Liverpool Banter Archive June 10 2015

10 Jun 2015 22:30:47
I don't think we have heard a sound out of Rodgers since the sackings not even comments on Milner and Ings signings. So where is Rodgers?
Answers on a postcard please.

10 Jun 2015 22:48:14
Being Spitroasted by Pascoe and Marsh - I of course mean each way he turns he is getting a barrage of abuse.

10 Jun 2015 22:51:46
I heard a rumour he was getting his teeth replaced with gold crowns and that the Dentist accidentally gave him 100g of anaesthetic instead of 100mg, putting him into a medically induced coma.

Apparently he has been laying in the dentist's chair muttering things about Balotelli, Marsh, Pascoe and 3 envelopes.

Take it with a pinch of salt though, I think the dentist is a Liverpool fan and did it deliberately.

10 Jun 2015 23:02:29
I still have a sneaking suspicion Klopps not completely out of the running and perhaps the review was not the end of the decision on Rogers. could be they didn't want to rock the boat too early with Ings/Milner due to sign and there wasn't enough time post end of Bundeliga to agree terms with Klopp? A responsible decision would be to know 100% you've signed the replacement before losing Rogers.

11 Jun 2015 00:16:24
Well Milner has signed for game time which I assume was offered by Brendan and ings has given.his development years to us and I'm sure Brendan had a say again.

They.both wouldn't of been short of offers

10 Jun 2015 23:48:17
Ems, yu generally talk a lot of sense on her. Don'y spoil it ;)

11 Jun 2015 02:02:09
hahaahha ems that was brilliant.

11 Jun 2015 03:02:14
I would say Rodgers has been advised to stop opening his mouth to the media. We should all be grateful.

11 Jun 2015 05:26:24
Agee but I doubt either would have given assurances in contract, neither would they mind working under Klopp I expect so long as a bunch of new additions don't come in over their head

11 Jun 2015 06:55:09
Maybe he's on holiday?

11 Jun 2015 15:13:47
Ron, your boy has never met a microphone he didn`t like so we know he loves to talk. In the past, he would have been calling Ings world class and Milner a great player and yada, yada, yada. If he isn`t talking then it means he has been ORDERED to shut his gob until they tell him to open it again. If that is the only thing I got out of this dreadful review then, i`ll take it.

11 Jun 2015 18:06:37
You're easily pleased ohio

11 Jun 2015 20:32:55
The bar is not very high on that front with the shambles we are becoming, leadership-wise

10 Jun 2015 20:23:19
Ed001

I'm interested in your thoughts please mate.

Do you expect Sterling to stay?

Do you think we will sign Kovacic?

Appreciate these have been discussed but wanted your views.

{Ed001's Note - not any more and no I don't think we will stump up the cash.}

10 Jun 2015 23:25:31
Inter sure do think well stump up the cash. I'll go out on a limb and say kovacevic to sign before Aug 7th

11 Jun 2015 02:19:04
Amen to that, Ed.

11 Jun 2015 06:38:06
You don't think Sterling will stay ed. Bloody hell i honestly thought we would agree a deal with him. Guess he will be playing against us then. You think we be ok without him/replace him?

{Ed001's Note - his agent has ensured that the only way he will stay is if the agent is replaced.}

10 Jun 2015 21:03:07
Think we are close to a great team but am worried about goals. Imagine to get top 4 need about 60 goals minimum, but with how poorly we defend probably need 70-80.

But think we still lack a bit of fire power, being optimistic: a fit studge gets 20, Ings hopefully 10, say 10 between hendo/couts, then tbf 20 being highly optimistict 30 between the rest of the team (origi, lallana, Markovic, Lambert,
Ibe, milner, skrtel, can, moreno).

So with a fully fit studge and everyone increasing their tally from last season still at best 60 odd goals. But without stevie don't have great delivery from set plays or a recognised free kick taker, plus don't see our defence shoring up. So provided sterling leaves think we need 2 more attacking players (striker & WF).

10 Jun 2015 21:49:01
We are nowhere near to being a great team mate

10 Jun 2015 22:01:36
That's actually a pretty fair assessment overall I'd say. I don't think studge will get 20 but would be awesome! The one place I think that needs to turn into a 20+ is coutinho and Henderson. I always feel both of these players are a game away from a streak of goals!

The other thing is that I don't really think as it is we can add anyone that will add enough goals considering it will mean someone else won't score to make it worth it. I don't know if that made sense but we really need to sell a few of those players to make purchases sensible was my point!

10 Jun 2015 22:22:34
Did you watch last season and who (even with Stevie playing) took the free kicks and corners?

Normally defenders "chip in" with at least 10 goals a season - did we get 3 last year??

I'd chill; you can't change anything (even a petition to get BR out) so let's see where we are at the end of the transfer window and who is really calling the shots - if Skytel goes i'm think FSG's man and not BR.

10 Jun 2015 22:57:26
I believe we will be okay from set pieces with Coutinho, Henderson & Milner.

10 Jun 2015 22:59:15
Ings - 15
Sturridge - 15
Milner - 10
Hendo - 10
Coutinho - 8
Lallana - 5

Then I'd hope for another 20 from other players, own goals etc.

Don't forget Hendo is probably taking penalties next season and Milner is a freekick specislist.

10 Jun 2015 23:09:35
Last season was rough for stevie and shame, but the season before his delivery was spot on. Added to that did put away a few nice free kicks last season, main point is don't see anyone in the squad as a quality set piece taker - and set pieces are massive.

Disagree as we do have a lot of good players, just not a good balance of good players in a lot of positions. Tbh always needed a CF but with milner coming and if lucas stays think our midfield is set (can lucas can play DM and hendoilner box to box, just use youth and move allen on).

So if sterling goes a wide player and a good GK then av a team that only the manager could fail (which BR can probably do) - provided we the expected player go then wide player and keeper sorts our team. Strong starting XI and options to change it.

10 Jun 2015 23:28:10
No offence EMS bit could you qualify your statement? How many goals had milner directly contributed from open play last year?

11 Jun 2015 01:08:10
Milner free kick specialist, he's probably scored 2 in his last 5 seasons! If milner and hendo get 10 each, more than coutinho I will send you my nutsack In an envelope EMS

11 Jun 2015 02:21:21
Top striker should be THE priority for this season instead eating time and money on Kovacic and Kono.

11 Jun 2015 09:01:06
Ings will need to play regularly as a forward to have any chance of scoring those 15 goals you mention, Adam.

