Liverpool Banter Archive February 17 2015

17 Feb 2015 22:14:31
Well done Sheyi Ojo, helped his loan club get all three points tonight away from home.

Reading 0, Wigan Athletic 1. Jason Pearce scored with a right footed shot from the centre of the box to the high centre of the goal. Assisted by Sheyi Ojo following a corner. Ojo also received a yellow card and was subbed around the 72nd min.

18 Feb 2015 02:00:07
Cheers Ollie, keep up the loan watch - particularly on Ojo!!

17 Feb 2015 21:31:13
Something I've never quite wrapped my head around is why people don't want Liverpool players to play for England? Do you not support England? Do you not want the best for England? For me, personally, I want England to win the world cup waaaay more than Liverpool win the Premier League. It'd be an absolutely massive day for everyone. Imagine the nights out, everyone will be on the streets drunk as hell in the best mood of their lives. It'd be brilliant!

17 Feb 2015 22:11:48
I want england to do well, but liverpool will always come 1st. And i'd rather be in the street celebrating with fellow livepool fans when we win a trophy than celebrating mediocrity with england.

17 Feb 2015 22:15:59
Speechless.
How can anyone even say that?

Am not English myself but the scenes of Liverpool winning the league would be far more jubilant than England lifting the world cup

It sends shivers down my spine when i think of it

You do realise people from outside England support Liverpool! Why would we want them to play for England

17 Feb 2015 22:24:32
Liverpool over England every time!

Brave man there Derbyshire

I love both but agree would rather see England win the world cup over Liverpool win the premiership. We are talking about our nation here, ordinary folk who aren't 24/7 fans would join in. Remember the Olympics? That X 100 if England won the WC, mass hysteria MUFC and LFC fans celebrating together etc etc. I always enjoy that coming together during the Euros and world cups would love to see so many fans happy armchair fans or otherwise. Not sure either will happen in my life time.

Derbyshire, Liverpool F.C. are the club that represents the city of Liverpool and it's people.

During the last few decades these people have been left to rot by numerous London centric establishment figures and parties.

Rightly or wrongly many associate the English national team with this. Hence the disinterest/dislike of the English national team.

It's also the reason, I feel, that there is such an affinity with our Celtic friends and neighbours.

{Ed007's Note - I'm still laughing at the 'remember the Olympics' part!!!}

I don't care if they play for England or any of their national teams all I hope is they don't get injured or bite someone so that they might miss games for us. Play but don't get injured

Sturridge has had about 6 injuries in his time at Liverpool and about 4 were on England duty. so would I rather have sturridge fit most of the time and spearheading our league campaign or would I rather he plays for England, gets injured and watch them play p*** poor football and get knocked out of every tournament after 3 games. you do the maths.

As an Englishman through and through i'd love to see Liverpool win the Premiership above all else

18 Feb 2015 08:14:18
English and would prefer LFC to win the PL. More generally though, the last time England played an exciting brand of football was the Germany 5-1 match, and that was a one off. I don't care much about Englands success because England do not play good football. Also, I dislike our manager at the moment fairly intensely and find the long standing commitment to picking big names over high performers and letting the media into every aspect of the management of England to be a big of a disgrace and a detriment to the players and sport - how many times a year does Roy get into a slanging match in the papers with a club manager?

Ultimately, aside from being born in England, nothing attracts me to English football. Few people choose England (or any other country, not really anyway). We all chose LFC

18 Feb 2015 08:29:43
Liverpool every time. Watching England play is painful. They haven't played well since Owen and Heskey smashed up Germany.

No contest, LFC all day long.

17 Feb 2015 17:51:56
Hows your day going Ed002?
Chelsea going to win tonight?
I hope not but I don't want you to hold it against me.

