If reports were to believed, we had clinched the signing of Will Hughes, the 'great potential' Brit lad....must have left some of the cynics bewildered..not again, another overrated-overhype british talent...but having seen him play only in youtube, i wonder what's the hoohaaa all about..okay he did possess quick feet, and looks like an albino...but with Mnure and Arse chasing this fella, he should at least have some quality in him...and another report link us with Jeremy Menez...i player i would say yes probably 2-3 seasons ago, but i have my reservation now...

With Everton looming, I would say its a good time to bring them on...what not with uncertainty regarding Baines, and Lukaku lack of form, and Barry being a spent force in midfield, i foresee we should overrun their middle...their potential threats are probably Mirallas or Pienaar, but we had comfortably dealt with them before and i expect the current players to contain them without much fuss...add to the fact that Distin is there for Suarez to toy with, i think we should dispatch Everton. Having said this, I dont think we can walk all over them or play them off the park, but having witness their game against Palace which end with a scoreless draw, we ought to stamp our authority in this match...

It's rather unfortunate that there should be a sense of doubt regarding Menez...a few season ago, he was hot property, often described as skillful, technically gifted, adaptable in a few attacking position and most important is his pace with the ball...I think even FM has unbelievable rating for this player, but somehow, based on his track record, somehow it's much to be desired...he is what i would term as marginal return, both his value and contribution is dropping every year!!...plus his temperament is questionable, what can i say, this guy was involve in a fight with his coach! i think during his time at Roma. Having consider the negative, perhaps the positive that we can benefit from this fella, is his desire to prove he's the real deal. Maybe he need a platform to perform and i cant think of a better place to do it, than with Liverpool - its not going to be Mnure, nor CT, maybe Arsenal, but certainly not Chelskis...Perhaps one of the most significant catalyst i can think of is Cantona,,a player in a rather similar dillema, but deliver @ Leeds before moving on to u know where...if Menez can turn into a Menace to other defense, i'll be damn we'll have a good time...

The end of any link with Rafa, both borrell and macpharland who served under Rafa, if reports were true are both 'sack' or resign. Personally, i have no doubt they improved our academy, judging from the technical ability of our younger crop of youth players. Altho none have so far been able to break and nail a 1st team position, but they are definitely more pleasing to the eyes than how Neil Mellor played...If this is taken as a signof things to come, then i think its typical American pragmatism - result result and result...but i questioned the timing of this...or perhaps this could be done towards the end of the season, becos they afterall did contribute to the academy.

The media nowadays are practically churning out players being link to Liverpool, with latest being Mitroglu and how Suarez is link to RM..both which i personally think is bulls**T...I am quite confident that Suarez will stay at least until end of the season, and Mitroglu is noway a replace for LS....Having said this, i certainly dont mind a back-up to SAS, if he is good and the price is right

The only thing that we can console ourself with Allen's miss, is Nwanko Kanu miss the goal in 3 yards, Torreses miss was a howler, and Allen's miss was the 3rd worse i ever witnessed the other being Darren Bent's..still its a grimace, but it also signalled the low point in Allen's carreer...confidence is obviously lacking, and the arrogance on the ball is non-existance with Allen...But i like the fact that some would asked what's his role in the team? Is he just the number that crowd the midfield, or is he suppose to be an attacking midfield...as i understnd, yesterday's formation is a 4-1-4-1 which means, Cout and Allen is suppose to venture deep in opposition halfs with SG and Hendo controlling the midfield, leaving Lucas the designate DM/Sweeper role....assuming in this scenario, then Allen would had a poor game, as he is expected to either score, assist or carry some semblance of attacking thrust, which he display none....maybe Moses should have started and Allen introduce as sub, instead of the other way around..

All in all, my prediction fall flat...we didnt overrun their midfield as i expect even with 5 men, and our defense couldnt cope with their set-pieces....obviously Sturij didnt start the game is a set back...my prediction on Lukaku being off form went awry - eventho Everton only drew their last 2 games scoreless, but didnt stop him from 2 absolute clinical finishing last night..this guy's a monster..given another season, this guys should be better than Drogba...

