Video: Remembering Last Season at Craven Cottage

By: Ed | December 2nd, 2011

This is not entirely a post about Lucas. You’ll find Lucas in the video, but that’s mostly a result of the fact that he was healthy when Liverpool headed to Fulham in the spring, and I couldn’t find a highlights package where he’s been blurred out. But he does want you to know how much your support means to him. And for now he’s a supporter just like us. And he’ll come back stronger and probably better than Jesus. Son of a bitch, don’t you know I’m fragile?

Done crying? Okay, good, me too. Let’s go to a much happier place, which Craven Cottage proved to be back in May. Yes, Lucas played an important role in that victory, and Raul Meireles was there too. But Liverpool were absolutely magnificent as a collective on the day, scoring goals for fun and staving off a short-lived second half fight-back from the hosts to come away with one of their more dominant efforts of last season. Victories over Chelsea and the Manchester clubs were impressive in their own right, but this one brought hopes that Liverpool were once again a force to be reckoned with. And while it proved to be the last positive display of the season, as losses to Spurs and Villa would follow, it was an indication that, after a difficult few seasons, it was an okay thing to feel good about Liverpool again.

And with the disappointment of the past few days in mind, I’m leaning towards the sentiment of NotTooXabi’s post in yesterday’s poll thread: “You know what, fuck it…release the hounds. Let’s just keep the ball for 90 minutes, play narrow, knit the shit out of something, and go home.” Liverpool are more than capable of throwing another party—their back line’s stronger, they’ve got all three goal scorers from last season’s romp, and they’ve got an eager set of youngsters looking to prove they’re capable of filling Lucas’ void.

So maybe it’s just blowing smoke for now, but sooner or later the season keeps going, and there’ll be a point when the optimism isn’t as forced. Maybe it’s Monday, maybe not. Either way, moving pictures:

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Category: Team News

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jpr

6 games - 18 points - 25 days. This is where we have to make a run for real. Will be a bit more challenging without Lucas, but the boys are still MORE than capable. Not sure what Kenny will be thinking for the set up. Will have to wait till Monday to find out. Whose idea was that? Guessing a 433 and we do seem to do that well. We would still be pretty impressive with a 4231 considering the form of our back four, for these next 6 games. We will have to play the 433 before the City game on Jan 3 to get ready for them and see how that works in a real game situation. Fuck it, let's channel Lucas, break out the machine, be ruthless with our finishing and go for maximum points.
dred11111

I think shelvey will do a good job allowing Adam to focus on creativity. Fantastic article, i think this site is way up there with www.theirtactics.com
Ed

Thanks, but this article could have been (and possibly was) written by a monkey.
Tony

Adam, creativity? I haven't seen Adam thread a 30 yard pass on the run. He needs about 2 seconds to get the ball off and that is after he sets himself up. Opponents come at Adam's left side and he could only pass sideway with his left foot. Start the tally. Adam will be exposed by Lucas' absence.
Ed

I was confused at first, now I get it. But I haven't seen Charlie Adam, or many other people for that matter, thread 30-yard passes on the run.
Ryan

One of my favoritist games ever. Watch it again, and again. Look at them! Kenny's strategy was "run at the ball as fast as possible as often as possible". Herdball 2.0 baby. Sadly I'm a fan born in 2006, so no Champions League victory for me to have watched. This game was as good for me as the FA cup was for others.
redtrev73

Right, bear with me here. Due to unfortunate domestic encumberance, I've only just been exposed to the tactical musings of all and sundry moments ago on the Poll-post.

The most obvious thing to do would be to bring in Wee Jay and supplement the centre with another body (Hendo) to acknowledge the gap left by The Talented Mr Leiva. This midfield 3 idea seemed to garner much support amongst the esteemed community on here. This of course means we have only 3 positions left with Dirky, Stew-pot, Bellers, Maxi, Carroll and Suarez to choose from. Kuyt and Bellers wide of Luis would make me happy. Other combos, less happiness.

However, an option worthy of serious consideration is the back 3. Draft in Carra/Coates/Kelly alongside Sk-Agger. Use Jonno and Enrique as attacking wing backs (not unlike the role they currently play) and keep a central two of Chaz and Jay (with Hendo and Jonjo as rotational options). The forward positions play out as above. The argument against this is the solid form of our back 4. The argument for it is that if it works efficiently it compensates for the absence of the best CDM in the business. *wipes away tear*

Anyways, I'm still not sold on the idea myself but it will certainly be an option in The King's cultured noggin ahead of Monday night's game. Come on Redmen!!!
Ryan

Maxi no makey happy :(? Maxi Sadey. I'd like to see a back 3 used, but not against Fulham. we won't be using a back 3 against most opponents so I think Kenny will be reacting to Lucas by getting a lineup organized ASAP. I'm hoping for something like dis.

-----------Pepe------------
Glen--Skur---Agga--Jose
-------JayZ--ChaZ--------
Dirky-----Jordy------Max
--------Swarezzzzzzzzzz
Suarez from the car park...

3-0 up in 15 minutes didn't flatter us in any way, but Fulham were poor that day.

C'mon Kenny/Stevie do your thing.

Show us that we are a force without such an instrumental midfield player (damn, wasn't going to write about Lucas) with a squad that is hungry to show that it is very much more than 1 player, however good.

We have the ability and we have the drive, it can be done.

All that needs to happen is I need to learn to write a post without talking about the Brazilian, and that's buggeringly hard to do!

In the words of Hugh Grant, "bugger, bugger, bugger".
Lipalah

rumors say that Biram Kayal of Celtic will replace Lucas soon
www.football-bear.com
Suarez from the car park...

don't see the link having any txfer news ?????
Purify_the_body

Kenny went to watch Celtic so some sites just post whatever player's name from Celtic they feel like in an article.
Suarez from the car park...

hmm.

So is Kenny watching Celtic just a recreation thing....?
NotTooXabi

Thanks for the shout, Ed. I'll print this out to put on the fridge. With a gold star. I was at the Cottage last year and recall, with blurry Crabbie's vision, how en fuego the entire squad was that day (and how awful Schwarzer was for Fulham). Let's hope they Lucas them a new one. Again.

"And for now he’s a supporter just like us." --> Lucas in the Kop by season's end. You know it will happen. He'll get his surgery, start his rehab, and be jogging around late March (if not earlier). So let's just say, Wigan at Anfield, Saturday, March 24. Lucas Levia will be amongst the plebs, singing "You'll Never Walk Alone" and "Just Can't Get Enough".

Get your tickets now.
Juve

http://chelsea.theoffside.com/... see the first line after the picture!!!!!!!!
Suarez from the car park...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...
the footnote put to music....
Latortillablanca

i will always remember this game from last season as Luis Suarez's "Fuck you pay me/where's my money brian?/Chupa me/Go ahead punk, make my day/the man walks on water/pay attention kids, this is how you play the game/there is a god and red is his favorite color" statement game. Have never seen, nor ever expect to see again, a striker clinic put on by one player like that again. movement, pressing, touches, goals, passing, competitive desire. it was all there and it was all ours. it was the first moment where i thought 'oh shit, we may have the 3rd best player in the world all of a sudden...'