The OFFICIAL Liverpool FC thread - RIP Diogo

[GalwayBayBoy]

Good pictures EC.  Seems like Stevie G isn't the player he was, time seems to be catching up with him.

You do realise he's just back from a serious groin injury. He'll need some time to get back up to speed.

[stiffler]

http://www.five.tv/

Poor effort.

I know. Posting pictures to mock another side going out of Europe. Imagine that.

Nothing to do with it, wax merely commenting on how shit an effort it was.

I thought it had something to do with the 5 European cups  Liverpool have won??

[Rafa]

http://www.five.tv/

Poor effort.

I know. Posting pictures to mock another side going out of Europe. Imagine that.

Nothing to do with it, wax merely commenting on how shit an effort it was.

I thought it had something to do with the 5 European cups  Liverpool have won??

Lol

www.comparetheeuropeancups.com



Simples!

[TheGreatRambo]

Any of you Liverpool heads understand what Rafas doing with Aquilani? Another 1 min last night. I know the fellas coming back from an injury but hes been in the squad for several weeks now without getting much gametime. Surely u won't get him match fit unless  you give him match time

[Rafa]

Any of you Liverpool heads understand what Rafas doing with Aquilani? Another 1 min last night. I know the fellas coming back from an injury but hes been in the squad for several weeks now without getting much gametime. Surely u won't get him match fit unless  you give him match time

Well there are maybe a couple of things involved. First of all, he was bought as a long term investment not as a quick fix and we all know how many quality players who were excellent in their home country struggle to adapt to the Premier League. I think he is just being cautious and wants to gradually ease him in (very gradual) to ensure his transition to the Premier League is as smooth as possible and that he doesn't take any risks whatsoever that may harm him.

As well as this, I think Rafa is struggling with dropping Lucas. He has been decent overall this season, a huge improvement on last season thats for sure and I'm sure Rafa is thinking that dropping him right now when he's playing well would be such a blow to his confidence. I think Mascherano should at this stage be in the running for being dropped equally but Rafa is not going to want to make Masch restless and have him angling for an all too easy move away in January.

Both of these things are causing him to be over-cautious I think.If it was up to me I'd have him straight in and drop Lucas, then again I'm not the manager.

[Silky]

Giving anyone 1 minute at the end of a game is a waste of time IMO. You have to give him at least 15-20 minutes to get a proper look at him and let him get up to speed.

The only time you should bring a player on with 1 min to go is if you want to waste time. I think that's what Rafa was at but I'm not sure. 

[Caid]

http://www.lfc-endofseasonparty.com/

[Rafa]

http://www.lfc-endofseasonparty.com/

Jesus how many times. You're about 16 hours too late.

[TheGreatRambo]

Any of you Liverpool heads understand what Rafas doing with Aquilani? Another 1 min last night. I know the fellas coming back from an injury but hes been in the squad for several weeks now without getting much gametime. Surely u won't get him match fit unless  you give him match time

Well there are maybe a couple of things involved. First of all, he was bought as a long term investment not as a quick fix and we all know how many quality players who were excellent in their home country struggle to adapt to the Premier League. I think he is just being cautious and wants to gradually ease him in (very gradual) to ensure his transition to the Premier League is as smooth as possible and that he doesn't take any risks whatsoever that may harm him.

As well as this, I think Rafa is struggling with dropping Lucas. He has been decent overall this season, a huge improvement on last season thats for sure and I'm sure Rafa is thinking that dropping him right now when he's playing well would be such a blow to his confidence. I think Mascherano should at this stage be in the running for being dropped equally but Rafa is not going to want to make Masch restless and have him angling for an all too easy move away in January.

Both of these things are causing him to be over-cautious I think.If it was up to me I'd have him straight in and drop Lucas, then again I'm not the manager.

All very true points, although its one thing easing him in and complete other thing just not playing him. Torres would have come from a background where a lot of people thought he would find the Prem tough but he played most weeks.

Think Masch is already angling for that move away...

[Rafa]

Any of you Liverpool heads understand what Rafas doing with Aquilani? Another 1 min last night. I know the fellas coming back from an injury but hes been in the squad for several weeks now without getting much gametime. Surely u won't get him match fit unless  you give him match time

Well there are maybe a couple of things involved. First of all, he was bought as a long term investment not as a quick fix and we all know how many quality players who were excellent in their home country struggle to adapt to the Premier League. I think he is just being cautious and wants to gradually ease him in (very gradual) to ensure his transition to the Premier League is as smooth as possible and that he doesn't take any risks whatsoever that may harm him.

As well as this, I think Rafa is struggling with dropping Lucas. He has been decent overall this season, a huge improvement on last season thats for sure and I'm sure Rafa is thinking that dropping him right now when he's playing well would be such a blow to his confidence. I think Mascherano should at this stage be in the running for being dropped equally but Rafa is not going to want to make Masch restless and have him angling for an all too easy move away in January.

Both of these things are causing him to be over-cautious I think.If it was up to me I'd have him straight in and drop Lucas, then again I'm not the manager.

All very true points, although its one thing easing him in and complete other thing just not playing him. Torres would have come from a background where a lot of people thought he would find the Prem tough but he played most weeks.

Think Masch is already angling for that move away...

