Liverpool Banter Archive August 01 2016

01 Aug 2016 20:42:33
So quick thought is so far about 70-75 million spent.
Skittles -5
Ibe -15
Allen 13
Smith 3
Sinclair - 3

Net of about 31- 35 million

If benteke goes for 30m and even 5 for ballotelli, then net spend of nothing.

With the record to money and every other club seemingly spending record amounts am I missing something.

Genuine question not a winge.

{Ed002's Note - Loads - the wages, the agent fees, the other transfer costs, the massive debt Liverpool has .....}

01 Aug 2016 21:18:59
If we get 35 for balotelli and benteke, we hopefully still can get a bit more for Luis Alberto, maybe lallana, looks like Lucas is going too.

01 Aug 2016 21:52:02
Eds, I know you don't like commenting on money, but would you mind elaborating on 'the massive debt'?

I thought fsg were saving us from ruin, not potentially ruining us.

Regards.

{Ed002's Note - It doesn't need explaining - the club carries very significant debt - day-to-day running, transfers, spending more than they get in, the stadium ....}

01 Aug 2016 22:00:36
not sure that we will be fortunate enough to sell them both, never mind getting 35 million for them . I am thinking let them go for 30 mill, and bring in that Left Back that is so badly needed .

02 Aug 2016 04:27:40
its way more complicated than that and that is why eds are not willing to go into finances.

01 Aug 2016 20:25:17
Good line about shankly in that documentary about the '66 World Cup, think it was roger hunt said when got back to training after the World Cup, shankly said to him - well done on the World Cup win, but we got more important things to worry about now!

01 Aug 2016 22:02:48
if he was there today, he would tell the players, I don't care what colour your boots are, as long as they are black . what a man .

01 Aug 2016 20:05:12
A question for you Ed1 if you're around mate. Just wanted your perspective regarding the left back problem and the options we already have available.

To my mind why not use either Wisdom, Gomez or llori at left back especially since there don't seem any keen buyers for Wisdom or llori; I mean they must be preferable to Moreno or Milner and we then won't waste resources potentially panic buying, thanks in advance Ed1.

{Ed001's Note - because none of those are left backs either. We should have bought one, Milner is not a long term answer and Moreno is not good enough.}

01 Aug 2016 20:31:02
What do you think of playing Klavan there Ed?

Or Flanno? Know it's not his natural position and he's not 100% yet but surely good enough given we almost won the league with him there!

{Ed002's Note - The bottom line is that it is a position where you want someone who is a specialist left back or someone who can play on either side - not someone who can make do and provide cover when required.}

01 Aug 2016 20:39:31
I'm sure one will come in, might be a last minute panic buy but I'm sure we will.

01 Aug 2016 20:46:42
This situation is incredibly frustrating. The squad is starting to look pretty strong (on paper) but we still have our biggest weakness. I know Karius is injured etc, but I feel that Mingolet is more capable in his position than any of our so-called LB options are.

{Ed002's Note - Typically left backs do not make good goalkeepers Kate.}

01 Aug 2016 21:09:44
I meant that as in goalkeeper was another position that needed addressing! My posts do tend to meander from one point to the next.

{Ed002's Note - It is nice to hear a Liverpool supporter knowing a word as long as "meander".}

01 Aug 2016 21:19:27
If we want top four, then we have to buy a Left Back, or it might be top six .

01 Aug 2016 21:20:42
heathcliff . It's me Cathy I've come home now.

01 Aug 2016 21:48:14
Cheers 5ive, I've been wondering those windy moors for too long now. I can finally come home. ❤️.

01 Aug 2016 21:50:16
Ed002, am sure that there are greater minds than mine that have a penchant for the men in red!

{Ed002's Note - I am sure that there are Kate. After all, you are a Liverpool supporter so the bar is not set too high - but you are one of the best so far. Do you know anywhere that does limbo dancing lessons in Liverpool?}

01 Aug 2016 22:05:33
Think we will all be quite supprised at Ragnar Klavan, and he will def play some part at Left Back, he is a class act .

