Liverpool Banter Archive August 14 2017

14 Aug 2017 22:49:36
I'd appreciate it if any of the Eds could share their views as to how and why we're so shambolic, particularly the dishonourable and insidious way we seem bent on conducting our business.

{Ed002's Note - I want to move away from that but folk keep bringing it up. There are lessons to be learned and I hop the club do that this summer.}

14 Aug 2017 23:11:19
We've been in existence for 125 years ed. if we haven't learnt them by now then we've got no hope! And Wiwar you must be a Manc troll.

15 Aug 2017 00:33:19
If lessons aren't learnt from these two or possibly three incidents then we deserve a transfer ban for a year or maybe banned from Europe for two seasons.
Whatever about tapping up senior players - that's bad in itself, but messing with a kid, his life, career and family is horrific.
Imagine if that was you at 12, your dad almost at pension age and a 6 figure debt caused by the club that promised you all sorts. If there's any justice in the world he'll join Everton and score a few goals against us. You just DO NOT mess with a kid's life unless you're a scumbag!

14 Aug 2017 22:30:42
Who are we going to sign?

14 Aug 2017 22:45:18
How long will Sturridge be injured for?

14 Aug 2017 22:50:09
Whoever is here at the end of the window. Question answered.

14 Aug 2017 22:53:01
Navy Keith.

14 Aug 2017 22:53:31
Andy Carroll.

15 Aug 2017 00:47:56
Keisuke Honda ;)

14 Aug 2017 21:44:32
Ed2 in reply to danny88232 about other clubs being interested in vvd were told he was not for sale so they respected that then maybe Barcelona can show us a bit of respect!

{Ed002's Note - Practically no clubs have any resect for Liverpool and obviously the situation with Coutinho is very different.}

14 Aug 2017 22:01:03
Couts has been courting Barcelona for over a year and he is the perfect replacement for the retiring Iniesta.

If we actually went about the VVD transfer the way we should have, he would probably already be at LFC but nope.
Liverpool have lost a lot of respect over the last several years with the way they go about transfers and other things.

14 Aug 2017 22:06:50
But VVD wants to leave. He has stated it much more publicly than Coutinho has. We've said very publicly Couts is not for sale. If everyone abides by the 'moral code' they should leave well alone and stop destabilising a player from another club. My own view is if a player wants to leave to persue their career elsewhere you should let them, subject to an acceptable financial package. Southampton are being idiots if they stubbornly hold on to VVD as we will be if we do the same with Couts. Just forget all the other nonsense.

{Ed002's Note - Barcelona are not destabalizing any one - van Dijk is damaged goods because of Klopp and Liverpool.}

14 Aug 2017 22:21:15
Oh ed are you still bleating on about klopp we must stop all this hate towards him lol.
Keep up the good work not long left now till end of the window.

14 Aug 2017 22:27:45
Ings, Coutinho HAS made it very public he wants to leave, not by public admission except lately but by talking to international team mates about it. Neymar being the main one to talk about it publicly.

Barca can’t really unsettle him because he already wanted the move before they came in. Although the "how or never" thing IMO can be classed as majorly forcing the move.

Vvd kinda wanted to leave before we approached but then our illegal approach really left him under a rock. Then we publicly apologized and withdrew interest and now he is stuck in dire limbo.

14 Aug 2017 22:28:23
I'm not being argumentative ed but he wants to further his career and earn more money. That would've happened with or without our intervention. I can't see how Klopp is to blame for his wanting more than Southampton.

{Ed002's Note - I appreciate that and van Dijk will I am sure get his wish to leave. But there is an imbalance in how these transfers are being dealt with. The lesson learned for Liverpool is don't let Klopp make any more illegal approaches - jus stop it. The lesson for Barcelona is get these things in hand earlier in the season. The lesson for van Dijk is, you are being a jerk and could run out of options - suck it up. The lesson for Coutinho is speak to your club and not get folk disrupting matters on your behalf.}

14 Aug 2017 22:54:46
nice one cheers ed👍.

14 Aug 2017 23:03:57
Ed2 we may have disagreed on finances however I am in 100% agreement with your lessons learned from this transfer window. It's easy to slate people and come up with problems but not so easy to have useful solutions. Good work ed2.

14 Aug 2017 23:04:06
Ed, I am being genuine when I say this reply is exactly what myself and, I'm sure, others are after when you think we're being argumentative and stupid. I think most people just want the benefit of your knowledge, not to 'troll' you. I really do appreciate all of the ed's work on here, and I know it's silly season, it just feels like a crusade against Klopp and the club, especially as this is really the only place that i know of where they get castigated so much (I don't do twitter etc) .

We don't see all the idiotic posts and I'm sure it must p*ss you off, but please more of the above rather than just calling us (fans) embarrassing etc.

Once again, the work is much appreciated. It keeps me going over the summer.

{Ed002's Note - We appreciate that. Thanks.}

15 Aug 2017 01:56:26
WELL SAID EDS.

15 Aug 2017 00:00:22
What's the point in contracts then? If a player wants to leave and can whenever they want, why sign a contract?

{Ed002's Note - No they can't.}

14 Aug 2017 20:57:17
Regardless of whether Coutinho stays or goes, I would like to see the club bring in a dedicated DM.
Don't know why Klopp has refused to do this though. In his BVB setup, he'd a double pivot (Bender-Gundogan) . Would like to see a dedicated DM in a double pivot with Hendo.

14 Aug 2017 22:02:33
Agreed with this, we we’re always much better when we used 2 DM's but it seems now it’s all about scoring more than the other team than actually trying to stop the other teams scoring.

14 Aug 2017 23:59:26
At least one DM.
I want to see attacking football, but I definitely don't want to see shambolic defending from lads on 50-60 grand a week.

14 Aug 2017 20:47:59
We've been a laughing stock in this transfer window. Time for these players to Man Up and smash The Hoff to pieces tomorrow night. Heads are well n truly down at the moment, topped off by Phil.
i hope we go out and tear these German lads apart YNWA.

14 Aug 2017 20:11:37
I don't understand why no one has put a bid in for vvd through the correct channels.
I know they don't want to sell but if a bid is placed on a player that wants to leave it will get some reaction from Southampton.

{Ed002's Note - I suspect because as part of their slime trailing apology the owners and the board said the Liverpool had withdrawn all interest in the player (after a formal complaint was made to the Premier League).}

14 Aug 2017 20:26:43
think he means why have no other clubs bid ed.

{Ed002's Note - The other interested sides were told he was not for sale and respected that. With the damage done and his position untenable, one or more will soon return.}

14 Aug 2017 20:29:03
Do all bids get reported ed or can a club make a bid and have it rejected without the press finding out?
Maybe difficult to answer 🤝.

{Ed002's Note - It depends to a large extent on the club and any agent(s) involved.}

14 Aug 2017 20:39:37
Sorry ed lost me with that reply.
Re this illegal approach, yes klopp did wrong but he did an has done no worse than any other manager has done over the years we all know tapping up happens. For God sake he's not committed murder I'm sick of hearing klopp did this slimy club apologies that.

{Ed002's Note - Rubbish - what he has done is, in the time that the game has been working hard to clean up its act, unprofessional and totally illegal. Others aren't doing this. Other clubs are not having to deal with constant threats from clubs they screw, not having to have the owners trail slime with humiliating apologies. Other managers will not be ridiculed for his attempts to use the press to tap up players whilst damaging professionals contracted to other clubs - van Dijk is now seriously damaged goods because of the illegal and unprofessional behavior of Klopp. I guess your knowledge of the entire subject is zip. Great job opening it up again.}

14 Aug 2017 20:45:40
ron think ed said we made are signature low ball half arsed bid for koulibaly that i never seen in the papers or anywhere else.

14 Aug 2017 20:54:29
Van Dijk is as bad now to be fair.

14 Aug 2017 21:18:56
Ed2 what's the difference in Fowler opening up this subject again and me saying about opening the subject below.

{Ed002's Note - I thought you weren't going to post anymore because of your let's scre the kid because people lost parents in Northern Ireland 40 years ago attitude? You have made you point and you are very clearly not the type of supporter the club would want. Pitiful.}

14 Aug 2017 21:30:14
Well ed02, arsene wenger disagrees with you, did everyone miss his statement that tapping up is widespread and he's been dealing with his top players being illegally approached this year and every year of the 20 he's been in management, or the longest most respected manager in the pl not telling the truth?

