Liverpool v Fulham: Match Thread

Liverpool v Fulham
Premiership
Anfield
Sat 10th November 2007 @ 5:15pm

If we don't score at least 9 then this club is going backwards and Rafa should get sacked.

Thoughts?

Surely going to be a win for Liverpool! I feel it in my bones! the goal-drought is really over. Say 3-0.

Three points is all I want.  1-0, 9-0 or 10-9 - I don't particularly care.

Hopefully we can get through this without risking Torres needlessly.

After tonight's game, Rafa REALLY will have a selection headache.

Everyone wants the ball, no rushing, just class touches and pure football.

I predict a bag of goals on Saturday, with Torres, Crouch and Arbeloa all getting in on the goal sheet.

Everyone wants the ball, no rushing, just class touches and pure football.

I predict a bag of goals on Saturday, with Torres, Crouch and Arbeloa all getting in on the goal sheet.

Maybe Rafa should give this set of players a second run at it.

Maybe Rafa should give this set of players a second run at it.

 

What would everyone's reaction be if Rafa played the same team he played against Beskitas?  I presume that's very unlikely, but out of that team I would like to see Crouch, Benayoun and Arbeloa start, for sure. Totally deserve it.

Knowing Sanchez, he'll have Fulham trying to kick lumps play professional fouls, so we have to keep the simple passes on the go and spread them wide open.
Personally, I'd like to see Crouch up front with Babel....

What would everyone's reaction be if Rafa played the same team he played against Beskitas?  I presume that's very unlikely, but out of that team I would like to see Crouch, Benayoun and Arbeloa start, for sure. Totally deserve it.

Then Gerrard, mascharano, Veronin, and the solid defense we had today. The next match might just have 90% of today's winners. If there are going to be any changes, it might be Veronin & (a distant maybe) Riise.

To be honest RK since when has 'form' influenced Rafa's team selections?  Never as far as I have noticed.

You've already suggested the change that most of us would suggest - Babel and Crouch up front.  But would Rafa really leave out Kuyt? If he leaves out Kuyt at the weekend then he has effectively 'dropped' him. 

After praising him post-Blackburn this would be an extremely un-Rafa thing to do.  I await Saturday's team with intense anticipation!

But would Rafa really leave out Kuyt? If he leaves out Kuyt at the weekend then he has effectively 'dropped' him. 

After praising him post-Blackburn this would be an extremely un-Rafa thing to do.  I await Saturday's team with intense anticipation!

I thought Kuyt was dropped last night to be honest. I thought he would start, because as you say form doesn't really come into Rafa's selections and he hasn't been on form for a while now yet he's still featured quit a lot. But the game against Beskitas was very much a must win game and he wasn't favoured at all.
Personally, I'd have him on the bench against Fulham. Maybe him being dropped will help him and the other strikers?

unfortunately my gut feeling has rafa playing torres and kuyt upfront, wish it could be crouch to start with torres coming as sub

reina
finnan carra hyypia riise
youssi gerrard mascher babel
crouch torres?

unfortunately my gut feeling has rafa playing torres and kuyt upfront, wish it could be crouch to start with torres coming as sub

reina
finnan carra hyypia riise
youssi gerrard mascher babel
crouch torres?

Rafa shouldn't be in such a hurry to start with torres yet. Give him time to really heaL PROPERLY.

TBH Fulham don't have any real threats that we need to look out for, so I would play to our strengths. Riise didn't have the greatest game once again last night, and IMO should be dropped imediately, and even though they did play better I would also leave out Voronin & Aurelio. Whilst Voronin did a good job last night I feel we need a bit more pace upfront in the Prem, and with Finnan almost certainly returning & Arbeloa's performance last night I don't see any other option than benching Aurelio to make way for Arbeloa on the left. I would go for:

               Reina

Finnan  Carra   Hyypia Arbeloa

Yossi  Gerrard  Masch  Kewell

         Crouch   Babel

I know some people are reluctant to start Kewell, but he's had four runouts now, and we can't keep wrapping him in cotton wool forever. Apart from that I think the rest of my selection is self-explanatory, so for once I'm gonna keep it short & sweet.

