Liverpool Banter Archive February 01 2017

 

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01 Feb 2017 21:55:27
Young harry wilson scored another brace today for u23's. can't be long now before the lad gets a chance can it?

Believable13 Unbelievable1

01 Feb 2017 23:23:16
He's can become good giving time I believe he's better than Ojo but that's my opinion


02 Feb 2017 01:08:21
Good young talent no doubt about that but better than Ojo is a personal opinion personally I think Ojo is far better but maybe that's just me. Wilson if he carry's on like he is can potentially have a great future at Liverpool, fingers crossed for the lad.


02 Feb 2017 03:49:17
We're very lucky with Ojo, Wilson and Ojo but no point in picking who's better now, it's who can transition from u23 to performing consistently in the PL that counts. I think all three have the potential but it's a tough journey that takes a lot of luck and regular opportunities.


02 Feb 2017 06:33:49
ojo is so good that he counts as 2 players in your list zimbo?

jokes aside, agree with your point zimbo.


02 Feb 2017 07:41:27
Both look promising unfortunately neither will get a chance this season . shame they didn't get a real shot the last month


02 Feb 2017 07:49:25
Haha meant Woodburn. think Woodburn might be developed into a Llalana type player though rather than a winger, while hopefully Ojo and Wilson given a shot at the left and right wing.


02 Feb 2017 08:16:47
Ojo has yet to recover his mojo after a long period as a no show with injury. He is far more naturally gifted than wilson but its unfair to draw comparisons now. Both have the potential to be excellent but its too early to be foisting messiah like expectations on either of them now.

Although i do agree its time to try wilson on our problem left when we rest any of our forward players. But it really looks like the training he has been doing with the first team squad has pushed him on a bit. Happy days.


02 Feb 2017 11:10:48
Every time I see these lads play I think both Woodburn and Wilson have a speed of mind that Ojo doesn't. Wilson in particular is very quick to see things happen.


02 Feb 2017 13:27:30
There is no place for either players this season I am afraid. Mane, Lallana and Coutinho behind Firmino until end of the season and Brandt will join us next summer. There was a time when all the three were missing and Klopp did not play anyone!


02 Feb 2017 13:51:46
Sorry what? There were games when all 3 were missing? Klopp did not play any one? so we started with 8 players on the field? or do you mean reserves? in which case, Klopp certainly played the reserves.


02 Feb 2017 13:53:12
Klopp didn't play anyone at all in the front 3? I missed that game. Thought I would've noticed us putting only 8 men out in a game.


02 Feb 2017 14:26:03
Must have been that 8 a side training match at Melwood


02 Feb 2017 14:38:35
Math, a German journalist was asked if Brandt will/ could join us next season and he said he doesn't see it happening as it will be too early for him. But, we shall see. he's a really good player.


02 Feb 2017 16:15:19
Lol mk about right mate


01 Feb 2017 20:47:26
Just wanted to say well done to crouchy getting into the 100 club. Always gave his all for us.

Believable20 Unbelievable0

01 Feb 2017 22:00:27
Class man.


01 Feb 2017 23:12:54
Crouch might have aspired to be as talented as many strikers around in world football during the career. But near enough every one could aspire to be as much of an all round professional and genuinely lovely man as Peter Crouch.


02 Feb 2017 01:19:54
Great to see the robot back in action.
In my opinion he should have gone to the euroso


02 Feb 2017 06:19:41
Great guy - well played mate.


02 Feb 2017 14:39:12
Love him to bits. True role model on and off the pitch.


01 Feb 2017 20:44:29
Every year we hear the same things. The team is in transition and things will improve.
We have fallen short again this year. As I said at the beginning of the season the players are not good enough. We have got to start buying quality signings and at the moment I do not see where or when the next trophy or title will come from.

Believable7 Unbelievable19

01 Feb 2017 22:12:56
You've contradicted yourself. You want more "quality sigings" but then complain that we hear the same thing every year that were in
"transition". Instead of disrupting the team balance and chemistry every year in the summer by buying a load of B rated 20 mil + signings, we need to make careful decisions ie. Matip. Give Klopp a little bit of patience and I can assure we will be more than fine.


01 Feb 2017 22:17:19
I hate the term "in transition" it's a load of nonsense. It almost means you get a free pass and you're not expected to achieve any goals whilst you're "in transition".
The team is developing or building. It is a continuous process of improvement with the aim of matching and overtaking the best teams.
The speed of development is a spectrum, it can be rapid - unlimited resources and champions league football - or it can be gradual - limited resources and no recent success.
We are not in a position of unlimited resources, we do not have the largest turnover and we do not have highly prized valuable assets we can afford to sell. We also have no recent success to speak of.
So, my friends, get used to gradual development, an important milestone will be champions league qualification, followed by sustained participation. We cannot run before we walk. However, we can hope for the unexpected.


{Ed025's Note - good post that ron..

01 Feb 2017 22:22:18
May seems to have come early this year.
How can we expect the team to play with fight and passion when the fans concede with 3 and a half months of footy left?


01 Feb 2017 22:49:04
Using Rostow's stages of development model, I'd saw we are somewhere in the ball park of the "Drive to Maturity" phase under FSG. Got some new infrastructure which is cool.


01 Feb 2017 23:01:03
The season isn't over yet. I just don't understand that post.
If as you stated, the players aren't good enough then why are you surprised or disappointed that we haven't won the league by now?
Transition is a pointless term as it can be attached to any team other than the champs.

We are a very good team who deservedly sit in the top 4, but Chelsea just happen to be better than us and deservedly sit top.


02 Feb 2017 00:20:01
I agree with Annie and Ron. Why have we come up short when there's still 45 points left to play for? Ridiculous. I also hate the word 'transition'. It's a word made up by managers to ensure they have a few years in a job without too much pressure on results.


02 Feb 2017 01:04:18
Ron that's a brilliant post. There is no state of 'transition' or 'complete', it's a state of continuous improvement in the league, with either more to do or less. we are where we are which is a side progressing from one regularly achieving 4-8, to one trying to regularly achieve a top 4 and shoot for the title when we can.