11 Jun 2015 09:56:37
Sturridge - 10
Ings - 10
Milner - 8
Hendo - 8
Coutinho - 8
Origi - 7
Lallana - 6
Lambert - 6
Ibe - 6

Then Can and centre backs about 3 a piece, etc.

11 Jun 2015 11:24:58
The problem I see with that Sean Ireland is that it's almost impossible to spread it around that much - they players individually are capable enough but will they all get enough time on the pitch to score that many each?

I think we need 2 top strikers getting 15-20 each, 2 backup strikers getting 5-7 each, then hope for 20 from midfield (Hendo/Coutinho/Milner/Llalana/Ibe getting 4-5 each) and say 5-10 from various others (CB's at corners, fullbacks, own goals etc. )

That's around 70-75 minimum and then hope one of the strikers or midfielders hits a hot patch to outperform and push us up to c.80-85

The problem I expect will be ensuring we get that 15-20 minimum from each of our top 2 strikers with Sturridge regularly injured and no obvious no.2 to back him up.

11 Jun 2015 10:48:01
It won't matter one iota if we buy a TOP STRIKER is we keep p155ing about at the back!!

We need to find a way to move the ball QUICKLY up to the forward's like we did the season b4 last not dithering in defence playing one touch football between the back line.

vrcomp
Y.N.W.A.

11 Jun 2015 13:43:27
Well zimbo, I don't have anyone scoring more than 10 goals in my list so I don't think I've gone too high with my estimation.

You say two top strikers with 15-20 goals each - who?

10 Jun 2015 20:23:13
This Ibe kid has a fantastic attitude.

Nice one King Kenny and please feel free to join the coaching staff.

11 Jun 2015 09:32:19
Kenny should still be in charge
4 years into a 5 yar plan.
Please don't tell me we'd be worse off.
And I bet suarez would still be with us as he really rrespected Kenny as proven when he git him top present the prize to him.
That must have murdered Rodgers who claimed to have improved him fom the shamles he took over from.
Kennys team hit every post .bar that season stats back it up. THEY WERE AN IMPROVING TEAM BEDiDNG A LOT OF PLAYERS.
Which by the way is the excuse viven by Rodgers last season.
I can't BELIEVE FSG ARE SO GULLABLE.

10 Jun 2015 19:19:52
Eds - how many man hours do you guys put into this site per day/week for example. Do you have rota system ?

{Ed001's Note - the editors all just edit as they get time. Myself I pretty much edit from the moment I get up until I go to sleep, unless either my daughter or the missus is about.}

10 Jun 2015 22:21:02
Do they take over then ed ? To be honest,you've taught them well, it's seamless !

{Ed001's Note - whoever is about picks up the slack. Sometimes there can be a group of us all working together on the same site, when news breaks and it is busy because of it.}

10 Jun 2015 22:28:55
Fair play to all the Ed's - great site - informative (educational as well with Ed002s' vocabulary ;o) ) - I even spelt checked that in the event I spelt it incorrectly lol

10 Jun 2015 22:38:58
I remember the old days of it being pretty much just the one page. My God has it grown since then.

Testament to the hard work you and the other Eds have put in over the years mate.

{Ed001's Note - it was just one site originally, with every bit of content written by me. I am so glad I don't have to write everything any more!}

10 Jun 2015 23:03:39
Sorry that's my bad that's what I meant - the original football-rumours pages.

Out of interest how much traffic do the other club specific sites get? Do you still try to oversee the lot or do particular eds deal with particular sites.

10 Jun 2015 23:30:34
How does one become an editor? Is there a criteria?

{Ed001's Note - we try and get a mix of people, but yes there are criteria. Right now though we don't really need any more, what we need are people to write articles for the football-news-views.co.uk site.}

10 Jun 2015 23:47:16
Wow. Fair play eds. Hats off to all of you.

{Ed001's Note - sorry Wassa I was asleep so someone else got your question and posted it up instead of holding it for me by mistake. I do oversee all the sites and still try and add content to the quiet sites as much as possible.

The traffic to the club specific sites varies massively on a seasonal basis, the summer being the busiest time.}

11 Jun 2015 00:55:02
I'd like to know the history of how Ed002 got involved, obviously i'm guessing he is the second Ed by the number given. I've been reading and commenting on this site under different guises since about 2009/10 season.

I remember i had the afternoon off from work and it was raining hard outside and i googled ''Liverpool rumours'' without knowing about the site and i stumbled onto it. Glad to type that it has been a staple website of my internet diet ever since.

Bravo the website and to all those that make it happen!

{Ed001's Note - we got talking on the original site, then outside of it and his knowledge of the financial side of football far outweighed mine, so I asked if he would be interested in helping out. He was helping out from the very start before we had numbers for ed's and just used to use different variants of ed for our notes. I can't remember now what name he chose, I remember Ed The Ball was not Ed002, but 002 was here for that time.}

10 Jun 2015 18:17:21
I really don't see this attraction towards Kovacic. I think a lot of the people on here haven't actually seen him play. He has potential but isn't great technicality. He is very much a midfield Markovic. Furthermore I have seen some people putting him down as a holding midfielder. Kovacic couldn't play in a two man midfield never mind DM! I think LFC should look elsewhere.

Possibly away from Italy. Gundungan would be a decent option but I'd rather keep Lucus and invest in a forward like Remy, Walcott. Haven't seen much of Laccezette so can't comment. Aubameyang has been linked and would be decent but his touch isn't great.

10 Jun 2015 20:08:38
Kova is not what we need because we are well-covered in the midfeild and we have according to BR, a Rolls Royce in Emre Can who is raring to go in that position so why not play him in the position we bought him for and see what he can do instead wasting money we don`t really have on a player we don`t need nor have an idea how and where we will play him.

10 Jun 2015 20:10:16
I agree with you that he isn't as great as a lot of people think. However he can and has played as a holding midfielder at both international and club level. He is more like Pirlo than Lucas thoughin terms of style. He's a deep lying playmaker rather than a midfield destroyer.

I'd rather keep Lucas as well and hopefully we do because he is a quality holding midfielder. I don't see the need for Kovacic and wouldn't sign him if I was in charge, but he is a very good young talent. God knows what Rodgers wants to do. I doubt even he does.

