Liverpool 1- 2 Atletico Madrid: Post match ramblings

Shocking first half.

Improved second half but our cover is looking pretty thin in defence.

Match thread was here:
http://www.lfcreds.com/reds/index.php?topic=21230.0

Well that's it, the end of our pre-season game and it's ended with another loss.

Hope Carra's injury isn't too bad all we need is him out aswell.

Oh well at least it was a friendly... Hope Jamie is OK.

Sharing the sentiments on Ayala, he has was sh*t tonight. Really sh*t.

I think Rafa might just step up his search for a centre half on Monday.

Decent second half performance. Lucas looking comfortable in the team and eager to secure permananent position, well taken goal. Single mistake by young lad who will have learnt a great deal from this game. All in all 7 out of 10 my rating. Bring it on!

Don't think Johnson was very good today either. He's too quick to forget about defending and just go maurauding forwards.
Needs to start prioritising defense against teams that attack.

I think Rafa might just step up his search for a centre half on Monday.

I'd start Sunday. :

Shocking cover. San Jose improved as the game wore on but if either stand in are going to give us any hope, they need to improve on their decision making.

I think Rafa might just step up his search for a centre half on Monday.

For Gods sake, come back SAMI!

Hope Carra's injury isn't too bad all we need is him out aswell.

Carra's fine, he's booked on the 4.30 JLA-Madrid Easyjet flight to finish what he started with Arbeloa.

Not really buzzing about what the youth has to offer tbh. Kelly was good against Lyn, and I still like Nemeth and Pacheco, as well as Spearing but I have my doubts about him...Other than that I don't see other promise

Another loss yes but that for me was our best performance of pre season our midfield were play attacking balls. Lucas was making in the box runs tacking on players slotting dangerous balls in Masch knocked in a couple as well. Johnson was the strongest player on the pitch by far when he was actually in his position defending no one could get past him. On the left Insua attacked there right midfielder getting past him knocking a couple of balls in as well. Gerrard and Torres looked much sharper today . Torres was unlucky not to get at least 2 goals he showed some class when getting past 4 Atletico players. San Jose looked solid today as his confidence was up but the only bad thing was Ayala if Kelly and San Jose were at CB i am sure we wouldn't of conceded them 2 goals although Johnson was at fault for the 2nd goal. Hope to see Carra up and running soon.

All in all good performance.

Once Carra's was out we've obviously lost a leader, and someone who'll organise the defence out at the back. Ayala and San Jose didn't play well, for me at all. They were poor, didn't stamp their authority on the game at all, and for now not up to playing in the EPL, or at least being 4th choice.

Glen Johnson and Emiliano Insua looked OK to me, not that bad a game for them at the very least. Martin Kelly was one plus point, when he came on midway through the second half I thought it was the first time he was playing in that position - and he was quite comfortable on it.

Didn't see much of Jay Spearing on the ball, and Lucas also drifted in and out of the game. That was what I thought, at least. Lucas was able to play some good balls to his mates, but unfortunately I thought he was played out of the park a couple of times in defensive mid, and also a little too slow in anticipating what is Atletico's next move.

Mascherano had a great game though, he showed every determination that oozed out of him, what a fantastic player, his ability to defend and protect the back four, and also sometimes creating good opportunities when we're attacking - Who says we need Xabi?

What stood out for me most, though, was the display from Gerrard and Torres. Gerrard was ever bursting forward with intent, and also the player that drives us forward. He had been very influential in our game even though we ended the game with a loss, and I still remember the crowd bursting into unison before he takes a freekick - Steve Gerrard, Gerrard! Torres, was also one of those players who played with great heart. His close control of the ball was fantastic, and it was only unlucky that his shot hit the inside of the bar and also did not win a penalty.

All in all, it was a good workout for the team, hopefully this will not affect the team's morale going into the new season. Kuyt and Babel is off for an international friendly on August 12th, hate it when it comes really. What's with an international friendly 3 days before the start of the season? FFS.

There is some need to work on the team understanding and teamwork, they looked like individuals at some moments and it was difficult to see the Liverpool of last season, where we never stopped attacking! I hope we would be able to shore up our defence in the next 7 days, and also get the much needed rest of course - due to all those globe-trotting.

