Liverpool Banter Archive March 19 2015

19 Mar 2015 22:42:54
Hi eds, with Liverpool not having too much money spare for the transfer market right now and Getrard leaving does this mean Jordan Rossiter will be just behind Can in the pecking order with Emre being first choice or will they look to buy another midfield player??

Many thanks

Henlow red

19 Mar 2015 23:01:12
Balotelli, Aspas, Lambert, Borini, Enrique, Alberto, Coates = Spending money

20 Mar 2015 09:12:59
yeah the teams will be queuing up to blow millions on alberto, coates, aspas, lambert and balotelli.
only players in that list who may be worth a similar amount to what we paid for him is borini the rest we are going to have to practically give away, not exactly going to be a huge transfer budget from those players is it

{Ed002's Note - Much will depend on Champions League qualification and how much it costs to balance the books in terms of FFP for this season Alex.}

19 Mar 2015 18:51:08
Ed001/2 hiya lads I have a few questions on liverpools transfer doings come summer. I'm hearing a lot of talk of Eduardo Silva from benefica for 43million, really hope it's not true but could you shed some light? Also have Liverpool expressed any sort of interest in Ricardo Kishna, Jurgen Locadia and Julian Brandt? Thanks as always for the feedback eds!!!

{Ed002's Note - Try the search function or read the posts please.}

19 Mar 2015 16:55:53
Is there a chance that Lucas will start on Sunday Eds?

{Ed002's Note - I haven't decided yet.}

19 Mar 2015 17:57:50
Please let us know when you do decide

19 Mar 2015 20:17:00
Ha ha.think there's more chance of Gerard playing but I suspect Allen and Hendon will be in the middle.i see Jan mo and dietary Hamman said to leave studge on bench and play sterling upfront on his own.big call that.

19 Mar 2015 20:23:06
Physio room says he will be available.
Does anyone know if he's training? It would be great to have him back.

19 Mar 2015 21:18:34
Dietary Hamman has always been my inspiration. got to love spellcheck. 😊

19 Mar 2015 21:42:03
very unlike BR to open with a guy just coming from a long injury. I don't see this happening.

20 Mar 2015 08:26:11
Allen was solid against swans but Liverpool were a different team once gerrard came on. Tough choice but it's one of those 'good problems' for the manager

20 Mar 2015 09:40:29
It wasn't a case that we were a different team, but more like Swansea ran out of steam. Sorry but Gerrard shouldn't start against Man U, you do remember what happened last time out I assume?

19 Mar 2015 14:14:29
Although this weekend's game is massive, isn't it sad that it is only a key game for a CL spot instead of a battle for the title? I can't help but feel disappointed that the two most successful clubs in England are duking it out for 3rd/4th/5th instead of 1st/2nd. How the mighty have fallen.

19 Mar 2015 14:41:15
We've already fallen for the past 20 years, where on the way back up now!!!

19 Mar 2015 15:20:38
We've been falling for nearly 30 years, have you just realised as we are on the way back up?

19 Mar 2015 15:56:28
I have heard 'we are on the way back up' so often I wonder when we will ever actually get back up and challenge for honours year in, year out.

19 Mar 2015 16:31:54
Some people forget utd didn't win the league from 67-94 27years and in that time they always had a lot of money to compete in the transfer market we r having to operate with a good plan moving forward which seems to be working but winning the league now has just got that wee bit more difficult with the money maybe 4 teams have to spend it's getting harder for us that's why imo it's imperative we get top 4 so this match on sunday while I wouldn't say it's must win we definately cannot lose it.

19 Mar 2015 16:39:13
premiership pitches do not have to be the same size nor are they.
The FA request clubs have pitch sizes within certain parameters but there is no "one size"
Sorry Ed

{Ed002's Note - Sorry Chris - the EPL now require pitches to 105m x 68m as standard but accept that logistically not all clubs can achieve that - and those that cannot achieve it have to make such a declaration on Form 8 and have it agreed by the EPL Board. It is covered by rules K8 to K20 something.}

19 Mar 2015 17:03:54
Not at all. I mean yes I wish we were up there, and yes I wish it wasn't just done with the unearned money of a billionaire owners, but it's good to have turnover of champions and different people that can win it every year. The fact that this season started with 5 teams talked about as potential title winners is part of what makes the league as a whole so strong and exciting.

