Liverpool Banter Archive July 20 2015

20 Jul 2015 23:33:30
Fantastic idea.

We all know divock needs time to bed in to the premiership. Why not send him on loan to Aston villa. They need a striker and he can grow there and come back stronger.

I would hate to see him play a bit part role like markovic last year.

Excited for benteke!

21 Jul 2015 04:09:01
Sturridge is still out. He might get more game time than you think mate.

I don't think Balotelli, Borini and Lambert will play a part next season.

21 Jul 2015 06:27:43
Tbh, Y don't we sell Balotelli to Aston villa? They would definitely play to his strength.

{Ed001's Note - why would they want him?}

21 Jul 2015 06:32:32
Isn't he quite similar to Benteke? He is not a bad player.

{Ed001's Note - have you ever watched either of them play? I am beginning to wonder if you think they are 'quite similar'.}

21 Jul 2015 06:36:59
Why wouldn't they want that fine majestic stallion?

20 Jul 2015 23:02:30
Honestly gutted to read reports that Sakho could be sent on loan. It appears that we have sorted the full back positions, Clyne and Gomez looking good, but why are we leaving Skyrtle and Lovern in centre with what looks to be Joe Allen covering? Because suddenly this trio are going to stop leaking goals? Our attacking options have definitely strengthened, and I am genuinely excited about our attacking play come the new season, just so disappointed that quality players such as Lucas, Sakho and Ilori seem to be second choice to players that at top 4 clubs would be second choice. We must keep Sakho and play him.

20 Jul 2015 23:19:07
Maybe the player wants to leave?

20 Jul 2015 23:32:11
Sakho won't be leaving.

20 Jul 2015 23:36:18
Or maybe BR has been trying to sell him since last season as Ed01 mentioned at the time.

20 Jul 2015 23:44:05
Still defending the indefensible manager Ron?

21 Jul 2015 06:41:03
I'm pretty sure you're basing this 100% on the game yesterday where we had half a squad. Also Sakho played in both the first two friendlies. It's getting ridiculous now. Firmino hasn't played yet which obviously means he's only seen as a back up goalkeeping coach.

21 Jul 2015 07:01:49
Well if the player doesn't want to leave he won't leave manager or no manager.

21 Jul 2015 07:47:35
Also I'm going to defend Joe Allen here - Joe Allen has looked better in that position in pre season than Lucas absolutely no doubt about that - Lucas is great but personally feel after all the injuries he has had he's just seems to always be that yard of the pace and credit where credit is due Joe Allen has been superb in pre season - Albeit it is only pre season but its still a game you have to perform in and for me he's done that

21 Jul 2015 10:43:21
Allen can do it, just about, when against weak or lower opposition. He has no strength to stay on the ball, his tackling is hit or miss but mostly miss. The main thing about the Welsh Xavi is he is meant to be this possesion player yet I see him often unable to complete a 5 yrd pass. He loses possession every time I watch him in the worst places under minimal pressure.
Has he ever in 3 years made an assist?

He is Championship level at the very kindest. I put him in the same box as Kozma, Cheryou, Diao. Awful.

20 Jul 2015 21:49:30
Hi Eds,

Once Benteke is finalised do you foresee any new arrivals in this transfer window?

I would imagine concentration would turn to getting rid of Ballotelli, Lambert, Enrique and Borini.

{Ed002's Note - I have explained over and over that next up is selling to try and recoup some more of the £100M plus commited spend.}

20 Jul 2015 20:09:56
Eds- any reason why BR would deny any knowledge of the benteke deal in a press
conference in Australia? Makes the club look like there's no communication even though we know that's not the case.

{Ed002's Note - I wouldn't worry unduly about it. There is no hidden message.}

20 Jul 2015 21:58:48
He's learning, that's why (albeit slowly).

You would think it a start to keep the vultures at bay, but they'll continue to circle, like a seagull over the trawler.

Au revoir lids!!