10 Jun 2015 20:42:58
I tend to agree - didn't see him play I admit but saw few youtube clips and I also thought of the similarity to Markovich. And like all our other midfielders (other than Henderson) he alwasy tries to dribble and play through 3-4 players with pass only the last resort. 5 goals and 4 assists in 35 league apperances, not such an amazing stats (not that many in our team this season had muchbetter statistics). We need players who can pass the ball, especially after Gerrad is gone.

10 Jun 2015 22:30:46
Given our limited funds for new recruits - I'd say there are other positions that are a higher priority; maybe next year - this year fill what we need!

10 Jun 2015 23:33:43
He's very very different to marko. Not the same player at all. Watch him and you'll see what I mean.

10 Jun 2015 14:17:47
Hi eds reading we have interest in lucas digne of psg any truth? Thanks

{Ed002's Note - RTP.}

10 Jun 2015 17:31:26
Hi Ed's,

Do you rate Jordan rossiter? I was very happy to have given him chance in cup game.

But it was only one game, did a good job and got a goal too.


He was never given a chance again. I do not want a conor coady situation.

He seems technically good enough, is it physical characteristics which pulls him behind.

Thank you.

{Ed001's Note - I rate him very highly, but he needs more chances to play. The issue was purely with the manager not wanting to pick him.}

10 Jun 2015 17:41:10
And being injured. And also very young!

Was a high pressure sitution last year. You don't know the personality of rossiter on the pitch, he might not of handled the situation well like Lucas 'crying in the dressing room'

He will get his chance :)

{Ed001's Note - he was dropped before he got injured, and it was nothing to do with his personality or his physicality or Joe Allen would get nowhere near the team. Stop making excuses, age is irrelevant when a player is good enough and certainly your pathetic dig at Lucas shows how little you know. Lucas went through hell but just tried harder, so how on earth you can suggest that he did not handle the situation well? I would suggest you never ever make pathetic little digs like that at someone who has given his all for the club. You are making yourself look a complete tool with that comment. Typical Brendanite bull of it being high pressure, he is too young etc, the only one who was under pressure was Rodgers. A good manager, which he will never be, would have made sure that any pressure would not have been passed on to the players. Oh and Rossiter has an excellent mentality, which was one of the things that has made him so highly rated, but you are too busy making excuses to know that.}

10 Jun 2015 17:56:33
is that a known thing about Lucas, i.e him crying. to me just shows how mch he cares

10 Jun 2015 18:01:35
That's a petty, petty post Maxi96. You won't find many that share your view on Lucas. First name on my teamsheet!

10 Jun 2015 18:08:09
Sorry you have misunderstood my point on Lucas. He is actually one of my favorite players (the complete professional). I meant that the pressure off the "greatest fans in the world" on him, had him reduced to tears in the dressing room, and I know if he didn't have the personality he did he wouldn't be here now, but with things so bad last year. Could Rossiter of had a bad patch without the fans getting on his back. And if they had how would he handle it.

Secondly I never brought his physicality into it? I said he was young!

And the injury coming after makes my point more doesn't it? How do you have any idea (like I don't) wether without his injury he would of been given another chance? If you haven't spoke yo Brendan about it then we can't know.

And I'm glad he has a great mentality, will really help him. Bu dealing with 45 thousand fans on your case isn't the best thing. And yes it is Brendan's job to send them out without putting pressure on them but how does he control the fans putting pressure on them? Especially when things were so bad last year.

If Rossiter started he would of been th next "Gerrard" "big thing" etc and he wouldn't be allowed bad performances because expectations would be so high on him. He needs to come in when were playing well, not bad. Otherwise you are putting pressure on them to improve things and I got told its Brendan's job to take the pressure off them (so how does he go about putting them in a pressure situation?)

And I am very much a believer that if you are good enough your old enough, but it does have limits to certain situations.

You might be good enough at 21 to manager England but your never going to get put in charge

10 Jun 2015 19:44:03
A good manager will know how to handle the fan pressure out on him. Rodgers isn't a good manager.

10 Jun 2015 19:45:07
How would it have been any different to sterling or ibe kr ibe who have all played during the last two years. The lad when given the opportunity excelled and even scored against Middlesborough. I don't envisage the fans giving him a rough time and from past experience bar sterlings brain fart the youngsters have always been supported. Its a nonsense post.

10 Jun 2015 20:17:44
Maxi, i don`t understand your point. Are you saying BR was right not to play Ross when he was fit due to the pressure certain fans would put on him? That makes no sense, IMO. He scored on his debut. Wouldn`t that mean any pressure would be off him hence, would have afforded him time to bed in with the squad? Isn`t that what all young players dream about? To score on their debut? So why/how do you square that with BR`s refusal to play him or any other youth player with potential? You can`t. It seems you are blaming the wrong people for Ross not getting a game. BR doesn`t trust the youth and even the ones he plays, he does so out of desperation and that fact has been proven over and over again so no point of giving examples of which mind you, are many.

10 Jun 2015 21:30:01
Adam if you or anyone you know got bullied, what helped? Speaking to your dad. Wont help because it doesn't stop the bullies saying stuff to you does it?

It doesn't matter how much s player is told to blank it out etc it doesn't get better till you get through those situations or you leave because your stuck in it.

Every bad pass jeered, the songs from opposing fans and the boos from your own if you make a mistake, living in the media, having yourself on the front page for running with scissors. How would the fans and Rossiter of handled it for example if he made that slip against Chelsea?

With so much pressure on.last season, there was no room for mistakes. And young players are renowned for them and poor performances. Nothing wrong with that when things are going well but when there not then they become highlighted anywhere and everywhere and its dealing with that which is too much for a 17 year old. Hence loans and easing them in.

I mean come on look at how almost every fan is speaking about Markovic "waste of money" "not good enough". You do know that Rossitet and the rest paths will be similar whilst they develop.

Why can you guarantee rossiter won't get the same said about him for some bad games?

The major major reason were so bad as fans with young players and there more pressure than most other clubs is because of what were after (the prem) other clubs don't have such problems, Southampton only have yo finish 7th and its a success so there is more room for development there than others, when it comes to there fans wanting champions league and the club not buying but promoting youth and then that youth don't deliever it then the criticism will start about there "model" when players start for us the pressure is on straight away and its not a good environment for younger players. Truth be told even if rossiter/markov make it etc your not going to see the best of them for maybe another 3/4/5 years. Not next year or the year after, there's a lot of development to be done with them.

Next year hopefully as ill clarify. I'm no defending Brendan I'm just putting forward my logic behind young players, but hopefully he will get some games time in winning positions and when/if were doing better chances should come.

