Liverpool Banter Archive August 18 2013

18 Aug 2013 22:44:36
Just sent a post in about Willian and then decided to look around the net to find out where this spurs link came from, I can't find a single news agency reporting the interest from Spurs. Does anyone actually know anything?

Why would Spurs want Willian?
They got Chadli for the LW bearth

He will replace Bale.

19 Aug 2013 11:33:11
its to do with his twitter activity, seemingly he followed lfc players and now is following spuds players. only thing is all the players he follows are brazilian, so who knows where he will end up {Ed002's Note - There are a lot of Brazilian players in Japan - maybe it's a smokescreen?}

18 Aug 2013 22:35:14
We are battling it out with Spurs for Willian signature. Up to the player now who to choose. {Ed002's Note - I understand it really is not that simple.}

Well eds simplefy it for us laymen please! {Ed002's Note - As of Sunday evening, Liverpool have proposed a figure to Willian's agent that does not meet the minimum valuation that Anzhi want for the player. The proposal from Liverpool also heavily relies upon Anzhi accepting a significant amount if and when the player is sold. Right now Spurs has not put a figure to the agent, who is also expected to enquire again with Manchester City and other Premier League clubs. Anzhi have already rejected a significant bid from Manchester City and were hopeful they would come back with a higher bid, but accept now they will have to accept less.}

Ed what u mean by this? were u think he will end up cheers {Ed002's Note - See above.}

18 Aug 2013 22:32:41
Ben Smith:
No decision been made by Willian yet. Spurs have a very good record of pinching #LFC targets in recent times.

LFC need to sweep the board room/scouting room for bugs, looks like spurs have done it again and pinched another player from under our nose.

Sorry sour grapes, I know Willian hasn't signed for anyone yet and more than one club where interested including Spurs and Man U. But with history of Dempsey, Sigurdsson Willian? You can see where I am going with this?

Maybe 3rd time lucky, but attraction of London and Tottenham in europe likely to be big factor. Oh well next! {Ed002's Note - Spurs have long term interest in the player - going way back before Liverpool.}

18 Aug 2013 21:41:38
Liverpool site is down??

It's OK my end!

18 Aug 2013 20:53:28
Will proberly get slated but here goes.
What is the obsession with people wanting a centre back? Agger will play when fit, toure seems to be his preferred partner. As it currently stands we have srktel, who yes had a dip in form, but not so long ago, was possibly our best centre half a couple of seasons ago, then there's coates, still currently at the the club, Martin Kelly is a centre back not a right back, but a bit like ivanovic at Chelsea, is pretty dam good there! Wisdom very similar story to Kelly. Do we really need any more cover? Do we need to go out and spend on a player for cover?

I think the problem with Skrtel is that he's not comfortable on the ball.

Tony Pulis was even saying yesterday that they let Agger and Johnson have the ball, but targeted Skrtel.

Coates, before signing for us, was very highly regarding at international level, so he must be a good player, just hasn't shown it much.

It's a fair point but "the obsession" is skrtel and Coates where expected to leave hence the talk of a new CB.

It's not about cover, but improving the first team. There are better centre backs than Skrtel, like Papadapoulos or Sakho, who we could sign.

It's obvious to me that we are weak at the back, I can't put my finger on what it is, I'm even starting to wonder if its Agger.
Whatever it is I still would like to see a real top CB come in

The CB position is one where we are vulnerable (soft). Look at yesterday's game and you will see that we are pretty poor in the air. The reason why Kolo Toure has walked into the starting 11 is because he is by far a better header of the ball than Agger and Skrtel will ever be. Obviously, Kolo has other qualities as well.
Look at the penalty we conceded and ask yourself what the likes of Benteke, Giroud, Lambert, Carroll (!) and others might do against us if we don't upgrade. Don't get me wrong, I am a fan of Agger and Skrtel as they have served the club well over the years; but if we really want to progress we might need to be pragmatic about it and replace one or both.
Also, the fact that Coates cannot do what Toure has done (break into the first 11) might indicate why he seems to be on the way out as well. Unfortunately, football is a business and sometimes sentimentality gets in the way of results.

