Match Reaction vs Liverpool (home, FA Cup).

[Fist of Lehmann]

I'll be honest, I'm glad we're not facing them again this season. Yeah we beat them twice, but that front 3 plus Coutinho has really come together. A lot depends on whether they can keep Suarez this summer, or if they lose him, they use the probably ridiculous amount of money to rebuild effectively (no more Carroll+Downing).

As for us: Sanogo

Always rated him tbf.

I'll hold my hands up on this one, I knew his technicals still needed a lot of work but I wasn't expecting so much from him physically, especially after a long lay off. Replacing his spine using spare parts from Kallstrom really paid off.

The Adebayor comparison isn't a million miles from the truth, he was pretty raw when he came to us but compensated with athletic ability. If Sanogo can develop along similar lines (without becoming a lazy, greedy, off-sidey cockmunch), we'll have one for the future.

That said, I still wouldn't want Giroud out injured for any length of time.

Interesting Bendtner got ditched as soon as humanly possible.

Elsewhere, Suarez. What a twat. At a loss as to how to describe that spin on his face thing he did, but deserved to be ignored just for that. Well done Webb. Called in completely wrong, and rightly so.

[selassie]

Rodgers is actually a pretty good manager it has to be said, he's turning Liverpool into a decent team and yeah their attack is really something, so much pace about it and so potent, with an attack like that you can beat anyone to be honest, I really wish we could have a couple strikers who can bag 25+ goals a season.

I rate him too, some of his signings have been superb and he has moulded Liverpool into a very attractive side. Offensively they are as good as anybody in Europe. I have been closely watching Liverpool for a few months now and have been really really impressed with them. I watched them away to City a month or so ago and they ripped them to pieces, they just didn't take their chances, similar to yesterday in a way.

Yeah we desperately need a couple 20+ a season goal threats, TBH, with the return of Theo and the addition of a WC/Top Quality Striker I think we would be very strong offensively.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

This Liverpool team are going places though, a couple more signings and they'll be right up there. I thought last year Rodgers was quietly building something good. Their attack looked dangerous, mobile and penetrative, with good off the ball of movement and dribbling; which is what we should be looking to emulate.

Yes they do and it puts our result in context as they came here on the back of some excellent form and we still could see them off.

I've been mightily impressed by them and the work that Rodgers has done since he took over. If they replicate this form over the course of next year there's no reason to think they can't seriously challenge for the title.

I'm hoping then that even if they manage to get CL (which looks odds on now), some of the bigger clubs will raid them for their stars this summer (and I include Rodgers in that list) so they aren't allowed to build anything long term. We just can't let Suarez and Sturridge scoring 20+ goals every season - surely a PSG or Monaco will splash out on them. Also that the extra 20+ fixtures a season from competing does affect their league performances which by all accounts it should.

Saying that, their owners look more resolute in keeping their top players as opposed to ours so maybe they can fend of the vultures this summer.

[Niall_Quinn]

At Anfield teams often play hilariously high lines, not bother to press

It's fine - you can mention us by name.

[Grebbo]

Was impressed by Liverpool tbh. Our defenders are scared shitless of Suarez. Even though he didn't score he's one of those players that puts fear into the opposition players and fans whenever he has the ball.

I'm not sure how to judge Rodgers. He has the best player in the league by a country mile and we know from experience how one player can drag a team to 4th. The season when RVP scored almost every game and we got 3rd when the rest of the squad played mostly shit proves this. One player can really make the difference to a team, like RVP with Man U last season.

It's hard to judge Rodgers yet. I'm not sure his signings have been particularly good. Coutinho is good and so is Sturridge but I can't think of any others.

It's all about Suarez. You can only really judge Rodgers when he has to replace him.

If Suarez has a buy out clause of 100m euros we should forget about Draxler and any other signings and just pay it.

[Dein-machine]

A mixed reaction in the posts which is only to be expected after the week we've had. Don't think we should be applauding Wumger for the tactics, again it could have been game over in the first 10 mins. Thought Ozil had a better game but our only shinning light in real attacking play was Ox. At 2-1 we take him off!!! - which means had we conceded shortly after, we had no chance of winning the game. We will always allow teams to attack us when we play Arteta & Flamini, we sit far too deep.
But the real concern is the fact that we are all talking about how good Liverpool are. And they are very good as an attacking team. This team has a relatively new manager & hasn't had the massive funds available like the Chavs & Mancs. In fact, they have probably had the same spending budget as us. Bearing in mind its been years since they were a serious threat to us or the top teams, it would seem to suggest that another manager is far less time than ours has had & with limited funds is able to put together a team that has outplayed us 2 weeks on the trot & is a joy to watch in an attacking sense.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

Coutinho is awesome and their front line is very impressive. Apparently Countinho has played the most successful through balls in the prem so far....which is of course an isolated stat to consider, but when you see him play you understand why he can be deadly.

I actually thought Sanogo looked spindly, gangly and really clumsy for the most part. That said, he put himself about in a real concerted way and didn't just watch the play unfold around him. It was amazing to see him play period considering the injury record so far.

Ozil has really tried to step it up since Liverpool in the 5-1......really encouraging to see and Fabianski was outstanding.

[She Wore A Yellow Ribbon]

Lose 5-1 with Arteta as the main DM and beat them 2-1 with Flamini as the main DM.

No coincidence.

[Marc Overmars]

really encouraging to see and Fabianski was outstanding.

Fabianski has been really good whenever he's been called upon, nothing like nervous wreck he was a few years back. It's a shame he's decided to leave because I don't think there are many better number 2 keepers than him, however you can't blame him because he's good enough to be first choice somewhere else.

[Grebbo]

But the real concern is the fact that we are all talking about how good Liverpool are. And they are very good as an attacking team. This team has a relatively new manager & hasn't had the massive funds available like the Chavs & Mancs. In fact, they have probably had the same spending budget as us. Bearing in mind its been years since they were a serious threat to us or the top teams, it would seem to suggest that another manager is far less time than ours has had & with limited funds is able to put together a team that has outplayed us 2 weeks on the trot & is a joy to watch in an attacking sense.

Well we're still above them in the league, still in the FA Cup and they have Suarez so if anything I'd say that puts Wenger in a good light.

Suarez is fucking amazing. He'd turn any of the top 8 teams into top 4 challengers.