Liverpool Banter Archive May 13 2013

13 May 2013 21:53:26
Eds, a while ago we were linked with Mkhitaryan - was this just press garbage or was there any truth to the interest? 24 goals in 27 games this season from an advanced midfield position is an amazing return (albeit in a much poorer league). Only had the chance to watch him a few times but he's looked fantastic every time I've seen him.

JFT 96

JP {Ed052's Note - he wants a London move and would be far too expensive unless something crazy happened }

Tell you what Ed it really p****s me of when a player wants a London move, are players that fickle now, they should move to a club because they want to wear the shirt not because of a kudos of bright lights etc but hey that's life mate.

Why does it piss you off Reusch? They are people who often have wives, children etc. They don't just want to play for certain clubs, they want to live the best life they possibly can live and if someone is open and honest about where they believe that will be then good on them! Better then players like Anelka saying 'it's always been my dream to play here' at 15 clubs

So it's a better life in London than say Liverpool Blackpool etc :).

I will disagree to that from personal experience : (

The real AG

13 May 2013 21:52:19
Any player that doesn't show the commitment or desire to come to us shouldn't bother at all.

Players simply coming for the cash don't deserve to wear our shirt.

Furthermore, we won 3-1 at Fulham - but it's not worth celebrating over - we are still nowhere near the top 4 - many players have simply gone through the motions this season - part of the reason we are way off the pace.

This has been a season of failure.

The spin is that it's transition,, but that's nonsense. For a club of our stature, we should be challenging for silverware every season, not simply accepting spin and mediocrity.

M

We've been top 4 form since january and if we had studge and cou from the start of the season we would have been in the mix

you are someone who'd be negative no matter what and has zero knowledge

wake up its not the 1970's or 80's we have a mountain to climb but we are deffinately going in the right direction that's clear as day

Just because you either do not understand the state of the club and the requirement for transition or simply wish it wasnt so, does not make it true. Just because we are Liverpool does not mean that we deserve to be anywhere. We have been successful because of what we have done, NOT because of who we are. Due to bad decisions in the recent past, we have fallen into a situation where we needed to clear out, rebuild and restructure, this takes time. The current set up has had a season to do this and has not only improved the books but improved on last years league results. We are now in position to grow with a sustainable plan for future success.

Andy K

It's good to know that if we ever get too optimistic or happy about our club there is always M to pop our balloons and stamp on our sandcastles. How dare we be happy about a 3-1 win at Fulham - let's focus on the bad stuff.

I'd assume that anyone that doesn't have the desire too join LFC, won't bother.

Melbourne CFC

I know what you mean, but you MUST celebrate every win and breed a mentality for winning! Losing is never an option even if it means nothing in terms of league position. we come not to play!

Positive as ever, good to see you keeping your chin up once again M.

Anonymous woolback

Ferguson had a rough few years when he first joined united so we shouldn't give up hope. Personally I have seen a large improvement and feel we have a platform to progress from and to start pushing for top 4 next season

The season is very nearly over. Move on. The club is!

To add. "not worth celebrating"?
I will celebrate whenever the hell I want to celebrate!
When we win, I celebrate! because i'm behind my club!

You seem to consider yourself in front of our club. As though they owe you something!

If you see this season as a failure, look forward to the next one. Simple!

Red7.

I understand what you're saying but I disagree in most part.

Sometimes it will take cash to lure a player. I do believe though that once here, the player will develop a love for the club that inspires him to play for the shirt and fans etc. If that doesn't happen, then they are not the right player for our club. It is unfair to expect every player to love us and want to play for us before they even join.

I don't think we are as far from the top 4 as you think. I reckon a full season with Sturridge and Coutinho would have had us at least closer, if not, challenging for that fourth place.

We should celebrate every win regardless of our positon on the ladder - otherwise why bother watching after we mathematically can't make top four? I have loved watching every win and goal (win, draw or lose) this season.

I don't agree that this season has been a failure. It has not been successful, no, but failure is a bit strong. We were never going to achieve much more than what we have this year due to squad size and strength. Rodgers put it simple the other day when he said it was about building a base for the next few years. The sense of stability that is in place will be a great foundation going forward. In saying that, I don't believe that "transition" is spin at all, but a legitimate reason as to why we are not challenging for silverware this year. Everyone was hopeful of winning something at the start of the season, but most would have realistically not expected it.

