Liverpool Banter Archive August 17 2017

17 Aug 2017 23:20:41
How likely is it that we will make a Marque Singing this summer? Thanks in advance 😥.

{Ed002's Note - Measured how?}

18 Aug 2017 00:02:29
Will we be able to hear this singing from over here in north Wales?

18 Aug 2017 00:11:14
Maybe Mo has got a good voice? I'd be happy to hear him belt out a few Johnny Cash Songs.

18 Aug 2017 00:16:17
we're more likely to buy a marquee 🏕 than sign a player there prooving quite hard to get.

18 Aug 2017 00:57:07
I can just hear MO blurting out-- san quentin-- ring of fire--and --s boy named sue 😅.

18 Aug 2017 03:13:07
I think he means on a scale of yes or no :)

18 Aug 2017 06:38:45
I share your challenge Ed002. I mean, what is a marque?

Now, if the question related to a marquee, then that would of course be more straightforward, as everyone knows they are measured in sq feet and have to be over 500 sq foot to count as a marquee and not just be a big tent.

Of course at some point a marquee gets so big it is classed as a big top, but I don't think we want to get into that given how the window has gone so far. 😀.

18 Aug 2017 06:50:47
Marquee means a rating over 85 on FIFA!

18 Aug 2017 07:51:48
🎵 that Boy named Cou, 🎵🎻.

18 Aug 2017 08:53:07
We won't be making a marquee signing. Possibly a gazebo or even a lean-to?

17 Aug 2017
New image uploaded to the
Liverpool Player Sightings page entitled, Naby Keita looking for cars in Liverpool.

17 Aug 2017 21:59:29
Hi ed!

Any news on ox or Draxler?
We holding talks with either of them?
Thanks.

{Ed002's Note - RTFP.}

17 Aug 2017 23:05:08
You Eds have the patience of saints. I'd have been turning the air blue a long time ago!

17 Aug 2017 17:34:19
Is seri a replacement for Can ed? He seems a defensive player as apposed to box to box like keita.

{Ed002's Note - Seri would be an alternate for Keita.}

17 Aug 2017 19:46:26
Question of opinion from Eds and posters if I may. 'IF' Coutinho is sold, my preference would be to buy a top class striker to take his place in the squad. I like Firmino, he works really hard and is very skillful, but is not clinical. He creates a lot of the chances we have, but i think his work would be better behind a front line, instead of being its focal point. With Mane and Salah up top im assuming most defences are going to drop deep and i would prefer Firmino a bit deeper creating space with a more clinical CF in the box.

17 Aug 2017 20:16:30
Ahhh hellooo

We already have 4 really good strikers

Sturridge
Origi
Ings
Solanke

Out of those 4 I would drop fermion behind
Mane Solanke Salah.

17 Aug 2017 20:22:04
Good strikers yes world class no.

17 Aug 2017 20:23:17
Sturridge is far too injury prone to rely on
Origi is far too hit and miss
Ings has not proven himself to be a really good striker since he came here and is probably never going to be to the standard we would like
Solanke is far too early to see he's really good.

17 Aug 2017 20:35:11
Can't rely on studge! Origi doesn't do it! Solanke will "in time" be quality. Ings needs lots of game time to get fit.
So we are left with f#%k all!
I agree we need a cf!

17 Aug 2017 20:36:01
Two out of the four strikers you've listed have been unavailable for (I would guess) 80-85% of our games over the last 2 seasons, one of them is a 20yr old who has played only a handful of 1st team games in his career to date, and the other isn't nearly consistant enough to be relied on. In my opinion a CF is required. If we don't buy any new players because we already have players, we will only go backwards because the teams around us are improving.

{Ed001's Note - why does everyone want Firmino dumped? He has been our best player in the last 2 matches playing there, but all the mouthy whiners want a shiny new striker to put in their Panini album. This is idiotic. One thing we don't need is a striker right now. The defence is the issue.}

17 Aug 2017 20:50:03
Agree with Savvyxone here.

I'd be happy with Sturridge, Origi or Solanke going up top if Firmino was brought deeper. No need for new striker. I would also look to use Grujic/ Woodburn/ Kent in the role in the mean time.

Just that very flat midfield of can henderson and Wij needs to be fixed along with the def.

For me if VVD is done I would go Howedes and Keita or Meyer.

17 Aug 2017 20:50:43
We don't want firmino dumped ed01. But it would be nice to have firmino and another world class CF! We can't rely on the others ings and sturridge are made off glass as much as I'd love them to be 100% firing it won't ever happen!

{Ed001's Note - you aren't relying on the others, they are back ups.}

17 Aug 2017 20:52:55
I think Firmino is a good option upfront. he does a lot of graft and fits our style really well. I agree with Ed1 we need defenders although I disagree he's been out mom the last 2 games.

{Ed001's Note - who has been better in a Liverpool shirt than Firmino? The moment he went off against Watford the game changed again. The moment he went off in midweek it was the same. He makes us tick right now.}

17 Aug 2017 20:58:40
Hi Ed, I like firminio but to say he has been our best player in the last 2 games is a strange one for me. The amount of times he lost the ball because he keeps hold too long was very apparent, and it put us on the back foot because it was usually when he dropped deep. I watched the Watford game twice (I know gluten for punishment) and didn't change my opinion,

if you thought him better than mane and Taa in those 2 games I must be watching it differently, that's maybe why football is about opinions!

{Ed001's Note - Firmino creates the space for Mane and Salah, he leads the press, he is the fulcrum.}

17 Aug 2017 20:59:24
Ed in all fairness the striker isn't the question, if coutinho stays.

But put to you this way if we had to replace him. and we signed vvd.

Would you rather sign another number 10 and leave firmino up top or buy a striker and have firmino take over the ten slot.

Listen I'm super critical of firmino. why? Goals. He is the best at everything he does in the prem for me. Link up play, dribbling, pressing. the lot. But without 20 goals, in my eyes he's a failure and should be dropped. Take away the pressure of needing to score 20 goals because some other sap is doing that for you, then he goes from an ok striker to arguably top 3 cams in the prem. and not a lot world wide better than what he is.

And no your answer can't be we should be getting goals from everyone. Because any one who has ever won the prem, has had the midfield goals and the striker goals.

You can't justify 11 goals from firmino and demand more than 15 each from our mid.

Last year cou got 15, mane 14 and lallana 10. I'm sorry but that's brilliant from your midfield. It was firmino who let them down. If spurs had mane, lallana and cou doing that behind kane. they'd of won the title.

{Ed001's Note - if you think the only measure of quality is the number of goals scored then this is pointless. If you think he is a failure then I will just be glad you are not involved in the club in any capacity and your comparison with Spurs is utter nonsense. I hate this new found idiotic obsession with stats that people clearly do not understand. Numbers alone are meaningless. I really do not want to discuss this further, this is the kind of discussion that just has no interest for me. Numbers used so badly are just wrong.}

17 Aug 2017 21:03:08
Ed1 thank u I really think firmino is a brilliant player and we do need to sort out the defence but with no vvd and no news on any other targets I do t no what will happen but hopefully klopp is not stupid enough to tho k our defence is good enough who are we looking at as alternatives to vvd.

17 Aug 2017 21:08:14
The idea behind playing Firmino as a CF is that he drops deep into spaces to create space for Mane and Salah to exploit with runs in behind, without him doing this Mane wouldn't have scored as many last year. A conventional out and out striker would not suit our style of play. I can see Solanke coming off the bench to give us that option if it's needed, my prediction is that he'll reach double figures this year along with Mane, Firminio, Salah and Couts (if we keep him obv) . Add in the goals we get from midfield and I'm really not concerned with that side of things!