There should be no excuses of 'transition' to imply we aren't capable of challening, but likewise we should also be realistic that we are close but not as polished an article as Chelsea who have some world class players in Kante, Matip, Hazard, Costa.

I personally think the side is getting there as the likes of Coutinho etc. develop further, but we need a bit more depth in a top class midfielder, forward and CB this summer and for Klopp to learn a bit more how to break the hard nuts that will continue to sit deep against him.


02 Feb 2017 06:36:45
We are in 4th coz we couldn't beat minnows while Chelsea did beat majority of the teams this season. There is no big gulf between the qualities. Coutinho. Firmino, Mane, Matip and Henderson would walk into any Chelsea's team.


02 Feb 2017 07:24:51
Missed that on deadline day.
We have sold Matip to Chelsea?


02 Feb 2017 08:48:23
Ron Keague for president.


{Ed001's Note - he has my vote.....}

02 Feb 2017 09:41:57
"Make LFC great again" 🏆


02 Feb 2017 10:17:32
Sorry was an auto-correct from Matic!

Not so sure those players would walk into the Chelsea side mate. competition for sure, but walk in? I think we're very close, just not quite consistent enough week in, week out.


02 Feb 2017 14:43:20
Spot on, Ron. Love your post. If the OP wants to give up with 15 games left in the season, then let him. We all don't have to go down that path. We are where we are with a chance to finish higher than we are right now and that alone should be motivation and hope for a better tomorrow. If you can't see that then, that is your choice. but don't expect that there will be no pushback from other opinions that differ from yours.


01 Feb 2017 20:27:33
Liverpool should make a cheeky bid to aguero

Clearly the Brazilian they have is the replacement

iM wondering who klopp will target in the summer

Believable0 Unbelievable4

01 Feb 2017 20:37:31
I think Ed002 had already implied that Aguero's next port of call will be back to Argentina.


{Ed002's Note - No, I haven't said that. There is interest in him from a number of European sides.}

01 Feb 2017 21:13:51
Apologies ed002. I could have sworn you said something about Aguero seeing out his contract and then moving home. My bad.


{Ed002's Note - No, he is available this summer - as was explained on the MC Sharkopod.}

01 Feb 2017 21:15:24
Well either way it was a joke he would. E too expensive anyway but a quick update lfc better score some goals as Man City r cleaning house tonight unfortunately


01 Feb 2017 21:43:58
May call me crazy but even if we could I wouldn't want us to sign aguero. Not only would he be hellishly expansive, but a cf is soooo far from our priorities. IMO if we can find players that improve our XI than our order of priority is; CB, WF, RB, LB, CM, and then CF.

Also, genuinely based on nothing but a hunch but see benzema leaving real and aguero replacing him.


02 Feb 2017 04:01:41
My priorities would be
- a CM with strong defensive skills to challenge Hendo and replace Lucas - we should have gone all out for Kante or try for a top name like Vidal, Hamsik or failing that perhaps Carvalho. This would also allow us to push Hendo forward into a box to box role on occasion
- a pact WF to challenge Coutinho/ Mane. Would also allow us to drop Coutinho to midfield on occasion
- a new CB to replace Lovren or Klavan. we need a Tah or similar to form a solid partnership with Matip

Bonus incomings would be
- Replacing Migs with a top top keeper to challenge Karius, he's had long enough and clearly not a no.1 long term
- a top top striker to replace Sturridge who needs to move on to where the team setup suits him better
- a top FB to replace Moreno who likewise hasn't done enough going forward to justify his defensive weaknesses


02 Feb 2017 08:53:40
I think aguero will go to madrid to replace benzema.


02 Feb 2017 11:02:39
Most of what you say is bang on Zimbo but you need to be a bit more realistic with who you think we can get; we never had a hope of competing with Chelsea for Kante; Vidal is 29 years old (30 in May) would still command a massive fee (£25m+) he would command massive salary (more than Coutinho is on) and why would he want to leave Bayern? ; is Hamsik really that good, why has been at Lazio for nearly 10 years, yes there's been interest over the years but everyone walks away because Lazio want a hugely unrealistic fee, he is also 29 (30 in July) ; Carvalho is a possibility but I really don't think he'll come cheap (Lisbon a lot sterner now with negotiating fees) .
But the biggest question to ask is if you buy a new CM like you suggest who gets dropped? Definitely not Henderson, would we drop Lallana who has been one of our best players this season when playing in CM, so that leaves Wijnaldum who I think is a very good player who has done well since moving to us and will get better and better.
We definitely need a better CD to partner Matip, Lovren is just too prone to brainfart moments that put us in trouble and make the rest of the team nervous.
I'm still of the opinion that Karius will come good, he's a talented lad who is clearly a bit nervous and tense, but that will soon go with experience and games, but he also needs better protection from the defence in front of him.
No1 priority for me in the Summer is a deadly striker, Bobby is very good up front but unfortunately just isn't clinical enough in front of goal, who that is I have no idea?
I would also like to see us add Michail Antonio to the squad, he is proven Prem quality, strong on the ball and in the air, scores goals and creates plenty of opportunities and is immensely versatile, I think he would be a great signing.


02 Feb 2017 11:54:16
True that Vidal or Hamsik probably aren't realistic (don't really know who would be at that level TBH) but I do think we need someone.

The idea wouldn't be so much to drop one of our midfield 3, but to be able to have 4 top players to rotate and give us options for certain games as required eg. a top class DM would allow us to push Hendo into the box to box role if it were required to shut down games. At the moment we have Stewart and Lucas, neither of which are trusted against the big sides, so we're very limited in options, particularly so if Hendo is injured.

Bearing in mind hopefully European matches next season, I think there's more than enough space for one senior player to come in replacing Lucas, giving us Hendo, Llalana, Gini, +1 top DM as competition for starting places, Can + Grujic playing in every other game as they develop, with Ejaria and Woodburn getting the odd game from the u23s. I think that has a nice balance to it which we currently lack.


02 Feb 2017 13:24:25
Real Madrid are making concrete effort to bring Dybala. Aguero is free and I don't think there would be enough to tempt him to Spain. He might also end up in MLS.