Well M which way would you have it? The team can include only players that play for the shirt and be mediocre or we could go for a couple class players to help get the team back to the top. I for one would have the team competing for the title and CL no matter which players are on the pitch or what their motivations are.

Clearly you've never had a history lesson.

You heard it here first lads, M decided that it's all spin so everyone turn on the club and rip it to pieces!

So to you, a good win is not worth celebrating? What do you hope to see in matches then?

A completely ignorant attitude M. just because we're Liverpool and because of the stature of our club doesn't give us the divine right to be challenging for honors and the top 4. It's previous people at the club wit the same ignorant attitude as u that we're Liverpool so it'll just automatically happen for us is the reason we're playing catch up. If u think the squad we had before January was good enough to be challenging for top 4 u have a poor knowledge of football. Since January we're right up there in the form table so wit a few quality additions in the summer hopefully we cab have a right crack at it next yr. But it won just automatically happen because we're Liverpool and we have a great history and great stature.

We'll see how much progress we have done because technically next season we'll be a year ahead in our transition stage to most of the big clubs.

Wow we win 3-1 and everything is rosy in the garden!

What was our points tally this season?
Did we win any trophies?
Did we make the Champions Leagye?
Did we qualify for the Europa?
Who were we beaten by in the FA Cyl?
Did we beat anyone in the top 4?

Well if all of you are happy with the responses to these questions, then we really have drifted into tedium and mediocrity.

This has been a season of failure - one step forward two steps back.

The fact is, its all very well players start playing for a bit of pride at the end of the season so as to attempt renegotiate their contracts or be in the mind of the manager next season - but that's an attitude which is endemic amongst players.

As for other supporters simply accepting the status quo - you all have clearly accepted our woeful position and lack of success. If we continue with that mindset we won't ever challenge for the top.

M

13 May 2013 21:24:49
Have we actually shown interest in eriksen, alderweireld or wanyama at all or is it just speculation?

Anonymous woolback {Ed052's Note - we have interest in Eriksen, have watched Alderweireld, and have no interest in Wanyama. Moves for any are unlikely}

13 May 2013 21:01:42
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is said to be keen on signing Lyon defender Dejan Lovren with both Carragher and Skrtel leaving at the end of the season. The club are expected to accept offers in the region of £12 million for the player.

I hope not as he's is not soo good, just strong but to prone to mistakes, constant mistakes

13 May 2013 20:03:57
One more game left of a season of ups and downs, also one more game for the legend that is Jamie carragher. Although it's been a frustrating season, I've seen enough progress to state that next year will be a much better season. I really like the style that the manager has us playing, and with a few quality additions in the summer, champions league football will again be coming back to Anfield.

Wat an ignorant attitude. Just because we're Liverpool and the stature of our club doesn't mean it'll just happen that we'll be challenging for top 4. It was similar ignorant attitudes by previous people at the club that because we're Liverpool we have a divine right to be up there. U have to have a squad wit the quality to challenge for the top 4 and if u think that the squad we had before Xmas u have a poor knowledge of football. We've been right up there in the form table since January so we're going in the right direction and hopefully wit a few good additions in the summer we can give it a good crack next yr.

13 May 2013 19:40:29
ed2 you said earlier there is certainly interest in digne, did you mean from Liverpool?thanks

majestic69 {Ed052's Note - Ed002 isn't here now, but our rodeo clown left this message for her Belibers...

Lille's Lucas Digne has already attracted the attention of Lyon, Chelsea, Liverpool, Udinese, Barcelona, Manchester United, Manchester City, Ajax and Real Madrid. He would not want to move to sit on the bench and is more likely to stay in Lille after signing a new deal unless a significant bid arrives. But certainly one to watch and perhaps a move next summer is more likely as he is keen to keep playing each week.}

13 May 2013 18:26:09
So what do ye think of the kits for next season? The home one is class however the away and third kit look awful, and this coming from someone who owns this seasons third kit!
BigRed

The away and third kits are just awful. Even worse than some of those eighties wallpaper designs. When will they learn than less is often more. We've gone from cool to execrable in one season. Come back Addidas if this is the best Earrior can do - terrible.

