KopTalk.com Forums Football Liverpool FC Forum Greek, Poulsen and Lucas

His biggest test comes next week - Kevin Davies.

Just don't expect too much from Kyrgiakos, we might still need a new defence leader

Agger/Soto for CM partnership, though Soto is a bit limited against fast forwards (but so is Carra, for eg). For my money, Skrtel is a good squad CB, not a first pick like Agger (who should play every game when fit), but that doesn't mean I don't want him.
Meireles/Gerrard for MC partnership. No questions.
Kelly as RM, except for games where we don't expect much threat on that flank, when we pick Johnson and tell him to run at the left back all game IN CONCERT WITH rather than INSTEAD OF the MR.
Pacheco and Shelvey to get as many 20 minute cameos as possible, regardless of game position. Blood them, get them up to Premiership pace. All the top clubs have fantastic players on the park at their age, and I don't think either of these guys deserves to stand in the shadows. Shout out to Amoo as well. We have a lot of promising young players outside those I've mentioned, so let's start using them already!
Carra to play every cup game (and captain the side when Gerrard isn't there). Leave it to him to drag the younger guys out of the morale mire Hodgson put them in. Except for SG I don't trust anyone more than Carra to get us out of this hole (even though he scored a trademark own goal yesterday), and his attendance record speaks for itself. Wilson to sub on for the other CB in games we're not under pressure (even if the scoreline is level).
And above all, trust Torres to turn on the charm when the side looks like it remembers how to play football again. Give him some support and the goals will come, just like the winner did yesterday.

What some managers fail to realise is that the young players are often good ambassadors for the club especially if they are given a chance to play and they improve. There are many special Spanish youngsters out there and if Suso and Pacheco get their first team chances, it sends a message out to them that they have a future at Anfield if they work hard and make the grade.

You heard the commentator saying that Salgado tried to get Raul and Guti to Blackburn. It happens everywhere and it's not rocket science.

We all can see Pacheco deserves some game time.

I agree with this. If you look at the premiership the only side that really draws the youngsters is Arsenal, and you can't say that it (playing younger players all the time) doesn't work because they just thrashed Citeh at Eastlands. Although the other top sides also have their young stars, I have this feeling that Liverpool simply has a greater quantity of rising stars, but they've not been getting the exposure they need. I'm very pleased that Shelvey got on the park yesterday, but where were Kelly and Pacheco? I agree that Carra's leadership is important, but he's not a better RB than Kelly, especially when Reina should be able to keep the back line in order.

Give these guys (more) chances and our academy will go from strength to strength because more young players will want to come here rather than just going to London (where they'll play for a few years and then pine for their home country). Liverpool has that something special that should keep them forever, but you've got to start playing them sometime or that will never happen.

Lets face the fact. I dont think Carragher has what it takes to face the EPL greatest fowards and wingers. His lack of speed and marking has been a dissapointment since last season. His sense of awareness over the oppositions movement has been poor. Time to make way for a younger, hungry and faster Kelly.

Carra was never really quick, it was his reading of the game that made him great. He just seems as though he can't think as quickly as he once had.

carra was at his best 4-5 years ago but he is passed it now

Agreed in regards to Carra! He occassionally plays a great game but more often than not he plays a fair game. Yes his leadership may be required at times but giving the young guys a go gives them enthusiasm and hunger to strive to better things and be a part of the successful club that we once were. Some of these kids, if given the chance, could help us get back to our former glory and also attract more youngsters from around the world.

I have felt for far too long that our kids are treated that way and never given the opportunity to showcase their talents. Any wonder half of them want out to further their careers elsewhere.