My prediction? The reds march on with a 3-0 victory.

Again Eddie...its hard to disagree about JAR. Its hard to pick out substandard performances on a night like last night, but I remember an incident that highlights one of his slight weaknesses. When forced against the touchline, he turned, tried to play a pass to the defenders but was dispossessed immediately.

This was just the shot in the arm we needed, a strong performance that'll boost the confidence. We will beat Fulham on Saturday and get our campaign firmly back on the road...because of the way we play.

I should know better but here goes anyway...

Liverpool 2 (Gerrard, Crouch) - 0 Fulham.

I could be wrong but isnt Fulham our last game before the international break? If so I hope Rafa sticks with the same 11 well maybe Kewell for Riise and maybe give Babel a start up front with Crouchy and have Torres to come in.

Confidence will be sky high and we should launch into Fulham from the start play like we did last night

But we all know Rafa and chances are 5 changes could be made. To be honest its not the changes that would bother me but would we get the same flowing football we got last night with so many changes?

Anyway 3 points is a must here and if we get them well be sitting nicely

TBH Fulham don't have any real threats that we need to look out for, so I would play to our strengths. Riise didn't have the greatest game once again last night, and IMO should be dropped imediately, and even though they did play better I would also leave out Voronin & Aurelio. Whilst Voronin did a good job last night I feel we need a bit more pace upfront in the Prem, and with Finnan almost certainly returning & Arbeloa's performance last night I don't see any other option than benching Aurelio to make way for Arbeloa on the left. I would go for:

               Reina

Finnan  Carra   Hyypia Arbeloa

Yossi  Gerrard  Masch  Kewell

         Crouch   Babel

I know some people are reluctant to start Kewell, but he's had four runouts now, and we can't keep wrapping him in cotton wool forever. Apart from that I think the rest of my selection is self-explanatory, so for once I'm gonna keep it short & sweet.

My prediction? The reds march on with a 3-0 victory.

Good team Eddie and I agree with the Kewell start too as he is looking really sharp and had some good crosses late on, also did anyone know Sheree is expecting another baby? (sorry if this has been posted elsewhere but I didn't see it) so looks like he's been busy off the pitch too.

Anyway with Finnan and Arbeloa and Yossi starting I can see many chances being created it's just a shame that when Pennant returns he might have a tricky job getting his place back.  Crouch is in excellent form too now and should be after another couple of goals for his tally and Babel is finally off the 1 goal mark also so I can see big potential.

TBH Fulham don't have any real threats that we need to look out for, so I would play to our strengths. Riise didn't have the greatest game once again last night, and IMO should be dropped imediately, and even though they did play better I would also leave out Voronin & Aurelio. Whilst Voronin did a good job last night I feel we need a bit more pace upfront in the Prem, and with Finnan almost certainly returning & Arbeloa's performance last night I don't see any other option than benching Aurelio to make way for Arbeloa on the left. I would go for:

               Reina

Finnan  Carra   Hyypia Arbeloa

Yossi  Gerrard  Masch  Kewell

         Crouch   Babel

I know some people are reluctant to start Kewell, but he's had four runouts now, and we can't keep wrapping him in cotton wool forever. Apart from that I think the rest of my selection is self-explanatory, so for once I'm gonna keep it short & sweet.

My prediction? The reds march on with a 3-0 victory.

I agree that Riise didn't have the greatest game apart from the decent cross he put in for Crouch's first header, the header he had cleared off the  line, the quick throw to Voronin which allowed the cross for Yossi's first goal and the pile driver the goalie could only parry which lead to Yossi's second goal.

But I agree the short comings are still there despite some of the good stuff he did last night so I concur with your selection.