13 May 2013 18:15:07
Liverpool have signed Sergi Canos. He is 16 and has scored 13 goals in 16 games. He will come with a buyout clause.

Great if true, that kid is quick

Lil Red

13 May 2013 17:36:51
HI EDS, Liverpool have reportedly agreed deals with Ajax for Danish playmaker Christian Eriksen and Belgian defender Toby Alderweireld.

IS IT TRUE OR FLASE? {Ed001's Note - reported where?}

13 May 2013 17:26:52
hi wds what's all the hype surrounding ericksen, i'm sure there is some one out there as good but would cost us less, plus he does not want to come to us, also I think we already have a better player, in couthino,

mickey b

Dennis Praet but I think he is to young to make the jump to the premier league

13 May 2013 16:53:58
Some of you may not particularly care but I've had a bit of a heads up that Rafa is heading to St James's Park in the summer!

Apples '96'

To manage Exeter?

13 May 2013 15:36:01
Brendan Rodgers has been attracting transfer targets by encouraging the necessary Liverpool players to persuade particular International teammates to come to Anfield.

Expect a surprise signing to arrive this summer.

Cheers guys,

Give it up man. Now our current players have turned into negotiators?

You talk garbage, recycle news already in the public domain as yours and that sign -off is fooling nobody.

PS: Expect a surprise or two. ooohhh I am excited now!

PPS: Are you Daniel Hanwell?

The real AG

Expect a surprise - Assaidi is bringing some of his all conquering Moroccan team over, Agger is convincing Bendtner to come abroad and Henderson is desperate to convince LFC and Connor Wickham to thrash out a deal!

He is obviously referring to Neymar and Cavani - can't wait. Well done Brendan - good times!

13 May 2013 15:21:27
Unlike most of you I've seen suso play for 3 years and I mean full 90mins not highlights packages and I for one think he won't make it big in the end he's very hit and miss and has very little influence on u21 games, is he half the player coutiniho is? No. Is there room for Suarez, sturridge, coutinio & suso in the first 11? No. Could we buy someone for cheap who is a similar age (within 1/2 years)? Yes. Same for wisdom could we buy a 20 year old center back who is miles better than him? Yes (coates) could we buy a right back who is miles better? Yes. That is what you have to look at, are we going to sit around waiting for potential or are we going to buy someone showing it at a better level. Some people seem to think suddenly all our squad will be filled with kids. It won't we will still spend big money. Our squad is now very good in terms of competition and you can only take 17 on match days currently we have Suarez, Allen, Gerrard, agger, sterling out injured that leaves 1 place the other being a gk in a matchday squad from yesterdays team plus those players

He is a squad player on a very low wage and good potential as you point out. or would you rather we get in a decent player for a FEE and a higher wage?

The real AG

Yeah I've watched Suso play as well and he's good so I have no idea what you're talking about he's in the u21 spain team no one walks into that team without pulling their weight I think you're insane to think he's not going to make it big he just lacks a bit of confidence but i'm sure a loan is what he needs to become a better player but time will tell.

Clearly I would rather we bought in somebody for a cheap fee and medium wage that can make an impact now when we need it

Well those two views don't make sense swampmonster - if there is no room for him and all the others in the starting lineup, how would we find someone for cheap and low-medium wages who could make a difference in that position? It seems unlikely at best that someone of that quality would fulfill either of those criteria.

However, I disagree with your assessment of him anyway - when he was actually training with the u21's not training with the first team and then playing with the u21's he was ruling the game and producing some real magic.

And as for 'could we buy better young players than these young players?' the answer is no for most of them. Many of them are top quality and replacements for them would be expensive if they have anything like the same potential. If we had infinite money like City or Chelsea - sure, we could do lots of things. As it is, we don't and these players are very good just as players - even better when you consider their age and experience.

