Why Rodgers should buy Bertrand

To get sacked and go on holiday.  I have little doubt that buying the Chelsea left back for his estimated valuation of £7m would be on par with buying Aspas for £7.5m or Borini for £10.4m.  Here are last season's stats for Bertrand, who spent the majority on loan at Villa, our Jon Flanagan, and the guy we should sign on a free from Heracles of the Eredivisie, Australian Jason Davidson.

	Bertrand	Flanagan	Davidson
age	25*	21	22
app(subs)	17	23	30
mins	1449	1890	2669
goals	0	1	2
assist	0	1	3
chances	4	13	32
npgp90	0	0.05	0.06
gcp90	0	0.1	0.17
ccp90	0.25	0.62	1.08
pass%	76.4	83.7	76.5
bp%	38.4	42.6	31.4
sacc%	50	42.9	38.5
shot%	0	14.3	15.4
tp90	1.9	3.8	1.7
tack %	60.5	45.7	51.2
intp90	0.9	1.9	2.2
clrp90	2.1	3.6	5.2
dribpp90	0.4	1.9	0.9
bsp90	0.4	0.2	0.5
TTI90	10.2	9.2	7.6

Bertrand pales in comparison to Flanagan and Davidson, in fact, other than his tackle success percentage, he's quite unimpressive.  More damning is that before joining Villa they had 23 points from their first 20 matches, but in the 16 of the remaining 18 matches that Bertrand played, they garnered only 12 points and won the fixture against Chelsea which could not feature him. 

Just don't do it Rodgers.  I read somewhere that the argument was how Rodgers has 'righted' Sturridge and could do the same for Bertrand.  That's a bunch of crock, when Sturridge is allowed to play in his natural position up front, as he did on loan at Bolton, he's highly productive, it has little to do with Rodgers 'righting' anything.  BR should be getting Davidson's rep on the phone as soon as possible before he finalizes his deal with Fulham.  That Felix Magath, he's never won anything.

Today's Banter: Torres left off Spain (yes!), Hicks after Roma?, Fulham post-match rubbish, & more

Luis Aragonés just became my favorite international manager. The 69-year-old Spaniard decided not to call-up Fernando Torres for Spain's two Euro-qualifiers with Sweden and Northern Ireland. With Xabi injured and Arbeloa not under consideration, it means only Pepe Reina will be with La Furia Roja, though with Iker Casillas still the number one, Reina probably won't play. I can now breathe a little easier knowing that Torres will more than likely start against Newcastle on the 24th at St. James Park. Rafa is happy with the 23-year-old striker's omission as well.

Word is Tom Hicks has inquired about possibly purchasing Serie A club AS Roma. First off, it's highly improbable that the club would sell to a foreigner since no Serie A club is owned by a non-Italian. Second, if there is even a glint of truth to the matter, it means that Hicks might be looking to get out of his co-ownership with George Gillett. UEFA rules prevent one person owning more than one team participating in UEFA competitions, so Hicks would have to sell his interest in LFC. Maybe the rumors of a rift between the two parties is true.

Was Lawrie Sanchez watching the same match that everyone else was on Saturday? Apparently not. The Fulham manager seems to think that his squad deserved at least a point for their efforts and that Liverpool was fortuitous to get the win. The 48-year-old said: "I actually felt that Torres mis-hit his final shot, and that is what confused Hughes and Niemi. It was a soft goal in the end to concede... As for the penalty, I don't believe it was in the box, it wasn't a penalty. I felt we had kept them quiet, restricted them to shots from outside the box in the first half." Well, as lucky as we were to get a 'mis-hit' goal and a penalty called for a non-penalty, we were also unlucky not to score a couple of more goals as well.

Meanwhile, Rafa Benitez has had plenty to say on a whole range of subjects. First, he expects Pepe Reina to get more assists like he did for Torres goal. I honestly don't think Rafa should be encouraging any long ball tactics especially if there's a chance the player could get carried away with the notion. It's nice to have that option, but only when it's used sparingly. Most of the time a goal doesn't come of it.

