Dirk Played well against arsenal, and had played well without scoring most of the season, Voronin has played badly in the last two games, Riise is in bad form, I agree but will come out of it and Hyypia is a good squad member, When Dan Agger is back he wont play, Sissokos recent form has alot to be desired for also, and if comments in the media are true he should be first out of the door. Anyway, if Alonso never went off I think we would of won, when Arbeloa came on we gave the ball away more and he did not track cesc's run. Its funny but we are better placed than we were last season at the same time, and are still unbeaten in the premier league, see where we are at christmas before committing to such ludicrous comments. Additionally If you look at alot of players that have left, alot were rafa signings he does not hang around trying to force a player to fit in, Morrientes, Gonzarlez, Josemi ...

i think liverpool did very well yest, if anything we should get rid of sissoko and riise, agger will be back soo, who i think is brillant, i think Crouch should see more football, he played excellent when he came on, all in all, liverpool will do well, any liverpool fan that gives up is not a real fan, and people shold not be so hard on Benitez, in the last 3 yeard, he won the Champions league and FA cup, worhtless cup too, thats not bad compared to Wenger, who has won nothing in the last 3 years!!!

I think Liverpool were lucky to get a draw against Arsenal, yes they fought for everything, but so do Bolton, and you'd never class them in the same bracket as Liverpool. Kuyt can play smart, I like it when he leads the line for Liverpool, he looks like Robbie Fowler of old, but there the similarities end - Kuyt just hasn't got the pace to threaten Premier League defenders, thats probably why he keeps dropping deep to pick the ball up. Voronin? well maybe he tries to hard. He gets into the positions to have a shot but then fluffs it - but he is strong and direct and gives you that option - although again, perhaps he plays too deep. Sissoko has never been a passer of the ball, his only job is to break up attacks, unfortunately that also includes Liverpool's attacks as going forward he's a hinderance rather than an asset. As already mentioned - Hyypia is a decent squad player and while Riise can lose focus occasionaly, he can also come up with a screamer. Still not convinced about Crouch, on hi

[quote]i think liverpool did very well yest, if anything we should get rid of sissoko and riise, agger will be back soo, who i think is brillant, i think Crouch should see more football, he played excellent when he came on, all in all, liverpool will do well, any liverpool fan that gives up is not a real fan, and people shold not be so hard on Benitez, in the last 3 yeard, he won the Champions league and FA cup, worhtless cup too, thats not bad compared to Wenger, who has won nothing in the last 3 years!!![/quote] Wenger is in the process of building another great team. It takes time, Ferguson has had his lean years too. Wenger has not only won a lot of trophies for Arsenal but he has also tranformed the club into one of the most exciting teams to watch. Before that they won trophies but were a hard working grind out the results team (not unlike what Liverpool seem to be heading for.)

Why call Wenger a whinger when after every game you don't win Benitez bitches and moans about everything. And as you mentioned about what most suppoters want to see, i presume it was not the rubbish long balls into the corner flags that Liverpoool were playing in the 1st and 2nd half (yes, the 1st half!!) from a manager who has spent £128 million!!! I think Liverpool are a great club, with amazing history and i have every respect for them (maybe a little less after last nights Longball-athon) but when supporters can't see beyond their rose tinted glasses, well....... Benitez needs to make sure he has a settled team, Wenger and Ferguson always keep settled teams, Mourinho also and they are the most successful managers in the Premierships history, its not difficult to understand....!

Hmmm...SAF didn't win anything for a 3-year period -- guess Rafa is better than him, too. When Rafa wins a few doubles, perhaps you can put him ahead of Wenger. Until then...this was supposed to be Rafa's year, wasn't it, not Arsenal's.

Would you like the England job, it seems as if you are an expert on football management, or not first of all fergi, and wenger rotate just as much as rafa and recently liverpool have had a relativly settled side alot of changes made recently have been forced upon the squad (Aurellio, Alonso, Agger, Pennant, Torres, Carragher, Arbeloa, Finnan have all been injured at some point) I think you are just reading into media spin, also as for watching football with rose tinted glasses, not all teams need to play total football to win liverpool got a result yesterday, and nearly won... If arsenal are typically week against long balls why not use them either. (traditionally direct teams like Bolton have caused Arsenal problems in the past). Now everyone is entitled to their opinion however I think alot of people should save it until the seasons at a close.