Alright Sam you talk some nonsense but you where spot on there couldn't agree more {Ed001's Note - I have to agree with Sam too, no idea how anyone claiming to watch the full 90min of games Suso has played in can't see his talent! Spain built their youth side around him, that says it all to me.}

Swampmonster, what makes you think this new player for the present is going to hit the ground running? What if he turns out to be Assaidi/Sahin/Coates, all highly rated, but couldn't cut it.

So, just to get things clear, You want to ship out Suso, Wisdom and Sterling, along with all of the young academy/reserves and get players of similar age, on a higher salary and a transfer fee in the hope that they will be better than the youngsters.

And just to get things even more clear, you don't want to give youth a chance and rather we throw more money at players?

And just to make things more and more clear, you don't see the point in our Youth/reserves or the Youth/reserves league for that matter?

I'm with you Sam and Ed.

Think our breaking youth team players are great and are saving us a fortune. It's great buying players don't get me wrong. But there's no better buzz than some kid making it.

Just want that striker to come through next. Jack Dunn or Morgan maybe.

Alfie

13 May 2013 14:40:58
I would love to see the great danes son kasper at Liverpool! Any chance of that happening? A class GK like thanks

Do you mean Kasper? If so he's decent but hardly class

13 May 2013 13:53:07
What does everyone think about using Jose Enrique as a back-up centre half?

Nope.

He will run with the ball, will not pass, loose possession and then run back to stop the player who disposed him, foul him and then get sworn at by Reina.

The real AG

Are you crazy, the lad can't control his own piss and I've stevie wonder make better decisions in the last third ;) his strength is the ONLY reason he is in that team.
Prendergel

Stevie g would be worth a punt from cb than anyone else at lfc. excluding kelly of coarse. talking in terms of converting a player from a dif position
5 gold stars

I'd say get Andy Caroll back and play him as CB.

Just what we need a left back who is not a particularly good defender and can't head a ball playing at c/half, all our set-piece problems solved in a stroke.

I agree Carroll would make a class cb and him and dagger could launch 40 yard left footed shots every 5 minutes.

I still maintain that stevie g would be tailor-made for the spare centre-back role in a 3-5-2 with Agger and Kelly alongside him. Our full-backs could play higher up the field, which is what they prefer to do anyway, with a natural holding player the balance of the tem would benefit also.

I read your suggestion and chuckled.

BJH YNWA

13 May 2013 13:39:19
Rodgers Ideal Transfers

Christian Eriksen (Ajax) AMC
Toby Alderweireld (Ajax) DRC
Tom Ince (Blackpool) AMLC
Lucas Digne (Lille) DL

Take out ince and that would be awesome!

Swap Ince with Tello then perfect.

Unfortunately No Name poster, Ince is probably the only realistic one in that list.

Add a cheaper option centre half like douglas/ilori and wanyama/diame and a back up striker.

Lil Red

13 May 2013 13:12:26
a web site are reporting that we've agreed a fee for the signings of Christian eriksen and Toby alderweireld. Would be nice if true, but let's be fair they talk a load of crap, along with fat dunk.

Looks increasingly like eriksen is off to dortmunds. shame as I think he would be great for Liverpool.

13 May 2013 14:00:03
erriksson off to dortumand.

Eriksen is talking to Dortmund, it doesn't mean he will sign for them! I imagine several other clubs inc. Liverpool are monitoring developments with a view to bidding if the price and personal terms are right. YNWA

WiseLFC

Dortmund will be rubbish next season losing lewandowski and gotze he's better off coming here!

13 May 2013 12:50:12
I am sending this in as I believe it is the sort of rumour long since forgotten, but it is the sort of rumour upon which this great site was built!

I've just had a call from my friend, his son has a mate, that mate is friends with Ashley Williams' brother. and the word is that Ashley will sign for Liverpool in the summer.

Now I know the silly season is almost upon us but you have to admit you have missed this type of rumour haven't you?

ThomasK

Hope you are making it up

Right now the bloke from Fiddler on the Roof is dancing around inside my head singing 'tradition'

13 May 2013 20:57:07
I can assure I am not making it up. I'm not trying to gain fame by claiming something is true, but I did get a call and I rarely get told anything, by anyone. I last posted something similar when Darren Bent was linked. I have some information from Villa and I was told he was not going to Liverpool.