02 Feb 2017 13:31:08
Hamsik plays for Napoli and is a brilliant player but not a typical CM or holding mid. He is more of an advanced player with some serious pace to burst.
If you buy a CM you need to make room for the player and that should be Can. You can't have all of the current CM's plus the academy plus the incoming CM to bed in.


03 Feb 2017 10:58:40
I think we really need to trim the herd if we are going to bring in another CM, Can/ Henderson/ Lallana/ Wijnaldum/ Grujic/ Lucas/ Branagan/ Stewart/ Ejaria/ Coutinho/ Williams and Milner (can still play there), that's 12 players for 3 positions! Undoubtedly Lucas will be leaving this Summer but that still leaves you with 11. We would be making a big mistake getting rid of Can, yes he's not looked too great at times this season but he has also shown us how good he can be and he's still relatively young at 23 years old. Henderson's going nowhere, neither is Lallana/ Wijnaldum/ Grujic/ Ejaria/ Coutinho/ Milner and probably not Stewart after only signing a new 5 year contract a bit back, that still leaves you with 8 players for 3 positions.


01 Feb 2017 18:56:09
Mariano has scored 5 in 9 this season, quick and agile. Very clinical and a poacher-esque sort of player. Replacement for Sturridge in the Summer?

Believable5 Unbelievable3

01 Feb 2017 19:14:35
He has pace in abundance which means he is kloppo type. He is physically built but small. I had a check with some people in Spain and they claim this kid is a lot better than Tap ins Benzema. He is very young and I don't see a point in buying him to lead the line against some good quality CL teams. What would that make Origi then?


01 Feb 2017 22:24:18
Nothing wrong with a tap-in player. Try googling Ian Rush


{Ed025's Note - i think rush had a lot more to his game than just tap ins annie, he was one of the forerunners of the high press mate..

02 Feb 2017 12:49:03
Fully agree, Ed025, he was one of the hardest working strikers i can remember. And, to be fair to him, he scored one or two from outside the six yard box 😂


{Ed025's Note - great player annie, never gave the opposing defenders a minutes piece and used to score all the time against everton..i hate him.. :)

01 Feb 2017 16:54:42
I am satisfied with last nights performance. Our intensity is back and there were no signs of Chelsea dominating us on the pitch.

Wijnaldum and Can have to get into the box more. Was a great finish by the Dutchman.

We seriously need to find a solution to at right back. Clyne not good enough to be a first team starter and not sure who decided he should be classified as an attacking fullback. I am more than happy if Milner continued at LB going forward.

Also want to add, our midfield as a unit was almost flawless last night. Mistake here and there, Henderson, the stick this guy gets is nothing but a joke. Starting to show that he is a true captain and improving in the deep lying playmaker role as the games go on.

Would have loved the three points but 1 point sees us keeping 4th spot even if City win tonight.

Glad the January window is over now, if it were up to me I would shut the January window in totality.

ED001, was wondering what your thoughts would be by actually moving Milner to RB for next season and then signing another LB along with promoting another youngster. Milner will then be on his favoured foot which may see him give us much more output.

Believable0 Unbelievable2

{Ed001's Note - not for me. I don't think he is a long term answer at full back. The wages he is being paid are far too much for that. We should be looking to bring TAA and Juanma through and he should be the back up option only. Clyne was a poor signing and I would happily sell him personally.}

01 Feb 2017 18:57:22
Hello Ed. Been a while mate.
Just to elaborate on your comment about Milner being back up option only. Do you see him playing a central midfield role for us next season.
On the wages he is on, i for one wouldn't want him sitting on the bench waiting to get a appearance in cup matches like Moreno. I know there is a possibility of Champions league football and a bigger squad for extra games.
I just haven't seen enough in James Milner as a central midfielder to push anyone else out and take a place as his own.

Hope your well buddy


01 Feb 2017 20:01:13
I don't Klopp will take Milners wages into consideration when he is picking his team.


01 Feb 2017 19:17:45
Milner has no place in midfield hence we shifted him to full back. He is average there. He has no pace which is a mandatory in Klopp style. But he is a solid defender which is a bonus considering our back 2 are very poor. He needs to shift to his right side to make any attempt to cross the ball. We should have spend on Chilwell last summer. Blame goes to Klopp.

Clyne was always average and his replacement is doing brilliant at Southampton. Can't shoot, can't tackle and can't cross. What is he good at?


01 Feb 2017 21:55:32
Mathematics. Out of interest mate. How do you blame Klopp for not signing Chilwell?


02 Feb 2017 12:28:53
I'm fine with Milner personally, I just think his main problem is he's been a bit too predictable of late, always cutting in on his right foot for a cross. He was much better when Coutinho was playing him in behind in the first half of the season, with his energy being used to create overlaps and get him to the byline. We created a lot of chances from the left when he did that and the Chelsea goal was another example. get him in behind and he creates havoc. The only issue is we just need to ensure the team is set up to cover him if we lose possession.

Clyne I'm in too minds about, I think he's solid enough defensively and a good player, but his delivery needs to improve otherwise he just doesn't give enough going forward for me. Fine when Mane is in the side and providing width instead, and OK in big games where he needs to sit deep to lock out the opposition, but against sides where we're dominating possession, I'd far rather see TAA given a run as the boy at least looks to have a good cross on him and makes clever runs.


02 Feb 2017 12:57:44
And why are some obsessed with blame anyway? Such a negative way to look at life.


02 Feb 2017 14:51:02
Spot on about Clyne, Zimbo. The fact that TAA has more quality in his final ball than Clyne does, speaks volumes as to how weak he is in this dept.


01 Feb 2017 17:24:02
Ed002, wanted to ask about the situation with the 4th champions league spot for the premier league, will English teams have to perform well this year to maintain the spot?

Believable0 Unbelievable0

{Ed002's Note - England are doing OK at the moment but remain in third place, with Italy close behind. It needs to be sustained going forward and could yet be compromised if clubs fail to do well this season.}

01 Feb 2017 18:05:23
Think we ll see a better Seria A in coming years with both Milan clubs investing high on players and their performances in EL is improving. Napoli, Roma and Inter are doing pretty well in the league.


