Continental football - a Liverpool conceit
Big Ears?
By Boris Mellor
April 3 2008
Rafa is held in high regard for his master tactics in the CL, allegedly he is at best when continental tactics are required, this is an explanation for his poor showing in the Premiership. However the most continental thing about Liverpool's football last night was the diving. True they defended in depth, but not many Italian teams hoof the ball up the pitch.
Of course the Liverpool fan club or BBC pundits as they are also known will be certain that this 1-1 draw is a sign that Liverpool are on their way. Before the match I argued that the table doesn't lie, Arsenal are a far better team, and this match proved it.
People used to say lucky Arsenal; I wish it was still the case for you need luck to win anything. Liverpool certainly had their share of luck, escaping a dead cert penalty award against them, and Bendtner becoming their best defender.
Of course it wasn't pure luck, as soon as they got the equaliser they defended for most of the match. Gerrard went on a great run, and Toure defended poorly. The absence of Sagna has now cost Arsenal 5 goals in 200 minutes - that's a goal conceded every 40 minutes. If Wenger doesn't sort it out quickly it could have serious ramifications.
It might explain why the team are so desperate to keep the ball away from the right side of the pitch, because if they lose it there it often leads to disaster. On the positive side Arsenal had seven shots on target to Liverpool's one, in particular Walcott had a great shot saved by Rafa, who was denied any glory by the ref who awarded a goal kick.

It was a great goal by Adebayor, and RvP had two good chances, unfortunately Robin is no longer reliant and has gone off to join Rosicky on the treatment table for a game or two. Nonetheless, apart from some misfiring this was a good performance by the Gunners. They have no reason to fear Liverpool who may be exaggerating their own chances. Of course Liverpool will try and sap our will to live with their defence of their notional one goal lead.
But before then there is a matter of three points to settle at home, I predicted a draw for the CL, but am hopeful of a win on Saturday. Arsenal have played Liverpool three times this season, and they have been the better team on every occasion, that's why I believe we can do it up there.
Yesterday was another example...flamini hits the ball long and adebayor was at least a yard behind carragher but the linesman signaled for offside


So Arsenal are, generally speaking a better side than say, Liverpool but being "better" doesn´t give you any right to beat someone.
We were a better side than Liverpool in 2005 and 2007 but, the fact remains, we f*ck*d it up BOTH times over the two legs.
The only thing that counts is goals. If you pass the ball around endlessly, or have most of the possession that doesn´t give you the right to win the match (in fact, you could even argue that if you enjoy superiority BUT still draw or even lose then you must be fundalmentally wrong).
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"It is born out of hypocrisy and fundamental insecurity. There have been two kids on the block for the past 12 years. Suddenly, there is a third and that one is threatening to be more successful than the others and they don’t like it." P Kenyon.
Had a laugh at your lot's expense though, how'd you lose that one?