Concern 1......Why are we losing to teams weeks behind us in there pre season?

Concern 2......Shipped 5 goals in 2 games against good opposition

In 8 days were down to business and its a tough starter so the boys need to get sorted in training

Martin Kelly is fast becoming one of my favourite players...thought he did really well when he came on and I'd have him miles ahead of San Jose or Ayala at centre back and right back.

Another thing I noticed was how great Gerrard slot into centre midfield again and for them last 10 minutes we looked alot stronger, can play absolutely brilliant anywhere that guy.   Very impressed with Lucas as well and Torres looked sharper, probably should have scored a couple though.

All in all it was just sloppy defending from the young lads that cost us the game.  I hope to God that Carra's alright and either Agger or Skrtel are back for next weekend.

Concern 1......Why are we losing to teams weeks behind us in there pre season?

Agger and Skrtel both out injured and San Jose is sh*te so with Carra going off too we were always going to struggle with Ayala and San Jose at the back.

Thought Insua and Lucas were our best players today, Insua's crossing was really good and Lucas is developing game by game.

Concern 2......Shipped 5 goals in 2 games against good opposition

Atletico are better than Espanyol, and we only conceded two today, so technically we've improved.

P.S. I'm arsing about before any slates me.

Atletico are better than Espanyol, and we only conceded two today, so technically we've improved.

P.S. I'm arsing about before any slates me.

We also bagged a goal so really it was only 1-0

Just watchung on .tv Ayala was poor on the first goal

Lucas man of the match.

I thought we were good at times and poor at times. I think most of the players did ok Kuyt was quiet and the two centre backs struggled.
There was a period in the second where we just didn't have the ball but after that we went on to score and finished stronger. Not a fan of Ngog but from what I have seen in pre season he seems to have improved. My worry is that if Carra is out for next week that Crouch and Defoe will cause a lot of trouble for Ayala and San Jose (if they play).

Lucas was my MOTM too. If Torres' touch was better today, he could have been easily the best on the pitch as his movement was top class.

Lucas man of the match.

Lucas was my MOTM too. If Torres' touch was better today, he could have been easily the best on the pitch as his movement was top class.

Agree wholeheartedly.

Lucas had some decent runs. Showing that little bit extra this season. Hopefully he'll carry it on in proper games.

Torres was unlucky on a couple of oaccasions. And Gerrard showed, once again, why he's one of the first on ANY team sheet.

I really dont care its all about next week then we can judge better were we are. Who by the way decided to put in an international break before the season's openers.
We used to always be crap pre season and take 6 games to get going but we seemed to do alright.

Think MOTM would be either one of Gerrard, Torres or Mascherano.

Close fight for me between Gerrard and Mascherano.

Gerrard's assist to Lucas was world class.

ROF Got to disagree my man of the match would of been Lucas or Torres. Lucas really played some superb passes today and was getting stuck in and Torres was making their defense look like clowns with his blistering pace and change of it. Could have had 2 or 3 goals today but it just wasn't to be.

I think it's a poor result a week before the season. This is the same Atletico that were completely outclassed last week by Arsenal and looked poor against Paris St Germain. Our pre season form has being awful and to be people that say it's pre season you don't just suddenly start winning when the season starts. I think we badly need another striker as back-up.

I think we badly need another striker as back-up.

That's irrelevant to this game, because we had the best striker on the planet in our team today. After this game, I think we need Sami back. We have no depth in defence.

I agree Eem we need an experienced CB as cover. Ngog looked good today in my eyes held the ball up well had a couple of good turns just needs to learn how to finish .

Ya we do need a centre back as well and ya we've the best striker on the planet. But if he has a season like last season we have less back up then any of the other top four teams. Rafa is really gambling this season.

Masch was my MOTM. Made some crucial tackles and interceptions and he passed the ball very well I thought.

Ayala was truly awful but I thought San Jose wasn't that bad. I think Rafa will have to step up his search for a new centre back now as to be quite honest the two that played won't be able to cut it against teams like Spurs.

Was an enjoyable game, seems we are going to have to buy turner, i prefer taylor from newcastle though, but i would still prefer another striker.