01 Feb 2017 19:59:21
Yeah but from 2018 onwards 4 spots will be allocated to the top 4 leagues. Also any changes couldn't have been made until 2018 regardless of the above. So top 4 is safe. Can't see the French or Dutch leagues catching up anytime soon.


01 Feb 2017 16:56:54
Not to be horrible but did anyone else notice that the main change yesterday was sturridge coming out of the team.

We were pretty much back to earlier season form. just without that mane spark

Believable10 Unbelievable1

01 Feb 2017 18:28:09
I didn't see it. We were only okay yesterday. Pressing was good. We still aren't what we were at the start of the season, Though I'm still optimistic we will get there again. Could just hear the sigh of relief when wijnaldum scored. Studge probably needs a rest or he needs to move on. Idk. He needs to get his sharpness/ speed back and I don't know if he can. Regardless, if he's wearing red he will have my support. Still a pretty genuine lad and from what I've heard/ seen he seems to have kept his head down.


01 Feb 2017 19:13:18
There was an improvment and the only real change was sturridge. sure we weren't back at out top best but still got mane to add back in.

The issue with sturridge is

1. Not staying 100% so he can play more games

2. Lost him pace. People forget he was sent for an operation in rodges last season as they thought they found the problem to all his injurys. they cut the muscles and that. I personally don't think he has been as quick and sharp since. Its always been put down to a run of games needed but he's just had a month ands he a professional footballer who living is being fit, it doesn't take this ling to even have teb minutes where he can show his speed with a run in behind or something.

When he use to return from injury he never needed this much time to get back wether it was chelsea. city or us. He would come back in score 3, every pundit etx would be like if he could stay fit he would be world class. then he would get injured and repeat.

One word and its sad but think how long everyone gave him before realising it had gone.

Torres


01 Feb 2017 19:58:37
I wonder if its mental. A lot of players when they come back from injury struggle with the fear of reinjury. Every now and then Sturridge will stretch out and show glimpses of his old pace but too often seems to be playing within himself. Im starting to wonder if it would be better for him to move to new environments and get his old spark back.


01 Feb 2017 23:32:58
Sky did a stat, as we all love em haha but sturridge hasn't hit higher than 29 mph this season.

Previous seasons where 34/ 35's. Its that yard for me. Pace is still there tbh a lot of people have pace. Milnera, hendos etc (i jist mean even older and less pace renowned players) but not everyone has that 5 yard speed and if your game is built on it ala torres, sturridge. then this is what happens when it goes.

Love sturridge but the importance to success is forget connecting to the players.

We pay for them to perform if they canr perform they they can't play.

You can't just stixk with players because of sentitment and its something you have to lose if you want to get to the top.


01 Feb 2017 15:30:33
Ed002

Can I ask you aomething now that the window is pretty much closed apart from ones that are ongoing due to exceptional circumstancesm

Was there or has there been any serious enquiries regarding any of our top players juring this window innregarfs availablility now or in the forthcoming summer from any clubs and by that I mean any genuine serious interest?

Believable0 Unbelievable0

{Ed002's Note - No.}

01 Feb 2017 17:42:47
Thanks ed002

👍


01 Feb 2017 15:18:15
If it wasn't for Chelsea this would be the most exciting premiership ever, probaly 4pts tonite splitting 5 teams and we're right in there ho hum.

Believable3 Unbelievable3

01 Feb 2017 14:32:21
Hopefully now we can go on a bit of a run after last night. First half we were the lethargic team we have been since the start of January. We should not have gone in 1-0 down, Mignolet with his customary mistake left us in a tricky position going into the second half.

We improved a small bit in the second half. Mignolet saved what was a badly taken penalty from Costa which was caused by Lovren leaving Matip exposed even though Matip made quite a few mistakes himself through out the 90 minutes, Henderson was very good and led by example.

Firmino is gone of the boil completely and Coutinho was not at the races, Lallana was hit and miss again. Wjinaldum done well to get in ahead of Luiz for our goal but him and Can were average at best. Clyne and Milner did what they had to do.

Mane did ok when he came on. So to come away with a point and other results going in our favour i am happy enough. Really need to lift it 100% for Hull on Saturday.

Believable3 Unbelievable13

01 Feb 2017 15:17:25
If this is what you post when you're happy how negative do you get when you are unhappy>


01 Feb 2017 16:23:54
So judging by this the only players that played well were Clyne, Milner and Hendo? i think you might be being rather harsh there, thought it was an all round pretty solid performance especially in the second half.


01 Feb 2017 16:40:02
I agree HX Red. So many poor performances by a lot of players yet we drew with the team at the top of the league. Shacker!


01 Feb 2017 16:31:42
Firmino is not the answer up top.


01 Feb 2017 17:32:32
I still think we need a better keeper. Karius is one for the future, we need to bring someone experienced in to replace Migs and allow us to ease Karius in slowly. I know he saved a pen, which is good, but there was a howler for the goal and that's what he always gives us.


01 Feb 2017 17:41:23
Mignolet wouldn't have saved it in any case. Luckily he has a reason now. That was a beauty of a kick by Luiz. No one would have saved it!


01 Feb 2017 21:23:22
We can only put it down to just one of them goals if it was Lallana who had done it for us at the other end we would be saying quick thinking, clever play. That wouldn't mean Courtois was a bad keeper. When you watch the replay you clearly see Coutinho watching the kick being taken but he didn't try and get his head in the way of it. No one is having a go at him for that. Simply put it down to clever play.

Apart from that incident and some lacking goal kicks he did well to recover and made some good saves through the game and saved a penalty.

Before anyone has a go at me I'm not saying he should be our number one. I do think we need a replacement with Karius gradually coming through, possibly a Begovic type. But in relation to last night he had a decent game, if it wasn't for Luiz's quick thinking we would have won, and Mignolet would have got us the points with saving a late penalty.


