Liverpool Banter Archive January 13 2017

13 Jan 2017 21:15:21
All arrows pointing towards a loss this weekend. Liverpool slumping and United on winning streak. And yet, I see another big performance from our side and a massive 2 - 1 win. I think we would require Hendo though.

13 Jan 2017 21:48:10
I actually think United could be the spark that triggers an upturn in form. After this weekend it doesn't look like our injuries are going to be much of an issue after this weekend (touch wood) .

We've been missing Coutinho for nearly 2 months, Matip has been out a couple of times in that tine, and the only performance I can call absolutely disappointing was the Southampton game. Hendo coming back, Grujic and Ojo back in and around the team. With Sturridge, Origi, Firmino all fit as well, this is possibly the strongest we've been on the whole all season as if we get the Sturridge we know exists I think we won't miss Mane as much, not to mention the fact that team seems stronger with Matip and we've clearly missed him recently. I think he's the one I'm happiest about coming back.
Mou teams don't seem to do well against Klopp's, if Coutinho starts we could run riot with Firmino and Sturridge linking up with him. I think it would be advisable to drop Can as Hendo and Gini, if we're going to win I think we need to do nullify Pogba and they provide more energy; clearly Lallana needs to start.

13 Jan 2017 22:02:38
I have already placed the money on a win. A thumping win would make it double or tripple. For some reason I feel so confident we will thrash them.

13 Jan 2017 22:13:22
Backlash on Sunday. Kloppo's men will be ready for a battle and will lay a marker down 🏆

13 Jan 2017 22:29:32
I fear the worst. We seriously lack any pace and penetration without Mané. It's all tippy tappy around the 18 yard box.

13 Jan 2017 23:14:00
I really sont see us running all over them. That would require Mourinho sending his team out there with no discipline but ya just know they will be well organized. If we can press them effectively high up the pitch then we may create chances (obviously lol. ) but I think this will be a slow tactucal game that favors a draw

14 Jan 2017 00:13:09
Don`t be surprised if Mou parks the bus even at home cos he did the exact same thing in the first half vs City this season. Why? He is terrified to go against coaches who have consistently smashed him in the past case in point, Klopp and Pep. We shall see.

14 Jan 2017 00:14:28
Drop Sturridge, play origin on the flanks, bobby in the middle. sturridges movement and runs wrong for the team shape

14 Jan 2017 01:07:07
Agree bob, don't no what it is with sturridge. Almost looks like the mans grown an extra foot, looks very slow and lacks agility, much more effective off the bench when the game has slowed down

14 Jan 2017 01:52:02
We will win 2-nil and Milner is going to score

14 Jan 2017 04:04:40
Either united park the bus again an play for a nil nil or they try and come at us an get a hiding.

14 Jan 2017 08:35:46
Hamilton Red mourinho is scared it petrified, hat he does is plan well.

Any manager that sets up gung-ho against us is risking a tonking.

He ruined our title chances by stifling the "slip" game against us an without Mane- it would be easy to do the same this time round.

What this does mean is that defensively we have to be spot on as a goal conceded is likely to decide the game.

That will be the plan. Stifle us, wait for a mistake, protect 1-0 lead to the end or wait for a chance as we press forward.

We CANNOT concede the first goal.

14 Jan 2017 12:40:58
Which is why we need to start fast, get an early goal like the city game before they get settled.

14 Jan 2017 14:45:54
I agree, Agger as goals change games in general. If I were Klopp I would throw him a curveball and play a cagey style from the off like we did vs City. Stay as a compact unit, cut out spaces in midfield and set pressing zones (part of the Gegen pressing system) to pick their pockets and go on the counter. This is what we did vs City BUT couldn`t finish off the openings created.

If we get an early goal then, we do what we did to City as explained above BUT we must start fast and pounce when the opportunity arrives. Remember tho, even a draw is NOT a bad result regardless of however way you slice it.

13 Jan 2017 15:16:03
Is it just me wondering why we have not made an approach to sign fonte from Southampton? Wouldn't that give us abit more stability in defence over klavan? Him and matip in defence? Killer combination, don't understand it atall

{Ed002's Note - Liverpool has no intention of selling Klavan.}

13 Jan 2017 15:27:16
I know this only works in CM or other games, but Fonte (who is 33/ 4) plus cash for Sakho would seem like a decent result for all parties.

In Fonte we will have as player who may not have a decade of service to give, but seems to have improved both players who have played alongside him recently in Lovren and VVD. He would certainly play more part in our defence than Sakho has done in the last 6 months, and would give us decent options with Matip, Lovren and Klavan. This also takes pressure off Gomez who is only 19.

