EPL: Liverpool 4-1 Portsmouth (22.12.07)

[lionel]

2': still 0-0.

[lionel]

OMG! What a GOOAAAL!! BENAYOUUNN!!!!!

14': 1-0 Liverpool.

[lionel]

20': 2-0 Liverpool!

I missed the second goal... :S

an own goal of distin.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

The game ended 4-1 and Liverpool weren't even close to their best. Pompey looked very poor today. They looked more poor then Liverpool looked good. Torres involved in all goals and was again an important player for Liverpool. Kuyt and Riise... What can I say... They aren't good enough!

[NJ10]

We rarely got out of 2nd gear today, and we still got a good win under our belts. But for a sloppy spell at the start of the 2nd half where we allowed Pompey back into the game, we were always in total control.

Crowd got on Kewell's back a lot today, and its true he didnt have a great game, but he was positive in what he was trying to do, and did set up Yossi's opener. Torres again showing his finishing class with a right foot and a left foot effort. Mascherano was unreal, heavily involved in two goals and easily man of the match again. We need to sign this boy.

[Oliver_Kahn]

Totally agree about Mascherano, he was class. What happens at the end of the season, does he become a free agent ?
Babel was good in the few minutes he played, a lot better than Kuyt, who yet again shown he is crap.

By the way, on Pompey's goal, I know Riise got beaten very easily, but don't you think Carragher gave too much space to the guy that crossed ?

[NJ10]

I think we have first option to sign him, and he has given a "verbal yes" to Rafa. Its just about whether the owners stump up the cash for him, surely they will!

Tbh i didnt see too much of their goal, it was a good cross from Kanu (?) but he did seem to have a bit of room. Pretty well taken by Benjani, although you dont have to do much to outsmart John Arne Riise these days.

[Oliver_Kahn]

Originally Posted by NJ10

I think we have first option to sign him, and he has given a "verbal yes" to Rafa. Its just about whether the owners stump up the cash for him, surely they will!

Hmm, it's a bit risky delaying the signing of a class player like Mascherano.
I'd love to see that guy in red next season, but Bayern's red Perfect replacement for Van Bommel, a player that I don't rate very highly.

Originally Posted by NJ10

Tbh i didnt see too much of their goal, it was a good cross from Kanu (?) but he did seem to have a bit of room. Pretty well taken by Benjani, although you dont have to do much to outsmart John Arne Riise these days.

Yeah it was Kanu who crossed, very good cross indeed, but I really thought Carragher should have pressed him a bit more and even try to block the cross.
Benjani's dribble on Riise was nice, but Riise looked like a fool. I read he is off next season, is that true ?

[NJ10]

I hope so. Riise is a liability. He drags the standard of our football down with his total ineptness and lunacy. His shooting is seen by many as a strength, in truth it is a joke. The amount of 40 yarders he peppers over the bar, and free kicks he fires into the shins of the wall is ridiculous. He wouldnt be in the side if i was in charge thats for sure. we have Aurelio who does a better job when fit, Arbeloa can play there, and we allowed Stephen Warnock to leave for Blackburn, where he is now developing into a classy full back.

[Oliver_Kahn]

Originally Posted by NJ10

I hope so. Riise is a liability. He drags the standard of our football down with his total ineptness and lunacy. His shooting is seen by many as a strength, in truth it is a joke. The amount of 40 yarders he peppers over the bar, and free kicks he fires into the shins of the wall is ridiculous. He wouldnt be in the side if i was in charge thats for sure. we have Aurelio who does a better job when fit, Arbeloa can play there, and we allowed Stephen Warnock to leave for Blackburn, where he is now developing into a classy full back.

I don't know Warnock tbh. Aurelio was really good back in his Valencia days, but he has barely played in recent years and Arbeloa I don't rate very highly, he seems a bit clumsy with the ball at his feet.

I used to rate Riise highly (a few years ago), when I just watched highlights of the Premier league, but recently I realized how crap he is defending. I also used to think that his shooting was one of his main attributes, but also recently realized that he only hits the target 1 out of 8 shots.

There was a report on the Portuguese press that Valencia were interested, don't know if it's true though.

[NJ10]

1 out of 8 is being kind!

I wouldnt be surprised if Valencia were interested, nothing Koeman does surprises me!

[hijjawi1]

-



Barclays Premier League
Liverpool (5th, 30/48pts) v. Portsmouth (7th, 30/51pts)
Saturday, 22nd December, 15:00 (GMT)
Anfield, Liverpool



Goals

1-0 Benayoun (Min 13)
Click Here for Video
2-0 Distin Own Goal (Min 16)
Click Here for Video
2-1 Benjani (Min 56)
Click Here for Video
3-1 Torres (Min 67)
Click Here for Video
4-1 Torres (Min 85)
Click Here for Video

Liverpool Chances

Kuyt Shoot (Min 40)
Click Here for Video
Hyypiä Header (Min 61)
Click Here for Video
Kewell Shoot (Min 66)
Click Here for Video

Portsmouth Chances

Mendes Shoot Min 46
Click Here for Video
Diop Shoot (Min 47)
Click Here for Video

[Mighty T.A.L.]

When will Rafa use Torres and Babel up front together? That will do Liverpool even more dagerous.

[Podolski]

Originally Posted by Mighty T.A.L.

When will Rafa use Torres and Babel up front together? That will do Liverpool even more dagerous.

i would like to see that.. babel looks really good everytime he comes on.. even vs united

[Mighty T.A.L.]

I don't think Rafa will sell Riise in January I'm afraid, even he should. He has only one and a half year of his contract left and to sell him in next transfer window will give more money to the club. Wait until summer could half the valuation of the player.