Next up, Rafa has said that not changing his line-up from the Besitkas match was just as much a risk as changing it would have been. In the end, he felt a few of the players were ineffective due to fatigue. I still don't understand why Riise was left in, he was pretty useless for the third or so straight match.

Finally, Benitez claims that Torres is not our side's most natural finisher. He feels that Kuyt and Voronin are naturally better. Uh, okay. Also in that link he talks about how Torres' pace was very effective against the tired Fulham side, which is why he decided not to start Fernando but instead use him in the super-sub role.

Steven Gerrard has spoken up about how he believes Steve McClaren is the right man for the England job. What is Stevie-G smoking? McClaren is well out of his element and lacks the vision, creativity, and balls to put a squad out for the Three Lions that will challenge for anything. The excuse that England doesn't have the horses of other European sides is a joke. The only countries that I would say have more talented are France and Spain. What England lacks is motivation and the right mix of players, but McClaren is incapable of the former and doesn't have the guts to put out any squad other than what is accepted as England's best though they may not be able to play with one another. Cheers.

Liverpool 2, Fulham 0: player grades

Reina 6
Made a great save on a Danny Murphy shot, but for the most part was required to do little. A mistake free effort nonetheless.

Fabio Aurelio 4
Aurelio is one of my favorite players, so it pains me to say he was poor. His passing was off and for the most part he was ineffective.

Carragher 6
Another solid match. Wanna take a stab at what his completion percentage for this match was? 98.2% on 57 attempts.

Hyypia 7
Defying logic, the Finn appears to be getting better the more he plays. He lead the side in tackles with 5.

Alvaro Arbeloa 8 Man of the Match
The Spaniard was fantastic in the first half, but less of a factor in the second. I'm sure fatigue had something to do with it. He took on defenders on attack and attackers on defense.

Riise 4
I have no clue as to why Rafa keeps starting the Norwegian when he has plenty of other options. For the most part he was inexistent and ineffective when involved.

Mascherano 7
His first half was forgettable, but his second half oozed class. If he could just study and master Xabi's passing ability, he'd be the best holding/defensive midfield in the world.

Gerrard 5
Was okay, made his usual runs and scored his fifth goal in six games. I expect more and better matches from him, but hopefully he's just preserving such performances when needs be.

Benayoun 5
He probably should have taken the night off. He was adequate in short spurts, but for the most part feckless.

Voronin 6.5
Seemed the threat and determined to be so, but his efforts proved fruitless. A better strike pairing might have done him better.

Crouch 4
So much for Crouch being a catalyst of our attack. Looks like he's reverted back to his normal form, giving the ball away and getting called for fouls. I can't wait to read the rubbish about him putting on anything but a poor display.

Torres 7
Scored a cheeky goal that was simply magic and was a threat the entire time he was on the pitch.

Babel 7
Impressed on the wing and caused havoc among the Fulham defenders. Still thinks he can take on the whole opponent's side by himself, and sometimes it appears he could, but he's got to realize he has ten other teammates out there with him. Once he does, he'll be that much better. Showed a different side to his game though with his tackling abilities.

Lucas 6
Nothing negative to say about the Brazilian's performance. He did what he had to in the time allotted.

Liverpool 2, Fulham 0: Torres saves the day

Using the same line-up against Fulham as they did against Besitkas, though unexpected from Rafa, eventually proved ineffective. In fact, our change in plan of attack might as well have been thrown out the door as the game-winning goal by Torres was set-up by a long ball. I guess it's okay to change-up in strategy from time to time, especially when one approach appears not to be working, but hopefully we'll try to go with the more patient approach first and then resort to other tactics if needs be.

The second half started promising as we tried to mount a calm and calculating attack. Mascherano took significant strides to erase the memories of his subpar first half display. We created opportunites, but failed to finish. One thing I noticed was the absence of Arbeloa who was so prominent in the first. He appeared to sit back more in the second though it didn't do much good, the flanks were used even less in the first, which I think was part of the problem of our inability to score.

