Liverpool FC

[celtic]

Agree with most of the stuff above. Really unlucky.

[The Baron]

Not that worried about the result.  That's the best team in the league, and we gave them a run for their money at home - a place they've been hammering other top sides.

Great game for the neutral I thought, and I'd predicted 2-2 and would have been very happy with that. 

Bring on Chelsea!

With a thin squad. If Rodgers stays ambitious with people he tries to sign and we make the top 4 then the club is in great hands.

[booder]

http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/latest-news/152033-rip-wayne-harrison



Such a talent , so unlucky with injuries.

R.I.P

[kinboshi]

Didn't see him play, but was meant to be a very special talent.  RIP YNWA.

[77dave]

BY JAMIE CARRAGHER

The first time I met Brendan Rodgers, he had just become Liverpool manager. We were speaking about the future and he mentioned the possibility of me joining his coaching staff.

But I told him straight away I would be retiring at the end of the season, so our working relationship would only last 12 months.

I made my announcement public in February but a few weeks later, at Melwood, Brendan invited me for another conversation.

He asked me whether I would consider postponing retiring for another season. Again, my answer was 'no'. I was set in my ways, content with the decision I had reached. Only one thing could have changed my mind.

It wasn't the prospect of more appearances; it had nothing to do with another contract or anything like that. If I felt Liverpool were going to compete for the one honour that had eluded me - the Barclays Premier League - I would have said 'yes' in a flash.

At that time, I could only see Liverpool challenging for a top-four place. If I had been able to see into the future, I would now be preparing for tomorrow's showdown with Chelsea.


Make no mistake, Liverpool are title contenders. They might be outsiders in the group that contains Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea, but there should not be any doubts about my old club's potential to go the distance.

Once Chelsea are out of the way, Liverpool will have played all of the top eight, bar Manchester United, away from home. December has been a demanding month, with trips to White Hart Lane, the Etihad Stadium and Stamford Bridge but they are in excellent shape.

Even if they fail to beat Chelsea, it wouldn't be the end of the world.


Had you asked any Liverpudlian what they would have taken from that sequence, four points from nine would have been acceptable.

If they happen to end up with six, expectations will be soaring into the New Year.

Liverpool look like a proper team once more. No other club has matched their tally of 83 Premier League goals in 2013 - Manchester City are closest with 81 - while a return of 69 points from 36 games in the calendar year shows they are finding consistency.

It also shines a light on the job Brendan is doing. Compare those figures to 2012, the year Kenny Dalglish's reign ended and Brendan took over. In 39 games through the year, Liverpool only picked up 46 points and scored 54 goals.

Things were not easy for Rodgers when he came in. Kenny is God to Liverpool fans and his name still gets sung every week on The Kop, even before they chant the name of the current manager.

This job was always going to test his character and capabilities.

I was also a little sceptical about the style which he wanted the team to play: centre-backs splitting, both full-backs pushing high up and the keeper comes out to operate like a sweeper - just as Barcelona do.

Liverpool have always played good, intelligent football but this was taking it to another level. I felt it was risky. Three games into the season, we faced Arsenal at Anfield and they took full advantage, beating us 2-0. With that style, I didn't see how we would ever grind out a result. But to Brendan's credit, he and the team have evolved over the last year while remaining true to his principles.

Plenty of judges are good at saying in this country how we should play football on the floor and give young players a chance, yet when they get jobs, they don't do anything about it. You couldn't level that criticism at Rodgers.

He wants his teams to inflict 'death by football' but this year Liverpool have shown another side to their character. They are now flattening the teams they should do but they are just as adept at toughing it out.

It was said at the beginning of the season that second-half displays against Stoke, Aston Villa and Manchester United were not up to standard but I was encouraged by what I saw. Liverpool showed maturity and held on to the result, something I don't think would have been possible 12 months ago.

Clearly there has been a benefit from not having to deal with European competition this season - as Jose Mourinho has not been shy to point out - but Liverpool have still had to go and get the results to keep them among the pacesetters.

For Brendan to be an unqualified success at Liverpool, he will need trophies and regular Champions League football and those  objectives are as difficult to achieve as they have ever been in the last  20 years.

It will be 24 years next May since Liverpool were last champions but even if they don't end that hoodoo, one thing is beyond doubt: Brendan Rodgers is building a team that has given Liverpool supporters their pride back - one that is a threat to all.

[kp24]

BY JAMIE CARRAGHER

The first time I met Brendan Rodgers, he had just become Liverpool manager. We were speaking about the future and he mentioned the possibility of me joining his coaching staff.

But I told him straight away I would be retiring at the end of the season, so our working relationship would only last 12 months.

I made my announcement public in February but a few weeks later, at Melwood, Brendan invited me for another conversation.