01 Aug 2016 20:32:58
Thanks for the reply Ed1. I should of added that although they are not left backs it seems a better short term answer than Moreno or Milner as it gives us more time to then get a proper left back rather than buying an expensive stopgap.

{Ed001's Note - I would rather we just spent the money on the best we can get. We clearly had money to spend this summer, so why skimp on the main priority?}

01 Aug 2016 20:40:24
Short term answer until jan? Or maybe a short term answer til aug 31st!? I'm interested eds, if chilwell and amavi are off the table this window, woild they even be a possibility in jan anyway? Feels like its going to be another 5 months of new names being linked!?

{Ed001's Note - no they are out of reach this season, unless we offer something silly, which would be our MO I guess.}

02 Aug 2016 07:48:33
Really winds me up when I read Ed001s comments on this thread - we've spent masses of money this summer with only a small portion buying what we needed (Karius) . Whoever is doing the buying here is in the wrong job if they can't see we need a good LB.

01 Aug 2016 22:47:34
I do as it goes Ed002. I did think you were more of a hands in the air kind of guy tho.

01 Aug 2016 19:43:11
Hey Eds I'm not sure if this is recycled news but just read that Gérard Houllier has turned down the chance to sign Rivaldo.

01 Aug 2016 21:20:32
He's going to make a bid for a teenager called Ronaldo instead. Pretty unknown outside of Portugal, but he has marvellous hair and aexcellent work ethic. Less than £5m I hear, and deal is all but done. Just need Rick Parry to sign the cheque. That should be an issue, apparently.

01 Aug 2016 19:27:11
..............................

{Ed002's Note - Perhaps the club can get better supporters than trash like you who has no interest in the club other than putting down the players. Don't come back.}

01 Aug 2016 20:41:33
Brillant . that's why your the best eds! Ha ha.

01 Aug 2016 21:43:38
If the rumours are true that your are indeed a Doris Ed002, then I'm going to start posting some trash in order to be spoken to like that 😎😎.

01 Aug 2016 15:20:18
Gunner in peace,
Had a look at the poll on where lpool Will finish and was amazed to see over 30% say first. After 2 years of being 6th-8th how can anyone expect them to win the league? youve brought in some decent players but none of them jump out as an excellent buy who will lift yous up the table, not forgetting all tge other teams strengthen aswell. Is it just blind optimism or the fact most Liverpool fans see klopp as the Messiah that makes yous think you'll win the league. Btw not dissing klopp he's a good manager who was on my shortlist to replace AW but just feel most fans think he will win the league because he did similar at BvB albeit with a much better team
Good luck with next year would like to see yous back in top 4 jus not at arsenals expense ha.

01 Aug 2016 15:37:06
It's called optimism and getting behind your team/ manager mate. Us Liverpool fans will always have hope!

01 Aug 2016 15:49:09
Leicester done it. Why not us?

01 Aug 2016 16:04:40
Because last time I check one player can't win a leauge . Football is a team and having a good manger . It's not all about big names and let's go and splash 100 mil on the player .

01 Aug 2016 16:18:09
We have strengthened a whole lot more than your bunch that's for sure.

01 Aug 2016 16:33:01
An on that subject think it will be this year You lot won't make top 4. Us chelski an 2 mancs no particular order.

01 Aug 2016 16:48:12
A bit of both - sure there is a fair amount of biased optimism but I also think with Chelski, Man U and Man City all changing managers there's a chance they might just struggle for consistency early on, and that opens a bit of a window for more settled sides. Klopp has had half a season to get the team playing his way and the new recruits have been very strategic and addressing obvious weaknesses such as GK, CB, a lack of pace in attacking midfield.

You lot look good if you can sign a top striker (been saying that for a while though! ) and Tottenham can't be discounted but overall I think his year will be very open and tough to predict.

