Liverpool Banter Archive November 14 2013

14 Nov 2013 23:14:26
Not really big news but big news for me!

After years of knowing a young girl (as friends), she's from Portugal with strong Brazilian links! I mentioned I'd love to go to Brazil '14, so she said her dad has to be there as he is a football agent. I asked how come, she said 'oh he played for some Brazilian club, maybe Santos, Flamengo etc.) Those are major clubs, girl! what the hell! Then she casually added 'he also played for Brazil! At this I jump a mile and asked his name which turns out to be Jorge Baidek, who actually played for Brazil, once! But still, he was good enough to play for Brazil! Anyway, she's promised that if I get myself to Brazil she will put us up (my son and me!) and her dad might even be able to get us tickets to some matches. and get us backstage in some stadiums! What!
I know it's not Liverpool related but if I'm there I'll take photos of hopefully Phillipe and Lucas and share it with my fellow reds. let's hope this happens!
YNWA

An Iranian, based in London, meets a girl In Portugal, who's from brasil. you're right, its not Liverpool related lol.

Hehe good luck mate

Hahah! You lucky man!

14 Nov 2013 21:07:39
Gerrard is getting on now (33 and counting). He has been fantastic for the club, the best player I have seen grace Anfield's hallowed turf, but my question is who should replace him. He isn't getting younger and such an important, central figure at the heart of the club will inevitably leave a big void once he hangs his boots up. Should we look for replacements now or wait a season or two more? More importantly, and I am really hearing peoples opinions on, is who do you think we should buy (or is there anyone from the U18's or reserves?) to replace him?

No disrespect to Gerrard here, he is phenomenal, I just worry about the day he is no longer playing for us!

We should bring in Cabaye. Not as a direct replacement, but as someone who can cope in the more physical games where Gerrard seems to struggle.

He has similar attributes to Gerrard as he is a set piece specialist, he has excellent vision and pass execution. He also has a goals in him.

I don't think Gerrard is ready to be replaced just yet, but if I had to choose a young player to come in as his long term "replacement" it would be Aaron Ramsey. Which will never happen.

Red Rum

There will never be another Gerrard. What we could do to replace him eventually, is to bring in modern day midfielders, who are comfortable on the ball and are good in a team with passing and keeping possession a priority.

Tonny Vilhena, Max Meyer or a more experienced player like Miralem Pjanic or Ivan Rakitic. We could also change the shape of our midfield into a diamond, which would make use of all the skills of our current crop of players.

15 Nov 2013 12:42:16
Rossiter from the under 21's looks good only 16 and doesn't look out of place. Bosses the midfield.

I don't think we need to directly replace him with a like for like, as somone pointed out, but with a young confortable ball playing midfielder. Suso will be in the team very soon but we can also look at other midfield options. I would love Cabaye but he is still injury prone. I still have hope that allen and henderson can press on and form a good partnership there.
I haven't watched enough of the academy this season but that boy Chirivella (spelling) looks a great talent.

I agree we can just change our shape
have lucas and henderson hold, with countinho in front, then have a front 3. I am hoping luis alberto comes good and can play along the front three with suarez and sturridge

14 Nov 2013 19:19:41
I'm reading that Stevie G is carrying an injury and will take an injection to play in next weeks friendly against Germany.
I hope this is not true Ed because if I was BR I'd drag his ass back to Melwood so he can get fit for our next league game. He does not need to play in a friendly when he is unfit even when it's against high profile opponents like Germany.

Rogers should drop him if he does the seriously its a friendly

It seems a pointless thing to do, but I guess he wants to lay against Germany as the Captain of England.

Agree with AG, for an English player, Eng v Ger are big matches and to do it as captain must be hard to turn down, even if only as a friendly! Just hope he doesn't get further injured that's all!

I no but he is always slow and sloppy after the international break I was delighted to hear he was sitting it out with Everton on the return would be nice

Good memories of Liverpool 5 Germany 1 back in 2001 in Munich. From memory, Owen hit a hat-trick and Gerrard and Heskey got the others. Wonder what odds you'd get on that result now, 5000-1 maybe?

If he plays the full 90 against Germany I think he will be poor in the derby especially given its a Saturday 12.45 kick off. I'm surprised and disappointed that he's putting himself at risk in a friendly when LFC have a massive game coming up. Hope he proves me wrong on Saturday!

14 Nov 2013 17:19:42
Hi all.

Just wondering what everyone's take is on Stevie G having pain killer injections to enable him to play for England against Germany next Tuesday?
I think he could of sat out these meaningless games, he will be guaranteed his place on the plane to Brazil.
I think with the tough run of games we have now until New year, our captain should of thought about the club first.

Pointless in my opinion as there is a chance he might aggravate the injury and could be out for longer.

I don't know he must not know that we have a derby, tottenham, chelsea and man city yet to play.

14 Nov 2013 13:11:11
Fellow reds last January we signed two gems who were forgotten men the next big thing that it never happened for it think Rogers may try sign similar players just wondering about anyone think of the new forgotten man we could sign the next big thing who never was any ideas

Well i'm currently sitting in a freezing cold shop eating a tuna butty and a bag of doritos, add to this i'm about three stones heavier than any player we've got and 36 years old do I class as a forgotten man? Please say yes. i'm sure i'm quite normal thinking that Brendan is going to walk in and say "jesus, I thought we may have struggled in the January transfer market but I think I've just found an ageing 5'10" fifteen stone immobile colossus who can fill a (large) hole in midfield."
Need a cup of tea and a biccy now, all that typpings tired me out.