I believe Agger is not very good at defending set pieces from wide areas.
That for me is his only real weakness, he gets away with his lack of pace by being very good positionally but I have lost count of the amount of goals we have conceded when he has lost his man in the box.
A kick down field from the keeper and he will win that all day long but from wide ares (set pieces) he does struggle.
Despite what I consider to be his faults I still would rather have him than not!

I think that way too Chris - Agger is
great with the ball at his feet but he is not a commanding figure at the back. I'm afraid exactly the same can be said abt Glen and Jose too

18 Aug 2013 20:16:24
very pleased with the 3 points yesterday but we definately need to improve on the flanks if we want to end top 4 or be content with challenging for Europa league. I know the so called Marquee signings seem to be expensive but if that's what it takes to get them then so be it or except it.I will cheer, curse pray, laugh or cry in one single game and do so for every single game because I am a Liverpool fan whether we win or loose. IMO with Suarez staying Willian seems to be the only viable option regardless of the price tag or atleast the only one willing to join us on our journey. YNWA

18 Aug 2013 19:27:13
fantastic effort from the lads yesterday.pretty perfect way to start the new campaign, had it not been for their keeper been in class form it could easily of been 5, 6, 7-0. keep supplying ds and he'll keep banging them in. couple more signings would be great but I think what we have atm could well be enough to challenge for 4th.loved the reaction to the pen save for mignolet too. keep it up lads, very good start

18 Aug 2013 19:15:32
those who are doubting william need to get there head checked the guy is world class and will destroy english defences his touch and technique are out of this planet. 30m would be cheap. believe me if we can pull this one off we are about to be blown off our feet hel be as good as suarez

18 Aug 2013 19:10:37
Anybody got an idea where we may be looking in case we miss out on willian?

18 Aug 2013 18:41:01
Rumours flying round twitter (I know not to reliable) that we have agreed a fee and personal terms for erikson from ajax
Do you think it possible we might sign both him and willian heard anything eds {Ed002's Note - Of course not.}

19 Aug 2013 11:41:53
Erikson isn't coming its just twitter rubbish!

18 Aug 2013 18:12:32
Eds please tell me that we are back in for arda turan. He is being touted heavily again, only for 20m. {Ed002's Note - Try the search engine.}

18 Aug 2013 17:22:23
I don't know how fans can question moving for Willian. BR has got every signing bang on apart the early ones in Borini and Allen. Just trust the guy, Aspas Migniolet Coutinho Sturridge and Toure look fantastic, maybe Willian is the final piece of the jigsaw. Aspas looked she*p on youtube and he's looking awesome, some of you lot need to stop judging a player on Fifa statistics and Youtube clips.

Those who criticize the move for Willian know nothing about football. He is a well known player, most of them haven't seen him apart from youtube videos. He's done so much for the teams he's been playing for so far.
I'm telling you with him in the team and a CB we are definitely going finish in a top 4 position.

I think that's very unfair, and your condescension is unwelcome.

I have raised concerns over Willian for £30m +, and its nothing to do with youtube. It's to do with his goal return which for such a sum and considering BR said he wants goals from wide positions, is low.

If BR wants him and gets him and he improves the team then I have no problem at all.

Personally, I feel most people hyping him up are doing so on the basis of youtube and football games like FIFA or Football Manager but there you go.

Well done Puzzled Red, you aren't basing your judgement on YouTube.

Worse, your basing it solely from statistics.

Going by "statistics" Bale isn't worth 90m. But a club are willing to pay such a price because there is more money than good players.

But I guess when you look at Coutinhos statistics and how great they were for Inter. Oh wait.

Stats mean nothing.

Puzzled Red I see where you are going with this, but statistics are not the a and z of a player.
He is not worth 30 mil, but does Bale worth 100m? Or is Rooney worth more than 30m based on his last two seasons?
Honestly Willian is the 20mth mark kind of player and frankly to get good players sometimes you need to overpay.
Willian will greatly help as he is versatile(can play in many positions), can easily beat a player, he is quick, he can score the few goals, he can help a lot with the assists all in all he is exactly the kind of player we are looking for.
Just to add as I saw many wondering why we are not going for Arda and we are going for Willian, well for the kind of player we are looking for Willian is by far the better option.

