I think Liverpool will get a point against Chelsea can't see them beating Chelsea not at Stamford bridge anyway

A point at best for Liverpool. It'll be the usual domination of midfield from Liverpool but with their poor forward line they'll struggle to score against Chelski's very tight defence. Maybe Fowler will make the difference for them up front, but honestly I can't see it. 1-0 Chelsea

I think it will be a tight game, the last couple of times that we have played Chelsea at Stamford Bridge it's been a 0-0 draw so I'll go for another draw but 1-1 this time with Duff scoring for Chelsea and a goal from Garica for Liverpool.

Stevenage won 2-1 against Aldershot yesterday and it was a really good game, I'm suprised that Aldershot are as low down as 14th as they played some good stuff at times and it was a tight game. Good result for us though.

Yeah i was surprised how well we reacted after going a goal down against Stevenage

I'm only listening to the game on the radio at the moment, but much the same as in our last few matches, we've been the better team yet failed to put our chances away and then suffered a sucker-punch. I'm very surprised that GOD didn't even travel with the rest of the team. I wasn't too fussed to see Warnock start in a match as big as this, I'd rather Hamann (who's not even in the squad today) was in the centre instead of Sissoko, and would've preferred to see Garcia start the game rather than being on the bench.

Riise off Garcia on, bit of an odd change and Riise'se gone off sulking.

I'm not sure about Crouch being the main striker on his own, would much rather have Fowler up there with him.

It's awkward when you're listening on the radio and can't see what's going on, but I can scarcely remember hearing Kewell's name mentioned throughout the first half. Perhaps he would've been a better option for the substitution.

2-0 down and Reina sent off, not a good day.

Liverpool played well until Chelsea scored. Chelsea dominated the second half.

Scottish Cup yesterday... Hibs beating us 3-0. Dear-oh-dear.

What happend to your lot yesterday James? i know Hibs are a pretty decent team now but 3-0 at Ibrox was shocking.

Missed chances in the first half, and then in the second couldn't defend at all.

From the radio commentary, it was blatant play-acting from Robben that led to Reina's sending off. John Aldridge was going absolutely nuts about it in fact, and he noted how much a part of Chelski's game that sort thing has become. Apparently, John Terry threw himself on the floor earlier on in a challenge with Garcia, of all people. As it was a straight red card, there'll be no opportunity for us to appeal against what seems to have been an incorrect decision, and we'll not have Reina available for three games now. It would be nice to think that the F.A. will take action against Robben for unsporting conduct or whatever, but it's highly unlikely to happen. We deserved at least a draw from this match.

Rafa has just been saying in his after-match interview that he needs to rush off to hospital now to visit Robben, as he's obviously seriously injured. At least that managed to put a smile back on my face.

Great result for us, got to admit we were totally out played in the first half but second half came out and gave a first class performance. As far as the Reina sending off goes yes Robben was definately play acting but what the hell was Reina making that sort of tackle for, i mean the ball was running out of play yet he still took Gudjohnsen clean out.

I won't get to see that until MOTD2 is on later tonight, but he wasn't penalised for the Gudjohnsen incident. I've just heard Terry being interviewed on the radio (I think by Sky Sports) and he was cracking on as though it had been a walkover - until it was pointed out to him that we were the better team in the first half. It would've been nice if he'd had the decency to admit that his team were lucky to take the three points.

Liverpool were better team first half, but didn't come out in the 2nd. They need 2 new strikers in the summer, to replace the plums they have at the moment. Crouch will never score enough goals, Cisse is pants, Fowler we'll see, Morientes doesn't suit the English game, they are completely toothless up front. 1 shot on target in 2 games @ Chelsea and Manchester United, is not good enough for wannabee champions.

Reina was a complete fool and deserved to go, Robben was moaning all game and made the most of Reina's stupidity. I'm also sick of seeing the likes of Kewell, Xabi Alosno and Terry trying to get players booked/sent off every game.