{Ed001's Note - that is just nonsense. Young players need to go through it to develop character and strength of mind.}

10 Jun 2015 23:40:16
I can tell you with 100% certainty that lucas has always had Liverpool interests at heart and sacrificed the best years of his career as a footballer to Liverpool even when Liverpool clearly did not have his best intrerests at heart. I. And many other coaches have told him this. But he is extremely loyal to Liverpool die to the support given during his tough spell.

11 Jun 2015 02:40:14
Maxi, so they should only get their chance when the minority of fans you speak of, have a change of heart or stop booing players, right? When's that going to be? So these players should not get their chance until 22/23 yrs old. And how do you propose they develop? Sitting on the bench and wasting their talent? In case you have never played footie at a pretty high level as I did, you don't get better and develop into a first team player by NOT playing in the first team. Stating the contrary is just nonsense. Struggling through rough times and some roller coaster moments is how a player learns. They have to be able to deal with adversity and the ups and downs of pro sports. Your excuses to justify why BR doesn't play youth players except by force, is pathetic and desperate and you need to give it up because you are reaching, SEVERELY.

11 Jun 2015 06:28:53
Maxi but when would you put him in?? Wait until he's 22 and then just throw him in? He can still slip and make mistakes then. some players deal with the stress better as young players as they can just almost arrogantly ignore it while some players develop slower over time. either way sitting on a bench or in the crowd isn't going to answer the question of if he is ready or not. as usual with youth players it boils down to you just don't know till given a chance!

10 Jun 2015 15:52:25
Hey Eds, with the deal for Ings possibly going to a tribunal to determine the fee, could it be because Spurs have offered more money could the tribunal decide against Liverpool? Or is it because Ings has chosen Liverpool mean that it is pretty much done deal, just we need agree compensation?

{Ed001's Note - it is nothing to do with Spurs.}

10 Jun 2015 16:08:03
Its purely because Liverpool and Burnley couldn't agree a fee. The Tribunal will set a fee to compensate Burnley losing a young (under 23) player on a free transfer.

10 Jun 2015 16:23:09
Somewhere around 4-5 million GBP should be enough to get Ings. If the tribunal sets an even higher fee, then might as well scrap the transfer. Not sure Ings is worth the hassle especially if it comes at the price of blocking Yesil and Sinclair's path into the first team picture.

10 Jun 2015 16:43:52
Ok cheers ed, had a small fear that we could end up losing the player at the 11th hour, knowing our luck with transfers

10 Jun 2015 18:12:24
Actually, Indian Buzzer raises a good point.

Other than Liverpool being unwilling to pay the fee set by tribunal, is there any other way the deal could fall apart or are Burnley and Liverpool "exclusive" in terms of this deal now, for want of a better word!

Thanks

Z

{Ed002's Note - It will go through.}

10 Jun 2015 21:15:02
These tribunals are an interesting one actually, not sure they wouldn't stand up to a challenge under EU or UK employment law. I don't see how they can set a fee for a free agent, someone not under any contract whatsoever. They would in effect be stopping someone from working as a footballer if no club was willing to pay a fee set by a tribunal. If Liverpool refused to pay it Danny Ings might well be advised to take the tribunal to the High Court.

10 Jun 2015 22:09:18
If the tribunal is yet to take place,how has a figure been raised?

11 Jun 2015 06:44:42
Press speculation, bob.

10 Jun 2015 15:21:09
Hi eds

Just noticed that the club have yet to release a statement regarding Pascoe and Marsh leaving, or Rodgers staying for that matter. Just wondering is there anything to read into there? Any insights?

Cheers

{Ed001's Note - the club always takes forever on these matters.}

10 Jun 2015 17:11:29
There will be no press rlease until Brendan signs a midfieldr who can typeand another to opeate the photocopier. A defender to do the filing is also on the cards.

10 Jun 2015 20:26:22
They haven`t said a thing because IMO, they know anyone with a brain cell knows the decision was disgraceful and makes no sense to anyone with any sense of integrity and footie IQ. Even Gerrard said via the Daily Fail, that he would be interested to see how it came about that BR is the manager in charge of all our failures yet it is his assistants that get the the chop and he escapes it. IMO, nobody except his acolytes, believes that the owners just rolled up in there and told him that, "U know what, BR? After our review, we found out that your assistants were the reason we messed up with money, tactics, selections CL, EL, roastings from Utd, Arsenal and the 6-1 massacre at the hands of Stoke, not you, the man who makes all the decisions on the pitch." If you believe that, I have a swamp in Florida to sell you.

10 Jun 2015 13:19:21
Question ed 01. I have seen you talking about the horrible state of breaking in youth and our transfer dealings down the banter page. I fully agree that our club is continuing to act without a plan and it is pushing us into a worse position every day. Are the owners, or leadership aware of how silly they look and about all of these issues. Will there be any plan or course of action. I know there have been changes throughout the club yet we seem to be making the exact same mistakes yet again with signing Milner and Ings ( both good players but not what we need). I am I high school coach here in the US and I can not help but feel I would do a better job with the team.

{Ed001's Note - I am sure FSG are intending to fix the issues, they have certainly tried to improve things with the appointments they have made in recent years. Now there is someone attempting to find the right loans for players, where it was just left to chance. The transfer committee was meant to improve the buying situation, but clearly it failed and we are still making the same mistakes of going for 'value' rather than quality.}

10 Jun 2015 16:55:06
I'm reserved about Ings but Milner or similar was needed value or not. With SG going there was a void in terms of experience that Milner can add and he is a great player too. Much the same reason Toure was extended good guys to have in the dressing room.

10 Jun 2015 12:34:14
It's not often I agree with ed001, however with regards to the 2 signings so far, I agree fully. I think everyone recognises that we still need to sign a top striker, so where does that leave Ings? 3rd/4th choice. He's a good player who I'd much rather have than Borini, Lambert, Balotelli etc, but he doesn't improve the starting XI. Also, why Milner? Does he play in an attacking role pushing Markovic, Lallana and Ibe further down the pecking order? Or does he play in central midfield? If we're looking to bring in Kovacic as well, that would be 2 central midfielders this summer, what happens to Emre Can, Lucas and Allen? Ings and Milner are 2 good squad players but that's all we seem to buy these days, squad players rather than players who will improve the starting XI.

Red Rum

10 Jun 2015 12:56:35
Red-Rum

As always we are buying the players we don't really need.

