Liverpool v Aston Villa Post-Match Thread

[hawkeye]

What was the point of bringing Weiman on?

A good word for the ref, it that had of been Dowd, they would have had 2 penalties at least.

A valuable point even though we were battered.

[Ron Manager]

Liverpool had twenty shots on goal but our lot persevered and deserved that point.
I thought Collins was excellent as he often is when its backs to the wall time.
Young Carruthers looks to have something.

[johncvilla88]

McLeish was clearly seen to be urging the players to sit ten yards further forward towards the end in fairness and he moved Ireland back to the central role with instructions to keep the ball.  We should not forget how inexperienced our team that finished the game, it was natural that they would retreat.

Special mention to two senior players who have been rightly maligned at times this season but stood up to be counted for the youth around them today - Warnock who worked his bollocks off and Collins who put in his best performance since MO'N left.  Collins has looked so much better without Dunne alongside him and he seems to relish being the senior centre half alongside Baker who also stood firm.  Gabby led the line brilliantly as well I thought, Ireland didn't have his best day on the ball but he ran further than any one else by some distance according to the stats.  Given was great.

This deserves a repeat as I completely agree with it. Not much more that McCleish could of done. Made the right subs at the right time. With the inexperience in the team it was a great game to get them experience and they naturally sit back like was said and sore McCleish trying to move them forward.

[Monty]

McLeish was clearly seen to be urging the players to sit ten yards further forward towards the end in fairness and he moved Ireland back to the central role with instructions to keep the ball.  We should not forget how inexperienced our team that finished the game, it was natural that they would retreat.

Indeed, but a) that's the kind of thing you have to work on in training, and I'm far from convinced Eck does that and b) they wouldn't be so inexperienced if they'd been playing earlier in the season, when they should have been.

Also, Collins got in the way of a lot but he still gave the ball away too much and got caught a couple of times positionally (following the ball a bit too much). Given also hoofs it too much. Liverpool are god awful. Whinge whinge whinge.

Very proud of the younger players especially today. Proved, in the main, that hard work is more important than the physical strength they lack quite a bit. I still think there's enough talent there to make really quite a good side with a better manager, but a point's a point, and one I didn't think we were going to get. I feel a bit more comfortable about staying up tonight, especially after the other results went our way today, but I think in general my views about the manager and the squad - sadly - are unaltered. Still, take the point!

[Toronto Villa]

Collins was outstanding today. Also Baker and Given. Ball retention is terrible. How come Swansea recently a championship side can retain the ball against anyone in the premiership. Surely the coaching staff should be working on this. Great result ........

Because they have bought players that are comfortable with the ball and encourage that. We still have mostly MON players who were more defend deep and counter attack which often means ball retention isn't the biggest priority. I works when your outlets are Young and Downing. I'm convinced that had GH remained you'd have seen an end to the kick it long era.

[johncvilla88]

Liverpool may of had 20 shots but really they only had 5 on target against our 3. Bet the bbc statistician was a liverpool fan and classing some crosses as shots! For example that Herderson shot need the end was went miles up in the stands but was still classed as a shot. We defended well why can't people accept that... Also according to the bbc the possession was 50/50 so can't really say we were dominated!

[eamonn]

I find it hard to see people annoyed we didn't win. Liverpool pummelled us for a lot of the game, we weren't able to hold onto the ball to any great extent in midfield so the defence worked their arses off and everyone else ran themselves into the ground. With a bit more composure and quality (Petrov and Zoggy on-form for example) we would have picked Liverpool off on the counter-attack. I don't think they are as bad as everyone is saying - they create plenty of chances per game and I wouldn't be surprised to see them go on a strong run if it clicks for them. If we were Pool fans we would bemoan our lack of luck - they hit the woodwork every game and often miss sitters like Kuyt's one today.

Really proud of the kids today though. Given the squad we had a point against Liverpool, even if they are in poor form, is decent going.

[charlie]

Is it just me, or is Dalgleish just a detestable bugger. ?

[eamonn]

Liverpool may of had 20 shots but really they only had 5 on target against our 3. Bet the bbc statistician was a liverpool fan and classing some crosses as shots! For example that Herderson shot need the end was went miles up in the stands but was still classed as a shot. We defended well why can't people accept that...

Yes we did defend well. But we did fuck-all attacking.
They had plenty of possession, forced a couple of good saves from Given, hit the post and Kuyt missed a sitter. We had nothing clear-cut. Even our goal was a beautiful strike, but a half-chance a best.

[Monty]

Liverpool may of had 20 shots but really they only had 5 on target against our 3. Bet the bbc statistician was a liverpool fan and classing some crosses as shots! For example that Herderson shot need the end was went miles up in the stands but was still classed as a shot. We defended well why can't people accept that... Also according to the bbc the postion was 50/50 so can't really say we were dominated!

I agree, we limited their shooting very well, but the way we sat back was going to invite them to score eventually.

[flybo]

Is it just me, or is Dalgleish just a detestable bugger. ?

No

[citizenDJ]

Wow. A very good point that, especially in light of the other results at the bottom of the league, and one that I didn't expect at all. A very impressive show of fight and resolve that I thought we'd lost. Good stuff from the young'uns.

I thought Ireland was excellent today....doing exactly the sort of stuff you don't expect him to, really! He was everywhere, getting a foot in here, closing down space there, very good indeed.

Lichaj, Herd and Baker all played their parts well, and I am coming round to thinking that they can hold their own as first-team players - but will need better seniors around them, I think.

Collins had his best game for us in absolutely ages, although I do think he is a fine 'all hands to the pump' sort of defender, rather than a composed one. Warnock was also very good, and based on this I would stick with Lichaj at left-back and let Warnock play left-midfield.

On the downside, it is still frustratiing how easily we give the ball away, although I can see that Liverpool really were going for it today. One of my mates who I watched this with commented "All you have to do is keep the ball a bit better and you're home and dry!" Indeed!

And as an aside, Liverpool really look a LONG way off the likes of Man City, Arsenal etc. All that money spent just to turn into...well, us, a few years ago. I suspect Dalglish may be offered a hero's retirement this summer.

[Lizz]

Is it just me, or is Dalgleish just a detestable bugger. ?

No

Dalgleish gives people other than Liverpool fans a lot to dislike.

[olaftab]

An unexpected point so well done Villa boys.

[Summers]

Possession was 70/30, according to espn.