Chelsea have a good squad, Liverpool.....well, they have been very lucky with injuries, I don't think they have too many, so we can't talk about their squad, but stay injury free and they will fight to the end for 2nd.

I'm not sure who they gave MOM too, but any of Chelsea backline could have got it, Crespo did well enough, and had a perfectly good goal chalked off (2nd disallowed goal)

For me, between Gallas and Carvalho.........i'll give it Gallas as he scored too (What were 6 Liverpool defenders doing going for the same ball!!!!! 6?!!?!?!?!)

Heerenveen won 3-0 :colour: Nilsson got a treble :spin2:

Crouch has proved that he is capable of scoring at his previous clubs, but he's done little to justify his signing for me. He should be an ideal target man, but he's not done anything worthwhile in that capacity so far. I don't want Cisse at Liverpool. He's never impressed me in any game I've seen, and regardless of his record in the French league, he's simply not good enough for a club of our stature. Pongolle and Mellor are far more attractive striking options for me, and I think letting them both go out on loan was poor judgement. Is there another Premiership team that has as many players loaned out to clubs in the same league as us? I certainly can't think of any.

Well we know that you're biased and tend to over-egg the pudding, and as all of the various pundits with a wealth of experience suggest otherwise, I think I'll pay more heed to their verdict on the situation. I think I'll wait and see the highlights as far as Kewell and Alonso are concerned too, as it's not an aspect of their game that I've ever seen before. Had you said Sissoko, I'd be inclined to agree - he could give Van Nistelhorse a run for his money in the diving department. But that's never been the Liverpool way, the fans don't like it, and it will be drummed into him sooner rather than later.

Of course they have a good squad - with the amount of cash they've spent it would be ridiculous if they didn't. As for our squad, we spent much of the summer investing in prospects, and many were signed specifically to play in the reserves and prove their worth. We're not there yet, but with two or three quality additions, we'll be a match for Chelski (as we have been already for several years, although lacking the necessary quality in the final third of the pitch) and head and shoulders above both Arsenal and manure. Liverpool, manure and Arsenal are going through transitions at the moment. The difference is that we're in the ascendancy, whilst manure and Arsenal are in decline. If Henry leaves for Barcelona in the summer, Arsenal will be lucky to attain a UEFA Cup place. And Ferguson's forays into the transfer market have been mostly disastrous in recent years. I can't see him being bankrolled too heavily in the summer, and he'd be wiser to retire then before things get any worse, which seems inevitable.

I thought the referee had no option to show red despite Robben's melodramatics. I think there is some edict that if a player raises his hands to another's neck or above it's automatic red?

Apparently Liverpool can appeal at straight red for violent conduct but I don't think it would be too wise considering the goalkeeper's yellow for the clattering challenge also.

Many ex-player pundits comment on how they would like the game to be refereed rather than how it is refereed.

well dont think ive got owt else to say about Sunderland except CRAP!!!!:mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::m ad:

Well, I prefer to watch 90 minutes, rather than listen on a radio or listen to the pundits, and make my own decision about a game, but each to their own :spin2:

I rarely appreciate a pundit, because they are generally biased.

Hansen, Lawrenson and Phil Thompson are so pro Liverpool, when they play bad, they are still brilliant.

Frank McLintock is very Pro Arsenal

Le Tissier loves his Southampton of course

Charlie Nicholas is very Pro Celtic

Alan McInally loves his Villa

Peter Reid doing Everton v Man City was a disaster

I remember when Clive Allen was on a few years back. Every week he'd go mad if Tottenham got a throw in against them, and then Alan Mullery, who was seething when Fulham weren't winning.

Pundits in the main are hopeless at best. Andy Gray is the man, no-one else comes close. He says it how it is "Liverpool won't win the Premier League with the strikers they have" Spot On

He also doesn't talk about his Everton days, Tyler usually brings that up, Gray laughs and moves on.........if Gray talks, you listen, because the guy knows what he's talking about.