17 Aug 2017 21:13:06
I love firminos work rate but he's not as clinical as sturridge
I hope I'm proved wrong that's all I'm sayin pal.

{Ed001's Note - he is not playing Sturridge's role either, so it is not relevant.}

17 Aug 2017 21:28:48
That's true! Just sort the defence and I'll be happy!

17 Aug 2017 21:30:33
Agree with Ed's. Firm is essential to the way Klopp wants to play; leads the press, can tackle; good movement and touch; plus, as Ed said, brings the other 2 in to it and creates space for them. He's an intelligent player and it takes an intelligent fan to see it.

17 Aug 2017 21:39:01
If firmino bags himself 15+ goals (I think he will) and get 5+ assists nobody will moan about him not being clinical enough, 15 goals and 5 assists is something he is capable of, just because he isn't and out and out striker people seem to think he's a bad player because he won't score 20 goals as season it's the other little things he does which creates a much larger impact. I believe Salah and Mane can also bag themselves 15+ goals each so a minimum of 45 goals from our front 3 really wouldn't be bad at all. 14 more to go for them all. YNWA.

17 Aug 2017 21:39:49
Please we have enough up top we need to sort the defence out !

17 Aug 2017 21:55:02
Fimino is world class end of great play heart and soul he puts it week in week out just watch him play you'll all realise how good he is dragging players left right and centre first touch one the best cheers.

17 Aug 2017 22:06:32
May have been said but trawling through all the dross gives me a headache (poor eds) . Firmino is not a standard centre forward, but nor do we need one for the most part. He scores and creates enough goals, especially with Mane and Salah up top. He is the first line of defence, and the reason we get so many chances through opposition mistakes. If you want a world class centre forward, can you name who?
Klopp likes us to play a certain way and Firmino is fundamental to it. If we buy a 50, 60, 70 million plus striker, the whole team dynamic and tactics change. Firmino and our attack is not a problem.

17 Aug 2017 21:57:56
I'm not saying this because Firmino is one of my favourite players, but if there are 30 goals to be scored, I would rather have 3 chipping in with 10 each than one player scoring 30.

It means there is food team, shared workload, the goals are spread and we're not relying on one player to score.

It is the defence and the system helping defensively that needs sorting.

Up-front and the attacking midfielder is perfectly fine thanks.

Let's have a commanding keeper that instills confidence in the defence.

A CB that Marshall's the back 4, without making everyone feel like we're going to concede off of every cross or set-piece. A nice world class DM sitting in front of the defence would be awesome.

So that's Mignolet dropped, Lovren dropped, VVD and Keita signed and a starting role for Ward to see what he can do ;-)

17 Aug 2017 22:01:09
I'd like one of those 4 to be picking up regular goals to support whatever Firminho gets. I think if Mane stays fit he is good for 15 or so in a season and Salah looks like he could get double figs. 40 from those 3 with the 4 main strikers getting 10-15 between them should be fine if the rest can chip in with goals. The challenge on that front is when Firminho has a bad day, which he has where he has missed a bucket full, someone else has to step up. Otherwise those key wins against weaker sides won't come. Plus need to cut out the dozen or so careless goals where players just switch off.

17 Aug 2017 22:04:19
Ed. Firmino is no number 9 not a chance he is a very very good player but definitely not a CF.

{Ed002's Note - You need to take that up with Klopp. It is his decision - but remember, he is a world class manager.}

17 Aug 2017 22:07:23
Firmino world class ed. But as a striker without 20 goals he just not.

I'll end it like this.

Kane and firmino win us the league.

Costa and firmino win us the league

Lukaku and firmino win us the league

Lallana and firmino do no win us the league.

Blov with the addition of vvd. As I did state earlier.

So

Karius
Taa Lovren vvd Moreno
Hendo can
Salah firmino mane
Costa

What gets me is you act as though all these other strikers don't do any of what firmino does. Most of them press, link up play, dribble, assiti. Yet they all score aswel.

Costa does every firmino does, hence why one of the world's most demanding managers in simeone wants him back.

Last question and answer truthfully.

Would you reject mbappe as coutinho replacement if it meant firmino playing as the ten?

17 Aug 2017 22:41:22
5 goals in our first 2 games away from home. Scoring goals is not gona be our issue.

17 Aug 2017 23:43:11
V watford we Scored 3 and conceded 3

which of the above is acceptable and which is unacceptable?

Away V Hoffenheim we scored 2 and conceded 1 and a bad pen.

Which of the above needs improving.

We can go back as far as you want and the answer is the same.

The defence is not fit for the level of football we want to be a constant part of, TOP 4 MINIMUM.

We have to improve the defence and probably goalkeeper.

17 Aug 2017 23:45:39
Edboss what did Kane and lukaku win last year? Sweet fa. They were the 2 top scorers. Goals aren't the issue and neither of those are anywhere near as good as firmino at creating space and chances for others. Kane also scored quite a few pens, firmino wasn't taking them last year. You don't just 'add' 20+ goals cos you add a striker which has achieved that. The way we play is designed for the main 3 to deliver and not rely on a single player.

17 Aug 2017 21:50:40
As this conversation/ thread has developed I get what you are saying ed001. Firmino making us tick. I just saw time against schalke where balls where being whipped in and no one in the box.

Think that is why I feel like having a poacher would be good and I feel like in solanke he could be worth a shot. It's a long shot but why not look at Rashford.

Or the other option is a new midfielder that has the energy and football brain to get in the box too, maybe that is where the keita idea comes from.

{Ed001's Note - the midfield should be doing that job and the wingers, as much as Firmino. Just putting a poacher in there is not going to fix that issue, as then you only have one player there! There should be one attacking front post, one attacking back stick, one or two on the edge of the box for loose balls and one just hanging out on the opposite wing in case the cross makes it that far.}

18 Aug 2017 03:55:18
If there was a stat for chances created OFF the ball (without touching it) . He would be way up the ranks.
Threads like this just prove that many fans don’t even watch the games because what Firmino brings to the side is confusion for defenders.
The space he opens up for any of our advancing players is the reason we score so much, and he does add physical assists to go with it.
The pressure he puts on defenders when they have the ball to cause mistakes also leads to other advancing players latching on to more chances.

If we had an out and out striker every game, our midfield and wingers would not get anywhere near double figure goals.

Anyway the reason we won’t buy an out and out striker is Klopp likes a CF who drops deep. Sturridge even drops deep now which doesn't suit his style but it is the way Klopp wants them to play to give more chances to everybody else to grab goals. AND IT WORKS.
Solanke will probably be our only "plan b" out and out striker but won’t be used much at all except very late in games.
wouldn’t surprise me if Klopp actually trains him to drop deep too eventually to fit the style of play.

{Ed025's Note - ah i get it now phil..firmino is a non scoring centre forward, just like a priest who doesn,t say prayers...or a farmer who is allergic to animals?...i need more tablets..

18 Aug 2017 04:35:12
I got an idea. stop ball watching and start watching what happens off the ball. Firmino is world class with his work off the ball!

{Ed025's Note - yeah..who goes to a game and watches where the ball is going..

18 Aug 2017 06:41:22
Ah ed025, Firmino is the striker who doesn't score goals, who happens to be better than every 'striker' at your club, although I do understand there's a different level of expectation at Liverpool FC, we tend to sign very very good footballers, whilst it would seem your lot are happy to sign middle aged fat blokes.

