Liverpool has just recieved a very disappointing result at Anfield. We tied are champions league match against FC Basel. This is really bad and we may not advance to the next round. http://liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N136777020925-2137.htm
That’s not the case. It was a disappointing result, mainly due to a very flat second-half performance, but our qualification from this group is by no means at risk. True, the double-header against Spartak Moscow now becomes more of a focus, but we should be able to beat them both home and away over the next three weeks. Meanwhile Basel, our only credible threat to qualification, will be playing Valencia home and away. And losing both games. Which means that when all four teams come out of these mid-phase doubleheaders, Liverpool can confidently expect to have 7 points to Basel’s 4. Meaning that we can actually afford to draw Valencia at home and still progress courtesy of no more than a draw at the St Jakob in November. This is no time for panic stations. We’ll be fine unless we goof up against a quite extraordinarily poor Moscow side. As to the game yesterday, it was the same old story. Dominance is one thing, authority another. In the first half we combined the two to good effect and could easily have been 4-0 up by the time they scored on a lucky break in what turned out to be their only actual chance of the game. For which Carra was at fault, it has to be said. The Aitches were blatantly playing Rosso offside, but Jamie was a good five yards off the pace. Reminded me of Campbell’s goal in the derby a couple of seasons back, in that respect. But as has been the case so often this season, we have failed to capitalise on being both dominant and in control of the flow of the game. After the break, Basel played with composure and solidity, never threatening us with another goal, but ensuring that our chances to score one of our own were also progressively ground down. Which is our biggest current failing. The more a team frustrates us, the more we cede authority, We retain dominance, in terms of possession and playing at their end, but we lose the groove, we become increasingly predictable and, consequently, easier to deal with. It’s a vicious circle. Houllier’s introduction of Diouf and Berger was a clear acknowledgement of that fact. Having said that, it was a bright display in the first half and if we give that sort of a battering to Moscow then we will be fine. Individually, I was vaguely disappointed with Cheyrou in the first half, who turned in a rather lacklustre display. He needed to go looking for the ball more to help Spud and Gerrard out. He re-emerged from the break with a Thommo shaped bootprint on his backside and was a much brighter subsequent presence. Heskey had an appalling game. I know it is not his natural position, but an outside midfielder has just one dedicated opponent to beat and, given that Emmo’s principal qualities are strength and pace, you would expect him to at least try that. It was incredibly frustrating. If you’re not going to play the lad in his best position, up front with Mickey, then don’t bloody play him at all. Must mention to their left-back, he was fucking superb! Very very special. And the fans - they were tremendous too. Best away support we have had at Anfield since … dunno when. Since ever, it seems. You certainly get nothing even remotely close from the Premiership. PS - I write this with no small hangover lurcking over me, as much fun was had with 4000 delirious Swiss fans in town after the match.
Ever the optimist eh Matt ... Face it, your team is nowhere near the standard capable of winning the cup - likewise the premiership. This was your easiest game and yet again you blew it.
"Nowhere near", eh? Bold words from a man clearly uninterested in credibility, We won't win the Champions League any time soon, no, but finishing second in the Premiership with the third highest total ever amassed is definitely "somewhere near" winning the title. And here we are again, second in the Premiership, 2 points behind Arsenal (who, presumably, ARE near winning the title) and, which is the really delicious part, we haven't even started playing well yet! There's 18 teams below us that would happily swap. But they're not as good as us, so they can't. Next!
And, just to compound the hapless nature of your attempt at making a contribution, this was not our easiest game either. Spartak Moscow are much worse than Basel. And were always going to be. But hey, thanks for stopping by!
Who have you played ? I'm not trolling (well ok maybe I am) but I just can't see the Scousers as a force this year. Houlllier in hospital for half of last season was the main reason you finsihed second. Yes, there you are, that is the reason why you will never win anything more than an FA Cup. Gerald Houllier is pants and basically Arsenal (pains me to say) are infinitely better. But I do admire your "never say die" spirit. I don't think I mean to be sarcastic when i say that I wish I waere an optimist. Mind you theres a thin line between one of those and a dreamer ...
I'll not hammer the witless. Liverpool played very well last night, we simply couldn't get a group of chances to go. Their keeper played well and once Basel scored on their single chance they played an intelligent bunkering game which we found hard to breakdown. Having said that, Liverpool simply failed to covert chance after chance. The luck will turn as long as the lads keep working. Mikie dragged two and three defenders around the pitch and left Baros and others with lots of room. We sorely missed Didi --- Gerrard spent too much effort winning the ball and couldn't get forward to help out the attack as much as he would have with Didi there. Cheyrou never really provided the linking needed. Carragher is Carragher --- solid, likely to make one mistake a game, no real threat going forward, and caught out by pace. Having said that we must give Basel credit --- I saw them provide the same frustration to Celtic at their home.
And who pray tell do you support? Boston Utd I expect. Saying that we finished second because GH was out half the year last season is beyond laughable. Come back when you know something.