We need players to walk straight into our starting 11 not sit on the bench.

The ultimate for me is looking at bogdan, what is the fecking point?

10 Jun 2015 13:43:43
So who do you think we could sign who the dressing room would look up to with respect to their experience and the fact that they have won premier leagues. Last season when Gerrard wasn't on the pitch it was obvious to me that we didn't have anyone who the players looked to for leadership. With a comparatively young team you need at least one leader on the pitch, and as much as I like Henderson I don't think he is that leader

{Ed002's Note - Milner or Lallana.}

10 Jun 2015 13:00:24
I think Milner will effectively take up Gerrard's place in the squad as a central midfielder. He can be used out wide if require but as you say, we already have 5 senior players who can play out wide.

10 Jun 2015 13:02:45
Our transfer dealings so far are pointing towards either a midfieldand attacking trio, or a 4 man diamond with two men up top. I think we will see Lucas move on as well as Sterling. Kovacic or a player of that mould will probably come in the other way.

I think our next signing will clarify what formation Rodgers plans on playing. If it is a winger (Cheryshev, Candreva etc) i expect a a front 3 with wingers and a midfield trio. If it is a striker (Higuain, Mandzukic etc) i expect we'll go with a midfield diamond and two out and out strikers.

I am struggling to see how Lambert, Balotelli, Markovic and Borini will fit in next year though. Personally I'd move them all on. Perhaps only a loan in Lazars case. Sad fact is Ibe has always been better and he needs game time to improve.

10 Jun 2015 15:48:13
Red rum
U said all this and week ago and my post was battered?. I also asked Edd001 on his opinion because he is the only one who speaks sense on our transfer signings. Fans are hilarious on this page. Does anyone have there own opinion or listens to one poster and agrees? Watch the players yourselves and express your own opinions even if they are against the yes men on this page. Don't be abusive but share a decent personal opinion on players. That's what the ppage is for. Decent Debate

10 Jun 2015 15:54:17
I think it willbe a diamond with. Can
Henderson milner
Coutinho
Or possibly as I'd rather he played 4-3-3 with can
Henderson milner
Ibe sturridge coutinho, with coutinho in a kind of free role to affect the play ie.messi's role

10 Jun 2015 17:23:11
The lack of games for Lambert, Borini and Ballo last season tells you exactly where they are.nowhere!

Possibly Lambert will be kept, but at least Danny Ings showed decent skills and application last year. He is, at the very least, an excellent back up player. Personally, I think he will surprise a few and become a bit of a favourite quite quickly.

10 Jun 2015 11:43:01
Hi eds
Reports out this morning that Rodgers has a very limited transfer budget this season.
I know we don't talk money here but is that the case?
Cheers

{Ed002's Note - I have spent the past year explaining about the issues the club has with FFP and the need to become fiscally responsible.}

10 Jun 2015 12:58:01
Shock horror

Exactly what the eds have been telling everyone.

Our money this summer is coming from selling sterling.

10 Jun 2015 20:53:07
We knew this already.

10 Jun 2015 09:06:26
Ed 01. Seen Steve MacManaman's comments about where we need to strengthen; I was particularly interested to see he said we need central defenders. It's often pointed out we have several at the club already, would you say we should virtually have a clear out and start again, or otherwise what would your ideal central defence partnership be - assuming we play with a back 4?

As for transfer rumours; who do you suppose may be brought in and also leave the club in those positions?

Thanks for a great site.

{Ed001's Note - we do need to make some changes, Skrtel does not work well with anyone, it is time to move on from him and find a partnership that does work. For me, it is time to put Sakho in as first choice and find who works best with him, that is the ideal defensive partnership we have. Personally I would like to see Ilori given the chance to prove himself, but that is unlikely to happen, so we have to look at other options.

I would not expect much movement in, not until some leave, such as Skrtel, if he continues to whine about his contract which is a massive overpayment for such a poor defender, Coates, who simply is not good enough, and Ilori, who will never get a chance. It will be replacements only at the moment as the club is working on other areas.}

10 Jun 2015 10:52:59
I'd personally like to see Sakho partner Wisdom.

Wisdom is no kid. He's 21 and built like he's 30. He's captained England u21's for years.

In Sakho and Wisdom you have 2 powerful defenders with the pace to hold a high line, the physicality to cope with anyone and both are excellent at winning aerial duels (even if Sakho doesn't have any direction to his headers). More fitting to the Rodgers way though, both are very good on the ball.

Ilori for me is all promise, no experience. He would be excellent competition for Wisdom though with Lovren competing with Sakho. Sadly, Toure staying pretty much signals the end of Ilori if you ask me. Hopefully Skrtel is finally shifted though.

Wisdom and Sakho are leaders. They organise players around them. It's a match made in heaven in my opinion and I hope Wisdom's new contract is a signal that he might finally be about to get a run in his preferred position.

10 Jun 2015 10:24:40
Ed1 what areas are we working on and does it include our full backs positions? I have seen we have been linked with Lucas Digne today?

{Ed001's Note - full backs, forwards and apparently midfield again, though I have no idea why we want to collect so many midfielders.}

10 Jun 2015 11:11:56
Agree with all. Sadly, Rodgers handling of Wisdom has been poor. Why was he loaned out and not recalled when we needed him? Needs to show more faith and interest in his own youth policy.

10 Jun 2015 11:45:12
I think we need to move on skrtel that is for sure , he is what around 30-31 i guess. he could be moved at a decent price.
and i disagree with EMS on wisdom pairing with sakho, i think it has to be illori who should pair up with sakho. Illori is fast and from what little i have seen of him at boredaux he has an absolute terrific jump on him. he is comfortable on the ball and can push forward, not only that he is taller than wisdom and very very mobile, i cannot see why he cannot be turned into a top top defender. comfortable on the ball, fast and decisive. he needs to get a chance. Must add here there is another player exactly like him called raphael varane apparently the next big defender. I think Tiago illori should be our front line defender next season either with lovren or sakho. Now i really like Sakho but he is god awful at set pieces and his heading is ah well let's just say that awful haircut of his hits the ball before his head so ball goes not much far!! i still see lovren as a good player and i think a pairing of lovren and illori makes sense to me even though both are right footed i guess, also we should stop playing three at the back , play four at back with wisdom at RB and stewart at LB( i am not sure on moreno as LB he gets played inside very easily)

10 Jun 2015 12:12:23
Don't get me wrong Akshit, I really rate Ilori. Height is pretty irrelevant though. Wisdom is 6ft1. Taller than Carragher, Puyol, Toure, Mascherano etc. Ilori is only 6ft3. Both are great players but I rate Wisdoms rreading of the game and leadership qualities as more important than Ilori's unrivalled Pace and his height.

