KopTalk.com Forums Football Liverpool FC Forum very nice performance but totally meaningless

I think for now we need to stick to using Henderson as a defensive-minded CM and Shelvey as an attacker. Neither should be on the pitch in the absence of such a role, unless they are being used to cover for an injury to someone.

So if we're sticking with 4-4-2, in the absence of Gerrard-Lucas we must play Shelvey-Lucas, Shelvey-Henderson, or Gerrard-Henderson only. Not Gerrard-Shelvey or Lucas-Henderson, because these would create a similar problem to Mascherano-Lucas where both players are trying to play the same role, undermining the midfield.

If we're forced to play 4-5-1 (and I do mean "forced") then depending on our intent Gerrard and Lucas could be partnered with either player (if we want 2 DMs [shouldn't ever need that] then Hendo, otherwise Shelvey). Adding one of Gerrard or Lucas to Hendo+Shelvey should be fine either way, provided Henderson stays with the more defensive role than Shelvey, because Shelvey is not a defender whatsoever while Henderson looks as though he could grow into such a role. In terms of attacking intent:
Lucas (least) -> Henderson -> Shelvey -> Gerrard (most)

You'll notice I didn't mention Charlie Adam. If he is not sold (and Spearing is) then he's 5th pick behind these players, and should occupy a role somewhere between Hendo and Shelvey (if we're forced to pick Lucas-Hendo-Adam in 4-5-1 then I would not expect much from that game!). There's also the Aquilani conundrum.

I don't think the result will save kenny's job to be honest. At the end of the season FSG will look at our season as a whole.......and be very VERY disappointed. Kenny's target was 4th so that we'd have CL money to offset his huge signings and to allows us to attract better players. Finishing 7th, 8th or 9th is nowhere near hitting target plus it leaves a hugh financial deficit. If leading us to our worst premier league campaign ever isn't enought cost him his job then I don't know what is.

Just proves the point that some posters want to be right all the time and that their doom and gloom predictions were always going to come true regardless of what they see. I loved the performance last night and the result even better. The best thing of all is the young guys of Henderson, shelvey and Carroll ran the show. At 21 and 20 yr old respectively that midfield pair dominated throughout against Essien(used to be awesome) and Romaeu(ex madrid). The removal of pressure shows that the ability is there, they just need to learn to cope, only experience will do that- average age 26 vs 27.6 of Chelsea.

signs for the future are good if that level can be maintained. That was not a performance that we havn't seen already this season, but at last the result was correct.

Didn't even bother watching this game which is sad considering I've hardly missed any in the past few years, thats how meaningless it was.

very true that mate i didn't watch it either lol

Was at the game very good amosphere from the crowd and much Dalglish chanting. Players seemed very animated and good performances. Pity they did not have this application or attitude back in August. Chelsea clearly are focussing on the CL leaugue final and played a weakened team who played like they had been on the ale before the game. My take on they all saw Henry's face and maybe have seen the writing on the wall and trying to rectify it. But too little too late boys. I am praying for a new manager now for without it you can expect mre of the same next year. No one must be fooled by this stage managed act.

you keep saying that in all your mails as if you know- which you don't. The target was champions league football I agree, however like any employee who doesn't reach their targets it doesn't mean they will be sacked immediately. Would a sales assistant or company MD? Not necessarily, FSG i am sure would like to know why certain targets have not been achieved. We have over achieved in cups and that will have some sway, Key injuries to Gerrard, Lucas and Adam have disrupted the season and then also the slower than expected settling in of the new players, this all without the bad luck element in so many games.

There are mitigating circumstances but to say you failed one task doesn't mean anyone will be sacked, especially when you consider the implications of compensation of Kenny and his staff and then recruitment involved, these are last resort actions. FSG need to decide if the club is moving forward in the right directionand at the right pace, indications are that the fans are happy-ish(i have been there all season and we are). The signings are starting to shine and the feel to the club is one of unity - why break it up when there is no guarantee a new manager can deliver anything better.

Even Man City after spending 200mil finished 5th but gave Mancini more money and another season and they are trigger happy.

CP1972 you would keep your job if your boss thought you were getting somewhere. If there is progress under Dalglish then after a season I am cannot see it. If he is in charge next season expect 7th place and then some will say that is progress over this season. This club is a joke at the moment, a complete joke.

Sorry Stan you are wrong there to some extent. How can you gauge from a picture what a man is feeling? The players have played like that at Anfield many times this season but just got their rewards. Also you can only beat what was put in front of you and that Chelsea team was full on internationals, Essien,Terry, Ivanovic,Torres,Malouda,Ramires have been top players. Only the goalkeeper and the left back were not regulars this season. Chelsea needed to win but struggled to get rythym due to a good LFC perfomamce - jees give some genuine credit for once.

i wouldn't say a injury to Adam was key as he didn't deliver much when fit. I would say gerrard on the whole has not been great, the only one i would agree with is Lucas was a big miss.

I also think that if we bought lots of foreign players who had no experience of English football then yes it will take them some time to settle. However i seriously don't believe that English players shouldn't take that long and that was one reason why we went English in the first place so they would start quickly.

Lets be honest look at Ashley young or Scot Parker did they take ages to bed in, no they didn't. Plus on the Mancini argument in that season when they did finish 5th they made progress as a team, Liverpool at best have been the same as last season.