Carragher as Player-Manager

Bearing in mind Dalglish only got back from Dubai tonight, all he can do tomorrow is pick a team and a formation & tell them to go out and play.

Crazy to expect any other than the team being fired up. Wouldn't be surprised to see a red card or two tomorrow...

Eats, sleeps and breathes football. Very knowledgable in European Leagues, said to be getting coaching badges this year. Way more potential for the job than Gerrard.

That is all that needs saying - shame it never occurred to the previous manager

I did not know that, but he should be proving that else where. Liverpool does not have the pre-Kenny culture to support such a manager; and as one who believes the biggest problem at the Club is clique related he would not be any sort of "bringing together person" and that is what is needed.

Top man

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/latest-n ... -interview

In all fairness, given the first half (debatable pen and Gerrard red) a 1-0 defeat at Old Trafford is a pretty good result. Didn't see the game (watching my son's U15 team win 3-2 - he scored a penalty ) but listened to the first half on the radio. Thought the game was pretty even until the sending off and then it was always going to be backs to the wall stuff. No disgrace in holding United goalless for 60 minutes with just 10 men.

Given he (Dalglish) has not even held a training session with the team yet, I'm reasonably satisfied with the performance. Interesting to see Shelvey introduced and Martin Kelly's performance was again a huge positive (how long before he gets a run at Centre Half ?). Also pleased he gave Torres a kick up the arse by subbing him.

Blackpool away next which will give a much better indication of how much difference his appointment has actually made.

Loved the whole atmosphere of the day though, loved the renewed optimism & loved the way Dalglish handled everything, the man has a presence about him that Roy Hodgson simply didn't have.

Good performance yesterday (arguably best of the season)

As expected , Dalglish picked the best available players and played them in their best positions . He also encouraged them to pass the ball to a teammate . Not exactly rocket science but very refreshing !

Team for Wednesday ?

Reina
Kelly Skrtel Agger Aurelio
Johnson/Babel Leiva Meireles Rodriguez/Babel
Kuyt
Torres

Could Cole be fit to play 'the Gerrard role'?

I wonder what Steve Clarke thinks of Cole and where he should play......

Maybe:

"He is over-rated, struggles with concentration, work-rate and positional sense; but at least I (Clarke) know what to expect."

Setanta reckon ..

'Liverpool defender Glen Johnson has changed his mind about leaving the club following the exit of manager Roy Hodgson...'

http://www.setanta.com/ien/Articles/201 ... nid-85328/

Noticed he is back in training today

Agree there was much less rigidity and more passing in triangles, even if that was passing backwards. Very refreshing.

Suso from the game the other day http://www.footylounge.com/films/milank ... ead08.html

Reserves today at 1pm http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/latest-n ... all-online

Rumours of

Reina
Kelly Skrtel Agger Wilson
Johnson Meireles Leiva Rodriguez
Torres Kuyt

Aurelio not fit enough for 3 games in a week - back for the derby ?

That side seems to be all over t'web. Is it me or does Kenny appear to be bending to fan pressure too much by putting Johnson at RB?

I wouldn't expect to see Aurelio tonight for the reason you give and if Konchesky is still injured then why not Wilson? Two rookie FBs and both are CBs out of position at that With no Carra to organise them? Not sure myself, running before we've learned to walk again....

Hope Kuyt plays behind Torres not a straight 442.

Johnson Jr finally arrived this morning so he should be able to play.

I have never said before that Johnson should play right midfield but I think with Gerrard out and Kelly looking so good , it is a logical decision for tonight's game rather than responding to fans opinions . Agree that Kuyt should be 'in the hole' rather than alongside Torres

I think it is worth trying but not sure it should be done before things are steady and with a weakened defence. Still, its all fine for my Liverpool block

Kenny has a hostory of playing FB's in midfield, and I think of playing CB's at full back....

Latest good read from Tomkins http://tomkinstimes.com/2011/01/the-fut ... 0%99s-red/

Guardian predicting this side with Aurelio in http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011 ... ol-everton

He set up with a 4141 formation the other night and so I wouldn't be surprised to see Poulsen play again. Probably at the expense of either Maxi, Kuyt or more likely Kelly.


John Henry in Liverpool on a 10 day visit to take in the Derby, put a CEO in place and sign a few big checks for transfers. I have a sneaky feeling that they might just unveil a surprise signing before Sunday's game

Liverpool FC this afternoon announced they had accepted a bid from TSG 1899 Hoffenheim for the transfer of Dutch international Ryan Babel.

The Bundesliga Club have now been given permission to discuss personal terms with the player, who has travelled to Germany.

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/latest-n ... babel-deal

£5.8M (7Million Euros - allegedly)

what is the verdict on Babel's 3 year stay from 'pool fans? So often a sub, did he get a fair crack?

Not gone, refused to go to Germany - he wants to go to Ajax .......

Yes, he was cack. No brain, esp when it comes to movement/finding space, and no heart.

How many wins/points has Kenny got?

Tomkins on the money again http://tomkinstimes.com/2011/01/liverpo ... ive-again/

The difference between Liverpool now and Liverpool under Hodgson is startling. What's changed.

1. Pass and move - hoofball has been consigned (and not a moment too soon) to the dustbin
2. Press up the field - under Hodgson the players were instructed to get back into position when they didn't have the ball, now they are instructed to chase it down, close the space and force errors.

This in itself has showed up just how unfit the team had become under Hodgson - everyone to a man has run himself into the ground in the last 4 games. Lets not get carried away though a 3-0 win at Wolves is something to build on though, another 3 points against Fulham in the week & couple of quality signings and the confidence and belief will be back (in spades)

The media love in with Hodgson continues - are they all really so blind that they cannot see. I accept he is a 'nice guy' but when it comes to managing a team at this level, he wasn't just out of his depth he was drowning 6 feet beneath the surface.