{Ed002's Note - In the big scheme of things my day was fine thanks Jonny. I don't like the cold weather here in Warsaw. I would have thought you would be supporting Chelsea as the better they do can only help Liverpool with their ranking for next season. Right now it looks like Liverpool will be around 40-42 at the end of the season.}

Ed, you're a reasonable man and my head says we should hope chelsea do well, but my bitter and twisted heart rules when it comes to les affaires du futbol, and it wants so badly to taste Jose's salty tears of despair when he loses a penalty shoot out in a CL final.
Am I a bad person, noblest Ed? Am I?
I do quite like puppies.

{Ed002's Note - So when did Mr Mourinho lose a Champions League final on penalties resulting in his "tears of despair" - or is it just bullshit?}

I think the ed may have misread the post. anonymush never suggested jose had lost a champions league final on penalties

{Ed002's Note - Right - he is hoping that Chelsea get to the CL final - thanks. That will be Chelsea helping out Liverpool yet again then.}

17 Feb 2015 19:29:31
Chelsea have a very good chance to win the Treble this season.

19 Feb 2015 09:43:19
Good point Ed002 and it was a good point for Chelsea as well.
Good point all round.
Warsaw? Sounds cold.
Did you do the Poznan?

19 Feb 2015 09:43:19
Good point Ed002 and it was a good point for Chelsea as well.
Good point all round.
Warsaw? Sounds cold.
Did you do the Poznan?

{Ed002's Note - I can do the Batusi, but not the Poznan.}

17 Feb 2015 14:06:00
Hi Eds,

Do you envision this summer to be quiet one for Liverpool with regards to bringing players in? I understand that we will be looking at a GK, CM and ST but should I assume there won't be drastic changes to the team like last year?
Cheers,

{Ed002's Note - The priority will be as you say.}

Tbh Ed01, I can't see how are we going to bring 3 more players in the summers
The positions mentioned above would cost us close to 60 mill in excess.
Do we have enough sale?

Id have thought the board could cough up 20mil at least.

Sell:
Borini 10-13mil
Luis Alberto 6-7mil
Aspas 5-6mil
Lucas 5-7mil
Lambert 4-5mil

In:
Ings 4mil

That should leave enough for a top DM/CM and a back up keeper.

{Ed002's Note - Liverpool has to start balancing the books and start complying with FFP. They are already under investigation.}

Gerrard, Johnson and Toure will be 3 big wages off the books this summer.
We will likely see several other outgoings as well.

Red Rum

I know ed that's why I thought 20mil wouldhave been ok.

So would it only be player sales in the summer ed?

{Ed002's Note - What makes you think that would be OK? Are Liverpool working to different rules than everyone else?}

Just thought 20mil was a small amount in today's terms.

So basically we've no money to spend in the summer.

{Ed002's Note - Liverpool have to start balancing the books and selling players to raise money.}

Love those sales figures. £6-7m for Alberto. Have yourself an early night, things will look clearer in the morning

Basically thanks to our involvement in CL and extra TV revenue this calendar year yes can AFFORD to spend 20m net in the summer. That including player departures and wages off the books.

{Ed002's Note - You don't seem to grasp this. He is suggesting the owners contribute more.}

17 Feb 2015 22:01:34
I wouldn't be thinking Liverpool will be very active in the market this summer. We are horrendously in debt still and in clear breach of the FFP rules. To be frank I predict a major major clear-out and probably only Ings coming in with more use of the younger players. We are literally chin deep in defenders and midfielders and need to get rid and with Ings and Origi, up front is sorted.

Just stating the obvious.

Gerrard, Johnson and Toure will leave at the end of their contracts. Is Enrique also out of contract?

I can see probably Borini and lambert leaving - maybe Balotelli if we are happy with the amount being paid - so Balotelli might not happen.

Wisdom? Illori? - I can only see us keeping one (unless Madrid want manquillio back).

Hopefully the sales will be enough to fund the priorities we need.

Only wildcard is if Sterling doesn't sign and we decide to sell; that being said if I'm honest i'd prefer to have a positive balance on transfer activity given the current situation and possible sanctions etc.