20 Jul 2015 23:38:51
He is being bland and diplomatically correct which is good to see or would you rather he revert to the drivel he is used to spewing for the last three years?

21 Jul 2015 08:25:21
Maybe Susan Black is finally doing her job, limiting what Rogers is saying to the press.

20 Jul 2015 19:03:09
Well if preseason means absolutely anything, apart from the people who we know will start anyway, Gomez and lalanna have to be first names on the team sheet v stoke as it stands

20 Jul 2015 19:43:41
And ibe

20 Jul 2015 20:51:33
I am a huge ibe fan lavers and he has been very good and exciting but I still feel he is lacking that final touch or final pass. at the moment I would probably start with lalanna and coutinho behind benteke/ings depending on how the next couple weeks go. I would like to see firmino eased in as I feel we have the players that I don't think he has to play and if he is anything but 100% I would leave him on bench and bring him on in first couple games. As it stands though I feel ibe would probably be most effective coming off the bench after an hour or so and using his pace and power to freshen up the attack. That being said if ibe was given the start I would be by no means disappointed

20 Jul 2015 20:56:46
Gomez has definitely impressed, and I think he will be used as cover to both Clyne and Moreno. At Stoke, he might just get the node ahead of Moreno as the Spaniard is working his way back to fitness. But I must say, Gomez does look a top talent, athletic, agile, quick and comfortable with the ball. I hope he is managed well, and that too much pressure won't be put on the lad.

Lallana is having a good preseason, but I was disappointed with his second half performance. I would have expected him to step up and show his quality against opposition like these, but it is early days, and fitness and cohesion will be the main things.

Ibe will always stand out because of his pace, dribbling, directness and power, but where he will need to improve is on assisting and scoring, and he did assist once today. I think he is another player, who if managed well, will go on to become an outstanding player.

20 Jul 2015 21:39:03
I totally agree with you. Although, I feel the attributes Ibe may be lacking in (as mentioned) will come with experience. I feel He's trying a bit too hard.

20 Jul 2015 21:40:56
We should try Gomez at CB along with Sakho. He looks a fine prospect and thumbs up to the TC and manager for bringing him.
It would be IBE VS STERLING VS DEPAY for the next season.

20 Jul 2015 22:22:39
The difference with Gomez and talent we already have in the reserves is that at 18 he has already had a season in the championship playing week in week out.

It's time to get our lads on loan in the championship and give them the experience they need, or before you know it there 20 year old and everyone is scratching there heads wondering why they haven't progressed any.

20 Jul 2015 22:34:18
Remember when we thumped dortmund last pre season

20 Jul 2015 23:21:20
Everyone thumped Dortmund last season

20 Jul 2015 23:40:50
Ibe is still learning and will only learn more and get better by playing instead of going on some pointless loan that means nothing.

21 Jul 2015 08:03:35
Ron I feel you missed the point of the post my man :)

20 Jul 2015 16:46:56
Hopefully a few journos have hot mixed up with sakho and borini apparently we are in talks with lazio to sell sakho the even scarier thing was I read we are going to loan him first! This has to be bull

20 Jul 2015 17:56:05
It could be possible I guess. I really hope not. I don't see it happening as we need him. If anyone moved it should've been skrtel and/or toure.

20 Jul 2015 18:24:52
Sakhos about to sign a new contract

20 Jul 2015 17:54:15
It's from an Italian newspaper, pretty sure it's just a page filler.

20 Jul 2015 17:59:31
Oh for the love of God. That would not be a smart move.

Ed's?

{Ed001's Note - I believe Dorset is right, I am told we had an inquiry but said he was not for sale and he is set to sign a new deal. However my info dates from before the tour, so it might be that they came back to bid anyway, but I doubt it personally.}

20 Jul 2015 18:57:01
Thanks Ed. Appreciated.

20 Jul 2015 22:51:55
Lets hope he pens a new deal then ed. Would also love to see a ilori gomez sakho back 3 possibly if BR wants to change things.