Chelsea, City, Arsenal, United and Liverpool - with an outside chance of Spurs according to some - all have the realistic ability to put their name into the title mix. Spain have Real and Barca, with one occasional challenger (Seville, Valencia, Athletico at various times). Germany have Bayern with a very occasional challenger. Italy used to be like us but now are basically just Juve plus one challenger. At the start of the season, even at Christmas, which title race is the best in the world? Always ours

19 Mar 2015 11:11:50
Food for thought, but my next topic of discussion is video technology. I am a big believer this has to come into the game at some point with the lambasting of poor refereeing displays and the financial implications which can affect a club due to a poor decision it simply can't continue. I also think the current slating of officials is putting people off taking up refereeing and where I'm from there is a desperate need for officials, without officials there is no game and grass roots are suffering due to this. Now, to make things easier not just for the referee but for the game, I believe football could run a similar system to tennis. Each teams has 3 opportunities to challenge a decision they may not think is fair, the decision could be anything to which it would go to the he would see the footage over again and call the decision he feels right. With only having 3 challenges each it wouldn't stop start the game constantly and you'd like to think the referee wouldn't make 6 critical incorrect decisions in a match anyway. I know you wouldn't be able to use technology in kids football or at your local team but I think if it was bought into the football league and it was in the public eye it would take the weight off referee's shoulders and may appeal to more people to take it up going forward.

{Ed002's Note - This is a good point for discussion AA and, interestingly, on the agenda for a number of clubs who are meeting today and tomorrow. I would rather doubt that they will be considering "challenges" but they are considering making a proposal to the national FAs and UEFA to move toward having another official with a video feed and who would be in radio contact with the referee. Like many such proposals agreement would need to be reached with one league to run it on a trial basis first. Typically, the Dutch KNVB have been open to supporting any initiatives.

Practically, if it were to happen soon it could only be at the highest levels and even then there are many countries where the clubs could not afford such facilities.}

19 Mar 2015 11:34:27
Considering the money that FIFA brings in and the fact that it's technically a NFP, wouldn't it come under their remit to be financially supporting such a venture were it taken forward? Otherwise what logical reason do they have for being a not for profit?

{Ed002's Note - It would be nothing to do with FIFA at all. It would be the national FAs and UEFA as I said.}

19 Mar 2015 11:59:58
The potential problem with implementing Video technology will be that there will be constant little delays during the game. Then again, where would the line be drawn when it comes to deciding which decision needs to be reviewed through video?

{Ed002's Note - If that were the case it won't happen. That is certainly not the plan and it is not the case of reviewing after the fact but someone watching in real time. I suspect it will not get discussed today but will be in the morning agenda tomorrow - and it has been discussed before and nobody wants any delays at all. I am not certain but I suspect all of the represented clubs will agree the proposals.}

19 Mar 2015 12:20:02
But the same issue remains while this "5th official"-the guy watching video in real time and feeding information to the referee. There will be more protests from players, resulting in interruptions to the game and at the same time, this "5th official" will have a little too much power. What if there was a contentious penalty decision that the on-field referee decides against it but the 5th official calls it a penalty and tells the on-field referee? It puts doubt into the mind of the on-field referee over his decision making. if too many people are involved, contentious decision, which can be interpreted subjectively is also another issue.

{Ed002's Note - That is not the intention, nobody is suggesting that this will be a continuous stream of stoppages or anything and you clearly have the wrong end of the stick. Clubs and many others involved are supportive of the proposals. You seem intent on looking for problems rather than solutions.}

19 Mar 2015 12:47:24
If it helps the game, I'm all for it man.

19 Mar 2015 13:21:47
Video review apparently works pretty well in rugby, so there is every reason to expect it can be adapted to work well in football.
After a controversial decision it often takes a while to calm and disperse the protesting players anyway, so the delay argument is not a very strong one in my view.
Surely what everyone really wants is to go away from the game knowing that the key decisions were fair and accurate, and not blatantly wrong or unfair as happens so often now?
All too often the officials are effectively deciding the outcome of huge games via penalty or offside decisions that are clearly incorrect, and the wrong decision is often obvious from a video replay that is shown to the whole stadium a few seconds later.
Every weekend we see at least one or two major decisions where everyone in the stadium can see the ref was completely wrong, via a replay that is shown five seconds after the event.
At the very least, the ref could at least be allowed to reserve his decision until the replay appears.
Not using video technology seems to be deciding that a small pause in olay is too high a price to pay for getting a fair decision.
It might also reduce diving and simulation if the players know their actions will be reviewed on video by an expert before a decision is made.

19 Mar 2015 13:50:35
Would like to point out the problem about refereeing.It's the course fees, the fact a lot of the times, they're not very accessible, the fact you then have to maintain a refereeing career on saturdays in a league not of your choosing, for a pittance being paid at low level. half the time the money I would get back, from travelling owning a car, paying insurace etc wouldn't come close to covering the expenses to be abused for close to 2 hours. This an area the FA need to sort.

19 Mar 2015 13:51:56
@Anfield Apple, Massively for this and have said it before to friends about the challenge system as well, I was thinking 2 per team per half but if you didn't use them they wouldn't carry into the 2nd half.