Our attack and focus seemed to be concentrated in the central part of the field. Failure to use the whole field allowed Fulham to concentrate their defensive efforts as well, putting more bodies over the middle and basically 'getting in the way'. At one point a cross by Aurelio alluded the whole side and rolled to the right where not a single player was lurking past the far side post. Benayoun appeared to have free roam of the field, which ended up just making him null and void. In the Besitkas match, his constant pushing and domination of the right side of the field were crucial in creating opportunities for others.

Overall we won because of the amazing talent of our world class striker, Fernando Torres. The kid is simply amazing and his goal was exactly what we needed and exactly what Niemi, who was having an amazing match, did not expect. That's what you get for £26m and it was well worth it. It's a convenience that we can't afford to take for granted.

In some ways this match was a step back. We started off trying to get a quick, cheap goal via the long ball and though that pretty much eliminates our opponent's chances to score through counter, it's essentially the recipe for a nil-nil draw. We also failed to use the flanks, abandoning the notion almost entirely in the second half. Finally, our off-the-ball movement was inexistent or just lacked inspiration and intelligence. In the end, one could argue we were 'just lucky' and if it weren't for a Crouch dive, 'very lucky'.

Liverpool 0, Fulham 0: halftime thoughts

For the first ten minutes of this match, it appeared we didn't learn anything for the Besitkas match. Immediately we started lobbing the ball forward looking for a cheap goal instead of being patient, working hard, and trying to open up the Fulham defense. Thankfully we appeared to realize this and slowly worked our way back to playing intelligent football.

Surprisingly, for the most part, Fulham is not keeping ten behind the ball, but are still effectively absorbing our attack. It's probably the fact that luck seems to be more on their side and less on ours though. We've created chances despite appearing to be somewhat out of sync, but either Fulham was able to smother such efforts or we place it wide.

I can't really complain about anyone's effort on the whole, but Mascherano and Crouch are definitely not having their best matches. Masche is giving the ball away nearly every other time he touches it and Crouch has been wholly ineffective. The England International has collected more fouls than shots and he has turned the ball over virally. Basically just your average outing for the forward.

Our best player so far has been Arbeloa, who's been simply amazing. Twice he's taken on a Fulham defender on the flank and twice he's made him look like a donkey. He's also made some superb tackles and the yellow card was for incidental contact, which is ridiculous. Other players that have put in solid performances have been Voronin and Hyypia.

I'm hoping we come out in the second and patiently enforce our will. If we can just keep passing, working the ball around, something will eventually open up. If we do bring some other players in, I hope Torres, Lucas, and Babel all get to contribute to our effort. We look the better side and a draw here would be just as bad as a loss in my opinion.

Liverpool vs Fulham: What will Rafa do?

The big question going into this match is what kind of part will Fernando Torres play? From what I've read, it appears that Rafa is contemplating starting the Spaniard. Apparently he's looked good in training, but I'd be a little shocked if he started. There has also been some speculation as to whether or not Rafa will start the same XI he did against Beşiktaş. I'll go ahead and save everyone the trouble, he won't. So with that...

In front of Reina, starting on the left, I'd be shocked not to see Aurelio. He looked pretty sharp on Tuesday and I would hope that Rafa would want to keep the Brazilian that way. In the middle we'll probably see Hyypia and Carra, not only because Arbeloa is the only other choice here, but also because the two elder Reds didn't have to expend much energy against Beşiktaş. Finally on the right I suspect Steve Finnan will get the nod against his former club. Arbeloa should be on the bench.

In the midfield, I don't know why because he was probably our worse player on Tuesday, but Rafa will probably start Riise. I'd personally rather see Kewell or even Benayoun, but I think the Norwegian will get the nod. In the middle I'm gonna say Sissoko and Mascherano, even though it'll probably be Gerrard paired with the Argentine. Finally on the right, it's either Gerrard or Benayoun, I'll decide shortly.

Up front I'm hoping Rafa starts the Dutch connection and gives Kuyt and Babel the call. Like it or not, Kuyt's part of the rotation. He lead us in goals in the league last year and he'll eventually get it going.