I agree Puzzled Red.

Although players can't be fully judged on videos and stats, you can still get an idea of what they would add to the team.

I would certainly not complain about the signing of Willian because he would improve the squad. However the cost of the player is too high, which is why top clubs like Man U and Spurs have decided not to persue their interest.

Personally I would prefer a player like Antoine Griezmann who scored 10 and assisted 5 for Real Sociedad last season. He is only 22 and looks a great prospect. He would be cheaper and fits the FSG criteria.

Red Rum

Thanks Don, I agree that he is a better option than Arda - quicker and more skillfull IMO.

As I said if he improves the team and BR feels the price was right then quite frankly I couldn't be happier. So we'll have to wait and see I suppose.

However, Ben Rose your post like more and more posts on here unfortunately has an unpleasant tone to it, just because I disagree with you on this I don't insult you so why do you? We're all fellow fans after all?

Ok, if you folks had 30 million pounds to spend, would you spend it on WIllian, or for a much cheaper price, one of Turan, Konoplayanka, Adrian, Yilmaz or even Damiao? All of them would cost considerably less than Willian and would provide some cash for another centre back.

Agreed, real AG. Willian is clearly talented, but I personally don't think he's massively more talented than any of those you just mentioned, all of whom are very good players.

Side question- lots have been made about Willian's lack of goal scoring (and fair enough). Does anyone have historical stats showing his number of shots/shots on goal, that sort of thing? Does he take a lot of shots and just doesn't finish well, or is he not taking them at all? Couldn't find much for his time at Shaktahr but for Anzhi looks like he only takes 1-2 per game on average.

The real AG all the players you mentioned will not necessarily cost less than 30m. Not to mention half of the move will not be moving to Liverpool.
Willian IS the best option currently. We missed Henrikh and Costa because they were the better options, now we moved on to the next.

We have to believe in our new transfer policy in my opinion.
There have been plenty of examples this window of Liverpool walking away from a target because the selling club want too much money.
We are getting Cissoko because Granada asked for 12million for their left back and we said "jog on".
I think that shows we are no longer being mugged off by clubs.
Everton offered 4 million for him but when we came in Granada wanted 5.5 million from us! Then when Real Madrid started sniffing around him they asked us to increase our bid to 12 million. Cheeky Gets!
1 thing is for certain, we have a bit of money to spend before the end of the window and that is going to go on a quality player in the attacking third of the pitch who will be in the 20-30 million pound range. A lot of good players out there for that price!

19 Aug 2013 11:21:55
DonCorleone

All the players I have mentioned are attainable and all of them WON'T cost more than 30 Million. The only case you have for an arguement is over Yilmaz, but even he is cheaper as Ed02 points out, Galatasaray wanted 40 million Euros, but will settle for less, and even then he is cheaper than Willian.

He is definitely NOT the best option.

18 Aug 2013 16:08:17
Think we all agree we need a left sided player, well what about Juan Mata who I think Jose would allow to leave the bridge

alan50

Wouldn't come.

I would rather spend the £30m on Mata than Willian to be quite honest.

Red Rum

Mata is Chelsea's best player yet Mourinho doesn't fancy him. I expect there's a deal in there with United and Rooney. United want a world class attacking midfielder and Chelsea want Rooney, I wouldn't rule it out

He may opt for a move to Liverpool with it being a world cup year. He will be guaranteed game time.

Red Rum

18 Aug 2013 18:22:05
not a chance of a Liverpool move at all

Mata plays predominantly on the left, Willian can play all across the front line, I suspect that is a factor in why we have targeted him.

If coutinho is injured for instance willian can play in the hole and we still have ibe/sterling/aspas for the wings. Turan would be a good shout too and cheaper than both at £20m

Mata is a great player but lacks the pace to play in Rodgers system IMO. He is a much better player behind the striker. Not really a position that we need to fill. Willian is a class act, not seen much of him since he moved to anzhi, but at shaktar he was a great talent.

18 Aug 2013 12:21:43
Hi eds? How are things? Enjoy the first day of the season?

Not a rumour just a thought. I don't have many so stay with me.