Was an enjoyable game, seems we are going to have to buy turner, I prefer taylor from newcastle though, but I would still prefer another striker.

He'd probably be cheaper as well, the state they're in.

Today did highlight that we desperately need quality cover at the back.

Ah well, pre-season is now over. And what a F***ing joke of a pre-season it's been.

As for today (and I did catch the match lfc tv as me nephew was playing with his cars) I thought we were dire in the first half, very wasteful with the ball from the wide areas as well as Torres missing a few chances.

Second half was an improvement but still not good enough. Seriously need to up our game by the time we go to Spurs.

I agree Eem we need an experienced CB as cover. Ngog looked good today in my eyes held the ball up well had a couple of good turns just needs to learn how to finish .

Not really somethign you can teach though, you either have the instinct or you dont.

yet again i miss another game. firstly, i have to comment on the improving performance of lucas - or at least that's what i'm getting by the post-match comments. yes, i also believe we need an experienced CB. but the downside of this demand is the increasing pressure on poor Aquilani to make his mark as soon as he returns. hope this can motivate him, and he lives up his pricetag. i think for rafa, it has just been an unlucky pre-season. what he thought would be just a run-of-the-mill matches against 'easier' opponents (except for atleti), the results have only worried the fans.

i honestly, can see us beating spurs, regardless of the inclusion of carra. i think the boys, especially the seniors, know the value of the EPL and will all give a 110% once the season starts. so it's all good lads

I agree that the game today did highlight that cover is needed at CB.

The first half we struggled to get the ball down and play but the second half was a big improvement.Insua and Johnson played well and were always a good outlet, Lucas also impressed and seems to have a lot more confidence on the ball.

I thought it was a good test today and the speed of the game was quicker which is what we needed to get us ready for Spurs next Sunday.

Need to calm down some of you, claiming we desperately need Turner. Firstly we'll have probably all 3 of our CBs ready for Spurs anyway, secondly if we don't have all 3, Kelly can be ready on the bench, and Turner is no where near Agger or Skrtel so we don't need him that much.

Don't care that we lost, not after seeing Lucas' goal.

WHAT a pass by Gerrard, and WHAT a take by Lucas. Absolutely amazing that piece of play.

Pre-season means nothing, and it hurts to see us lose, especially at home, but we can take so many positives from that piece of play alone.

I felt they were much better closing down, hard tackles.We lost,but Torres would have scored 3, Lucas is easily becoming my favourite player.Impressed with Johnson, showed great strenght and is going to give us another attacking option.

A good workout regardless of the result, pre-season is over and now the countdown begins getting the emotions flowing again.

I don't know why we are making a big issue of our pre-season form.We have given a chance to the younger players in all the games and although their performances have beena  bit dodgy,they would have learnt so much from these games.Remember Skrtel's first game,it was  a horrible debut but he adapted and is now a solid player for us.If these pre-season games could have a similar effect on the young CBs trio,I would be more than happy to close these games.As far as some of the seniors not looking that sharp,Carra said some time back that althouh we are taking these games seriously and want to win them all but there are no 3 points at stake.That explains all for me.

I absolutely pissed myself laughing at Ngog's backwards shot...made better by the lads sat behind me giving him the name of David NoGood

I actually missed Torres hitting the post because some guy in the row in front decided he needed to get up and go somewhere 5 times or so in the first half. And the girls in front of me wouldnt stop talking about Torres and making mocking comments. Bahh.

Game was sh*te. Atmosphere for the most part was sh*te. And booing Forlan and chanting "who are ya" even after he scored that great goal made me cringe. Forlan is better than any our "other" strikers. We have absolutely no depth in our squad. None whatsoever.

We have absolutely no depth in our squad. None whatsoever.

...

Whatever you say.

This is for you:
http://www.lfcreds.com/reds/index.php?topic=12947.0

...

Whatever you say.

This is for you:
http://www.lfcreds.com/reds/index.php?topic=12947.0

You're right. San Jose. Ngog and Degan are all reliable replacements should Jamie, Stevie, Nando or anyone get injured. What AM I like, eh?

No depth how you work that out ?