Agree with you that Sakho is suspect in some areas of his game but I'd still prefer him to Lovren.

Suprised to see somebody else who rates Stewart though and I completely agree he deserves a chance. Hopefully he proves in pre-season that he's good enough and Rodgers can't ignore him.

10 Jun 2015 12:18:36
Wisdom will be the back up right back next season, in the absence of Flanagan. That is how Rodgers wants it, what I think is better/worse makes little difference. With 4 other CBs in the team, no way is he going to be tried at CB; discussions on the same will just be fantasy.

10 Jun 2015 12:33:28
Wisdom can provide backup for both the right back and centre back positions. I think he could also do well in a back three should Rodgers go with that next season.

Red Rum

10 Jun 2015 12:34:44
I've said since the start of last season that Sakho/Lovren should be the centre back pairing. Lovren is a talent but his confidence is rock bottom from playing wide of a three chasing wingers.
Get him back in four with fullback assistance and let him organize alongside our best defender in Sakho and let the partnership mature.

I'm fully confident it will take off after a while.

But no, Rodgers would rather dicard him as the problem rather than admit his own defensive coaching failings.

10 Jun 2015 12:39:33
EMS i think i could bring my point across in a right way, what i was trying to bring up about illori was that he is a solid player with ball in air because he as a decent jump on him and he can defend aerial balls in general and set pieces. and he is good at that. while Wisdom is a suspect at ball in air , he built strong but he isn't exactly comfortable when the ball is in the Air. he is good strength wise. Also with Illori one big advantage he has over other defenders LFC have is his Pace, he is seriously quick , he would be tough to beat if its a one on one , he can catch up. Illori is serious talent being wasted really and i am sure he will most probs be moved. which to me is a pity really he is actually a very talented lad almost as talented as Varane,

I agree on wisdom being played but if illori is not moved and made to sit on bench it would be a waste.

TBH i'd play wisdom and illori at CB if i could, after last years defensive clown show i just am scared of having any of skrtel sakho or lovren in our defence, i am not convinced any of the three is good enough

As for stewart what i have seen of him at burton, he is good defensively and average in attack, but he has that commitment kind of thing about his game , he does try to give his best and he is a good bloke by looks of it

10 Jun 2015 12:52:50
I've always thought that Wisdom can be a future LFC captain. I see him at CB at that point.
If he were to be played there now, he badly needs a "talker" alongside him. Still tends to ball watch a bit.
I don't know how vocal Sakho is (can he speak good English even ?) to help with this.
I agree about Ilori, it would be a great shame if he were to leave without getting a chance, though we haven't seen how he trains.
But, bejasus, Liverpool's recent record with buying CB's is as bad as it's strikers' one. Lovren is not looking a good buy at all at the moment.

10 Jun 2015 11:33:05
Thanks for the reply Ed1.

Following on from Illori; whhat is your view on the several players that have been brought in under BR not making it into the first team - Aspas is another one? Did BR want these players in the first place, or was it other committee members that forced them through?

Thanks again.

{Ed001's Note - he wanted them, this was the reason behind the committee being formed. He was bringing in lots of players and barely using them. Sadly the committee seems to have changed nothing.}

10 Jun 2015 21:08:14
Exactly, Ed! To me, all he does and has been doing is indirectly, using the TC (of which he is a part of) as cover for his TW blunders. When each of these many players have come in, he has bigged them each up in the media as good prospects that are what we neeed. Then afterwards, nothing. We never see them play and he then brings in another shedload of players in and the cycle continues. Then, many on here fall for his waffling around as to "if so-so player was that good, why is BR not playing him?" or "If BR is not playing him then he must not be good enuff". Well, if that is the case, who`s fault is it for bringing them in? Oh I know, it must be that big, bad TC of which he is a part of and has the final say. People need to wake up and think. Players like Ilori, Alberto and so on may not have been needed BUT they are good players who had enuff talent to be bought and saying Wisdom or whoever is better than Ilori is just stupid because NOT A SOUL has seen Ilori play for us because The Genius who signed him NEVER gave him a chance. So how can you form an op on a player(s) you`ve never seen play for LFC?

10 Jun 2015 08:26:39
Morning eds and all. How does everyone think Gerard will get on in America? I know he isn't the player he was, but it's a different league. Will his experience prevail over the youth and undoubted athleticism of some players. Will the manager play him to his strengths?

{Ed002's Note - He will struggle with the language.}

10 Jun 2015 08:51:28
He'll be fine, but my expectations aren't high honestly. I go to a fair amount of Galaxy games and frankly the MLS is more of a lump it and chase it sort of game which won't really suit him. Hopefully he'll have Robbie as a target and Zardes won't be able to do much with his passing.

Arena (in my opinion) is an idiot, but Sarachan is a really nice guy and more or less runs things day to day anyway.

10 Jun 2015 09:04:13
I'm sure he will be a lot richer by the end of the season. Lol

10 Jun 2015 15:19:30
Ha ha ed class:)

10 Jun 2015 21:20:33
Ed is right. i go to LA a lot and their "Hollywood" English is quite difficult and annoying to understand

10 Jun 2015 03:10:04
If QPR has a 20% clause on Sterling transfer. What happens if we do a player exchange instead of cash? eg we swap Sterling for Walcott.

{Ed002's Note - Liverpool then gives the cash equivalent to QPR.}

10 Jun 2015 09:37:55
we give 20 percent of walcott to Qpr , that means his head has to be cut off his body and given to Qpr. Sad but it suits us. would literally be headless chicken then.

10 Jun 2015 10:41:53
made me smile!

Will Brendan play Walcott through the middle as Theo wants. ,yes Brendan will most likely pair him with Skrtel!!

10 Jun 2015 21:25:52
The fact that he even wants Walcott, another sicknote and ever slightly above average player, is enuff to know that he STILL hasn`t learnt a thing about scouting players and evaluating talent.

09 Jun 2015 23:11:38
Having had a moment or two to think about our club I've come up with two depressing conclusions.
One is that, for the first time in my life, I'm not looking forward to the start of the season whatsoever.
Number two, a weird one really, is that I actually feel very sorry for Raheem Sterling and completely understand where he's coming from.

