Liverpool Banter Archive September 18 2014

18 Sep 2014 21:00:07
Suso off to Milan then Ed? Does that sound about right to you mate?

{Ed002's Note - He is keen to leave as you know and the club fouled up his opportunity to join Porto. After being Brendaned he will look to other opportunities.}

18 Sep 2014 22:43:40
Guess it's better than being mou'd and loaned out with 32 other players lol

{Ed002's Note - In accordance with a determined plan - no, sorry. For a group of fans that do nothing but bitch about the team and the manager - now even when they win - another embarrassing post trying to make it about Chelsea. Laughing stock is beginning to come to mind.}

18 Sep 2014 23:31:39
So loaning out young players and ruining their careers is all of a sudden good for the game. Alrightyyy then, I'll see myself out.

{Ed002's Note - You clearly don't understand the situation at all. Firstly it is nothing to do with Chelsea nor how they manage what they re doing - it is to do with Liverpool and the dire situation that Rodgers and others have put the club in now. You are right about one thing though.}

Dire situation ed? really?

{Ed002's Note - Yes.}

Pacey don't rise to the constant criticism of our team, manager and fans. It's like arguing with a bias Ref, absolutely pointless.

{Ed002's Note - The criticism comes from the fans who come here after every game and put down the players - now even after the games the club wins.}

Some fans, not all

{Ed002's Note - Nobody has suggested it is "all" fans.}

19 Sep 2014 10:42:21
Ed002 can you explain the dire situation please? I'm a strong supporter of Rodgers and am struggling to see what the situation is. I would be very interested to hear your insight please. Thanks.

{Ed002's Note - Financially the club are in significant debt. Much of that debt has come from money wasted in the transfer market by Rodgers. Additionally the club has repeatedly failed to meet the FFP rules and whilst it will be much improved this season because of the additional TV money and the sale of the runt, Liverpool are way over the odds in terms of wages and again are going to break the FFP guidance. The club are also looking to improve the ground which will mean a lot more debt and many years to repay it - the owners will of course offset as much as that as they can by selling the naming rights to the ground if that is possible. So whilst income is improving, the debt situation is not good, the money wasted in the transfer market is not good and the FFP situation is not good.}

19 Sep 2014 10:42:41
Sorry Ed002, I must have missed something! I know you mention BR and others have put the the club in a dire situation with regards the loaning out of players. But what exactly is the dire situation? (I certainly hope BR gives the youth their chance this season and thereafter). And, who are the 'others' you mention?

{Ed002's Note - That is not what I said.}

19 Sep 2014 10:43:13
Ed002, I do see your point. But a question in relation to Paceys comment - why do you think Chelsea bought De Bruen and Marin? Kinda like our buy of Origi, why is the purchase to loan happening? Is it to simply make money on the player value on re-sale? Might be a dumb question, but wanted to get your valued opinion please?

{Ed002's Note - I have no idea why you wish to make comparisons to another side but Chelsea bought both players as additions to the squad. De Bruyne was loaned out for 18 months for experience which was known to the player when he signed. When he returned he wanted assurances about playing time that the club would not give him. Chelsea were offered a very significant fee for the player and the player was happy so they did not stand in his way leaving. Marin's performances were not seen as good enough after a bright start. He was loaned to Seville where his performances were not seen as good enough after a bright start.}

19 Sep 2014 12:31:29
The only difference here seems to be the financial implications.
I'm not one to use comparisons, but it does seem unfair to criticize BR for not utilizing players when literally all the other clubs have done the same.
We sign Aspas and don't use him, he's been Brendaned, but Utd can waste the clinical finishing of Hernandez without criticism, Chelsea can waste the talents of Sturridge, Marin and co, and City can have £30 million strikers not even making the bench. Was Hernandez Fergusoned, or Moyesed? Was Jovetic pellengrinnied last year? The only difference seems to be that City, Chelsea and Utd can afford it!
I also understand that BR has contributed to the financial situation a lot, but the owners shouldn't be giving BR money he can't afford to spend. It's like giving your child £20 pocket money a week and beating him when he's spent it all.

{Ed002's Note - I am not sure what it has to do with other clubs Dave. If a club is already in debt and then the manager spends a considerable amount of money on players who are not used, the only tangible difference is the increase of the debt. I am not really sure why Hernandez is a comparison but he gave a healthy return on a goal every two and whatever matches for Manchester United. Chelsea did not waste Sturridge - they gave him the opportunity to move on after a lengthy injury. Jovetic struggled to fit in his first season - Marin I dealt with earlier. The owners funded Rodgers as he repeatedly told them he just needed a little more - they caught him out at that and the transfer committee was formed. But it is a matter for Liverpool and not for comparison with others.}

19 Sep 2014 13:10:39
Ah, ok Ed002. I've seen your reply to Jeraldo, and now better understand the situation. Apologies for misinterpreting what you said earlier.

