We don't score enough

[Jezzman]

But is it really necessary to score 2, 3 or even 4 or 5 goals a game to be successful? Or is it just as important to have a good defence?

 

The last few weeks a lot of people have aired their anger because our strikers don't score enough goals and most criticism this season has been directed at our offensive qualities and rightly so, but the fact is that you don't have to be the highest scoring team in the league to win the title, it's just as important to have a rock solid defence.

 

I agree, it's a hell of a lot funnier to watch a 6-0 thrashing of some team visiting Anfield, than it is watching a doll defensive game ending in a 1-0 win I know, but the fact is that it is not necessarily the highest scoring team that wins all the trophies and I think some people have a tendency to forget that.

 

A very good example of this is the title winning team of CF Valencia 2001/2002 managed by none other than our own Rafael Benitez. Valencia didn't even come close to scoring the most goals, but they did however have the best defensive record of the league. So perhaps it's not all down to scoring more goals eh?

 

[honourablegeorge]

And if I'm not mistaken, the year of their second title win under Rafa, they scored more goals than every other team except Real Madrid.

[AE]

Boring, boring Liverpool................

[Guest TanMan]

But is it really necessary to score 2, 3 or even 4 or 5 goals a game to be successful? Or is it just as important to have a good defence?

 

The last few weeks a lot of people have aired their anger because our strikers don't score enough goals and most criticism this season has been directed at our offensive qualities and rightly so, but the fact is that you don't have to be the highest scoring team in the league to win the title, it's just as important to have a rock solid defence.

 

I agree, it's a hell of a lot funnier to watch a 6-0 thrashing of some team visiting Anfield, than it is watching a doll defensive game ending in a 1-0 win I know, but the fact is that it is not necessarily the highest scoring team that wins all the trophies and I think some people have a tendency to forget that.

 

A very good example of this is the title winning team of CF Valencia 2001/2002 managed by none other than our own Rafael Benitez. Valencia didn't even come close to scoring the most goals, but they did however have the best defensive record of the league. So perhaps it's not all down to scoring more goals eh?

 

 

It extends to cups as well, look at Lyons CL campaign last season.

[Jezzman]

And if I'm not mistaken, the year of their second title win under Rafa, they scored more goals than every other team except Real Madrid.

 

What the hell does that have to do with the fact proven in the 01/02 season?

[Guest FatmanJan]

My theory

 

It takes more effort to score more goals than to hold onto a one nil. Less effort and a one nil win and the team is fresher for the next game. Under GH we would tonk some one and then lose the next match. Under Rafa we are very consistent and the points are mounting up far more important than goal difference. I am looking forward to seeing us go at Benfica knowing that two goals is the minimum required. I think we will get them and hopefully more but I won't be surprised if we win by "just enough"

[johngibo YPC]

but we are 2nd in shots on goal, but 11th in goals scored. i'd say that is a bit of a worry

[Jezzman]

but we are 2nd in shots on goal, but 11th in goals scored. i'd say that is a bit of a worry

 

Of course it is a worry and yes our finishing is poor! I'm just trying to say that it doesn't help scoring 3 goals in every match if all games played ends in 3-3 draws or 4-3 defeats....

[honourablegeorge]

What the hell does that have to do with the fact proven in the 01/02 season?

 

 

That Rafa can win things with the effective but unspectacular style that we're seeign right now, but also that he can and will develop things further and bring more goals to the side.

[johngibo YPC]

Of course it is a worry and yes our finishing is poor! I'm just trying to say that it doesn't help scoring 3 goals in every match if all games played ends in 3-3 draws or 4-3 defeats....

 

but we seem to have the defence pretty much right. we've got to moan about something!!!!

[Jezzman]

That Rafa can win things with the effective but unspectacular style that we're seeign right now, but also that he can and will develop things further and bring more goals to the side.

 

Ahaa, yep and I think we're on the right track! Some people are just a bit impatient

[Billy Dane]

Why should the defence have to carry all the pressure of us winning a game? I don't think it is asking too much for our strikers to have scored more than one goal between them since the start of the new year.

[Jezzman]

but we seem to have the defence pretty much right. we've got to moan about something!!!!

 

Our defense is rock solid and if we do have to moan, then you're right it has to be about the offence.

Edited March 3, 2006 by Jezzman

[Gerry]

My theory

 

It takes more effort to score more goals than to hold onto a one nil. Less effort and a one nil win and the team is fresher for the next game. Under GH we would tonk some one and then lose the next match. Under Rafa we are very consistent and the points are mounting up far more important than goal difference. I am looking forward to seeing us go at Benfica knowing that two goals is the minimum required. I think we will get them and hopefully more but I won't be surprised if we win by "just enough"

 

Alternatively you could say the pressure of holding on to a single goal advantage leads to more effort being expended. A two (or more) goal advantage in the latter stages of games would allows players to relax and coast through the final 10 minutes or so.

 

Equally probable, and equally unknowable.

[psl]

So long as we get at least two on Wednesday.