I think we all know there is still a problem with Sami's pace and although Carragher covered well for him last night a better team will exploit the gap left by this.  I wonder if we should not be giving Hobbs a chance?  He did alright against Cardiff and I think he could handle Fulham.

On another note I think we could adapt the old Stan Colymore chant as in

Hey Yossi Yossi

Yossi Yossi Yossi Yossi Ben-a-youm

Got a few people going on it in the Lower Centenary last night.

 

Ideal game to give Hobbs a try.

I'm pretty sure Torres will partner Crouch up-front

      PR
AA JC JH FA
YB SG JM RB
     PC
        FT

SUBS AV, HK, SH, LL, CI

Hopefully the team that started against Besiktas will be given another run out.

If it's not broken, don't fix it and all that.

But. Rafa being Rafa will tinker with with his team.

Personally, I don't think Torres should start - let him recover from his injury fully. We have a long and important winter fixture list.
Give Crouch a start, he's hungry, he's got it all to prove.
Voronin played well with him last night - so hopefully they will pair up again.

Maybe a change that Rafa will look at, will be to rest Gerrard, and play maybe Lucas or even Benayoun in his position. (Kewell ?/ Babel on the right)

This is a match we all expect to win, esp. after the 8 - 0 win last night.
But I remember the 9 - 0 win against Palace years ago, and we followed that up with a 0 - 0 home draw.

We need to forget about last nights result and take the confidence only into the Fulham game.
Get the crowd behind us and hopefully an early goal will start us off to a good win.

I wonder if we should not be giving Hobbs a chance?

Maybe. I opted for Hyypia mainly because he didn't have a lot to do last night & therefore should be able to handle two games in quick succession. If Besiktas had troubled us more I would've probably opted to rest him.

TBH Fulham don't have any real threats that we need to look out for, so I would play to our strengths. Riise didn't have the greatest game once again last night, and IMO should be dropped imediately, and even though they did play better I would also leave out Voronin & Aurelio. Whilst Voronin did a good job last night I feel we need a bit more pace upfront in the Prem, and with Finnan almost certainly returning & Arbeloa's performance last night I don't see any other option than benching Aurelio to make way for Arbeloa on the left. I would go for:

               Reina

Finnan  Carra   Hyypia Arbeloa

Yossi  Gerrard  Masch  Kewell

         Crouch   Babel

I know some people are reluctant to start Kewell, but he's had four runouts now, and we can't keep wrapping him in cotton wool forever. Apart from that I think the rest of my selection is self-explanatory, so for once I'm gonna keep it short & sweet.

My prediction? The reds march on with a 3-0 victory.

Exact team I'd go for. Kewell is looking sharper now.

Arbeloa has to stay in for me as well as Yossi, who had a brilliant game yesterday.

Prediction: 4-0, Babel and Crouch both to score.

Maybe Rafa should give this set of players a second run at it.

I fully agree, don't cut and chop when things are already fine.

Again Eddie...its hard to disagree about JAR. Its hard to pick out substandard performances on a night like last night, but I remember an incident that highlights one of his slight weaknesses. When forced against the touchline, he turned, tried to play a pass to the defenders but was dispossessed immediately.

This was just the shot in the arm we needed, a strong performance that'll boost the confidence. We will beat Fulham on Saturday and get our campaign firmly back on the road...because of the way we play.


I should know better but here goes anyway...

Liverpool 2 (Gerrard, Crouch) - 0 Fulham.

I fully concur that JAR weaknesses are plain to be seen, when he's pinned to the byline, he's helpless and Rafa still doesn't sees that, not to mention he's too left footed and lack in speed. Put JAR at the corner of the opposition goal would be more fruitful, at least he can make some useful pin - point crosses. With due respect to JAR, he's by far the weakest link in the team at the mo., maybe we've up our standard of play this year that his weaknesses begin to show. if we can sort that out we would have a stronger team. I'll go for 2-0 win gainst Fulham.