20 Jul 2015 15:14:03
my first time ever watching Liverpool in the flesh here in little old Adelaide, unbelievable experience!

A few notes on the game:

- Milner, great signing, full of energy and running in midfield, great touch and vision, talks and communicates with the younger players as well. Was slightly offside for his goal.

- Ibe, awesome pace and skill, very direct however tried to do too much a few times when an easy pass was on, will learn with experience.

- lallana, hendo and Milner were pressing like crazy, hendo urging Origi and Ibe to do the same.

- Migs was quite vocal throughout the whole game, urging the defence to push up constantly.

- Clyne looked very solid, great run and assist.

- Ings looked very composed for his finish, has some decent pace.

Overall an experience I will never forget, still can't believe I got to see a Liverpool game live in my own city. Can't wait to get to Anfield!

20 Jul 2015 19:03:17
Peeps , how did you get to be a Red , what's your story ?

20 Jul 2015 22:01:09
Yes Peeps!!

21 Jul 2015 00:23:13
Ritters, grew up playing and watching football since the age of 5, always had a soft spot for the Reds for some unknown reason. However it wasn't until around 2000 when I was old enough to read about and understand the history and significance of the club, the tragedies, the triumphs, I've been hooked ever since.

Games are shown live over here anywhere between 11pm and 6am on a Saturday, Sunday or Monday, I have not missed a live game in over 10 years. All my close friends are either mad Chelsea or Arsenal supporters, and we will often cut short a Saturday night out to get back home for live games.

Liverpool has a huge following in Aus, 53,008 people were at the game last night, the biggest Aussie Rules game in town the day before didn't get a crowd that big, was an amazing atmosphere, I could only imagine what Anfield is like for a big game!

21 Jul 2015 06:16:38
I'm in Mebourne and had a simular experience 2 years ago. Will never forget 95,000 singing YNWA. I am constantly sleep deprived during the season due to the times in Australia that games are played. When we play in Europe (on weekdays)I am always late to work cause games stat around 6am. Still really disappointed about last season, but hoping to move on this year. Fingers crossed!

21 Jul 2015 08:38:34
Hi peeps adelaide vs port did beat that crowd they got 54416 in attendance

20 Jul 2015 14:42:11
Can we please ban the word Firminho? It's Firmino people. Let's get it right. It's kinda like when we were interested in kono.

"Hey eds are we interested in that kounapliunkay guy?" Or Llori, the combination of Lloris and Ilori.

20 Jul 2015 16:26:14
the spelling police are about.

while you're at it why not just say kind of?

20 Jul 2015 16:46:29
Spb
You sure do need some policing on you guy's page. Some of the renditions of Schneiderlin Schweinsteiger and Sneijder 😂

20 Jul 2015 17:54:34
Its different when you're spelling names and then spelling words. It's like someone named Jon being called Jen. And I use kinda because
1. I'm a redneck.
2. I'm using a phone.
3. Why am I justifying myself to a Manc with nothing better to do than troll our page?

20 Jul 2015 17:13:03
I like firminho . I like that .

20 Jul 2015 17:28:38
Or firminio and the variations of skrtel is great too. The names must be read every day, it can't be that hard can it?

20 Jul 2015 20:57:04
We'll wait for Paul merson to decide the official unofficial ridiculous pronunciation of all signings.

20 Jul 2015 23:39:39
I don't mind spelling mistakes when the words or names are somewhat difficult but calling Ilori Llori is just a new level of ignorance and stupidity

21 Jul 2015 06:49:29
As long as you can recognise who they're talking about it shouldn't be problem. You get some people who have nothing better to do than comment on peoples spelling because they have nothing remotely worth while to say. Just give it a rest we're not at school.

20 Jul 2015 14:17:43
I read a post earlier about whether we should aim to win the Europa Cup as a means to qualify for the CL. Amid the immediate dismissals of how bad we've been in Europe and how Rodgers doesn't know how to play in Europe it made me think about the competition and how we should approach it.