[Maldini]

if you're 1-0 up with 20 minutes left you have to work harder then if you're 2 or 3 up with the same time remaining, takes it's toll in the long run.

[Guest FatmanJan]

We talk about playing in different gears, when we are creating chances we seem to play in a more up tempo fashion ie higher gear. When we are defending a lead it is not just the defenders who are involved it is a team effort which seems ingrained. Profligacy amongst the strike force is definitely cause for concern but i think its us the fans who suffer more than the players when we are defending a slender lead... Birmingham excepted of course

[jimmylibel]

Premiership games involving Liverpool this season have seen fewer goals (at either end) than games involving any other team. FACT.

[4411]

But is it really necessary to score 2, 3 or even 4 or 5 goals a game to be successful? Or is it just as important to have a good defence?

 

The last few weeks a lot of people have aired their anger because our strikers don't score enough goals and most criticism this season has been directed at our offensive qualities and rightly so, but the fact is that you don't have to be the highest scoring team in the league to win the title, it's just as important to have a rock solid defence.

 

I agree, it's a hell of a lot funnier to watch a 6-0 thrashing of some team visiting Anfield, than it is watching a doll defensive game ending in a 1-0 win I know, but the fact is that it is not necessarily the highest scoring team that wins all the trophies and I think some people have a tendency to forget that.

 

A very good example of this is the title winning team of CF Valencia 2001/2002 managed by none other than our own Rafael Benitez. Valencia didn't even come close to scoring the most goals, but they did however have the best defensive record of the league. So perhaps it's not all down to scoring more goals eh?

 

Hell, if we could win every game in the prem 1-0 that would be fine with me! But the reality is, however, that to win the premiership you need more goals for the long run. While Arsenal, Chelsea and ManU are scoring goals left right and center we need to do that too, otherwise it might prove costly. You argument will go right through the drain though if we end this season level with ManU but because of their goal difference we finish 3rd. Having a solid defense is vital, but having consistent goal scoring strikers and midfielders is just as important.

 

And remember, this aint the Spanish league. Real and Barca were s**** that year!

[Alonso]

It's getting the balance right between attack and defence and at the moment we're getting that right as not only are we rock solid at the back but also are creating chances too. The only problem is that we don't have that clincal striker that takes those half chances.

 

Rafa is quoted as saying something along the lines of preferring to have the goals shared equally among the strikers/rest of the team rather than the focus being on one player getting us the goals. This gives us threats from various positions rather than playing just one way all the time and getting found out, essentially how it turned out with GH's side when the focus was all on Owen. There's no coincidence that in the treble season both Heskey and Owen (amongst others) shard the goals out between them giving us different "possibilities". This is what Rafa likes so that he can use different ways of playing not just against different opponents but during actual matches too.

[Billy Dane]

Be nice if the strikers scored their share then wouldn't it?

[G Richards]

Winning games 1-0 is all well and good (three points is three points and all that). But if you are only 1-0 up you don't have any cushion and the slightest mistake (e.g. Xabi's own goals against Birmingham) will lead to points dropped. I think the players also use up a lot of mental energy if they are only 1-0 up (particularly if they should have had the game dead and buried).

 

Don't get me wrong. I'd be over the moon if we manage 38 x 1-0 next season, but I think the way forward, now that our defence is so good, is to score more goals. Rafa knows this and Gonzales will give us a pacy and expansive option. I expect a decent right midfielder too, and there will surely be a new striker in the summer.

 

In the meantime, for the rest of this season, it would be good if we started to take a few more of the chances we actually do create. As Robbie gets fitter I expect he'll start scoring, probably beginning with tomorrow against Charlton.

[Skillz]

Our league season this year is reflecting Rafa's 1st year at Valencia, where he won due to great defensive record.

 

Rafa has learnt to control EPL games and with the right signings he will step us up to the level he had at Valencia in their 3rd year which scored plenty, 2nd to RM whilst still winning the title.

 

Rafa will take us to the title and winning it now will mean so much more to me because Chelsea do not have an excuse.

[stressederic]

I'd rather be in the situation we are now then in the reverse.

 

It's better to have a solid defense and not be totally free scoring, then to rain goals in at one end and let them in all the time at the other.

[Magic8Ball]

Winning games 1-0 is all well and good (three points is three points and all that). But if you are only 1-0 up you don't have any cushion and the slightest mistake (e.g. Xabi's own goals against Birmingham) will lead to points dropped. I think the players also use up a lot of mental energy if they are only 1-0 up (particularly if they should have had the game dead and buried).

 

Don't get me wrong. I'd be over the moon if we manage 38 x 1-0 next season, but I think the way forward, now that our defence is so good, is to score more goals. Rafa knows this and Gonzales will give us a pacy and expansive option. I expect a decent right midfielder too, and there will surely be a new striker in the summer.

 

In the meantime, for the rest of this season, it would be good if we started to take a few more of the chances we actually do create. As Robbie gets fitter I expect he'll start scoring, probably beginning with tomorrow against Charlton.

1-0 wont have us progressing in the CL