"Agree with you BR, wise words! we were brilliant today, played with cleverness despite the tempo of the game was not so high, our passing accuracy was excellent as the quality of our conclusions, we created plenty of chances and had a great convertion rate. With a bit of turn-over we will deal with the busy calendar and can dream to climb the table. Well done BR and lads! YNWA"
"Downing was great today but I think that the Man of the Match was Steven Gerrard. Every long pass was perfect. Two assists and one good goal. Well done. We need Gerrard playing like this every match."
"Agree with you BR, wise words! we were brilliant today, played with cleverness despite the tempo of the game was not so high, our passing accuracy was excellent as the quality of our conclusions, we created plenty of chances and had a great convertion rate. With a bit of turn-over we will deal with the busy calendar and can dream to climb the table. Well done BR and lads! YNWA"
"best game stuart has played for us. best we have played for a while no allen passing sideways or back all the time stevie getting the ball more & looking to pass forward each time getting us moving forward all the time. Well done lads, YNWA"
"Please don't touch Downing, he's been terrific these past few games. He's got a rhythm about his performance now and I think that's what we need. He was class today! Keep it up. "
"Stevie G made me go down the memory lane today. I have come to conclude that the man is like an old wine. He showed up today wearing his right cap and am convinced that we've not seen all about him yet. He still has stuff for us."
"This is what will happen if 2-3 lads come up and start supporting Suarez every game. Excellent stuff from Gerrard after long and from Downing for the 1st time!"
"This is what will happen if 2-3 lads come up and start supporting Suarez every game. Excellent stuff from Gerrard after long and from Downing for the 1st time!"
"Clearly worked dropping Gerrard back; resting Sterling (been needed for a few weeks now); and whatever BR has said to Stewy, including the clear message that we are happy for you to stay but if you want to leave you can, has worked wonders. Well done all but particularly Downing.
"
"The case with Downing could have been a happy one from the moment he came here to LFC cus I remember him starting of with hitting the post a couple times and comming very close to scoring, just imaging all of that would have turned into goals and we wouldnt have this conversation about him today, I love it Downing now go and do it constantly YNWA"
"Well played Stewart, another good game, that was a real 'papering over the cracks', 'shop window' performance. We should dedicate this game to all of LFCs numpty misfit fans."
"Great performance from all the Red Men, but none more impressive than Stewart Downing's!! He's faced so much criticism, but to come out and play a Man of the Match performance like that...incredible!!
Well done Stewie...keep it up!!! YNWA"
"Good performance Stuart. His ability and proven track record wasn't in question it was his fee and subsequent displays. Some players take time to adapt. Ok I know with Stewie and all his experience he was the most expected to hit the ground running but he seems to be putting in some good performances recently. Problem is. Is it too late? "
"downing had a good game,
how many times, has he played might get more money now in transfer window, still got to go, and get a player who is consistant,"
"If BR persists with Stewie would that mean no deal for Ince? Sure Ince wouln't fancy being just a squad member AGAIN! I guess for economic sense and for the future it would be wise to go for Ince but would prefer to not at the expense of Downing. Just have a feeling that Downing is turning the page on his career at LFC. "
"Better game by the manager, quite rightly looking at the value of Raheem and Joe Allen starting. Prefer Jonjo and Suso any day. Allen offers squat and Suso plays the team game better than Raheem. One Louie is plenty, we don't need a poor imitation as well. Supprise us Buck with more quality judgement and don't change a winning combination for the 'get in the box Boxing day' game."
"Okay! Allen and Sterling on the bench: right. Next, some 2-3 signings in January. After that we don`t need Shelvey and Suso. Don`t get me wrong - after a while. There will be good - sometime. "
"Credit where credit is due. Downing resembled a footballer today. Either he was inhabited by a ghost of Xmas past or he is finally remembering what he was bought for. One cool assist and a well taken goal. Some might be churlish and question the opposition but it was a remarked improvement, fingers crossed..."
"You just get the feeling that Downing has left it too late and its hard to imagine him pulling out these types of performances week in and week out. Its a shame because out of all the British players bought by KK, it was Downing I had the highest expectations for. A massive let down thus far but bravo today!!"
"I wonder if anyone noticed how he became much more confident and more importantly worked harder as the game went on. He tracked back constantly and after a shaky start he wanted the ball and went looking for it. A swallow does not a summer make, but it does make you wonder what might have been if he had applied himself more, hmmm"
"First Enrique proved his critiques wrong, then Cole, now Downing. BR fortunately has more patience than me and it starts to pay off. Now, do we really want to sell anybody in January?"
"Great tactics BR, Positives: -Joe Allen on the bench got what I wanted! Also came on later to hold up the win. - Gerrard more advanced in his no.10 role -Brendan kept constant communication with the team throughout unlike the villa game. Bring in sahin holding mid soon, lucas advanced."
"Allen and Sterling are tired...they both never before played so many games...consider Allen is playing for Wales too. I believe they have future here.
