KopTalk.com Forums Football Liverpool FC Forum a hard fight for 4th

for the life of me i could not understand why kenny broke up such a system or mainstay of the team that done so well for him last year.had he replaced it with quality then fair enough but the subsequent 4 were always going to weaken the first team if played en mass.1 from 4 is ok in the team.adam is upping his game,credit to him for that.the others are still deciding wether to turn up or not.

lol

ohh anything new on here?army still playing..correction..being the resident fool i see!!

tick tock

I think it's still too early to say for certain. I don't believe we can write anyone in the top 7 off, nor can place too much importance on any lead presently held by our rivals. I've had a bit of a think since the last time I posted on this topic, and have changed my view slightly.

Newcastle haven't really been tested - a loss at Eastlands and a draw against an Arsenal side that was dire at the time doesn't suggest they have the ability to take a lot of points off the top teams, the rest of whom they still have to play. I believe they could very well compete for a Europa place, but top 4 should be outside their grasp unless Mike Ashley gets brain damage and starts doing positive things for his club as a result.

Tottenham have only lost to the two teams above them, but they were wretched when they did so and the only notable absentee at the time was VDV and Modric may have thought he was on his way to Chelsea. They look much more settled now, but I still question their squad depth and I wonder how much 'Arry's potential future will affect their performances as we near Euro 2012. They could potentially become stronger, wanting to give a successful send-off.

I don't think we can read too much into the current form of Arsenal and Chelsea. All we can say is that they do not appear to be as strong as they have been, and that may leave them vulnerable. But right now we may find ourselves behind after this weekend's matches as they have easier fixtures. I think both sides still have the personnel to rip through the weaker clubs so they won't fall far behind 3rd in any great hurry.

For us, we absolutely have to be more ruthless against the weaker clubs. The other top teams are putting them away week in and week out, while we have not, and that is the only reason we're not ahead of our rivals for 4th. If we can get that killer instinct, learn not not lose our focus when we're in front, then our season will come down to how we perform against the other sides in the top 4 mix, and right now only Spurs and City outperform us in this department (and we've already seen off Everton as well!).

So I fail to see why people are writing us off. We need to learn to beat the teams we should be able to beat. Surely that's easier than having to learn how to beat the strong sides, something our immediate rivals have thus far failed dismally at? Barring our meltdown against Spurs, is there any game we've played thus far this season where we did not have the opportunity to win it? Considering we're left with only City and a bunch of ordinary clubs with ordinary budgets, why shouldn't be confident of placing significant pressure on our rivals, all of whom have far more difficult tasks until the New Year (their first chance to strengthen)?

return of the co...

I agree with that

We looked a different team against Chelsea than the one that struggled against Swansea and that had everything to do with Kenny's team selection

Why on earth would you play Henderson wide on the right when you consider 1) it's not his natural position and he struggled in every game he's played there and 2) there are plenty of other players who can play there - Kuyt, Johnson, Maxi, Bellamy

And Downing's performances have dipped to such an extent that it makes no sense excluding the likes of Bellamy and Maxi for him

Adam and Lucas have developed an understanding in the centre of the park, Suarez links up alot better with Kuyt and Bellamy than Carroll and Skrtel and Agger look to be quite a good pairing too

quite simply the Hendersons, Carrolls, adams are our future. They are young players who need to find their place. Kenny has got most things right, settling in the new players as quick as possible then bringing in the old guard as we saw on sunday. We need a squad of players pushing each other and not just a best eleven.
No doubt Henderson looks better coming on from the bench and then playing more central.
For long term the plan is fine, short term the ride has been bumpy. Nearly all the new players have 10+ appearances for us now and signs are all are starting to gel.

I am really looking forward to see where we are in January at the half way mark. I think there are 18 points up for grabs between now and then and a return of 12-15points is realistic, takes us to 35points for half way so very much on target for 70points which I feel will get you a champs league place.

I don't think Henderson and Carroll (especially Carroll) are good enough. So if they are our future god help us. As for Adam he is not a young up and coming lad he is an established player. I would rate him as good not great as in the Alonso mode.

you'll probably all like this article so...

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish has warned any out-of-favour players not to disrupt the harmony in the squad.

Dalglish left big-money signings Andy Carroll, Stewart Downingand Jordan Henderson, and vice-captain Jamie Carragher on the bench for last weekend's win at Chelsea.
The Reds chief has shown price tags or reputation will not influence his team selection and, ahead of this weekend's clash with league leaders Manchester City, he has made it clear he will buy replacements if any unhappy players upset the spirit in the camp.

Remote Record
"At the end of the day it is hard for those who don't play," said Dalglish. "It is hard to keep them motivated and keep them going. That is understandable. If they come in with really good attitudes and not with petty lips when they are left out, it is helpful to everyone.

"For them to have come in with positive attitudes has shown their determination. It hasn't done anyone any harm. If they are not committed to playing, it is not going to be my problem, it is going to be their problem because we will go and get people who are determined to play.

"It's not pleasant but it is understandable that there is disappointment if you are not playing every game. But it is a long season and everyone is going to be given their chance."

No influence

Liverpool beat City 3-0 in the corresponding fixture last season, a game which saw Carroll score his first two goals for the club, but Dalglish insists that will have no bearing on his plans for this weekend's encounter.

"You take into account what is happening now," added Dalglish. "Just because he scored twice last season doesn't mean he's going to score this time.

"We will all start afresh, Andy included. For the record I thought Andy's best two performances were against Stoke and West Brom."