Liverpool Banter Archive February 18 2014

18 Feb 2014 20:47:27
Praying that Dimichelis starts for City when we play them. He is AWFUL! How does he start ahead of Lescott?

Posted that before he got sent off

18 Feb 2014 20:14:20
As I am on a bit of a rant this evening thought's on young Flanno please.Well for me guy's I could not drop him.He has not put a foot wrong since he got back and them few splinter's he got on the bench has done him the world of good.Yes I know he's not the finished product by a long way but for me he is better than GJ who for me has lost his way.Speaking of full back's who have come on you have to say Aly is doing the job on the other side.He give's 100% every time and that's all you can ask from a player.

Barry he's a highly paid professional sportsman and as such he should be able to play football (which he can't)as well as give 100%!

18 Feb 2014 20:08:15
Just a question for everyone on this website, Have you been watching the Champions League for the last few years? In all honesty, I haven't seen a Champions League match in years because Liverpool haven't been playing!

The last game I watched was final last year. I was gutted for Dortmund, I really was.

I always watch champions league football, how can you not!
I'm willing to admit, i'm one of those people that supports any UK club in the champions league as I feel it's good for British football the further our teams progress.

18 Feb 2014 19:18:52
Just some thoughts for you all.

In the past number of years, we have seen the league and FA cup become increasingly devalued by many clubs. It seems to be the mind set of most clubs that the league is far more important. Also that top 4 is seen as a success over winning a trophy.

How I would change things would be simple.

The winners of the League and the FA cup gain automatic qualification to the Champions League. This would reward teams that win silverware and mean you are actually getting champions (in some respect) in the competition.

The runner up in the BPL will get the 3rd place CL spot and the winner of the League cup will get the 4th. The reason I have chose this is because the League cup is played early in the season, so their is still incentive to push on for a higher league place.

In the event a teams wins a FA and the League, the CL spot will go to the 3rd place league team. If the 3rd place league team has won the League cup, it will go down the league further.

The 3rd, 4th and 5th place teams will be rewarded with Europa league place. Obviously, if the 3rd place team is awarded a CL place, then it will be 4th, 5th and 6th.

I think this will have so many possitives to the game. Firstly, the cups have value again. Players will be rested from league games for trophy ones, not the other way around. Also, the things it would do for clubs like Wigan. The revenue would be phenominal for a club like that. It would also mean it isn't the same teams in it each year, this will mean that players are likely to be a little more loyal as qualification for the CL is given to teams with that bit of luck on their side. It will mean people will watch the Europa League more, as you are like to get a few giants in it every year. This will also increase the cash investment of the competition as with more views, comes more expensive sponsors. Teams will get more for competiting in the Europa League as a result. ALSO, it would make the cup games so much more entertaining!

I am aware I am taking things for granted a little, but I think this would be brilliant for football. I wonder if any of the Eds agree?

So lads what are all your thoughts on this? I will explain things in more detail if something seems unclear

{Ed001's Note - I think that is a better idea than the current system.}

Just to clarify, this post was by myself.

Great idea mate

18 Feb 2014 20:58:37
Its fairly similar to my idea the other day, although I left the League Cup as it is for the sinple fact that it is inferior to the FA Cup.
I had the top 3 straight into group stage as now. Then the winner of the FA Cup into third qualifying round, like 4th. This way if a Wigan, or someone similar, won the cup then they would still have to win a qualifier, where you can be pitted against some pretty big teams these days.
Would make the FA Cup worth what it is billed to be. If one of the top 3 won the FA Cup then 4th would get Champs League, like now.
Hope you like my idea too.

{Ed002's Note - What would you do if England dropped to three places in a couple of years?}

How about bringing back the Cup Winners Cup?
League winners = Champions Lesgue
Runners-up = Europa League
F.A. Cup and League Cup = Cup Winners Cup
With variations if the league winners win one of the cups, etc.

I do not think the 'smaller' clubs (no offence) will be very benefited by this. With the small squad they have, what if they get to one of the cup finals and lose it? And due to their indulgence in the cups they may have to sacrifice league form and then they'd be fighting for relegation again. I feel if this did come into existence many clubs will still be trying not to get relegated. This new rule would only benefit clubs like Everton, Newcastle, Swansea, us perhaps who can do something in cups while challenging likes of City, Chelsea etc, I do not see it benefiting the others. Sorry

When Scotland get their independence they'll not be recognised as a member state and will lose their CL places until FIFA recognise them. We'll have their places and when they see we bring more to the competition than our colleagues in the North we'll permenantly have them. Shame that they've hit the self destruct button. Not to worry though. Their country after all.