I also like Ed002's idea of another official watching via a video stream and letting the ref know when they need to call something back, etc. In both scenarios I think the ref should always be able to call on the video ref themselves if they aren't sure about a decision.

It works well in rugby, I know they are very different sports but I don't think people mind the stoppages when they are to help get decisions right.

@Real AG, I think players mouthing off and abusing refs should be booked a lot more often. Refs only have themselves to blame for not booking players for using swear words. I don't see how the video ref would make this worse than it already is. Swearing at the ref, roaring into their face, etc. should be a booking and then players in time would adjust and show more respect.

The challenge system would help in terms of where one team thinks they are definitely being screwed over by the ref so I do think this would also help reduce abuse aimed at the referees.

19 Mar 2015 14:21:49
I wouldn't go with the challenges it was cause to many problems.

But video refereeing should come in, there's bad decisions every single weekend which is causing clubs on loosing money and also players no fulfilling there goals.

Any penalty shoot and dodgy tackle should go to the video ref, the game stops anyway with players crowding the ref and in that time the video ref will have made his decision.

Remember when henry kept the ball in with his hand against rep Ireland? Them Irish players will probably not get as close as they did that day of being in a World Cup and they robbed by a cheat.

Couple o seasons ago when united where pushing city for the title every week Ashley young was diving for penalties, and every week he kept getting them giving united 3 points. In reality united should have been no where near city.

19 Mar 2015 13:04:18
To clarify my understanding of this (because if so I think it is a good move) it would be the implementation of just having an official with access to a live video stream who can help instruct the referee via microphone so wouldn't be able to stop the game to review but feed information back to him?

If so think it is a good idea (think challenges is a no go, see last minute subs to waste time as an example of why not). So for example player puts a challenge in the box (typical dive or peno scenario) or player scores goal than given offside and play has been stopped. The referee would be feed information about it by official watching video?

Think that would be the best way as in fairness challenges or stopping play to review would be miss used and slow the game down, but can think of countless time when a referee is making up his mind or speaking with 4th official/linesman and players surrounding him where by the time the ref finally makes his decision I've seen the reply about 6 times in slow motion showing that he got it wrong.

{Ed002's Note - That's the plan and the final say would be the referees.}

19 Mar 2015 16:36:25
Ive supported the idea for the tennis system to be implemented in football for ages.

People complain about how it will slow the flow of the game, but i just don't see how they can possibly justify that as if the rules aren't implemented properly, then what is the game?

19 Mar 2015 17:06:32
My thinking on the challenges is that they would help as at present the additional referees behind the goals in European matches seem to let almost everything go. If the video ref was to do as little as them then it would be almost pointless.

No matter what you do you will always have those who will abuse whatever is in place - some managers would definitely use it tactically as suggested.

@Lavers, google Rep of Ireland world cup. I wouldn't expect everyone to know we were in the 1990/94 world cups but Saipan 2002 with Roy Keane going home must have slipped your mind :)
Your point on Henry is correct though it was blatant but the ref didn't see it.

{Ed002's Note - Fortunately the discussions and the decision process is nothing to do with Liverpool if the club is as dumb as some of their fans on the matter. All three of the English clubs present at the discussions will support the proposals.}

19 Mar 2015 17:47:28
Sean

I mean making a World Cup again, I'm well aware of them being in them in the past lol.

19 Mar 2015 17:59:39
@Ed002 - honestly not sure what to make of your response. Are you actually having a go at me and my opinion on the matter?

{Ed002's Note - Not you Sean, the folks in general who are looking for problems and not solutions. The fans of the vast majority of clubs would I am sure welcome it.}

19 Mar 2015 21:20:29
I hope a way to make it work can be found. My main issue would be when do you stop play and check? For instance, a player goes down in the box under a challenge and the ref calls play on, the ball then ends up in the net at the other end of the field before there is any break in play. The video ref then disallows the goal as he deemed the earlier challenge a penalty. Good old fashioned riot anybody?

{Ed002's Note - I should not have mentioned this at all. Clearly the concept is way too complicated for some of the Liverpool supporters.}

20 Mar 2015 00:49:00
It wouldn't require a stoppage in play what so ever is almost every instance that could occur. Play can continue for say the 2-5 seconds a separate official watches a replay and makes a decision and the ref can pull play back, for me it's not ideal, I personally love the controversy of the game (albeit feel aggrieved when it's versus us!!). That's the way I see it anyway.

On the whole, it would work, fairly efficiently and would certainly ease pressure on officials.

As I said, I love the controversy around the game, it's something to talk about, the 'what ifs'. But there is no doubt the future is technology, so we may as well embrace it.

20 Mar 2015 04:09:45
Looking for problems are an important part of anything new to be implemented as eventually there will be problems that arise which will need to be clarified. I only asked the questions to know a little more about the issue in discussion on this thread, not to specifically look at problems.

