PAUL ANDERSON, Orrell Park
Should anyone out there still actually be backing our American owners surely the moment the transfer window slammed shut on Tuesday was the final insult and enough to make them lower their star-spangled banner.
The most deceptive statistic of the season so far shows that Liverpool were the second biggest spenders in the league. However, the fact is outgoings have been more than recouped in sales.
Benitez has been forced to bring in a bargain bucket centre-half, whilst teams with far less recent success and income are awarded an open cheque book.
After finishing second we should have been in a position to strengthen and add the final piece to the title winning jigsaw, as it is, any hope of glory hangs around the shoulders of a very thin squad.
CHRIS LALLEY, Huyton
Following yet another below-par performance against a Bolton side that will clearly be relegation candidates, there are still a lot of questions to be asked regardless of the fact we managed to pick up maximum points.
It was a win at all costs game for a Liverpool side that at present, look completely out of sorts and the feeling of sheer relief coming away from the Reebok was one that no fan expected to be living so early into the season.
Despite the character shown like so often during Rafa's reign, the reality was that before Bolton were reduced to 10 men we looked anything but a side destined for three points. Reality indicated early, following yet more false promises from the two Americans, that there would always be a lack of activity in the transfer market but this is virtually the same side that towards the back end of last season, looked almost unplayable on occasions and the bar needs to be quickly raised once again.
ANTHONY DUNN, Wavertree
The break has come at a good time. It’s a chance to look at our start and get ready for what’s ahead.
Our biggest weakness last season has definitely carried over. We are terrible at defending set pieces. When we concede one, why do Pellegrino and his clipboard start gesticulating towards the defence? He needs to have a good look, because the start of this problem coincides with his appointment as defensive coach.
I don’t think the problem is zonal marking. We’d still be suffering if we were going man to man. We are not being strong enough, and our heads have gone. Little Insua is doing well, but he went to bits for Bolton’s opener and Kyrgiakos didn’t know what was going on. We look vulnerable every time.
There are however 15 players in this squad who when fit, can put results together. The whole club must stick together to fight for every single point.
JOHN CRUCES, Kirkby
The win against Bolton was far from pretty, however the most important thing was getting the three points. One thing I took out of the game and hope Rafa did was around the winning goal. If we ever needed any further proof that Steven Gerrard should not take a corner, this should be it.
When Gerrard takes a corner we are effectively taking one of our best attacking options out of the game. He is both good in the air and can obviously hit a shot – so please let someone else take it. Talking of corners, why are so many teams (us included) not leaving an attacker on the halfway when defending one? Leave a man up and you effectively defend better, knowing two or three players will hang back to cover. Don’t even start me on not covering the goalposts!
As for zonal or man-marking, regardless of what method, if you don’t attack the ball you will be punished. Right now our goals against column has to improve sharpish.
Should anyone out there still actually be backing our American owners surely the moment the transfer window slammed shut on Tuesday was the final insult and enough to make them lower their star-spangled banner.
The most deceptive statistic of the season so far shows that Liverpool were the second biggest spenders in the league. However, the fact is outgoings have been more than recouped in sales.
Benitez has been forced to bring in a bargain bucket centre-half, whilst teams with far less recent success and income are awarded an open cheque book.
After finishing second we should have been in a position to strengthen and add the final piece to the title winning jigsaw, as it is, any hope of glory hangs around the shoulders of a very thin squad.
CHRIS LALLEY, Huyton
Following yet another below-par performance against a Bolton side that will clearly be relegation candidates, there are still a lot of questions to be asked regardless of the fact we managed to pick up maximum points.
It was a win at all costs game for a Liverpool side that at present, look completely out of sorts and the feeling of sheer relief coming away from the Reebok was one that no fan expected to be living so early into the season.
Despite the character shown like so often during Rafa's reign, the reality was that before Bolton were reduced to 10 men we looked anything but a side destined for three points. Reality indicated early, following yet more false promises from the two Americans, that there would always be a lack of activity in the transfer market but this is virtually the same side that towards the back end of last season, looked almost unplayable on occasions and the bar needs to be quickly raised once again.
ANTHONY DUNN, Wavertree
The break has come at a good time. It’s a chance to look at our start and get ready for what’s ahead.
Our biggest weakness last season has definitely carried over. We are terrible at defending set pieces. When we concede one, why do Pellegrino and his clipboard start gesticulating towards the defence? He needs to have a good look, because the start of this problem coincides with his appointment as defensive coach.
I don’t think the problem is zonal marking. We’d still be suffering if we were going man to man. We are not being strong enough, and our heads have gone. Little Insua is doing well, but he went to bits for Bolton’s opener and Kyrgiakos didn’t know what was going on. We look vulnerable every time.
There are however 15 players in this squad who when fit, can put results together. The whole club must stick together to fight for every single point.
JOHN CRUCES, Kirkby
The win against Bolton was far from pretty, however the most important thing was getting the three points. One thing I took out of the game and hope Rafa did was around the winning goal. If we ever needed any further proof that Steven Gerrard should not take a corner, this should be it.
When Gerrard takes a corner we are effectively taking one of our best attacking options out of the game. He is both good in the air and can obviously hit a shot – so please let someone else take it. Talking of corners, why are so many teams (us included) not leaving an attacker on the halfway when defending one? Leave a man up and you effectively defend better, knowing two or three players will hang back to cover. Don’t even start me on not covering the goalposts!
As for zonal or man-marking, regardless of what method, if you don’t attack the ball you will be punished. Right now our goals against column has to improve sharpish.
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