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Defeating Fulham a must ahead of Merseyside Derby

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AnfieldTHERE must be a response.

Liverpool’s top four credentials, let alone any title fantasies, depend on their ability to bounce back from tough defeats and prove that Arsenal’s win at the Emirates over a poor Liverpool side was just a bad day at the office. Arsenal played at a high level, but the Reds offered very little and were abject in comparison to the vibrant Gunners.

It looked like they wanted it more than us – which has to change.

Whilst the second test Liverpool have had against the big boys hasn’t been passed in any sense (both points and performance), they have a much easier task at the weekend. Fulham have been very poor this season, despite a couple of good results, with the pressure mounting increasingly on manager Martin Jol.

On any day when Fulham visit Anfield, Liverpool expect to win, but in this case, not only is it severely expected, but it is also demanded and desperately needed. Despite the Arsenal defeat only being one game, Liverpool have been dragged back fully into the other teams around them who are vying for a top four place or better – level on points with Chelsea and Tottenham, only one point clear of Manchester City and Everton and only three points ahead of the apparently awful Manchester United.

Crucially however, with a Merseyside derby coming up at Goodison Park, Liverpool need to travel there with confidence and belief. That comes best with three points in the pocket from your last match, so at least if the worst happens and Liverpool lose to Everton, they will have won our easier game in-between the two tough away trips. To be honest, with the loss to Arsenal, a draw at least at Goodison is what Liverpool need to keep their top four charge on track. However the Fulham game has to be won.

On paper, Fulham can field a decent starting XI – but it just doesn’t translate from paper to the pitch. Despite past ravings from football purists on the silky skills of Dimitar Berbatov, he was never one to make the biggest amount of effort to win the ball back and age seems to have accelerated that process further but also his influence in a game. Touches of the ball are becoming few and far between and when he does have the ball at his feet, his output is not as effective as it used to be.
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Fulham have been relying on Berbatov ever since he signed for them from Manchester United just over a year ago and now that he is in decline, so are Fulham. They do have other players on the pitch capable of putting in solid performances, but few who are able to step up and win a match for the Cottagers. Damien Duff has been affected by Father Time more than Berbatov, Bryan Ruiz has talent but is inconsistent, while the same can be applied for Adel Taarabt.

Finally, don’t even get me started on Darren Bent (who will now score at Anfield because of that)! Scott Parker and Steve Sidwell provide decent protection for the defence, who are now ageing and the likes of Hangeland are not the players they use to be. Fulham have a small, ageing squad that is low on unity and confidence. Martin Jol has to sort it out; otherwise Fulham could be in serious relegation trouble.

Enough about Fulham though – hopefully they will continue to be dour and dire at Anfield before making any upward trend. Nevertheless, even if it starts against the Reds, they have to be ready for it and produce a performance that not only beats Fulham, but sends out a message to the fans, Everton and all the other teams Liverpool are set to play in the coming weeks that the Arsenal loss was just a one-off.

It might be only one game but in context of what’s just happened and what’s coming up, it suddenly becomes vital for Liverpool if they want to realistically challenge for the top four.

There must be a response.

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52 comments

  • Patrick says:

    It’s Fulham away ! Fulham don’t play well away. Of course we will win . I expect 3 or 4 nil

  • pino pino says:

    Brendan even if u win fulham by 10 nil am not conviced of ur ability and ur midfield is very poor,come january I don’t want to see Lucas or what again.U and ur team are only good against weak teams except Suarez.From day one u have been deceiving us by talking silky possession football yet u have the worst midfield among the top teams. U championship manager at best.TALKATIVE

    • Mark says:

      fans like you are a disgrace, resurgence is there for you to see and thts what the gaffer has done

    • aaron says:

      Deceiving. Love it. There’s allot of deceit in football these days, especially on this forum. Fans deceiving the mass that they support the team they love.

      Deceit, absolutely love it.

      • Liam says:

        Still trolling u dumb fck. Man you are boring .

        • Ozred says:

          Yea Aaron. Your boring. How dare u support the team that u …. Support…

          • FSG Out says:

            When are you going to get it out of your pea-brain, none of us are willing the team to lose. Does that register? You and Aaron are just playing the ‘i’m a better fan’ bullsh*t with people on here. Grow up.

      • Liam says:

        Came on here t see what people said bout game , bur what did I see ? U whining as usual. Get a life u fkin troll

      • FSG Out says:

        The homophobic Aaron to still be playing the internet goody-two-shoes fan. Ahhhh how sweet. But hey winning a game of footy is so much more important than hating other human beings? = Aaron logic.