CB= Ayala,Skrtel,San jose,Kelly,Agger,Carragher
RB= Johnson,Degen,Carragher(if needed),Kelly(if needed)
LB= Insua,Aurelio,Dossena,Johnson(if needed)

CM= Mascherano,Lucas,Aquilani,Plessis,Spearing,Gerrard
RM= Kuyt,Benayoun,Babel,El Zhar
LM= Riera,Babel,Dossena

CF= Torres,Babel,Ngog,Voronin,Nemeth

That's all very well^^^^^^^^^^^

But exactly how much of that depth is world class?

I agree with you there but he was saying we do not have depth which clearly we do just not depth in quality But depth nevertheless.

We were sh*te yesterday. Added to that The Kop was 'kin roasting. I thought we were slow to put a foot in, and the midfield was sat on top of the defence for long periods of the game when they didn't need to be.

Lucas had a good game. I'm glad about that, because if Aquilani isn't going to play for at least a month then Lucas is going to be starting a lot of games. And now he looks more ready than ever.

I agree with you there but he was saying we do not have depth which clearly we do just not depth in quality But depth nevertheless.

Every team can find someone from the ranks to fill an open position. But our "depth"players simply arnt good enough.

Ah well, pre-season is now over. And what a F***ing joke of a pre-season it's been.

As for today (and I did catch the match lfc tv as me nephew was playing with his cars) I thought we were dire in the first half, very wasteful with the ball from the wide areas as well as Torres missing a few chances.

Second half was an improvement but still not good enough. Seriously need to up our game by the time we go to Spurs.

Pretty much sums it up for me.

Was very frustrating to watch at times. People may well say it's only pre season and that's true. But the fashion in which we gave some simple balls away yesterday was a worrying thing to see ahead of the league kicking off next week.

The forced substitute of Carra put a spanner in the works and put a bit of doubt in the back line. And it was cringeworthy to see San Jose get ripped at one point.

Lucas was probably our best player at the end of the day. Although nobody really set Anfield on fire. Some nice little flicks by Torres and I was impressed by how strong Johnson looked.

When Ngog came on he looked very threatening. And it was at this time when we really looked like a side that knew each other.

We must improve.

I know it's been tough watching the last two games against the Spanish, in both games we have been out played by two very good teams, with the season starting on Sunday for us, we are sure to improve against Spurs, if not then I'll worry.

In both games we have played inexperienced kids in the centre back positions, and it showed, Sunday will be different as we shall have either Carra and Agger and Skrtel all ready to play, as the kick off is Sunday it gives the guys carrying knocks another day to get themselves ready.

I don't look to much into pre-season results as their have been times when we blew pre-season opponents away only to have a bad start, last season we did well and when we started the season it looked like we had left pre-season form behind, it took us weeks to get it going.

What is important is to get everyone ready and try to hit the ground running, I also expect more out of some players and if everyone gets his game together there is no reason why we can't win at white hart lane, so here's to 3 points for Sunday....Come on you Redmen..

I don't look to much into pre-season results as their have been times when we blew pre-season opponents away only to have a bad start, last season we did well and when we started the season it looked like we had left pre-season form behind, it took us weeks to get it going.

Very true mate. Getting beat always hurts but the friendly results don't really matter in a goals sense.

What was concerning about Saturday's game though - and other pre season games this summer - was the very poor retention of the ball. And the willingness to win it back.

We had a very impressive run leading up to the end of last season. But I hope that hasn't put any players in a comfort zone.

I was really pleased by the lads performance on Saturday. It was a pretty good performance by all of the players and if we'd had the same clinical finishing as Madrid it could have been 5-2, but unfortunately we were well off.

After Cara left the field we had an average age of our defense of 20 (or 20.8 i think) which is extremely young in what is often the oldest position.

the two lads in the centre didn't play too badly but you could see that Ayala was too quick to be bullied off the ball and a bit slow in making his mind up. But we got remember that this was his first game in the 1st team at Anfield. It's going to be a while before anyone get's used to that nevermind when you are playing against one of the best forward lines in European football.

That said I hope Rafa, ignores all of the doomsayers and doesn't bring anyone else in and just uses our youth (hopefully Kelly) for the spurs game with Cara as once our others are fit we have good enough defensive depth once players are fit.

You look at all of the other teams in the top four and if they lost their best three center halves they'd all be onto youth as well!