Worst idea I can imagine.
Number one it would take away one of the main features of what separates champions league teams against others. You could essentially play 7 games and get a champs league spot. whereas you have to play 38 in the elague, which shows a greater squad and tactical strength over time. You could have all the big clubs knock each other out in round 3 and 4 depending on draws and get a championship team in the champions league!

KrishnaYNWA

I understand your point, although I have to disagree. The point I was trying to make was to re-value the cup competitions once again and give them something so clubs have a reason to play in them. Teams facing relegation will obvious chose to play weaker teams still. But it means teams that are usually in and around the mid-table truly have a chance of breaking through. Teams facing relegation should be looking to stay in the league anyway, then after that is secure, push for silverware. So I do disagree.

Bobatron
Why should you get a greater prize for finishing 4th than winning a trophy? Silverware is why clubs should be in existence. But the current way of doing things means teams that aren't winning a thing are continually getting the large funding (Arsenal are a good example of this)

Sorry but champions league for league cup is terrible, up the competitions over too early, if a team like Swansea won it, they would just give up for the rest of the season?

Conbicks
Teams like Swansea aren't in the race to give up from to begin with, I don't see your point?

Because sgt red as I already said, it's quality shown over a season, not 6-7 matches with possible easy rides. Sunderland could draw league 1 and 2 teams for 4 rounds while the bigger BETTER

Eds accidentally clicked send before I completed last one.

Sgt Red.
it's because teams like sunderland could draw league2&1 teams for 4 rounds while the bigger and BETTER clubs knock each other out.The'ere no justice in that. a squad that plays minimum 38 matches and shows true quality against the top 38 teams consistently, deserves the champions league over a team that got a luck and easy ride over the course of 7 or so matches.

Bobatron
So you think it is fair teams that win nothing get the greatest rewards? 3rd and 4th place shouldn't be rewarded so greatly. Plus, I think the game would become much more entertaining too.

18 Feb 2014 18:04:01
Hi all,

Not really Liverpool related but a would like some banter on England's World Cup team and if any of our youngsters deserve a place.
Has Raheem done enough to be in the team, sturridge, hendo? I'm Irish but would love to see England do well after all follow them religiously every week. What would your guys and an edds if possible, squad/team be for the
summer?

Gerrard and Sturridge are pretty much givens so long as they are not injured. And I think if Raheem and Hendo continue to play like they have been doing they are certainly in with a very good shout

19 Feb 2014 00:06:09
Sterling & Hendo will likely be in the squad. (As well as Gerrard & Sturridge obviously)

Sterling has a chance of being first choice if he keeps his form up, but I don't see Hendo starting with Gerrard in a 442, which Hodgson will almost certainly not deviate from.

Flanagan deserves to go on form, he's playing better than Jonno, Smalling and Walker, but I don't want him to go. I want him to be overlooked by England and declare for Ireland instead.

Do u guys reckon hodgson will opt for the safe old guard or try putting out a young competitive team, I mean some of England's youngsters are very good and they try so hard for everything, no ball is left unchallenged for, I'm basing most of this on Liverpools youngsters but the likes of the ox and the bluenoses boy are outstanding too, be a real shame too for hodgson too be overly conservative as usual

I do not think Flanno will go, Walker is a surety to start, with Johnno covering.

19 Feb 2014 12:26:12
You Irish can keep your paws off Flanagan ;) He's ours! Isn't Ryan McLaughlin enough for you? Unless you want to do a swap deal?

YNWAdam

18 Feb 2014 17:12:05
so today I have read ed07 and juan mata convinced utd still have a chance of top 4, I really can't see us loosing enough points to let them back in must be arsenal they feel they can catch personally in r results the rest of the games a draw at old trafford and a win against spurs at anfield top 4 here we come.

Wouldn't like to write them off but they have to find some winning form and hope Everton, spurs and ourselves have complete meltdowns. Maybe 1 or 2 of us will drop enough points for United to catch up but it's looking unlikely for them now.