I have to say I agree with the Ed on this one.
They have been pointing out, repeatedly, to anyone who will listen, that the Club is in poor financial health.
What surprised me was that with the Suarez money we spent it all, and more, on new players.
This seems a helluva gamble and looks to presume Champions League money for the foreseeable future.
Now, imagine that it takes a while for the team to gel and we end up missing out on CL - that's revenue gone and probably some of the better players moving on.
It's not as if we've paid low price for some of our younger players- we've paid what other teams with much higher income can pay.
For me, it's a big worry and I hope to God we get CL next season - but even then we will lose some of the revenue gained through our FFP Fine!

{Ed002's Note - The traditionally successful clubs when undertaking their financial planning will look to a model which is something like three years CL, one year Europa and one league nothing. Now I suspect certain clubs are doing their planning against broadcast income. A dangerous game.}

Agree Ed- and some of those clubs will not have to be building in the cost of stadium re-development.
Out of interest, do you know how much it was for City to get the City of Manchester Stadium?
I bet if it had cost them the normal price a rich owner would not have found them such an attractive proposition
Next in line West Ham?.

{Ed002's Note - Manchester City don't own the stadium, they simply lease it for an annual rent of a little over £3M (it started as £2M a year then the club increased the length of the tenancy to 250 years and conceded to pay £3M a year plus inflation). They do however have a financial investment in buildings and facilities across the site - and a commitment to further expenditure. They have also spent a considerable amount on the stadium itself. West Ham will rent the stadium out at a starting price of £2M and change per year and will need to pay a considerable amount toward to refit.}

18 Sep 2014 17:50:29
Eds, it it true that Jon Flanagan is to have an ankle operation, and as result of the op, be out of the next couple of months?

{Ed002's Note - I understand the club has said he has had an operation and that his return will be assessed. Apparently Dr Brendo has said it will be a "few months". Just let it ride and the club to make a firm statement - motor mouth is guessing and making an ass of himself again.}

Bit disrespectful to our manager that ed2.

{Ed002's Note - The fans don't seem to be keen on any of the players, the performances nor how the club are doing. He is absolutely hopeless in dealing with the press. Go figure.}

20 Sep 2014 05:20:41
I think Ed002 has a bit of a crush on our Brendo.

18 Sep 2014 14:49:27
Why don't we hire a defense coach?

RAVIANCE, because BRENDA thinks he knows it all, all the goals conceded last year were all individual mistakes by player's, nothing to do with the SYSTEM
or COACHING or so BRENDA would have us believe.

I said the same thing last year .bring in Steve Clarke did a great job at the back when kenny bought him in

Playing gung-ho football will end in tears, just ask kevin keegan, roy evans or osvaldo ardiles. . .

Wembley did you not enjoy last season? Personally I thought it was the most exciting football I have watched in years.

NRED, yes I did but let's not forget there was some shocking defending, as I've said before you've got to marry the two, the great manager's do, for me RODGER'S is just an attack-minded coach who has no idea yes no idea about defending hence the reason why we conceded so many goals, we've been conceding goals since the first minute he came through the shankly gates and up to now we are no near sorting it out having spent MILlIONS on the defence, somebody should be held accountable for it, but let me guess it won't be RODGERS because nothing sticks with him.

18 Sep 2014 08:43:18
Darn, knew I should've checked in yesterday evening! I'm sure Ghandi and Joe have sorted it out with you, Arrow, but I'd be interested if not. Happy for the Eds to give you my e-mail address.

{Ed033's Note - you've been given ARROW's email address

18 Sep 2014 14:00:06
Thanks Ed, or should I say Pedron ;-)

{Ed033's Note - i'm just a mild mannered janitor

Ah my side kick Ed.
Great 😀

18 Sep 2014 04:23:08
I have noticed one thing in most of our recent matches and that it that most of our players never try take a shot from long range. I feel somehow except for a few others are never made to practice their shooting.

Cutinho always keeps missing the target by miles, Moreno/Henderson/Markovic sometimes have a clear shot but look to put in cross/pass to forwards.

I had been more than happy if they had do when Suarez/Sturridge is playing. But if it is Mario/Lambert/Borini I feel our midfielders should try and take long range shots and improve their shooting.

I hope this teams wins atleast a cup or finishes in top 3 this year. High hopes from all the signings specially Lallana and Markovic.

Long range shots always looked desperate to me. Unless it was a Gerrard thunderbolt from back in the day. I would rather teams tried long distance shots against us as it shows the defence is locking them out.

Long range shots are a bit desperate, but I would like to see the occasional cross from deep into a big strong Balotelli with the mid-fielders following in for the lay-offs. Not every time, but sometimes to keep the options changing

Balotelli has scored some screamers in his time, wouldn't mind if he had a pop from far out every now and then, like wise with Henderson. as for Coutinho, my, my. that's one player that never seems to get the power shot right, why does he always hook his shot so badly?

Boys quite simply if you don't shoot you don't score.
Cou needs to defo work on it, but anything can happen from a good long shot on target. You just need to work the keeper. It doesn't always have to be power. Curl them in the top corner.

18 Sep 2014 10:43:26
I have noticed that r players r not taking players on as much this season.

@ MIKEY1985 I do agree Gerrard's long range shooting is amazing, but unless BR gives the midfielders a nod they won't try, we never know may be Henderson could produce some thunderbolts.