18 Aug 2017 07:02:39
Come on guys that jibe from Ed025 was classic, well played sir.

18 Aug 2017 08:27:52
Ed01, I sympathize with you. The way people just talk about football and players, you can tell they don't watch games and players closely as many of us do. Saying Firmino is not a 20 goal striker is just pointless cos if you look at his role in the team, he is not asked to score goals, imperatively. His job description is very vast, something a 20 goal striker or Harry Kane is incapable of doing. Harry Kane will be crap in our system just like Benteke was cos he simply can't do the many things Firmino is asked to do, period. His stats are irrelevant, as a result.

Firmino is the lynch pin in our attack and really, defence as he defends from the front. W/ O him, there is no Mane or Salah or Wiji getting space to run into and score goals. Can people just watch the games using their eyes instead of posting pathetic stats and comparisons (Spurs and LFC don't play the same way) that mean nothing.

18 Aug 2017 09:11:43
😂 ed25 he does score goals still I just didn’t add that because people already know he scores. They don’t seem to realise what else he does besides score some and that was the point of my post 😜.

18 Aug 2017 10:41:34
Right we are all talking about replacing coutinho. That's the point.

What the question was is would you rather let firmino take over from cou and sign a top striker with say 120mil or leave firmino up top and sign another number 10.

Alongside vvd signing.

I know lukaku and kane didn't win anything. I said they would of and we would of if they had been in our team last year. That's what I meant. We were fantastic and everyone has brilliant seasons. We just didn't have a striker to finish the ridiculous amount of chances we made. If we had of well it would of been a different story.

Hendo wij
Mane firmino coutinho
Kane

Yeah. Lovely.

{Ed001's Note - except the chances would not have been the same with one of those two. Lukaku in particular would not have suited out style of play. You are just making nonsense comparisons and claims that are just ridiculous basing it on numbers that are not going to stay the same if you change the personnel. It is pointless discussing this with someone who is going to just jump to pointless, unusable stats that have absolutely no context to them.}

18 Aug 2017 12:55:23
Spot on ed1.
With a striker like that we would have to change our approach and would have to find completely different ways through the defence because they wouldn’t be being pulled out of position.

Solanke and Origi are all we need for that type of striker, if we are chasing a game and change to a "launch into the box" approach for the last 5-10 minutes of a game.
I couldn't see Kane or Lukaku (your examples) wanting to be used as a super sub / last minute attempt to grab a goal.

17 Aug 2017 19:28:58
What are people thoughts on the best possible 11 + subs from the whole of the BPL? I know it isn't Liverpool related but it's better than talking about Keita VVD and couts constantly.
De Gea
Coleman (when fit) Alderwiereld Kompany (when fit) Bertrand
Alli Matic KDB
Mane Kane Hazard
4-3-3
Subs- Lloris, Luiz, Azpilicuetta, Kante, Silva, Aguero, Sturridge (when fit)
Sturridge is there because when fit I think he's honestly one of the best strikers in the league.
What are other people's teams?

17 Aug 2017 19:40:47
Kante?!

17 Aug 2017 19:44:33
Lloris
Azpilicueta, Kompany, Bailly, Bertrand
Kante, Matic
Mane, Alli, Coutinho
Aguero

Courtois, Alderweireld, Alonso, Dembele, Firmino, Hazard, Kane.

17 Aug 2017 19:46:18
Much as I love sturridge, realistically he hasn't been at his best since 2014. Nowhere near a prem 11. He's not even our first choice striker.

17 Aug 2017 19:46:57
Based on last years performance:

De Gea
Walker Alderwiereld David Luiz Danny rose
Kante
Alli KDB
Sanchez Costa Hazard.

17 Aug 2017 19:47:52
He's been the best player in the league for 2 seasons running. Surely that's worth a place in the 1st 11?

17 Aug 2017 19:58:36
Good one ninja 👍.

17 Aug 2017 19:58:38
For me is de gea, bellerin, toby, david luiz, azpilicueta, mane, kante, alli, hazard, aguero, kane.

17 Aug 2017 19:58:51
Forgot De Bruyne! Would have him on the bench instead of Firmino (just) .

3 years ago David Silva would have been first name on my team sheet so in my posturing over whether to include him i completely forgot about KDB his team mate 😂.

17 Aug 2017 20:03:59
Surprised at Sanchez being picked. Since he has moved to striker I've found him to be a little bit ineffective in a lot of games. Not as effective as Aguero or Kane. Sanchez played far more games than them last season but still ended up with similar goal tallies. As wide players, i find Mane, Coutinho and Hazard are all better than him now. Going forward we were scintillating. Many (even non LFC) were picking Mane as player of the season last year even though he missed a third of it. I'm with the OP on evicting Sanchez. Great player still, but I'd take Mane, Coutinho and Hazard over him every day.

{Ed001's Note - Alexis Sanchez played wide a lot still, he was the best attacker in the league unti he got fed up carrying 10 players on his back week after week.}

17 Aug 2017 20:05:43
Based on last season for me it would have to be

De Gea
Coleman Alderweireld Vertonghen Bertrand
Kante Dembele
Mane Coutinho De Bruyne
Sanchez.

17 Aug 2017 20:24:10
Ed 001 what would your team be?

{Ed001's Note - de Gea in goal. Alderweireld, Luiz and Vertonghen as the back 3. Rose and Walker as wing backs. Dembele and Kante in the centre. Sanchez and Hazard behind Kane. I am not a fan of a back 3, but it is about picking the best players in a shape that suits.}

17 Aug 2017 20:34:31
De tea
Walker VV dyke Vertonghen Rose
Kante
De Byrne
Mane Hazard
Aguero Kane.

17 Aug 2017 20:43:09
Isn't it a bit worrying he got fed up though Ed? Suarez carried us to the title and Sanchez as equal if not more natural ability, as well as marginally more skilled team mates than Suarez had.

It definitely says more about his team mates attitude than his, but it disappointed me to see Sanchez throw in the towel. He was my favourite non-LFC player at one stage so i think it took a bit of shine off my opinion of him to see him stomping about with a face like a slapped ass.

{Ed001's Note - why? He still performed well, he just got dropped, then Wenger had to bring him back in to rescue them, which he did. He was excellent, it was his teammates that let him down and it was not so much his performances dipping as theirs meaning he was not getting as much of the ball, instead spending more of the game chasing back as the team were not playing well. Wenger made a terrible decision in backing the lazy tits, rather than backing Sanchez.}

17 Aug 2017 21:22:34
Fair point Ed, i see what you mean. In hindsight perhaps Wenger should've just put his entire u23's side in the first team with Sanchez to lead them 😂 they certainly wouldn't have lacked a bit of passion then!

It was still sad to see such a model pro give up though. Even if he was still their best player at a stroll.

{Ed001's Note - I don't think he gave up on trying to win games, just gave up on the future being at Arsenal.}

17 Aug 2017 21:49:17
De Gea, Azpilicueta, Alderweireld, Verthonghen, Rose, Kante, KDB, Coutinho, Sanchez, Hazzard, Kane.

Subs: David Luiz, Walker, Wanyama, David Silva, Mane, Aguero.

18 Aug 2017 08:32:09
Sanchez is the best all-round player in the PL, period. He is the one I would sign to replace Cou as he will fit the way we play like a glove.

17 Aug 2017 18:10:55
I saw an article a few days ago about Liverpool's transfer window, and there were a couple of paragraphs trying to pin the blame for all the tapping up on Michael Edwards.

Given what info the Eds have provided over the summer, I don't actually believe it's limited to being one person's fault, but it did make me wonder is a sacrificial lamb being prepared.

17 Aug 2017 18:22:54
This tapping up happened before he started with us. Don't forget about Dempsey from Fulham.

17 Aug 2017 18:47:48
Klopp is responsible for all the tapping up crap and no one else.

17 Aug 2017 19:15:21
Er yes, I know that gentlemen, I actually acknowledged that I didn't believe the comments about Edwards in my own post.