01 Feb 2017 23:36:32
What's the thoughts on begovic?


02 Feb 2017 11:56:12
Firminio has been off the pace since he chopped off his top knot and bleached the rubbish out of his teeth. :-) )


02 Feb 2017 12:30:13
He's been off form since he was burgled and busted for drink driving.


02 Feb 2017 13:03:17
Mignolet's lack of focus for their goal was poor, but would he have saved it anyway? It was very well struck and went right over the wall. Credit to Luiz I say.


01 Feb 2017 13:47:47
Some analysis from the former bitter, Pat Nevin!

I actually found a lot of his points quite rational and reasonable.

Not saying I agree with all of them - high tempo could equally lead to fewer injuries through being fitter through training (LT vs ST) - but some good points nonetheless.

goo.gl/Lq2goJ

Believable2 Unbelievable0

01 Feb 2017 13:14:05
A very good performance against league champions elect Chelsea and well worth the 8 hour road trip. The fans were on top of our game. Its often a library lately with opposition fans more vocal but i don't know whether its to do with night games but we really got stuck in.

IMO a draw was a fair result it could have been better with some good chances missed Firmino and Can spring to mind but some poor defending notably from Lovren and this obsession with playing out of trouble deep when pressed continues a concern.

Plenty of plus points though. Can had a good 2nd half when pushed into a more forward position and i like Gini as he plays with some calm. The full backs debate remains but i like Clyne and i think he has been playing injured for a while now as has Henderson who was back to more like his old self.

Alright Clyne doesn't attack defenders and get behind (although he did once deep in the 2nd half) . Maybe it would be worth switching him and Milner during a game. Young TAA is a longer term prospect and we should treat his progress with care as he could be world class if nurtured properly.

This squad is very much a work in progress and although i, like others, were upset with recent performances we do not have the strength in depth currently that others have. This will come under Klopp who is also learning about the EPL. Big next few months and summer window. Remain positive and as Klopp says atart to enjoy the ride, bumps and all

Believable2 Unbelievable2

01 Feb 2017 11:03:25
Hi Eds . now the window has closed and you have nothing to do ;-) . can you say if liverpool did make any attempt to sign anyone in January that maybe we should watch out for in the summer?

Believable1 Unbelievable2

{Ed002's Note - Yes, Mariano.}

01 Feb 2017 14:11:40
ED002

Do you happen to know if Mariano would consider a summer move to Liverpool?

Regards


{Ed002's Note - I have no idea, sorry.}

01 Feb 2017 16:53:16
Anyone know how good he is? Never seen him play before.


01 Feb 2017 16:15:05
Ehaven't really heard that much about him, given he's only just breaking into the RM first team with a few appearances. would he be a decent fit for the way we play? Would he be an option for the centre only or can he play off the wings?

Appreciate we didn't get him, but there's always summer.


01 Feb 2017 17:30:26
Just read up a bit on him. The stat that makes you sit up and take notice is 56 goals in 105 games thus far. In the lower leagues yes, but he knows where the net is.


01 Feb 2017 18:11:32
I haven't seen a lot of him beyond highlights but from that he looks a quick player which I think we lack the most. I really like Sturridge and rate him highly but injuries seem to have taken their toll on him physically, he looks like he's lost a lot of pace so Mariano would give us options in that sense. I'm sad to say I think he might go in the summer, which is probably the best for both parties moving forward.


01 Feb 2017 11:16:15
Talking point of the game for me is our fullbacks.

JK asks his fullbacks to get very wide and provide a lot of his teams width. However in Clyne and Milner we don't have players capabale for that.

Both fullbacks just come inside. To be fair to Milner he comes inside and at least puts a cross in. Clyne cuts inside and has no left foot so just passes inside. He really offers no width.

He heavily relies on Mane to provide him the wide option as he cannot/ won't beat his man and go for the byline.

It's hurting us and needs fixing. Is TAA the answer? I'm not sure if he's ready defensively, he already offers more offensively though than Clyne.

Milner has had a really good go at left back and should be recognised for that but a left back coming in for Moreno to offer a left footed option there is needed.

Thoughts?

Believable9 Unbelievable3

01 Feb 2017 11:55:23
Yeah largely agree, I posted something similar further down, a lot is being asked from the full backs I feel, Mane at least brings real width down one side, this will help a lot, I don't think one full back being asked to be a wing back in this system is a major problem but both doesn't seem to work.


01 Feb 2017 12:27:40
I think that's an incorrect assessment, the full backs are always very wide unless we they are cautious about the counter attack.

The whole problem is Milner has no pace to beat a man so has to revert to cutting back on his right for a cross and I'm afraid we don't have the players to head it. Wijnaldum needs to get in the box more really. Along with Can.

If we had Ibrahimovic in our team we'd have been top of the league no doubt.


01 Feb 2017 13:39:46
Ibra is a lamp post who doesn`t and can`t do the work that Klopp requires of his CF so there is no way we would have been top of the PL with him. He`s at Utd with a more expensive squad that provides him with chances and where are they?


01 Feb 2017 14:07:06
The problem is, in Klopp's system, both fullbacks have an important attacking role to play. Our fullbacks are not capable. TAA looks very promising though and is already ahead of Clyne offensively - I would be starting him every game. Milner has done really well given the change in position, being on the wrong side, but it's clear his lack of a left foot limits his (and the teams) attacking play and fluency. As has been mentioned by Ed's and other posters Juanma (of the U23's) may yet make the step next season - time will tell.


01 Feb 2017 15:47:27
The manger opted not buy a decent left back and decided to keep Clyne at the club last summer. This is not a sudden development. What's the point in planing the players when they are not fit to your plans?


01 Feb 2017 18:44:47
Should Juanma be on the bench and maybe given some minutes during the run in if games are going our way. Might as well get the guy involved now if he's seen as the next possible left back.