I can't think of many sides that have an obviously more dangerous forward line than Coutinho, Firmino, Sturridge, Mane, Origi. I think a lot will come down to how Can and Hendo perform (and Wijnaldum/ Grujic/ Ings as wildcards) and whether our fullbacks and GK can stop us conceding soft goals.

P. s. If we don't win it, I hope you lads do. Failing Liverpool winning it, next best outcome would be Wenger getting one over Mourinho and going out on a well deserved high.

01 Aug 2016 17:23:21
Probably because when Klopp took over at Dortmund they had just finished 13th and he built them into one of the best teams in Europe.

01 Aug 2016 16:58:36
Wenger will never retire lol.

01 Aug 2016 17:04:28
What would July / early August be for the Football fan without the triumph of hope over expectation?
A bit of both for me.
8th is a bit misleading. We weren't far off 4th in absolute points terms and prioritised the UEFA cup towards the end of the season. For me a top 4 finish and a good cup run (hopefully win) is not unrealistic.

01 Aug 2016 17:40:01
I asked my best mate who is a blue at the start of the season quite a few years back " who do you want to win the league this year", and he said man United and I said "don't you want Everton to win it"? He flipped out saying it's a loaded question and how of course he wanted Everton to win it but they had no chance!

What's the point of supporting a team dublingunner if you don't think you can win it? I think we've got a decent chance which is slightly eroded by the failure to buy a decent left back and having to start the season with Mingolet in goal😔.

01 Aug 2016 18:16:12
You can support a team without being blindly optimistic.
I don't think we will win the league this year.
I can see us getting top 4 comfortably though depending on if the new signings gel into the team well.
Also depends on who we get at left back as well,

01 Aug 2016 18:18:30
Mr Gunner in peace, be careful what you say about us being optimistic as your lot haven`t been pulling any trees either. You haven`t won the PL in 12 years (going 13 IMO) and you have no CL trophy to your name (and never will at this rate) despite 20 odd consecutive appearances. We are optimistic that we can challenge this time and we had chances last season to get amongst the fight for 3rd or 4th but our inconsistencies killed us. That is what we have to fix. You have your own issues internally and it starts with a manager who is well past his best by 10 years who has conned you into being title contenders every season ONLY to choke on it in the end and finish runner up AFTER being officially eliminated from the race. that is not progress, my friend. I propose you look inwards first before saying we are too optimistic.

01 Aug 2016 18:52:36
I don't think there is another team who will be able to live with us next season. We're probably going to break a whole host of records.
That's not blind optimism, I genuinely think it is the most likely scenario.

01 Aug 2016 19:22:32
Ron keague for president, now that's a man who could sell me a rotten fish as a bar of soap. not taking the mickey at all, I always look forward to the footy, the highs the lows help keep it real for me, transfers and hype not so much but the buzz of winning a game and the week long illness after a loss is what makes me want more, anyway as a club we have to go better than eighth and I'm confident we will so straight away I'm optimistic that we'll have a better league season.

01 Aug 2016 19:24:17
Well it's not like arsenal have bought is it? Or anyone who stands out anyway we have no Europe which is a strength against all of you last time that was the case we finished second with a much weaker squad than now and to be fairly honest I believe year in year out we are going to win it and everything else we are involved in because to me there is no other team who stands on the same pedestal as liverpool and never will even with the injection of cash the likes of city and Chelsea got over recent years no team comes close my team may not finish top every year and actually was just born the last time we won it but even if I have to wait another 27 years to watch them win it will be well worth the wait you see this club isn't just a club it's family to me every time I see someone walk past with a liverpool top on I just have to smile because we share the same highs and the same lows as I do. liverpool is like my mistress I tell my wife I love her more than anything but really liverpool is my one true love and I hope to god my wife doesn't come on and see this because I'll be up a creek without a paddle.

01 Aug 2016 19:44:09
Jamesy, just invest in a paddle mate and walk at least you can you use it as a spade for when you dig your own hole trust me I've had to use mine a few times.