I have some inside information from a mole at Fulham that Schwarzer will not be coming to LFC. Cheers

13 May 2013 12:41:15
Thought some people might be interested to see a breakdown of our record against each team in the league. Please post in banter Eds, took me ages to pull this together haha! It is both results (home and away), pts gained and then aggreagate score (which is pretty irrelevant, but fun to look at at)

Man Utd, 2-1 Loss, 1-2 Loss, 0pts (4-2 L)
Man City, 2-2 Draw, 2-2 Draw, 2pts (4-4 D)
Chelsea, 2-2 Draw, 2-2 Draw, 2pts (4-4 D)
Tottenham, 2-1 Loss, 3-2 Win, 3pts (4-4 D)
Arsenal, 0-2 Loss, 2-2 Draw, 1pt (4-2 L)
Everton, 2-2 Draw, 2-2 Draw, 2pts (4-4 D)
West Brom, 3-0 Loss, 0-2 Loss, 0pts (5-0 L)
Swansea, 0-0 Draw, 5-0 Win, 4pts (5-0 W)
West Ham, 2-3 Win, 0-0 Draw, 4pts (3-2 W)
Stoke, 0-0 Draw, 3-1 Loss, 1pt (3-1 L)
Norwich, 2-5 Win, 5-0 Win, 6pts (10-2 W)
Newcastle, 1-1 Draw, 0-6 Win, 4pts (7-1 W)
Southampton 1-0 Win, 3-1 Loss, 3pts (3-2 L)
Fulham, 4-0 Win, 1-3 Win, 6pts (7-1 W)
Aston Villa, 1-3 Loss, 1-2 Win, 3pts (4-3 L)
Sunderland, 3-0 Win, 1-1 Draw, 4pts (4-1 W)
Wigan, 3-0 Win, 0-4 Win, 6pts (7-0 W)
Reading, 1-0 Win, 0-0 Draw, 4pts (1-0 W)
QPR, 0-3 Win, TBD-TBD, 3pts (TBD-TBD)

Against the top 10 teams (excluding ourselves) we have taken 18 points from a possible 54 (approx 33% success).
Against the bottom 10 teams we have taken 40 points from a possible 57 (approx 70% success) That should be 43 out of 60 by this Sunday evening though.
This shows we need to improve against stronger opposition with Tottenham, Swansea and West Ham being the only top half teams we've beaten once this season.

Our lowest points tallys have come against West Brom, Stoke, Arsenal and Man Utd. Apart from Arsenal (whom we played off the park at the Emirates, but let the lead slip) the other 3 teams are all very hard working physical teams. So that is a key area to improve on. We need to learn to battle more.

Another thing worth picking up on is the only team we have failed to score against at least once this year is West Brom. We have an immence amount of goals in this team, as demonstrated by our +27 Goal Difference. We have conceded 43 goals this year but have managed to score 70! We have still failed to score in 7/37 games though so perhaps need one more player to unlock stubborn/defensive teams. We need to improve the defence obviously. City have conceded 12 less than us this season (with the best defence in the league). Our demolitions of some of the bottom half teams is very impressive with Norwich, Newcastle, Fulham and Wigan all on the wrong end of 7+ goals across both games. QPR could well be added to that list as well.

The results this second half of the season have dramatically improved and we are turning losses into draws and draws into wins. Onwards and upwards for next season, I hope this post shows a few of us where we need to improve. I'm sure Rodgers is well aware of these statistics, and if he wasn't, well there you are boss, sign me up!

YNWA! (Adam)

I take it you had some spare time today afternoon Adam? ;)

You are very good with summaries.

Maybe you can do a LFC Transfer Gossip summary ;)

The real AG

Again Adam, a good methodical post.

I don't care to much for stats though, in my eyes the table tells me everything.

I guess we can carry on saying we have been hard done by, were in transition, there is progression. My assessment is simple.

We are playing good football but good football doesn't nessesarily win you titles. Look at Arsenal, need I say more.

Its quite simple, football is about scoring more goals than the oposition on consistant basis.

