Liverpool v Luton (FA Cup Replay) Tue 15 Jan

All the moans and groans in the world will not change the results of the last 3 league matches.I understand and in a lot of cases agree with posters discontent at the way our team has been playing.Now it is time to move on and look forward to the Luton Match, I think the REDS will do a demolition job on Luton and hopefully it will be the kickstart we have been looking for in the league and get us in the right frame of mind for the champions league.Just remember the mighty REDS have come through bad times in the past and we will come good again.Our history demands it.

All the moans and groans in the world will not change the results of the last 3 league matches.I understand and in a lot of cases agree with posters discontent at the way our team has been playing.Now it is time to move on and look forward to the Luton Match, I think the REDS will do a demolition job on Luton and hopefully it will be the kickstart we have been looking for in the league and get us in the right frame of mind for the champions league.Just remember the mighty REDS have come through bad times in the past and we will come good again.Our history demands it.

I agree with you Billy......there's absolutely nothing we can do to change results.

We can moan and groan all we like but, we can't do anything about it, although as supporters of this great team, we are entitled to have our say.....be it good     or bad. 

But the Manager and the team need us to get behind them, and work through this difficult period of the season. 

We'll come good, said she trying to remain positive and optimistic 

It would be nice to think we could go on a bit of a run, lift the pressure off Rafa, give some of the under performing stars in our team a boost and shut the media up.........I'm in dream land  :

I would start playing some youth/reserve players in established 1st team places... give them the chance they deserve and a few established first teamers don't... starting with El Zhar and Nemeth given runs up-front... why not?

All the moans and groans in the world will not change the results of the last 3 league matches.I understand and in a lot of cases agree with posters discontent at the way our team has been playing.Now it is time to move on and look forward to the Luton Match, I think the REDS will do a demolition job on Luton and hopefully it will be the kickstart we have been looking for in the league and get us in the right frame of mind for the champions league.Just remember the mighty REDS have come through bad times in the past and we will come good again.Our history demands it.

Totally agree Billy we need to roll our sleeves up and get on with it instaed of brooding, if we get a good win against Luton that should start the ball rolling hopefully.

I would start playing some youth/reserve players in established 1st team places... give them the chance they deserve and a few established first teamers don't... starting with El Zhar and Nemeth given runs up-front... why not?

I agree totally with you there don. I would also state that instead of splashing out on a winger why not just recall Anderson and be done with it. That lad deserves a shot at least.

..recall Anderson and be done with it. That lad deserves a shot at least.

Great point re Anderson as Babel promising loads ...but delivering jack-sh*t.

Good to hear him say it but does he really know who his strongest team is? On paper sure it stares you in the face but with so many players under performing should some fringe/young players get the chance to prove themselves as has been said in earlier in this post thread?

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N158391080113-1121.htm

BOSS: I'LL PICK STRONGEST TEAM
Jimmy Rice 13 January 2008

Rafa Benitez plans to select his strongest possible side when Luton Town travel to Anfield for the FA Cup third round replay on Tuesday.
The Spaniard this week denied he selected a weakened side at Kenilworth Road, pointing to the fact he had 10 internationals in the side.
 
"I was surprised when a journalist questioned me about not using my strongest team," said Benitez, who was without Steven Gerrard for the initial tie due to injury.
 
"We had 10 international players in the side but the journalist was just talking about Fernando Torres, so I think he didn't know exactly about our squad.
 
"We will approach the replay with the same idea. I will use a strong team again because we want to progress in the FA Cup.
 
"It is a fantastic competition and we want to win it again."
 
Benitez, whose side have seen in the New Year with three consecutive draws, admits the performance at Luton was not good enough.
 
However, the Liverpool boss is confident his players can shake off their indifferent form to record a first win of 2008.
 
"It wasn't good enough, that is clear. We were really disappointed after the game but a lot of Premier League teams didn't even get a replay," he said.
 
"We watched some videos and we knew it could be a tough game because they are physical and for them it was like a final.
 
"It was an opportunity for their players to show their quality and put themselves in the window. You must give credit to them because they played well.
 
"Maybe we can learn from this game and it will be totally different at Anfield. We have another opportunity now and I have a lot of confidence in our team. I think we will win because we want to progress in the competition."
 
Luton, currently in administration, have lost several players since the initial tie including David Edwards and Chris Coyne.
 
Frustrated by player sales, manager Kevin Blackwell has tendered his resignation and will step down in February.
 
The winner of Tuesday's tie will face either League One Swansea City or non-league Havant and Waterlooville.

Great point re Anderson as Babel promising loads ...but delivering jack-sh*t.

Not true. Babel has done as much in his first season as Ronaldo did in his.

Not true. Babel has done as much in his first season as Ronaldo did in his.

I'll toast to that ...looking forward to Ryan Babel being named FIFA World Player of the Year next season!

...Babel (or Dirk) won't even be in their national squad on this season's form!

Not true. Babel has done as much in his first season as Ronaldo did in his.

exactly and hes not even a left winger. yet he has scored 6 goals alot of them amazing goals. play him upfront for a few games in a row and see how much of an impact he has.

