The Jury: Liverpool FC fans give the verdict on the Chelsea match and Alberto Aquilani
Oct 8 2009
Liverpool Echo
ANDY COLLINSON, Aigburth
AFTER enduring the Fiorentina fiasco and the Chelsea collapse, Rafa now seems to be offering the olive branch of Aquilani's arrival, to quell fans’ growing fears about Liverpool's squad strength and our abilities to win anything.
After again seeing Torres left totally isolated on Sunday, Aquilani probably thinks he'll fit right in.
Whether he proves to be the creative spark we need, remains to be seen. But when you have an owner who's already criticising the manager, and a manager who's begun criticising the team, it doesn't exactly bode well for the season.
At Stamford Bridge, Benitez seemed to be playing for a draw. Yet when he insists on playing Riera, who seems averse to running or tackling and Lucas, who could disappear in a crowded lift, Sunday became a "bridge too far"
THE panic button is in sight, but not being reached for, yet.
In a week which saw us suffer 2-0 defeats in Florence and at Chelsea it has been an ideal chance for critics to question the credentials of Rafa Benitez’s side.
Sunday was hugely disappointing, mainly due to the fact we more than held our own but Anelka’s goal left a bitter taste that last year’s heroics at Stamford Bridge would not be repeated.
The finger pointing continues, but surely it can’t all be down to the exit of Xabi Alonso. The pressure will be now be mounted on Alberto Aquilani, as supporters expect him to have the bite of Souness, finesse of Dalglish and guile of Barnes, but no doubt he will need time to settle.
The worst thing about the whole sorry affair is we are denied an opportunity to bounce straight back and have to wait for the latest internet phenomenon England to play a meaningless qualifying game.
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