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[Sloosha]

A-League review show on right now. Heskey is being described as a marquee player and a superstar of the game.

 

[Salazar]

A-League review show on right now. Heskey is being described as a marquee player and a superstar of the game.

I think we've found Andy Carroll's niche.

 

[Meier]

Now they can do it again when they face the USA.

Holy shit that match is gonna be tense.

Should be a pretty good match but even if they were to outright win, we could still go through unless Jamaica beats Antigua by a few goals which I don't expect to happen.

 

[elsk]

Jamaica is much better than any other caribbean country. They're like the México of the caribbean.

 

[Sloosha]

I think we've found Andy Carroll's niche.

:lol

Shinji Ono looked like he played quite well.

 

[dc89]

Aguero scored! Awesome!

 

[FootballFan]

Aguero scored! Awesome!

Highlights in case you are interested. Some good play, Argentina dominated. Messi does some great dribbles, nearly scores a damn good goal.

Aguero and Messi played really well, Garay was solid. Higuain wasn't very good though, probably just a one time thing but he was losing the ball and looked lost most of the game.

 

[dc89]

Highlights in case you are interested. Some good play, Argentina dominated.

Aguero and Messi played really well, Garay was solid. Higuain wasn't very good though, probably just a one time thing but he was losing the ball and looked lost most of the game.

Sweet, going to watch now.

Aguero really needs to persuade Messi that life is good at the Etihad

 

[Choc]

DEL PIEROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO just scored a free kick

 

[Sloosha]

Del Pierrrrro!!!

Holy shit. I thought I was still watching the highlight show. lololol.

 

[dc89]

Whoaaa... Argentina were stylin' in the lead up to Aguero's goal. That was very impressive.

 

[FootballFan]

Messi really needs to persuade Aguero that life is good at the Camp Nou

Fixed.

Always wanted him at Barca ever since he destroyed us with Atletico

 

[Salazar]

Aguero really needs to persuade Messi that life is good at the Etihad

Not as much CL football to worry about, for one thing.

 

[dc89]

Well those were some impressive highlights! Argentina could really do something at the World Cup if they don't choke.

How was that not a penalty when Aguero was brought down in the opening stages!? It's a stonewaller!

When that foul happened on the keeper I saw a glimpse of the fiery Zabaleta who turned up at City after signing! He's calmed down a lot and I think he's a better player for it, he's not as rash anymore.

 

[Sloosha]

HEEEESSSSKEEEYYYY!!!!

 

[FootballFan]

Well those were some impressive highlights! Argentina could really do something at the World Cup if they don't choke.

How was that not a penalty when Aguero was brought down in the opening stages!? It's a stonewaller!

When that foul happened on the keeper I saw a glimpse of the fiery Zabaleta who turned up at City after signing! He's calmed down a lot and I think he's a better player for it, he's not as rash anymore.

They won't do well unless they find some really good defenders and maybe 1 or 2 other mids.

Lugano was dumb going for the ball there when it was obviously going to be the keepers ball. Dangerous play.

 

[dc89]

Not as much CL football to worry about, for one thing.

 

[flake]

A-league going off! Del peiro and Heskey on the score sheet

 

[Oxx]

Oh my. I actually saw this OT when I checked a friend's phone. And I actually didn't ban Wilbury. He made the mistake of venturing out of this topic and posting cheeky stanzas to troll Meus. No one trolls Meus, 'cept the mods.

You guys are the best. <3

Checking us on a friend's phone? You're addicted.

 

[Regulus Tera]

Fuck's sake.

edit:

Penalties missed and penalties scored in that order too.

 

[Salazar]

I think I'm mainly watching Fringe for Astrid, now.

 

[Sloosha]

It's all kicking off. Del Piero getting involved.

 

[tri_willy]

del piero scores from a free kick and even heskey nets a goal... what is going on!?

 

[Lightning]

I hope Theo Walcott doesn't have broken ribs. Please just be bruising, please!

Kos shocking start to the season continued. Not a great day.

 

[JesusTom]

I hope Theo Walcott doesn't have broken ribs. Please just be bruising, please!

Kos shocking start to the season continued. Not a great day.

It was a horrible challenge. Can't believe there was no penalty or card for how reckless it was.

 

[Sviatoslav]

Came home with a bit of a buzz on and it's making me look back fondly on the win against Portugal. Ronaldo whining and diving everywhere was glorious. Shut down by Berezutski, how sad.

 

[Linius]

Came home with a bit of a buzz on and it's making me look back fondly on the win against Portugal. Ronaldo whining and diving everywhere was glorious. Shut down by Berezutski, how sad.

I wonder where that Portugese gaffer is now.

 

[Choc]

del piero scores from a free kick and even heskey nets a goal... what is going on!?

because, Australia.

