The Away End: Liverpool

The Away End

Welcome to the first edition of The Away End: a weekly chat with fans of our forthcoming opponents. This week Liverpool columnists from redandwhitekop.net talk Xabi Alonso, Peter Crouch and give their predictions ahead of Sunday’s Premier League opener at White Hart Lane.

Hi, thanks for taking part. How has the summer gone?

Kopite98: “Good and not so good I suppose. Losing Alonso was a pretty big blow because he’s been resilient for us over the past five years. But when one door closes…in came Alberto Aquilani and from what I’ve seen he looks like a decent lad who’ll hopefully fill Xabi’s place.

“Obviously [Glen] Johnson as well. He was a much needed signing and should do well.”

What do you think of the new faces and which of your signings has got the fans excited, and which of them are you not so keen on?

The Bill Hicks Appreciation Society: “Kenny Daglish’s return is the season’s coup for me, I think it will give the entire squad a lift.

“Player wise, Johnson looks an improvement in the attacking third compared to Arbeloa, who, whilst reliable, wasn’t the most adventurous.

“Alberto Aquilani is an unknown quantity for me, although the reaction of Roma’s fans is an encouraging testimony that the lad definitely has ’something’.”

Who were you sad to see leave?

BazC: “Alonso – one of the most talented central midfielders to play at this club, at least in my lifetime (I’m 20-years-old) and one of my favourite players.

“He made it look so easy; too easy in fact. Every time I’ve been to see the team play in the last few years, and he’s been in the side, I could always rely on Xabi to give me a ‘did you see that?!’ moment: be it a slick piece of control; a turn to make space in an area where space doesn’t seem to be there; an inch perfect pass over 50 yards or a brilliant goal.

“He was one of those who you’d happily spend the £30 ticket just to see him.”

Which single player should you have signed?

Gareth: “Tevez. His versatility would have been ideal for the three positions behind Torres.”

The Bill Hicks Appreciation Society: “If money was no object then Sergio Aguero would have been my choice. If I am being a little more realistic, then Van Der Vart or Huntelaar would have given Rafa more ‘possibilities’.”

Harry and Rafa seem to share an unusual weakness for full-backs. How do you think Glen Johnson will do?

Hinesy: “Well he knows the Premier League, he knows the teams at both ends of the table, but I’m worried if he was good, he would have made it by now.

Juan Loco: “I’m slightly less confident about him than I was when Alonso was at the club. I thought with the way Alonso helped the team dominate possession and keep hold of the ball, that he’d have next to no defending to do.

“Even without Alonso he’ll still have much less defending to do than at Pompey, and he’ll still get a lot more of the ball in dangerous areas of the pitch.

“I think he’ll come on leaps and bounds in a team that can actually afford to accommodate attacking full-backs.”

What do you think of Spurs?

E2K: “I think they might be the best-placed of the rest to challenge for fourth.

“Modric looks an outstanding player from what I’ve seen, and Crouch is a good signing who’ll benefit those around him (e.g. Keane and Defoe).

“There is maybe a question mark over Gomes and whether you can keep your best defenders fit, but I think they’ll do well, starting after Sunday hopefully.”

How did you rate Peter Crouch during his time at Anfield and how do you think he will do at the Lane?

The Bill Hicks Appreciation Society: “Brilliant player. Ironically I think his best all round performances were when he wasn’t scoring.

“He seemed to knit the team together, Jari Litmanen-like. The team revolved around him in his first season with us.

“I’d have him back tomorrow, if I’m honest. The success of his partnership with Defoe at Pompey will bode well for you.”

BazC: “I like him. He’s underrated by the masses and I don’t think we wanted him to go when he did (and he left the summer after one of the greatest strikers this club has seen had his first season here).

“He wanted out to get more football, though, and you have to respect that.

“He’ll do great for you guys I reckon. Might not get loads of goals, but he’ll hold up the play very well for players like Modric, Defoe, Keane and Lennon to get onto.”

If you could have one player from the Spurs side in Rafa’s team, who would it be and why?

Hinesy: “Lennon or Defoe. Or Ricky Villa.”

Juan Loco: “Don’t take it the wrong way but I’m not sure there’s anyone. Maybe Modric, but Yousi [Benayoun] finished the season so strongly that I’d be loathe to replace him.

“It’s the same way I feel about Manchester City. There’s loads of players at both clubs I’d take for the squad but few for the starting 11. The guys that always strike me as your best players play in the same positions as ours.

“Maybe Palacios. He’s a great player but perhaps a little too similar to Mascherano for them to work together.”

Who do you see as our biggest threat and weak link?

E2K: “Sorry to keep harping on about Modric, but him. And Keane, who will obviously have a point to prove and is a better player than he showed at Anfield.

“Weak Link… is Gomes still your first choice ‘keeper? If so, maybe him.”

Gareth: “Threat? You might struggle down the wings, as our wide midfielders work hard to support their fullback and Mascherano also covers well too when needed. The threat for me might come down the middle from Keane and Modric.

“Weak link? Hmm. Tough one now Bent has gone. Bale is pretty average and your keeper still performs like a Brazilian David James.”

Score predictions:

Gareth: “Score draw.”

E2K: “Hopefully we’ll win, though I’m 50/50 on it, especially with some key players struggling for fitness. 2-1 Liverpool.”

Juan Loco: “1-1. I come across as a right negative bastard, but I just don’t think we’re going to win at the weekend.”

The Bill Hicks Appreciation Society: “I’ve got to go for a Liverpool win; 0-2 Torres and Johnson.”

Kopite98: “2-1 Liverpool.”

BazC: “Don’t normally predict the scores and it’d be even harder on the first game of the season! So… sorry!”

Hinesy: “3-1, but to who, I don’t know.”

A big thank you to all the writers from redandwhitekop.net who took part. Good luck for the rest of the season, guys.