SOCCER SPORT !

[shameless]

quite happy to take a point at West ham in the current status -most would - as for the reds game - the score alone and the manner of it just highlights the inadequate defensive qualities of both teams
edited to say Benteke is not that good to be honest - most certainly overrated player

[meijlinder]

No mistake in the Firmino-Milner-Lallana-Firmino goal. As brilliant and brilliantly executed a passage of play as we've had all season. Firmino is a striker; I've said that for a while now. Shame Rodgers or LVG don't have him to play at wingback. Lallana showed the form and maestro's touch we've been missing since his injury-stricken season last year. This is why I was so happy to have him on the team. Lucas showed how strong he is in the middle of the pitch. Henderson proved why he's our captain today, making runs when the rest of the team looked more tentative. Can proved that he's in need of a loan spell--he's not a defender, he's not an attacker. I blame him for ball watching as Naismith flew in for a goal. Benteke can go, man. He's got talent, but right now the fact that he's such s poor fit has hampered his confidence to the point that if he had Milner's chance, I'm sure he'd have missed it (as he did before in the Prem and against Exeter under similar circumstances). Benteke can be shipped out and we should knock on Leverkusen's door for Chicharito. Balotelli is back playing for AC Milan (only a few minutes, but it's encouraging that he's recovering). Let's recall him and Markovic and really make a run at the Cup competitions and go get about United.

I think you're being overly harsh on Can. There was plenty of blame to go around for the Naismith goal. Lucas also caught looking at the ball, Mignolet should have done better, Toures attempt at a block.

If Moreno gets a pass for defensive lapses because of his passion and effort, so should Can. Sure he gets overexcited at times and has had his share of lost possession, but loaning him out would be a huge mistake in my mind. I see him as a great box to box midfielder for us in the years to come once he settles down a bit, learning to play a bit smarter.

[Raza]

I think you're being overly harsh on Can. There was plenty of blame to go around for the Naismith goal. Lucas also caught looking at the ball, Mignolet should have done better, Toures attempt at a block.

If Moreno gets a pass for defensive lapses because of his passion and effort, so should Can. Sure he gets overexcited at times and has had his share of lost possession, but loaning him out would be a huge mistake in my mind. I see him as a great box to box midfielder for us in the years to come once he settles down a bit, learning to play a bit smarter.

Moreno gets leeway, not a pass, because he has flashes of brilliance that can save or make games. Can, however, is far from the highs of Moreno and can get even lower. It's nice to see him keep his temper in check, because he feels like a major liability whenever he picks up a yellow.

Why would a loan be a bad idea? Let him get consistent play time at a team where the stakes are lower.

[meijlinder]

He is playing regularly now and doing a good job imo. Who would you have played today instead? And don't agree on the highs and lows. I would rate him above Moreno right now in their careers.

[Raza]

Balotelli on for AC Milan. Let's see what happens.

[Raza]

He is playing regularly now and doing a good job imo. Who would you have played today instead? And don't agree on the highs and lows. I would rate him above Moreno right now in their careers.

No way. Perhaps it's not his fault, being shuffled around all last season by Rodgers, but Moreno ranks as one of the top fullbacks in the league in my book. Not many better right now, few have his potential.

And, I'm shocked at myself for saying this, but I think I would give Allen a chance over Can. He's been finding the net recently.

[meijlinder]

No way. Perhaps it's not his fault, being shuffled around all last season by Rodgers, but Moreno ranks as one of the top fullbacks in the league in my book. Not many better right now, few have his potential.

And, I'm shocked at myself for saying this, but I think I would give Allen a chance over Can. He's been finding the net recently.

Guess we'll see in a few years time. They're both young.

Allen has been quite good recently but I feel he gets bullied around a bit much against physical teams.

[Raza]

Not a great showing by Balotelli in his 20 minutes or so. Good free kick denied, a yellow card, and a slip that could have been a goal, but made it a saved shot. He's rusty from the long injury though.

[GaryF]

Guess we'll see in a few years time. They're both young.

Allen has been quite good recently but I feel he gets bullied around a bit much against physical teams.

I think Allen is paying the price for our fragility at set-pieces. We seem to need all the meat in the box we can get and he ain't much meat. I think he's been great, though, and our problems are lack of brains rather than lack of brawn.

I also rate Can. He's young. He switches off like Moreno but I think he's going to be some player in a few years. I'd rather have Klopp moulding him than some third-rater in League 2.

If we're honest, we don't really have any consistent performers (bar Lucas this season). Most are at least one in two, though. The exception being Mignolet whose good games seem to be the ones in which he isn't really called upon to do much.

Lets get Markovic back. I'm in. Mario can stay the hell away, though. I'm not saying anything about his ability but we're finally looking like we have some team spirit building and the last thing we need is that clown turning up messing it up.

[Raza]

Swans just beat Everton, which also makes my hear soar.