{Ed002's Note - Really, did he mention overstepping the mark by agents or the worst side for unprofessionalism in Europe and the behavior of Klopp and Liverpool. Have other clubs dragged slime as they have apologised for their behavior, are other clubs already serving a ban, are other clubs subject to constant warnings and complaints, do other clubs have such pitiful supporters to try and constantly blame other and deflect. Do other clubs screw up the life of a 12 year old leaving his parents in debt, lying to an investigation and trying to persuade the parents to lie as well. Do other clubs look to use high end lawyers to overcome the debt ridden parents of a child in order to avoid further punishnment. You are a complete embarrassment.}

14 Aug 2017 22:37:36
Ed02 if most of my posts actually got through you'd have seen I've never excused or deflected from any of klopps or the clubs behavior, he's been truly despicable and lfc deserve any punishment we get, I was replying to your comment about tapping up and illegal approaches not been widespread, when clearly it as as the longest serving manager has said he's had this summer, Monaco threatened psg and city, we may be top of the rubbish heap but it's still a rubbish heap and wrong is wrong, and it's widespread and I'll take the word of a man 20 years working in the game, and frankly your refusal to accept anyone other than lfc are engaging in illegal goings on is rather an embarrassment,

{Ed002's Note - You are right that there is a long way to go, but you need to understand that the game has been cleaning itself up over many years. It doesn't go on like it used to. Liverpool need to fix what are a series of major failings. I know a light year more about the game than you will ever know and I am well aware of what goes on. Liverpool are the absolute bottom of the pile within the European game.}

14 Aug 2017 22:47:57
I don't understand why anyone is trying to justify the club's poor behaviour. It cannot be justified.

If "the club" was one of our players, we would want them sacked straight away.

14 Aug 2017 22:48:59
I am ashamed and embarrassed that jockstrap, Belfast and portred claim to be fans of the club I love. I'm appalled at the drivel they post trying to justify things that just can not be justified. The club and some of its employees have done wrong, accept it and move on.
Ed, I apologise for these Ignorants and assure you that we are not all like that.

14 Aug 2017 23:20:28
Ron I wasn't excusing the clubs behavior, the opposite infact, I was pointing out what the longest serving manager in the pl had said not 2 weeks ago, he dealt with illegal approaches this summer and every one of his 20 at arsenal, ed02 I was not trying to emply I knew remotely anywhere near what you do about the game, or the goings on in it, I read these pages because I don't know much, my apologies if it came across that way, oh and I was saying lfc top of the pile as in the worst,

{Ed002's Note - I understand PR and you have probably dug a hole larger than you need, but I just want to move on from this and hope the club do too. Nothing to do with bidding on VvD or not, but there is a better way to do business. And there is no need to apologise - perhaps any more than I should. I have nothing against the club but I want to see them get back to doing business the right way. They have lost direction and need the boost of two or three seasons getting in to the Champions League and second or third in the league. I fear another Manchester period coming up with Liverpool, Spurs and Chelsea fighting for two spots. It is going to be tough.}

14 Aug 2017 23:59:45
The club did wrong. we get it. move on.
I really appreciate the info on this site.
But ed2 when did the klopp inhospility start. at lfc, Dortmund or Mainz.
You literally have nothing good to say about the guy. I am genuinely interested on where the anti klopp feeling comes from.
Even before this summer everything about him you seemed to be negative about.
I appreciate the harsh come back I'll probably now get. I just do not understand it.
Lfc fans aren't all knuckle dragging morons and we obviously will get behind our own. not blind loyalty, but because for a lot of us we love this club, and your insesant anti klopp replies is against one of our own.
Any q the sharp put down reply.

{Ed002's Note - I don't have any anti-Klopp feeling and have done no more than tell you the truth.}

14 Aug 2017 19:41:53
Ed's do you think Liverpools apparent lack of business in the transfer market is to do with the lack of available talent in the positions we require?

I understand Klopp hasn't helped the situation and Coutinho wanting out too but I get the feeling we've had roughly one target in each position and no more, and it'll result in another Balotelli style knee jerk. We all know how that went.

{Ed002's Note - The club had four clear targets plus the potential of Oxlade Chamberlain. They have signed two as replacements for two of the four plus Sturridge. They remain "interested" in the other two original targets. If Coutinho goes they will add another. The window is open still for more than two weeks. If they had acted professionally maybe it would be very different.}

14 Aug 2017 20:04:44
Couldn't agree more.

14 Aug 2017 18:59:48
How about this as a theory.

FSG may have never had any intention of a net spend of even £100m after player sales (though not achieving money wanted for
Sakho and Marko etc I'm sure hasn't helped) .

If bought Keita then they would have accepted Coutinho offer (they have known for a year he wanted to go) .

If bought VVD then would have sold Coutinho but would not have bought Keita as well.

Current spend is c£36.5m for salah, whatever is agreed for solanke (a few million) and £2.5m Robertson (difference between Stewart sale to hull and money we paid for Robertson in return. )

FSG are happy to retain Coutinho if no one else bought but if Keita or VVD join then will let him go as will be cost neutral.

Keeping Coutinho and buying VVD and Keita was probably never an option. Arsenal have used this approach for years to ensure season season ticket sales ie leaks to press about buying top players that they never get - it's one of the reasons why their fans have been so angry recently. Constantly promised the earth but little delivered.

It's a very plausible theory however if they keep Coutinho plus spend £100m on other players in next two weeks I'll eat my hat!

Ps I hope we beat the hoff!

14 Aug 2017 19:16:37
Currents spend plus their wages, signing on fees and payment to their agents?

Not as simple as you want to make it out to be. LFC remain the club with the biggest turnover paid out to agents.

Please look past the money aspect as no fan will truly understand how much money gets paid out when a new player is brought to our club.

I am not claiming to be a financial guru when iyt comes to LFC's finances but FSG have opened their bank account to LFC time and time again.

14 Aug 2017 19:23:46
I just think that's us finished bringing new players in now. Klopp looks like he has aged 20 years since May, no one is coming in for the players we are looking to sell cause we r asking to much for them and I'm sorry but Coutinho will go he is burning his bridges very quickly with us now. On a positive it's Tuesday tomorrow closer to the weekend 😄.

14 Aug 2017 19:38:33
Don't waste your time thinking about "net spends".
We, as fans, have no idea - just ask ed002.

14 Aug 2017 19:38:48
Sorry this is the Liverpool page, please take conspiracy talk to the talk conspiracy page!

14 Aug 2017 19:44:01
Ron - I advise business owners about growing and selling their companies, so even though football is a little murky I find the financials weirdly interesting - said I know :)

14 Aug 2017 19:47:36
I have to agree. I think FSG are playing the game. Although Klopps attempts at tapping Keita and VVD up haven't helped at all. I think they'll Bank roll the moves but they will then accept a large fee for Couts to cover it.
If the Hoff beat us to CL then I think we're in a very sticky situation. I recon FSG are holding off to see what happens.

14 Aug 2017 19:48:29
You are sounding more like Ed002 every day Max. Oh and by the way FSG don't buy the players! 😉.

14 Aug 2017 20:00:20
Klopp has aged? What about the rest of us?

14 Aug 2017 20:09:18
Ok 1jj, I think your figures look a little "vague", but I know nothing about finance 🤝.

14 Aug 2017 20:09:20
Never mind Klopp, I've effin aged during this transfer window and I'm a spectator.

14 Aug 2017 20:17:50
After one game and an open transfer window twinkletoes?

Premature ageing that.

I suspect that youll lose a few years off your looks within the next two weeks, as I suspect that the club will sign some of their targets, but also a couple of suprise ones.

Something is brewing; surely.

14 Aug 2017 20:26:25
This club past 20 yes is far too much of a big job for anyone as I feel it's never going to come if fsg sell PC that's my season ticket well gone for next yr I've been wanting an excuse for a yr or so now if we back down WTF.

14 Aug 2017 20:26:29
I honestly think klopp will walk at the end of the season. Folks just my opinion so don't have a go.

14 Aug 2017 20:31:35
I think we're done Davey.

I don't think Klopp will entertain any other "backups".
To miss out on all 4 of his preferred targets, regardless of blame, will be tough to accept. I doubt he'll want 4 "alternatives".

