Apparently it takes a genius to differentiate supporting players and over hyping them.

Personally, I'm pleased Flanagan played beyond my expectations. I wanted Kelly to start ahead of him but he put in a good shift and deserved the plaudits he's receiving. With Enrique out, we need someone to step up.

I'm of a different opinion. I love Rafa as much as the next guy but his football was not easy on the eye and he still struggled hen it came to playing midtable sides. We were good against teams who were more adventurous but could not break down teams that defended deep. I actually posted a long piece articulating my thoughts 2 seasons before we parted ways. Can't find it now.

With the exception of Roy Hodgson there were reasons for bringing in the managers that succeeded him. Dalglish was meant to be an interim manager much like Rafa was at Chelsea. Kenny came in at a time when morale amongst fans and the players were at an all time low. At the very least he succeed in revitalising the fans and players. His season long appointment was not prearranged I suspect. Kenny's problem was that he didn't seem to have an extended plan and thus he was not seen as a long term fix.

Brendan Rodgers was seen as a bright young manager who had a good feel for the game after travelling round Europe to gain exposure for himself. Wasn't my favourite choice but I can't help but admire the man after watching his interviews and hear his take on the game. He may lack experience but he sure isn't daunted by the arduous task that lies before him. This has led to me getting fully behind him.


This post has been edited by Duke Red: Nov 27 2013, 07:26 AM

Im going to agree with this for the upteenth time. All our central midfielders were poor against Everton. Not only did they struggle to muster any chances, their combined effort defensively showed they only won some 20% of their duels. If we are to plug our leaky defence, the midfield really does have to start providing better cover. Lucas no longer has as much support from Gerrard who even if he can, simply cannot afford to push himself each game if he intends to last the season. It's obvious that he's playing with some restraint to prolong his career. We are scoring goals but we're conceding far too easily and we need a midfielder who is competent in both halves of the pitch. Not the first time we've been overrun in the middle of the park.

Can't please everyone. Rodgers was criticised earlier in the season for being too passive. I personally prefer ballsy substitutions rather than conservatives ones and I have no issues with his choice of substitutes against Everton.

Dukes & Dutchess in TTDI is a good place to meet. Liverpool friendly but we need to book early as the place is usually pretty packed for games.

I've always advocated meeting up in person and talking face-to-face. Some fellas are not what they seem behind a keyboard. Plus I find online bickering a little like hair pulling.

OT but I can't help it. With the World Cup looming I'm reminded of Coke's brilliant marketing campaign. Big risk adopting a very obscure song from an artiste non of us would have heard of. Garnered 80 million youtube views (internet penetration has grown significantly in the past 4 years so you can't compare that number with marketing campaigns today). Drew tens of millions of impressions on twitter as well. I'm really inspired by this campaign being a football fan and all.

Remember Milla scoring at Italia 90 like it was yesterday as the Indomitable Lions made a huge first impression at the tournament by shocking Argentina 1-0 on their way to a Quarterfinal finish. Lost eventually to England on penalties. The oldest man ever to score at the World Cup. He was 42 at the time.

Didn't realise you were Don King in disguise. Please, I'd rather make love and not war

We'd love to have you back as well Sami but how did you guys get obliterated this morning?

http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/sport/...-manage-6348010?

Realisation. It's no coincidence that most of us who were protective over King Kenny were those of us who bore witness to his ability as a player and manager and the impeccable gentleman that he is. Sadly, the internet wasn't born yet back then and videos of the team playing back then are scarce, Now, if Sami does manage us one day and fails, I suspect that many here would be as protective over him and offer him a lot of respect at least.

