Liverpool v Portsmouth (Asia Trophy) Match Thread

I watched the first half on sopcast but the quality was terrible, so I couldn't tell you too much about what went on. I got to the pub for the second half though, so I'm able to pass proper judgment on it. I hate to be pessimistic, and I know it's still only early days, but the second half summed up exactly what my fears are for the coming season. Just the same as last season we were creating the chances but not putting them away. I really hope the decision not to buy a proven goalscorer doesn't come back to bite us, once again just like so many games in the past a poacher could've won the match for us.

Eddie, the 1st half, in my oppinion was the better for us, although they should have scored 1on1, second half we looked as if we could not really be bothered. I feel that on another day our chances would have gone in, but its only a preseason game and does not matter.

Eddie you may be correct,but Torres has played in as good a team as ours before?No.He will get more chances now.

Again I'd have to disagree. A lot of people are very quick to write off Atletico, they have very good players but haven't achieved their potential. Regardless of how good you think they are though, the Atletico team was built around Torres & near enough every attack went through him. He had 100 shots on goal last season, one of the highest totals in La Liga, and scored 14, four of them penalties. That's one goal every 10 shots, a worse ratio than all our strikers managed last season. I would love it if he can prove me wrong, but I don't believe Torres will get us lots of goals.

I agree with a few points raised , as a fitness exercise I thought the game was invaluable we had some very good individual performances with for me Momo, Xabi and Jermaine especially lively.
I do however worry that we have not rectified the problem of finishing off teams who defend doggedly and offer very little up front, sure we can say its still only pre-season but Kuyt was lashing at shots like that all through last season and he still seems to be doing it in these friendlies. I dont know if its a confidence thing, he's not getting the ball where he wants it or he just isn't cable of delivering 20 goals a season, we shall see if he can put right before Villa away.

I did like the idea of signing of Torres but it was dependent on two things, either Rafa was going to buy another striker who plays further forward thus allowing Torres to play the 'drop off role' he likes or Rafa has total faith in Kuyt comming good and he would be that player. Today although Torres had some nice touches and created some openings he just didn't look to have the Killer instinct that would deliver a high goal return.
I am by no means bailing out on our strikers as it is early days yet, they all look fit and raring to go and that is a massive positive I just hope todays game isn't an early indication of how things will go when we play the likes of Bolton , Portsmouth etc and as Paul Merson said (I know he's a knob at the best of times) Man Utd would have done them 3-0 today, we just have to work at making sure we will do the same when it matters.

further forward thus allowing Torres to play the 'drop off role' he likes or Rafa has total faith in Kuyt comming good and he would be that player.

Er, I think it's meant to be the other way around! Kuyt's meant to be dropping off and Torres making runs with his pace. Right? 

Dissapointed to lose but oh well it is only pre-season. Has someone been giving Momo happy pills or something his range of passing since last season has really impressed me. I am so happy he stayed.

Reina 7 - Did what was required

Finnan 6 - Didn't really do too much
Agger 7 - Carried the ball out well but got caught out once or twice
Hyypia 7 - Was fine, not involved much
Riise 6 - Same as Hyypia, nearly cost us a goal keeping O'Neill onside

Pennant 7 - The only winger we have who is prepared to take players on and did ok today
Alonso 7 - Some good and poor passing, looks up for the fight for places
Sissoko 9 - A new Momo maybe? Looked immense in everything he did.
Kewell 7 - Not bad,needs to learn how to take on a man and show some more creativeness

Kuyt 6 - His finishing was quite simply awful, not like him at all
Babel 5 - The kid doesn't look interested at the moment at all

Subs - Torres 6 - When he doesn't have the ball, he needs to learn not to look disinterested and actually make a move for a player, needs to keep the ball closer to his feet too
Benayoun 6 - Few flashes of good play
Arbeloa 6 - Fine
Carragher 6 - Maintained defence kept calm in late stages
Lucas 6 - Few neat touches
Gerrard N/A - Good penalty but that was it

We could have had this game rapped up by the first half but typical us not to. In spells we did ok, but we need to be that bit more direct in our play. I remember one move we did after about 70 minutes with about 5 one touch passes which set Torres up and it was magnificent to watch, we need to learn to break quick too. Dissapointed for Crouch not to have got on but I'm sure he will play more in the Rotterdam tournament.

I have to agree with most of what has been said here about the game. I only got my sopcast stream working with ten mins left in the first half but the second half quality was perfect!! Obviously most would agree that Momo was head and shoulders above the rest in terms of fitness and aggression, and I don't think I have ever seen him as commanding or as attacking minded. This new lease he has got to burst into the box really paid off last night and if he can keep that up he will undoubtedly be the first name on the teamsheet in the centre midfield role.

From what I seen of Kewell in the first half, he looked lively and as a fan of his I really hope he can stay fit and repay rafa for the faith he has shown him. Pennant also looked dangerous and although some of his final delivery wasn't great he has shown signs of the form he showed towards the end of last season. Alonso as usual showed his amazing passing ability and the partnership with Momo in the middle was outstanding.

Overall it was a great run although the result was very disappointing considering the amount of chances we had to win the game ten times over. It is concerning the wastefulness of our strikers, especially Kuyt. Though it was good to see Torres create a few openings and have a few goes at goal himself. And with a few more games he should be a lot sharper for the first game of the season. Hopefully Kuyt et al will remedy the finishing problems that caused us dearly last season and also last night before the Villa game!!

I also most comment on our asian fans last night. From what I could hear on the stream over the sky sports commentary and the Hong Kong national commentary, they were absolutely amazing. I didn't think they could top the reception that Torres got when he come on but then there was Gerrard, I'm sure he only came on to please them but imagine if he had missed his pen

Er, I think it's meant to be the other way around! Kuyt's meant to be dropping off and Torres making runs with his pace. Right? 

Er i'm sorry but i didn't think so, if you think Torres is an out and out striker then I have been watching the wrong player, Kuyt came to us with a goalscoring record And Torres is the player who I have seen come deep for the ball.
Granted your pace point is a good one and I can see him staying on the shoulder of the last defender and bursting clear when a good ball is played through but I dont see him as a box player at all otherwise surely he would have a better goals ratio?

Torres and Kuyt will create plenty of chance for each other,looking forward to their games together.

Athletico's midfield....was, to be nice, ordinary.

Gerrard, Alonso, Masch, Lucas and Sissoko, along with Pennant, Kewel and Babel will supply a lot of quality ball from the wings.

Athletico's midfield....was, to be nice, ordinary.

Gerrard, Alonso, Masch, Lucas and Sissoko, along with Pennant, Kewel and Babel will supply a lot of quality ball from the wings.

 

This is a thread about the Portsmouth match.

This is a thread about the Portsmouth match.

Sorry Tommo, my fault. I digressed a little & it carried on from there.

Aww gutted we lost I didn't see any of the game I was in work.

Couldn't care less bout the asia trophy but I'll try nope can't do it.


Sissoko was a man mountain more of that and he'll be back to form cause there was a period there where I thought he was done for. Babel was poor I felt the best tackle he madein the game was on the linesman. Kuyt looked good as did Kewell there was a lot of promise shown but alas the usual problem of not capitalising on chances remained. I'm still very hopefel for the season. I don't think we'll win it cause we will have a rocky patch at some stage but I think we'll finish second