Without doing the maths I expect that we've got the the most expensive squad in the EL, that doesn't necessarily mean we have the best but it should definitely put us amongst the favourites, that is if we take it seriously.

The EL is beaten with 2 sticks, one that it's a poor man's CL and, two, that it distracts from the PL damaging our chances of making the top 4.

Doing well in the EL doesn't bring the riches or the acclaim that doing well in the CL does but it does bring decent riches and winning it could add as much as £30M + match day revenue to our coffers. Add in the fact that we could qualify for the CL through it and the fact that we should want to be winning trophies then I think having a decent crack is certainly in Liverpool's interests.

But what if it impacts us in the PL? Well the advantage of having a large squad is that we should be able to compete in multiple tournaments. Consider this team; Migs, Gomez, Lovren, Illori, Wisdom, Can, Lucas, Markovic, Lallana, Ibe and Ings. It is quite possible that, with the exception of the GK, none of those players will be in the first choice starting 11 (Lucas may be first choice 11 but it would mean dropping one of Hendo, Milner, Studge, Firm or Couts and I'm not sure that will happen) and it's still a decent team, we have enough quality to play competitively twice a week. I'm not saying let's play our second string team, I'm saying we can rotate tired players without compromising our standards.

This is a long way of saying that we should set out to win the EL, the rewards are big enough in every sense to make it worth our while and if we're worried about the risks then perhaps we're too small minded to think we can mix it with the big boys.

20 Jul 2015 14:52:08
It's not small minded to think we won't win it.( or mix it with the big boys) We can most certainly compete with any team on our day. We have an inexperienced manager and a relatively inexperienced squad in Europe which is why I think an easier route is top 4. By all means we should have a go but the top 4 has to be the priority.

20 Jul 2015 15:06:45
Not to mention you have to play 20 odd games to win the EL and can probably afford a couple of defeats within that ( 1 leg of games) you can afford to lose up to about 7 games of 38 in the PL based on last year ( assuming you don't have too many draws instead of wins)

20 Jul 2015 15:09:16
Just to clarify, I don't think it's small minded to think we can't win, but I do think it's small minded to prioritise the league over the EL. We should believe we can achieve our ambitions in both.

20 Jul 2015 19:14:56
Got to believe you have a chance of winning otherwise every season would be just going through the motions.
So I'd like the Premier League title and Europa please. ;-)

20 Jul 2015 22:19:12
We should aim to win every game we play.

21 Jul 2015 04:31:22
Wouldnt mind Utd finishing 4th and us in 5th, only for us to win the europa league and take their place ;) what a sickener that would be!

20 Jul 2015 12:55:23
Eds would it be possible for you and your colleagues to share your expectations on how u feel Liverpool will do this season??

How u expect our new signings to perform and how Brendan Rogers will fair this season.

I know it's quite an open question, just looking for your view on wat we can realistically expect this season.

Regards

Niallo

{Ed002's Note - Between 3rd and 8th in the league.}

20 Jul 2015 13:35:58
Ed 002 I agree that 1st or 2nd is stretching it but surely we can do better than last season. I'd say 3rd or more likely 4th assuming our defence is organised as it should be. One question Ed 002, which of our coaching staff would be working on organising our defence? Would that be O'Driscoll? Thanks

{Ed002's Note - I will stik with 3-8. It would be a waste to use SO'D for the defence.}

20 Jul 2015 12:51:33
MOTM: Ibe( Gomez is a close second)

The player who looks like a super villain: Allen (had a decent performance)

Lallana seems to be getting better by the game, I will still question his stamina. He always seems to fade a lot in the second half (same reason why he was subbed almost in every game for the saints I would think)

I would guess Origi would be dissapointed with his performance, didn´t do much right, but he is only a kid who is adapting to our style.

Ings did well, and I would believe we would have scored a couple more if he had been starting instead of Origi.