Anyway with Finnan and Arbeloa and Yossi starting I can see many chances being created it's just a shame that when Pennant returns he might have a tricky job getting his place back. 

True AJ. With the way Benayun adds goal socring abilities to speed and good play, Pennant might be headed back to the bench. The better man has to start. And if Pennant does not make it work here at Liverpool, it might spell sunset for his footballing career in the top flight.

Knowing how Rafa likes to play one team in Europe & one in the PL expect changes again against Fulham. In his mind his persistence in changing the team has paid off more times than not.

I think Finnan will be back in the team with Arb' playing in another position or on the bench. Torres on the bench. Crouch & kuyt up front. Babel left wing, Kewell on bench. Gerrard & Mash in the centre.

But this is just academic & as I remember reading in another post, there should be a prediction post thread for team selection here...

Knowing how Rafa likes to play one team in Europe & one in the PL expect changes again against Fulham. In his mind his persistence in changing the team has paid off more times than not.

I think Finnan will be back in the team with Arb' playing in another position or on the bench. Torres on the bench. Crouch & kuyt up front. Babel left wing, Kewell on bench. Gerrard & Mash in the centre.

But this is just academic & as I remember reading in another post, there should be a prediction post thread for team selection here...

The outcome of the match against Fulham may clarify issues concerning the team, weather it was the team selection, or good Confidence that's back. Me, I would prefer that, no matter the team selection,we still gave Fulham a good ass-whuppin'! So I lean more toward the Liverpool confidence regardless of who plays.

If Torres is fit then...


Reina, Aurelio, Hyypia, Carragher, Arbeloa, Mascherano, Kewell, Gerrard, Benayoun, Babel, Torres

Fulham?

As you know I am a bit of an optimist but if we DON'T take three points off these then we can wave goodbye to number 19 this season.

Luckily, I expect us to win comfortably. 

Benitez calls for success at Anfield


WITH an 8-0 Anfield victory against Besiktas still fresh in the memory, it would seem an odd time for Liverpool's home form to be called into question.

But with Rafael Benitez's team set to host Fulham in the Premiership today, the Merseyside club will be aiming to claim its first home league win since thrashing Derby 6-0 on September 1.

And with Arsenal and Manchester United beginning to pull clear of the chasing pack at the top of the table, Benitez admits Liverpool can ill-afford to drop more points against Fulham.

"We cannot continue to draw games at home in the league," Benitez said.

"We must start winning now. If we want to get as close as possible to the top of the table, we have to win more often at Anfield.

"If you analyse the games we have drawn, the difference on each occasion has just been one goal and it could be the difference between where we are now and maybe being second in the table.

"We need to be as good at Anfield as we have been away from home and that needs to start against Fulham on Saturday."

Liverpool's Brazilian defender Fabiano Aurelio has challenged his team-mates to forget all about the record-breaking Champions League victory over Besiktas and focus on domestic priorities.

"We did play very well against Besiktas and we can take a lot of confidence from that, but in football the most important game is the next one and for us that means Fulham on Saturday," Aurelio said.

"When you have a result like the one on Tuesday night you have to take it in your stride and not get carried away because we have many important games coming up."

Fulham travels to Anfield still searching for its first away Premiership victory of the season and manager Lawrie Sanchez admits the key for his team will be its ability to compete for the entire 90 minutes.

"We're a top seven team for 80 minutes and if we can lock off those last 10 minutes we'd be a top seven team now," Sanchez said.

"It's a bit like riding a bike to a certain extent. There's a falling off period between having stabilisers and being able to do it. Once you've done it, you wonder why you ever needed stabilisers."

From The AUSTRALIAN NEWSPAPER

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,22732370-5013406,00.html

Indeed. After winning 8-0 at Anfield it is an odd time to start questioning our home form.

Didn't get any further than that sentence.  Apologies.