Another point to note is that Johnson didnt have the best of game, beside ball watching, he is guilty of poor passing, poor positioning and horror defending...whereas Flanagan offers more aggressive defending and also overlap, but being 1st teamer is about consistency, as many youngsters often flatter to deceive - the likes of Sterling pop-up in mind....but still Delofeu did trouble him on 1 or 2 occasion..its still a steep learning curve for this lad..

Overall, a draw against the blue half of mersey aint too bad, considering Chelski drop points here...I guess an even steven in such pulsating match sorta bring back the gloss and glory of Merseyside derby...

Hull City, being one of the best amongst promoted side, LFC should be too much for them, eventho their players to watch include Danny Graham, Ahmed ALmody and curtis davies....even then, our quality should shine thru....probably Hull will be on defensive, as such we need players to unlock them, and with fast interplay football, we should create chances from open play, it is up to SAS to convert them...if there is a good time to play, i think this match we should play Allen...seriously, not because of tactical or whatever but, if he can atone for his atrocious miss last week, at least its a confidence boost for a player down and out of luck....also wouldnt mind if Sterling have a run-up for this match, as he had been kept cold for far too long....having said this, this is certain not an easy match....but fast and mobile players should be handful for Hull City.,,with their on-form scotish international keeper out for 6 months, its definitely a plus point for our attacking players..expect a match in which we dominate possession, and also shot on goals, and its a must win for us in the upcoming fixtures..

Tot Aspas was injured, otherwise, should have field him in place of Sturij as their combination during pre-season was quite good...By the looks of it, seems that manure and spurds heading for a draw which is a double whammy good!! Again Soldado fire blank...which isn't a surprise really given that he is neither here not there...bet Kuyt could've done better as CF for spurs. Back to KC stadium, ha..a starter for Sterling..let hope the lad could deliver, no excuse for someone earning a grown up's pay...

Of chest thumping and badge kissing, Liverpool players should just bury their heads into sand...perhaps BR should come out with the statement that the players should be ashamed of their performance which generally lack passion, commitment and urgency....worse they are playing a team who played badly and still contrive to lose as thoroughly....I understand what Dillon said about KLFC...watch the replay...simple pass turn into mess..pass accuracy stats must look horrible too...overall grimace inducing performance

If I can recall correctly, in the 85th min, we still playing triangle in midfield instead of chasing some dignity back into the score line. Our midfield are confused lot, as they are waiting for someone to initiate the attack, and SG body language said it all - "sorry, not my role anymore"....our over reliance on Cout, Sturij and Suarez is a cause for concerned. I call for Sterling to play is mainly because he is out in the cold for way way too long, BR's rotation policy is not consistent and I think most would agree SG should be rested 3 matches ago but hey, BR lavished heaps of praise about him playing over his 40's like Giggs...this manager likes to massage ego more than being pragmatic...And I personally felt Sakho is rested for a bit long too. He after all is on form for France, but BR chose Toure instead nuff said...

I am not too critical of Moses and Sterling, probably due to cold feet being out for too long...but both didn't do themselves any favor at all with this kind of performance...And I think Sterling's time is running out, and is at risked of being 1 season wonder....perhaps he should be loan out and out and out and hopefully return much improved like Townsend did...As for Moses, his stop start appearance for Liverpool complicate matter...BR should shoulder much of this problem, as he talk about interchangeability of the forwards...without considering the ability of each players to do so..Suarez can do it by dropping deep, but I don't see anyone else with such flexibility, this the reason why he is such a hot commodity...and also the reason why Moses was loan out by JM...they are not in the same mould....

Further compounding our toothless attack was Johnson, yes...I don't think he can hide..he has been piss poor for the past 2 matches in a row...no player emerge with a tiny bit of credit...at most is Flanagan, not for the lack of trying, but his inexperience showed a few times in the match...Even Mignolet is guilty of the 2nd goal, his positioning and cool headedness clearly missing, Cech would have save it...not too sure Reina can tho...

While our neighbor hardly could afford the cash to sign anyone, we have 16 million worth of talent on the talent, yes, it high time BR utilize Illori and Alberto....don't get me started on Suso and Asaidi...

I am sure BR is feeling the heat, with such a horrendous display of football - he simply cant escape the weight of expectation and not to mention pressure from the medias. Earlier in the season, just months ago Wenger was under the spotlight, then it was Monyes, now its AVB, i am pretty sure the press will spin on BR soon. Surely this must be a blip, as i saw glimpse of us playing stylish attacking football not too long ago. Sturij injuring himself on the eleventh hour doesnt help, but I am sure the team will work out another system to cope. Best case scenario is Aspas shows his pre-season capability and prove himself an able stand-in. His early understanding with Suarez is a preview of the possibility of an alternative attacking duo.