I am curious as to what people would think if we didn't sign a "superstar/marquee" or would people just prefer to sign first team players to improve areas on the pitch. I am only wondering as I have read a few people say that we don't need Willian as we have Ibe/Sterling etc, we don't need this player because of this etc. Yet I read other people saying that they want us to sign a "big price" player to show our intent.

Do people really see a benefit in spending big to get somebody like Willian? I don't know Willian, so I can't say if he will improve the side or not. I don't think you can judge him by youtube. I would like to hear from somebody who has seen him play. Not on youtube, not now and again but consistantly for a couple of seasons?

Is he worth 30 mill? I personally have to come to believe that a player is only worth what a team is willing to buy them for. Right or wrong?

I don't think we will sign Willian or anyone near 30m unless Suarez is def going.

I haven't watched William week in week out but I've seen quite a lot. is he worth 30 million no. however yes in the fact that he could improve our team to the effect of a 30 million pound player. this is because he will free up coutinho to play his more natural role and he will give us the same kind if pace that sterling offers us however with better creativity and although people say about his lack of goals in games I've watched he has been unlucky due to great saves or posts etc. Or he has opted to pass instead of shooting although I think br could add the little bit of selfishness perhaps needed in his game in front of goal. Apologies for structure this was sent off phone

18 Aug 2013 10:47:59
Richario Zivkovic, were being linked with this young lad, dubbed the new arjen robben, (here we go again), you heard anything about this eds please?, or is it again lazy journalism?
ynwa {Ed002's Note - The coach has mentioned he has been looked at on several occasions by Liverpool scouts - but he is 16 so he will most probably not be moving to England for a couple of years at least. There is interest from several Dutch sides.}

18 Aug 2013 15:20:36
Saw rumours that AC Milan are close to signing Sakho for 10m Euros? Has Liverpool made a bid as yet or have we lost interest in him or is the price not what we're willing to pay?

Would be nice to close out the CB situation quickly as soon as possible.

If we don't sell either Coates or Skrtel, I don't know if we'll see a new CB.

Doesn't look like any takers for Skrtel or Coates so doubt we will sign a CB.

18 Aug 2013 13:16:38
To all the Lucas haters, can you mention one dmf who's better than him in the epl? Diame? Mikel? Rodwell? Tiote? Carrick? You must be smoking something. Not saying we don't need another dm, a back up will do just fine, so we can invest in other areas of the squad. {Ed030's Note - Diame is brilliant. }

18 Aug 2013 15:03:17
Daime IS ok. But lucas is far far ahead.

Diame is over-rated. he is good bt not as a dmf

more of a b2b

Diame is not brilliant. He's incredibly inconsistent and not a DM either. Sandro is quite easily better than Lucas, as is Capoue as is Scheniderlin - all of which are natural DM's. Lucas plays that role for us but positionally he isn't great and ball chases far too often. If anything he's more suited to playing next to a defensive mid. Not a lucas hater by the way but we could do a lot better in that department.

On the contrary Ed030 I've heard many a west ham fan say he is exceptionally inconsistent but admittedly on his day he's up there with yaya toure imo.

Diame is ok, gives the ball away far too often though, needs to work on distribution

Ed 030 are you a lay person?

Your football knowledge is seriously below par, Diame is useless.

18 Aug 2013 15:21:14
Totally agree. We need a backup, but Lukas back in shape and form is class!

Except, Diame isn't a defensive mid Ed030.

While I am a fan of Lucas, I think Sandro, Capoue and Paulinho are all better than Lucas.

But he isn't as good as Lucas

I admit Lucas was very good yesterday but there are a fair few DM's better than Lucas, although they might not be in the Premier League. For instance Sandro is an excellent DM and for me the best in PL.
If you look outside PL there is Khedira, Busquets, Fernando Reges, Ahmedov (Anzhi), Roman Neustädter, and god knows who else.

Scheniderlin is a good player

under-rated imo

Lucas is fantastic, just watch his first-half performance yesterday to see what he brings to the team at his best, he is the best dm in the league at reading the game and closing down quickly in the midfield which is exactly what we need, the reason he's sometimes out of position is because he does more than defend, he links with every other player at one time or another in the match and covers an incredible amount of space, which not every player could do. I personally wouldn't swap him for anyone.

