The OFFICIAL Liverpool FC thread - RIP Diogo

[Norf Tyrone]

You could argue the same re Joe Cole, Essien and Lampard.

[Tony Baloney]

Unfortunately wins against the main contenders were negated by two draws and no goals against Stoke, a draw and a defeat against Hull, defeat against Boro. Makes for sorry reading as everyone said at the time they thought they'd be regretting these results come May.

[Ping Pong Santa]

You could argue the same re Joe Cole, Essien and Lampard.

Ok, but were not.

[fred the red]

Unfortunately wins against the main contenders were negated by two draws and no goals against Stoke, a draw and a defeat against Hull, defeat against Boro. Makes for sorry reading as everyone said at the time they thought they'd be regretting these results come May.

did liverpool not beat hull a few weeks ago? 

[Tony Baloney]

Aye 3-1. Why?

[Tony Baloney]

Oh aye I see now. Defeat by Spurs. Posting on a mobile isn't easy you know

[The Real Laoislad]

Very enjoybale that.

Daglish getting a goal  was the highlight.

Only downer was Fowler not being able to play.

Watched it last night on LFCTV, Was delighted to see Aldo score in front of Kop 

[Tony Baloney]

Very enjoybale that.

Daglish getting a goal  was the highlight.

Only downer was Fowler not being able to play.

Watched it last night on LFCTV, Was delighted to see Aldo score in front of Kop 

Disappointing crowd I thought. Looked to be only about 30000.

[corn02]

"I was surprised by what has been said, but maybe they (Manchester United) are nervous because we are at the top of the table.

"But I want to talk about facts. I want to be clear, I do not want to play mind games too early, although they seem to want to start.

"But I have seen some facts. On November 1, they played Hull and Mr Ferguson had a two-match touchline ban and a £10,000 fine after confronting Mike Dean, the referee, for improper conduct.

"We started the Respect campaign, and that was when (Javier) Mascherano was sent off (last season) at Old Trafford.

"The referee (Steve Bennett) was the referee when they played against Wigan - he could not see the handball against Wigan by Rio Ferdinand, he did not give a penalty. They won the game and they won the title in this game.

   
There is another option - Mr Ferguson organises the fixtures in his office and sends it to us and everyone will know and cannot complain

"I think it will be the same referee who will be in charge of their game in hand this season (against Wigan).

"During the Respect campaign - and this is a fact - Mr Ferguson was charged by the FA for improper conduct after comments made about Martin Atkinson and Keith Hackett.

"He was not punished. He is the only manager in the league that cannot be punished for these things.

"Then he was talking about the fixtures. Two years ago we were playing a lot of early kick-offs away on Saturdays when United were playing on Sundays. And we didn't say anything.

"Now he is complaining about everything, that everybody is against United. But the second half of the season will see them playing at home against all the teams at the top of the table, it is a fantastic advantage.

"But at Christmas, United played on the 29th and the rest of the teams played on the 28th. We were away against Newcastle two days after playing Bolton. They were playing about 40 hours later, they were not complaining then.

"And about his behaviour with referees. The Southampton manager he knows how Mr Ferguson works and how he works, he was very clear. I am not playing mind games, just facts.

"If he wants to talk about fixtures, and have a level playing field as you say in England. There are two options if we don't want more problems with fixtures.

"One is the same as in Spain, the draw for the first part of the league is known, everyone knows which weekend. In the second-half everyone plays the opposite, so you all know.

"Sky and Setanta have the right to choose their games and it will be the same for everyone. So Mr Ferguson will not be complaining about fixtures and a campaign against United.


"Or there is another option. That Mr Ferguson organises the fixtures in his office and sends it to us and everyone will know and cannot complain. That is simple.

"We know what happens every time we go to Old Trafford and the United staff. They are always going man to man with the referees, especially at half-time when they walk close to the referees and they are talking and talking.

"All managers need to know is that only Mr Ferguson can talk about the fixtures, can talk about referees and nothing happens.

"We need to know that I am taking about facts, not my impression. There are things that everyone can see every single week.

"Are they under pressure? Maybe they were not thinking that we would be at the top of the table in January. But we are at the top of the table and they are nervous.

"I am not telling the authorities what to do. But I have been here for five years and know how things are going on. I will be watching United's game with Chelsea.

"The result does not matter to us, if we win at Stoke that result does not matter.

"I was surprised United wanted to start the mind games too early, maybe it is because we are top of the table. But I only wanted to explain our position.

"It is a massive difference to play early on a Saturday, say, after a European match in midweek.

"But they will play the second half of the season with home matches against the other top teams, and that is a massive advantage to them.
   