Just wouldn't surprise me if the journo had been fed by someone at the club wanting to deflect some blame away from JK.

17 Aug 2017 22:09:51
Considering the stories from before he arrived Klopp is far from responsible for all the tapping up. There would seem to be an inbuilt culture at the club regardless of the manager. Klopp just seems to be yet another stage in the problem, albeit one that seems to have a problem with keeping away from other clubs players.

18 Aug 2017 08:33:53
Details, I am aware that this issue pre-dates Klopp. I meant that the tapping up nonsense, this summer.

17 Aug 2017 18:05:57
I would personally swap Coutinho for VVD and Draxler plus a bit of money left over from the sale.

Good business. Squad as a collective improved.

17 Aug 2017 18:50:24
Draxler has a poor work ethic and attitude issues. Aso, why would he be leaving PSG when he just arrived there in Jan?

17 Aug 2017 19:37:42
Told to find another club by PSG Bingo. according to reports anyway.

17 Aug 2017 19:40:25
Bingo, doesn't he play the same position as neymar and di maria? Would explain why he wants out.

17 Aug 2017 17:28:03
I don't get all this 'worst window ever' stuff. If we sell it'll be the biggest profit ever on a player. On a player we'll miss, but not as much as everyone seems to think. Mane was the player we missed the most last season, and look at our stats without Cout. 3 goals against watford and created umpteen chances against Hoff. We've been missing a number 9 and rock solid leader at the back for 2 seasons. We get that and sell cout we'll be a stronger team.

My personal worry is that Klopp isn't strengthening were we need and we won't sign anyone when PC does go.

PC goes, Moreno goes, VVD or similar, proper number 9 and a goalie and I'd be satisfied.

17 Aug 2017 17:55:16
Whereas it won't be as bad as the Cole/ Poulsen/ Konchesky window, potentially selling Coutinho, missing out on centre midfield and defence targets and not having a clue what to do with any potential funds from the sale of Coutinho would make it pretty bad one.

17 Aug 2017 18:12:42
Solanke proper number 9. Have you been sleeping?
He is good.

17 Aug 2017 18:14:44
It's a poor window because Liverpool identified several key areas to improve and only 1 thus far has been adequately strengthened.

Robertson is raw but a good acquisition and Salah is a starter.

We're still soft at the back and lack a commanding CM with some steel to cover that fragile defense.

Selling Coutinho would be atrocious even if we had a replacement - without him, it's absolutely ludicrous.

I think our lack of activity and willingness to pursue other targets after Saints and Leipzig (if Rangnick is to be believed) refused to sell will cost us long term.

17 Aug 2017 17:07:28
Hi Eds,

The majority of media sources are reporting that PSG have made Julian Draxler available at £45 million. Surely he would be worthwhile going for if Coutinho does go.

Correct me if I am wrong but didn't Klopp have a look at signing him in January?

Thanks for the hard work as always.

{Ed002's Note - You are confusing him with Brandt.}

17 Aug 2017 18:17:54
The question you should ask yourself is why is Draxler available for 45m when he just arrived this Jan.

17 Aug 2017 19:13:13
Possibly because PSG need to sell a few to comply with FFP. I think he would be a good signing personally unless he is a big problem off the pitch.

If Couts goes and we sign Draxler/ Insigne, Keita/ Seri and VVD/ Howedes. Then we will be a better team and probably won't have spent much money again. If we can keep Couts and get a couple of them in even better. It's not been an amazing window for us yet but still optimistic until it closes.

17 Aug 2017 17:20:40
well Ed some sources say we were in for him in january but he chosen psg bcos of better contract and CL.

{Ed002's Note - I gues "some sources" are wrong.}

17 Aug 2017 17:29:14
No problem Ed, thanks for the swift response. I read somewhere before that Klopp had an interest in him perhaps it was from his time at Dortmund.

In my opinion he is definitely a player with a lot of ability and would be a good option for us to consider if available at that price.
If i had a choice i would like us to go for Lorenzo Insigne from Napoli, scores and assists plenty, however i can't imagine Napoli being prepared to sell.

17 Aug 2017 18:11:52
Klopp did enquire about Draxler and Brandt in January.

{Ed002's Note - No.}

17 Aug 2017 16:46:31
Draxler rumours circulating quick and fast, would be an ideal replacement for Coutinho, and can be a top player with the right player management. Plus he'd be relatively cheap and only a fraction of the Coutinho money. Hopefully FSG do the right thing! YNWA.

{Ed002's Note - What has it got to do with FSG? You are calling on the club to buy a player that they have not previously be interested in without any consideration of how he might fit in, or what the manager wants. Really?}

17 Aug 2017 17:07:04
My word, some fans just do not get it.

If Klopp wants a player then the club will make the money available but there is no point fans calling up names and saying FSG sign him when it is Klopp who makes the decisions on which players he wants, not FSG.

Do you think FSG sit and scout players while they are based in America?

It is Klopp who decides who will join so just because Draxler is available does not mean Klopp is interested in signing him. Nor does it mean that FSG will go to PSG and negotiate on signing Draxler from PSG either.

FSG have absolutely no involvement in transfers. Get it into your thick sculls.

17 Aug 2017 17:09:07
I can't see why not ed002, worked out ok when we bought Carrol and balotelli on a whim.

17 Aug 2017 17:29:22
Like a stuck record Max.

17 Aug 2017 17:49:05
In 2 weeks time the FSG critics will either be eating humble pie or proven right. As they say the proof is in the pudding.

17 Aug 2017 18:06:42
The proof of the pudding is in the eating.

17 Aug 2017 18:25:34
Jay, nothing will be proven regarding FSG cos thy don't sign the players nor decide who we get or don't get. ED02 has said that FSG are not Klopp's bosses. LFC is. If our TW is not good, Klopp is the guy to blame and no one else.

17 Aug 2017 18:40:32
Well done Flash 👍👍👍.

17 Aug 2017 18:51:48
So FSG have nothing to do with transfers but they seem pretty hands on to me with regards to the Coutinho one. How can a football club be Klopps boss. Yes Klopp as the manager has to take the brunt of the blame but it's the owners that will set the budget. Or has Klopp got an open checkbook that the owners want nothing to do with or care who or how he spends it.

{Ed001's Note - you do realise that owners means simply shareholders, it is the board which is responsible for the running of a company, not the shareholders. You have executive directors to make decisions, otherwise nothing would ever get done. FSG are not involved in the day to day running of the club, just like at any corporation.}

17 Aug 2017 19:30:47
I appreciate that ed 01 mate. But surely when all these million of pounds deals are on the table the owners will be getting involved somehow (like they seemed to with Luis and now Count) . What kind of businessmen would they be if there are millions of pounds of deals happening and they are not even in the loop or setting the budgets. Other clubs owners seem to be involved in transfers ranging from City, Chelsea, Leicester, Newcastle and West Ham etc. I know it's not all about net spend but ours over the years of FSG being owners/ shareholders is pretty poor. Everton now have a bigger net spend than us over the years from one window. Appreciate the reply eds I know my comments must be frustrating to people who don't agree with me.

{Ed001's Note - what kind of businessmen appoint executive directors and then constantly interfere? Sorry but these are tiny little deals compared to the kind of deals that go on in major businesses every day. The deal they did with Lebron James, that ended up with him taking a small stake in FSG (and hence LFC) was many times the size of any transfer business the club will do. These are not massive deals in the grand scheme of things. A film star like Tom Cruise gets paid this kind of money to do one film, transfer dealings are not as massive as you seem to think.}

17 Aug 2017 19:50:00
Ed cheers mate. Always enjoy reading your comments and they do widen my viewpoint. So does that mean there is big money there available but Klopp just isn't spending it and Br before him.