Are you serious Ben Rose? Your opinion differs from the ed so his football knowledge is "seriously below par". Diame is good at what he is asked to do. I guess you can class him as a poor mans Yaya Toure. Has the power and is strong in the tackle but not nearly as good techniqually or positionally.

I think the fact Lucas is not naturally a DM is his benefit, and have always thought this. He has a knowledge of attack that I think contributes to his ability to cut out plays. He isn't the biggest, but he also does not shy away from any tackles. His passes are crisp and he's technical enough to play out of trouble. He's an excellent, yes, excellent DM and yes, there aren't many in the epl that are better. This is also a very narrow conversation as far as not recognizing his impact off the pitch as well. He's become a leader in a team that needs them, was also a good prospect in my eyes as the VC. He's also helped our new acquisitions ie. Aspas and Coutinho assimilate to the EPL and Liverpool. He's a class act, no drama, does a damn fine job, and knows the pride to play for the badge. People can say we need a DM, but maybe as a cover.

Haha ed 30 are you smoking something or what he isn't in same league as lucas. {Ed030's Note - I didn't say he was,I like Diame and football is about opinions and that's mine. }

Agreed with you, JWH. Schneiderlin is very much under-rated.

18 Aug 2013 14:05:40
Delighted with the win yesterday 3 points in the bag bring on villa! we need to get 3 more there

Brendan seems to have done a great job with the defense. Toure a great addition, mignolet proving that a good goal keeper is worth ten points to a team and he's earned us 2 already (Reina was giving away points, remember the aguero goal?) and with Aly Cissoko coming in looks like we have our defense sorted.

But looking at the attack its the same problem as last year. chance creation not a problem but finishing is. Keeping that in mind I don't think Willian is the kind of player we should be looking at, I think we need a finisher (perhaps diamo?) we've got enough players with skill and trickery, now we need someone who has a great finish on him even if he has no trickery

One last thing I would like is for us to add cover for defensive midfield. Lucas is great but what if he gets injured?

True Red

ps Henderson had a great game, maybe this is his year and so glad to see rogers picking him in ahead of allen

I don't get why we need a diamo type player, that would mean pushing sturridge out wide.

18 Aug 2013 13:16:38
To all the Lucas haters, can you mention one dmf who's better than him in the epl? Diame? Mikel? Rodwell? Tiote? Carrick? You must be smoking something. Not saying we don't need another dm, a back up will do just fine, so we can invest in other areas of the squad.

18 Aug 2013 12:41:29
What a match that was yday! Couldn't post after as what would have come out would probably not have been comprehensible! My favourite part was when mignolet made the double save and all the lads were going mental, did anyone else notice Charlie Adam look like he wanted to join in the celebrations as he went past and almost did! Ha Ha, classic! Sorry Charlie boy, no time machine here!

I celebrated mignolets save more than the goal

I am due a wrist reconstruction on the 19th of next month. Not sure what caused but some have suggested RSI ;) however when we gave away the penalty I thumped the table, here we go again! Then the double save and a home win for the first time in an opening game since 01. The pain disappeared and joy took over.

18 Aug 2013 12:32:02
Like everyone else, pleased about the yesterday's eventual hard fought win and to see the team spirit and great football at times. A word of caution. we still didn't kill a poor side off and if that penalty had gone in, the mood on here may well have been different.

My big big worry is that all the talk seems to be focussing on bringing in more attacking players, which is great (how I wish the Damiao rumours were true) but I think we may have big problems unless we bring in a couple of quick, dominant centre halves or defensive midfielders, as it will be the smaller teams that play more direct football who will expose those frailties and will cost us. We did not look that impressive again yesterday from crosses.our real Achilles heel!

In the meantime let's hope we take Villa out next week!

Buzz'

I think we will find out a lot more about our defense next week away to Villa.

I'm presuming that they will look to attack more then Stoke did, Benteke will be his usual "handful", Weimann making his clever runs and Agbonlahor's pace will be an issue if we allow any space in behind.

Like yourself, I'm over the moon with yesterdays win, it's already one more point against Stoke then we achieved last year, but we certainly can't get ahead of ourselves - at times yesterday defensively we did look suspect.