Good article I was there too, and we were outpassed by Arsenal. The Kop clapped them off. However, its not nice to hear fans venting fury on players such as Riise, and Hyypia. Both have made us raise the roof in the past. The truch is, Hyypia was too slow 3 seasons ago, and is caught unless the ball is in front of him. Riise was always defensively lax, but has lost his confidence to surge and cross or shoot. The passion is there - we need the ability to pass and move as the Gooners do. We too have talented youngsters being gleaned from all over the world. Will Rafa be given the time to bring them into the first team - that is the question.

i beleive risse hypia kuyt dont deserve this kind of abuse.Specialy risse and hypia...i still beleive we need another cover for carra and agger and finnan..but our real problem is at the wingers we need to break defences..Patience rafa is very stuborn but not stupid he will get everything right...

Kuyt seems to never stop running - he always puts in a great effort. That being said, he doesn't score & doesn't really set up goals. I'm a big Riise fan. That left foot can still come up w/ magical moments & he's missed a few goals by a couple inches this season. The wingers will look a lot better if Crouch plays and gets on the end of their crosses...

Kuyt or Crouch?? I think it is safe to say that neither of them are the fastest players in the squad at the moment. So who gets the starting spot while Torres is out or playing along side him. On the weekend game it demonstrated how important Crouch is to a successfull Liverpool. For a 6 foot Plus striker he has got better touch and ball control than a lot of not just the players in our squad but over the whole league. He does hold it up, which in turn creates more chances for himself and others around him. As for Kuyt? I thought he was going to be hit at the Kop. But..... Nothing has really come about. He does have his moments, but something tells me he should go just like Ciise. Bought for heaps but obviously never really lived up to his potential so Benitez chopped him. I definately think that the transfer window should start with a massive cleanout beggining with Riise, Hyypia, Kuyt, Sissoko (which i think is one of the most over rated players i have seen, especially for a midfeilder who can't sh

Actually i don't think its his problem. Its a tactical manner in which he is told to track back and play in a less preffered position. Before he came to liverpool he was an out and out striker and he exceled! I think Rafa should risk it more and put kuyt in a more advance role. Less tracking back and more in the box.

Kuyt was never an out and out striker he just scored lots of goals

I am beginning to think that Benitez cannot win the league for Liverpool. He's great tactical manager and can stop any team from defeating liverpool in once off games with enough time to prepare and psych up players. I think we have got the players to win the league but they arent in the right mental state to win it and I believe its all down to Benitez. I think if there is any part of the teams that needs improving, it is the defence- both Hyppia and Caragher need to go. They are both too slow and get too easily beaten.

[quote][quote]i think liverpool did very well yest, if anything we should get rid of sissoko and riise, agger will be back soo, who i think is brillant, i think Crouch should see more football, he played excellent when he came on, all in all, liverpool will do well, any liverpool fan that gives up is not a real fan, and people shold not be so hard on Benitez, in the last 3 yeard, he won the Champions league and FA cup, worhtless cup too, thats not bad compared to Wenger, who has won nothing in the last 3 years!!![/quote] Wenger is in the process of building another great team. It takes time, Ferguson has had his lean years too. Wenger has not only won a lot of trophies for Arsenal but he has also tranformed the club into one of the most exciting teams to watch. Before that they won trophies but were a hard working grind out the results team (not unlike what Liverpool seem to be heading for.)[/quote] The same can be said for Benitez but hes won trophies whilst building a team from all the shit Houllier left

We're all worried now, Rafa seems to be sticking by a game plan that does not work. He claims other managers change their sides and use as many players as he does. Not in the space of 2 weeks they don't. Would not like to see him go as we'd be back to square one but where are we heading? We are at a brick wall the last four years and seem no closer to breaching it. The key? Beating Arsenal, United & Chelsea at home to start. We aren't doing that and yet again we have failed to so far this season.

Change shirts and LFC could have been mistaken for an expensive version of Wimbeldon. We have many hard working players but we lack quality, lets face it, the players that have been applauded the most this season in the EPL are those who can dribble, pass and shoot. In the beginning of the season the team looked great and un-Rafa like, actually looked like their intention was to win the games. Rafa is like Riise, they have their moments (European champions and finalists with an average team), but thats it, it take more to win the premiership and that is what matters most! Don't boo Hyppia, he just getting up there, if Rafa asked me to play, I would, out of shape and no talent. Dirk, Hyppia, Riise, Aurelio, Momo & Harry, your time is up!