The word 'consistant' is something we have lacked a lot of, goals is something we aren't short of and clean sheets is something we have more than most of.

To be fair, the second side of this season, their isn't any reason, if we keep up our current form that we can't break into that top four.

Consistancy is key in all of this.

Apples '96'

What the season review says to me is:

-We're not a bad team, we're just inconsistent.
-We waste too many chances through poor finishing and we concede too many goals from set pieces or rank bad defending.
-We're not far off being a decent team.
-With stability and slow introduction of new players into the squad we will reach our goal.
-Slow and steady progress wins the race.

13 May 2013 15:56:24
Have indeed been rather ill AG ;)

Thought i'd do something constructive. I don't know about summary haha, isn't that somebody elses job? ;)

YNWA! (Adam)

P. s. thanks Apples, I see your point as well. The table doesn't lie. I just like to pay attention to details haha. Football fascinates me in its every aspect!

Here's some more stats. Working on the basis of a 1-0 win against QPR on Sunday: w d l gf ga good points
11/12 14 10 14 47 40 +7 52
12/13 16 13 9 71 43 +28 61
Bearing in mind from the first ten matches this season, we got 11 points, I would view this as progress against last season.

I know Adam, it is somebody else's job. I forgot the name of that guy who used to do all the summary of transfer targets opined by the Eds last summer ; (

I love this kinda stuff! Very interesting reading. I think BR has mentioned having another key player to unlock strong defensive teams. We could have found one in the team already in Coutinho.

Nice work.

Cheers for taking the time.

BJH YNWA

13 May 2013 12:27:06
Hi eds,

Whilst understanding things change and nothing 100%, could you advise as to your understanding what players Liverpool hold an interest in for this upcoming window?

Thanks as always

J {Ed002's Note - You need to read the posts J.}

13 May 2013 11:53:16
I just want to post that I do trust BR and his vision that he's got what it takes to rise the club again and when it is transfer time I'm sure it will be shrewd business as it was in january. BR and FSG. I think have finally got their acts together and will be a better season for us.
Like i've said before BR just needs to ignite a stick of dynamite up Allens a***! ;-)

13 May 2013 11:10:44
Does anyone else have the feelin if we had sturrige and courtino at start of season we shld defo be higher up the leaque, reinforments needed in defence in summer plus rw and cam what's your thoughts eds. ynwa {Ed019's Note - We need a full back, centre back, attacking & defensive mid, winger and a number 9}

Is that all Ed? ;-)

In 2 x windows ed?
I'd concentrate on the defensive part this Summer. Anything else is a bonus.
The Juicer

No we don't ed

Ed019 could some of those positions that you mentioned be filled by academy players, or would you want/expect them all to be transfers? {Ed019's Note - Of Course}

13 May 2013 12:18:05
Ed, that's 6 out of possible 11. what's left in it?
gerrard countinho suarez and reina? {Ed019's Note - Not all for the starting 11, for depth and competition}

13 May 2013 10:43:10
does my head in how our own fans defend Jonjo Shelvey. The boy is NOT Liverpool quality. {Ed019's Note - The same way Hendo and Lucas weren't?}

Well said Ed019. He was 21 a few weeks ago, not his fault he looks 35 - he plays like the talented but over enthusiastic guy he is

Wernt?

For the third poster, it means were not. Shelves hasn't been the same player since he got sent off at utd.

I think the third poster is trying to advocate the absurd view that they still aren't.

Ed19 no shelvey is not as good as hendo etc he is awfull

Shelvey won't make it at Liverpool. If an offer in excess of say 4 million came in, we should take it.

Shelvey going to be class. he ads something different to the squad

I don't think Shelvey will make it at LFC. I also don't think Lucas is good enough to be first choice DM (still clumsy and even less pace since knee injury). Henderson I rate highly.