I understand what BR is trying to achieve, retaining the ball as quick as possible, but the problem is what they do after they have retained the ball. There are 3 options:

1. pass it backwards, which often leads to that we have a lot of ball possession, but the amount of chances of scoring are close to zero.

2. pass it sideways, which can initiate a counterattack, but more often that not it ended up with nothing other than possession.

3. pass it forward, which in most cases are the big risk, but the risks with the highest yield (both goals came with this approach)

I would just like to see us do a lot more of option 3 than option 1,2 (which seems like the options we do most). Yes we might lose the ball a lot more, but that is why we are pressing so much, and trying to retain the ball, and initiate a counterattack once again.

all in all a good game, and I would like to believe that things looks bright.

20 Jul 2015 13:04:01
Wow so there are three options when in control of the ball? Passing forward, backward & sidewards? Insightful. Thankyou for your pearls is wisdom

20 Jul 2015 13:35:15
What about dribbling or shooting

Does that make 5 options?

And then there's diagonal passes!

6 options!

But you can dribble forwards or back or sideways or diagonally!!

10 options!

20 Jul 2015 13:39:39
Option 3 require special skill to pick those gaps and runs from the midfield. Scholes did with ease at UTD. How many times have I said we need a Creative Center Mid.

20 Jul 2015 13:49:16
there's actually a fourth option the hoof it up as hard and as high as you can allardyce and pulis pass!

20 Jul 2015 13:50:44
I know your being smart but there is also the options of running with the ball sideways ,backwards forwards or in a circle

20 Jul 2015 14:13:35
European glory. I feel that this is what Can will offer if played in that role. With Coutinho playing the AMC role he has a real eye for the intricate pass.

20 Jul 2015 14:20:48
After retaining a ball, you rarely see a Liverpool player dribble forwards, he either dribbles to one of the sides or backwards - which gives the opposition time to get back in formation or keep pressing the ballholder. Yes shooting is also a possibility. Diagonal passes would fit into option 3 (passing it forward).

20 Jul 2015 14:34:26
JQLFC96

I am pretty sure, Can is a decent midfielder who posses good offensive attributes and loves to go forward with the ball.

Controlling the game, reading the game, that's completely a different cup of coffee. It took UTD 5 good years to reaplce Scholes with Schinder.

You will have shorn Can to such a player and I don't think its a good idea.

Modric
Schniderlin
Pjanic
Carzola
Fabrigas

Some notable names.

20 Jul 2015 15:45:30
Who's "Schinder", Harry?

The love child of Schweinsteiger and Schneiderlain?

20 Jul 2015 17:33:40
Cazorla modric and 'schinder' play different roles european glory, saying we lack one of them is saying we lack 3 midfielders.

20 Jul 2015 20:38:34
We should have gone for schinder.

Can is not ready IMO.

20 Jul 2015 12:31:19
All our new guys seam to be doing great, assists goals. If our signings turn out to be as good as we think this year, what actually went so wrong last year?

20 Jul 2015 12:56:50
I'm doing my best to forget last year; I'm not very good at it, but I find it helps :P

20 Jul 2015 13:35:00
What last year? What are you guys talking about? I don't remember anything 😀

20 Jul 2015 13:36:24
Truncated pre-season due to World Cup
Losing talisman and best player
Losing striker to international injury.

20 Jul 2015 11:33:49
With the Premier League top 4 looking strong, and tough to crack, perhaps Liverpool's best way back into the Champions League could be through the Europa League. I for one really hope Rodgers would make a concerted effort in this competition, because last years efforts in Europe where a complete embarrassment for a club of Liverpool's stature in Europe throughout the past

20 Jul 2015 11:55:42
We won 2 of 8 games against mostly mediocre opposition. BR is nowhere near experienced enough to make a dent in that competition. Top 4 is our best chance.

20 Jul 2015 12:13:18
i disagree, i believe getting to top four is easier than winning the Europa League.

The Europa League is a quality competition.