  • aaron says:

    Good result.

  • Liam says:

    Still trolling *. Man you are boring .

    Came on here to seewhat people said bout the game , but what did I see ? , you whining as usual . Geta * life u troll.

  • Ozred says:

    Just trying to figure out where we’ve gone so horribly wrong….

    7 wins 2 losses 2 draws. 2nd on the table. All wins deserved. No lucky points.

    Spurs spent 100m and have stolen at least 6 points and still aren’t ahead of us. Chelsea spend what they want and are ordinary…..

    It’s all rogers fault. What a disgrace.

    • FSG Out says:

      Yes, thats right the season ends in November. LOL!

      • Ozred says:

        Right. So we can’t judge the season because its only November….

        But we can write off Alberto who’s played about 100 mins in total. We can write off aspas who’s played about 5 games. We can write off llorri who hasn’t played…. And so on.

        We can also write of rogers because he’s hopeless even though his last 20 odd matches have us performing close to the top of the table….

        When he wins its because of either the poor quality opposition or because of the players…(even though rafa Kenny and Roy were unable to do the same with no worse squads).

        When we lose (twice this year) it’s because of rogers.

        When we win, it’s only because of rogers crap tactics we didn’t win by more…

        And all this with an ownership structure that u clearly rate highly…. And we r somehow the whingers…. Wow.

        • Marcus says:

          You have to be the biggest dope alive . Total idiot with no idea of football

        • FSG Out says:

          Your first sentence says it all- ‘so we cant judge the SEASON in November’!!!
          When were positions decided in November? I am happy we are in this position dont get me wrong but your comments/observations are just plain dumb.

          • Paul LFC says:

            Everything he says is plain dumb. The 3 stooges (ozred Aaron no sheep) they have to be the same person. They come on here together +then no posts from any for days . Same person Defo .

          • No sheep says:

            That right Paul by using facts and reason to come up with our opinions we have to be the same person. While you lot just act like a bunch of spoilt kids. Crying about how it’s not fair that we have lost a game or 2 this season. . We have a championship manager a mid table squad at best and a bunch of asset striping owners. we are second in the league 2 points off first so can you explain that with out name calling.

            FSG out. Last season you lot we on here after about 6 games calling for Rodgers head. Saying our season was over.

            You know what just rereading you comments, and you are a muppet. Your entire argument is based around calling someone names. Not once have you challenged any point with reason, just the usual crap. Do you ever even read the posts?

          • realist says:

            Brainless no sheep getting everything wrong again . Learn to think for yourself you Muppet.

            You wouldn’t know ‘reason’ if it smacked you in the face .

            Once again you call people names ‘muppet , spoilt kids etc ‘ and accuse people of crying. Yourthe one crying .

      • aaron says:

        Idiot

  • fat Irish barman says:

    Decent result and good performance , but it was against a atrocious team . Once again Luis is the star.

  • pino pino says:

    Am not yet convinced until u win at least everton.Once again Welldone Luis Coutinho.

    • FSG out says:

      fickle unbelievably fickle. One game does not make or break a season.

      • aaron says:

        Can anyone who supports the team post, any other pu ssy keep your mindless comments to your self.

        really surprised your parents allowed you to have access to a lap top.

        They should take it back, wasted on you tw a ts.

        Although all you do is masturbate and dream of Rodgers being sacked, what great lives you live.

      • aaron says:

        Double idiot

  • Paul LFC says:

    No . Great win but until we start beating the top clubs then we won’t achieve anything. Lets be honest here – our reserves would have beat Fulham . If Rodgers can’t tactically outwit the top club managers then he must go in the summer.

    • FSG out says:

      The same fulham that beat neverton?

    • Ozred says:

      Clearly a deep thinker…

      If he beats a top club it’s the players who take credit. If he loses then its rogers fault.

      When he’s second in the league he’s no good.

      The same idiots saying fsg haven’t invested heavily enough and our squad isn’t good enough… But we r second…. But we r all stupid for being happy about our team going as well as its gone for many many years.

      Grow up u whinging fools

      • Dennis says:

        Yawn . Your the one whinging you fool. An easy fixture start makes you deluded fools think everythings great.