Actually if we remember correctly, Benitez received a lot of criticism at the time for being alittle cautious with Torres as he sat on the bench for a good few games.

[GalwayBayBoy]

http://www.lfc-endofseasonparty.com/

Just about the 3rd or 4th time it's been posted. Seriously it's not difficult to check back a page or two.

[TheGreatRambo]

Any of you Liverpool heads understand what Rafas doing with Aquilani? Another 1 min last night. I know the fellas coming back from an injury but hes been in the squad for several weeks now without getting much gametime. Surely u won't get him match fit unless  you give him match time

Well there are maybe a couple of things involved. First of all, he was bought as a long term investment not as a quick fix and we all know how many quality players who were excellent in their home country struggle to adapt to the Premier League. I think he is just being cautious and wants to gradually ease him in (very gradual) to ensure his transition to the Premier League is as smooth as possible and that he doesn't take any risks whatsoever that may harm him.

As well as this, I think Rafa is struggling with dropping Lucas. He has been decent overall this season, a huge improvement on last season thats for sure and I'm sure Rafa is thinking that dropping him right now when he's playing well would be such a blow to his confidence. I think Mascherano should at this stage be in the running for being dropped equally but Rafa is not going to want to make Masch restless and have him angling for an all too easy move away in January.

Both of these things are causing him to be over-cautious I think.If it was up to me I'd have him straight in and drop Lucas, then again I'm not the manager.

All very true points, although its one thing easing him in and complete other thing just not playing him. Torres would have come from a background where a lot of people thought he would find the Prem tough but he played most weeks.

Think Masch is already angling for that move away...

Actually if we remember correctly, Benitez received a lot of criticism at the time for being alittle cautious with Torres as he sat on the bench for a good few games.

Sad f**ker I am I looked it up, Torres started 7 of Liverpools first 8 league games in his first season so its hardly the same. Aquilani looked pretty decent the one night I saw him (Arsenal??), I guess time will tell.

[Rafa]

Any of you Liverpool heads understand what Rafas doing with Aquilani? Another 1 min last night. I know the fellas coming back from an injury but hes been in the squad for several weeks now without getting much gametime. Surely u won't get him match fit unless  you give him match time

Well there are maybe a couple of things involved. First of all, he was bought as a long term investment not as a quick fix and we all know how many quality players who were excellent in their home country struggle to adapt to the Premier League. I think he is just being cautious and wants to gradually ease him in (very gradual) to ensure his transition to the Premier League is as smooth as possible and that he doesn't take any risks whatsoever that may harm him.

As well as this, I think Rafa is struggling with dropping Lucas. He has been decent overall this season, a huge improvement on last season thats for sure and I'm sure Rafa is thinking that dropping him right now when he's playing well would be such a blow to his confidence. I think Mascherano should at this stage be in the running for being dropped equally but Rafa is not going to want to make Masch restless and have him angling for an all too easy move away in January.

Both of these things are causing him to be over-cautious I think.If it was up to me I'd have him straight in and drop Lucas, then again I'm not the manager.

All very true points, although its one thing easing him in and complete other thing just not playing him. Torres would have come from a background where a lot of people thought he would find the Prem tough but he played most weeks.

Think Masch is already angling for that move away...

Actually if we remember correctly, Benitez received a lot of criticism at the time for being alittle cautious with Torres as he sat on the bench for a good few games.

Sad f**ker I am I looked it up, Torres started 7 of Liverpools first 8 league games in his first season so its hardly the same. Aquilani looked pretty decent the one night I saw him (Arsenal??), I guess time will tell.

Fair enough its definitely not the same but I definitely remember Torres sitting on the bench a few times or coming on with 15-20 mins to go and Benitez getting a lot of stick for it.

[brokencrossbar1]

I would say that Benetiz is taking a calculated gamble with Aqualani that he will be fitter for the next few important League games as opposed to throwing him into last nights gaem.  The reality is that the odds were severly stacked against Liverpool to qualify so why risk an injury prone player in a game that was won but which made no difference.  I reckon he will have to play more in the next few games as they are more vital and they will need a bit of extra spark. 

What would people think of dropping Kuyt and pushing Gerard out to the right and playing Aqualani behind the striker?

[bingobus]

Any of you Liverpool heads understand what Rafas doing with Aquilani? Another 1 min last night. I know the fellas coming back from an injury but hes been in the squad for several weeks now without getting much gametime. Surely u won't get him match fit unless  you give him match time

Realistically he would have played 20-30 minutes on Saturday but 2 players where lost to injury in first 14 mins and the player subbed on wasn't fit to finish out game. He wouldn't have been a player to play wide left or right on Saturday.

Last night it was a case of protection for him, I think. Pitch seemed heavy and Lucas and Masch where left on to protect the lead as it was clear with 20 mins to go, that we weren't going to need to score another 4 goals but was just a case of been cautious and protect the lead. The way they've been defending and nearly blew it last night, thats was a priority ie get a win!!

He will be started soon, I doubt he'll appear at the bit on Sunday, it'll be a day for dogs in midfield. He may get 20 mins if game been chased but would not be surprised if he didn't appear at all. I'll expect him to start in the Fiorentina match, a dead rubber and perfect for him to get a good run under his belt.