01 Feb 2017 10:16:11
As a huge critic of hendo this year i am pleased to say he was immense last night. Been a while since i have seen him spread the play like he did as opposed to passing 2 yards each side of him. My opinion on can remains unchanged. However from last nights game i beleive our priority is a striker and 2 fullbacks. Clyne doesn't hit the line enough and when he does can't cross a ball. Milnet has been solid. but not a natural lefty and doesn't have the pace for the position. When flanno played under kenny he was great. what happened to him? Anyway onwatds and upwards. Great game to watch

Believable5 Unbelievable2

01 Feb 2017 10:39:54
We have taa coming through at rb he offers more width and better delivery going forward than clyne allready so I don't think we need a rb at all. Lb yes Milner has been a true professional and adjusted brilliantly but a left footer who doesn't have to cut inside to deliver would make a difference. Our priority should be a cool calm positionally sound cb to replace lovren who gives me a heart attack every game. I like hendo at the base of the midfield he's positionally sound and calm in possession. I think against the weaker teams moving Phil or bobby in there alongside lallana could work. Gini against the bigger teams to offer abit more muscle. Which means we could probably start bringing ojo through on the left and either give origi a chance to make himself into a complete forward or signing one. Who I don't know. I unfortunately think injuries have take their toll on studge and he's lacking that acceleration to play up top on his own and drag defenders about to create space or to chase in behind.


01 Feb 2017 11:17:24
Like a true captain, Hendersons drive, determination and grit took plaudits yesterday as well as a cracking ball into the box for the goal.

Well done Jordan, lad


01 Feb 2017 12:12:07
I think a lb is a priority but would like to see Milner as a right back. He played for years as a right winger will get to the by line far more often from that side and can deliver a decent ball on his right foot. Bed in TAA in cup games and as back up. Clyde seems to be going backwards since he joined.


01 Feb 2017 12:29:12
What a ridiculous post, let's bomb Clyne off for Flanagan! What makes you think he can cross better? There's no point having good crosses if you only have Firmino in the box, he can't jump! Wijnaldum needs to get in the box more along with Can and we need a striker like Giroud who can head it and play on the floor.


01 Feb 2017 12:35:15
We have juanma coming through at left back who is highly rated. Milner is also doing a very good job there. Taa looks like he will be our first choice right back by next season and Clyne is not a bad option. We do need a proper centre back to partner matip however, someone commanding with pace.


01 Feb 2017 13:21:31
I think our main problem is the centre midfield combination. Wijnaldum and Can simply aren't good enough. They're good players technically but as a unit its just not working.

When we're in possession its less obvious but when we are defending there's problems. Daniel needs a run and a couple of goals to boost his confidence but midfield, we're two midfielders away from a working midfield unit in my opinion.


01 Feb 2017 13:43:31
We need a CB to partner Matip cos Lovren is just an accident waiting to happen. As for FB`s, Clyne doesn`t offer that much especially in attack. This is where TAA is already better than him as his crosses and final balls are just quality.

Had he been a bit older, Clyne would be out of the team, IMO. As for midfield, we can actually, get a DM to play with Hendo, which would then free him up to play next to Lallana and offer more in attack with his runs, passing and decent scoring ability. Thoughts?


01 Feb 2017 16:54:54
I agree that can needs to improve but he is a young lad and should be given time. Wijnaldum is a tremendous player who is very underated. A perfect mifield 3 would be henderson and wijnaldum a little deeper with coutinho in front of them with a bit more freedom.


01 Feb 2017 09:37:14
Hi eds and reds. Just a question.
I know luiz's free kick was good. But as Chelsea opted not to take a quick free kick. They had to wait for the ref to blow whistle to take it. Then should the ref not at least wait till our team was ready. Rather than blow the whistle while mignolet was still on the post setting the wall.

Believable0 Unbelievable1

{Ed001's Note - no, it is up to Mignolet to get himself ready quickly, as it is the ref's discretion when he blows it. That is why you often see another player take charge of setting the wall, so the keeper can just focus on getting ready.}

01 Feb 2017 09:47:54
Cheers ed001. Thanks for the reply. Just another mistake again. Don't know how many points we will loose this season from stupid mistakes. Still hope for a top 4 finish, as was my hope at the start of the season.


{Ed001's Note - it happens mate. You just have to hope the players learn from it and organise themselves more quickly in future.}

01 Feb 2017 10:04:31
He made that pen save that's good enough for me but yeah he should have been far more alert when it came to that free kick, it is what it is, what's done is done, we've seen Mignolet like this for far too long.


01 Feb 2017 10:05:55
Harsh on Migs. That was a great free kick even if Migs had been ready. No doubt Migs should have been watching the ball, but it was a well worked, well placed free kick


01 Feb 2017 10:14:30
For the last however many years our best laid plans have constantly been destroyed by brain explosions, lapses in concentration etc etc


{Ed001's Note - that is down to poor recruitment. We are not looking for those kind of things when we choose players to sign.}

01 Feb 2017 11:00:39
Last night was another prime example of that Faithinworks, I don't think Chelsea played that well but got chances due to our mistakes.
1st goal was a silly challenge from Lallana, I know he didn't touch Hazard but he gave Hazard an opportunity to go down which he took, then Mignolet not ready for the free-kick (but in all honesty I don't think he'd have saved it even if ready) .
Their penalty, why didn't Lovren just stand Costa up, absolutely no need to try and knick the ball.
And there were also a few times Mignolet put the defenders under immense pressure but passing the ball short when they were already under pressure.

We make things so difficult for ourselves it unbelievable!
It would be interesting to see how many goals we've conceded this season due to mistakes by our own players? I know every team makes mistakes and it's unrealistic to expect a team not to make mistakes but I bet we are one of the highest in the Prem for making costly mistakes and have been for some time.


01 Feb 2017 11:59:08
I know it was a good free kick but would Luiz have attempted it if he hadnt noticed migs completely unprepared?


01 Feb 2017 12:30:34
When the free kick was taken he wasn't even looking at the wall he was looking at the group of defenders on his left. Stupid really.


01 Feb 2017 13:00:45
Good question Mikey, hard to second guess a mind like David Luiz 🤡


01 Feb 2017 13:53:33
I don't think if the wall was set, he would have scored cos Migs would have had time to anticipate it as he would have shuffled over to where the wall was, which most GKs do.