        The usual Rodgers ass lickers on here every day talking billocks .
        This is a lfc site not the Rodgers fanboys site . The man is not good enough for our club and a 4 zero win v a rubbish team won’t change that

        Last week , against a top manager Rodgers got it all wrong as usual , wrong formation , wrong selection , wrong tactics. Every time Rodgers gets it wrong

        Which is why he will always be a mid table club manager at best

        Off u go . Kiss Brendas poster before bed u deludes

        • No sheep says:

          Deludes is that some sort of joke? Would explain a lot about your posts tho.
          Liverpool are second in the league. That is what you call fact. While you entire argument is a matter of opinion. So if anyone on here is a deluded it is you and the rest of your clown club.

          Also you are right this is a Liverpool fan site. For people who support the club. Does that sound like you? No It doesn’t does it. Like it or not Rodgers is a very big part of the club. And you calling him a girls name makes you a disgrace of a so called fan.

          • realist says:

            A deluded fool is what no sheep is . Look up the meaning little no sheep.
            Your the disgrace of a so called fan . Mindless sheep is what you are . Blindly ‘supporting’ without having the intelligence to think for yourself.

            Sheep !

        • Ozred says:

          I couldn’t care who’s the manager. Just how we play. And we r playing as well as we’ve played for a long time.

          If rogers leaves and someone else comes in and shoots us up the table then brilliant.

          I don’t support the manager, I support the club. I understand that must be a difficult concept for u to grasp.

        • aaron says:

          The biggest idiot

  • blaze® says:

    hahahahahahaha….cnt jst stop laughin…out in d summer???….hahahahahaha….u guyz re damn funny

  • Ben says:

    Doesn’t really matter what you think of Rogers, LFC are doing well this season right now, easy schedule or not. The season doesn’t end now but it can’t hurt being second in November it’s something to build on, good result against a poor team is still three points, hopefully we can strengthen the team come January.

  • Tom says:

    What a bunch of whining numpties on this site . The average age must be 6?

    Last week it was full of people saying BR is bad , now people think he is great?

    What’s changed ? We best a bottom of table team at home . A game we were always going to win .

    Rodgers remit is to get top 4. We are a long way from that. If he doesnt he should be sacked. If he does then great give him another season.

    But FFS will you all grow up . Your only embarrassing yourselves.

  • FSG Out says:

    At least accept the valid reasons why some dont rate Rodgers:
    Last season:
    Out of all competitions by February
    Lost to Oldham & Northampton in the cups.
    Failed to qualify at all for Europe.
    Finished 7th in Prem.
    This season:
    Left in just two competitions in September, yes September!
    These are cold hard facts that give people little faith in Rodgers. Fairly understandable for people to be a bit sceptical.
    If Rodgers proves people wrong and wins the league then i’ll happilly eat humble pie.

    • fat Irish barman says:

      Those are FACTS and it’s amazing that a top club hasn’t sacked a manager for those facts. His record in the transfer market is pretty deplorable too. He has had the use of the best player in the whole league and been very lucky not to have important injuries too.

      • No sheep says:

        Here is another fact. Second in the league. That is why they put people in charge of a club that understand something about the game. Not a bunch of whiny bitc4s who would go to any length to make it look like they are not wrong. Oh and by the way bale was voted best player in the league.

        • realist says:

          Ha ha ha ha

          Little boy nosheep still thinks Suarez is no good .yes bale won , but only cause people don’t like Suarez

    • No sheep says:

      Love the way you put up the names of both teams we went out to in the cups last year but not the one we lose to this season. Even tho we didn’t go out to Northampton. We went out to the team that won the competition and we didn’t play our first team against swansea or Oldham. Also we didn’t play our first team away against zenit and we killed em at ours only for carra to mess up a back pass.

      We were still in the prem after February just cause we could not win it does not mean we are out.

      1 cold hard facts here we are second in the league. Before the season started if someone told you lfc would be 2nd in the league after 11 games, would you have said that is not good enough? What is the minimum number of points lfc should have for you to say rodgers is doing a good job? And what is the minimum number of points lfc need after 18 games for you to say rodgers is not useless?

      • realist says:

        Ha ha ha ha . You really are the dumbest kid , no sheep.

        Excuses excuses excuses . Your like a whining little child -‘we only lost cos of Carra back pass ‘

        Your so pathetic. Yes Liverpool are 2nd , they have done reasonably well but have had a nice easy fixture list

        All the other top teams are being poor so far , if we had a decent manager we would stroll the league this season.

  • FSG Out says:

    And on top of all that we have the best player in the Prem Luis Suarez – FACT

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