18 Feb 2015 10:50:13
Can we send Manquillo back at the end of this season without any sort of financial sanctions? I know Atletico could recall him but I wouldn't see why they'd want to do that. I'm hoping Rodgers might realise that Wisdom is a better option for RWB and he could also play RCB. Even with Johnson likely to go we still have Flanagan and the likes of McLaughlin still coming through.

I'd send him back to just save on his weekly wage next season and allow our own youngsters the chance instead. Also at the moment we're not even using any RB's as Rodgers is playing wingers there so we're way overstocked in my opinion.

17 Feb 2015 12:24:35
Eds, do Liverpool have any rights to appeal they can follow in light of Markovics ban? 4 games seems extremely excessive.

{Ed002's Note - They have the right to but won't.}

For what was a very soft yellow card anyway it is incredibly excessive - the wonders of football and the inept bureaucracy strike once more.

Is it true that it is under appeal?
Sorry if it is old ground.

{Ed002's Note - See above.}

Cheers for reply ed2
I hope you got my valentines present?

{Ed002's Note - There were so many. Thanks.}

Ahh the old Irish charm. ☺️

17 Feb 2015 12:04:05
Markovic banned for four games in European competitions which means he misses both Besiktas games along with any potential round of 16 games. Ridiculous imo didn't even think it was a red at the time.

Look on the bright side, at least Ibe can play as he's only tied for the FA Cup. Good chance for him again

No big deal imo. Play Ibe in Europa and Markovic in the BPL and Fa cup games. Problem solved. Both are young players who could do without having to play each and every game in a unfamiliar position at RWB so not a big deal at all.

17 Feb 2015 13:46:06
I doubted it would be overturned on appeal but 4 games seems a bit ridiculous, any statement on why it's so long? 2nd violent conduct in two seasons or something?

I think he was sent off last year in a uefa semi final v juventus maybe that went against him

Was that why we brought Ibe back from loan early?

17 Feb 2015 11:34:38
Looking at the early results on today's poll based on only 14 votes so far, so may change!) and its broadly 2/3 against having an extra sub and 1/3 in favour.

I've voted in favour as I think it makes eminent sense. Your adding another third onto the game time so I would regard this akin to having a challenge added in tennis when you reach a tie break.

I honestly can't see a downside to this so would be interested to hear from people who have or would vote against this as to why?

17 Feb 2015 13:04:21
I personally wouldn't like this added. Teams know they have this extra half hour, and should be able to get the job done in the normal 90. I don't like the idea of changing these type of rules when it's never really caused issue in the past.
I'm still somewhat mystified as to how many top level players suffer from cramp during it, they have ample time and opportunity to take in proper nutrients.

I have more to say on this but I can't seem to function properly right now, struggling to word it correctly haha.

17 Feb 2015 13:47:40
Because it gives an advantage to bigger teams for a start, but one of the skills of cup games is using subs properly when things like extra time and penalties are taken into account.

Surely the main reason against is that it gives the clubs with huge squads even more of an advantage.

The other reason is that it would make for more boring football - you would lose the space that appears when players start getting tired (look at rugby for an extreme example. far less space on the pitch with fresh players coming on all the time). It favours squad fitness over skill?

Was going to reply but Prof G you have covered everything I wanted to say, namely that clubs with deep squads are given an added advantage.

If every substitution had to take place within 20 seconds then you could in theory have six substitutions without losing any time out of the game?
Clubs use substitutions as delaying tactics and that needs to be looked at.

17 Feb 2015 08:57:19
Good draw for us at home as well.
Delighted but Blackburn will not just be turning up with their camera's to snap the day.
In some ways its a hard draw because all the pressure is on us to win it.
I fully expect us to progress though if we keep up the good form between now and then.

Bar two teams the pressure was going to be on us to win it, especially with a home draw. With the exception of reading its as good as it gets.

Just hope we don't get suckered into a replay, win or lose on the day as fixture pile up is going to take its toll on us

17 Feb 2015 05:19:19
I would love a Liverpool v Man Utd FA Cup final. Primarily because I think we'd wipe the floor with them because they are atrocious. Secondly i'd like to get retribution for the 'white suit' cup final (I nearly broke my back on that day but I digress). And last but not least I love seeing the camera zoom onto Fergie's face when they lose. His cheeks go a deeper crimson than they already are.

