It was encouraging last night, very encouraging. But I have some controversial points to make and others feel free to chip in with your comments.
Controversial points -
Okay here goes. Reina. I think he's had a very poor season to be honest. It would be unfair to apportion a lot of the blame to him, but he has let a lot of average goals in this year. Needs to shape up.
Suarez. Now I understand that it's his game to take on players, but I just wish he'd be a little less greedy on times. The amount of times he loses it in the final third when an easier pass is on to set up a goal scoring chance is getting absurd. He needs more composure in front of goal too, spurns too many chances, and just needs to be a bit more team orientated.
The Gerrard effect. I hate to say this. Stevie G is one of my heroes, but the more I see Liverpool play without him, the more it seems to free them up and become less afraid. May be time for Stevie to have a DMF midfield role, or even begin to think about passing the torch to the youngsters. Still a role for him at the club, but thr players to a man seem to freeze whenever he play.
Dalglish & Players. Love the man, Liverpool legend and all. BUT, I think he's lost the plot on several occasions this year. Why aren't we going for team from the start, the FA Cup Final was a case in point, having Suarez stranded for the entire first half? Players. He's all over the shop with his player selection too. Maxi Rodriguez's win ratio when he plays must be through the f'kin roof, why is he not playing every week, the lad has done absolutely nothing wrong in my book, and the way we've treated him and Kuyt is very disrespectful IMO.
He's played Henderson on the right most of the year, what's that all about? Spearing, good work rate, but Shelvey is more creative and athletic, with a lovely touch for a big man. He really grew on me last night, even when he lost the ball first half, he sprinted back and stemmed the attack. Carragher. Liverpool legend, but it's time for him to move on or be used sparingly. No longer has the legs. Liverpool have to be more offensive from defence, and with Skrtel, Agger, Johnson, it provides a better base to start attacks and commit forward.
Downing. This lad is bugging me. He really is. The jury is well and truly out on him. I really can't see him improving that much. For me, he hasn't got the belly for a fight. I'd be happy to be proved wrong, but I think he is just too soft underneath. He keeps coming inside over and over and over again, it makes me want to smash my glorious plasma.
Enrique to me looks too fat and unfit.
So, after being encouraged by last night's game, I still think we have a long way to go. I would keep Maxi and Kuyt, get rid of Downing, Spearing, Carragher, Flanagan. I would keep Shelvey and Henderson for a basis of a CMF midfield pairing certainly for the start of next year. I would buy a new LB, and a CB to be involved in a selection fight between Agger and Skrtel and new signing, as well as Coates. Johnson I like. He has his critics, but I love his attacking nature. Liverpool have to play with Suarez and Carroll up front, and this is why we need to keep Kuyt as a replacement for Carroll if injured or out. Keep Maxi. Replace Downing with a genuine left winger who can get to the touchline and cross. Line up a goalie for Reina too, I feel his best years are past him now.
Discuss.
seriously no need to respond to this ...