Downing looks more self-confident, Suso won many balls - improved...Gerard dictated tempo and had briliant passes + scored goal and Suarez passed ball and had balence between collective and individual :) ."
"have to agree with anyone else, downing was very good today, i have been impressed lol and great performance from us too ...but to say that downing has turn the corner is too soon...even tho we did great, i think fulham has been very awful...1st shot on target from them was around the 75th min i think and there havent been many off target shots neither haha"
"That was a good win against a very poor side, three points is three points none the less. That was the result we should have had last week if we had been in the right frame of mind,at least we know Brendan can lift them. Heres to more wins over Christmas and a very much happier 2013. Well done Downing thats more like the player we thought we bought."
"Decent game. Lots of errors to build on, and lots of positives. Suarez has been SO trashy lately, I don't adore him as much as I did.
Ok, good, one game at a time, don't say 'TOP 4' again till we actually get there, just build Anfield so more fans can fit in, lets get LOUD!"
"Sturridge will have medical at Anfield and Ince will soon join. So how does this look? Sturridge, Ince, Shelvey, Sterling, Downing, Henderson, Joe Cole, Kelly, Johnson, Gerrard, Carragher, Allen, Wisdom, Carroll. Any more British players available out there? Just stating the obvious. Do not know if this is good or bad. Only time will tell. "
""the Analyst"..yes we should sell Cole. He is injury prone and his wages are higher than what he delivers. Downing is on the move and if some one ranks him high and pays good like (16-20 mil) then we should definitely sell him as well. We will get better quality in market for that money."
"After todays performance i think Downing should be given a chance to play in the same position over the next 3 games and see if the impact is the same. I think Joe Cole hasn't done enough and should be sold in Jan to keep the wages down. Stoke will be a good test of our scoring ability as they have the best defensive record.YNWA"
"After todays performance i think Downing should be given a chance to play in the same position over the next 3 games and see if the impact is the same. I think Joe Cole hasn't done enough and should be sold in Jan to keep the wages down. Stoke will be a good test of our scoring ability as they have the best defensive record.YNWA"
"Joe allen needs a rest as the midfield with Stevie g, Shelvey and Lucas looked solid. Enrique coming back made a huge difference and Lucas stopped most attacks coming in. Stevie G was at his best pinging those passes and making that superb run for the goal."
"Downing played well in his position so keep him there! The team played really well considering these are the players BR inherited !!! Shelvey and Suso should play more. A more flowing pass and move today!Gerrard never lets us down!
Merry Christmas all and see you Boxing Day YNWA"
"I think the starting line up is superb for this game. We should stick with it, judge on performance & see whether to start with Sterling, Downing or Suso on wings. Come on guys! You can win it again!"
"I think the starting line up is superb for this game. We should stick with it, judge on performance & see whether to start with Sterling, Downing or Suso on wings. Come on guys! You can win it again!"
"Buddha "Credit where credit is due. Downing resembled a footballer today." Thats another one im saving. quite a collection i've got in the last few weeks! As for Ghost of christmas past, thats my latest seasonal part of the buddha story that youve just foiled!Thanks Buddha!"
"SD Ive always admired you, a bit like Hendo! You havent had the best of starts at LFC but clearly have talent. I hope you stay at LFC and prove the doubters wrong."
"Tim H. I think sturridge would be coming as a striker though. Im not convinced that BR wants SD to stay, I dont like the way BR spoke to SD and JH about their future, for that reason im still to be convinced about BR.It worked for Hendo as he tried to prove himself but SD lost confidence.(contd)"
"It's a top class flawless first half team performance! And finally downing showed his worth after 45 games with 1 assist! But after showing his goal celebration, he's back to his old... if not he looks so cool and confident like he back at AV time! "
"SD now seems more positive, maybe BR backtracked and encouraged him?I think he would love to prove himself here.He was let down by all last season and made a scapegoat but if we make the right selections and keep SD we may see a considerable improvement in our goal tally."
"Feet back on the ground though..Fulham were dire today and we need to step it up if were going to have a chance of getting a win at the Brit. That is a fortress."
"Has everyone been watching a different Liverpool to me. Downing has scored one league goal and had a handful of good games for us since he came. He's 28, in his prime and should be playing this way EVERY week. He is useles, get rid of him. I cant believe someone actually wrote on here that they hope he gets time to prove himself. REALLY? How much time does he need? Where have you been?"
"Take what ever money we can get for him and put it to buying someone who can play that way EVERY week. Or maybe we'll keep him now and he'll score again next season. "
"REDSARGE he was let down last season by a system that didnt suit him. Hes been a great player for Boro and Villa yet we ruined him overnight.He was disheartened this season also and played out of pos.Some players react to criticism, some don't. He was bought for a certain role, the same as you wouldn't have expected Beckham to have been picked for beating players and for his defensive attributes."
"SD can be consistent if the team is consistent, BR set up the team today as any sane minded person would select their team. I think he may have finally learned that SD is not a LB."