When thinking about Sterling, you need to consider what's happened in this last year.
12 months ago he had just missed out on the league title, was England's new poster boy going into a World Cup and had the Champions League and another stab at the title to look forward to going into the next season.

Fast forward twelve months.
Sterling's progress over the last 3 years has been attributed to Brendan Rodgers' brilliant work with bringing youngsters into the team, in the mainstream media.
His recent decline in form, much down to him consistently being played out of position, put down to him being "a money grabbing 20 year old" who's too fussed with his contract to focus on his football.
Rodgers hasn't tried to take any responsibility for this.
He's facing a season of Europa League football and likely 'transition' with us.
His agent has done him no favours for sure. He should sack Aidy Ward without a moment's hesitation for the awful PR he's given him.
But from a financial point of view, take a look at what Sterling sees.
At the back end of next 5 years Sterling might well hit his peak, as a player very much reliant on pace.
As a winner of the "European Golden Boy" we expect this peak of Sterling's to be very, very high, possibly world-class.
Then comes in James Milner. Milner, who is joining the club for the last few years of his career, really.
Milner, who spent his prime years on the fringes of a City side, who hold an interest in Sterling- presumably to play a more prominent role (or at least that's what his representatives will be being told).
Milner signs a contract we're led to believe is worth £150k p/w.
Now I'm not slating the Milner signing, in fact I think it's a good bit of business.
But Sterling sees the club who refused to offer the "Golden Boy" anything more than £100k p/w (again, allegedly), willing to offer a full 50% more for a player whom Sterling might already be at a higher level than, and while Milner will most likely decline from now on, Sterling should continue develop as a player.
If, as Sterling doesn't having signed in his mid teens, I had no allegiance to the club I was playing for, and that situation arose I'd be straight out of the door.
That's not money-grabbing, it's knowing your worth and feeling respected.
Why would Sterling stay at a club where the manager continuously plays him out of position, takes credit for all good he does but leaves him out to dry whenever he screws up, can't offer Champions League football, he holds no allegiance to, a club who don't seem to be progressing in any way and don't value him as he'd feel they should, and other clubs would as a player?
I certainly wouldn't.

10 Jun 2015 07:03:06
Milner is a direct replacement (Gerrard) to bring in experience in midfield.

One of the few experienced english mid-fielders who has played top level football (Champions league), played (Manchester city) won premier league and has been in BPL lfor years.

Other regular english mids are now lallana and Hendo.

10 Jun 2015 09:11:47
Or maybe the horrid little cancer should look at Milner and see a professional on and off the field. Never caught for speeding or smoking or gas or forgetting his own kids names etc. never going on TV unauthorised to moan and slate his club.

Then he should look at the player, who has been an international for years, captained clubs, won league titles and is seen as a replacement for one of our best ever players. Why should he be paid as much as him now?

Sterling, this boy wonder or European child cup winner whatever it's called, had opportunities to win us games we shouldn't, to excel on the European CL stage. He didn't. So again why us he worth £100k pw let alone £150k? Played out of position? He was brought threw as a winger, then head of a diamond formation and also interchangeable front three. He played as a striker, hardly a massive change in position. He had goals given to him on a plate and missed. Sorry no matter what level you don't miss open goals and blame it on a position 5 yrds off your favoured one.

Can't wait to get rid. He's got a poor finish, he's goes missing in most games, can't cross, has poor vision for key passes and his one trick pony overstep is easily found out.

He will have an ego close to Ballotelli already although having done nothing to warrant it. Goodbye, take cancer Ward with you. We will be absolutely fine without you. LFC will be remembered and talked about in ten years, Sterling won't be.

10 Jun 2015 09:15:33
Milner has quite simply proven he is worth a decent weekly pay packet and has experience and trophies to back that up. What has Sterling shown to suggest he should be one of the club's highest earners, especially this year? Youth? Potential? If Sterling gets a bumper pay rise, what's to stop him from asking for more towards the end of his next contract? I can't feel sorry for someone who has allegedly rejected 100k a week and the occasional holiday to Jamaica. The fact that he is still developing is justification to pay him less, not more, than a player of proven ability.

10 Jun 2015 09:56:30
first team chances is what sterling should look at and he will play day in and day out only at Liverpool. also he should look back at last season and see his finishing is nowhere near deserving a 100k/week contract. neither does he create chances and arguably doesn't know how to cross. He should also understand that he lost the ball in-numerous times while trying some awkward step overs. HE should know that a move away would 100% without a doubt put a stop to is development and his big money move will invite pressure form the fans of the club he signs for. probably do a reality check improve that finishing of his and score some goals and then make big claims.
if you put into perspective if sterling would have finished half of his chances real sitters he missed we could probably have had 10 points more and champions league. so he should probably think about what his overall game lacks and improve , he has time and there is no better club than LFC for him atm.

09 Jun 2015 20:36:03
Edd001 can I get your opinion on our transfer thus far ings and milner and our potential transfers in Kovacic and clYne.

Before the window opened in wanted 2 top players or close to that brought in and use the younger players a lot better in the squad. Imo what we needed was a top striker, central midfielder and goalkeeper and so far we have failed to sort these areas out effectively.

{Ed001's Note - they just all seem a bit pointless, again. It is not that we buy bad players, it is that we buy the wrong type of players. We need a number one goalkeeper, so we add a woeful back up. We need a defensive midfielder with a bit of bite, so we add a headless chicken with no positional sense and look to add another one that is really an attacking mid. We need a top striker, so we add one with potential but a question mark over his character. Do not get me wrong, I don't think Milner and Ings are bad players, I quite like both as players, but they are not what we need, at all. Neither offer a genuine improvement on our current team. If a player is not a definite first team player, we should not be bringing them in. It is idiotic transfer decisions like this that have kept us out of the top echelon over the years. Better to buy one top quality player than five average ones, but we choose to buy five average ones every time. We have learnt nothing from the way Suarez lifted the team, a team with a number of young players filling in the gaps, as it should be. Whoever is making the transfer decisions at the club should be removed immediately, they clearly have no idea what they are doing.}

10 Jun 2015 07:49:38
Great post Ed001. Doesn't understand why we got him paying ludicrous fee.It can cause disharmony.
1. If we play him in the main team then we are stunting progress of younger players or we should play him in the place of specialist players either way its a problem.
2.Or if he seats on the bench and takes huge wages then also it will cause the imbalance.
Instead we should have gone and paid those wages to Petr Cech.For me he is what we should get to bring the experience to the squad.One thing which surprises me is its been nearly five years since FSG take over and they still keep on wasting their money on inappropriate signings.