As for taking it early, it is basic football that on a free kick, a player must always take responsibility and stand over the ball to prevent it from being taken quickly. No one did that as their backs were turned when the whistle even went. This is a learning experience for the team cos that was a cardinal sin in football.


As for Lovren, he is an accident waiting to happen. Why he tried to win the ball vs Costa in the center circle, I have no idea. He allowed Costa to roll him and have a free run at Matip, hanging him out to dry. he also made a silly pass to milner which set Pedro free until Hendo ran him down and stopped a clear goal. This is why he can't be the long term solution at CB.


01 Feb 2017 15:23:06
Whether Mignolet was prepared or not, he wasn't saving that shot.


01 Feb 2017 16:30:59
Luiz is a free kick specialist. He's scored many goals like that. Excuses are excuses. We've missed a leader for so long. Hendo was fantastic last night but he's not a natural leader. There's nobody like Carragher or Gerrard, nobody to force a foothold in a game. That's our biggest miss for me.


01 Feb 2017 17:12:16
Was just wondering on ed001 view on mignolet, still don't think he is good enough but see people saying he is improving


{Ed001's Note - he is improving. However he is starting off from a level right at the bottom of professional, so it is not that difficult to improve! We still need better than him, which is hopefully Karius.}

01 Feb 2017 08:44:44
Evening eds. Probably not going to happen but I will ask anyway.
Looking from the outside in, at Man City, it looks as though Pep has been finding any excuse to drop Aguero this season and maybe doesn't fancy him for his project especially with Jesus coming in and he looks a top prospect. So is there any chance of him leaving and would Liverpool be a possible destination? Seem to recall he almost signed under Benitez and claimed to be a fan at the time.
Also any Liverpool interest in Inaki Williams? Still raw but been watching him at Bilbao for a few years now and can't help but think he'd be perfect for the gegenpress. Him and Mane on opposite flanks would have defenses quaking in their boots.
Cheers

Believable1 Unbelievable7

{Ed002's Note - Aguero won't be joining Liverpool.}

01 Feb 2017 09:31:13
Great player no doubt but give me Sanchez over him anyday, I know it won't happen but neither will Aguero, no chance on earth will they sell him to anybody in the PL


01 Feb 2017 10:08:36
A player who will be 29 by the next window, who has been playing since aged 17 at the top level, plagued by injuries, on massive wages.
I don't think it's a good move for Liverpool, China beckons.


01 Feb 2017 12:31:24
Atletico next for Aguero when Griezmann leaves for United in summer.


01 Feb 2017 13:54:06
Sanchez all day.


01 Feb 2017 08:20:42
The Bournemouth game is now our only remaining midweek game, so we have at least a week to prepare for almost all of our remaining fixtures. This means we should be able to name a pretty settled side, and consistently be able to play our strongest eleven. A lot of our slip ups so far have come at times where we have had fixture congestion.
I'm pretty confident the gap at the top will fluctuate a few times over the rest of the season so there's no reason not to think we can get quite a bit closer. And if we can get quite a bit closer. who knows? I'm convinced we'll be top two. But where in that two, I'm not sure.

Believable3 Unbelievable0

01 Feb 2017 13:55:09
We just have to win our games and not focus on anything else and this, starting with Hull this week. No margin for error in our situation.


01 Feb 2017 07:40:36
Ed did you do a match review? If you didn't I would love one!

Believable0 Unbelievable0

{Ed001's Note - I couldn't watch the game mate.}

01 Feb 2017 03:39:48
Can played much better tonight.

Believable8 Unbelievable7

01 Feb 2017 08:47:09
As much as I wanted us to win, I was hoping more that we didn`t lose and we didn`t and gave a very brave and solid performance. The runs were there, the forward passes and interchange were good and my oh my, did Hendo put in a captain`s performance? We take the point and we move on. Hopefully with Mane back on the weekend, we can take three points off Hull.


01 Feb 2017 09:31:52
See to me with Can and Wiji both on the pitch at the same time it looked like we had a man too many in the centre and a man too few on the wings.
Large chunks of that game we could see sideways short passes in the centre because the only width was being provided by clyne an Milner and Chelsea where easily dealing with them for the most part, they seemed to get the ball around the half way line, not manage to carry the ball any further up the pitch then just pass it to the middle again.
I feel Klopp has to change his tactics a bit, he's been found out badly, every week teams are using the same tactics against us and getting a result out of it, hopefully now we have Mane and some of the others back fit we can change it up and have a bit more width.


01 Feb 2017 13:36:22
I agree Hendo was immense but as a trio in the centre. The pairings are just not there. Wijnaldum and Can are technically gifted enough but the trio doesn't work. My opinion of course.


01 Feb 2017 13:57:53
Mikey, this is why Couts needs to drop into deep midfield and create from there, freeing up Lallana or Gini to make forward runs into the box. This will give the opposition something to think about. We tried that vs Swansea away when lallana came off and it worked as we pounded them into submission. Klopp needs to think about this especially vs teams who sit deep.


01 Feb 2017 00:46:50
A draw was a good result, it's not all doom and gloom just yet! onto the next game! Hull won't be as easy as some may think but I believe we'll do it. T

Believable6 Unbelievable2

01 Feb 2017 10:09:58
A decent result, stopped the rot.
We needed a win, it will take something extraordinary to win the title now.


01 Feb 2017 10:19:16
It would Ron, top4 will do me mate


01 Feb 2017 00:25:50
I thought Hendo, Wij and Can were great tonight. James Milner looks in need of a week on a beach in the Med to recharge.
They might win the league but Chelsea looked second best to us for the second time this season. They have some big games coming up whereas our run-in looks slightly more favourable so who knows?

Believable7 Unbelievable4

01 Feb 2017 02:36:05
I think if you're so many points ahead of the pack, you can afford to head to somewhere like us in our current form, and play the way they did to get the 3 points.


01 Feb 2017 07:02:48
Our run in is more favourable? - it's not top six we struggle against


01 Feb 2017 08:49:03
Chelsea still can`t beat us under Klopp and that`s fine with me. All in all, we were brave, bold and daring and we could see that our fluid football is back. The test now is to replicate this vs Hull cos we have NO margin for error anymore in the title race.