Isn't it amazing? Utter gobshite. Incredible. I always wonder what the motivation is. I mean, I won't go and hang out on some other team's thread and start giving it the big one, because I don't know as much about the team as the people who actually support it (well, on Bigsoccer that is often untrue, but that's another thread). But this is more like going to a site for another SPORT and trying it on. How embarrassing a past-time is that? What is the point? Where's the basic self-respect, essentially? I mean, what enjoyment is to be had from the following process: 1) Make crap statement 2) Get reamed 3) Make crap statement 4) Get reamed 5) ... Get a life man. Jesus. Anyhoo, to those of you with a brain and a clue, I think this thread has adequately summed up our current position. If we bugger it up against Moscow, then we will be in serious trouble. But that aside, this is all just a matter of momentum. Remember that this time last season we were drawing at home with Boavista. It took a double-header against another east European team to really get things going.
lol typical Scousers, have to turn it into a slagging match. Shame on you Mr Clarke, I expected more from you. I was just being objectional. In fact I would much prefer Liverpool winning the League than Arsenal or Man Utd. But ok if you cannot accept constructive criticism then that's no skin off my nose. At least I'll give Liverpool some credit. Your fans are the only supporters I know who can follow your team in Europe and actually come back from the trip in profit. That takes some doing ! Mind you, I would't pay to watch that boring $hite either ....
Constructive? BWAHAHAHAHAHA!! LOL! Oh dear God but I pity you. Because I really do believe what you're trying to tell us here. That IS the best you can do. Ta ta.
Stop crying you big poof. He's spent more money than any manager in the history of the English game and you still can't beat Birmingham at home. You've got so many players all of the same ability (ie above average to good) that he just hasn't a clue what his best side is. I only have to tune in to a Radio phone in and after five minutes theres a Scouser on complaining about him.
Oh this just get's better. You listen to the football phone-ins? LOL!! Oh dearie me, but you are a peach. David Mellor is your God, eh? Figures. Houllier has spent more than any other managher in the history of the game? No he hasn't. Not even close. Patently, miserably, abjectly untrue. Wrong again. Crying, me? Oh yes ... too right. Crying with laughter. Now please, do yourself a favour and go somewhere that your lamentable intellect and abject lack of any form of relevant knowledge won't be quite as embarrasing to be a witness to. I believe www.teletubbies.co.uk has a message board. Although you might need to speed up the old synapses a bit if you really want to find a home for yourself there.
You get so defensive Matthew I just can't stop myself. Do yourself a favour. When someone says something that upsets you so, count to ten before replying. Maybe then you won't come over as such a sarcastic, unpleasant little $hit. Of course you have to score your points anyway you can, and as you and I both know, you aint ever gonna achieve this with a legitimate defense of Houllier.
I am a sarcastic, unpleasant shit. What - I owe you an explanation? Hapless tosspots like yourselves were put on this earth for my amusement, bubba. Just fucking get used to it. You want to play in my forum? Then either prove you have the wits to keep up with the rest of us or do what you have been doing and bend over and take it dry, my little pal. No skin off my nose. Either way, I get lunch. Do as you please. Just don't get all sniffy about it. All I ask is a bit of intelligence and insight. Failing that, just do what you do, I enjoy it.
An interesting statistic from the man whose illness and absence last year apparently was the only reason we qualified for the CL automatically this year (huh????!)--Gerard Houllier: "We had 26 shots on goal against FC Basel - and that is a Champions League record. No other side in the history of the competition has had more than 25 shots on goal during a game." Unfathomable bad luck Wednesday night--and we still take a point. The health of our backline is going to be the key, in the CL and in the Prem, not our ability to finish up top. We had a habit of leaving things late in CL play last year . . .and it looks like we're in store for another such "fun ride" this time around. Look for us to go to Basel needing a result on November 12--and getting it. .
And supporters all around Highbury, perhaps even Nick Hornby himself, are hoping that Arsene Wenger gets killed this year in a freak bathing accident, so they can go on and win the league by a dozen points. The slip resistant tiles have been secretly removed from Arsene's villa in London. Each day is a possible date with death. Remember how Sir Alex volunteered to have his left leg removed, then waved it around Old Trafford, only to spur his side to Glory back in 1999? Or can you not remember that far back?
Houllier has guided Liverpool to five trophies in recent years. Anyone who knew the situation at the club when he took over, knows how to appreciate the great job he has done so far - and he isn't finished yet! There is an unwritten rule in webforums; if you don't know what you're talking about, don't post!
lol five trophies ! Chelsea fans use that one when they talk about Vialli, you know, throw in the Charity Sheild and those silly meaningless European Super Cup "pre season friendly" things and yeah I guess you've got yourself a pretty successful manager ! Of course the other way of looking at it is he's delivered silverware in only one of the seasons he's been with you (how many are we up to now, five, six ?). Even the legitimate trophies he won were a little fortunate to say the least. Outplayed by the Goonas, scraping by Birmingham on pens and the farcical 5-4 game that no one wanted to win. Not that the UEFA cup means anything anymore. Laters people
It becomes patently obvious every time you post that you know bugger all about football. How many managers in the time that Houllier has been with Liverpool have won 3 trophies. You'll notice I didn't count the Charity Shield or the Super Cup. And please enlighten us, who out there is a better manager? Who has come up with the gems that GH has? Hyypia, best defender in the league, Riise a great wide player, and Milan Baros-scoring for fun now that he's got his chance. And you have never answered my previous question. Who do you support?
Here we go again Foxhound he calls himself. But he’s too much of a coward to post his team or where he’s from. Tripehound maybe...!!! Just a troll from under the same rock as "MUFCsucks"
Good result for Liverpool on Saturday. Maybe I was premature in writing you off. I have nothing against Liverpool, it's fans or even Gerald Houllier. I just feel your results do not always match your performances. Or maybe this is the mark of a good team, winnign when they don't impress. However, it looks like another top three finish for you this season. I still feel the credible challange to Arsenal will come from Man Utd, providing they get their house in order.