Never right them them off, they have Alligator blood, always hanging around!

18 Feb 2014 13:18:03
Eds,

I've heard a whisper that we have had/continue to have Lars Bender watched. You heard anything on this?

{Ed002's Note - No.}

18 Feb 2014 11:17:02
a bit more on the holding midfielder role for nxt season, will rodgers go for a dynamic ball playing player mixed with connor cody as I think if we get a decent offer for lucas we will take it, never was a favorite of mine but I hold my hands up that before that injury away to chelsea he was our best CM, I just think that injury has set him bk big time and slowed him up even more, just my take on it, right edd 01 and 02 who realistically would we want?i know it helps if we get into top 4 but let's just assume we get it?

18 Feb 2014 08:10:58
Morning Ed001, Just read a thread from yesterday involving yourself and several posters about finishing 4th, while I agree that finishing 4th 3rd or 2nd won't have me out getting bladdered and dancing on tables, I totally disagree that those finishing positions are irrelevant!

Without finishing in one of those irrelevant positions we wouldn't have had the opportunity to keep FOREVER the European Cup!

Can I ask you Ed001, did you celebrate Istanbul or was winning it tainted because we didn't win the title the season before? I am intrigued to here your reply.

{Ed001's Note - of course I celebrated, we won a trophy. That is like asking if I had celebrated UEFA Cup wins! Just because I don't agree that a so called Champions League allows in half of Europe, despite only a 3rd of them actually being champions of anything, doesn't mean a win becomes devalued. I don't decide the rules, just abide by them. Does that explain it?}

By and large, though ed, the winners tend to be champions of their respective country. So the cream rises to the top anyway, it could be argued.
But better to be in, than not.
I liked the old format though, it was very exclusive.
And, just as importantly, the old UEFA and CWCups had great prestige too.

18 Feb 2014 12:21:44
Being just 20 years old this 'old format' was probably before my time. However I've always been of the impression that the Champions league should be for teams that won a trophy the previous year. For lesser leagues who have a lower Uefa ranking they should only be able to submit the domestic league winners (Scotland), but higher ranking countries like England should be able to submit all 3 domestic trophy winning teams. I'd then have the Europa league set up in a similar format, but with the runners up of the competitions earning entry. Or in the cases of countries like Scotland, let in the domestic cup winners. I don't see why a CHAMPIONS league should consist of teams who are not CHAMPIONS. Perhaps I was born in the wrong era! I think It'd add more value to domestic cups though. Less teams would just rest people in cups, prioritising the league.

Just my humble opinion.

YNWAdam

There are about 50 separate national leagues under the UEFA umbrella. Even with some seeding / per-qualification, that's more than enough sides to have a proper "champions" league.
UEFA fixed a problem that wasn't a problem IMO, when they altered the old UEFA and CW Cups. They were tremendous competitions.
And all of them were true cup competitions. Knock out ties over two legs, no messing.
You just crossed your fingers you never pulled a Dynamo Tblisi out of the hat!

The thing with the current format is that you are guaranteed to have the best teams competing. If we still had the old format, teams like Manchester United would be in the European Cup, even though half the premier league is better than them! Also the new format means that whoever wins the Cup is well and truly the champion of Europe. In the old format you just had to beat a giant in one or two rounds and the rest of the teams you played were teams no one has heard of.

Just compare the teams we played when we won our first 4 to when we won it in 2005. In 1984 we played Dinamo Bucuresti in the semi final.

Just call it the European cup again and there wouldn't be an argument whether or not you had to be a champion to participate. Same format just a name change.

17 Feb 2014 23:09:00
Hi Eds.

What do you think the future holds for Luis Alberto? Anytime I've seen him play (his few chances in the 1st team & for the U21s) he's always looked pretty impressive to me. I would have him in the squad ahead of Moses, do you think Rodgers is just giving him time to settle into a new country & we'll get to see more of him next season? Cheers

{Ed001's Note - he is just being given time, I do expect to see more of him next season, or possibly a loan move to another Prem team, like Borini and Assaidi to help him settle in English football.}

Thanks for the reply, I think a loan would be ideal, even for the 1st half of the season to give him more game time. Too many people are quick to judge young players ie: Henderson, and come to the conclusion that they aren't up to it.