The OFFICIAL Liverpool Supporters thread

[stevo-08]

Is it safe to say after the pre-season dropping by almost everyone on this board of Carra that he will be first choice centre back along with one of the other two?

Ha ha, Is that your version of an "I Told You So" Laoislad.

With Agger just back from injury, I think everyone expected to see Carra & Skrtel start as the number 1 CB pairing. However, if Agger regains his previous form, Carragher will have a battle on his hands to hold onto a CB position.

IMO, the future no.1 partnership will definitely be Agger & Skrtel. It's just a question of when...

[The Real Laoislad]

Is it safe to say after the pre-season dropping by almost everyone on this board of Carra that he will be first choice centre back along with one of the other two?

Ha ha, Is that your version of an "I Told You So" Laoislad.

With Agger just back from injury, I think everyone expected to see Carra & Skrtel start as the number 1 CB pairing. However, if Agger regains his previous form, Carragher will have a battle on his hands to hold onto a CB position.

IMO, the future no.1 partnership will definitely be Agger & Skrtel. It's just a question of when...

Well if its just a question of when then you will be right sometime...Carra can't go on forever 

[Mentalman]

Was always of the opinion that Carra would start more games than the other two, and at centre back, not a believer that he can be anything other than cover at right back.

[gawa316]

Doesn't make sense but heres the team

Javier Mascherano makes his first start of the season as Liverpool look to maintain their perfect start in the Barclays Premier League at Villa this afternoon. 
The Argentina international comes into the line-up in place of the injured Steven Gerrard as Rafael Benitez makes three change from the side that needed extra-time to see off Standard Liege.
 
Brazilian Lucas Leiva also features in place of Yossi Benayoun while Andrea Dossena is preferred to Fabio Aurelio at left-back.
 
The Liverpool team in full: Reina, Arbeloa, Aurelio, Carragher, Skrtel, Mascherano, Alonso, Benayoun, Kuyt, Torres, Keane. Subs: Cavalieri, Dossena, Agger, Lucas, Babel.

[Mentalman]

How bad is the Torres injury?

[The Real Laoislad]

  Terrible stuff...
IMHO Rafa was going for the draw from the first minute,Wtf was Keane playing on the wing for at the start and why did he bring on Ngog and not Babel when Torres went of injured...

[ExiledGael]

Terrible stuff...
IMHO Rafa was going for the draw from the first minute,Wtf was Keane playing on the wing for at the start and why did he bring on Ngog and not Babel when Torres went of injured...

Spot on, you could see a mile away Benitez was content with a point, and just hope maybe to nick all three. No pressing whatsoever when Villa had the ball at times. He'll never be a day different though.
Torres hamstring so you'd have to say it'll be three/four weeks.

[Lecale2]

God that was awful. I only watched the last 20 mins but it was hard going.

[brokencrossbar1]

Liverpool swoop for striker Flora


Liverpool have signed Brazilian striker Vitor Flora on a free transfer.


The 18-year-old spent last season playing in his homeland with Botafogo and, as he holds an Italian passport, he does not require a work permit.
However, he will need to gain international clearance before playing for the Reds.
Flora joins fellow countrymen Lucas Leiva and Fabio Aurelio at Anfield and could make his debut for Liverpool reserves on Tuesday night.
   

The pacey left-footed forward is manager Rafael Benitez's sixth summer signing and the Spaniard is also hopeful of completing a deal for Espanyol winger Albert Riera, 26, before the end of the transfer window on Monday.

[Minder]

Another one for the reserves.......

[Stalin]

Another one for the reserves.......

Your point?

[Tony Baloney]

Another one for the reserves.......

Your point?

Erm that Rafa has brought in another player whom will probably languish in the reserves rather than making an impact on the Premiership or cup competitions. God knows it is needed after the past few performances!

[Stalin]

Yeah, dumb move bringing in young players with potential.

[Minder]

Yeah, dumb move bringing in young players with potential.

I think established players are what is needed Stalin,maybe you disagree? Perhaps you saw the match yesterday and noticed that we are one of the most workmanlike teams around, there is absolutely no creativity. Perhaps Rafa is building for the future, a future he will probably not see at Liverpool. How many Pongolles, Le Tallecs do we need? On a sidenote it shows you the overall strength of the PL if Villa are being touted as most likely to break into the top 4, they are very average.

[Stalin]

Bringing in a young talent for free is basically a freeroll; worst case scenario we pay him a paltry wage for two seasons before releasing him. Whats the harm in bringing lads like the young Brazilian?

Rafa is trying to bring in established players as well, look at Riera and Keane for evidence of this. Le Tallec and Pongolle were good prospects when signed (by Houllier might I add), and I think Pongolle has realised at least some of his in the past few seasons. Maybe we will see it up close against Atletico.

Benitez has worked hard to bring in young talent and develop them through the youth and reserves systems, all at a minimal cost. Look at the canter at which the reserves won the league last year. Guthrie moved on for a massive profit. Barragan is improving all the time and we could get him at any time for a fraction of his actual market value. Nemeth etc looking like real talents. In the next few years hopefully more of the reserves will come through or be moved on for a tidy sum. If Rafa gets the road this season, maybe some of the lads on the fringes now will be his testament to the club in a few years time.

In any case it's clear to see what he is trying to achieve. He is realistic about the money available to him and is trying to either better his squad or better his finances through developing these young players.

For all the chat in various media about Liverpool, it does say a lot about the strength of the PL and Villa when Villa couldnt take advantage of Liverpool's disarray/lack of form. They created next to nothing as well.

Not much mention of the success of the zonal marking system yesterday from the Robbie Earles, Andy Grays etc. Up against one of the most aerially potent sides in the league and defended their many set pieces with relative ease.