ManOfSteel

Can't wait to see him smashing into defenders and blasting the ball into the net.

I'm not so sure Johnson would make a great right sided midfielder. Yes, he's fast and can get past people - but most of the time when he gets past defenders he's on the overlap and already running at them with pace. But yes, I agree that he can fearlessly take on opponents. I'm still not convinced that makes him cut out for it. Bale's crossing is much more varied and dangerous than Johnson's - I do like the idea of getting Johnson into the box more, but I don't think his best position is in midfield. The assertion that his best form at Pompey came in midfield is a fallacy. His best form at Portsmouth came from right back. It's clear that he's capable of defensive lapses - but this time last season he was not just one of our top attacking performers but also defensive performers. This season he's struggled for form, fitness, and I don't think the defensive system we've been playing suits him. Ironically, the one match where we played a pressing game with a high defensive line Jamie Carragher ended up looking like a marauding fullback - had Johnson been playing against Blackburn I think we'd have had a lot more joy down that right flank... and it's ironic because if he wasn't injured Carragher would probably have still been in the centre and we probably wouldn't have played with such a high defensive line. Sorting out the defense is something that we definitely need to do - but I don't think Johnson's long term future lies at right midfield. If we're going to put him there to solidfy things and rely primarily on Carra & Kelly as rightbacks, that's fine so long as we sign a proper winger in January... but again, I remain very unconvinced that he's a natural or potentially great right sided midfielder.

YESS!!

********* defending...

Thought he was one of the few players who was out there that could have done something today. I like him, I think he's a good player... it's just a massive shame that he's being utilized incorrectly and that the rest of the side is in disarray. Would like to see him get an extended run of games in the centre... probably won't happen until our glorious new overlords have had enough of Roy though.

Well he makes Souness look qualified and competent enough to be our manager, so yes, he should be sacked. By the way, if you're from NESV and you're reading this to get fans opinion... don't bring Souness back.

I'm more of a lurker than a poster... but I must take this opportunity to voice my thoughts. Roy's got to go. He's terrible - the tactics don't make any sense and he's unwilling to change them at all. Every crap performance like this just holds us back further for the rest of the season. If we don't look good unless we're playing sides from Macedonia & Romania, there's a big problem at the club. His refusal to accept that we've been terrible under him or to take more than just a tiny fraction of the responsibility underscores how little he understands of what it means to be Liverpool manager. He's not suited for this club and he's hurting us on the pitch. It'd be to everyone's advantage if he got the sack.

He's a very, very good player. I can't believe how we managed to get him for so cheap. But I'm delighted, he's a joy to watch when he's in this kind of form. I'd definitely say he's been our best player of '09.

Does anyone else remember Aurelio's excellent performance at central midfield against Portsmouth? I thought he was spectacular and I think if he's given a go there, he could be even better than he is for us at left back. Granted... I'm judging off of one performance against a team that I feel is particularly poor. So perhaps it's not the wisest of ideas.

I want him to sign a long long contract. I simply cannot see the Americans being able to bring us in any better than Rafa - who is a top manager and has proven it time and time again. If he were to go, I'd really worry for our future.

If Owen is really available for those low low prices, I think he'd be a sound investment.

He seems a top bloke. He's been very good this season too.

I'll miss Crouch and wish him well with Portsmouth. He's a good lad who scored some good goals. I'm not really too bothered about his loss, though. I don't think he fits in the team as well as he used to and we need a change. We're also getting a pretty good fee for a player with not long left on his contract. Thanks for everything Pete.

Torres Gerrard Mascherano Hyypia Reina Skrtel um... it gets had after that first six. Carragher Babel Kuyt I can't think of a 10th. I fail.

He's just a horribly bitter t*** with an agenda and, sadly, a mouthpiece. I'd be interested to see how he managed to land his job, because from what I've heard on his podcast it's him with his heavily watered down cockney accent with his inane ramblings on football with a very strong pro-Chelsea slant on everything. I've talked with him before about his "views" on Hillsborough about a year ago via email and he claimed to have received a s***load of death-threats and that he'd contacted the FBI regarding it and that he would make these threats available to me should I ask to see them. So I did, out of curiosity, and I never received a response from him. I'm not inclined to believe him at all, I think he's got a few mental problems... So if you want to do anything about this, I'd skip contacting him. He's a liar, a scumbag, and nobody will be able to change his views. I'd go to his employers and lodge complaints against him. I, personally, will be asking what makes him a qualified expert on football - and why he should be given this mouthpiece to continually dish out unfounded hatred.

Are those real? Christ, that's sad.

I am too, and I think it's helping with Babel's progression as a player.

Quaresma is an arrogant diving c**k. If there was any justice in football, he'd explode the next time he stepped on a football pitch.

I've got a Milanese Milan supporting friend and he loves Ancelotti, but doesn't like their owner or sporting director. Ancelotti, for the past three years, has struggled in the league because of injuries to key players and the fact that his team is so f***ing old. Ancelotti's been wanting to add fresher, younger, and quicker players to his side but he hasn't been given the permission by Berluscioni or Galliani. So they over rely on Kaka and Pirlo. I hope we get to the European Cup final against them this year as I think Torres could destroy them.

Regardless of how true the rumours of us bringing Sammy Lee back are - he's definitely a coach that's worth trying to bring to the club. His effectiveness as a manager is in doubt, but he's a class coach and I think he'd be happy to come back.

Cahill. He's a f***ing arsefaced c***. Neville and Stubbs come close though.

What I don't understand about Riise is that he was very good in our best season under Rafa - but he never really built on it and (I feel) he regressed significantly since then. He frustrates the hell out of me. If he could find his form of two years ago, I'd think it'd be insane to sell him - but as things stand now I don't think it would be a big loss provided it allows us to bring in the right players.

If by tells it like it is you mean tells it like it isn't then you're very right, Alan Stubbs tells it like it is.

I don't think Insua is in the squad.

I like.