14 Aug 2017 20:32:03
1jj if you do financial advice you would appreciate that in inflationary economies businesses will rather hold assets than cash. Player prices are going through the roof- why would any club want to hold cash and see potential targets become more and more expensive as their cash devalues in the bank.

{Ed002's Note - You are missing the pont that clubs have other xpenditure before players. Debt, fees, wages, keeping matchdays running etc..}

14 Aug 2017 20:34:18
FSG have an exit plan, they have been here 7years and 1 trophy to there name, they need to speculate to accumulate and the haven't speculated enough, to go to the next level we need someone with deeper pockets and I think FSG realise that, I have my doubts that FSG will be here next next year, under there reign we always seem to go one step forward 3 steps back.

{Ed002's Note - THese "deeper pockets" - how does that work?}

14 Aug 2017 20:42:51
So what if keita and VD were signed and Barcelona didn't sell Neymar? Would they still have bid 90+ mil on couts? ( potentially even more) that throws your theory out.

{Ed002's Note - Neymar leaving is nothing to do with Coutinho. I have explained that over and over.}

14 Aug 2017 19:30:09
Surely you're not claiming we are biggest payers of salaries and agents fees?

Last year we were fourth for agents fees behind Manchester City being the biggest spenders (£26.3m) ahead of Chelsea (£25.1m) and Manchester United (£19m) . We were £13m in comparison! Still £13m too much but sadly that appears to be the current market.

Don't get me wrong, I don't like the way football has gone but Leicester aside which was so rare that they are considering making a movie about it - usually the biggest spenders win the league most often. See fergie years followed by Chelsea and then city.

I just suspect (klopps tapping up aside) that we were never going to buy Keita and VVD and keep Coutinho.

{Ed002's Note - Why are you writing all of this crap about finances that clearly you have little grasp of?}

14 Aug 2017 21:44:32
Ed my point on Neymar was more related to money - not as a replacement. I'm aware they have a long standing interest but would they realistically be bidding 100 odd million if they hadn't have sold him?

{Ed002's Note - Probably not.}

14 Aug 2017 18:03:09
Will this Chinese takeover affect our chances of getting VVD?

{Ed002's Note - Liverpool formerly withdrew their interest in the player whilst apologising for making an illegal approach.}

14 Aug 2017 19:26:28
Strange that Macca thinks he will sign even with our statement. can't see it myself. It will be the 4 CB's we have at the minute.

{Ed002's Note - Macca is giving the best information available to him at the time. It won't always be perfect and everyone has to accept that things change very quickly.}

14 Aug 2017 19:58:23
Cheers ed I appreciate what your saying. I guess the thought of not bringing in a better CB has gone beyond frustrating.

{Ed002's Note - There was a low bid for another - but there is still time. It would mean that Gomez will end up as FB cover or out on loan.}

14 Aug 2017 21:44:44
Cheers ed. Koulibaly was the low bid I think. All interest seems to be on the one CB that appears not obtainable. Will see what develops.

14 Aug 2017 17:02:47
In reference to vvd. Time to write it off.
Hear me out.

There must of been a time when we decided if we were going to go back on our word, and take the egg cleanly on our face.

I believe it was at the time of vvd putting in a tr. we had to decide then, he clearly pleaded for Liverpool with his subtle comment.
Isn't it clear what we've decided?
I mean if we were prepared for the egg on face, then there would be no need to wait? We would of bitten the bullet by now?

I can see no clear reason for the delay of a bid, since the TR. So to me, we really aren't going to buy him.

14 Aug 2017 17:16:31
Southampton haven't accepted his TR so why would we bid for him? Until they do accept that he's leaving we won't bid.

14 Aug 2017 17:18:52
It is plausible that the club will wait for another club to bid and await Southamptons response. If they show an indication to sell we will then step in and, in theory, just outbid Chelsea for him (cant see them topping 60m) . This reduces the amount of egg that will land on our face and is the only plausible way a deal will be done at this stage. don't rule out Soton refusing to do business with us if this does transpire but money usually talks in this game.

{Ed002's Note - No, it makes zero sense.}

14 Aug 2017 17:32:50
I'm with 002. That doesn't make sense.
If we were going to get him, we would have bid by now. So I really do think it's safe to say it's dead in the water.
Unless we can want to embarrass ourselves further with a lowball offer on deadline day. oh wait. no, we wouldn't, would we?

14 Aug 2017 17:41:31
Macca has said he will sign.

14 Aug 2017 17:44:44
I think when Southampton sign wimmer or whatever CB they're trying to get we will see our true intentions.

14 Aug 2017 17:52:48
I think its more a case of Southampton showing they are willing to sell him by negotiating with a club that would enable us to change our stance on no longer being interested. Curious as to whether both Benny and Ed002 feel Coutinho has any chance of moving in this window, given the club released a statement that he would not be sold, just as they released one to withdraw interest in VD.

14 Aug 2017 18:06:18
I think Southampton will have a bid accepted for Wimmer soon and then clubs will be alerted to VVD's availability. Then Chelsea will start negotiating and then it'll become clear if Liverpool have ended interest permanently or not. I think they may well try to sign, could they use a 3rd party? Perhaps to test the water? Then they can deny it if Southampton make a fuss? Personally I think Chelsea will do everything to sign him and may be able to convince him to join.

{Ed002's Note - You think the owners lied - or will they be withrawing their apology for making an illegal approach for the player?}

14 Aug 2017 18:21:22
I'm undecided on whether they'd be honourable or not. I'd like to think they'd be true to their word and repair some of the damage done. It would be real bad if they went back on everything, but it will be covered up well by the pro Liverpool press/ ex players/ Twitter etc. I'm still undecided though. I guess we'll see what kind of people they are. Klopp's comments do suggest they have moved on though.

Do you see a surprise club coming into the mix Ed002? You have mentioned Manchester City, although said it'll be tight financially. Any foreign clubs who could realistically afford the player?

{Ed002's Note - If they are true to their word then the matter is over. Clubs can afford him but some will be thinking twice about wanting damaged goods at their club.}

14 Aug 2017 18:32:49
On that premise if Coutinho leaves will the owners have lied?

{Ed002's Note - You have to be one dumb MF if you don't understand even now the seriousness of the situation.}

14 Aug 2017 18:39:55
maybe the owners lied.

14 Aug 2017 18:49:34
I think we will bid for him still even after the apology. The way we have gone about our business has been both embarrassing and underhand. His position is obviously untenable at Southampton but I personally believe it will go the same way as the Ashley Cole to Chelsea. I suspect ending with Southampton putting in a complaint and us getting heavily fined or with a future transfer embargo. Personally think we should take the medicine and move on, please show some honesty for once.

14 Aug 2017 18:52:31
I feel you have explained the gravity of the situation many times 002, and accepting the apology as fact requires taking the owners at their word. Surely this would require also taking a statement of no sale regarding coutinho at their word. Can you not see where im going with this? Or are you suggesting they only need to be truthful with potential sanctions overhead?

{Ed002's Note - I am not aware that the owners are responsible for the Coutinho sutuation but it is far from the same situation.}

14 Aug 2017 19:40:01
Wrote it off weeks ago.

14 Aug 2017 20:27:46
Well let's be honest would it really surprise anyone if LFC went back on their statement after what they've been up to recently?

14 Aug 2017 16:31:12
Let's not forget, if Chelsea had to make a bid for VVD then he can still refuse to move to the Bridge.

I reckon that is all LFC are waiting for someone to make a bid for VVD and then make our move.

He will also be facing some stiff competition at Chelsea. Cahill, Rudiger, Luiz and Azpilicueta.

VVD wants a move to LFC. Window far from over yet.

{Ed002's Note - Why would Liverpool wait?}

14 Aug 2017 16:41:13
Just what I am thinking.

14 Aug 2017 16:50:46
If Liverpool want him then they could always bid for him.

14 Aug 2017 17:20:26
Will he still want us if we don't get through the qualifier?

14 Aug 2017 17:24:36
Liverpool have proven to be unpredictable regarding transfers these days. I've decided to no longer ask "why" with Liverpool and just wait to see what happens.

14 Aug 2017 17:51:12
Unsettled him and then left him out to dry, if chelsea came calling and i was in his shoes i would not hesitate. The club has really annoyed me this transfer window, im sorry but its like a bunch of morons are running the club.