So here's my final guess:
Reina
Aurelio
Carragher
Hyypia
Finnan
Kewell
Mascherano
Sissoko
Gerrard
Kuyt
Babel

Bench:
Martin
Arbeloa
Lucas
Torres
Benayoun

I changed my mind and put Kewell in for Riise. Probably wishful thinking, but oh well. I fully expect Torres to get a running out and for Lucas to get on if the Masche-Momo pairing isn't working or if we need a boost. I know Voronin is no where to be found but I honestly think the less he plays, the better he seems to be.

The thing I'll be looking for in this match is if we come out early with our blitzkrieg-style that we have been using since the last twenty minutes of the Blackburn match. Even if we don't create a goal early, we need to keep on pushing until we crack their defenses. One goal and as long as we keep going at the Cottagers, the floodgates will open. I don't expect another 8-0 or even 6-0, but 4-0 is very realistic and I hope Kuyt gets at least one for his confidence. Cheers.

Today's Banter: Gerrard named to FIFPro World XI, Sanchez praises Rafa, Pako to West Ham? & more

Steven Gerrard has added another honor to his long list of accolades by being named to the 2006-07 FIFPro XI. Surprisingly, it's the first time he's won the distinction. He also became the first Liverpool player to be named to the list, which is selected by 'more than 57,000 footballers from players' associations around the world.' A bit baffling as to why Gianluigi Buffon was named to the side though. I'm not saying he's undeserving skill-wise, but he played in Serie B last season. That would be like Stephen Bywater making it.

For all of Rafa's rotation policy critics, take a gander at what Fulham manager Lawrie Sanchez had to say about our manager: “Liverpool are probably the most difficult team in the Premier League to prepare for. I’ve got no idea what their team will be but you’ve got to give credit to a man who has won the UEFA Cup, was a Champions League finalist and has won the Spanish League twice – he obviously knows what he’s doing. He doesn’t fit in with what people do in this country but at the end of the day, they’ve just won a game 8-0.” He even forgot about actually winning the Champions League, but I'll let that slide. The former Wimbledon star goes on to say how he expects a totally different line-up than the poor man's side they faced towards the end of last year when we were concentrating on the Champions League. This is only coming from a man who had Northern Ireland at the top of it's Euro-qualifying group before leaving for the Cottagers. What does he know?

The rubbish rumor of the day is Rafa's former assistant, Pako Ayesteran, becoming West Ham United's technical director. Alan Curbishley has dismissed such speculation adding that the newly-created position was still very early in the selection process. Also I'm pretty sure that the 44-year-old Spaniard is contractually prohibited from working with an English side at least until the end of this season if not longer. He's stated his desire to return to Spain anyhow, so I highly doubt he'll work in England again anytime soon if ever.

In some pre-match news, Fulham expects to have Chris Baird back from injury with Carlos Bocanegra also returning from suspension. Paul Konchesky, who scored a fluke goal for West Ham against us in the 2006 FA Cup final, and 18-year-old defender Elliot Omozusi will both be unavailable serving bans. The Cottagers have a total of seven players sidelined with injury: Moritz Volz (shoulder and groin), Phillipe Christanval (knee), Kasey Keller (bicep), Lee Cook (knee), Ian Pearce (ankle), Brian McBride (knee) and Jimmy Bullard (knee). I personally can't wait to see Bullard finally return after being out over a year with a devastating knee injury. The Newham-born midfielder was wreaking havoc in the league early last season before going down and is expected to return either later this year or sometime in January.

In player transfer news, James Smith has returned from his loan spell with Stockport, but wishes to go back to the Hatters on a permanent basis. The 22-year-old defender was a regular starter for the League Two side. You would figure Smith being a local lad and all would want to make his mark with our club and it's not like there isn't opportunity for a centre-back, but maybe he's been told he's got little chance by Rafa or something of that sort. Also, just a short note before I bid adieu, it looks like Steve Cotterill will have little say in where and for how much young Burnley starlet John Cofie goes since the 43-year-old was let-go from his managerial position of the Clarets yesterday. Cheers.

Today's Banter: Paul Anderson saves Swansea again, New stadium gets green light, Benayoun vows to rescue England, & more

There's just too many interesting responses to yesterday's match to include in my daily, so I'll do separate post in a bit.