I just don't want the team to end up being Arsenal, who can't put the ball in the net from 10 yards.

Suarez has always been speculative and had produced some great goals, Sturridge did the same once. Xabi Alonso used to do it a lot.

There is nothing better than watching a 30 yard belter hit the back of the net.

17 Sep 2014 22:53:13
Question to Ed001 (please),

I saw earlier your comments on Mignolet; what are your thoughts on Valdes (should he prove his fitness and sign for us)?

{Ed001's Note - Valdes is not a good shot stopper or organiser, but he does offer much more ability to distribute the ball well. Unfortunately he would be just swapping one set of weaknesses for another. I think we would be far better investing the money in a top class coach for the keepers.}

Ed do you think they will invest in an elite goal keeping coach? Seems a long time since we had one!

{Ed001's Note - it seems unlikely, we seem happy with having one that shows absolutely no signs of helping our keepers improve as players whatsoever. I just wonder why no one seems to be assessing the performance of our coaches??}

I would get rid of Mignolet and not bother signing Valdes. Sell a couple of unwanted players like Johnson and Borini/Lucas and sign a top notch keeper like Begovic, Trapp or Ron Robert Zieler in January with the money from sales.

{Ed001's Note - it is very unlikely Begovic would move unless Stoke asked him to. He is happy with his foundation and earning plenty of money. His wife is happy too. It would take the club wanting him to go for him to leave, I would expect. Or them to slump badly and drop out of the Prem.}

So if both of them play together we are kind of sorted.

{Ed001's Note - maybe merge them?}

Surely it can't go unnoticed how clueless migs looks. I wanted him from the start and was chuffed we got him but his vulnerabilities hagbeen exposed and clubs will continue to score from corners and set pieces against us with his style of keeping. On 1-2-1's and general shot stopping he is great so why can't he be coached on his positioning? Who is out GK coach?

{Ed001's Note - John Achterberg.}

18 Sep 2014 07:56:18
I would still let Mingolet see out the year. If he picks himself up, great. If not, I'd be making a serious test to Leverkusen's resolve to keep Leno

I would rather just bring in a keeper who has been coached to play the way LFC do right from his early career days than make improvements in Mignolet's game now. Its too late for him imo. No matter how good the coach, a GK who is set in his ways is unlikely to grasp on to a different approach fully especially when at the peak of his career. Mignolet should go to a team which plays with a deeper defense, Sunderland was perfect for him. Or maybe use him as a makeweight for Begovic.

I do share the same feeling towards Mignolet, I genuinely feel worried when he has ball at his feet and Strikers are running towards him.
As far as conceding goals is concerned I feel Mignolet has his share in them too. He could be a very good shot stopper but not an all around keeper.
The back four used to be confident when Reina was around. Mignolet looks like a Mistake made by BR which BR don't want to admit.

Would Petr Cech have been considered this summer? Top level keeper who is now backup.

{Ed002's Note - No, but he is available for January.}

His kicking skills wouldn't be top level but I couldn't imagine a better quality keeper available. Still has 5 good years in him.

17 Sep 2014 23:22:37
I know we finished 2nd last year; with the money we've spent you would expect us to do just as well; however realistically what do you expect us to do?

Personally my heart says win it all; my head says top 3 and a good champs league campaign maintaining the prize money and allowing us to have a squad of this size.

I will add that achieved year on year i'd expect equal to better results given the age of our team.

Be good to hear your thoughts.

Top 4 finish and second round in cl

My hope is top 4 and a decent show in the CL. We need to improve significantly to get top 4 at this stage from what I have seen. BR has said as much and he will be working on that and I have faith however the style that we played last season hasn't been there so far. When we are attacking we get to the final 3rd and then the killer ball isn't there.

My view is we will look for an aggressive attacking midfielder still in January despite the additions. Hopefully a GK as well


How good would we have been if Costa was bought as a replacement for Suarez!

Finishing 3rd in the group in the CL, going on to win the Europa league and qualify this way to the CL next year despite finishing 5 in the league and in this way also prevents ManU who finishes 4th in the league their spot in the CL for next season. This will be really sweet and include a trophy.

Top 4 is where we need to be. If we got dumped out of every cup comp early and managed top 4, I'd take it. Consolidation is key this year, esp with the mancs spending.

Fanobip, winning the Europa league doesn't exclude 4th place from the competition. The only way that would happen would be if 1 of the English sides won the Champions League while finishing outside the top 4 themselves also.
So basically if Liverpool and 1 of the other champions league teams both finish outside the top 4 and both win the European cups, not very likely do you think?

17 Sep 2014 23:15:48
I think last night wasn't as bad as some people think. A win is the most important thing, and even though it was nervy, we got the three points in the end. I regards to the " playing it safe in midfield" I don't think that people realize how hard it is to always pick a good pass forward. If there isn't a pass on, they'll just recyle the ball to the other side, every team does it, its not playing safe, just looking for a new opening When players get to know each other more, then I'm sure our movement will improve. Especially with sturridge coming back.

Anyway, just my opinion. Would be interested to see how people think we'll line up after allen and sturridge get back.