 

[Sviatoslav]

I wonder where that Portugese gaffer is now.

The one that called me out yesterday saying he was looking forward to my salt? Yeah, I'd love to talk to him some more

 

[Linius]

The one that called me out yesterday saying he was looking forward to my salt? Yeah, I'd love to talk to him some more

That's the one.

 

[FootballFan]

Is that how the score ended?

Mancini is awesome lol.

 

[Ushojax]

Kos shocking start to the season continued. Not a great day.

I don't really understand what's happened to him. He seemed the most reliable of Arsenal's CBs last season but he's started horrendously this season. Literally gave 3 points to Chelsea on his own.

 

[Gareth Bale]

Utd U18s v Spurs U18s is on in about half an hour. Hoping it's on Bitscores.

 

[Sviatoslav]

That's the one.

He should come back by posting this gif

 

[Willkiller]

Is that how the score ended?

Mancini is awesome lol.

I wonder what would have happened if there wasn't people to separate them. Mancini probably would have just stood with his hands in his pockets while Froggie shuffled into him repeatedly like a daddy long legs trying to get out of a closed window.

 

[dc89]

Edgar Davids could have his debut for Barnet today.

And Sky Bet are offering 5/1 on him to score.

http://bit.ly/TfdilB

 

[Salazar]

I wonder what would have happened if there wasn't people to separate them. Mancini probably would have just stood with his hands in his pockets while Froggie shuffled into him repeatedly like a daddy long legs trying to get out of a closed window.

Whereas Pardew would have felt him up.

 

[Yurt]

Vanquish <3 I don't remember why it wasn't my GOTY in 2010. What was released in 2010 again?

del piero scores from a free kick and even heskey nets a goal... what is going on!?

He's one of the best free kick takers in the world.

 

[Linius]

He should come back by posting this gif

That would indeed be awesome :lol

 

[FootballFan]

Vanquish <3 I don't remember why it wasn't my GOTY in 2010. What was released in 2010 again?


He's one of the best free kick takers in the world.

Yeah no surprises there. I remember his free kick against Madrid, terrible placing of the wall by Casillas, still Del Piero took advantage.

 

[dc89]

Oh iPhone you are cray cray.

 

[Gareth Bale]

I don't really understand what's happened to him. He seemed the most reliable of Arsenal's CBs last season but he's started horrendously this season. Literally gave 3 points to Chelsea on his own.

He's always made those stupid little mistakes for them, and it was costing them points last season as well. This is why he isn't that great. It almost doesn't matter how solid, commanding or composed he is for the majority of the game when he can fuck up and throw a game away in a matter of seconds.

Without those mistakes he's a top defender, but you can't ignore those situations when he completely forgets where he's supposed to be.

 

[Willkiller]

Whereas Pardew would have pushed him over.

Fixed

 

[Salazar]

Oh, and Jen Chang being a headcase JT - :lol

 

[dc89]

Is that how the score ended?

Mancini is awesome lol.

Yeah we won 1-0. United hardly even attacked City's goal and I can't remember Hart being worked at all.

Tbh, they were shit scared.

 

[Salazar]

Tbh, they were shit scared.

Just didn't go for it. Annoying game. Annoying selections, if I remember right.

 

[dc89]

Just didn't go for it. Annoying game. Annoying selections, if I remember right.

Yeah you played 4-5-1 if I remember rightly. It was odd.

 

[Ushojax]

Vertonghen picked up a foot injury yesterday.

 

[GorillaJu]

Yeah.. Borini being out with the foot injury is really frustrating for us, too. We now have one first team striker. Fans on Rawk putting forth the idea of Gerrard as a No. 9 but I don't think he's got the poacher movement you need.

PR post, but some might find this interesting since Lucas seems to have some fans here outside of LiverpoolGaf. He met some fan groups and here's the long write-up:

The last ten months have been, in Lucas Leiva's own words, "the worst period of my career", so he could be forgiven for appearing in front of the forums today a little downcast, or fed up. Not so. When the Brazilian arrived in Melwood's press room earlier this afternoon (after another session in the treatment room, and all going to plan), he was buoyant, upbeat, and more concerned with the fact he was late to greet us, than his own troubles. Having to endure another lengthy lay-off, so soon after the previous one, would be enough to test any player, but this is exactly what his manager, his fellow players, and his many admirers mean, when they say that, mentally, Lucas Leiva is one of the toughest people in football.

Joining Liverpool from Brazilian side, Gremio, in July 2007, Lucas was always going to have to fight for a first team place in a midfield that included Gerrard, Javier Mascherano and Xabi Alonso. "It was a privilege to train with these players every day, to watch them, so in the period when I was not getting too many games, just to watch them...I learned a lot...and I still have Stevie around. If you are open to learning, you will become a better player."