{Ed001's Note - it does not work like that, there is not pots of cash sat waiting to be spent, clubs get short term loans to pay for transfers, usually. If there is a possibility of making another transfer or 3 happen, then the funds will be provided. The problem is down to Klopp having made a mess of the two he had his heart set on and did not have a back up plan ready to go, so the club could not just move straight on and try and sign someone else.

It is poor planning by the club as a whole, not to have plans in place. Hopefully the new man at the helm will make changes to ensure some forward planning is done in future.}

17 Aug 2017 19:58:44
Cheers ed thanks for that. Hope you're all good mate. Hopefully things will change then and we manage to get some quality in in next 2 weeks otherwise it could be a long old season. YNWA.

{Ed001's Note - it won't be so bad, just means the manager will have to make use of the youngsters.}

17 Aug 2017 20:20:34
Sounds like we need a transfer committee, Ed 😱.

{Ed001's Note - I wonder why no one has thought of that before.....}

17 Aug 2017 17:09:07
I can't see why not ed002, worked out ok when we bought Carrol and balotelli on a whim.

17 Aug 2017 17:46:31
I see your point ed, but FSG surely have a part in transfer dealings. Klopp may want the player but it is the people at the top with the money and the final say. Just my thoughts.

{Ed002's Note - They are the owners of the club, they are an oinvestment company that has insufficient knowledge of the game to make decisions over transfers. Hence they employ the people who run the club.}

18 Aug 2017 08:35:17
Question for Eds is the problem just Klopp had limited targets or is the scouting set up not producing enough optons or are the options just not there?

{Ed001's Note - mix of all 3 really.}

17 Aug 2017 16:37:18
Just want to say, despite him playing for a rival, that Mata's OneWorld pledge and drive to have big stars in football donate 1% of their wages to charity is a really great initiative and one I hope he is successful in. On the pitch he is obviously a big rival but, off the pitch, he seems like a genuinely good bloke. I hope his charity drive is successful.

17 Aug 2017 16:50:31
I agree Seano. Would be good to see other top players join Mata and Hummels in this.

17 Aug 2017 17:04:51
I remember seeing a clip of the man u bus getting off, all players did the usual and got inside as fast as possible apart from Mata. He noticed a disabled fan in the background and went over the fence past all the fans and took a good few mins to talk to him and take pictures, he really is a kind, genuine person.

17 Aug 2017 16:20:01
Have to say if Coutinho leaves this will be the worst window I can remember. Actually not improved at all the squad. Happy with the two we brought in but that is undone if coutinho leaves.
We have not addressed our problem areas in defence.
We seem to have no clear plan for replacements.
Really hope something happens soon, losing coutinho and no reinforcements at the time of the window would be a disaster. What we buy wth the money, two average players at high cost. We would have spent nothing with teams improving all around us.

17 Aug 2017 16:30:59
Along with Coutinho you will loose 20 plus ( goals and assists ) plus 100 chances created for the forwards!

17 Aug 2017 16:31:47
I'm sure I've read this post about 3 million times already this summer 😩.

17 Aug 2017 16:55:07
It's not loosing Phil I'm worried about.
It's our track record lately of replacing top players.
Remind me again who replaced Cara, Suarez, Gerrard, Alonso 🤦🏻‍♂️.

17 Aug 2017 16:58:16
It was only 7 years ago when our transfer saga was Ola Toivenen. Poulsen, Jovanovic, Joe Cole, Paul Knocheskey in. Mascherano and Benayoun gone. When Torres was injured our fisrt choice striker was David Ngog. We have survived absolute dreadful times, our squad is good, quite frankly it's miraculous that we managed to keep oursleves in the question off the back of what Roy left us. Not only that we have had a title challenge and played in 4 finals since that time with some very memorable wins along the way. We have scored 5 goals in 2 games already this season. Things are not THAT bad guys.

17 Aug 2017 17:50:49
Just remember Konchesky and Poulsen. that was the worst window ever.

17 Aug 2017 18:28:36
OP, you clearly did not remember the TW in the summer on 2010. Now, that was awful and the worst in my memory.

17 Aug 2017 14:55:39
2 things can't wijnaldum play no 10 role played it at feyenord an scored loads an assisted too, also wasnt firminio an attacking midfielder at hoffenheim we can play them in num 10 role an buy a proper deadly striker I think it makes sense, I like solanke a lot but he young, origi has lost his confidence an not progressed an sturridge well we all know he is quality but also a liability wid injury.

17 Aug 2017 18:41:15
Hail, that is no longer his position as he is playing a new role now. in CM.

17 Aug 2017
New image uploaded to the
Liverpool Player Sightings page entitled, Klopp desperate to keep hold of Coutinho

17 Aug 2017 14:23:56
So Coutinho is still apparantly injured with a sore back. Anyone else think he is just playing on the fact he doesn't want to play for us anymore? Just get rid I say and move on without him.

17 Aug 2017 14:43:20
I expect him to stay 😉.

17 Aug 2017 15:26:22
He'll have a bad back until Sept 1st after which he'll be fully fit at Barcelona or sulking in Melwood. If its the latter he's only doing himself harm as he needs to play to be in the Brazil squad for the WC next year.

{Ed002's Note - It is nothing whatsoever to do with the World Cup. It matters not one iota.}

17 Aug 2017 15:31:12
If he does end up staying I don't think he'll play until after the window closes.

17 Aug 2017 14:05:50
Did anyone notice the hoffenheim centre back the ither night (their captain) . He played very well against us. Big, strong and crucially- he was quick! He must have leadership qualities if he's their captain.
Keep an eye on him during the return leg.
VVD alternative?

17 Aug 2017 14:12:03
Did you notice he kept giving the ball away?

{Ed001's Note - and that he was slower than an asthmatic snail at the end of a 15 hour shift.}

17 Aug 2017 14:27:56
I don't have MOTD fever like OP and don't think he's that great at all but he caught up with Salah pretty effortlessly who had a huge head start on him, can't discredit that Ed.

{Ed001's Note - no he did not, watch it again, Salah took a bad touch and never sprinted as it makes it difficult to control a shot if you take it on the sprint. I can discredit it because it simply is not true.}

17 Aug 2017 14:30:55
Caught Salah didn't he on the 1-1?

Just teasing you Ed.

{Ed001's Note - don't you start!}

17 Aug 2017 14:42:49
The real standout player in the match was Demirbay, he absolutely dominated our midfield, pulled the strings for Hoffenheim, put in some fantastic dead ball deliveries and in general looked a cut above our CMs. If we are willing to put £60m up for Keita then I'd be delighted to see us put in £50m for Demirbay.

Do any of the Eds know if there's any interest in him?

17 Aug 2017 15:03:23
MOTD fever there Scarface.

17 Aug 2017 16:33:11
My MOTD fever is over Nice's Saint -Maximim or whatever his name was. For 20 he looked strong, direct and able to beat a man.

17 Aug 2017 13:13:27
Hi eds

I was wondering the other day about the last manager to win things at liverpool was kenny daglish. How did you rate his tenure, and could he have possibly created a very competetive team for domestic and european honours.

Cheers in advance.

{Ed001's Note - very difficult to say, it was a bit of a mess in his time. He did well to win a trophy, but he made a mistake in supporting Suarez. One thing is for sure, he deserved better than the way he was treated by the club and fans. The man is a legend and should have been given as long as he needed.}

17 Aug 2017 14:05:51
Spot on Ed001.I agree KD should have been given more time. It's one of my regrets as a lifelong supporter with a great respect for King Kenny.