This game is the perfect chance to start Babel up front maybe with Crouch. Also Agger could maybe ease himself back in with this tie. It should be nowhere near as tricky as the the tie in there place. Id start with a stong enough 11 and have the likes of Spearing on the bench and give him a run out in the second half if we are 2 or 3 up 

i think if Rafa gives babel time he will be a big big hit. surely he cannot be judged on his first 20 games? look at henry at arsenal and ronaldo at scum u. both started slow in the prem but now are both world beaters.

Hmmm.......here's my team:

                                            Reina
Arbeloa                  Carra                       Agger/Skirty             Aurelio

Pennant                Gerrard                    Maschy                     Babel

                           Crouch                    Nemeth/any reserve forward who give a sh*t

Torres has to have a rest sometime, but to put Voro or kuyt in his place would be suicidal as I dont think they would make our reserve bench on the way they're playing ATM....so I'd give one of the promising reserve players a run because they're not retarded like those other 2 "1st team strikers" I've mentioned.

I've put Babel on the left because its obvious rafa has some sort of plan with him because I'm pretty sure rafa's not blind to his abilities (wenger.....henry?), so I'm not gonna get on Rafa's back about it.

I think if Rafa gives babel time he will be a big big hit. surely he cannot be judged on his first 20 games? look at henry at arsenal and ronaldo at scum u. both started slow in the prem but now are both world beaters.

Yeah - look at Sam at Newcastle...

At this level and at his price - delivery is fast-tracked!

I have no doubt he has the talent - but like some others in the present squad - does he have the mental strength to go with the ability in his boots? Jury still out on that one (for me at least)...

Hmmm.......here's my team:

                                            Reina
Arbeloa                  Carra                       Agger/Skirty             Aurelio

Pennant                Gerrard                    Maschy                     Babel

                           Crouch                    Nemeth/any reserve forward who give a sh*t

Torres has to have a rest sometime, but to put Voro or kuyt in his place would be suicidal as I dont think they would make our reserve bench on the way they're playing ATM....so I'd give one of the promising reserve players a run because they're not retarded like those other 2 "1st team strikers" I've mentioned.

I've put Babel on the left because its obvious rafa has some sort of plan with him because I'm pretty sure rafa's not blind to his abilities (wenger.....henry?), so I'm not gonna get on Rafa's back about it.

I would (as Rafa has stated play our strongest XI). Nothing like a decent win to get confidence back - hence I would play Torres - but I would also play SG wide and put Xabi and Masch in the middle... but given Rafa's popularity in the press at the minute I presume Pennant would get the nod and Xabi or Masch to be sacrificed

Sacrificing one of our very few world-class players (either Xabi or Masch) so that SG can be "happy" for me, from a team perspective, is madness - particularly as we have WON so many BIG games with SG on the wing/libero - because the last thing SG does (if you study his libero movement) is actually stay in any one position anyway!!!.

i totally agree with you don. but lets just hope and pray that babel has the mentality to be a great player. has shown his ability. i think he should get a go up front on Tuesday. you?

I totally agree with you don. but lets just hope and pray that babel has the mentality to be a great player. has shown his ability. I think he should get a go up front on Tuesday. you?

Yeah why not, he needs a few in the net to get his confidence up, he is a very well mannered lad apparently (very spiritual) and so I've heard, very sensitive ...and he is only 19 - when combined in the current climate (when boys and men are quite clearly distinguishable...) - then you have this net net result - indifferent performances.

As others have also said (inc. me) I would also give El Zhar, Nemeth or Jordy a whirl - why the hell not!?

Kuyt and Voro (and a couple of others) probably would get more help from a sports psychologist than any manager/coach or games right now... and I mean that in a constructive way, a very constructive way.

Why is this thread dated 15th September 

i know yeah thats a bit strange aint it. i wish it was 15 september so we could change some results

Why is this thread dated 15th September 

Date changed to correct date.
Well spotted.

Yeah why not, he needs a few in the net to get his confidence up, he is a very well mannered lad apparently (very spiritual) and so I've heard, very sensitive ...and he is only 19 - when combined in the current climate (when boys and men are quite clearly distinguishable...) - then you have this net net result - indifferent performances.

As others have also said (inc. me) I would also give El Zhar, Nemeth or Jordy a whirl - why the hell not!?

Kuyt and Voro (and a couple of others) probably would get more help from a sports psychologist than any manager/coach or games right now... and I mean that in a constructive way, a very constructive way.

Babel is infact 21 now not 19.

We need a proper result in this match, a real goal fest! Let the rest of the league know we're back on top of things and we're kicking arse! There's nothing like a goal fest to see the confidence levels rise!

I'm happy Benitez is playing a full strength side! Do fancy seeing Nemeth let loose in the first team soon though, he's one to watch for sure! Think Torres should be rested, not only to keep him fresh for Villa but it might actually coax someone else into scoring!

Babel is infact 21 now not 19.

Wow, he grew 2 years older in the space of a few hours

Babel must be mates with Dr who and his Tardis.