20 Jul 2015 12:20:16
And we have been woeful in Europe.

20 Jul 2015 13:37:01
We will finish top 3

20 Jul 2015 09:16:51
{Ed's Note - We have posted a new article entitled, The Andy Carroll Conundrum

20 Jul 2015 09:34:19
I didn't know that was how he got injured. Did Liverpool know this when they signed him? Surely not?

{Ed001's Note - they had certainly been informed. It was discussed at length on these pages too and I know FSG have people monitoring this site amongst many others. Comolli has a lot to answer for mate.}

20 Jul 2015 13:46:30
I am struggling to believe that FSG have people monitoring this site and yet Ed001 was not brought in to assist them during the 'whole club' review process.

Maybe because you now live in Dubai they thought you where out of their price range mate. ;)

{Ed001's Note - I was in the UK when it begun....}

20 Jul 2015 08:53:44
Hi eds and other reds, I would like your take on this as I have this idea Ilori could learn the trade from Lucas and get played there in dm. He is so quick and also a very good defender and can also handle the ball well.
. Cheers, felmil GH.

20 Jul 2015 09:12:17
how about we just play him at centre back where he actually knows how to play??

20 Jul 2015 12:16:50
JLPred, I was just suggesting as he looks good maybe, just maybe he could be tried there rather than buying another dm.

20 Jul 2015 13:50:26
We need to stop shoehorning players into positions they don't know, he hasn't even had the chance to play centre back for us yet, plus if he goes into midfield, where does Emre Can go???

20 Jul 2015 14:12:45
So we bench Lucas and play llori there? Lol

20 Jul 2015 20:14:13
Get it clear mate, from my earlier post I suggested he could learn from Lucas not playing now but can learn and adapt.

19 Jul 2015 21:25:51
Just wondered Eds, as a fiarly good player but well over it and never paid too much attention to formations, could one of you help an aging fool and tell me what the pros and cons for the christmas tree formation for a team like our maybe?

I am just not too sure exactly. Another way of asking is what sort of team this formation would tend to suit?

Thanks and understand fully if you have no time to waste on my lack of knowledge

{Ed001's Note - I don't think formations are all that important personally, as players move around on the pitch constantly. It is only if you are rigid and limited in your thinking that a particular formation is anything more than where your players stand at kick off.}

20 Jul 2015 09:36:43
Don't you think it's important to have a formation to allow your best players to fit in? Surely formations are important in that sense

{Ed002's Note - It is dynamic and changes during the game. Brendan Rodgers is aiming for a squad that gives him multiple options in "formation". Folks are very often misled about formations as they constantly need to adapt during a match. I recall a discussion once where it was decided that the only time formations could be considered fixed was at kick off. I know this guy at Clairefontaine who for maybe 20 years has been studying if and how different formations are applied. He advocates and teaches that certain sides (he cites Barcelona, Chelsea, Ajax and Kashima Antlers) that have achieved varying levels of success have actually now reverted to something between no formation at all and the Metodo approach and that strict formations should be a thing of the past. He wants to see intelligent players that can adapt as the game changes and this is what is being taught to the French kids who are seen as the future of the game in France. The reality is that whilst defending, even these sides will adopt a 3, 4 or 5 at the back with one or two in front. However, going forward these clubs look to 6 or 7 players being entirely flexible in the positions and space they fill - the premise being if they are intelligent players they will naturally work as a unit and make themselves available to constantly open up new options. This is what I see Rodgers aiming at, which means he needs to get players in that can be flexible and can adapt - as such, it will be a move away from a player simply being placed "wide left" or whatever. Hopefully this makes some sense.}

20 Jul 2015 10:15:07
I think it's better to see players as having "roles" rather than "positions"

20 Jul 2015 10:17:24
Interesting stuff, Ed002. Thanks for your in-depth analysis.

20 Jul 2015 12:02:50
Thanks for this very informative reply ed.