Ed19 no shelvey is not as good as hendo etc he is awfull {Ed019's Note - Never said he is}

Well to be honest ED019 I ALWAYS thought Henderson and Lucas were
Liverpool quality and just needed a little time. I do not feel that way about Shelvey. Seems a decent lad but needs to move on to further his career

Puzzled

13 May 2013 10:03:36
eriksen might be heading for dortmund would love to see him in our shirt next season. I don't understand why he would want to go there thye will be selling 3/4 for players and won't be the same team next season. we are on the up. br wants a new left back center back midfielder and a right attacker/winger. he will proberly sell cuates/assaidi and caroll and keep skrtl for 1 more season. its not possible to go out and replace the players all in one go. enrique/skrtl/downing/henderson will be squad players next season. a good summer with 4 starters and we be right up there. enrique is a good player but takes to many risks and depends on his great pace to much. skrtl a good defender but I think br wants a different type in the middle next to agger. he will be back up. henderson has done great but I think br wants a eriksen type of player in that position. downing played well but we need more goals from him. all 4 will have a role to play next season but won't make the best 11. and we had no cl football this season and fsg still spend 30mil last summer, they will proberly do the same this summer +25mil in sales. 4 players needed and 55 mil is enough in this market. if we buy 4 starters we create the depht with the players we keep. we need to buy none of our youngsters is ready yet. sterling suso/ibe/mchaughlin will be in 2/3 years time. malta

Do you honestly not understand why he will want to go to Dortmund, the CL finalists and possible winners who will build around him and the incredibly talented Reus and possibly Dzeko as their new attack? As opposed to us, not in the CL for 3 years, 7th in the league full of competition for his position - possibly including Suarez and Coutinho

Amazing post this lol
Chris the REDman

13 May 2013 12:59:21
Ambition is a dish best served with realism.

Dortmund are the second best team in Europe behind Bayern Munich, and we are arguably not even in the top 25.

Lets give it a few more years before we start calling ourselves better options than Europes Elite ;)

YNWA! (Adam)

Why won't BVB be the same team next season OP? Eriksen will be a direct replacement for Gotze, possibly Dzeko will come in for Lewy. So they definitely won't be any weaker than this season. Plus all their players will have gained experience from playing in the latter stages of the UCL. They will challenge for the UCL next season as well.

13 May 2013 09:38:26
What's the deal with out match against Ajax Cape Town? I heard they had been forced by the SA FA to cancel is, does that mean we just aren't going? Would be a real shame if not {Ed002's Note - Try the club web site.}

The game has been cancelled samsam. There was some clash with some local games I think.

13 May 2013 09:30:08
Eds or Macca, are we still after Ince? I sincerely hope not. Cheers.

Why? because he has played well the entire season, is a young lad and will only get better?

13 May 2013 09:07:49
hi eds, surely we are in progress. but 2 players are not in their form. selvey and jonson. jonson is out of form and wisdom and kelly, even maclaughlin will replace jonson. selling jonson is hard but this will not happen in next season. a new left back will be signed next summer and that will be lucas diagne. in centre back position we need a partner with agger. skrtle and coates, any of them will be sold. but I personally think it is not wise to sell them. skrtel was top in the previous season but now he is not. but still will be good enough to back up for agger and a new centre back. this year partner of agger is the vital position of us. toby alderweild, dejan lovren and many other names are coming but rogers keep a good eye to fill the position. hopefully a good arial centre back will be signed. selvey is not good enough to fil the position of selvey and surely henderson and allen (will progress in next season) will do it and gerrad still playing. to sell selvey the getable 5m will be put to buy diame or cladio yacob. andy carrol will be sold around 15M. this money will be used to buy eriksen. menez and gaitan are the available right wingers for us. flannagan, pacheo, spearing, assadi will give us 7m. menz will cost 8m and gaitan cost 13m. a good CB will cost 12M and good LB will cost 8M. I think this will be the business OF LIVERPOOL NEXT SUMMER.

13 May 2013 09:21:43
I agree with you about Johnson, its a pity Kelly isn't fit because he is a better defender than Johnson.

But unless we get at least 8M for him I wouldn't sell him

13 May 2013 10:02:53
We should get somewhere near 12 mill. he is an england international. courtsey : Liverpool fc.
but any decent manager sees him defending. will never buy him. he is awful. and he is pretty high on wages.
I would ship him out personally and buy someone at Rb and promote kelly to Cb with agger.
we need a real good Lb to take the players someone like baines.