14 Aug 2017 18:07:47
Maybe the powers that be realise Carra is right. Signing VVD won't solve the defensive frailties and I agree 100%.

{Ed002's Note - I don't suppose the club gives a hoot about wat JC says.}

14 Aug 2017 20:27:00
My gut feeling says that vvd will sign . I hope macca is right :)

14 Aug 2017 16:23:41
Hi Edda d reds.
Has there been any update on can's new deal recently or are juve still circling? I'm not trying to jump on the pessimist's bandwagon but I'm getting more than a little concerned that with our injury prone players (lallana/ Hendo) and the likely departure of couts, we may be left very short of quality options who are ready to step up now. Also, Any new info on potential departures of our players like marcovic, sakho.?
Thanks, as always, for any info you can pass on.

{Ed002's Note - Nothing has changed beyond what has been said.}

14 Aug 2017 16:05:32
I now this is the Liverpool page Ms002, but I was hoping to get your insight on owners owing multiple clubs and buying players then transferring their ownership around their other clubs on loans. Examples like the Pozzo family, City Football Group, I suppose also Red Bull. Do you see any sanctions/ restrictions being imposed on this?
Also what is seen as the benefit of this approach?
CFG recently bought Girona along with Guardiolas brother/ agent and now City have signed a 24yr old Nigerian Kayode and loan him straight to Girona.
Another question is why did Girona not purchase this player as logically this player will never play for City given the array of attacking options they have. How does hi being owned by City and loaned out benefit the city football group?
Apologies for long post and appreciate your time if you reply.

{Ed002's Note - Actually UEFA were very nearly pushed in to a position over RBL and Saltzburg this summer when both qualified for the CL. It was avoided as the structure of RBL was changed to avoid the decision being required. The rules are already in place. What UEFA want to avoid is multiple first tier European clubs being owned by the same organisation but at some point they will likely concede to the ownership of feeder clubs - particularly given the planned breakaway. To some extent this ties in with how the Spanish league already works with A and B sides - and agreement is already in place regarding the B sides when the breakawy happens in Spain.}

14 Aug 2017 16:49:37
Correct me if I'm wrong Ed but was the change in struture not enforced at RBSalzburg in which RedBull have basically stepped back from having such hands on involvement in high level positions within the club with several RB staff leaving the club and the company moving back to more of a 'sponshorship' role. Or was this just a shuffle around of personnel to appease UEFA (doubtful)?
Or was it the case of Minztlaff announcing his stepping down from Houlliers old role within RB?
Also with this trend continuing we could end up with multiple clubs in CL groups under the same ownership. Or even, given some shocks girona qualify for the CL next year and by some miniscule chance a group was to consist of RBL, RBS, Girona (CFG) Man City (CFG) surely this dilutes the whole competitivty of the UCL? Would events similar to this scenario in the near future accelerate the Breakaway league?
Also, are owners using this tactic now as preparation for the breakaway league or as a potential accelerant or both? Or neither as the case may be?
Full of questions 002 tell me to bugger off if your time is valuable (I know it is)

{Ed002's Note - They changed it to allow both sides to appear in the CL. The breakaway doesn't care for such trivia.}

14 Aug 2017 15:45:59
Why this summer are clubs refusing to sell players, even for extraordinary money i. e. The reported offers for the RBL midfielder who is really an unknown still?
Have clubs just gotten fed up of being held to ransom by players and agents, or is it because of financial fair play rules that so many clubs have their houses in order now so don't need cash anymore and due to incredible incoming tv money of course?
Something seems to have changed this window, can it last?
Anyone have thoughts on this?

{Ed002's Note - RBL don't want to break up their side and don't need Liverpool's money.}

14 Aug 2017 16:25:09
Yeah I totally get that and honestly think Liverpool should move on from him in respect of what his club have said and want.
He was just an example, Joe Allen is another.
There just seems to be more clubs resistant to outgoing transfers this summer than before from memory even though they'd make serious profits.
Chelsea, Liverpool, Barca, Spurs and so on have not strengthened as they'd probably have liked. I'm not complaining, just curious as to what if anything has changed. TV money and financial fair play restrictions I'm sure is at the heart for some.
Maybe it's just me.

14 Aug 2017 15:38:33
From the weekend

It's first game of season and we came from 2 goals down, to be in a winning position.
An off side, late goal from a mis judged header cost us two points. Not long ago we would of lost it two or three nil.

If Phil goes, so he goes. Get rid he don't want to be here.
Adam to come back, gruic, Woodburn anyone?

Bobby playing off one of our other strikers

defence is not great. But it's not the end.

14 Aug 2017 18:22:41
We were never 2 goals down.

14 Aug 2017 14:36:46
I asked a week ago there if we had any interest in Jean Micheal Seri and to be honest, I'm just a fan of the player, however now I hear Liverpool have made contact with Nice regarding the player. What comes of it who knows, but im in favor if true!

14 Aug 2017 15:16:54
Makes sense tbh. Combative central midfield player with an eye for a pass. Probably end our end in Keita and I'd rather have Keita.
Still, Seri would be a decent replacement for Coutinho.

14 Aug 2017 15:53:08
Seri wouldn't be a replacement for Coutinho.

14 Aug 2017 16:05:04
Seri, Lanzini and VVD in? Reckon that would be decent. In all honesty we need someone who's versatile like ox/ Lanzini to come in a just boost our options we really don't have much depth and it's a concern. It's all well and good playing Woodburn and Kent in the champions league but I'd rather see good quality players there with experience against top teams. Hence why I think we should sign ox because he's played agasint top teams for the past 4 years at least.

14 Aug 2017 16:40:52
I hope it's true, my first ever post on this site was asking about him and a few other players. He is fantastic. Thing is though, when I asked. we never had any interest in him and it was only about two months ago.

14 Aug 2017 17:04:31
I believe the ed's mentioned he would be of interest as an alternative choice to Keita. I say push for Seri and sign Keita next Summer. Those two in CM would be ideal. All the while figure out who's going to be your other starter amongst hendo/ Can/ other. Maybe sell on someone (s) next summer.

14 Aug 2017 18:23:37
Some of us remember Jean Michel Ferri.

Houlliers first signing.

14 Aug 2017 14:24:06
For a site named Liverpool Rumours there are not often rumours on here. It always seems to be asking the Eds 'who will we sign' etc

I used to enjoy reading the rumours such as my mates Dad knows someone who did some work for 'insert name' and he told him . (ok that's a daft example but you know what I mean)

Can everyone please just stop asking the same old questions and someone please give us some good old fashioned rumours.

14 Aug 2017 15:07:05
Could do with an old fashioned style rumour.

14 Aug 2017 15:21:03
I give up.

14 Aug 2017 16:33:26
I blame uber taking all the old school cab drivers jobs, they can't give out any stories about who they picked up as they won't get good a good rating.

14 Aug 2017 13:47:19
Eds,

Thoms Lemar and Hakim Ziyech

1) What would your thoughts be on either of them as a replacement for Coutinho?

2) Do you think either of them will move clubs this window, particularly Lemar? Having listened to Sharkopod I know that Ed002 has spoken of Arsenal's interest without them managing to agree a fee.

Appreciate the work you do on here,
Thanks.

{Ed001's Note - 1) Not seen enough of either. What I did see of Lemar was extremely disappointing but it was just a couple of Champions League games.

2) Lemar looks likely to stay now. No idea about Ziyech.}

14 Aug 2017 14:09:55
Left sided winger would not replace a playmaker who was excepted to be a part of 3 men midfield supplying arms and ammunitions to the front three!
They are completely different to what Phil offers and would bring to the team! TBH, I have seen none who would come in and slot in that midfield.
I can mention a few players the club should have looked at.
1. Insinge
2. Coric
3. Kovacic ( central playmaker, also an alternative to Kieta )
4. Pjnaic ( More like a CM but the Playnaker at Juventus )

Coutinho is a lot more than just a player, he is more of a difficult puzzle you would finish all your life solving it. It's hard as he cements a free role a multiple position inside the same game which makes him one of the most unique players across.
You don't tie phil to a specific position. Hence a left sided winger would never replace Coutinho.
He is a mix of Fabrigas ( with his passing ), KDB ( with his movement and dribbling ability ) .