That Clown Boris is on the official Liverpool website, he even predicted where Liverpool would get the goal from.
Never won the Premiership have you carra? And never won the league at Arsenal did you?
Your just a cup team these days, well except when its Barnsley.
Quote:Padre Pio
Yes it gets results Dixon, i am not arguing with that, just with the idea that they are some kind of continental geniuses. What they are is a superior Bolton, and we will not be copying them, and they havent won yet
I wouldn´t say that they are continental geniuses - I´d go more along the lines of a knack or even luck that they´ve enjoyed in the CL.
Thing is, if "hoofing it up" as you say works for them in the CL then logically doing it in the league would also work for them - then again, the CL is over two legs.
Personally, I like to see a mixture of style, I can appreciate moments of fluid passing BUT I can also appreciate a forward who is strong enough to chest or nod a ball off for a colleague from a 30-40 yard pass.
Trouble is, Arsenal´s game is passing (soemtimes perhaps over-egging the pudding?) - surely there also has to be the ability to adapt or have a plan B for a given situation?
Arsenal (like all football clubs) will lose a game from time to time and Arsenal will have passed the ball around better than most of the teams they face - it seems hardly fair to say, "Yes, we lost - but we were better!" EVERY TIME you lose? It doesn´t neccesarily mean you were better than the other team if they were better than you at achieving the ultimate objective in football - putting the ball in the net.
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"It is born out of hypocrisy and fundamental insecurity. There have been two kids on the block for the past 12 years. Suddenly, there is a third and that one is threatening to be more successful than the others and they don’t like it." P Kenyon.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2008:04:04:00:13:54 by dixon9.
I wouldn't like to have to depend on any one of your players in a crucial final, they look to be so lacking in grit and determination.
Yes, we had a little bit of luck (ALL teams do, even yourselves) but you didn't create many solid chances and most of your pretty football was in midfield. I sincerely hope your manager, like yourselves, thinks we are a superior Bolton as that will be to our advantage. Rafa's tactics suit the game and where his team are playing, no doubt we'll be very different at Anfield.
We too have battered teams this season only to see the game end in a draw, but unlike you lot we blame ourselves for not scoring, not go round expecting teams to lie down because of the superior passing on display.
The game is only at Half Time, there's still a lot to be done and can be done, we have a slight advantage with an away goal and home game but if Arsenal are the team you all think they are then you could come to Anfield and win, I hope not but if you do I'll be the first on here to congratulate you.
let's not talk about diving because you've been known to have some of the best divers in the business over the years, Eboue anyone? And hoof ball makes me laugh when you know you won titles with defensive boring football. Irony is lost on you lot.
As for not winning the Premiership, I'd expect better from Arsenal fans than to jump on the football started in 1992 band wagon.
For the record anyway.......Rafa has been here four years won an FA Cup, Champions League and finished ahead of Wenger twice, and that with 6 games still to go this season.
What has Wenger done in Rafas time here? How many European trophies has he won in his whole career? How many European trophies has he looked likely to win, despite the numerous chances he's had to do so?
As I've already said elsewhere it's time you got your heads out of your behind and seen yourself for what you are. A great footballing side who are very easy on the eye but not always the strongest in character or grit, two things that can win you games when the chips are down.
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“Liverpool Football club exists not to make money, it exists to win trophies and be a source of pride for its supporters. It serves no other purpose.”. Bill Shankly
But I have a question for you....who do you think under their current managers will get closer to the league title with their respective tactics...I have to say hand on heart...its Wegner even without his Plan D-Z..Wegner need to acknowlege his squad quality but Rafa need to sea change in his tactics .... I think Benetiz is not the manager to bring the league to Liverpool, not in a month of Sundays.
Until Theo Walcott came on as an attacking outlet you were struggling for options. Your manager doesn't appear to have any plan b's or c's and your pretty football has won you only admirers in the last few years.
Yeah, hear that Dixon, and those admirers help to fill out our mighty 60000 seater. Watch and learn!!
And reds, if Rafa has been with you 4 years, he would have seen us finish undefeated winners of the EPL. Not something i expect to see again in my lifetime. Let's see Rafa do that.........
In fact, how about he tries to win the league full-stop?
for what ive seen its usually Gerrard/Alonso passing the ball to your lone striker
Even babel was back defending most of the time
Benitez did what all managers do against us (except for chelsea and manutd) and that is to sit back and have all your players back defending
Do you believe Rafa will deliver the Prem?
No really do you believe.
Perry Groves - Obviously I think Rafa is the better manager and will win the title if given time here. I like what Wenger has done for Arsenal and their football but he hasn't, for me, got that bit extra that Rafa has.
Phily - Houllier was still our manager in 2004, Rafa is only halfway through his 4th year. A great acheivement for you but it didn't bring you the title with a record number of points, that goes to Chelsea.
AF - Rafa was playing the first leg of a European 1/4 final which is all about tactics on the night. I personally think he got his tactics spot on and if Arsenal weren't good enough to break them down it's Arsene Wengers problem, not Rafas. But you already know that because you defended your way to the final two years ago and a year or so before that defended yourselves to an FA Cup win.
Padre - I believe that given the 12 years that Wengers had Rafa will deliver more than 3? titles to Liverpool and that's under whatever name you choose to call it. I'm old school and still believe that being officially the best team in England 18 times beats any name change, but hey, don't let that stop you trying to make your club honours look a bit better.
I have 100% belief in Rafael Benitez and there isn't one other manager could have done better at our club. As carra said, in his three and a half years he's worked wonders, replaced all the French players with far stronger ones, brought in class players when he could afford them, overhauled the Academy and reserves, all of which is now bearing fruit with the ressies flying high at the top of the league and the youth team progressing year on year.
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“Liverpool Football club exists not to make money, it exists to win trophies and be a source of pride for its supporters. It serves no other purpose.”. Bill Shankly