{Ed001's Note - I never agreed with him getting the role in the first place mate. Modern fans do not deserve him. They turned on him. On Dalglish! I mean how can they turn on a man who has done so much for Liverpool fans??}

17 Aug 2017 14:35:59
I'll never forget or forgive that look of disdain from JW Hendry towards the King on the Wembley steps. This is the King he helped brighten up all of our lives and took on the grief in our darkest hour. Legend is a word that gets bandied about so easily in these fickle times . King Kenny will always be a hero and legend to me.

17 Aug 2017 14:46:17
Personally was of the opinion he never should have got the job as bar winning the league his reputation was going to be tarnished but he stepped in to help us out as far as I'm aware? Either way legend and king!

17 Aug 2017 16:09:01
nah, i didn't want him either, but he did pretty well i thought, if i remember his full season back in charge, we hit the woodwork like 30 times? if they went in, different story! anyway, he is a Legend and used to be a hero of mine. Back when i still believed in them!

17 Aug 2017 13:50:56
Seems pretty clear someone is on strike.
I had no problem with him going so long as the fee was fair by this window's standards, now I hope we make it a hard negotiation and take every penny we can up until the last minute, including the past 3 weeks' wages of nearly half a million quid while someone has been sulking.
Pep Segura talking about two players fees are not agreed on, wasn't he an Academy Manager at LFC?
Maybe that's where he picked that up 😆.

17 Aug 2017 13:33:50
Just get rid of coutinho obvs doesn't want to be here at all especially as Barcelona are just as bad as us in upsetting a player and letting him do everything in his side so they can't be reported, get in about 3 players with the money we receive as we have no squad depth comin off the bench to make an impact when we need it, offer Sturrige for vvd plus money get him off r books never guna be the same player again and wouldn't be too worried bout him comin back to haunt us as he hasn't haunted a team in a couple of years and give sakho a chance has to be better than what we have regardless of how shaky he is on the ball he would still get up to any ball in the air and would go though a brick wall, as for Keita bypass him one good season could come to premier league and not cut it for that amount of money, get a player frm the premier or a league that's close to the quickness and style of the premier league and probs pay half that price as well.

17 Aug 2017 13:58:22
I give up! What world do some people live in?

17 Aug 2017 14:01:01
Why would Southampton take a massively injury prone striker and what player do you propose we get from another prem team for £35m who will be better than Keita?

17 Aug 2017 14:17:07
Obviously you understood all that Nutmonkey - fancy being numpty translator on here?

17 Aug 2017 18:35:10
Injury prone cos the training is too intense for him and are style of play has lost all his speed and not that good of a finisher when he's been woeful in front of goal when he has played, and why not dembele Spurs has got all the right attributes just hasn't been playing at Spurs good tackler good on the ball and break up play is quite good as well good buy Keita 70million and completely flop has had one good season under his belt now everyone thinks he's the worlds best and we need to get him.

{Ed001's Note - Dembele not been playing for Spurs? You are talking utter bollox. Dembele is the first choice midfielder, when not injured.}

17 Aug 2017 13:28:00
Any1 know if liverpool do football tours of ground on match day, we want to soak up the match so trying to not drink so much lol.

17 Aug 2017 16:36:38
I'd be very surprised mate, that would be a security risk surely.

17 Aug 2017 12:56:02
I agree with ED001.LFC are just posturing at the moment about Coutinho. An agreement will be reached at some stage. My question is do the EDs agree that this looks like the worst time to join an ageing Barcelona team which needs an overhaul and soon find a replacement for Messi if that is possible?
Looks like the Barca's greatest period in its history is at its end. Wrong time to join Barca.

17 Aug 2017 13:05:33
Arguably the best time. He'll walk into the team and cement his place.

17 Aug 2017 13:18:07
Barca bought a lot of average players for that squad, they need an overhaul bigtime Madrid look light-years ahead of them and have some great young players coming through aswell.

17 Aug 2017 13:30:07
Yeah but he also walks into our team and has a cemented place here.
If He wants to go for trophies then I would say he might not be as happy with his eventual haul than if he was part of the Barcelona team of a few years ago.

17 Aug 2017 13:43:13
Barca won't be winning anything any time soon with the crap and over the hill players they have in their squad whether in Spain or in Europe, based on both games vs Real. Cou and Dembele will walk into that team, no doubt but trophies? Copa Del Rey at best.

17 Aug 2017 13:45:03
It's hard seeing them beat Madrid to the league or champions league at present.

17 Aug 2017 14:15:19
But the weather is much nicer.

17 Aug 2017 12:41:41
No point in selling Coutinho if you have no replacement lined up. Emotions won't win you anything. Sell him only if you have players lined up else keep him. He will eventually concede and start playing! Don't go by the recent results without Coutinho! That's no barometer!

17 Aug 2017 13:03:48
Don't you read any of the posts 😉We got kieta lined up have faith in what macca says. he thinks pip will stay but kieta and vvd could be his replacements. 😤There's 2 weeks left of the window and if as reported we get 118mil for him there are players out there who could come in and do a cracking job for us. just have faith couts will not go unless we have something lined up im confident. there would be uproar if he went and nothing was done to replace him and I reckon all the people in charge must surely realise this. chill and enjoy the ride nobody is bigger than our massive club.

17 Aug 2017 13:27:41
Your whole post is If's and But's mate! There's a good chance we will end with ". We tried but the Market is very difficult and I am happy with my team. " on 1st September lol.

17 Aug 2017 13:42:31
It is ifs and buts and guess work., just enjoy the ride and have faith in klopp 👍.

17 Aug 2017 13:42:31
It is ifs and buts and guess work., just enjoy the ride and have faith in klopp 👍.

17 Aug 2017 13:45:54
If you are a negative nanny, we will, WCD.

17 Aug 2017 12:26:26
Hi 1st time post, really frustrated liverpool fan with this transfer window firstly I cannot understand why we aren't going for william carvhalo has there been any interest also is there any interest in bringing in other centre backs, surely there is talent out there, I see ben gibson is still available wat are your thoughts on him.

{Ed002's Note - There are a number of clubs interested in him, but that doesn't include Liverpool at this time. West Brom have had several bids rejected. Everton, Arsenal, Chelsea and Southampton all have shown an interest - but he is far from cheap.}

17 Aug 2017 12:39:01
Coz Klopp is interested in only VVD.

17 Aug 2017 14:03:18
I still don't understand the fascination with Gibson? He can't header a ball for toffee, is poor at tackling and has no positional sense? I tend to think this idea he is a "good organiser" comes from the fact that Boro played with ten men behind the ball, so organising that isn't difficult, also think he gets over hyped because there is such a dearth of English defenders, so even relatively poor footballers like Gibson are treated as the new Bobby Moore. It would be a mistake to sign him.

17 Aug 2017 11:42:21
Hi Eds,

Does Southampton's approach to sign Wesley Hoedt have any bearing on the Van Dijk situation?

{Ed002's Note - You are on the wrong page, this is the Liverpool page.}

17 Aug 2017 11:51:51
I know this is the Liverpool page, hence the question. It relates to Van Dijk and Liverpool's attempts to sign him.

Apologies if this was not clear.

{Ed002's Note - Liverpool has never made any offer for Virgil van Dyke and publicly withdrew what interest they had as part of a degrading apology for illegally approaching the player. Try the Southampton page.}

17 Aug 2017 12:02:31
It's not clear why you keep directing me to the Southampton page.

Whilst your disdain for Liverpool's transfer dealings is obvious I can't see how it is relevant to this.