He asked me whether I would consider postponing retiring for another season. Again, my answer was 'no'. I was set in my ways, content with the decision I had reached. Only one thing could have changed my mind.

It wasn't the prospect of more appearances; it had nothing to do with another contract or anything like that. If I felt Liverpool were going to compete for the one honour that had eluded me - the Barclays Premier League - I would have said 'yes' in a flash.

At that time, I could only see Liverpool challenging for a top-four place. If I had been able to see into the future, I would now be preparing for tomorrow's showdown with Chelsea.


Make no mistake, Liverpool are title contenders. They might be outsiders in the group that contains Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea, but there should not be any doubts about my old club's potential to go the distance.

Once Chelsea are out of the way, Liverpool will have played all of the top eight, bar Manchester United, away from home. December has been a demanding month, with trips to White Hart Lane, the Etihad Stadium and Stamford Bridge but they are in excellent shape.

Even if they fail to beat Chelsea, it wouldn't be the end of the world.


Had you asked any Liverpudlian what they would have taken from that sequence, four points from nine would have been acceptable.

If they happen to end up with six, expectations will be soaring into the New Year.

Liverpool look like a proper team once more. No other club has matched their tally of 83 Premier League goals in 2013 - Manchester City are closest with 81 - while a return of 69 points from 36 games in the calendar year shows they are finding consistency.

It also shines a light on the job Brendan is doing. Compare those figures to 2012, the year Kenny Dalglish's reign ended and Brendan took over. In 39 games through the year, Liverpool only picked up 46 points and scored 54 goals.

Things were not easy for Rodgers when he came in. Kenny is God to Liverpool fans and his name still gets sung every week on The Kop, even before they chant the name of the current manager.

This job was always going to test his character and capabilities.

I was also a little sceptical about the style which he wanted the team to play: centre-backs splitting, both full-backs pushing high up and the keeper comes out to operate like a sweeper - just as Barcelona do.

Liverpool have always played good, intelligent football but this was taking it to another level. I felt it was risky. Three games into the season, we faced Arsenal at Anfield and they took full advantage, beating us 2-0. With that style, I didn't see how we would ever grind out a result. But to Brendan's credit, he and the team have evolved over the last year while remaining true to his principles.

Plenty of judges are good at saying in this country how we should play football on the floor and give young players a chance, yet when they get jobs, they don't do anything about it. You couldn't level that criticism at Rodgers.

He wants his teams to inflict 'death by football' but this year Liverpool have shown another side to their character. They are now flattening the teams they should do but they are just as adept at toughing it out.

It was said at the beginning of the season that second-half displays against Stoke, Aston Villa and Manchester United were not up to standard but I was encouraged by what I saw. Liverpool showed maturity and held on to the result, something I don't think would have been possible 12 months ago.

Clearly there has been a benefit from not having to deal with European competition this season - as Jose Mourinho has not been shy to point out - but Liverpool have still had to go and get the results to keep them among the pacesetters.

For Brendan to be an unqualified success at Liverpool, he will need trophies and regular Champions League football and those  objectives are as difficult to achieve as they have ever been in the last  20 years.

It will be 24 years next May since Liverpool were last champions but even if they don't end that hoodoo, one thing is beyond doubt: Brendan Rodgers is building a team that has given Liverpool supporters their pride back - one that is a threat to all.

Really interesting read that he's right with his thoughts too,I fancy us to beat Chelsea today

[Karabiner]

You were robbed by some shocking decisions from Howard Webb.

Clear penalty and clear red-card for Oscar.

[anthonyl]

The worst ref performance I've seen for a long time.

Two penalties on Suarez and red card for Oscar missed.

[kp24]

Have to say only the etoo challenge was a pen he was lucky not to get sent off during the game too,thought we got outplayed 1st half but played better 2nd half without creating a lot,felt sorry for brad smith that was too much for him I assume Ibe is injured?

[Tal]

Need a keeper in January if you're going to challenge for the top three?

[George2Loose]

Think this exposed Liverpool's squad. They looked tired and ragged throughout

[Marky147]

BREAKING NEWS: Chelsea confirm their interest in signing Webb on a permanent deal from United after a successful one-match loan.

[Waz1892]

Think this exposed Liverpool's squad. They looked tired and ragged throughout

Pretty much this. Encouraging though we could have won 4 points from the last 2 games what for a bit of proper decision making from the authorities.

Top 4 very much still on. But need a couple in january.

Important we play more like we did at city cfc (2nd half) and less like hull and we'll have a propr chance of top 4.

[kp24]

Think this exposed Liverpool's squad. They looked tired and ragged throughout

We just need a few of our injured players plus Moses couldn't play today due to premier league loan rules

[The Baron]

Man Yoo away to come. The rest of the top 7 to visit Anfield. Gerrard and Sturridge due back. What's not to like?