{Ed002's Note - Do you find sandwiches taste better when cut diagonally?}

Lloriente is not getting on at juventus imo he would do a good job at premiership football, pastore would prob be the player we need for midfield.capel could be the back up on the wings we need for certain games r impact sub. {Ed002's Note - Juventus were considering loaning Llorente out but right now he is in the side (albeit due to injuries) so I don't see a January transfer.}

Diagonal is king. End of. Two boss corners and then a full middle. Its the only way.

A triangle has 3 corners!

I am aware of the third corner of a triangle AG but youve got to hold it by the third corner, eat the two sharp corners then get stuck into the middle working towards the final corner. In fact I might not get as far as the last corner, it may just be a discarded crust. I hope I have made myself clear.

14 Nov 2013 10:06:05
If Suarez carries on in the same form, and if he stays free of trouble, how much will he be worth by next Summer?
Or is there a clause in his contract that may influence this? {Ed002's Note - You need to ignore contractual issues.}

If he stays out of trouble, finishes close to top scorer and has a good World Cup then it has got to be mega bucks. A good international tournament esp the World Cup usually sees a players price rocket. I suspect that if he is to go then his new employers would look to get business done at the start of the window if possible. Ill stick my neck out and predict that if he does go it will be for at least £10 million more than we sold Torres for.

1 gazillion and 1 pound

For every goal he scores, his fee will be higher. He`s going nowhere in jan or if he goes, someone will have some serious explaining to do because selling your best player is NOT the way to succeed (atm, see spurs). BR and the owners played a blinder in the summer and to see them laying an egg on the issue especially now that we are FINALLY competing is unfathomable at best. He`s going nowhere in jan like I had predicted in the summer because BR and Henry will NOT stand for that.

A few pound pound of any ones flesh

14 Nov 2013 00:20:55
Ed002 said there may be a possibility benzema could be used in the offer for Suarez. So a simple questionto everyone, would you accept 20m and benzema for suarez? {Ed002's Note - A good question Benny. Let me put it in to context first. Benzema, has been struggling in Spain and there is a clear need for him to move on. In the first instance Real Madrid will look to sell Benzema with Arsenal and PSG the two destinations which might provide a home for him. After that, if they cannot sell, he will become part of the offer for Suarez if his club has their way - but I have no feeling for how that would interest the player. It is also possible that Real Madrid will divert attention away from Suarez toward another English based player, but I doubt his club will want to sell nor want Benzema.}

This would surely depend on your valuation of both players. On current form, which is all we can go on, Benzema would be worth what, 20? On current form Suarez must be worth 60?
It's hard to know what goes on inside Suarez's head. At times he acts like he would be happy to stay with us if we were in the CL and challenging for the title. Other times it appears he can't wait to leave regardless of where we finish.
He's surely a bit of a nutter, but at the moment, he's our nutter and for that we must be happy. Just think, if he did stay a few more years, he would be talked about in the same breath as Dalglish, SG and Keegan.

I hope they do divert there attention elsewhere! Not that Suarez would be short of admirers, am I right in assuming this player that you refer to is 1 of Hazard or Mata?
Cheers {Ed002's Note - No, but it is unimportant.}

14 Nov 2013 10:11:38
do you personally feel benzema, if offered into the deal, would just reject Liverpool straight off the bat?
I remember someone here said real's cash offer was actually less than arsenals? at around 36m. So what is their own valuation of karim? what will they look for from arsenal and co. {Ed002's Note - I personally expect Benzema to be sold and the money used to fund a bid for a new forward. I would think he will want a Champions League side. I would not get wrapped up in any offer values. I explained the situation over the summer but posters tend to not always be rational about the values of Liverpool players.}

Id always be rational of valuations. Too a club like real that could pay through the noses, and suarez current form, you have to be looking high. however he is quite old, which plays down his valuation, not to mention his antics. I can see real bidding 50m, if they're serious about wanting to be on top of la liga and the champions league. Much will depend on whether they can off load benzema for more cash, than what his worth would be in a swap deal.

No I wouldn't.

I wouldn't sell Suarez to anyone for any price in January. It would totally disrupt our promising start to the season. We have a good chance of top 4 if Suarez and Sturridge stay fit and on form.

Real can wait until the Summer. {Ed002's Note - I would think that Liverpool will want to keep Suarez through the January window, but his "people" are concerned that Real Madrid will turn their attentions elsewhere and have re-approached (to my knowledge) three clubs about him.}

Benzema will not be joining Liverpool. His work ethic is terrible, rarely crosses the halfway line defensively. Runs head down and often picks the wrong pass. This is always highlighted in his APPAULING international performances. It's no surprise France are banging in goals no Giroud's playing rather than Benzema, one's a team player with a cool head.The other a headless rabbit who's selfish without the ability to back it up.

If I am correct, Suarez is 26. How on earth is that old. You got it spot on with the antics though, Benny

Liverpool should stay VERY far away from Benzema. He`s lazy, ineffective, selfish and thinks he`s better than he actually is. We`ve had enough of those and we are done with them.

It is important that Liverpool do everything possible to keep Suarez at the club for the rest of the season.

The main thing is that the Suarez and Sturridge partnership WORKS! So why change it?

As the saying goes "Why try to fix something that isn't broken?"

How do we know that Benzema or whoever comes in will have an instant impact? We don't! It is a risk NOT worth taking.

At least with Suarez we know that even if he wants to leave Liverpool, it will not affect his on-field performance and if we do qualify for Champions League he may even decide to stay.

Red Rum