You can see every single week how they put (referees) under pressure, we know this. We have seen it before. We have seen players sent off at Old Trafford and we do not see our opponents sent off

"They cannot complain about the fixtures after they were playing on 29 December while the rest played on the 28th.

"I have decided that I had a lot of information and I have been watching every single week what has been going on. Then they started talking about us, but every single week we know they will be talking.

"But we want to stay at the top and maybe they will talk about us right to the end.

"To hear someone talking when he has problems with referees every single week, and now complaining about the fixtures and complaining about everything, I think that is not fair.

"You can see every single week how they put (referees) under pressure, we know this. We have seen it before. We have seen players sent off at Old Trafford and we do not see our opponents sent off.

"It is part of the game. But to complain and to always have an advantage is not fair.

"We had a meeting in Manchester with managers and FA about the Respect campaign. And I was very clear, forget the campaign because Mr Ferguson was killing the referees, killing Mr Atkinson, killing Mr Hackett.

"But he is not punished. How can you talk about the respect campaign and criticise the referee every single week?

"You can analyse the facts and come to your own decision and ideas.

"There is still no news about my contract, my agent has not received any documents so he is a little bit disappointed. But we will see.

"I would rather not talk too much about this, though, when we have an important game ahead."

What a pointless post. You were obviosuly saving it from that day for when United won the league, unfortunately for you, Ferguson going on like a tit with Big Sam makes it look a bit stupid as both were as bad as each other.

[TacadoirArdMhacha]

What a pointless post. You were obviosuly saving it from that day for when United won the league, unfortunately for you, Ferguson going on like a tit with Big Sam makes it look a bit stupid as both were as bad as each other.

Yes I've obviously been saving it for months. Or alternatively I saw a link to it on the BBC website today and thought I'd post it up for a bit of a wind up. 

[Farrandeelin]

And fair play TAM!! You were dead right to put it up again.

[Hound]

Well the lads gave us a good run for our money this year. A few games where we should have won and didnt but also has to be said there were lots of games where we got late goals to turn things around, so overall we're probably where we should be points wise. Only thing is United got much more than they should have! Won more games playing badly than any other year I'd say.

Its the first year in donkeys where we've been the most exciting and entertaining team in the league and the highest scorers and that's a big positive, and hopefully Rafa has recognised that taking risks against the poorer sides usually pays off.

I hope there's not too many comings and goings at Anfield in the summer. Continuity with just the odd fresh face would serve best in my opinion.

[brokencrossbar1]

So the season has ended as a contest so it is time to see how they can build to next year.  Like Hound I don't think there needs to be much change.  If you look at what is there already about 2-3 positions need an extra player but some dead wood needs cleared out to trim the wage bill.  I think that all that is needed is a second right back to support Arbeloa.  Deggen was brought in to be that player but never made it.  He is a waste of a wage and should be Kromkamped out, as should Dossena.  Insua and Aurelio are good enough at LB so there is no need to look there and the 3 CB's are fine.  There needs to be one left sided midfiled player, Gareth Barry would seem to be the preferred option.  I would see if we coould ship Lucas off to a lesser Spanish team and get 5-6million for him to go towards Barry.  On the RS Kuyt and Benni have been excellent this year and would be the mainstays there.  If you look at using the likes of Darby more often then he could do a job.  he could also be used as cover at right back.  Remember that is where Gerard started his career.

I would keep Babel and let him have a run of games through the centre behind Torres.  He has the pace to scare defenders but is no good at crossing the ball.  I reckon he could be an option there.  Also it would take pressure off Torres if he had a man to step in and take games off his shoulders.  If the money is available to buy one out and out creative star they should do it, who I don't know but they need someone "special" to move them up. 

[Ping Pong Santa]

So today then,

Second still needs to be secured but more important I think we need to show character after the obvious disappointment of yesterday. We need to continue the fantastic run of form we've been in, finish on a high, getting as close to United as possible and send out a message for next season. It won't be easy, West Brom will sniff a chance today and will really be up for it. Hopefully we'll roll them over as we have done many others recently.

[TacadoirArdMhacha]

So today then,

Second still needs to be secured but more important I think we need to show character after the obvious disappointment of yesterday. We need to continue the fantastic run of form we've been in, finish on a high, getting as close to United as possible and send out a message for next season. It won't be easy, West Brom will sniff a chance today and will really be up for it. Hopefully we'll roll them over as we have done many others recently.

Nothing that happens after this point in the season will have the slightest bearing on next year. The league is over, whether United win it by 10 points or 1 point is irrelevant.