shabirmia

Yossi Kuyt Alonso

Alonso Yossi Dossena

Riera Alonso Gerrard

Torres Aurelio Gerrard

Of course I could be horribly wrong

If you look at the pic closely you'll realise that it's the away end, and those are 'Pool supporters (just to shatter your illusion, like)

I suppose Benitez shows just how highly he rates Pennant by making him an ever-present in the team. He leaves out a winger (Pennant) and plays a striker in his place for f's sake!

Kuyt Alonso Mascherano

Keane Aurelio Gerrard

Arbeloa Kuyt Alonso

1. Riera 2.Torres 3. Alonso

1. Torres 2. Gerrard 3. Kuyt

1. Mascherano 2. Aurelio 3. Riera

Thanks very much Royhendo. You did all LFC fans a favor by researching and distilling this topic into a post that was not that long to read if you are a student of the game (something that we LFC fans always profess that we are!). It really makes me want to read the book. It also gives me way more insight into what Rafa is trying to achieve by going all over the world trawling for youngsters with the right "mentality" (we have heard this word ad infinitum from the gaffer). It doesn't bother me too much if we don't win the league in the next 2 or 3 seasons. What I will be watching for is some progression in the team's maturity of play, and with Royhendo's excellent article, I will be more adequately equipped to assess this aspect. Thanks a lot mate.

I can't ever recall hearing that one

Kuyt Mascherano Skrtel

Jason Roberts was protesting way more than Torres did (when Torres was booked for asking why a foul was not given...and then Masch given a 2nd yellow for asking why the yellow card). He went up to the ref on more than one occasion remonstrating wildly with him about why Skrtel was not given a red card. How come there is no mention of this huge inconsistency from one week to the next? It really pisses me right off. Roberts should have been yellow-carded...the A-hole!

Gerrard Lucas Kuyt

Kuyt Babel Torres

Plessis Carra Crouch

Well made up for the lad. When I saw his name on the teamsheet I was hoping he would have the time he seems to have in his ressie games. What was outstanding was that he had 3 Fabregas, Gilberto and Flamini facing him and he showed no nerves with his first few passes. After the 1st 15mins I knew he would hold his own, but his performance throughout the 90mins was astounding! He did not look knackered at the end even though this was his first game at this much faster tempo. I feel he has a huge future at the heart of the midfield. With a fairly young central midfield the future looks bright indeed in that part of the field.

Masch Stevie Kuyt

Gerrard Skrtel Torres

Mascherano Skrtel Babel

I would expect a few nervous moments with a relatively inexperienced centre-back pairing and that was my concern when the team were announced. Apart from one blunder (which can happen even to top players) he looked very assured on the ball and was probably a more calming influence at the back than Sami. Very impressive start to his Reds career.