Lucas had rightly been feted in his own country as a wunderkind, but playing in the Premier League - and at Anfield - was a baptism of fire. "It was hard for me when I came [here], I was a young boy, had no idea about the Premier League, the culture or the city [of Liverpool], it was a big change for me." Back home, Lucas had won medals and trophies and had "never had a bad period...everybody was speaking about me". A satisfying opening season promised much for his Liverpool future, but the first half of the next, didn't live up to expectations. After a disappointing performance against Fulham in the 0-0 draw at Anfield in 2008, when he admitted that "maybe my life here was finished", Lucas says he was determined to prove the doubters wrong. "Something told me to keep going...and people started to realise the work I was putting [in] on the games, and maybe it wasn't working the way I wanted, and the way you wanted, as well, but then some of you realised that I was trying everything I could...and you started to give me more credit, and that was when I began to think that everything was changing."

And it was. The Lucas Leiva of today, is a wiser, better, more experienced player than the one who arrived here five years ago, and he feels he's been vindicated in his decision to stay. Being voted Player of the Year by the fans in 2010-11, as well as receiving numerous other fan awards, made him feel proud. "If you have supporters backing you, it gives you confidence. That [early] period made me stronger, made me realise what I wanted, and that's why every day of my life I try and give my best to this club. I know how big this club is and how much the supporters expect from me. I don't think things could be worse [than before], and I can handle anything that will happen. We have a saying in Brazil - we are Brazilians, we never give up". A motto that would come in even handier when the usually injury-free Lucas suffered serious ligament damage in a December 2011 League Cup tie with Chelsea, which ruled him out for the rest of the season. Sitting in the stands was uncharted territory.

Back to full fitness by the summer, and an appearance in the summer friendly against Toronto, was a welcome sight for many, and it looked as though the blow of a failed transfer window, would be tempered slightly by Lucas's return to form. To lose him early on in the scrap against Man City just a few weeks later, to a thigh injury, could have been the final straw for a lesser player, because "when you have an injury," he says, "You don't go outside, you don't see the training sessions, it makes you feel out of the team, out of football."

Brendan Rodgers said recently that he wanted to keep Lucas's superior tactical mind busy, by sending him on scouting missions around the country. But even if that doesn't happen, the Brazilian has plenty to say about the young team currently taking to the pitch. "I said to Suso, to Pacheco, that the club has never been so open for young players. It's an opportunity for them to show [what they can do], because they know it is so difficult to get to play for this club...and the supporters like the young players...and this is the time now, and Brendan likes to give them a chance...and these players will just get better. It's a very positive time."

So does he see a bit of himself in any of the younger players in the squad? "Everyone is different," he insists, although he admits he's been sympathising with Jonjo Shelvey, since his sending off against Man Utd. "He was playing very well until that tackle, and I just remember getting sent off against Everton, and it cost us the FA Cup [tie]. But when you get older, you get more experience. Everyone will have their own history, some will have bad moments, and I just hope they can cope well with the pressure and improve as players. As a team, we have to protect [them], and give them the confidence to keep improving."

Having been through the wringer himself, Lucas feels he's in the perfect place to advise the kids how to deal with the inevitable pressure of being a Liverpool player. "I try to just be around [for them] and tell them what I went through when I came. At some point, they're going to play badly, and that's normal, but the supporters, instead of putting them down, have to try and give them confidence. Confidence is maybe 50-60% of the game, and if you have confidence, you try more, you take more risks, and I think that's important."

Someone who doesn't need confidence, is Luis Suarez, although Lucas does believe the striker gets a raw deal. Regarding penalty incidents, Lucas reckons that "what foreign players do, is more noticed. Why...I don't know. What Luis does is noticed more. He's a great guy, a family man, he's a different person on and off the pitch and that's why he's such a big player, he wants to win everything. Even on the training pitch, he doesn't like to lose, that's his character. I'm very close to Luis and I just feel sorry for him sometimes, because he worries about what the Liverpool [fans] think. But everybody would love to have him on their team."

Going forward with this season, and working hard on getting back to full fitness once more, Lucas is characteristically full of optimism. "The way Brendan likes to work, we can only get better as a team. The last three, four years have been very difficult, but that will be gone and we'll start to achieve. Everyone here is working to [win the League]...and when you see players like Daniel Agger, Suarez, committing themselves to this club, it just shows how much they believe. I don't think anybody would want to stay in a club that doesn't think it can win anything. I wouldn't change anything about my career here."

And of his own role to play? He smiles, wryly. "I don't think [that] will change much, I'll be a holding midfielder, just with more experience."

 

[Blablurn]

apparently its unclear when robben returns :/