Should I remind you the score last time we met?

This is the one final I don't wish to have, I don't think I will be able to watch it and losing to them in the final would be too traumatic and will ruin this season big time. They may have their issues and they are not chelsea but they are far from being a bad team and we are far from being Real Madrid either.

There is a reason why they are ahead of us in the league and it is not just the early part of the season. Other than that slip agaisnt Southampton they didn't lose for ages. Yes, we can beat them on the day, should do so at Enfield, but I don't remember us wiping the floor with any team since Suarez has gone. I really hope Arseanl will beat them though I doubt it.

Fanobip

The last time we met did not show the true reflection of the game.

Sterling and balo both wasted 3 good chances each, and de gea got man of the match.

I'd rather man utd than arsenal.

I think the gunners will expose their flaws and beat them.
But given the choice I would rather take on utd than arsenal- I think utd will be easier to break down, or to catch on the break and nick a goal or two.
Arsenal will either be abject if we get a lucky day, or (far more likely) they'll be tough to get through, and very dangerous going forwards.

Have we beaten Blackburn already then?

I'd take Arsenal ahead of United every day of the week. Wenger just is too stubborn to consider the fact the likes of Coutinho, Lallana and Sterling need to be watched very closely. However that could work the other way and if Gerrard's left to hold out Alexis and Cazorla we could be embarrassed ourselves. The same could go for United though, Rooney and Di Maria taking on Stevie would not make for nice viewing.

Mikey this is the Liverpool page, where we believe that we have a divine right to 9 points against leicester Burnley and Villa and that Basel are a walk in the park. who are Blackburn!?!?

Bobatron

Its not that we think we have a divine right to automatically think we have beaten these teams already.

But if we can't fancy our chances of winning ma home tie against a championship team then there's something wrong.

It won't be easy cup games never are but still you got to fancy the win.

What part of my post said that we would beat Blackburn? I said I would 'love' a Liverpool v Man Utd final. I was being hypothetical. I wish some of you would actually read before you start to hate. Or better still turn your play-stations off and actually go into the real world talk to girls and get a dose of life outside your bedrooms.

Lavers those were 2 examples I personally commented on where people in threads were getting ahead of themselves. Look what happened in both we drew 2-2 vs leicester and drew with Basel and got knocked out of the champions league. I don't mind optimism talking about the next match and the chances of going through, But when you automatically are thinking about the next round of ties, you're being insulting to the other team I think and looking too far ahead

17 Feb 2015 03:46:46
Question to everyone.
If we reach the FA Cup final does Rodgers have the bottle to not start Gerrard if we have a fully fit squad?
Lucas hendo cout sterling sturridge have to start if there fully fit, but will Gerrards birthday and possibly his last game for us overshadow what needs to be done?

Benny put simply.NO I don't think so
Mate.

17 Feb 2015 07:41:41
Possibly because he can justify it two ways:

1 - Gerrard to be on the field for the final whistle no matter what.
2 - Gerrard can't make 120 mins but can you imagine entering a shootout without him?

17 Feb 2015 10:13:53
Ha ha, heart or head. which one to go with. It may depend on who the opponent is.

There aren't many Liverpool fans who I imagine would have the bottle to not play him if they were in BR's shoes and we'd got to cup final day.

Tough one, instinct says no simply because he carried on playing him as a DM when he kept getting shut down by the opposition BUT he did drop him for the Madrid game. As club captain though I'm sure he'll keep him in.

I say don't play him until right near the very end of 90 minutes and bring him on then. He just isn't up to playing at the highest level any more.

17 Feb 2015 00:02:13
Wouldn't be a bad way to send Gerrard off if Liverpool and United reach the final.

If they keep playing that awefully then that would be THE best.

Playing awfully yet winning !!!