Liverpool v Sunderland [R]

Amen.

The only way to find out if the admonishment worked is to start Gerrard. But if he flounders again, bring Diao on.

Dudek
Carragher-Hyypia-Traore-Riise
Murphy-Gerrard-Hamann-Smicer
Heskey-Owen

Smicer wide—yes; I agree that he's earned the opportunity. And as I posted after the Basel match, I don't want Heskey on the left side of midfield anymore.

I am fine with him being paired up with Owen again, however. The pair weren't stellar with Owen against Middlesbrough, of course, but I attribute that to the midfield "service" (if you can call it that) they received on the day. I'm hopeful Smicer can change that around, and am willing to give Gerrard one more chance on Sunday.

-----

 

I think we'll see a few shakeups. Smicer and Owen up top, Cheyrou on the left and Diao in the middle. The criticism of Stevie serves as a wake-up call that the lack of creativity must cease if we are to maintain our position at the top.

 

Thats the way I see it as well. I don't think Houllier will risk Babbel's fitness and game sharpness in this match. That means JAR stays at the back. Ultimately, I think he needs to move into the left side of midfield so that we can do something more than move down route 1.

 

I know. Doesn't that suck?

 

Dammit.

TEN shots on goal, and nothing to show for it?

I think it's official: they are in their mid-season slump. Think we can stop the bleeding before too much longer?

 

Awful quiet in here. Damn depressing result. Tons of posession and chances, but no finishing. And more corners for us than away supporters for them....

We lacked a creativity today, a creativity that I have only found in an in-form Stevie G. At least consistently that is. This game screamed for Litmanen. Or McManaman, or John Barnes for that matter. Some speed of thought for crying out loud!!!

I am about to give up on Heskey, at least temporarily. I'm tired of Emile helpin gus with possession, I would like a few goals. Baros for Emile was the substitution I would have made early in the second half. Diouf was ok, but we could not get any penetration in the final third, despite all our shots and our 435 corners we took in this match.

Sigh.

Are they right about us? Good on the counter, almost to a fault? Teams with no chance of attacking us (and Sunderland topped that list today) can just sit back and hope? And often steal a win, or get a draw?

Arsenal of last season, and United at their peak would have won that game 3-0, 4-1, something like that, no question in my mind.

Champions do not Draw at home to Sunderland. I'm rambling now, but we seem unable to hammer teams. 75% possession means f all if you do not find the net. We could have had 2 goals in the first half hour, and probably cruised to victory. Is that what we'll be against lesser foes this season? If we convert a chance or two we win 1-0 or 2-0 but never more? Never just bury teams?

I'm Rambling now, where's the eject button.

 

Grrroooaaan...!!!

You're right...now does that make you feel better...???

Sigh..here we go again...Nah! just a little setback...

 

I didn't think we lacked creativity. How can you when you get 20 shots, and force their keeper into making seven saves, several of which were stellar.

Possession was about 75-25% in our favor. Macho-Macho Man (I can hear the Stadium of Light faithful now ) had a terrific game, especially considering he's their third keeper. Pegguy Arphexad did this a couple seasons ago when Flowers was hurt.

It sux big time not to have got the win, but I want to try and fiond some positives. Babbel looked like he'd never missed a game. I still think GH needs to make a few changes, and sub a bit earlier. I too would have brought on Baros for Heskey, and Diouf for Smicer. But he's the boss not me.

There's always next week...

 

It was quiet because I went to RFK after the game.

I have precious little to say right now, but maybe later I will. Still cold and a little wet from the US match.

Dave

 

That's a good point, I guess I was just looking for better final balls in the attacking third. Murphy was involved in almost all our chances created from open play, he was just outstanding ---- no merely very very good. If he had finished a chance, I'll call it outstanding.

No one else seemed to be able to do much with the ball, except control it for hours on end, then find a wide player and get a cross in. About 10 Sunderland plyers were in the box though.

We needed a few good shots from the outside to open up their defense a bit. Again, Stevie G comes to mind. Hamman, and Diao for that matter, were playing a bit too deep for my tastes, but it's hard to argue with their ability to break down nearly every Sunderland attack before they reached midfield. Didi and Salif did not merely just deter, they destroyed.

And the finishing. Many shots that may have gone in on another day. That was the best performance from a keeper I've never heard of in a long time.

Have we ever had as many good solid headers on goal from corners?

Feeling better about the side today, but I still think, (and you know that the Media will too) that the writing may be on the wall.

Out title chances may come down to our two games each with United, Arsenal and GASP!! Everton. Still a match at Stamford Bridge as well.

YNWA

 

A lot of this, I think, was due to the Return Of Markus. He gives us another option (Sami and Heskey being the primary targets) and, as his sharpness increases, will come up big for us like he did two seasons ago.

Dave

 

Babbel was fantastic today. Is he back, or did Sunderland give him acres of space? I guess I'm a glass half full guy right now.

As for big goals, UEFA cup Final opening strike anyone?

 

Well we need a win to keep pace. With a win we will be tied for second or third. I won't even contemplate any other result. I think Baros and Owen up top; with Hamann, Gerrard, Murphy and Riise in midfield; Jamie, the two H's and Traore. Kirkland in goal. Sunderland is a wounded hedgehog but I'm afraid they will play us almost as negatively as they did at Anfield.

 

I can't recommend going with Gerrard with a clear conscience.

 

I can. He didn't look as horrible on Thursday. Had a couple of inspired balls, ALMOST looked like returning to form. Diao and Smicer, on the other hand, were both horrendous at times. I think Gerrard should partner Hamann

I'll be on PBP. Let's hope this one turns us around . . . hoping the teamsheat looks a LOT like liverbird's.

See y'all tomorrow. 11AM?

 

OK, strike that. Not going to be here. Dad actually volunteered to take me down to the pub to watch the match. Haven't seen him in almost a year, and I'm home for 12 hours and he wants to go see soccer? This is the man who routinely cals it "f*gball", and stomps out of the room in disgust when I'm watching it.

?

 

Teamsheet:

...............Kirkland

Carragher--BISCAN--Henchoz--Traore

.........Murphy--Gerrard--Hamann--Smicer

..............Baros--Owen


Subs:
Riise
Dudek
Diao
Diouf
Babbel

 

Free Audio Commentary

Audio Commentary at:
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Re: Hyypia

From liverpoolfc.tv

Interesting choice of words, but it doesn't say WHY he was "sensationally axed."

From ShanklyGates.co.uk