14 Aug 2017 14:27:26
Ziyech is a number 10 in every sense he is on the left for Ajax but he is a playmaker supreme . In fact if we can get him in you will have great set pieces and he can see a pass like the tip players. Only issue is his attitude until he sorts that out he won't go up the level his ability deserves. Lemar decent player but coutinho is irreplaceable and we will have to just get a midfielder who will complement our defence as we not short of creative players .

14 Aug 2017 14:35:04
david silva is more ideal then any player above. but realistical? dunno.

14 Aug 2017 14:46:48
"We Can't defend" do you mean Miralem Pjanic? Solid player. and has an awesome shot from a ways out. Could step in and take free kicks.

14 Aug 2017 15:05:07
@Lock

Yes but again he is not a like to like replacement for Coutinho. But he is a playmaker who will help us to unlock tight defense, scores freekick and is a good tackler too.
You can add Mata into the list as well. Out of favor at UTD!

14 Aug 2017 15:13:01
You know what Morrocan Red, they said that Mane had an attitude problem, but they were wrong, they said that Sturridge had an attitude problem but he is in fact one of the nicest blokes you'd ever want to meet, they said that Salah had an attitude and they are wrong. Personally, if Ziyech can fulfil his outrageous talent and potential then I would be happy to take a punt. Personally I think Insigne is the man for the job but that is just my opinion.

14 Aug 2017 15:15:52
Don't mean to be nasty but everyone is going on about replacing PC. We just scored 3 away goals. Creating and scoring aren't the problem. Get the defence and a good defensive midfielder sorted whether PC goes or not.

14 Aug 2017 15:35:04
belfrasted

thats was mainly cause of the skills of the front 3 and can. They are almost identical players can, wini, hendo. no creativity what so ever, most one dimentional midfield i've seen in a long time.

14 Aug 2017 13:45:10
One positive from the game against Watford is that how young Trent Alexander-Arnold was entrusted to set-pieces responsibility. Two of his corner kicks ended up on target (Matip hits the post and Lovren forced the goalkeeper to a save) .
He has a lot of potential attacking-wise, while he needs to bulk up more (just like Sterling) especially when playing against a more physical opponent.

14 Aug 2017 13:24:52
Hi Eds,
New rumour circulating that Liverpool are interested in signing Nice's Jean Michaël Seri, any insight? apparently he is available for €40m!

14 Aug 2017 13:32:25
Would be a good signing, has just come off of a very good season in Nice and is highly rated, fits the type of midfielder that Klopp was after as he is quite dynamic and gets stuck in, was linked with Barcelona and Juve I think?

14 Aug 2017 13:33:42
Yeah I was you g to post and ask any of the eds or other supporters about Seri, I seen this link in the echo and don't watch much ligue 1 so not sure what type of player he us or what his qualities he has.

14 Aug 2017 13:45:42
Anyone know how he compares to Keita? i've never seen either play to be honest.

14 Aug 2017 13:48:02
I hope so (he is class but a little bit of what we have already) but I would go for Matuidi. He would add a bit of steal.

14 Aug 2017 14:14:39
We do not lack steal or any kind of physical presence
For which we are linked with Keita. We have enough power in Can, Hendo and Wijnaldum. We lack creativity. To split tight defense and transfer quick attacks and carry the ball in tight areas. I don't know about seri, but that's why we are after Keita!

14 Aug 2017 17:48:13
We can't defend.

Did you watch the game? We scored 3 goals, the first of which was a worldie. To say we lack creativity is plain rubbish. Power is not the same as steal. Steal means you have the ability to dig deep and make sure you do your job even when you don't fancy it and also to make sure others do theirs.

14 Aug 2017 13:20:12
Klopp's latest comments about decisive players not available this summer. I assume Keita and VVD being the two he means. He goes onto say he'll strengthen in all areas of the team, for me that means he's going for alternatives. My question to Liverpool fans is who would you go for as alternatives?

14 Aug 2017 13:39:44
Koulibaly, Lorenzo Insigne, Kovacic.

14 Aug 2017 13:54:55
Malang Sarr and Max Meyer. Sarr i have only watched 5-6 matches, but he looks like a beast in the making. He is a little young though.

14 Aug 2017 14:04:39
Not far off my thoughts. I think Koulibaly, Meyer and Kovacic would fill some gaps.

14 Aug 2017 14:11:22
This will be controversial

Matuidi - leadership and strength.
Savic at Lazio - strength and passing
Jonny Evans - a decent centre half that's underrated and better than Lovren IMO
Diego Costa - not sure what the issue is but is quality still.
Fabregas - still a great player.

Its all very well buying young players but you need a experience, leadership and grit. We have very little and my selections have tried to address that. Those young nippy little forwards are great but do sweet FA for our defence. Juve, BM, Barcolona, Real all have experience and Leadership in spades.

14 Aug 2017 14:19:02
Meyer and Sarr are 18 and 21. They have potential but we need players that will come into the first team now. Not sure either will cut it straightaway (although granted may do in the future. )

14 Aug 2017 14:21:07
Max meyer is too young to make an instant impact, I would have suggested him too.

14 Aug 2017 14:36:01
Not sure about the Lanzini rumours, but what if he was bought to go straight in. He's no Coutinho otherwise Barcelona would be buying him, however he is very underrated and I think we have only seen a fraction of what he's capable of. Jonny Evans is a good shout. I considered him too, but he would be controversial.

14 Aug 2017 14:37:25
Costa on loan til January? Not sure that's likely but must be worth a try.

14 Aug 2017 14:42:01
Max Meyer has played 120+ times in the Bundesliga. He's not exactly fresh out of school.

14 Aug 2017 13:14:15
just seen us linked with Seri. any truth to it eds?

{Ed002's Note - Twitter?}

14 Aug 2017 14:20:43
no the guardian and other football sites.

14 Aug 2017 13:45:29
It's in the Guardian.

{Ed002's Note - I am not aware of any approach to Nice by Liverpool but will check. There is interest from other sides in him and with Keita supposedly house hunting it would be rather a knee jerk reaction if they have approached Nice - who would be unlikely to want to sell.}

14 Aug 2017 13:10:02
Just an observation. Im happy for any of the eds/ fellow posters to point out if im missing something.

I know we're focusing on how bad we are are set plays but its seems to me that we're not 'compact' in general. When our forwards and midfield press our defence doesn't seem to move up with them leaving so much space in the middle. I imagine that's why we seem to give away a fair amount of corners and free kicks that lead to goals.

Maybe its because our current defenders don't have the speed to cover if a ball is played over the top and hence they are afraid to push higher during the press. Its something that can be seen on the tactical cameras that are used.

Perhaps that's the thinking behind wanting to sign VVD. He has the speed to recover.

Incaman.

14 Aug 2017 14:33:54
Balls over the top are difficult for us yes and speed is vital so a fast CB may help. Both Lovren and Matip are not the quickest but not the slowest. Its mainly because our fullbacks are up the pitch when we lose the ball that the counter works so well against us. The goals by Watford all came from sloppy defending though IMO. Matip gave the ball away for the first goal where Lovren made the block that lead to the corner. We did not attack that corner with any conviction nor on the 3rd goal. The way we set up as a team and our mental attitude is more to blame than speed.

14 Aug 2017 15:56:19
Pompey Red, with the full backs so high, Henderson should be dropping back to fill in so the cb's can cover for the full backs higher up, or that would be my way of play.

14 Aug 2017 12:41:00
Not a rumour more a rant. I would like to know the eds opinions on FSG, personally I think they should have gone along time ago, we make plenty of money off tv, sponsorship etc yet spend nothing, are weaker now than last year, have a midfield 3 that without Cout or Lallana are very very average and a defence that are weak in the centre, we have shown no ambition to coutinho or the fans that we will be getting strong enough to challenge for the league, FSG are the milking the club for all its worth and taking the money back to the US and keeping it there.

{Ed002's Note - The owners don't make plenty of money out of anything and they have spent enormous amounts. Their problem is having an ungrateful fan base which is far from the brightest with no understanding of the finances at all. You are an idiot.}

14 Aug 2017 13:17:47
You have to give up some people who are out there in numbers abusing FSG ( the easiest pick ) among the lot for not securing 3 points against Watford. I have never understood how FSG or any owners for that matter are responsible for conceding stupid goals over and over again due bad coaching! I am stunned just like every time Klopp got away with it!

14 Aug 2017 13:20:56
Wow!
Where do people get their 'info' from?
It's beyond special.
Short memories since 2010.
And this is probably the tame version.