As for the signing of so many defenders, i raise similar question earlier in the season, that we are becoming bottom heavy, light in the middle and bare upfront. And with the inclusion of Sakho, and Toure, quite effectively killed Coates's future and possibly Wisdom's too...I think earlier, BR justified buying so many defenders, due to lack of quality CD and if they are available, we should grab them with an eye for the future. I find this is quite subjective, i opine that a quality winger is rarer nowadays, which quite possibly explain why we are still searching for the next super winger ala Barnes.or err Mcmanaman if he is considered a winger..yes its been that long!! Even Manure is finding it hard to unearth quality wingman - with Valencia, Young and Nani proving consistently inconsistent...

And do we need a DM...well, i dont think its as acute, as our problem is clearly attacking thrust and penetration in the last third. Some may suggest Dembele or reading between the lines about Yan M'Villa (possibly Sakho pulling strings)..I am not too sure that both can augment our attacking play. Both are good DM, am not suggesting otherwise, but with Dembele recently being accused of not offering enough firepower, creativity and assist to Spurs, I am quite sure that M'Villa will not offer any more assist and goals too...of course getting a new DM can free up either SG or Hendo for attacking duties, but we all know the limit of SG and Hendo..which goes back the question a DM or and AM....

It is a Christmas present came early, the trashing of Norwich...but hardly a dominant display. The initialy jittery amongst the players, left me wondering whether our players really nervous playing for liverpool or lack of character and mental strenght to be champions.

No doubt Suarez won the game for us, but still i belif it is a team effort, a collective endeavour that is the reaction after the abymal showing against Tigers... which brings to a comparison with Arsenal and them dispatching Hull 2-0....Their attacking system, and Wenger's philosophy for the club is well entrenched. Their set-up is such that they can afford to rotate 5 personnel, and the replacement went on to do their job without fuss. Even the much maligned Bendtner can provide adequate cover for Giroud who himself is not world class material. Whereas we are only left with Suarez, and cant say the same about Aspas, if and when he is needed....I expect Aspas to play against Norwich, and yet he remained on the bench, but why revert to lone striker system when we have deployed twin strikers for most part of the season.

I am pretty sure the team would benefit from some continuity, rather than chop and changing which resulted in seriously confused players during the Hull match...Of course there are benefits to reap from playing with different formation, players adaptability improves, and also opposition will have a hard time coping with an unpredictable Liverpool formation. But again, do we have the players with the level of flexibility and adaptability?

All in all i envy Arse's team play and philosophy, which BR tried to implement in his 1st season, but the interest gradually waned into the current season. But if we want to be successful without spending our way to the title, we really need to adopt the framework of great teams such as Barca, Arse, Ajax..or have the scouting system of teams such as Chelsea, City, Athletico or even Bayern because seriously we are neither here nor there....

I tend to agree with Jagdev Singh in today's Star article, Suarez need hardworking team mates....Its well known that Suarez's display the same intensity both in training and matches, and for Liverpool, if the team is not as talented than Chelsea, than perhaps, can be compensated with hardwork. By hardwork, i mean a number of things can improved, well for one, movement in the box, some others like running off defenders, pressing up and down, closing spaces, providing support in tight spaces etc etc. There are only 1-2 players capable of wriggling thru tight defense and closed space, Cout and Suarez, but if there is a 3rd player making the run, or provide an avenue to pass, we could interplay on the left, and diagonal to the right, this we certainly have the players who can do crossfield pass i.e Gerrard, Hendo, Allen and even Lucas....but the game against Hull illustrate the lack of running, lack of finding space, and lack of initiative...

Take Arse for example, they have talented players, but they have more hardworking players ever willing to run into channel regardless of whether they receive the ball..this is somewhat lacking in liverpool, at most you have johnson or enrique if he plays...or sometimes hendo or SG providing runs and that;s about it....moses and sterling thrive on counter attacking moments, where they have space in front of them...and they are certainly not wrigglers....as such our play is completely stifle if nobody make runs or can get pass the defensive line....