13 Jan 2017 15:41:24
We want quite a lot of money for Sakho, I'm not sure how offloading him, plus giving cash, for a 33/ 34 yr old would represent a good deal for us? This also moves Gomezto 5th choice cb, not exactly ideal for his development to have two 30+ squad players in front of him along with the two 1st choice.

13 Jan 2017 15:59:03
Back!, go back! and re-read my post!

I said Fonte + cash for Sakho, not the other way round.

I'm making up numbers here (sorry Ed002), but we want (roughly) £20m for Sakho, and Saints are looking for (roughly) £5m for Fonte. So Fonte + £15m, or even Fonte + £10m, could be a deal that works all round. Whilst we have Sakho, he's not contributing to the first team and he's costing a lot in wages. Fonte plus some money in the bank (however much that is, within reason) seems a much better option than keeping Sakho in the U23s.

13 Jan 2017 16:07:09
Ok understood apologies. But if your suggestion overall was Fonte plus about 15m they could just pay 17m and not have to give us Fonte. There is no way you can spin this to make a good deal out of it for both sides.

{Ed002's Note - Why would Liverpool want yet another centre back? There is no more space unless someone is sold - and even Klopp is not stupid enough to buy to replace someone who is not even in the first team squad.}

13 Jan 2017 16:21:20
The club can't have 5 CB's. Moreover Sakho was replaced by Klavan in the summer.

13 Jan 2017 16:09:58
We're not looking to replace Sakho though. Our CBs are Matip, Lovren, Klavan, Gomez and Lucas, Sakho is just an asset we're looking to cash in.

13 Jan 2017 16:30:40
Back, that's why I said "Fonte plus some money". +£15m is very optimistic (but I am an optimist! ), so maybe +£10m is more realistic. As to why they wouldn't just buy him outright, they may well do that if we're not interested in Fonte or him us. But if both parties are interested then why not? A bit like Owen for £8m + Nunez. If Fonte wants to go, is nearing the end of his contract and is 34, then his value isn't massive no matter how well he's playing.

Ed002, fair point, but I think Klopp may be fearing for Matip's injuries and may not be convinced by the Lovren/ Klavan partnership. As you have often said, players are transient employees rather than supporters, hence Klopp may see Fonte as a useful addition to a CB pool that includes one great player who has got injured quite a bit in his first half-season, 2 reasonable/ good players and 1 19 year old rookie.

Just my view.

13 Jan 2017 16:36:40
I feel like you're just arguing your point for prides sake now, there is no deal, Fonte plus cash (any random amount you suggest) for Sakho, that is fair for both sides.

13 Jan 2017 17:42:22
If you guys absolutely insist on getting a CB from Southampton, then it should be the other one, not this one.

13 Jan 2017 20:03:22
Lovren isn't good enough sakhos going lucas not a cb and to slow that leaves matip klavan gomez im with zeddicus fonte all day long.

13 Jan 2017 20:18:26
when we do sign a cb, he won't be 33/ 34 years old .

13 Jan 2017 21:00:42
Its january experienced cb short term if ut helps us win the premier league then thars fine by me.

13 Jan 2017 23:52:54
Time to call the "answer". yes I am talking about Steven Caulker. He can fill CB and striker!

14 Jan 2017 00:14:54
Zed, it doesn`t matter. Fonte wants to go to Utd, per Ed01.

13 Jan 2017 13:20:27
Hi, does anyone know the latest on Hendersons fitness?

13 Jan 2017 13:48:24
They say he should be ready for the Utd game along with Matip as both were supposed to be back in full training yesterday, as I understand it.

13 Jan 2017 13:57:34
He's back in training, and could be involved at the weekend!

13 Jan 2017 22:03:34
He will start.

13 Jan 2017 07:29:41
not strictly Liverpool related but I would just like to pay my respect to graham taylor, what he achieved at Watford and aston villa was amazing, his England stint less so, however he did not deserve the vile abuse he received in the media, one rag in particular, no doubt the hypocrisy from the media will be in full force, my personal favourite memory of graham taylor is the fact he teamed up with sir Elton john and changed watfords history forever. R. I. P graham taylor.

13 Jan 2017 07:51:27
A thoroughly decent man, and great pundit too.

13 Jan 2017 10:19:02
Indeed. Rip to that man

13 Jan 2017 11:49:52
What he did for John Barnes alone demands our respect.

13 Jan 2017 13:04:46
Indeed. May he rest in peace.

13 Jan 2017 16:33:55
do i not like that.

13 Jan 2017 16:54:31
He saved Paul McGrath from slipping over the edge and had him playing the best football of his life, all with very little training because his knees were near gone.
Pity the media destroyed him when he became England manager.
RIP.