Monday, December 10, 2007
Here are several pointers that Rafa Benitez should have on his "Note-to-Self":
- Only play a 4-3-3 formation when there are two real wingers, in that sense, Harry Kewell, Yossi Benayoun, Ryan Babel or Jermaine Pennant, not Andriy Voronin.
- Mohamed Sissoko needs to work on his passing game and ball control.
- Peter Crouch should never play left in a 4-3-3, only in the centre forward position. Only.
- Never let Javier Mascherano any offensive freedom, he can't shoot. He just can't.
- John Arne Riise cannot produce decent Liverpool-standard crossing.
On another case, I think this is what Rafa Benitez must be thinking, pondering, wondering, or which personnel he needs back:
- Daniel Agger needs to get fit soon. Jack Hobbs is still learning so cannot really provide as best cover when Sami Hyypia or Jamie Carragher is out. But if Hobbs continues improving performances, it might save Rafa some quid for the central of defence.
- John Arne Riise can only be a squad player, 10~15 odd games is his maximum in a season of few injuries.
- Xabi Alonso's playmaking skills are what Liverpool need in games against teams that employ 10 men behind the ball, closing down up to goalkeeper Jose Reina, or just come to try to avoid defeat.
Liverpool need to win at Marseille this week, and must at most - I must emphasis - at most, nick a point of Manchester United, or better gaining all three, or Rafa Benitez is going to be in for a long, or
severely cut short, season, if you get what I meant.
Key players whose performances will be key this week are almost definitely midfield dynamo Steven Gerrard, forward Fernando Torres, defensive rock Jamie Carragher and goalkeeper-cum-playmaker Jose Reina. This does not just refer to those first teamers, the squad players such as Alvaro Arbeloa, Ryan Babel, Harry Kewell, Lucas Leiva, Javier Mascherano and Peter Crouch must be on top of their game.
This difficult week started off with a lost, let's end it on two positive notes, shall we?
Bye~!
my thoughts at 8:23 pm