I see your point about Kuyt; he does seem to just continually run and run, but sometimes needs to curb the enthusiasm and just stick to what a striker should be doing. Dont get me wrong though; defending starts from the front and he is an advocate for that, but he seems to put most of his ability into that and should focus on the job at hand... Hyypia is WAY past it now, and we need a centre back in January quite badly. He is good for the Carling Cup and to give senior players a rest (Carra and Agger of course), but that is it. And Riise is MASSIVELY overrated; he played well under Houllier because the team had little to no instructions. Under Rafa however, everyone has a role and position so he looks terrible at either leftback or left midfield as he cant take on defenders, has a sketchy cross and when he gets over the half way line, his only inkling is to shoot all the time - lets flog him to Villa and let that Ensua kid come through, he looks a lot more effective Then we get to Crouch; he is an eni

I can't agree more with what you're writing. I just can't see what Kuyt does in the team... he's way to slow for the Premier League, and ineffective... he is working hard, yes, but as you say we have midfielders for that, what we need instead of Kuyt is a striker that is dangerous for the opponents! Kuyt is the least dangerous striker in PL! On the positive side, it was nice to see Alonso back on the team, amazing how much he adds to the team with his key passes... now I just hope he won't be out for to long again :(

I agree that all thoose players should be given the ax. except from Aurelio. he's been nothing but injured, but he is an excellent player. which he showed when in Valencia. But if he keeps getting injured, he might as well put his shoes on the shelf. but, for now, I think he should be given a chance

Hyypia is our best defender in the abscence of Agger. Carragher has more heart and determination, granted - he makes lots of last-ditch tackles which catch the eye, but many of these are born from his mistakes int he first place. Hyypia is a better technical defender - the best defenders rarely go to ground (how often have you seen Maldini go to ground?) - he's better in the air, both in defense and attack, and he's still one of teh best ball-playing/passing centrebacks in the business. Carragher has also lost a yard to ensure he's just as slow as Hyypia now. Kuyt was played out of position to cover for Pennant. Beating players with skill is not his game, but he works harder than any other player I can think of so HAD to play against Arsenal. Riise is another story - he should be much better, especially as he's one of our best paid players right now. He's not the greates defender and seem a liability with our off-side trap, but at the same time, he's not the type to beat a player either, so he'

Agger's absence has shown that the money spent on Torres and Babel doesn't mask weakness at the back. Hyppia, bless 'im, isn't good enough any more and too many sides are targeting him.

To all the worried Liverpool fans wherever you are in this fine land, have no worries. The premiership referees are always on your side and willing to bail you out of the mire! just a quick word to Jamie C....take more care lad, if you keep on going the way you are with rash challenges and shirt pulling, we will, against our better judgment, have to actually do our job and penalise you, ok!

Sami Hyypia was by far the most effective defender against arsenal! he cleared an almost certain goal away from the line and stifled many arsenal attacks. Kuyt has not been on form recently but he is a very hard worker and not a goal poacher like some. And Torres hasnt been doing much, arsenal played him out of the game. I think Rafa needs to re-think his rotations policy

Different football managers have different styles. You don't to play one particular style to win the league. Rafa style is based on hard work and that why the likes of Kuyt will always be on the team sheet. The problem with Rafa's management style is that he is ,unlike Wenger and Ferguson, lacking the ability to develope young players and make them better. Wenger bought Henry and helped him to become one of the greatest strikers in history, also bought Anelka for 500 million and again no defender in this country would enjoy palying against him. Babbel is clearly talented but the big question is, whether Rafa has got what it takes to help him become the next Henry. I doubt it. The same applied to Sissoko whose style is similar to Patrick Veira. A decent manager can work on his weakness and improve his passing abitiies. Fans tend to forget that without him last year we had no chance to beat Baca at the Nou camp. Sami Hyypia has been agreat servant for Liverpool Club, it is not his mistake it was Rafa who faile

I have passionately followed Liverpool all my life but even I can see that Sunday's game exposed our squad for what it is, over rated and lacking pace and technique. Riise has been a willing servant but now needs to go. Hyppia is just to slow now. Kuyt work hard but is very limited as a player. He works hard but doesn't ever look like scoring. Give me 3 months to get fit and I'll run myself into the ground every week for the reds. What was all the fuss about Voronin for. He is shit. Sissoko can't pass, let him go. WE ned to rely on our players who have ability on the ball, like Benayoun, Lieva, Arbeloa etc. Even Crouch and Kewell have good touch and can help us play possession football.

Taz (above) makes a very interesing point and one that I hadn;t considered. Can anyone think of a player who has improved under Benetiz at Liverpool. He's made some good signings, for example Alonso, but has any player actually significantly improved under him, like Febregas or Henry or most of the Arsenal squad in fact? This is getting depressing.