None of the BBC rubbish pundits or the rubbish on Soccer Saturday (Although Stelling is a genius)

Great game yesterday between Chelski and the Pool, and I was quite happy to see Chelski winning as I'm basically resigned to the fact that Chelski have the league and we're playing for second place now. And I was close enough in my predictions, liverpool dominated in midfield but simply couldn't score. Something like 10 attempts and 1 on target! I predicted the score wrongly though as I thought liverpool were decent defensively but seeing the poor zonal marking on that corner has proved otherwise. And didn't Crespo score a perfectly good goal which was ruled offside (I can't really complain too much considering the shocking decision in our favour for Saha's goal on saturday).

Reina had to go for raising his hand to another player, but Robben should be ashamed of himself for his pathetic reaction. Benitez was very funny in his post match interview though.

And I had to comment on this:

So with two or three quality additions you'll be there! You could say the same for the two teams you mention that are in apparent decline! I can't say much for Arsenal but if Man Utd get two or three quality additions, we'll be sorted! We have a brilliant forward line, a tight defence (ignoring the last two games, lol), a lot of young players coming through and really we're only lacking a top quality midfield. We beat Liverpool and Chelsea this season with a makeshft midfield so imagine what we'd be like with an actual proper midfield made up of actual proper midfield players instead of forwards and defenders!

I disagree i think Cisse is liverpools best striker the problem is Rafa keeps him on the bench or plays him on the right of midfield which isn't his position, before he broke his leg last season he was the star of the liverpool team along with Steven Gerrard.

Indeed there is, but there's a hell of a difference between what happened yesterday and an attempted stranglehold. Everything is open to interpretation, as much as the eternal handball / ball-to-hand debate.

We are indeed making an appeal, which is a wise decision given the consequences of the referee's erroneous decision. Reina did not receive a yellow for his (legitimate) tackle on Gudjohnsen - it was a straight red for the non-existent Robben fiasco. Gudjohnsen also got away with a blatant handball during this incident, and it's clear from the replay that Reina got the ball rather than the man, and that Gudjohnsen was already going to ground and pulled Reina down on top of him.

I don't see what your point is here. I doubt you'd find many either inside or outside the game that think blatant cheating should be accepted or excused. In this instance, they would've liked the referee to have made the correct decision, but he didn't - which covers both sides of your comment. It's like saying most victims of robbery would prefer to have not been robbed in the first place.



And so do I, but I'm not mug enough to put a minimum of £34 per. month into Murdoch's pocket for the privilege, or stand around in a dodgy pub for two hours on a Sunday afternoon when I have other commitments elsewhere. If that means waiting until the following day to see the game in full, then so be it. And I actually prefer to attend the matches, rather than sitting in an armchair at home like some. I'll be in the queue at Anfield first thing on Thursday morning to get my F.A. Cup ticket, and then again on Wednesday 22nd. for the Benfica match in the Champions' League (not a competition you're too familiar with, I know).

Attempts at smugness are never wise, particularly when you seriously underestimate your opponent. Meh, perhaps you enjoy having egg on your face?



Neither Hanson nor Lawrenson are biased - most Liverpool fans refer to Lawrenson as a manure fan, in fact.

Andy Gray is one of the most biased pundits I've ever seen. His petty anti-Liverpool prejudice couldn't be more blatant.



I could be silly and make asinine 'your team is crap' comments, such is the mutual dislike between rival supporters of both teams. But much to my chagrin, I'll respond honestly and maturely to your comments. It's been said numerous times of late that if you were to graft your attacking players onto our midfield and defence, then we'd be unstoppable. I've little argument with that strange yet telling point of view. We need someone on the right of midfield so that Gerrard can concentrate on playing in the centre, where he's at his most effective. We were inches away from bringing in Victor from Deportivo in the January transfer window, for £2 million on a 3.5 year contract. But Deportivo's chairman refused to pay money that was owed to the player, expecting us to foot the bill. We of course refused, and Victor will be out of contract in the summer, allowing us to renew our interest and save £2 million. We clearly need proven goal scorers on board too, which will without doubt be addressed at the end of the season. What the manager has in mind for Pongolle & Mellor at that point will influence whether one or two strikers are brought in, as will the amount we receive for Cisse and the Fowler situation. And Owen returning is still a very realistic possibility.

