This problem keep on repeating, no proper understanding since start of season. Skrtel head injured previously was because of this, last week Hull's goal also the same, Carra went to the ball which Skrtel head poorly, which eventually both defender at the same area and Hull's player got open goal to shoot at as Carra was with Skrtel.

Defense need to sort out, it is not like water tight previously, prompt leaking goal.

One word, not good enough, nothing to complain about yesterday match.

If really want to have the odd of 1-0 win, defence must be water-tight, like Liverpool's year ago one which can win against Chelsea a few time with 1-0.

But since the start of season, it is rare to see have a clean sheet, especially in away match, always leaking a goal or 2.

The preferred CM would be Gerrard + Lucas/Mascherano which Liverpool play become more effective and fluence. Lucas + Mascherano, somehow lose the attacking flair of the team, which a lot of time yield not so good result or match play. Not to say who is the culprit or bad, just sometimes combination cannot work out.

Lucas + Macherano, you don't have a playmaker in the CM already. They are more well know for holding and workhouse like player. Creativity is the secondary which you need at least one in CM to penetrate for final third.

This year Torres and Gerrad upfield combination seems doesn't work well, may be opponent has read up and study well to cope with the 4-4-1-1 tactic after last year success story.

4-4-2 with Gerrard dropping to CM and Kyut upfront seem more threat. I do think need to tinker on formation a bit.

Owner blame manager, manager complains not enough fund. Blame game started

Another loss or 2 or some poor result, Rafa position might be in risk.

If Heskey is cheap, I don't see why not. After all, he can offer another dimension of playing if origin plan doesn't work out, at least can play long ball when passing doesn't work out and use Heskey heading and holding up the ball.

Torres is not good for this kind of aspect, always being bullied by more physical defender, that's why oftern seen Torres being fouled or down to the ground when fighting for the ball.

So it can offer another aspect of the game. Need plan B sometimes to change the game.

The nurses are always pre-occupied for the full year.

Don't scare no work to do.

Everyone take turn.

I suspect formation will be changed because lack of personnel in CM area.

Whatever, it seem it will be "light weight' formation, 3 points can be in doubt, as Liverpool is having poor away form recently.

De javu? Houllier also departed after brought Liverpool to finish second in the league.

Guess what, now Liverpool trailing Sunderland by 1 point.

The yesterdasy match is not like Liverpool played brilliantly but lose due the ballon deflected the ball. May be we have a case of complaining the 'balloon', Liverpool deserved to lose and Sunderland deserved the win, enough said.

If not some poor finishing by Sunderland, Liverpool could lose 3-0.

There is no threat at all on the attacking by Liverpool! Whole team disjointed, defence shaky. When the 5 min goal went in, after watching 20-30 minutes, I don't think many people can see how Liverpool can get back or win the game with this kind of display.

Rafa failed to change the strategy when the formation 5 (wing back) -4-1 doesn't work out during 1st half. Sometimes when something not workout, must change quickly at half time, but you know Rafa won't substitute players after 60-70 min time, one. <--- this is standard and predictable.

So I don't think there is much complaint about the balloon, have 90 min to rectify the situation, it is not like the goal only happen at 95 minute.

Liverpool corner is always poor one, a lot of time, don't even pass the first defender. Delivery is not good.

Somemore, you don't have good attacking header around, we don't have center back that can scoring one, nor Torres is known for his header. Height and physical strength is needed for attacking the corner. Liverpool needs Hyypia kind of player for scoring through corner more which currently none in the team. Carragher and Skrtel are not good in attacking heading.

Still title challenge? 4th place or even 5th place (UEFA cup) also don't know can or not.

I don't know when the balloon (not ball) fall into the field, but for the first half, Liverpool all were busy defending.

Just like Sol said, Sunderland might score due to Reina or Carragher out of position and didn't concentrate for puncturing the balloon. So might still ended up a goal.

The balloon saga is trivia (who know the balloon might prevent a goal deflected out the ball instead of into the goal?), it is the team play sucks that matter the most. No offence.

This post has been edited by cherroy: Oct 18 2009, 02:08 PM

If Rafa departed after this season, I find 2 identical situation.

Houllier departed after brought Liverpool to second place in league with 80+ points but still finish second (which in ordinary sense should be good enough to be champion)
Rafa managed to bring Liverpool to second with 80+ points as well but still finish second even with 2 losses for the whole season, (which in ordinary season, can be champion as well)

Liverpool best fengshui is second only??

A good team shouldn't be with out 2 players then the whole team disjointed can't play well. Yes, losing start player will result some weakness, but not the like whole team cannot perform at all. It is not like missed chances lead to no goal, but there is little chance created throughout the match.

Somemore Liverpool has one of the worst defence in away matches, never have clean sheet if not mistaken, the most on the top 10 except Burnley and if Burnley win the unplay match, Burnley same point with Liverpool after Quarter of the season passed.