Can already see the difference

[dodojojo 510]

That was an appalling no call. The only question should have been if it was in or outside the box. Aside from the penalty shouts, Halsey was disgraceful in the way he allowed Stoke to play rugby at a PL game. They were treating Torres like a ragdoll and all Halsey did a few times was blow his whistle. No warnings, no cards aside from one. But Stoke got what they wanted, slow down Chelsea playing football and batter Torres. Luckily he managed to stay healthy.

[manpe 10,861]

That was an appalling no call. The only question should have been if it was in or outside the box. Aside from the penalty shouts, Halsey was disgraceful in the way he allowed Stoke to play rugby at a PL game. They were treating Torres like a ragdoll and all Halsey did a few times was blow his whistle. No warnings, no cards aside from one. But Stoke got what they wanted, slow down Chelsea playing football and batter Torres. Luckily he managed to stay healthy.

The foul on Lampard was even more blatant, I think Torres was fouled just outside the box... and that he took a dive later in the 6-yard box (although he was being held just before that), but the foul on Lampard was the purest call you could give, but Halsey had his head stuck up too deep in his a'hole.

[bluebull 1]

Kalou and Malouda remain nowhere near good enough.....Torres looked much more like 50 mills worth.....and really wanna see Danny Sturridge get a go

[Grillinnap 129]

Thing that worries me about Torres is the way the defenders played him in the last match. The Stoke defenders kept trying to hurt him. Now the next opponents will have the same dirty tactics. Well, that is if Torres keeps himself injury-free.

[manpe 10,861]

I'm not so sure other teams will be as dirty, and it was not very effective now was it... it's more effective to close him down quickly with 2 or more players rather than concede free-kicks left and right.

[Rambo 1,729]

Thing that worries me about Torres is the way the defenders played him in the last match. The Stoke defenders kept trying to hurt him. Now the next opponents will have the same dirty tactics. Well, that is if Torres keeps himself injury-free.

Torres is stronger than what most people think, he can nutmeg a few defenders on his day.

[dodojojo 510]

Torres is about 6'1 and 78 kg, he's not a flower. And if he was bigger, they would just kick him harder.

He's been hacked since he got to England. The Stoke game is nothing new. It's unfortunate the FA allows its best skilled players to receive constant abuse. I guess being big and tough is more than actually playing football.

[francozola 2,040]

In his very first game for Liverpool, JT was kicking him all game too. Remember how he just gave JT a cheeky slap? He handled Stoke's rugby tackles pretty well. Stoke are the most physical team in the league. What they play shouldn't even be called "football". Most teams don't play that way and I certainly don't think West Brom or Norwich will be anywhere near as bad

[Tortilla9 390]

I think it was his second season at Liverpool. Early on in the season he was getting the sh*t kicked out of him on a regular basis by defenders with no protection from the refs. Even sported a black eye from one of his outings. Rafa told him in Rafa's kind and gentle way to quit complaining, focus on his game and the team, and just play. Torres went on a little scoring rampage. Don't let the hair band and blond hair fool you. He's no shrinking violet and actually seems to play a little better when he's ticked off. Somebody said Terry and Alex relish the physical challenge. I think Torres does too in his own way.

[dodojojo 510]

In his very first game for Liverpool, JT was kicking him all game too. Remember how he just gave JT a cheeky slap? He handled Stoke's rugby tackles pretty well. Stoke are the most physical team in the league. What they play shouldn't even be called "football". Most teams don't play that way and I certainly don't think West Brom or Norwich will be anywhere near as bad

LOL, I think that's on Youtube somewhere. I remember someone asked him about that and Terry's shouting at him and Torres laughed and said it didn't matter to him since he didn't understand English (at the time).

[Tortilla9 390]

Remember last season Liverpool v Chelsea when Torres and Terry collided? I'll be generous and say it was an aerial challenge but at the time it looked like Terry climbed over the back of Torres and hit him in the back of the head with his knee. Torres wasn't too thrilled. How'd that end? Torres another goal after already scoring one early on. That's the Torres I love to watch who plays with a swagger and confidence. Hoping we'll see more of that at Chelsea.

[dodojojo 510]

Yeah, but fundamentally, those goals came from passes to him in and near the box. Kuyt's pass for the first goal was fantastic. Meireles pass to Torres was more pedestrian but kudos for recognizing Torres had Brana isolated on the left. What Torres did after was pure individual class.

[manpe 10,861]

In his very first game for Liverpool, JT was kicking him all game too. Remember how he just gave JT a cheeky slap? He handled Stoke's rugby tackles pretty well. Stoke are the most physical team in the league. What they play shouldn't even be called "football". Most teams don't play that way and I certainly don't think West Brom or Norwich will be anywhere near as bad

[Blue Armour 4,449]

I guess we're seeing the Bosingwa of old...

I always thought a new Portuguese speaking manager might bring out the best from our Portuguese speaking contingent of players..Remember Hilario during pre-season?

[Blue Armour 4,449]

Agreed, but again it has shown us that we need the so long awaited creative midfielder and a tricky winger. Look at United today, 1-1, Young takes the ball and BAM they get 3 points. Can you expect Kalou or Malouda to do that?

Not to sound like a prick,but he did do something similar a couple of seasons ago against Stoke

[francozola 2,040]

Ah okay, I thought this was his debut for Liverpool, my bad.

[Madmax 9,219]

Sorry but I can't see major differences. Only visible deviation from last year is the high backline and the emphasis on crossing from width. The play has quickened up to a degree, I'll give you that.

It's only been 2 games so while trying to avoid sounding like a miserable bastard, I have to say I'm worried that we still seem to feel our way into games and rely on growing into them rather than take the matter by the neck and dominate from the off. On both occasions so far the second half has seen a marked improvement over the first, which makes you think why can't that happen from kickoff itself?

[Styles 9,790]

Sorry but I can't see major differences. Only visible deviation from last year is the high backline and the emphasis on crossing from width. The play has quickened up to a degree, I'll give you that.

It's only been 2 games so while trying to avoid sounding like a miserable bastard, I have to say I'm worried that we still seem to feel our way into games and rely on growing into them rather than take the matter by the neck and dominate from the off. On both occasions so far the second half has seen a marked improvement over the first, which makes you think why can't that happen from kickoff itself?

Gotta agree with you there. It's still the same old same old. How much can the manager really improve things when it's the same exact team as last season.You can't teach an old dog new tricks.

[termninja 5,290]

Not to sound like a prick,but he did do something similar a couple of seasons ago against Stoke

Couple of seasons ago even Arsenal were title contenders :giggle:

[LDN Blue 7,903]

To be honest, the only "difference" I saw was a sharper Torres & high defensive line. Need to see the new squad additions soon..

Still stand by this.

Also agree with Madmax's analysis.