Stoke City v Liverpool

[Le King]

Everytime I seem to predict the scores.. The team I predict to win never wins

so ur predicting a chelsea win 2nite ;)

[TOPGUNJIMMYAUFC]

Everytime I seem to predict the scores.. The team I predict to win never wins

so ur predicting a chelsea win 2nite ;)

me too



LIVERPOOL stumbled in a 0-0 draw with Stoke overnight, a day after manager Rafa Benitez lashed Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson's claim the Reds'title bid will falter due to nerves.

Captain Steven Gerrard hit the crossbar and the post in the last six minutes as lowly Stoke held the 18-time champions for a second time this season, raising further doubts about the league leader's ability to hold on for a first English title since 1990.

United and Chelsea have won at newcomer Stoke this season, and last season's top two will be looking to take advantage of Liverpool's slip-up when they meet tonight(SA time).

Aston Villa moved into third with a 2-1 win over local rival West Bromwich Albion.

Late goals enabled fifth-place Arsenal to stay in sight of the Champions League places with a 1-0 victory over Bolton, and Sunderland earned a 1-1 draw at local rival Middlesbrough.

Everton swept aside Hull 2-0 and Newcastle drew 2-2 with West Ham.

Frozen pitches forced the postponement of two topflight matches – Portsmouth-Manchester City and Fulham-Blackburn – while much of the lower-league program was wiped out.

Benitez's astonishing attack on Ferguson came after the Scot said Liverpool would "make mistakes ... and get punished" in the second half of the season.

And Stoke, which climbed out of the relegation zone with the draw, could have been ahead in the 12th when Rory Delap, who began the attack with one of his long throw-ins, hit the crossbar from 6m and Richard Cresswell was unable to react to the rebound.

Benitez attacked Ferguson's conduct toward referees and the league, and the Spaniard insisted the outburst hadn't proved a distraction as Liverpool still went four points ahead of Chelsea.

"When you are top you want to win, it doesn't matter which game it is," Benitez said.

"After 22 years with Ferguson in charge it could have been any moment so why not the other day?

"I think it was the right moment to say, `That's it, now we will talk about everything.' I was thinking about defending my team. I thought, `Enough is enough, that's it."'

Liverpool, which didn't use expensive substitute striker Robbie Keane, struggled to break down Stoke.

A rare shot from Dirk Kuyt was blocked by Thomas Sorensen at the near post.

Villa midfielder Steve Sidwell had two headers cleared off the line before the ball eventually fell to Gareth Barry, who whipped in a cross for Curtis Davies to head in his first goal of the season against his former side.

An error by West Brom goalkeeper Scott Carson produced the winner before the break. Barry released Gabriel Agbonlahor down the left and the forward cut into the penalty area unchallenged despite five West Brom players in proximity and not a single attacking man in support.

The England striker struck the ball across the goalmouth, but it was going wide until Carson managed to deflect it under his left arm and over the line.

The Baggies pulled one back in the 49th when substitute Roman Bednar headed down to James Morrison and the Scotland midfielder turned Martin Laursen before sending a shot past Brad Friedel, helped by a slight deflection off Davies.

West Brom had two penalty claims dismissed in stoppage time when Bednar and Robert Koren tumbled.

"It was a really tough game," Villa manager Martin O'Neill said. "But I still thought in spells we were exhilarating at times."

Arsenal left it late to overcome a stubborn Bolton side with Nicklas Bendtner latching on to Robin van Persie's cross and sliding the ball in at the far post with six minutes remaining.

"We are already swimming enough against the stream not to drop points against Bolton," Wenger said of Arsenal slipping away from the leaders.

Everton helped to cement a top-six place by completing its fifth game without a defeat or conceding a goal.

Marouane Fellaini fired Everton ahead in the 18th despite the Belgium midfielder heading from what appeared to be an offside position.

But there was no disputing Mikel Arteta's stunning 30m free kick, which found the net on the stroke of half time.

Sunderland striker Kenwyne's 82nd-minute goal canceled out the powerful opener from Middlesbrough's Afonso Alves.

Michael Owen struck early for Newcastle, then West Ham went ahead through strikers Craig Bellamy and Carlton Cole, but Andy Carroll's 78th-minute header salvaged a point for the Magpies.



Ovenight results
Arsenal 1 (Bendtner 84) Bolton 0

Aston Villa 2 (Davies 19, Carson 41-og) West Brom 1 (Morrison 49)

Everton 2 (Fellaini 18, Arteta 45) Hull 0

Middlesbrough 1 (Alves 45) Sunderland 1 (Jones 82)

Newcastle 2 (Owen 19, Carroll 78) West Ham 2 (Bellamy 29, Cole 55)

Stoke 0 Liverpool 0



Postponed (frozen pitch)

Fulham v Blackburn

Portsmouth v Manchester City



Playing Tonight (SA time)

Manchester Utd v Chelsea (1600GMT)

Wigan v Tottenham (1330GMT)

[BTAC]

great starting 11

It was fucking shit ay.
Who the fuck starts Kuyt up front on his own when we have fuckin Torres and Keane on the bench.
Granted Torres was returning from injury, but Keanes been as healthy and as an ox for a long time. Rafa acted like a last night.