Thank you, at last an honest review of Kuyt. I'm a die hard Liverpool supporter and I have said all season that yes Kuyt works hard but does not do what he's paid to do - score goals. Without Torres you wonder where the goals will come from our remaining front 3. A clearout is needed and better players bought in.

I totally disagree on the comments about Riise, I feel that Riise has been a loyal player for Liverpool and doesnt deserve this kind of treatment. Yes I will be the first to admit that he not a great defender but this was not his original place to be played in , Riise was always a left sided midfielder, its player like Harry 'injury prone' Kewell and Peter Crouch that need to go in January. I also find it horrible that so called liverpool supporters are shouting profanities at the likes of Riise and Hyypia, these 2 players especially are great plyers for liverpool and do not deserve that, as a liverpool supporter, I am ashamed to call these people fellow fans!!!!!

Christina dear, your comments prove their is no place for women at football !!!!!!

Your comments are a disgrace re: Hyypia, he had a solid game against Arsenal and deserves more respect, he has been the cornerstone of any success we have had over the last 8 years. He never had pace but composure and aerial prowess.

Hyppia was good in the past , no doubt, but presently he is out of it( Honestly) If you look back from the start of the season whn he has played, he never wins anything in the air anymore, hardly gets off the ground. Its unfortunate, but True.Sami has seen his best games in the past, and its time for change at the back.

nothing will be forgotten. what rafa is doing is a shame to the game and liverpool!!! we are liverpool and we have no style, no pace , absolutely nothing!!! and that is nothing to do with the players, only with the manager who choose them. liverpool like arsenal and united are a team according to their manager image!!! and that is very sad. non of the other 2 have a better squad but they do have managers who believe in real football and not in tactics!!! benitez is killing the game and killing liverpool. it is time to wake up and say goodbye before it will be too late!!!

Yariv, as it upsets me to say I agree with you. I like Rafa and i'm sorry he's turned out the way he has, but I agree, he's killing our style. With the players we have and the support we have, we should be doing better - much better.

I agree with Steve on this one. I thought that with Rafa comming to the club and the players that he would bring in It was going to be a 'dinesty'. So far he has brought Two trophies to the Kop- Champs 05 and Fa cup 06, but for some reason don't beleive he will win us the league.I think he needs to let players loose and stop playing them like robots. For starters give up playing Gerrard on the right he is one of if not the best player in the world. Place him in the guts where he will do damage. Stop playing the likes of Momo arround him and start mixing it up with the other two best midfeilders in our squad Javier, and Xabi. However there is one player i would like to see on the Flanks, that is.... Kewell. Why you say? Fair enough he is injury prone, but when he is Fit he plays with Flare and Fluency like non other. He is still quicker that a lot of the players on our side( in 05 was the quickest sprinter we had going by fitness reports) He is getting on yes, but still to this day 'Carves up' and skins some

I don't think Benitez is the . man to bring the holy grail to liverpool his rotation system doe's not work. we are the only team in the big four that are over cautious, basically we are boring to watch , the next thing Rafa will come out with is turning the corner and five year plan, Hyypia has been a great servant to liverpool, but he becoming a liability, he himself admits that he never had any speed, even less now, out to pasture Sami, and may your future be rosy. Riise already has sold his house in Cheshire awaiting his move to Villa in Jan, maybe his mind is at villa park, now .We should definitely keep Carson , he is the best out of the crop of young english goalkeepers, no wonder O'Neill wants to give us 10M for his services.

yes, Crouch has, the LFC fans booed him when he first arrived, look at Macherano now, them at WHU, we need cover for finnan and carragher, they look tired on sunday. Kuyt defended from the front, but never in a position to treaten arsenal

I guess football is a team effort.. If you put a 14 yr old who doesn't play football in the Brazilian team, he will still look ok.. The prob w Liverpool is that they just doesn't pass and move anymore.. Fans are frustrated w sissoko, riise and to a extend Carragher becos they can't pass for nuts, kuyt and crouch doesn't have e pace or mobility to move around.. We need better players with better technique and control.. It's sickening to see ball hooted out at e slightest pressure.. or crosses that go to e corner flag or straight to e keeper all e time.. Babbel n pennant can beat players all they want, but what is e use if they can't deliver dangerous crosses? Seems like finnan is e best crosser in liverpool now..

I dare you to come to a game and say this. You know where Anfield is right?