01 Aug 2016 19:49:17
First of all it means almost 70% are more realistic. Second, prediction, hope, banter, showing support for the team all mix up in these polls. This time of the year when we dodn't lose a point yet may be the only time for these bold predictions. Finally last yeat more than handful of Leicester fans not only thought they would win it, but actually put some money on it. Didn't do their bank account any damage.

01 Aug 2016 19:55:44
Why is it whenever an Arsenal fan comes in peace we feel the need to get so arrogant and throw major shade Arsenals way, come on lads be nice.

01 Aug 2016 20:27:27
I just asked a question never once said arsenal are in a great position to win the league. iam realistic and know we havnt made any great signings apart from xhaka and we won't win the league as long as AW stays. still feel we'll get CL as we have for the last 20 years.1 more question to the people who say you'll get top 4 if yous don't does that mean klopp failed?

01 Aug 2016 20:43:14
Hope we'll win! Think we'll do well to make top 4.
And ye I agree with welsh, its not like the dude / duedette came on here telling us how areogant and irrational we are! We have ed002 here to do that!

01 Aug 2016 22:26:25
As long as we are challenging, Klopp will not have failed. If it's very tight and we come 5th but say 6 points off 1st, that will not have been failure in my book.

{Ed002's Note - Even his wife didn't say it was tight.}

01 Aug 2016 23:56:43
I think the guy was genuinely looking for some feedback . I'm not sure he was here to wind anyone up.

01 Aug 2016 12:38:32
Question for the Ed's, if you would be so kind?

I just want to ask your thoughts on the transfer business, both in's and out's that we've made this year and whether you think Klopp is building a team that in future years will be capable of challenging for the highest honours?

Many thanks.

{Ed023's Note - I like the Mane, Karius and Matip signings as I believe they were areas that we needed to strengthen however I am slightly disappointed we haven't got a left back and that could cost us going forward - I do agree with some posters when theu say if the right player isn't available then don't buy for the sake of it. As for wijnaldum I want to wait until around xmas time to give an opinion on that deal.

In terms of outs it's we have got some good fees for example the money for Skrtel Ibe Smith; I never expected to get that return for all 3. Getting Benteke and Balotelli out of the club next would be business well done for the club so it's a wait and see with them.

I think Klopp is building for now whilst he has the future in mind when looking towards the academy with the likes of Trent Alexandor, Ojo, Ejaria, Brannagan getting game time. His purchases are to make an immediate impact in his mind as Mane, Karius, georginio wijnaldum, Matip, Korver are all players who you would expect to go straight away their experience behind them.}

01 Aug 2016 14:34:50
I believe that Klopp is is taking us forward, but while he has to bring in the right players, he also has to move on players that clearly have no future at Liverpool . I am thinking Benteke and Balotelli, how on earth did we spend so much on two players, that were not going to work out, due to our style of play .

01 Aug 2016 14:47:36
I think grujic will shock everyone if he's given the chance.

01 Aug 2016 14:57:41
Hi Ed's,

Many thanks, I'm quietly excited about the future of the club. Hopefully, no-more false dawns.

{Ed023's Note - You are welcome and fingers crossed}

01 Aug 2016 15:44:54
I'm sure Grujic will become a good player under Klopp but he's young and we have only seen him play a couple of pre-season games, which means little. Let's not give him too much hype just yet! We will see if he has what it takes to adapt to the high demands of premiership football. YNWA.

01 Aug 2016 17:07:44
I think failure to address the fullback positions will prove to be a decisive failure by the club (if it isn't amended before the window closes) . Milner isn't good enough to play left-back, neither is Moreno. Clyne is a poor right-back, we let Flanno leave in loan and Randall hasn't done much to convince he will offer a good solution. It is such a glaringly obvious area of concern and just bizarre that it has not been dealt with - if the club fails to deal with it (or a panic buy made with a few days until the window goes) it will be nothing but rank incompetence (and not for the first time) and someones head should roll. It is incomprehensible to me that we continue to mess up in transfer windows and damage the team. Mark my words if we don't pay attention to this problem area we won't get anywhere near fourth let alone a title challenge.