Arsenal need to reinforce in many departments, and the limited cash flow they have available due to relatively small gate receipts and the investment in their new stadium isn't going to cover that. They never replaced Vieira, and Henry isn't replaceable full stop. Their own chairman has already publicly questioned the viability of keeping the likes of Ljungberg and Pires at the club. It's hard to see any light at the end of that particular tunnel at the moment.

Your defence isn't that solid. Neville is a decent stalwart, and Heinze I'd welcome at Anfield. Ferdinand is a liability in any team, and seeing his name on the team sheet whenever we meet is a bonus, as he makes at least one major gaffe in every game he plays. There's nothing else there defensively that's any better than in six or eight other Premiership squads. Your midfield is poor, Giggs and Scholes are well past their best, and only Ronaldo shines from the rest. You need to bring in four or five top-notch players, central midfielders of that ilk don't come cheap, and you need two. It wasn't your makeshift midfield that gave you the three points against us, it was our lack of decent striking options.

I'm grateful, despite your chagrin, for the mature and honest comments you made, it's refreshing to have a civilised conversation with a liverpool fan on an online forum without it denigrating into abuse. Although the constant mispelling of my team's name does grate a little :tongue:

Liverpools midfield with our defence and forward line, now there's a team. Hell, give us Gerrard and I'd be happy! If he played for any other club, I'd like to think that Fergie would have been out already and bought him years ago. Perfect replacement for Keano.

I disagree with a few of your comments about Utd. Ferdinand, despite some early season difficulties, has gone from strength to strength. The screw up against Blackburn was a noticeable lapse from this, but he had actually been playing very well in midfield in the game up to that point. Our defence has generally been good this season, despite the fact that our player of the season last year, Heinze, has been missing and Neville missed a good chunk of the start. (And I know how hard it was for a Pool fan to say anything halfway complimentary about Neville, so kudos for that!)

Your completely correct about our current midfield problems, and I agree we need at least two top quality central midfielders. My main problem was that, having learnt that Scholes was to miss the rest of the season, Fergie didn't bring in a midfielder in the january transfer window. Alan Smith is not a midfielder, neither is O'Shea. Fletcher shows some promise but can't be expected to run Utd's midfield all season. Park is actually one of of our best players now and I'd play him every week, definately ahead of that waste of space Ronaldo. I'm surprised you marked him out specially for praise, cos I just don't like the little pratt. At best, he should be used as a sub in games where we need an injection of attacking impetus towards the end. At least until he learns to pass the ball, shoot properly (yes two great goals at the weekend but it's just doesn't happen enough for my liking) and stop being an annoying little w*****.

Have to say, I'm enjoying these long football posts, it's better, more intelligent, more objective stuff than I get on the football forums I normally peruse.

I just hope it stays as objective and civilised when we stuff you in the cup!!!! (sorry, just couldn't resist a little bit of friendly banter!!!) :wink:

I can see Arsenal fading away for the next few years if they continue in their current state because they have far too many young players and it will take a good while before they reach their peak, I really would not blame Henry if he went and without him Arsenal are no better than a lot of the sides in the Prem. I saw an amazing stat that in the games that Henry has scored in for Arsenal they have only gone on to lose 12 of them and won something like a 112. In a few years if they keep hold of the talented youngsters then they will be a very good side once again but until then they will just rely on Henry to dig them out of trouble. Hmmm if only Liverpool had him then we would be at a whole new level.