01 Feb 2017 08:49:27
Or should I say in the top 4 race, not title.


01 Feb 2017 08:40:51
Second best? Lol I thought they owned us in the last 15 mts once Fabregas came in. He started splitting our defense for fun. We had our moments and we bottledt. Mind you Chelsea missed a penalty! It was an even game. We did not deserve to loose hence a draw. They have glaring weakness and we did not do enough to exploit it especially Moses and Alonso. Hazard was simply unplayabale most part of the game. The only way to stop him was to foul him. Coutinho was anonymous while Lallana was running like a headless chicken most part of the game. The moment our full backs started to offer us some width we looked good especially Milner.

Chelsea came in for a draw and would be disappointed to miss a penalty. Liverpool needed a win which we simply couldn't.

Having possession doesn't mean you are simply outplaying the opposition, It could also mean the opposition are happy to sit back and hit you on counter once you commit the entire starting eleven up front!

Thanks


01 Feb 2017 09:57:34
It was certainly not an even game. And in the last 15 minutes we were all over them, they simply were playing to take the sting out of the game which is why Kante bust a gut making himself available for the pass.
Offering width has never been a problem it's utilising it, which again we struggled to take advantage of.
Lallana was a headless chicken? I literally have no idea what match you were watching if that's your assessment.


01 Feb 2017 11:00:48
We were certainly the better team last night and by a far margin, and anyone who thinks it was even needs strong glasses and refining of mental assimilation as to what constitutes domination of a football game (or spend less time on the livechat indulging on the "let's throw sh*t at our players" camraderie that goes on there, and focus more on the game) .

We had vastly more possession, we had the greater variety of play, we were more incisive, and we were clearly the team looking to win. If our front line couldn't convert, then theirs didn't either. Coutinho was more active in getting his team mates into play whereas their one trick pony (Hazard) repeated his quick rushes with the usual cutting inside and looking to shoot, with no success. Firmino had far more attempts at goal than their much feared and vaunted bruiser, Costa. And if Lallana was a headless chicken then Kante was too (and they both clearly were not - and that's my point) . We were the better team even before Mane came in.

We're still not at the same form level of November, but we're clearly heading in that direction with all players back from injury or other commitments.


01 Feb 2017 14:06:37
Math, where was Hazard unplayable? How many shots did he have? How many dangerous runs did he make? How much did he create? The only time I knew he was playing was when he hit the deck after being breathed upon by and LFC player. He had a poor game and if he was unplayable, why was he subbed off? Come on, man. We were globally the better team as were were the ones playing football and trying to break them down, which we did. Saying it an even game is flat out baseless.

Bar Spurs and City on their run of wins, we are the only ones to have opened them up as often as we did, as they sat deep so they could counter us and had it not been for our sloppy play at times at the back, they wouldn`t have had a sniff. Of course, they would have chances in the final 15 to counter us cos fatigue and emotion sets in. We may not have been able to convert the chances we created BUT we created them vs a very difficult opponent who played mostly with 5-7 players behind the ball. I loved the performance and could still have won it at the end or lost it as well so I'll take the point.


01 Feb 2017 00:25:50
I thought Hendo, Wij and Can were great tonight. James Milner looks in need of a week on a beach in the Med to recharge.
They might win the league but Chelsea looked second best to us for the second time this season. They have some big games coming up whereas our run-in looks slightly more favourable so who knows?

Believable1 Unbelievable1

01 Feb 2017 08:55:44
Funny, I didn't see the match but the Telegraph gave Milner 8 out of 10 which I think made him their MOTM - just shows how folk can have a different view in the game.


01 Feb 2017 09:25:09
Personally I thought he was fine but I do understand why you say he may need a rest, it's probably due, against Hull maybe Moreno should be stuck in there see how he gets on, give Milner a rest and bring him back for the spurs game.


{Ed001's Note - how can Milner need a rest? He has not played that many games, having recently had a break due to injury and sitting out cup games! None of our players should need a rest. If they do then they are not training hard enough and so are unfit.}

01 Feb 2017 09:34:41
True ed1 you know more then me mate, i didn't think about him sitting out the cup games.


{Ed001's Note - without European football there are not enough games in the season for our players to have any excuse for needing a rest. That is even if they actually were playing the cup games as well. Even then, it is not the number of games that is the issue, it is the travel. It affects the recovery after matches. Having said that, if they acted like athletes after matches and focused on recovering, rather than going out to the hottest new night clubs and getting hammered, they would all be a lot fitter.}

01 Feb 2017 09:59:38
Very true what your saying ed1, thanks mate.


{Ed001's Note - very welcome.}

01 Feb 2017 10:43:30
Moreno shouldn't get a game against the Under 10's let alone against Hull, the lad is dreadful as he's shown over and over again!

We need to get back to a settled back four of Clyne, Matip, Lovren and Milner, it's the constant chopping and changing that has caused us so many defensive problems recently.


01 Feb 2017 00:25:50
I thought Hendo, Wij and Can were great tonight. James Milner looks in need of a week on a beach in the Med to recharge.
They might win the league but Chelsea looked second best to us for the second time this season. They have some big games coming up whereas our run-in looks slightly more favourable so who knows?

Believable0 Unbelievable5

01 Feb 2017 00:25:50
I thought Hendo, Wij and Can were great tonight. James Milner looks in need of a week on a beach in the Med to recharge.
They might win the league but Chelsea looked second best to us for the second time this season. They have some big games coming up whereas our run-in looks slightly more favourable so who knows?

Believable2 Unbelievable3

01 Feb 2017 00:25:50
I thought Hendo, Wij and Can were great tonight. James Milner looks in need of a week on a beach in the Med to recharge.
They might win the league but Chelsea looked second best to us for the second time this season. They have some big games coming up whereas our run-in looks slightly more favourable so who knows?

Believable1 Unbelievable3

01 Feb 2017 08:12:03
Hendo and Wij was superb but Can he needs to up his game. He is been crap for so many games this season and yesterday he was crap again


 
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