14 Aug 2017 13:25:30
FSG saved our club from administration. They have ploughed millions of pounds every year (£50m) and still given managers money to spend. They have turned the club finances completely around. FSG want the team to be successful, unfortunately we have had people that have squandered all the money on poor signings, players we did not need.
If you actually supported the club and have any knowledge at all, you would know this.

14 Aug 2017 13:30:45
There is nothing wrong with the owners. They have backed Klopp, it's not there fault that we can't get players in.

14 Aug 2017 13:31:59
New main-stand, players like salah, mane, firmino, wages etc. Keeping a club running is expensive and the club does not make 200mil a year to cover it all.

14 Aug 2017 13:37:31
Lancaster red how are we weaker now than last year. From what i have seen we have improved the squad with 3 new players and none have left so far. And peopl saying our squad isn't good enough we won't get top 4 etc. These exact players minus Robertson, Salah and Solanke all GOT US TOP 4 LAST YEAR. we have not gotten weaker. I do think we need more signings to improve first 11 but we have only played 1 game so far and seems our fan base has gone into meltdown already. Yes saturday was poor and we shoukd have won but that's football. We will have games a lot better than that and even a few worse. Either way support the players and stop being so defeatist.

14 Aug 2017 14:07:06
Again with this ridiculous FSG bashing. Some people really don't have a clue. I replied to a similar post already today. Not going to bother repeating myself.

14 Aug 2017 14:16:29
How can we be weaker than last year, brought 3 players in and lost lucas.
Also Kent, Trent, Woodburn with more experience.

14 Aug 2017 14:35:45
I honestly thought John w Henry so definitely have done better on first corner, to be fair. He looks like a tall bloke, should be getting his head on those.

14 Aug 2017 14:22:09
It was a question. Moreno at left back, no lallana or coutinho, TAA offers more than Clyne and was impressed with his delivery from open and set piece play, must admit I liked Robertson before he came to Liverpool so can't knock that signing, I think he will do well, we were desperately short of quality last season when both L an C were out, Hendo, Can and WIjnaldum lack real quality when all together, they need a player/ players of higher quality alongside them that make them up there game.
Ed 002
Not ungrateful at all, don't see the improvement in the squad from the last 3 windows, Salah and Mane are top class, Solanke can't get on before Origi and that guy is not great tbh, we have been top of tv money lists, have big sponsorship, a huge fan base, merchandise, tours, cutting of the wage bill, it was an opinion where we need large investment from either a investor like Everton have got or a complete sale, its a greedy money orientated business now and we seem like we are behind and have a problem with the running of the club.

{Ed002's Note - What investor has given money to Everton?}

14 Aug 2017 14:26:18
I blame the WAGS for the failure to sign some of our targets.
Instead of looking at the possibility of signing for Liverpool players look at what shops/ brands are on the high street and if the WAGS give the thumbs down it's "no thank you"
London, Barcelona and Madrid will win every time.
So Ed002, would it be out of the question to move our club south or even to Spain or Portugal?
And I know where Utd are based but they just buy titles.

14 Aug 2017 15:32:06
Evertons new Owner, Moshiri? isn't FSG'S moto buy young potential for cheap and sell for profit? That's always been mine and many other reds understanding of how they run the club, when the opportunity for us to kick on after having a good season arrives we go backwards, transfers have been a big problem for years with LFC, getting them over the line, eds themselves have said how the tactics of the club are a disgrace, we low ball clubs because we are lfc, so the running of the club can't be all that, for me the Watford starting 11 was weaker than last season, nothing major has been addressed, think we need more creativity, more leaders at the back who would throw their heads in anywhere, TAA has improved right back, Salahs pace was much needed, some agree some don't.

{Ed002's Note - Moshiri has not invested in players or given Everton any money. You obviously know nothing of the finances nor have Liverpool, or seemingly other clubs, are run.}

14 Aug 2017 16:07:29
I Don't Eds and that is purely why I ask the questions, its things I have no inside knowledge of and like 98% of supporters we get info from Sky, websites or papers, we have no inside knowledge, we see other clubs signing and improving while reading you and the other Eds hammering our dealings with other clubs and how we go about things, I don't see us as stronger just from the Watford game, it was a less creative starting 11 from last year, we have kids like Kent, Ejaria to boost the squad when needed, we need first 11 players, we could sign 3/ 4 players in the next 2weeks and be in a much better position, fingers crossed,

{Ed002's Note - In which case ask rather than make rash statements that are wholly untrue.}

14 Aug 2017 16:30:38
Everyone likes a passionate heated fan Ed002, I see others improving and us falling apart, Klopp looked a broken man this weekend, I want us to look like we are kicking on instead of stalling, all our press is negative because of Couts and the poor little guy only wants his dream move, no blame can be put on him, he gave his best and has caught the eye of Barca, timing sucks eggs but we all want to get back to winning trophies (if only to shut them dirty Mancs up from down the road)

14 Aug 2017 12:05:42
I know we haven't shown interest and it's an unlikely transfer but I think Silva would be the closest replacement for coutinho (Albeit on a shorter term basis) .

14 Aug 2017 12:13:45
City would be nuts to sell him! They themselves have been trying to replace him from years with no success. Without Silva they don't function! He is the only player better than Coutinho in that position. I would t mind a shot at Mata!

{Ed001's Note - they brought in Silva to replace Silva in the long term.}

14 Aug 2017 12:15:24
Looking across Europe, Insigne looks a really good shout and he's at the right age too.

14 Aug 2017 12:26:16
Ed01.
Correct, 2 seasons ago they brought KDB to replace him then Gundagaon to replace him. The fact remains they couldn't and they would never replace him at all. Saw him on Saturday and he is in his own league!
This is exactly what will happen to us after selling Coutinho!

14 Aug 2017 13:14:19
They brought in Silva to replace Silva?

Any chance we could bring in Coutinho to replace Coutinho?

That would be excellent.

14 Aug 2017 11:57:09
What is the work of the scouting department? No alternatives? How? Why?

14 Aug 2017 12:17:20
I am sure there are alternatives but Klopp wouldn't want them! Why would a club keep on bidding for a player they wouldn't sign!

14 Aug 2017 12:58:28
So what you're saying is it's either VVD and Keita or no one then?

14 Aug 2017 11:31:24
Eds,
Thought Loftus-Cheek was excellent when moved into the deeper role at the weekend, do you think he could be a cheaper option for a defensive midfield role?

{Ed002's Note - He has already moved on loan to Crystal Palace this summer.}

14 Aug 2017 11:40:02
If we are looking for one in that position, it's has to be the tall guy from PSG! He is excellent!

14 Aug 2017 12:11:14
So good you remembered his name 🤦🏼‍♂️🤦🏼‍♂️.

14 Aug 2017 12:43:15
Benny are you replying to "that guy who talks rubbish" post?

14 Aug 2017 12:44:22
What a ball from Liverpool's new number 10 "tall guy" 😂.

14 Aug 2017 11:16:37
Alot are saying we don't have a leader in our team. No one to pull the team back into positions at corners etc.

Question - what does this say about Henderson as captain?

{Ed002's Note - It says he was out injured for a long time. But maybe you can stir up some hate against him. The good old Liverpool way - Henderson Out on Facebook, daub some abuse on the stadium, flags at games etc..}

14 Aug 2017 11:41:41
Brilliant answer Ed002! Lol

We had a similar sentiment said on a LFC WhatsApp group, and I was like are you guys for real?
He's been out since Feb and that was his 1st proper competitive game, give the lad a chance!
He's bound to be a little rusty.

fans are fickle, they forget last Nov when we were top, Hendo was probably the best DM in the league.
He will get back to it, just needs a few games to find his rhythm.

But your point about Leaders, yes we do seem to be short in that dept.
Lov could be it but I think he's more concerned with keeping his spot, what with all the VvD talk, and Matip doesn't come across as the shouty type, same goes for Milly.

If we could get the VvD deal done, he could be the guy

Fingers and toes crossed!
YNWA.

14 Aug 2017 13:20:45
That really wasn't the intention but okay if you say so.

Wasn't a question of is he a good player it was just about being vocal on the pitch. Will be more specific next time.