01 Aug 2016 18:39:24
Ed and Seano are spot on. As much as we have addressed glaring areas of need, the messing about on which LB to come is is to me, rank incompetence and is doing my head in, massively. We could have gotten Chilwell for over half of the GW fee and a third of the Mane fee as he was keen on coming to us but we messed about over a pathetic 2m? Disgraceful. I will reserve judgement until the end of the TW but the FB positions (R and L) need addressing fast.

01 Aug 2016 18:45:43
Clyne is far from a poor full back he is good enough to head into the season with I think he has over 50 games in one season was as stead as ever been a good pro

Left back is another story.

01 Aug 2016 19:18:24
Agree on Clyne, he's solid enough IMO and if he could develop a better cross or final pass he'd be dangerous too as he's good at getting into decent attacking positions. I'm happy to see him start for us.

01 Aug 2016 21:22:52
DBol, I agree. I hear he's electric.

01 Aug 2016 12:48:42
Hi ed002

How are you mate, long time no speak.

Can I ask you please do YOU think we will finish up bringing in a left back or not? I no we have been screwing around for some time now with various options so just wanted your thoughts please.

{Ed002's Note - I cannot say what will happen but there has been interest in LBs as I have explained. Liverpool did not see the urgency of the matter to offer a little more for Chilwell so perhaps Klipperty is happier with Moreno than the fans are.}

01 Aug 2016 13:56:23
Ok mate fair enough. let's see what develops in the time remaining.

01 Aug 2016 14:27:34
I think Moreno will move back to Sevilla. we will make 2 late desperate bids of £15m and £30m for Chilwell and Hector. And we all freak out with excitement.

01 Aug 2016 19:08:32
I won`t. I will not be surprised if we do that as we are addicted to paying over the odds for players we actually need and could have gotten for cheap.

01 Aug 2016 12:10:49
Unless I have missed the confirmation, apologies if i have, but i'm guessing Flanno's loan won't complete his loan until we get a left back. So when that completes we know we will have a new left back on the way. chin up boys!

01 Aug 2016 12:48:24
Guessing, he is going. We guessed the same when Smith went.

Milner and Moreno and fingers crossed.

01 Aug 2016 14:05:30
Fingers and toes mate .

01 Aug 2016 06:26:49
Eds 001, what is the situation with Amavi? How much do Villa want for him, and how much do Liverpool value him at? More to the point, how much does Klopp want him? If money was not an issue, who would you choose for our LB to challenge Moreno, who is clearly going nowhere? Personally, I would go for Hector, who I believe will be top notch, and who has a long international career ahead of him too.

{Ed001's Note - Villa want to keep him and are not open to talks with us, as we messed them about. I have no idea, what I have seen of Hector has not shown him to be anything special. We have very few options left to us now.}

01 Aug 2016 06:41:51
With that said ed are we still trying to talk to Villa then or looking elsewere? To me its looking like we will stick with what we have got, especially as Milner has been asked to fill in at full back.

{Ed001's Note - looking elsewhere. Milner is playing there because it is beginning to look like we will fail to sign one, let alone the two we actually really need.}

01 Aug 2016 06:58:31
ed, is there any one person to point the finger at for the chilwell deal falling through?

{Ed001's Note - no, it is more than one person at fault for our recruitment issues. It needs an overhaul. Hopefully it will be done when Ayre moves on, as it needs a fresh view to see what needs to be done.}

01 Aug 2016 07:04:44
sorry that was a poorly phrased leading question lol I guess what I'm wondering aloud about is, what has the logic been behind the transfer dealings to secure us a LB? If we believe Klopp, he sounds happy with everyone we have brought in. Has the transfer team let Klopp down on this occasion?