SAS make the top 10

http://www.fanatix.com/news/the-top-50-bes...tars/166754/43/

I'm not the one who has been pumping iron

The substitution in question was when Moses was brought on for Allen, a player who despite having an average to poor game, can keep possession. I believe cherroy and us are referring to the Sturridge substitution that was made when we were tied at 2 all. Unless you're referring to the same one. In any case, the article states that the first substitution was possibly a mistake but unless I'm wrong it doesn't say the same about the 2nd one. Then again it was a long article and I may have missed it. However, we were already being overrun when Sturridge came on and like I said in a much earlier post, I reckon it was a good move because it means Suarez had someone else to help him press high. We allowed Jagielka and Distin too much time on the ball and they were able to feed the midfielders.

Hmm it could be purely coincidence. From what I can recall, Everton were on the ascendency from the start and our midfielders never got a look in. It could be that we would have conceded eventually anyway. Mignolet had already dealt with a couple of one-on-ones by then. Everton were attacking relentlessly from the beginning and I reckon Rodgers went with the, "the best defence is a good offence", aapproach.

Critics used to say that if you stopped Gerrard, you stopped LFC but then Gerrard got injured and we managed just as well as we did with him in the side. We were also said to be nothing without Torres and when he got injured others like Dirk Kuyt stepped up.

When you have your star players in the side, it's only natural let them see the ball as often as possible. Which team doesn't have their key players? Arsenal for example would be significantly weakened this season if Giroud, Ozil and say Arteta were missing. If you remove the best 3 players in any team, they will be weaker. Pretty much a motherhood statement this.

For me it was more the way he said it than the actual quote.

Hull are certainly no pushovers at home. They suffered their only defeat at the KC Stadium last week to Crystal Palace and have kept 4 clean sheets. On the flipside, only the mancs have scored more goals than us away from home. Former manc, Paul McShane will likely start. I remember him because he once scored a goal against us for Hull.

Seems that Gerrard hasn't made too many friends amongst the local mob.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/new...treet---2871199?

I shall not comment on the game as I found it hard to concentrate during reunion drinks with former schoolmates. Only caught bits and pieces which included all 4 goals.

From what little I saw, Moses has done little to justify his "African Player of the Year" award since coming on-board. Also, Skrtel and Toure looked to have a torrid time. I was wondering where Toure had gone when the 2nd goal went it. Says a lot what he thought of his own efforts when he was banging the pitch in frustration to the delight of effing mancs in Dirty Nelly's. He's been a revelation up until now so I hope one bad games doesn't result in fans turning on him.

There were two Danes present during my reunion and they exclaimed that we won't have conceded so many had Daniel Agger played. Hard to disagree with Toure and Skrtel often came together like polar opposites of a magnet.

Can anyone provide a written assessment of the game, and not one laced with emotional outpouring but one filled with some insight?

Thanks for the update.

I'm not sure if playing with one recognised forward is the reason for us not mustering too many shots on goal. We started the season without Suarez afterall. I reckon it's who we flank him with. From what I read, both Sterling and Moses were disappointing.

"Death by football" was pretty much on the cards last season but we have since adopted a more direct approach to our style of play. The former may not be easy on the eye to some (even Barca and Spain have their critics despite their recent success) but it does make sense.

Firstly, the opposition can't score if they don't have the ball. Back passes or sideways ones may not be considered adventurous but it does make it easier for us to keep possession. This is one reason why Joe Allen's name keeps being brought up because for all his faults, he rarely gives the ball away. This is of course does not promote positive attacking play but rather, injects more caution into our game and this isn't everyone's cup of tea. It isn't uncommon to hear fans moan when the team passes the ball all the way back when unable to find an opening but in my opinion, it's much better to retain possession than to attempt a difficult pass forward and lose the ball.

Secondly, it helps players to re-energise themselves, enabling them to play a high tempo pressing game when not in possession. Some of you have commented on how the team looks fatigued and the simply fact is you can't go full speed for the full 90. Playing a boring possession game is sometimes necessary even if you spend most of your time in your own half.

From the little I saw last night, we were impatient on the ball, often rushing passes forward or attempting low percentage throughballs to either flank.

Good to see that some offer constuctive input rather then resorting to childish outbursts.

This post has been edited by Duke Red: Dec 2 2013, 11:07 AM