Macca, who appears to have some insight within the club still feels as though we will get Van Dijk. The question relating to Hoedt is related to that. No worries if you don't know and thanks for taking your time to respond.

YNWA.

{Ed002's Note - I suggest to go to the Southampton page and ask Macca about it there then - but don't bother coming back here.}

17 Aug 2017 12:21:00
Muppet.

17 Aug 2017 12:28:45
Wow you could have simply gone to the southampton page mate, why was that so hard to comprehend.

17 Aug 2017 12:39:53
You're talking about Southampton being interested in a player and how that would impact another Southampton player.

I have no idea how you cannot see that that is a question for the Southampton page.

Plus if you took 2 minutes to venture to the Southampton page you would see this question discussed about 3 posts from the top.

No wonder the Eds get annoyed.

Cheers for all your hard work Eds, this site is invaluable for us obsessed losers who want to know everything about anything about our club.

17 Aug 2017 13:47:33
Sounds like the OP is just lazy.

17 Aug 2017 11:03:27
no offers for coutinho will be considerd and he will remain an LFC player after the transfer window-- FSG. he's pricless he's going nowhere we don't need the money-- KLOPP-- HOLLOW WORDS.

17 Aug 2017 11:27:24
Money talks. BS walks.

17 Aug 2017 11:29:23
Have you just started following football?
The same words are said about just about every player about to be sold every transfer window.

17 Aug 2017 12:09:03
I have no problem with them selling Couts, he's a half hearted, disgruntled employee who wants to leave. It happens all the time in football, shame because he's our best player. I believe if he changed his mind we wouldn't sell. For me, the bigger issue is who else do we have coming in as we are not strong enough and have no depth for a long season with CL footy if we qualify.

The other annoying thing that happens is that clubs know you have the cash so put up prices, I don't blame them, I'd do the same. Football is business as much as sport and transfers Has become a sport in its own right! Its like chess!

17 Aug 2017 12:02:15
no i've been going to anfeild for 40yrs. I was merley stating a point i new soon as coutinho signed his new contract he would be off. i know its wishful thinking just wish the owners and managment would stop B. S the fans.

17 Aug 2017 12:28:51
Maybe the owners and management need to say such BS so the fans don't overreact?

17 Aug 2017 12:32:07
everyone knows a new contract is basically to secure the value of the player.

17 Aug 2017 13:08:42
I think he's staying 🤐.

17 Aug 2017 10:26:48
Ed002 in response to your reply. I didn't say or suggest MACCA had said he'd signed. I was asking the question if he is indeed looking for property as suggested the negotiations would be at a very advanced stage . I was just wondering what RBL had to gain by the stance they are taking. if it's indeed correct (that's why I said hypothetically speaking)

Thanks.

17 Aug 2017 10:55:23
If it's true then it doesn't necessarily mean negotiations are at an advanced stage, just means that the player believes he might need somewhere to live here sometime in the near future.

17 Aug 2017 09:29:03
eds 1 is there any good reason why the window is still open after the start of the season I mite be missing something but it just doesn't make any sense.
Just very disruptive.
As all way thanks.

{Ed002's Note - Because it aligns with outher European countries - some of which have a different starting point.}

17 Aug 2017 11:07:11
Thanks for the reply 👍🏻.

17 Aug 2017 08:39:13
Evans to city looks like they understand the vvd situation and moved on.

17 Aug 2017 08:57:10
My initial thought was they were struggling for the home grown quota and also needed a CB so they thought why not do both.

If they need homegrown players I'll happily sit on the sidelines for 20k a week!

17 Aug 2017 09:01:15
They don't have much left! They have crossed the limits and are looking to sign Sanchez as well.

17 Aug 2017 09:10:58
VVD will end up at Chelsea if he moves anywhere.

17 Aug 2017 09:14:43
In what sense is Evans home grown?

{Ed002's Note - In every sense. Evans is home grown.}

17 Aug 2017 09:31:41
Mr Dennis are actually Dennis Wise? You seem very keen for VVD to sign for Chelsea 😂.

17 Aug 2017 10:32:03
City probably want some homegrown players in the squad, hence the Evans interest. let's be honest, he won't start many games just like Delph, Roberts, Sinclair who all wasted precious years at City. Kompany and Stones will still be their first choice CB pairing and when/ if Kompany gets injured, City will do a Liverpool in defending.

17 Aug 2017 10:54:10
Ings n things, It is just logical that Southampton are very very annoyed with the way that we acted, they now have a centre back who will not play for them and Chelsea are said to be in for VVD (Notwithstanding the social media post stating that he was in London yesterday that was quickly deleted) and if they make a bid that Southampton think is too good to turn down he will go there, we will have zero say in the matter. I personally think because of the way we have acted hell would freeze over before Southampton would consider selling to us, to think otherwise is just self deluding.

17 Aug 2017 12:39:07
The second poster refers to the home grown quota, Evans is Irish and does not qualify for the home grown quota, being neither English or Welsh.

17 Aug 2017 13:13:27
Northern Ireland?

17 Aug 2017 07:32:32
Hi Eds

Always appreciate the insight, so thanks for that. In general terms, how is our coaching staff rated? Is this an area Klopp should be looking at?

Thanks as aways.

{Ed001's Note - I am not sure how I can possibly answer that first question. I don't know of any rating system out there for coaching staff. Maybe it is something EA Sports should look at including in the next version of FIFA? Kids seem to get very excited about the numbers on that games.

Klopp should be always looking for improvements, but we clearly need someone who can notice problems mid-game and come up with solutions. Also someone to teach players how to think for themselves. Though the latter is probably something all the coaching staff of every club in the world needs to address right now. The players are losing their individuality. I would also like to see someone come in and address the defensive issues, though a lot of that comes under the last point anyway. However a set piece coaching specialist is something that should be looked into.}

17 Aug 2017 08:54:46
Cheers for that eds. I know it is rather subjective, so not necessarily easy to answer as so many variables have to be included. I always felt the balance of a coaching staff is sensitive and needs to be addressed differently to what i often notice. Players will be drawn to different type of coaches/ personalities and will perform better given different motivations which include their relationships with staff. It is impossible to ask 1 person to fulfil this role. Hence having a diverse staff rather than a bunch of yes men willing to placate the manager, and of course a manager strong enough not to feel threatened by this. So i suppose my question was along those lines, if our staff are A: knowledgable and experienced enough B: implement successfully through communicating their ideas properly C: have empathy (which i think is as important as the actual coaching, as understanding a player and how they operate is fundamental and sadly highly lacking at times across sports) .

On your point, it is definitely a trend in sports in general that players cannot adapt to situations in front of them. I think a by product of their training from young and the expectation of easy success (from the young players side), where critical thinking is not needed from an early age as everything is laid on a plate. Clubs perhaps often shoot themselves in the foot by trying to limit their downside by creating clones that can be controlled and managed rather than strong characters with the ability to question, obviously within reason. I think its maturity that is often lacking. how to address this? I have no idea.

Sorry for the ramblings, and no need to answer. just my thoughts. have a good day eds.

{Ed001's Note - I am in full agreement with you. The world is set up to indoctrinate people into thinking the way you are told to think and act the way you are told to act. That is taken over into sports, where managers want players that do as they are told and follow their instructions, rather than people who can think for themselves and react to the situation at hand. That is why we have managers like Guardiola, who can't manage without ridiculous sums and squads of players miles better than the rest, rather than the great managers we used to have.}

17 Aug 2017 09:37:42
How many times have you heard stories of Liverpool the day before a European cup final in 1984 when Joe Fagan was in charge where the team preparation talk was just a friendly chat with no tactics at all. He basically said 'they're not as good as us, don't be late for the bus'. That was because he had 11 leaders and 11 footballers who knew tha game and knew how to take responsibility and think for themselves. And those were in the days before video technology and sometimes they had never seen the opposition play. How times have changed!