{Ed002's Note - Many of the comments (both posted and cut) indicate that it is a lack of a clear understanding in many cases. The teams involved are supportive of the proposals and it is the first thing up for discussion today. I shall be more careful about putting things like this up on the Liverpool page in the future.}

20 Mar 2015 06:26:49
Ed002, surely there could be a cheap way around it? Surely they could use something like an iPad with an application linked directly to the TV cameras? The FA could suuply them to the Referees as well as a back up in case it breaks.

{Ed002's Note - And employ an artist to quickly draw events as they happen?}

20 Mar 2015 08:48:40
@hsf, have the referees run around with 2 iPads each? Your post should be kept at the top of the page, idea of the year hahaha!

20 Mar 2015 10:57:47
Sean Ireland - you know asking the referee to run around with 2 iPads is unreasonable. A better way would be to glue those iPads up against the buttocks of the defensive midfielders of both teams, that should solve the problem.

20 Mar 2015 11:48:31
@Real AG, that sounds better alright! Either that or the ref could have a mate watching it on telly at home and he could have a bluetooth earpiece then to hear his mate on the phone during the match letting him know his mistakes. Go to a network who give unlimited any network calls at the weekend and you have a cheaper option. May have to Viber the calls through wifi for midweek matches, so may things to consider!

19 Mar 2015 10:39:03
Do we have a no 1 priority signing in the summer? Position wise? We obviously have and have had issues all over the pitch though out the season whether it be in depth or just not good enough. What are your personal opinions?

{Ed002's Note - It really doesn't work like that. Liverpool, like all clubs will look at players throughout the season and will typically decide on priorities by position. So, taking a goalkeeper as an example, the club will look at plenty, decide on perhaps two or three that might be viable and will then have a preferred option.}

19 Mar 2015 07:17:10
Hi eds,
What do you think will happen with Origi this summer. Other than his hattrick last week, he has been pretty dire this season. Think we bought him in World Cup fever.
Thanks.

{Ed001's Note - we did, but he could well develop into a good player, he is miles away from being world class though, nor does he look like ever being world class.}

19 Mar 2015 08:08:46
He's our first natural replacement for Kuyt since he left - a decent end product but the guy mostly just a bundle of athleticism. I think he's had problems this year and could do with some love rather than the hatred he's been subjected to since the first few games of the season (and in a team where everyone has been awful). But generally he'll do great things for us if we expect someone with pace to harass, chase things down, force mistakes and wear out opposition without slowing down. On top of that he can finish and pick a great pass, so he should get a decent if unspectacular pipeline of goals and assists.

If we expect a clinical, 30 goal a season striker at any point in his career then he won't get on with us and will no doubt be moving on.

19 Mar 2015 08:21:03
He is nothing like Kuyt who had the stamina but not the agility! More Welbeck in style of play, but Origi will need to get used to the PL first.

19 Mar 2015 09:48:38
I wonder if loaning him back for the season was a bad idea.
Would he have been any worse than ballotelli?
The lad has potential but has had a terrible season, I hope he finds his feet again with us.

{Ed002's Note - If Liverpool did not send him back on loan the transfer would not have happened.}

19 Mar 2015 09:49:33
To be honest ed for trully world class in the premiership at the moment you would struggle to count past 1 hand.

19 Mar 2015 10:20:24
Any comments about him never being World Class or ever scoring 30 odd goals a season are ridiculous. He is a very young talented lad, who's had a bad time of it this season in a team who have massively struggled. Nobody knows how he'll settle to the Prem, nobody knows if he'll bang in 30 goals a season.
I know comparisons are pointless, but I wonder how many of you remember an 18 year old French striker who looked promising at Monaco, moved to Juventus, got played on the left wing, had a miserable 2 years there where everyone said he'd never make it at the top level, then moved to Arsenal and became one of the best players the Prem has ever seen? That man was Thierry Henry!
The point I am making is give Origi a chance to prove himself before writing him off!

19 Mar 2015 11:38:48
Scarface - we're talking about expectations, not future predicting.

If people expect him to become a 30 goal a season striker and think that's why he has been bought in to do, they'll be dissapointed. Which will no doubt, given how we've acted and continue to act as a fan base for a few years, lead to thousands of fans screaming for his head to join Sterlings and Sturridges on a pike over the Shankley Gates.

If they expect what he actually is, he'll probably do a decent job initially and see where he goes from there. For all we know we might get a few reds in a match, he slots into RB and finds he has a knack for it and loves it - but if we actually want to talk about people in any meaningful way we have to talk about what's likely. what's likely is that he'll keep going with and improving on the things he is doing now

19 Mar 2015 11:43:53
Well said Scarface