Oh and I'm done even considering the possibility that I'm wrong about Kuyt..The guy is a laughing stock. He shouldn't be starting for a team like Bolton, let alone Liverpool.

[LeBron]

Without Xabi in the middle.........we're screwed!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fucken shocking this morning!!!!!!!!!

Even tho Hyypia wasn't bad......are we ever going to see the combo of Agger-Skrtel???

[totsreds08]

maybe rafa doesn't think agger and skrtel can play together :?

[chelsea91]

Everytime I seem to predict the scores.. The team I predict to win never wins

so ur predicting a chelsea win 2nite ;)

Nah im not going to predict on this one.. Hopefully its a good free flowing game

[ronaldo07]

i have this strnge feeling that stoke will get a draw here

strange isnt it !!

[# 9]

i have this strnge feeling that stoke will get a draw here

strange isnt it !!

i should have put money on this one....again lol

[ronaldo07]

each time i have the strange feeling, i'll get it right ..

and lol @ liverpool fans , each time they lost / draw a game they will blame on rafa for their starting 11 lol !!

[# 9]

theres an excuse for a win, and excuse for a draw, and an excuse for a loss, and more excuses for not winning another title

[pires7]

theres an excuse for a win, and excuse for a draw, and an excuse for a loss, and more excuses for not winning another title

You could post this in the Arsenal thread too

[Randy Orton]

i don't understand. kuyt is usless regardless of what anyone says. the whole team is playing crap. skrtel and aurelio look off. why not play agger gerrard isn't there. we got nothing going up. all we have is a slow blonde guy who chases but can't do anything. there is a reason why torres or keane are at liverpool and that is to play but instead kuyt is on :? the team looks like they are pannicking

you know what you dont understand Kuyt IS PLAYING RIGHT MIDFIELD how can he be replaced for Keane??? then your crappy liverpool wont have a right midifielder. is this the formation you want??


Reina
Carragher Skrtel Agger Insua


Mascherano Alonso


...... Gerrard Riera


Keane Torres



I cant see Carragher doing the miles up and down that right flank.
oh and if there was Arbeloa in right back kuyt istracking back to help him out from all his mistakes

[totsreds08]

i don't understand. kuyt is usless regardless of what anyone says. the whole team is playing crap. skrtel and aurelio look off. why not play agger gerrard isn't there. we got nothing going up. all we have is a slow blonde guy who chases but can't do anything. there is a reason why torres or keane are at liverpool and that is to play but instead kuyt is on :? the team looks like they are pannicking

you know what you dont understand Kuyt IS PLAYING RIGHT MIDFIELD how can he be replaced for Keane??? then your crappy liverpool wont have a right midifielder. is this the formation you want??


Reina
Carragher Skrtel Agger Insua


Mascherano Alonso


...... Gerrard Riera


Keane Torres



I cant see Carragher doing the miles up and down that right flank.
oh and if there was Arbeloa in right back kuyt istracking back to help him out from all his mistakes

in my post, i would take of kuyt who was playing striker and put torres on. yossi was right mid

[totsreds08]

theres an excuse for a win, and excuse for a draw, and an excuse for a loss, and more excuses for not winning another title

why are you writing this about liverpool

[Missing Post Count]

why are you writing this about liverpool ?

I think you answered your own question.

[totsreds08]

why are you writing this about liverpool ?

I think you answered your own question.

what :? i'm too tired to think straight

[Judge Judy]

why are you writing this about liverpool ?

I think you answered your own question.

what :? i'm too tired to think straight

he's writing it about liverpool because he is a clown

[Missing Post Count]

he's writing it about liverpool because he is a clown

It wasn't that hard to comprehend now was it?

[povman_2009]

theres an excuse for a win, and excuse for a draw, and an excuse for a loss, and more excuses for not winning another title

That's a bit rich from a Palace fan, you have an excuse of a club ...

[Judge Judy]

he's writing it about liverpool because he is a clown

It wasn't that hard to comprehend now was it?

no it wasn't hard at all

[BTAC]

i don't understand. kuyt is usless regardless of what anyone says. the whole team is playing crap. skrtel and aurelio look off. why not play agger gerrard isn't there. we got nothing going up. all we have is a slow blonde guy who chases but can't do anything. there is a reason why torres or keane are at liverpool and that is to play but instead kuyt is on :? the team looks like they are pannicking

you know what you dont understand Kuyt IS PLAYING RIGHT MIDFIELD how can he be replaced for Keane??? then your crappy liverpool wont have a right midifielder. is this the formation you want??


Reina
Carragher Skrtel Agger Insua


Mascherano Alonso


...... Gerrard Riera


Keane Torres



I cant see Carragher doing the miles up and down that right flank.
oh and if there was Arbeloa in right back kuyt istracking back to help him out from all his mistakes

You truly are a
Arbeloa is one of our most consistent performers. If you actually paid attention to our games you would know this. Also, Kuyt was playing striker when tots said he should be replaced by Keane. Kuyt is shit. If you honestly rate the guy, then you have no idea what you're talking about.