17 Aug 2017 10:14:33
Ed would you agree we should stay away from signing potential with Couts replacement?
What's the point when they reach the level Phil is at they leave anyway. We need to buy a ready made world class player imo.

{Ed001's Note - then we can't sign anyone as there is no one at that level, so better to sign potential to reach that level than lesser players.}

17 Aug 2017 03:44:22
Hi EDs, Barca's General Manager is openly saying that Coutinho is 'close' to signing but FSG and Klopp has insisted that he is not for sale. If we are really not interested to accept any bid from Barca, couldn't we report Barcelona for unsettling our player with such comments?

{Ed001's Note - unsettling our player? You really have not kept up with the situation, it is Couts that wanted to go to them. They have not needed to unsettle him as his agent has made sure to tout him to the Catalans at every opportunity, as it is the move Couts wants. We are just posturing to get the best deal.}

17 Aug 2017 05:43:15
Surely it's just a matter of time now and Barca's results against Real might make them more desperate to get the deal done asap. I understand the lure of playing for them but this could be one of their weakest teams for a while it might not turn out to be the dream move he hopes. I do wish him all the best let's hope we be very unliverpool like and spend the money wisely on top quality in positions we need.

17 Aug 2017 05:57:27
Coutinho will be going and we knew this a couple of seasons ago.

Barcelona will up the bid and he will be off, then the money will be used on van dijk and keita.

17 Aug 2017 06:03:03
I agree with you I think Barcelona are in a transitional phase, their best players over the last 5 years are all approaching 30 or older and they are not bringing through the same young players they used to. Unfortunately for him he'll be joining them at the wrong time.

{Ed001's Note - his choice to do so at the end of the day, but I do agree and I have to wonder why his advisors are not telling him the same thing.}

17 Aug 2017 06:32:18
Both Barcelona and Coutinho are about to make a massive mistake in my opinion.

17 Aug 2017 06:58:47
Having watched the game ed, I don't want Rakatic. He is all the things you said he is, slow and passive to say the least. Shows how poor they are as they had him and Gomes both off the surplus list playing. Woukd rather just the money.

{Ed001's Note - I do wonder what happened to him, he is not that old that it should have affected him yet.}

17 Aug 2017 07:29:08
He's staying at LFC 👍.

17 Aug 2017 07:29:18
To be fair to Rakitic, he's had to do the running for five extra players for three years now, so it's no wonder his legs have gone.

17 Aug 2017 07:35:14
I can't understand why anyone would want Rakitic in the deal. Would be a really bad deal. He just doesn't look like he has the legs to play in top flight competition.

17 Aug 2017 08:02:29
I agree about rakitic. Looked ineffective but so did all there players. Even messi and suarez had little effect. On the other hand how good were madrid! Luka Modric is such a classy player. One of the best for me.

17 Aug 2017 08:11:29
Is this possibly why neymar jumped ship ed, because he realised they were on the decline or was that purely about money?

{Ed001's Note - that was 100% about money.}

17 Aug 2017 08:29:34
Didn't need to watch yesterday's game to know that Rakitic is crap. He has been crap for a few seasons now and players like him, Gomez, Turan, Vidal (dross players), Masche, Pique, Alba (all over the hill) are the reasons why Barcelona will be seeing RM's dust this season and the next few to come. As for Cou, Ed has said we are just trying to get the best deal and Cou has poisoned the waters here and he will have too own that part of this saga.

17 Aug 2017 08:35:35
Ok i see, and with agents fees etc it must have turned out to be too good to resist especially with them all having problems with the tax man at Barcelona lol. Thanks ed.

{Ed001's Note - and his dad likes to get paid.}

17 Aug 2017 08:49:03
Agree 110% BingoRed. The only thing that concerns me is that we may well get close to 150 million euros, but then how do you spend that with about a week of the transfer window to go? The sensible thing would have been to do what Everton did, make the purchases that you want to make, then if you know that you are going to sell the family silver, at least you won't get mugged by all and sundry because they know you have a wallet full of cash. Every team that we then approach for players will try and rinse us if they know we are cash rich because of Coutinho. I wonder if anyone at the club has any acumen at all.

17 Aug 2017 09:38:21
"Just posturing to get the best deal". Sounds quite final ed😂🤔.

17 Aug 2017 11:18:43
Dennis, you may be correct there. The way it will be is that when Cou is finally sold, other teams will stick us for every penny of that Cou cash and we will be worse for it as we may have to overpay to get our targets, which is the worst scenario possible.

17 Aug 2017 00:22:14
Just a quick question. if MACCA is correct in what he's saying about keita. What are or could be th reasons for the club's not announcing it? Obvious one is if they haven't agreed terms yet . But if he is indeed looking a property as then surely it's past the negotiation stage. just curious as to what both clubs would gain from keeping it quiet . I get the vvd situation being kept under wraps after what's gone on but if this does go through then I'm a bit baffled as to why the secrecy (hypotheticaly speaking of course)

Thanks.

{Ed002's Note - Has Macca now said he has signed?}

17 Aug 2017 01:15:41
I don't think there's any secrecy in the VVD situationa at all. Southampton were (and probably still are) so pissed off with LFC that they filed a complaint with the FA. This is not exactly a common occurrence. So if VVD does end up in a LFC shirt, it will, in all likelihood, be due to his own efforts and actions between now and August 31st. I don't see Southampton being cooperative or facilitating or even keeping anything "under wraps" for Liverpool or VVD. Why should they?

17 Aug 2017 08:31:21
If VVD will come here, Saints will make it as painful as a toothache for LFC. I can guarantee you that.

17 Aug 2017 09:11:23
Big vvd, if Mac's is correct (and I hope he is) maybe the reason we haven't announced anything is because we are finally starting to learn from our previous mistakes. this. Would be a miracle of course but u never know. also regarding the selling clubs maybe they are negotiating on replacements which hinge on us buying first.

17 Aug 2017 00:11:02
Can I just say that I feel Moreno could do more than a good job as cover for left wing once Robertson has our secured left back position.

17 Aug 2017 00:39:41
Moreno would be perfect as a wing back with 3 cbs behind him. He does other a lot going forward but feel he will always be targeted by opposition as he is the weakest defensively.

17 Aug 2017 04:38:01
Maybe he could be our transformational Gareth bale! . err, no not likely.

{Ed001's Note - why do we get someone suggesting this every couple of days? Do people not bother to find out about their own team's players these days? Moreno was a winger, he was not good at it, but they liked his technique and his attitude at Sevilla, so they converted him into a fullback, as is now the norm there. He is perfect for the wingback role in Spanish football, as they are not really expected to defend, just to fill in spaces at the back. He is not, under any circumstances, the answer to any kind of cover on the left wing, as we already have a slew of kids in the youth team who can do that job much better.}

17 Aug 2017 08:34:25
Ed, it's just laziness, IMO. People would rather listen to pundits' opinion on a player instead taking the time and effort (I know, it's tough, LOL) to watch games and watch players themselves.

17 Aug 2017 08:40:39
Moreno is inconsistently good and consistently bad. Not a great combo, he had been in the shop window but i suspect there have been no takers at the price the club wants for him.

17 Aug 2017 11:15:33
Moreno is an enthusiastic lad and that endears him to people, but come on actually watch him play, most of the times attacking moves break down because of him because his final ball is dreadful, he does not have the intelligence or ability to be a winger. Gareth Bale is a one off, you cannot just take a poor LB and turn him into a good winger!