matter is, the real negative supporters are the ones who dont have an opinion and are happy to just sit and watch.
It's perfectly fine for a fan to question, write about, even be critical of a manager or player (or owner(s)). I highly doubt that Neverwalkingalone is one of those fans standing in the Kop and booing Lucas. "Supporters" like that disgust me. NWingA isn't hoping Aquilani fails or anything, in fact I am sure he desperately wants Aquilani to turn out to be better than Gerrard, because, he wants as badly as any other supporter to win.
In my book he is a great supporter for blogging and giving supporters a place to discuss things and have a community based around supporting LFC.
DIE HARD RED, you're telling me that if Rafa bought some rodeo clown for 20 million that you wouldn't be questioning it? If he put out a starting eleven of youth players against United or Chelsea you wouldn't question? Supporters want Liverpool to win and will debate strategy and tactics to make sure we have the best opportunity to do so, and not only just because we love Liverpool Football Club, but also because we love the Beautiful Game.
Well done you for setting up this site.
It will provide for an entertaining outlook on a daily basis whilst i try to stay awake on the many meetings am subjected too at work.
Walk on to the title fellas!!!!
RVP was gobsmacked. Find the clip. RVP was screaming at Kuyt to pass him the ball
I hope to see you soon. Get involved!
No doubt i do question sum decisions offcourse i do like why we dont invest in a proper right winger so that Kuyt can compete for a striker role with torres but i wont crtitisize a player without seing him play yet as well as i wont question Rafa's intentions for this club because he only wants the best. Fair enough if u dont think Aquilani is any good who am i to question as i havent seen him play i seriously doubt rafa hasnt given consideration to his injury history but i heard that he was given the run around with regards to his ankle by many different doctors at Roma which makes him look injury prone, when he came our dr immediately saw the problem and said it can definitely be fixed but what better way to give Lucas a chance to shine in midfield? who im a big fan of. My frustration comes with the fact that every day i see negativity in the media with regards to Rafa and LFC , like when we lost to Spurs i saw an article "Liverpool going the Leeds Way" then i see an ex player like Redknapp absolutely blast Rafa claiming that we will be lucky to make the top 4 and when i see a fan also question rafa it makes me upset. Im not here to argue with a fellow supporter and im sorry for offending you im just sick of people blasting our manager and club on a daily basis. YNWA
Thumbs up there Die Hard.
Im a fan of Lucas too, very fond of him now. I dont question Rafa because I dislike him, infact I think he is a great manager. I do somethimes wish he would play Babel upfront with Torres though :(
Its all opinion's. I'm sorry if it comes across as if im having a go at the club. Thats not the case. If it was, i wouldnt write blogs about the subjects in my spare time. everybody has a view, and its good to share.
Thanks for sharing yours.
Cheers buddy no worries, i like Lucas alot he seems to be an intelligent type midfielder and could develope into a fantastic one i hated that he got booed but i think its made him more mentally strong. I would also like to see Babel given opportunities upfront cause its his natural position, he seems to be very much a confidence player though but i hope he will come through for us this year as i feel if he doesnt he will be sold at the end of the season.