Big game against villa, let's hope they are knackered after their midweek game against chavski.
We lost 3-0 twice to them last season so our performance will be a yardstick for the season ahead

Lost 3-0 to who twice last year? who u support GO

Weren't we missing Lucas last year as the deep midfielder? I think he and Gerrard will contain Benteke and Veimann. With Toure also there I think we have the strength and defensive nouse to take care of both those players. Allen and Skrtel played terribley against them. Gabby doesn't bother me in the slightest.

18 Aug 2013 11:16:12
just watchin vids of willian i'm no expert but he doesn't look a 30 mill player sure we could get a good cb and another cm with the money we have options on lw with sterling assadi ibe?

Do you think the scouts refer to youtube videos or actual matches?

I agree to a certain extent but you really can't tell how good a player is or not by watching them videos. You can get a feel for a player, playing style etc but not how good they are.
I could be wrong but I doubt Rodgers and the team would contemplate spending such a vast sum on a player without giving it serious thought as to if he will fit in or be a success or not. As he knows if he messes up his big money buys it could cost him his job, or at least make it much harder to argue for funds in the future.

Yes you are right you are not an expert

Not being funny but thank the stars you are not one of our scouts. If our scouts scouted by youtube we would have signed ryan babel again.

Similarly, did Higuain look like a 32m player, is bale really an 85m player. No but that is where the market is at now, players who are better than the run of the mill will cost that sort of money.

Regardless of what people think he may or may not bring to the team, the fact is he will undoubtedly improve our first team. Whether he will do that with assists, goals or just by being the player that teams fear and man mark leaving space for our other capable players to play in.

I suspect while he is not our first choice this summer, rodgers sees the potential in him much like coutinho. I imagine rodgers believes he can coach him into being more productive in the final third.

The ed's have said on numerous occasions, that while a player might be affordable there is no guarantees he will come here see costa as example. And let's be honest, none of us, not even the in the know ed's can possibly know all the targets we have tried to get and failed for one reason or another.

I would be perfectly happy with willian, but if we don't get him I would be happy with anybody who improves our first team.

CB options we already have:

Toure_Agger_Skrtel_Wisdom_Kelly_Coates_Jones_Sama

CM options we already have:

Gerrard_Lucas_Henderson_Allen_Alberto_Suso(who's on loan)

Do we really need more CB'S & CM'S.

However I do agree he is not a £30M player but will defiantly add more to the team.

Yes you are right you are not an expert

Not being funny but thank the stars you are not one of our scouts. If our scouts scouted by youtube we would have signed ryan babel again.

Similarly, did Higuain look like a 32m player, is bale really an 85m player. No but that is where the market is at now, players who are better than the run of the mill will cost that sort of money.

Regardless of what people think he may or may not bring to the team, the fact is he will undoubtedly improve our first team. Whether he will do that with assists, goals or just by being the player that teams fear and man mark leaving space for our other capable players to play in.

I suspect while he is not our first choice this summer, rodgers sees the potential in him much like coutinho. I imagine rodgers believes he can coach him into being more productive in the final third.

The ed's have said on numerous occasions, that while a player might be affordable there is no guarantees he will come here see costa as example. And let's be honest, none of us, not even the in the know ed's can possibly know all the targets we have tried to get and failed for one reason or another.

I would be perfectly happy with willian, but if we don't get him I would be happy with anybody who improves our first team.

BigD I wouldn't really list Skrtel, Jones and Sama as centrebacks, the 2 academy players probably aren't ready, and Skrtel doesn't cut it. 4 central midefielderis enough?
Yeah good joke.

18 Aug 2013 09:18:28
More than happy to get three points first day of the season especially at home. Mignolet the hero in the end. Yesterday was all about digging deep and winning. Sturridge impresses me more and more everytime he puts on a red shirt. Also liked the link from all the forward players. Also Toure looks a very shrewd signing. Onto Villa we go.

I know! totally buying a Liverpool shirt with Sturridge on it today! next big thing for us i'm sure!

18 Aug 2013 08:57:48
Managed to dodge the result all day as I was travelling home from my jollies in Spain. Watched the game at midnight and thought our movement was superb. Was really impressed with Kolo looked calm on the ball and reall looked for passes rather than hoofing it. Think him and Agger are a great pair.