14 Aug 2017 10:53:44
You can't win the league without having a top class keeper. We need a commanding keeper, someone with presence, someone that can marshall the defence, I personally think that would make a huge difference. I know we need VVD and NK but I'd also go all out for Butland, failing that give Ward a chance. We need more leaders! As much as I want Moreno to succeed he is not good enough defensively, I'd put Milner back in for Tuesday. When we go in for VVD how about we ask for Forster and Bertrand too!

14 Aug 2017 10:58:37
I'd give both Ward and Karius chances to impress - Mignolet has had a long time to cement his place and has failed to do so, surely it's time for somebody else.

14 Aug 2017 11:02:01
I'd give Ward a proper shot, he managed the pressure of winning promotion from the Championship well enough. I must admit, even as someone who thinks Mignolet and Karius could end up being a decent 1st and 2nd choice, my patience is wearing thin.
Butland or Schmeichal are the only I can think of that could improve us, I don't have a great knowledge base of keepers beyond Neuer, Ter Stegen, Donarumma, all of whom won't be coming!

{Ed002's Note - Liverpool won't be looking for a goalkeeper unless Ward forces his way out - and then only for a third choice (similar to Manninger).}

14 Aug 2017 11:06:05
Why did we buy Robertson if you want to play Milner there. This seems stupid imo! If you are not cofidnent on the player why buy him? The club had a good look at the keeper situations over past 2 years and brought one last summer. You cannot buy same players every year! It's a joke!

14 Aug 2017 12:35:33
Joe hart has 2 league titles.

14 Aug 2017 12:38:52
We can't defend, you are so blinkered mate. How many subs can a team put on the bench? Surely it makes more sense for a player that can cover more than 1 position to be there?

14 Aug 2017 13:00:09
I'm sorry if I seem a bit pessimistic, I don't mean to be but all this talk of the league I believe we had an outside chance as does anybody in the top 6 from last year but some of you act like we expect it and it's really unjustified, we haven't won it in 27 years, we haven't been close in a while, we've spent less than Chelsea/ Everton/ city/ united/ arsenal maybe even Huddersfield (not complaining about the spending, have to live within our means) so why after one game are you moaning about what we need to win the title when in reality we aren't even regulars in the top 4? I'm all for improving but it's really not as simple as 'buy a world class keeper and defender and we've won'. Patience and a bit of faith can go a long way. I believe the issues aren't necessarily down to players but more the system we play or the coaching when it comes to set pieces etc. A point away at Watford without Coutinho or lallana (two of our most creative players) isn't as bad as it seems, not great, but not the end of the world.

14 Aug 2017 09:52:39
Hi Ed 01

Do you think TAA is being seen as first choice right back or is he still behind Clyne in the pecking order? Asking out of interest for the team and also because I am considering TAA for my fantasy football team haha.

{Ed001's Note - at the moment he has the place and he will keep it unless he has a run of poor performances.}

14 Aug 2017 10:48:16
He will get better with experience, you can see he is a really good footballer, it is nice to have someone in the team who can take a corner. The lad has a wand of a right foot.

14 Aug 2017 10:25:48
Excellent news, the lad has huge potential and games under his belt will only serve to aid his development. What does this mean for Clyne Ed? Are the club actively looking to sell him? It has been mentioned on here that he and Klopp do not get on particularly well and, given he is being usurped by an 18 year old, do you think he might push for a move away (if there are any interested parties)?

{Ed001's Note - if anyone came in for him, the club would not fight to keep him and that has been the case for a while.}

14 Aug 2017 11:03:43
Clyne is not in TAA's league when it comes to end product and quality delivery from the RB position. Not even close. He should be first choice and Clyne should be either sold or be his deputy.

14 Aug 2017 09:49:29
Time for positive thinking. Trent looked absolute quality, Henderson is back and Salah is a quality signing for a bargain fee. We will sign more players, and if we sell Coutinho we will receive a record breaking fee. Not like arsenal or Chelsea where the contracts run out. We can make a couple of signings and this can still be our year!

14 Aug 2017 10:02:56
I know this is probably an exaggeration. But TAA was sending in some of the best corners I've seen from a red shirt in years!

14 Aug 2017 10:06:02
spot on, Oy. We have to rally and circle the wagons now as Hoffenhiem is the biggest game in our season right now. Forget Watford. Take the positives (and there were several) and learn QUICKLY from the negatives. We go again!

14 Aug 2017 10:38:29
Not sure 35mil can be classified as a 'bargain fee'.

14 Aug 2017 10:19:19
That isn't an exaggeration Faith, those crosses were of exceptional quality, they beat the first man and put the defence under pressure on another day someone gets on the end of them and its in the net. This is where our lack of height and aerial ability let's us down.

14 Aug 2017 11:07:15
Mr Dennis, height is not the issue, IMO. Actually, we had both our CB's get on the end of both of TAA's corners and one forced a save and another hit the post. On a good day, we score both and we win the game and no one would care if we conceded 2/ 3 goals even tho, it would still be a concern.

14 Aug 2017 09:40:13
Anyone think we should have gone for Matic? Don't care about his age. He is just excellent in what he does. A lot more than just a mere stopper! Thought he ran the show yesterday.
All our midfielders ( who are offensive and notorious for positional discipline and our CB's who can't defend ) would benefit from a player like Matic!

14 Aug 2017 10:01:29
He wanted to play for Mourinho and United probably paying him a fortune. Wouldn't have got him and we'd have just looked stupid being turned down for United.

14 Aug 2017 10:07:35
Matic is a much better player than he is given credit for and pack a rocket in that left peg of his. Not sure he would have come here tho as he loves Mou.

14 Aug 2017 10:32:10
We need someone like Matic in our side. Our defenders are no great shakes but the lack of cover provided to them leaves them exposed, hence they get panned from all sides while our midfield gets plaudits for making chances for our forwards. The midfield needs a bruiser and good reader of the game protecting them CBs otherwise its going to be the same story as last season.
Oh and a proper defensive coach who can drill some defensive nous into our players.

14 Aug 2017 10:19:20
What if he wins them the league? Money well spend? We need to target players who would make immediate and instant impact to the first team! That's where Jose does it over other managers! That £40 mill would probably give them £100 mill in return!

14 Aug 2017 08:32:08
Ed001 mate you reckon There's any chance that Phil leaving could see bobby drop into midfield and we could potentially sign a striker? Might be the way to go because I do think firmino is good enough to play upfront for us I just think it might be the easiest way around the problem.

{Ed001's Note - he might drop back but I doubt we will sign another striker.}

14 Aug 2017 08:35:28
Why sign a new striker, trust in Solanke, see what Rashford is doing.

14 Aug 2017 09:07:02
Rashford is played in the wings to accommodate Lukaku and once they sign Perisic he will go to the bench!

14 Aug 2017 08:15:43
Reflecting on the Watford game after enough time to get my blood pressure down, my biggest concern is not PC going or the defensive performance (which was v bad) but the repetition of last season's pattern - poor first half, better second half. Why does it take until ht for the team to start playing? We looked slow, lethargic and disinterested. First game of the season after a great pre-season, you'd think they would be well up for it!

14 Aug 2017 09:25:38
ATTITUDE!

14 Aug 2017 09:25:53
I think it is jut a simple case of getting your feet under you in the first game of the season regardless of preseason preparation, Litmanen. Let us give it more games and see if it is a pattern. But the defensive shambles was terrible. it undid all the good work we did in the second half as we had them on the rack the whole half and should have scored 5 goals easily. I don't know how we fix it and frankly, I don't think Klopp does either. We shall see.

14 Aug 2017 10:03:54
We're a defensive joke it is as simple as that. Nothing has been worked on over the summer and we've got another season of conceding ridiculously easy goals. We'll not get top four this year.

14 Aug 2017 11:09:53
My Two, and you know we won't make top 4 after a draw at Watford in the first game of the season? Nonsense! By that logic, Chelsea should just pack it in for the season cos they lost at home to Burnley, right? Give over with the knee jerk reactions, mate. It's boring.

14 Aug 2017 08:04:55
What would the world be like if we didn't have football as a means of venting our anger? Modern day religion. Ed002 is clearly the second coming :)

{Ed001's Note - I find it is always best to be second when coming.}

14 Aug 2017 08:15:34
😂 brilliant ed.

14 Aug 2017 07:54:43
On the positive side we're the fittest team that can't head the ball in the league.

14 Aug 2017 09:28:28
We are also the team in the PL, that can score 3 goals away from home and still not get 3 pints. That is damning.