Once again Paul Anderson was the hero yesterday as his goal with 12 minutes to go in regulation saved the Swans from certain defeat at Millwall. The 19-year-old on-loan winger scored the equalizer to make it 2-2 at the New Den after the Lions had come back from a goal deficit to take the lead. It was Anderson's eighth goal of the season. Interestingly enough, former LFC player, American Zak Whitbread, scored in this match as well. Swansea currently sits fourth on the League One table with a game-in-hand over all three teams ahead of them.

(Edit: I'm now reading reports that it was Darryl Duffy and not Paul Anderson who scored the equalizer. If anyone can confirm this, please do. Anderson did get the assist on the first goal though. At least that's what I read.)

Lost in all the excitement of yesterday's thrashing of Beşiktaş, the Liverpool city planning committee approved the plans for the new stadium. The 60,000 seat, £400m project is set to begin construction next Spring at the Stanley Park site. It is expected to be ready for the start of the 2011 season. For the club to take advantage of expansion options and increase the capacity to 76,000, additional approval would have to be given by the committee. The committee heard from concerned local residents before making their decision and proposed an increase in fines for traffic violations to help control the potential influx of chaos and gridlock.

Yesterday's hat-trick hero and nearly everyone's pick for Man of the Match, Israeli Yossi Benayoun, has vowed to do all he can to help England advance to the 2008 European Championship, when he leads Israel against Russia in an upcoming qualifying match. If Russia wins against the Israelis in Tel-Aviv, they only have lowly Andorra to run-over in their quest to advance and prevent England from doing so. Benayoun, the captain of Israel, wants nothing more than to see teammates Steven Gerrard and Peter Crouch make it to final next summer. I'm going to pretty much hold my tongue on this one, but I will say this, there's really no point in the Three Lions advancing because they have absolutely no chance of winning it.

Burnley boss Steve Cotterill has responded to Rafa claiming that Clarets über-prospect, John Cofie, can be bought for considerably less than the £1m valuation, with a laugh. Cotterill apparently told a crap-shite poor excuse of a piece of paper that: "If they think they can nick him for £250,000 they’ve no chance." Not sure what Rafa was trying to do with his low-balling statement, maybe send out a feeler? But he obviously hit a nerve with the lad's manager.

Finally, it looks like Fulham, our opponent Saturday, will get a boost up front, as on-loan from Crystal Palace, Finnish International Shefki Kuqi looks to make his first full debut for the Cottagers at Anfield. He will more than likely be paired with Clint Dempsey who scored his first career Premiership goal, quite a controversial one I might add, against us last May. I know it was his first goal and I realize it kept Fulham in the Premiership, but they were playing a makeshift B-side that even the saddest of top-flight clubs should have beaten by more than a goal and they celebrated like they just won the Champions League. I hope we crush them. Cheers.

FoxSoccer loves Liverpool

Well, at least so far they do. FSC has released it's November Premiership schedule and it looks as if our boys will be on live the first two weekends (making it three in a row, I might add). Not sure about the fourth weekend since it's clearly a typo. We don't play Fulham the last weekend though, we play Newcastle at St. James. Anyhow here's how it breaks down.

Sunday, October 28th
Liverpool vs Arsenal 12pm

Saturday, November 3rd
Liverpool at Blackburn 1pm

Saturday, November 10th
Liverpool vs Fulham 12pm

There's an international break on the 17th and we'll just have to see about that last weekend. Cheers.

Danny Guthrie's goal (video)

Well, It's finally surfaced. Here's video of Danny's first goal for Bolton versus Fulham in their Carling Cup match from earlier this week. Unfortunately, the quality's not that great and there's no replay, but from what you can see, it's quite the stunner. It's the first goal on the video. Cheers.

Danny Guthrie has scored for Bolton!

I'm not able to watch this match and quite frankly watching Barcelona-Zaragoza seemed like a better idea and probably was since three great goals, two by Messi have been scored, but anyhow our out-on-loan midfielder, Danny Guthrie, has scored his first goal for Bolton. His side is at Fulham for their third round Carling Cup tie. More on this and hopefully the video later. Cheers.