Thought as the game went on though it was déjà vu from last season with effort after effort not funding the net. Was made up with the team spirit when Mingolet saved the penalty really good to see.

Bring on the next game.

18 Aug 2013 08:22:43
I saw on BBC site (can't remember source though) saying Arda Turan's will likely join the premiership!

Great news for one team. It suggests LFC or Arsenal. Eds would you be able to clarify if this is true and if so which team would be his more likely destination?

Also some mention that if we do not get Willian we will pursue Damiao (sunday people)


THANKS EDS FOR ALL {Ed002's Note - See previous answers please.}

18 Aug 2013 07:37:44
Can I just say how FANTASTIC it was to see the reaction from the players when Mignolet made the double penalty save. Not seem a combined passion like that for years. I'm hoping this continues throughout the campaign. Great opening result against a usual "Bogey side" in the league. If we can play like this every week and get the results against the mid-low teams it will be a good season.

YNWA

Completely agree fella. Reactions like that have been few and far between if late. Normally saved for 'big' games but you don't get to then without the passion shown yesterday. Say what you like about the inter play and technical skills Rodgers has brought into the team it's that drive and desire that gets you through the winter and Rodgers must take some credit for putting it into the team with training and the right purchases

18 Aug 2013 05:59:31
Ed, good morning or whatever the time may be. I have read that Monaco are selling Falcao because of Tax issues in France. Is it possible they can loan him to Liverpool and get him back next season if they fix the tax problems? God job done Ed. {Ed002's Note - No.}

18 Aug 2013 02:57:01
Hi eds!

Any change on the willian front? Isit as far along as the papers seem to think? Or is he just the flavour of the week?

Cheers editors! {Ed002's Note - There has been no change overnight.}

18 Aug 2013 01:42:21
Who else thought Lucas and Henderson looked good today?

YNWA

Totally agree, Henderson has come on leaps and bounds and I will be the first to admit I didn't think he would come food when he first signed, but last season he made steady improvements and now he looks like he could be a real star in midfield for us.

18 Aug 2013 01:35:08
I have a question for one of the eds, that isn't a rumour, just a general thought.

As you may know, Liverpool average more goals/game without Suarez, so I wonder do we depend on him too much? What if Liverpool play Suarez in a 'less important' roll, like RW, and leave the middle to Sturridge.

Suarez is a fantastic player and he should be able to work his magic anywhere on the field. So straight away we have a world class RW. Coutinho in the middle, and perhaps a signing like Willian playing LW, leaving Sturridge up top will give us an extremely talented front line.

My question is, basically, would this be a good idea? Moving Suarez to his old position so we don't revolve the team around him and play more football.

I would really appreciate an answer from an Ed, and perhaps reply or two.

Thanks, {Ed002's Note - I would not see BR using Suarez any differently than he has.}

If SUarez stays, he will replace Aspas in the starting line up.

I prefer Coutinho in the middle though. So if Suarez doesn't play RW, Coutinho can't play in the middle. And if Willian signs, where do either of them they go?

Coutinho played on the left, I'd like Willian there.

Aspas was in a central role, I'd like Coutinho pushed in there.

Henderson was wide right, and I feel Suarez has no other place to go unless either Sturridge is dropped, Coutinho is taken out of the first 11, or he is moved to the left, which takes Willian out of the first 11.

Is this the only possible solution or is there away around it?

I think if Suarez stays we will not sign an expensive wide player and he will play there with Aspas the opposite and Sturridge up top.

I'd do what you've said and if we didn't get a class LW in then you could bring Aspas back into the team if he's playing well and Suarez could play from the LW. Basically ya I'd keep Sturridge up top and hopefully Coutinho behind him centrally.

Sean Ireland, glad to see a cello irish man agrees! ;)

18 Aug 2013 00:29:39
Thought Lucas was immense today. Doesn't get the credit he deserves.

Could not agree anymore bud he was savage today. I was an anti Lucas man a few yrs ago but he would be one of the first on my team sheet if I was manager.

Yeah played brilliant, thought Henderson run his socks of too all game!