14 Aug 2017 07:14:23
Monday has rolled around and yet again the Eds will face an unlimited number of questions about Coutinho and a vast number of potential replacements, some that we have shown an interest in and others that we have never even looked at.
Getting fed up of this one myself, let's hope it is sorted asap and we can all move on.

14 Aug 2017 08:17:56
Was you hoping for Monday to roll around and there be no comments on here instead.

14 Aug 2017 08:57:07
Didn't say anything about comments, opinions and debates is what a forum like this is all about.
Just the barrage of questions that have already been answered last week that people can't be bothered to search for that can be annoying, especially with so many people asking the same Coutinho questions over and over.
Let's be honest, we all want the Coutinho mess to be over so we can focus on the upcoming matches.

14 Aug 2017 09:44:02
Andy what else did you expect on a website specifically about transfer rumours?

14 Aug 2017 10:21:46
You post and moan about Coutinho posts on this page and just add to the number of Coutinho posts on this page!

14 Aug 2017 06:09:12
Hi ed001, a bit of a tactical question.

I think it's quite obvious now that, predominately, we do not possess defenders that are able to cope with being an exposed back four, lending to the way we play. If we had a better back four, like United's in 2009 for instance, it wouldn't be a problem because they had leadership and nous. But this back four doesn't really have that, hence it is a problem.

But the last run of games last season showed that when the system is tweaked to be more defensive and compact, they can still pull off a string of clean sheets. The downside to this was that our attack was far less potent, and we had to rely on grinding away to stumble over the line.

I want to talk about Spurs now because it's interesting that they are able to play with a more compact defensive shape, yet they have no problems going forward either, and offensively they are actually quite similar to us. They have a compact defensive structure but it's not at the expense of goals.

Do you think Klopp should consider tweaking the system to be somewhat more similar to Spurs? Because they just seem to have that balance right.

{Ed001's Note - we don't have the players in midfield to provide the protection that Spurs have. If we did, then yes we should alter things slightly.}

14 Aug 2017 06:39:27
That's very true ed. So what's the solution, buy a DM or two? Or get a new backline?

{Ed001's Note - all of the above or doing more work in training on what to do when defending. Shape work etc doesn't have to be boring, but it does need to be done and regularly so players understand it instinctively.}

14 Aug 2017 07:10:35
Call me out if I'm wrong ed but is this a change in tune from you? I think I remember you saying defensive mids are not necessary. Maybe what you meant is they are not necessary if the team know how to organise themselves properly defend as a unit, but it seems they don't know how to.

{Ed001's Note - exactly mate. That is what I meant.}

14 Aug 2017 09:43:51
The OP is spot on along with the Ed. It seems like we are unable to walk that fine line with defending and attacking. The problem I see is that our mids seem to get dragged out of position too much which leaves and already biscuit bone defence exposed. On the second goal off the throw-in, Can goes to press to win it back, hendo instead of dropping into a space behind Can, he goes in to press the other player. he doesn't win it and BOOM, they are both out of position and Moreno is exposed vs Amrabat and Cleverley. Moreno goes in against Amrabat, does not win it and then Doukhoure lays the ball into Cleverley wide, Lovren goes in to block the cross, and TAA has to cover and so does Matip and the goal happens. This is the prob we have currently in our midfield.

14 Aug 2017 10:41:39
Here's the thing ed, has Klopp actually tried enough to work with the team on creating and maintaining good defensive shape in order to negate the need of a DM? Or is it something he's neglected because he trusts the back four too much?

{Ed001's Note - imo he is concentrating too hard on the high press and not spending enough time working on what happens after that. A high press is just about a few seconds in the game after you lose the ball, once that is gone, the next thing should be to get into a defensive shape. Instead we are still looking for the moment to press again over everything, which is leaving gaps in midfield. Once the initial press is done, the players do not seem to know what to do until the next trigger comes for pressing. That is something we need to address.}

14 Aug 2017 11:22:59
Ed, you are correct. In fact, the key to the Gegenpressing system is that once you press and can't win the ball back, the very next thing is to retreat immediately into a compact, defensive shape and then set pressing traps or "pressing zones" where you can corner the opponent and press them again. We did not do that well vs Watford which explains why Watford scored the second goal as I described of this thread. We were not smart in our pressing in midfield either and forgot to retreat into the compact shell when the press was not successful.

This is how we defend in the Klopp system and the team need to go back to that cos we did that effectively in numerous occasions last seasons esp. vs the big teams which is why they can't beat us.

{Ed001's Note - there are still too many signs of lazy mentality when we play the likes of Watford. That is a major worry. We should be rolling over the lesser teams, not strolling.}

14 Aug 2017 04:33:05
So watched the Man Utd game against West Ham and can definitely conclude that Jose will get them challenging for the title. Their attack was sublime, powerful, pacy and unforgiving. On top of that, they have one of the best defences in the league.
The BPL trophy imo will go to Manchester one way or the other.

{Ed001's Note - to be fair, West Ham rolled over and let them tickle their bellies. Bilic was far too busy having a cozy chat with Jose on the sidelines to actually do anything about his team having their arses handed to them. His job is on the line and yet he does nothing to change things tactically when anyone can see they are getting beaten? Terrible manager that man.}

14 Aug 2017 04:49:57
Nevertheless the trophy ends up in Manchester one way or the other. I sense unrest and an eventual implosion between Conte and the Chelsea board and their season will derail at some point considering they have a squad as threadbare as ours. Spurs have a brilliant first 11 but lack depth and they may have to sacrifice other competitions to make top4 this season. Arsenal will depend on Sanchez to stay and play a blinder to ensure a return to UCL football.
LFC on the other hand have a lot of work to do in the transfer market to keep pace with the rest bar Everton. Our defense is shocking and even one injury to one of our midfielders and attackers will expose the lack of depth and quality in the squad. Go help the club if anything happens to firmino, Mane or Salah coz then its back to kids like Origi and Solanke leading our line.

14 Aug 2017 06:17:38
When you get too spend £200mil a summer you should be expected to win the league and other trophies.

Man city for me though due to the depth of the squad.

14 Aug 2017 08:14:34
Didn't see their defence do that much, partly cos the hammers couldn't pass to a team mate to save their lives and mainly because MU midfield and forwards squeezed the life out if them, and scared them witless when they lost the ball.

14 Aug 2017 08:23:12
Aren't we supposed to have 200 mill to spend this summer. What with the supposed propaganda of VVD 60-70 mill and the unnamed lad from Germany for 80 mill. We're good at tapping players up and leaking our interests to the press but when it comes to actually signing them our backbone appears to fall out.

14 Aug 2017 09:46:20
I always knew that WH would not even turn up and that Bilic would not be arsed to even do the basics on the sideline.

14 Aug 2017 10:12:53
Thought ManU were very good. We would be dreaming of a treble if we started the season off with a 4-0 victory. I picked manU for second, but they will be very close to the title imo.

14 Aug 2017 01:15:16
A good post. One draw and lots in here even started to question the manager. It's getting kinda annoying visiting this page lately; the transfer window and now this. It is very hard to read at least some positivity. Most were just negative.

14 Aug 2017 09:51:40
Agreed, Haizan. I guess by that logic, Conte should be sacked if he loses the Spurs game next week. Utter nonsense! It is the type of knee jerk crap we have come to know and love from today's fans, really. Pathetic.

13 Aug 2017 23:46:59
If you're about Ed001, could I get your opinion on the rumoured "replacements" for Phil if he does indeed depart? Diego Laxalt, Max Meyer and Lorenzo Insigne. I really like Insigne and he has a bigger pedigree than the other 2. Or, maybe were looking at someone entirely different! Cheers pal.

{Ed001's Note - only Insigne I would have any interest in seeing at Liverpool but he is no replacement for Coutinho.}

14 Aug 2017 04:36:18
I would forget about attack minded players now. Want to see VVD and a no nonsense CDM like Nzonzi come in to help out the CBs. Then make another final push for Keita and see what happens. IF Keita happens, the we can sell Can who probably wants to leave too.
That leaves us with Nzonzi and Hendo in the CDM role, while Keita, Grujic, Lallana and Gini fight it out for the remaining two midfield spots.

14 Aug 2017 09:54:40
IB, you are barking up the wrong tree with keita and IMO, VVD. They are not coming, end of. We have shifted our focus elsewhere.