He plays both left and right side, is the nr1 rb and our next best lb, contributes nicely all over the pitch, if you guys are so eager to sell him, tell me who we can get that is better?

He's very inconsisent. Scores and sets up a few but if you look at the goals we concede he has a lot to do with them. He is a good rotational player, as u say he can play LB & RB.

A good RB in the BPL. Azpilicueta, Walker & Coleman. No chance in getting any of them tho

It would be ideal if they could have Kelly fit, sell Johnson and buy a foreign RB. Maybe Abate or Van Rhijn

13 May 2013 08:28:28
Just reading Liverpool have prepared an 8mil bid for Lucas digne? I don't know who he is, and rogers has been quoted saying he has 5 players in his head who are priorities, any idea on whom they could be?

Pardon me for butting in Eds, Use the "Search Function Tool" man.

The real AG

13 May 2013 02:28:16
I wonder if we are going to see more of 3 cbs next season, (3-5-2 or 5-3-2 is just a matter of where the ball is to be honest).

It would make sense if we were to bring in 2 new CBs to replace Carragher and Skrtel/Coates as the extra CB would cover to an extent.

ForzaRed

Considering we only played 45 minutes of this match in that formation, I doubt we'll see much more of it - I do like it though

It's a good plan B. I've always liked the formation.
Depends on the fans though. If we're expected to win, they call it 3 at the back and everybody is happy.
If it's against a stronger team, the negatives get on here and call it 5 at the back and say we're parking the bus.
Too volatile.

Look at watford, played great attacking football with that formation, it may actually suit enrique and johnson as both are better in attack!

K-Man

12 May 2013 14:57:56
Question for ed01 - why are we so weak on set pieces, both offensive and defensive, and how do you see the problem fixed?

Looking forward to a good match,
Drigan {Ed001's Note - because our defenders are not that good defensively in the system we use. They are used to a different way of defending and keep switching off, which is suicidal in man to man systems.}

Are we really marking man to man Ed? I noticed we have in a few set pieces. Player intelligence can go a long way, maybe an IQ test as part of the recruitment process? (A joke) [FR] {Ed001's Note - we are supposed to be, but I am not sure Agger has been told yet!}

12 May 2013 23:41:12
Very well done to Sturridge really really good, and as always Coutinhhhhoooo was absolutely amazing this guy every time he gives a pass it creates a goal. We have payed peanuts for him and Sturridge really.
This game was important in the sense that there was no Stevie, Agger, or Suarez. This is what we can achieve when we play well, so keep it up BR and well done.
Eds or fans, what did you think what is your take on matters?

Sturridge has always scored goals, and I was sure he would continue but worried how he would fit in to our system. Coutinho I had lots of doubts about, namely why Inter would sell someone unless they believed he was surplus to their team.

Either way, cheers Chelsea and Inter. [FR]

It makes you wonder Inter let him go! Thier loss, our gain!

Weyland Yutani

I understand what you mean mate, but what kind of world do we live in when someone describes twenty million pounds as "peanuts"

Coutinho was as disappointing for Inter as he has been brilliant for us. Responsibility maketh the man?

Inter really do have a patchy history when it comes to holding onto good players. They've lost as many talented youngsters as they have kept.
Really, though. It's Italian football too. Serie A is a seriously tough league for younger players, much tougher than anywhere else in europe.
Experience wins in Italy. We've seen it for decades and will no doubt see it for decades more. It's a very tactical league that depends a great deal on awareness and intelligence. Although Coutinho has these abilities, he's just not at a stage where they're quite so mentally developed as say. Montolivo or Marchisio. Both of whom came through at a relatively young age for Serie A players.

Had he stayed in Italy he'd be loaned around like a garden tool until he developed the tactical nous that Inter would like to see in him.

Their loss is our gain, and in the Premier League, we've found a gem that was quite possibly never going to make it in Italy.
Not because it's a better league, but because it's a different league. It works both ways too. Had Danny Murphy been Italian, he'd be an absolute star!

I like the comment about Murphy.

I laughed at first - buT the more I think about it, you're right:)

BJH YNWA