Suarez need to be properly supported, as we cant rely on 1 person pulling the team thru and making the run, dribbling, nutmegs and scoring..as such i dont agree with what allen said about getting the ball to Suarez and let him do the rest...this is not ideal for a team with top four aspiration...would be good if Suso can come back from loan a more potent attacking player, this by looking at his stats in the la liga....equally as excited come January, as BR will be under the spotlight for what he can talent he can unearth..but i'd say more quality please, we had too much quantity on the bench...

The thing that struck me in this week's matches is not how we dismantle West ham, but rather the lost suffered by Manure, Chelsea and the draw at the Dell between Citeh n Southampton...I thought it wasnt long ago that some crying out loud that if we can beat stoke or southampton, that we shuldnt think of top four...but the uncertainty these days is such that each win should not be taken for granted.

For all the wheeling and dealing and tactical nous being drum up about Big Sam, i thot they shoot themselves in the foot by playing a defensive highline.....we thrive on this...as for Sterling, i did mentioned that he favors space in front...and i tot he played really well...would have been perfect if he score otherwise his pace and running in between defenders is causing all sort of problems for West ham...And I am also sure that he'e on some kinda of program to build up his physique...as he is quite tough even against physical side like westham...

As for Allen, I would say he even out his defensive horror show, with some smart attacking probe...no one can deny he is light weight..and the few times he was rob of the ball, the heart will skip a beat,,but during our waves and waves of attacking siege in West ham's half, I tot Allen shined, and did the necessary job to sustain our attack...no he didnt have a single shot on target nor a single assist noteworthy but the team definitely benefit from him directing the traffic..

As for hendo, well he again run himself to the ground, and one of the reason he is undroppable is due to the fact that even after the injury from the stupidity of Nolan, he got up, dusted himself and cover more grounds in midfield,, he is basically on the left, right, up and down, covering the midfield in the absence of SG...and believe me, this type of player is hard-to-drop...

The midfield conundrum, with SG injured and the uncertainty regarding Hendo...In a way its a real blessing that BR played Sterling and Allen back to back, rather than throw them into deep end after SG's injury...as can be seen that Sterling is picking up momentum, while Allen has new confidence injected into his play...still we have 4 CM in Alberto, Hendo, Allen and Lucas stand-in for SG altho technically Alberto shuld be an AM....Also interesting that there's a saying that we play better without SG, we'll just have to look forward to the game against Spers. Perhaps wise BR might consider shifting the focus away from midfield to attack by bringing in the 2 strikers system -as i felt Aspas deserve a look in as a reward for keeping the bench warm the past 3 months...

The sentiment amongst liverpool supporters is how much points can we expect to collect from perceive tough fixtures against the likes of SPers, Chelski, Citeh....Well some might be content with 4 points out of possible 9...while the optimistic expect wins on the trot...and some might take it if we can draw all against top teams...on personal note, I would take 1 win and 2 draws, because i felt we should hold the edge and take the game to Spers, as they are devoid of goals, with their 19million striker struggling to buy a goal from open play..and their defense looking vulnerable...and with AVB playing lone striker in either Defo or Soldado, I think our CB should keep either one of them quiet...touch wood, i said the same when we face Hull....but my perspective is, why should i be afraid of these so called top teams, when they arent really top in terms of standing in the league nor formbook....Sper aside cause they just manage to pick themself up in recent match, but Citeh and Chelski arent convincing in any way, shape or form. I felt that as much as we the fans are nervous about meeting them, they are also fidgety meeting us. I am not bigging up the team, but its a game of 50/50, and as they saying goes, the ball is round, we stand just a much chance of winning it than any other team.

Well, if you prefer to look at it from the point of trepidation, cold sweat and past record, then I'd say its your own problem, not mine. We were in transition last season, as such the stats look horrible, and u based your judgment call of the current team by referring to last season's result? I am not being optimistic, but chose not to be negative. Stats or what not, the table don't lie, we are still 2nd, and if the team from below felt compel to demolish us, I'd say game on, let it be a good game of football, a win would be nice, but to lose isn't the end of the world, so long we don't lose playing like how we did against Hull.....