01 Aug 2016 07:05:34
I wish I could delete posts that I've already sent through lol. thanks for the earlier reply ed :)

{Ed001's Note - no worries.}

01 Aug 2016 07:54:31
Cheers for reply ed. Interesting you say the 2 we need. Do you think both LB and RB need replacing mate? Surely we will get at least a LB over the line.

{Ed001's Note - well yes, but I meant two left backs, as we would otherwise have Moreno or Milner as the back up.}

01 Aug 2016 09:16:01
There's talk of Villa being interested in Luis Alberto. Why doesn't the club look into swapping Amavi for him?

01 Aug 2016 10:11:46
Problem is if Villa don't want to sell Amavi and we do want to sell LA then Villa hold all the aces on that one and don't have to do a swap. Also interested in doesn't sound the same as need, so again they hold control on this one. But at least we didn't spend 11m on a player we really needed so a success there.

01 Aug 2016 11:53:41
Failing to sign any left-back is a depressing and frightening prospect at the same time. I would even be happy with a panic-buy to bring in Jetro Willems. He can't be worse than Moreno. Well, he could be, but it'd be worth a shot.

01 Aug 2016 12:33:59
Last I heard QPR and Wolves want Alberto, Sevilla offered 2mil for him which got point blank refused, Liverpool want 6mil.

01 Aug 2016 12:40:35
I'd rather we kept Flanno and played him and Klavan there than panic buy.

01 Aug 2016 13:53:37
Is this the right place to reopen the debate about our fetish for buying un-needed midfid players rather than filling a position where we really really are weak? The decision makers around the club need a proper wake up call!

01 Aug 2016 13:00:22
Failing to sign a LB is rank incompetence as there are many out there to choose from.

01 Aug 2016 13:07:42
Sorry Jurgen Meister but that is stupid and dangerous.

The club can ill afford to completely spunk away another x million on a player/ s that is no better or slightly better than what we already have.

Whilst I don't think we have particularly prioritised this summer very well I still don't think that justifies desperation purchases for the sake of it.

01 Aug 2016 17:19:34
Whoever it is that is responsible for our recruitment embarrassments, are they even being held accountable for their actions? Do FSG not step in and give them a talking to for acting unprofessional?

How can they continue the same negotiating tactics when it always gets the club into trouble, year after year? Every transfer window it is the same old story, we are set to sign a player, it goes quiet, and then the deal is off because it turns out that Liverpool messed around the selling club and got told to go away. Same old bloody story.

I can't believe it still hasn't been rectified. These types of situations are so avoidable yet we always let them happen.

01 Aug 2016 17:22:03
Jurgen,

Panic buying is the worst thing we can do. That's all we've done for the last [insert number here] seasons. That's why we have a bloated squad and spend most of preseason trying to offload players to other clubs, either by sale or loan.

You also have to consider the financial costs of not just the price purchase of the player, but wages, agents and the rest of the jazz that comes with buying players. This isn't football manager.

Let's put things into perspective. We all know we need a better player at left-back, but let's cut this kid Moreno a bit of slack. He's a young guy, has a lot of good attributes for a modern fullback and from what I can gather, has a good attitude and respect for the club. I don't know about you, but I wonder how the lad has felt this preseason? Every single social media site has been tearing him to bits - not exactly a confidence booster when the only support you do have has turned against you as well.

01 Aug 2016 19:16:08
JH, Moreno is a young player who hasn`t learned a single thing since his debut at Sevilla. In fact, BR was warned about the very qualies or lack thereof, that he is showing us now for two years and still he has done nothing to change this. Don`t believe me? Vs Chelsea in LA, he went for a ball with Willian that every man and his dog knew he could never win and what happened? He dives in, doesn`t get the ball (breaking rumour, I know) and takes Willian out. In the PL, that is a yellow card. He has cost us more goals than I care to remember hence, he deserves every bit of grief he gets. Don`t talk to us like we are being unfair to him because there is NO witch hunt against him. An awful player who loves and respects the club is STILL an awful player. That is a verifiable fact. He is a liability and needs to get gone, end of.