[Randy Orton]

i don't understand. kuyt is usless regardless of what anyone says. the whole team is playing crap. skrtel and aurelio look off. why not play agger gerrard isn't there. we got nothing going up. all we have is a slow blonde guy who chases but can't do anything. there is a reason why torres or keane are at liverpool and that is to play but instead kuyt is on :? the team looks like they are pannicking

you know what you dont understand Kuyt IS PLAYING RIGHT MIDFIELD how can he be replaced for Keane??? then your crappy liverpool wont have a right midifielder. is this the formation you want??


Reina
Carragher Skrtel Agger Insua


Mascherano Alonso


...... Gerrard Riera


Keane Torres



I cant see Carragher doing the miles up and down that right flank.
oh and if there was Arbeloa in right back kuyt istracking back to help him out from all his mistakes

You truly are a
Arbeloa is one of our most consistent performers. If you actually paid attention to our games you would know this. Also, Kuyt was playing striker when tots said he should be replaced by Keane. Kuyt is cabernet. If you honestly rate the guy, then you have no idea what you're talking about.

your the how can you say arbeloa is good that bloke when he gets it passes to Kuyt and arbeloa will get it back and go to cross it lose the ball and not come back

[BTAC]

you know what you dont understand Kuyt IS PLAYING RIGHT MIDFIELD how can he be replaced for Keane??? then your crappy liverpool wont have a right midifielder. is this the formation you want??


Reina
Carragher Skrtel Agger Insua


Mascherano Alonso


...... Gerrard Riera


Keane Torres



I cant see Carragher doing the miles up and down that right flank.
oh and if there was Arbeloa in right back kuyt istracking back to help him out from all his mistakes

You truly are a
Arbeloa is one of our most consistent performers. If you actually paid attention to our games you would know this. Also, Kuyt was playing striker when tots said he should be replaced by Keane. Kuyt is cabernet. If you honestly rate the guy, then you have no idea what you're talking about.

your the how can you say arbeloa is good that bloke when he gets it passes to Kuyt and arbeloa will get it back and go to cross it lose the ball and not come back

Anyone that watches Liverpool intently will understand what I say when I call Arbeloa an unsung hero for us this year. He makes minimal errors defensively and is improving all the time when going forward. His positioning is good, his marking is good and he's even got a good shot on him.

Yes there are better RB's out there, but that is certainly not the position we should be focusing on. RM is our biggest problem, as Kuyt runs around like a headless chicken and has no end product. Watch him play, about 60-70% of his passes go backwards. A winger should have pace, should be able to take players on and put in quality crosses. Kuyt can't. He's not a winger and he's not a striker. He's barely a footballer at all.

[# 9]

theres an excuse for a win, and excuse for a draw, and an excuse for a loss, and more excuses for not winning another title

That's a bit rich from a Palace fan, you have an excuse of a club ...

right..... ....u can talk cant ya.....

[Judge Judy]

Yes there are better RB's out there, but that is certainly not the position we should be focusing on. RM is our biggest problem, as Kuyt runs around like a headless chicken and has no end product. Watch him play, about 60-70% of his passes go backwards. A winger should have pace, should be able to take players on and put in quality crosses. Kuyt can't. He's not a winger and he's not a striker. He's barely a footballer at all.

if kuyt can't cross a ball, how'd he end up with the most assists for us last season

[BTAC]

Yes there are better RB's out there, but that is certainly not the position we should be focusing on. RM is our biggest problem, as Kuyt runs around like a headless chicken and has no end product. Watch him play, about 60-70% of his passes go backwards. A winger should have pace, should be able to take players on and put in quality crosses. Kuyt can't. He's not a winger and he's not a striker. He's barely a footballer at all.

if kuyt can't cross a ball, how'd he end up with the most assists for us last season

Yes because the only way to assist somebody is by crossing the ball

[Judge Judy]

when you're a winger, most of your assists are going to come from crosses aren't they? or did he beat players and cut balls back?

[ronaldo07]

when you're a winger, most of your assists are going to come from crosses aren't they? or did he beat players and cut balls back?

LOL !!
and if kuyt has no end product, how can he be the top 2 scorers for liverpool this season ??

liverpool fans just jumped on the hate-kuyt-bandwagon !!

[# 9]

when you're a winger, most of your assists are going to come from crosses aren't they? or did he beat players and cut balls back?

LOL !!
and if kuyt has no end product, how can he be the top 2 scorers for liverpool this season ??

liverpool fans just jumped on the hate-kuyt-bandwagon !!

noone has jumped on a bandwagon of that sort, everyone has always known kuyt is shit.

[ruud]

Yes there are better RB's out there, but that is certainly not the position we should be focusing on. RM is our biggest problem, as Kuyt runs around like a headless chicken and has no end product. Watch him play, about 60-70% of his passes go backwards. A winger should have pace, should be able to take players on and put in quality crosses. Kuyt can't. He's not a winger and he's not a striker. He's barely a footballer at all.

if kuyt can't cross a ball, how'd he end up with the most assists for us last season

Yes because the only way to assist somebody is by crossing the ball

so he must create chances then?