And I really don't understand the need to justify the argument about our 35million striker who cannot buy many goals, FYI, he had left and we got back 18 million in case nobody knows anything in here, yes we lost a lot of monies and miss out on lotsa talents, and should have bought C. Ronaldo earlier than manure if only we can afford him then...and yes too on 30-40 million talents warming the bench but the the thing I knew about football, its a game of 11 vs 11, and my only reality check comes towards end of the season, looking at the table, not half way n certainly not from a moderator...

Nearly fell off my chair when i read what kinda injury sustained by Aspas, ruptured rectum...how do you to that?? unless you have some kinky sado machismo tendency, i just dont see how u can injure that part of your body while playing football....bizzaro aside, i wish Aspas could play tonight, even if it means answering the critics..but more to because we are thin in terms of squad depth...this i mean depth with match experience....with BR's tendency to collect player and chuck them on the bench, its not going to help our cause of having a sufficient squad to mount a serious challenge on top 4, when essentially your squad players should at least partake in matces as sub...this what Fartguson did to great effect at manure time and time again...exposing them even if its for 10-15 minutes b4 gradually introducing them into the 1st team...Wenger also do this consistently...I could see the benefit of Aspas coming into this match, as 1st, I am all for keeping 2 strikers while packing other areas to stifle Spuds...2nd, unfamiliarity factor, ASpas provides unpredictability for their defense...3rd, they are not bless with gargantuan defenders, as such could suit ASpas, who culd run and run and run into space 4th, I would assume there should be some semblance of understanding with Suarez, having done so well durng pre-season, and also from their training together... 5th, if not now...when will ASpas see the light of day?...

There's no need to talk about the match against Spurs, as brilliant as it is, at the end of the day its just 3 points and our pride restored at white hart lane...rather from what was shown last night, i tot Daniel Levy looks absolutely evil...haha...wouldnt be out of place if he is the villian in the avenger series..perhaps cousin of LOki..,hahaha...yes Spurds is subject to a whitewash by redmen...an AVB blundered by pushing up the field to pressure liverpool...as such during the opening 10 minutes, spurds players came charging into red's half..but i tot the defence handle it with minimum fuss..

The key to our control of yesterdays match is the ability of each player to hold on to the ball ...we never rush any pass nor succumb to the temptation of pumping up long balls...our players are comfortable holding onto the ball...this is essentially what arrogance on the ball is all about...few things really struck me...Sterling is really strong holding onto the ball...flanagan is comfortable with the ball too and even attempt to take on walker during one of his overlap.. as for spurs leftback, I tot Sterling rape Naughton time and time again....

Overall, expect the value of Hendo to rise this year if he can continue his run, run and run alone...not counting his performance like yesterday...and i guess KK was right in saying he is worth every penny spent..

Finally, for BR, his brand of football is finally shaping up and it was a joy to watch this new Liverpool...its already a few times i witnessed waves and waves of attacking football even when we are in front...it might be the sign that players had adapted and embraced his idea..and i wouldnt discount Aspas and Asaidi as flops, not yet..they might figure into his grand scheme of things, you'll never know..just like how Allen was written off, but without him and his distribution, we wuldnt be able to play sustain attacking football, his intelligent and quick passing, allows players to run into channel...overall yesterdays is the match where we witness our midfield trio being unleash, and being given the license to play to their true ability. But i wouldnt went as far as to say SG is the hindrance or is holding us back, but knowing that we have a capable midfield triumviarate sure feels good...

Yeah, especially goons who would jump at opportunity to call for SACK...especially when the team is undergoing a bad run...their reason is the prev manager done better, the prev manager build invincible midfield, unlike the current ones where Allen is shit, and hendo being deeper shit...but all those stopped when statistics shows that BR had the better record in the 1st 50 odd games VS Rafa, VS KK, suddenly all quiet only.....cant blame them too, i would've gone quiet after being slapped with the stats too.....

I remember not too long ago AVB produce the kind of team performance that had everyone singing..it was not too long ago too that they terrorize if not outscore opponents and was the highest scoring team in the BPL....and this sort of knee jerk reaction from Levy, which i really hope will only further destabilize SPurds. AVB afterall did steady the ship after the trashing from Manshit, but unfortunately our gaffer put the final nail into the coffin....no thanks BR..haha

All i hope now is that we dont peak at the wrong time, as usually the chase began in Dec - Boxing Day to begin with....lets hope January transfer can have the sort of galvanizing effect