Yes, Lucas an excellent game, reminded me of his level before the injury he picked up in the Carling Cup against Chelsea under KD. But, this is the start and I expect him to get better as the season progresses.

18 Aug 2013 00:19:10
Newcastle after William? You've got to be joking, If we get gazumped by a club as bad as Newcastle then there's no hope left.

Really?
If Newcastle decides to pay 45 million for Willian, should we also pay the same amount?
I am going to have to inform you that we have valuations for players and we are just not going to pay over the odds.
Why should we pay over the odds for a player who doesn't score enough goals? I am sorry to say this, but creating chances and dribbling is not the problem of this current LFC team.
No? Now I get it. You want a "marquee" signing, right?

Why is everyone interested in big name, big money players?

Lastly, what does it tell you if the player chooses to go to Newcastle?

Maybe the lure of being closer to Cheryl cole is too big an attraction!

17 Aug 2013 23:40:44
I am extremely optimistic after the game against Stoke. My favorite part was when Coutinho got manhandled by Nzonzi and pushed around and slapped and Lucas was there to defend Lil Phil. I thought overall the team as a whole played well.
Mignolet- nervy at the start but quickly figured it out after a good save, distribution left a lot wanting but the penalty left me thinking we could look back at the end of the season and say if he doesn't save we don't get 4th.
Agger- Good, but what was he doing on the handball
Enrique -Still think he slows down our momentum going forward but good
Johnson- I thought he was good going both ways(haha)
Kolo- What can you say bad about Kolo, the man is an animal and looks to still have his pace and was impressed with his distribution and ball playing.
Lucas- Brilliant IMO
Gerrard- field general
Coutinho- struggled with stokes strength but still can create even when having a bad game is the best player on the field.
Hendo- surprised it wasn't Allen but enjoy how stuck in he gets and always has some chances on goal, needs to practice shooting.
Aspas- I thought he was immense with his movement and his link up play with Sturbridge and ability to link the forwards to the midfield.
Strurridge- 2 weeks off an injury and as young as he is he seems to be maturing and getting better every game, used to think he pouted too much but now he is taking to BR's philosophy and I see a man wanting to play as a team and only selfish when he needs to be.
Sterling- I thought he should have always headed the ball that less to the penalty and think he needs to quit being so reluctant in his play. But he does run at defenders and cause havoc with his pace and agility.

I am salivating at the prospect of seeing Willian on the left with coutinho playing centrally, I think it William is the type of player we need on the left side of midfield and can run at defenders and he has the final ball I think we are missing to set up goals from the flanks.

Pretty good assessment there man, agree on all points, even the Willian one (fingers crossed).

I would have Hendo over allen in an attacking position any day. Allen simply is not an attacking player.

Ya very good assessment overall. Well pointed out about Coutinho, he didn't have a good game at all by his own standards I thought and I haven't seen many posts mentioning this like yours. Agger's mistake for the penalty was like something you'd expect from a 19 year old. Toure was brilliant today. I would have liked to have given Borini 20mins to rest/preserve Sturridge but thankfully he finished injury free. And Henderson's shooting let's him down, it will cost him a starting place for sure.

18 Aug 2013 00:06:52
Aly Cissokho to be official tomorrow. Loan with option to buy.

17 Aug 2013 23:17:36
Richairo Zivkovic 16 year old forward plays for FC ­Groningen, LFC might do a deal including Adorjan + cash + add-ons + loaning him back for around 2 seasons.

17 Aug 2013 20:07:33
Evening fellow red fans! Really impressed with how we played today and thought toure Henderson and Lucas really showed up and played really well! Quick question for the edd's if and when Suarez returns after his ban which game would he be back for? I just wasn't to sure if the ban is taking into the cup competitions as well?

I'm sure people have replied before me but just in case, Any club game under the FA counts towards the ban. So in answer to your question the Carling cup & FA cup does count.

He has 5 games left, so, obviously as long as he doesn't transfer (stating the obvious) & that his conduct improves, should BR see fit he'll be available for the Sunderland Game (Sunday 29th September) from which he'll probably start on the bench.

However it all depends on his behaviour as Rodgers has been clear and unwavering in the right position of "no one is bigger than the club"

Cheers fella