"Yes, a great win and a great display! You made us so proud wearing thr Liverpool jersey BUT please maintain the same display and dtermination for every game! YNWA!"
"If Downing played like that every week we would save a lot of money.I was delighted to see Stevie looking fit and back to his best. Lucas was quite outstanding and strangely enough the only downside was a subdued and out of sorts Suarez. Well done lads you've given us all a lift for Xmas. ALL THE BEST!!!"
"Sturridge is coming. He reminds me of Drogba when he was at his age(23). Physical strength and strong in the air and the will to keep the ball. I am sure BR will work on him to make him a dangerous striker and a goal scorer."
"Whatever BR has done to Downing, he has done it absolutely very RIGHT! First time I ever feel he is a better player than Ashley Young. Please try to build and improve qualities as Fulham away is always not too tough. Gerrard slowly getting into his old self except those long range screamer. Today Downing is simply outstanding."
"Besides strengthening our thin squad, i dont think sturridge and Ince are the type of players we need to improve our lack of initiatives, efficiency, creativity and goals upfront. If they were already here against Aston Villa i doubt they could have spark the game and changed the outcome. If both are coming hope they can help us greatly"
"Our best performance so far. It's only the second time this season, after the Wigan game, that we played with 4-2-3-1 formation. It suits us much better than the futile 4-3-3 even when we start the game with 11 "misfits inherited players". lol"
"Excellent job.. I hope you remain at Anfield and put up those kinds of display. The bad side is of course to have a manager who criticizes his players in the public and in media and, pass on early judgements without giving you guys a chance. Our manager needs to learn from grey heads such as Fergie and Kenny."
"Fulham were weak. We still lack creativity in key areas ie. inside left and right channels. We still need to pile into the opp. box more quickly.Hopefully that goal will help Louis's confidence now and get him on another of 4 or 5 games scoring streak. We know we battle with the so called lesser teams so the next few games are going to be difficult. WE MUST DO IT.
"
"Downing was class yesterday, if he keeps going like this he will seriously challenge for an starting spot. This is exactly the kind of competition we need within the team. Fantastic effort all over the pitch yesterday, keep it up Downing!!!"
"To all those doubting Rodgers' credentials need to look at how Downing has performed in his last 2 games. Downing has been lambasted by the majority of fans for most of his time here (especially me)but Rodgers' management skills look to have worked with a player who was extremely under performing, now it's up to SD to repay BR's faith with more consistency, heart and passion!"
"Great! Well done gentlemen! Perfect team performance with an outstanding Stewart D. (my MOTM)! What an assist to Stevie's goal, pure magic! Pls stay with us Stewart! Merry x-mas U reds!"
"thats the best performance yet this season we kept goin forward even wen 2 up which was good to see,downing was superb like a totally different player hope he can keep playing like that ,wat a way to end our home game yr brilliant . "
"I agree with BR about Downings intelligent play.
However I also feel Gerard was outstanding yesterday, some of his passes were breathtaking.He made the goals for Torres and he will be doing the same for Suarez..great player!!"
"I'll will let you stay if you perform week in and week out like this. no over running, no lazy pass, create space for others, create assist then you can stay but remember anfield is very mature .1 day gud perfomance and 4 match rubbish then you can go"
"Good performance and all credits duly paid. Now, consistency is name of the game regardless where you play-home/away. Next we have Stoke hot on our heels at theirs. Bring on the style again to ensure another 3 points gap away from our closest rivals. YNWA! "
"Great effort against a poor side. Beware Luis, Stoke sharpened their claws y/day with 5 yellows
and Tony Peuke Face will be preaching "divers and cheats" all week in the press."
"Some humble pie being eaten today. Maybe our more fickle fans will go back to being supporters like the rest of us. Never understood the people on here whose only comments are snide ones about our players, team and supporters.. Sad really...."
"Good stuff...Downing and Gerrard played very very well...I might like Sterling off the bench for a month or 2 until europa league games start back up..To give him the rest he needs and he could actually be pretty lethal off the bench with 20-30 minutes left in a game...Love how he goes at defenders..."
"Joe Cole scares me when he has the ball most of the time...For some odd reason he gives the ball away far too much for my liking...Still..He has his moments and I do like him(watched more Lille games last year than I have my entire life).."
"Love Agger and Skrtel in the middle but I do miss Carra's passion back there...I rather Downing than Enrique..Enrique just doesn't cut it for me...I'm sorry..Henderson tries really hard and I, and the rest of you Im sure,appreciate it...Pepe has scared me lately but we can't forget the last 6 or 7 years he was brilliant"
" and Jones played well enough first half of the season for my liking..He's a great back-up to have...Keep playing hard and remember who you're playing for...LFC..YNWA!!!!"
"Isn't it interesting how some managers get the best out of some players? Torres could hardly buy a goal before Rafa went to Chelsea - now he's looking back to his best. And Hendo, Downing, etc were looking average before BR got hold of them. Suddenly - these guys look the part. I really think that BR is the man to bring us back to where we belong. "
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22nd Dec 2012 20:48