12/21/24
August 13, 2004
Owen's off to Madrid: while Viera finally decides to stay.
Liverpool fans aren't too happy with the way Owen's leaving, with only $8m pounds going the other way. Can anyone see this as being good for either the 'Pool or Owen? And does Viera staying at Arsenal mean that the Gunners are going to win it all again? The Premiership starts tomorrow.
My girlfriend's a Liverpool fan, so I've seen quite a few games... What you guys need most is a centre back with more pace than Hechoz and Hyypia. Henchoz can't even make the Swiss team for crying out loud! I remember Yakubu roasting them time and time again last season, on speed alone. I'm starting to become a bit of a mild fan myself, and while I don't see Owen's departure as a crisis, it does leave them with not one premiership proven striker. and while Cisse and Baros have talent to spare, they've scored maybe 10 goals between them.
posted by sauril at 11:45 AM on August 13, 2004
I can't believe this, I wrote a whole long comment here and the server hiccuped and lost it!!! Fuck. Let me see what I can do to recall it. Why does RM really want MO? They have three world class strikers already and all four will expect to start every match. The one thing I wonder about is the health of Ronaldo, though I have no news to point to for the concern, and Raul's poor showing late last season and in Euro2004. There is also this mildly interesting PhysioRoom article showing that MO lost over 100 days last season to the various injuries. Hmm. Will LFC still chase Alonso? Or is Sauril right in pointing out that we'd be better off getting another central defender? I don't agree with you WorldCup, I don't see the need for another striker or we simply wouldn't have loaned out Le Tallec.
posted by billsaysthis at 01:34 PM on August 13, 2004
I'm upset...not terribly...but still upset. Michael Owen was the reason i became a Liverpool fan.
posted by StarFucker at 01:59 PM on August 13, 2004
I, on the other hand, and very happy that Paddy is staying put, despite the recent drama.
posted by trox at 02:10 PM on August 13, 2004
I'm upset...not terribly...but still upset. Are you upset at my terrible loss or Owen going to Spain?
posted by billsaysthis at 03:32 PM on August 13, 2004
Yeah, as sauril said, we need central defenders more than we need strikers. Good thing we have Josemi, but he plays on the right. Benitez is also fixing matters a little higher up the field by tightening up the midfield so that central defenders don't get so exposed. Getting Alonso is one way to do it. Biscan stepping up into central midfield also helps. I like how Benitez is cleaning house, fixing personnel gaps, and starting players in their preferred positions. I'm confident for this season.
posted by worldcup2002 at 05:09 PM on August 13, 2004
...and starting players in their preferred positions. I'm not going to brag...but everything i have said i wanted to happen has happened...except for Carragher.
posted by StarFucker at 02:07 AM on August 14, 2004
Starfucker, you surprise, me, had I assumed anything, I would have assumed it was someone like the snarling wolf Souness who attracted you, not the mild mannered goody two shoes Owen.
posted by Fat Buddha at 05:51 AM on August 14, 2004
Fooker, I thought the same thing about Benitez moves as you. EVeryone has gone except Carragher. Do you like the Pool better now?
posted by worldcup2002 at 11:20 AM on August 14, 2004
Benitez gave up today's game, IMO, when he pulled Cisse so early. We should have had the three points.
posted by billsaysthis at 11:33 AM on August 14, 2004
I'm not too unhappy. The team Benitez is building is not focused on Owen, which is an improvement from Houllier's regime. Also, Liverpool gets right-midfielder Carlos Nunez as well as the 8m pounds. We need more options on the wings, so this is good. The 25-yr-old also provides good cover for the oft-injured and aging Smicer. One more striker and midfielder would round things up nicely.