10 Jun 2015 08:25:35
So why do they keep buying average players? I assume that FSG would think that buying 5 average players with potential is much less of a gamble than buying 1 "great" player. Falcao, Soldado, Carroll, Torres etc. The point is, that buying 5 average players with potential might pay off, and if it doesn´t then it´s easier to recoup some of the money - Problem is that players with potential don´t get played at LFC.

Nevertheless, the club seems to pay over the price for some players (Lallana, Markovic and Lovren) and tries to haggle for other players (Kovacic, Salah and Mkhitaryan). I will never understand how transfers at LFC work.

{Ed002's Note - The owners do not decide which players to buy.}

10 Jun 2015 08:57:55
Absolutely spot on ed and this is something most of us have been saying for 20 years since moores was in charge. Tried it with relative success a few times with torres and suarez and then immediately reverted back to the quantity approach. Last summer was case in point and had we just added a top striker, keeper and dm last window we would not have been griping the whole season and totally embarassed in Europe.

Its not one persons fault either, i believe its a combo of poor scouting, lack of a real plan footballing wise and lack of leadership from the top. I see us as no better than the hoarde of mid table teams vying for the europa league should we continue down this route. This summers activities do not instil me with any hope for the future until they sell up to hopefully people who understand football and have the capability to move is forward with purpose.

10 Jun 2015 09:36:32
I agree with the sentiment but I disagree with Milner. I think Milner is genuinely first team material and a very good player.

For GK we should be enquiring about Cech. A world class keeper who is looking to move and the Eds have listed around 10 keepers we have shown some level of interest in and he is not one. We should have at least tried.

For Striker I think we could have left Ings off as Origi is already coming in so we have the potential criteria already and I would have liked someone at Sturridge's level instead, guaranteed first team material.

{Ed001's Note - how is Milner better than Henderson? There is absolutely no need for two like for like players, it makes no sense. Yes he will walk into the first team, but because the club is in a mess and has no sense. If we didn't have Hendo, Milner would be a fantastic signing, but we do, so we don't need another player that is going to be making the same runs, doing the same things in central midfield. If he has been brought in to play out wide, then where on earth does Ibe fit in? It is another in the policy of buying for the sake of buying with no intelligent plan of how to fit players into a system.}

10 Jun 2015 10:59:34
What happens if milner or Henderson gets an injury , now we have two guys who can cover each other and I do think milner is versatile to play a couple of positions , that's only my own humble opinion

10 Jun 2015 12:12:32
@Ed001, I don't think he's better than Henderson I think both are top class. I think he's better than the rest of them and I think he's a very good option for out wide.

I think Henderson was our best player this season, far more consistent than Coutinho. I'd see Milner as adding to the team and I don't see him as replacing Henderson.

Three at the back is a mess. I'd like to see us go back to 4-3-3 and Milner is an option for the midfield and out wide in the attacking front three.

Ibe should still get enough opportunities. Gerrard has gone from starting central midfield and Sterling is likely to go so that's two starting players gone. I am happy Milner is available for either of these.

{Ed001's Note - I understand what you are saying, but having another player like Hendo in central midfield would just be the kind of thing Allardyce would do. You need more quality, someone to create the play, Hendo is decent but not top class at that and the same with Milner. You can't rely on someone further forward, as you need someone in midfield to get them the ball in the first place. As for one of the attacking three, that would be awful for Milner, it would not get the most out of his qualities as he would spend too much time tracking back. Where would Ibe play if you do that? You say he will get the chances, but where? When? How? There is no plan and you have no plan either, just saying 'yeah but he could play there' without even looking at whether it would suit him. He is not suited to playing as part of an attacking three. He would not be better than what we have there. Simply put, he is another buy we didn't need, just like most of last season's deals.}

10 Jun 2015 12:59:12
The owners might not decide which players to buy, but they hold the purse strings.
I am really coming round to Ozone's views with FSG.
They're trying an Arsenal on us without the genius of a Wenger in place.

{Ed002's Note - You don't understand then how much money they have put in to transfers?}

10 Jun 2015 13:33:24
@Ed001, I am very happy with the signing of Milner. We don't have much money to spend so I see Milner as a good signing as it leaves money to buy a better quality GK and Striker. If a top class full back was interested and available then I would prefer the money spent there too instead.

We have enough midfielders. I know your point is saying we had enough already but I see Milner as an improvement on all of ours other than Henderson. You don't, that's fair enough too. Gerrard out Milner in, I'm happy with that and we have the same numbers as last season.

In terms of Milner out wide in an attacking three - I disagree again sorry I don't think that would be awful I think he's good on the wing and if he was pushed further up then I'd have him closing down further up the pitch to harass the opposition defenders and full backs. Put the opposition defences under pressure. On the ball I think he is skillful and an attacking threat. I think he has good end product.

In terms of Ibe he could play either side in an attacking three. I do think he can play there, he can take on defenders, he has good pace to get in behind defences and he has a good shot on him. Ibe, Markovic, Lallana and sometimes Milner. I don't think that's too many players for the two wide attacking positions so I do see plenty of game time for him. I expect Sterling to go.

10 Jun 2015 12:52:09
Out of interest Ed001 who would this top striker be, is there a guy out there who wants to come and we can afford him who also happens to be top class. Vietto looks out of reach. Benzema and Higuain are fairy tales. Aubameyang maybe? Who would you like to see?

{Ed001's Note - more chance of Higuain than Aubameyang. I don't see why he is a fairy tale.}

10 Jun 2015 17:53:22
I just can't see it. To be truthful Aubameyang was just a stab, I'm not sure there is someone attainable out there for us, certainly not before selling Sterling. Higuain would want massive wages wouldn't he?

10 Jun 2015 20:02:31
How much more massive would his wages be than the 150k given to milner.

12 Jun 2015 05:18:17
This attitude of "well there's nobody out there so we should just make do". Rubbish! There are players out there who can help us. It is such defeatist attitude that has stifled us. That's why people are jumping for joy over a player like Milner who is just another Hendo, who is not better than Can, Couts or Lallana. If you wanna win big, u got to think big. Lay it all on the line for that top player you know can help us instead of settling for average signings and calling them gems in a bid to make us all feel better