Liverpool Banter Archive May 20 2014

20 May 2014 23:22:25
After such an amazin season I wasthinking back on the first Liverpool experience for me, we had a 30 min highlight show I watched every saturday afternoon in australia on abc, I remember coming home after playing under 6s and watchin that followed a european round up. Going back 20 years now.

Got my first shirt a few years later, the dodgy cream coloured away shirt, to the distress of my dad/grandad both born and bred near salford as united fans, I decided to support Liverpool against united in the mid 90s fa cup final out of spite ha. we lost and got it rubbed into me by the family but i'm still here and love this team even more.

Anyone else have any good stories about why they are fans? Just taking the nervous edge of transfers.

I support Liverpool because my dad (Liverpool fan) went up in the 90's to watch them against Everton with his work colleague and my now uncle (Everton fan), they stayed with my uncles sister in law, who is now my mum, so I guess I support Liverpool as they're the reason I was conceived haha.

Plus there's not a football club in the world who comes close to Liverpool in my eyes, you just can't explain what it's like to support Liverpool, we're such a unique and special club.

Its funny I have a couple of mates who follow everton cause of tim cahill, possibly the only decent player to come out of australia since. well. hmmm. anyways I think he's a cute little sparrow makes it hard supportin the national team.

20 May 2014 23:39:45
In r playground there was Liverpool fans in 1 team and utd in the other that's were my love and hate was born.although my first strip was Brighton the 1983 fa cup final strip.

21 May 2014 00:02:42
Craig Johnson wasn't a bad player to come out of Australia r even Italian international Christian vieri.

Ha cute little sparrow. nice editing mr ed! Yea my fav aus players probably viduka in his leeds days was a beast vieri was amazin when not injured, young fella at the moment tommy oar could be decent with the right development

21 May 2014 03:23:28
I will always remember growing up my parents having parties (every weekend lol) with a group of their very close friends who I now call my aunties and uncles who moved to australia from Liverpool years ago. They are and were Liverpool mad.! and without fail there would be a drunken YNWA being sang around the bon fire every saturday night lol. Great times. They got me loving Liverpool from a very young age.

20 May 2014 22:51:15
Hi eds, I'm hearing over and over from different sources that Sanchez is the one BR wants as our main attacking signing. A aspas will go back to Spain. If the right offer comes in for Borini and presuming we have Sanchez sorted, then he will go. JC

20 May 2014 19:36:16
Ed over the last couple days when I go onto the banter page it redirects me to the App Store? It might just be my phone but it's never happened before.

{Ed033's Note - it's possible you found a broken link and our hosting company thinks it's ok to send you to one of their adverts (which is nothing to do with us) instead of our broken link page.

It will happen to everyone on android or apple. Just depends which adverts pop up on the site, it auto open the store. Maybe 1 in 10 visits it happens to me.

20 May 2014 19:53:32
Now, I know I'm probably going to bitten for this, but IMO we need a striker! City have aguero, negredo, dzeko and to some extent jovetic and play 1 or 2 a game, utd, van p, Rooney, Hernandez and wellbeck, also play 1 or 2 a game, Chelsea have eto, ba and Torres and only play 1. We have 3/4 depending on aspas and Borini and we play 2 strikers every game, I know those clubs can offer bigger wages but with 50 plus games next season, I just don't feel we will be able to to compete on all fronts with just 3. Look as arsenal, I know they won the fa cup, and congrats to them, but they faded in the league, partly because sanogo was their only backup!

I'm not too sure that's why they faded.

In terms of importance Striker is the one position I would say we 100% don't need anyone. We don't play with 2 strikers every game. When Suarez was banned Sturridge was a lone striker Aspas played deep.

Suarez played as a lone striker when Sturridge was injured. We will just change systems, 4 strikers is enough. if we are in an emergency I would rather give our youth a shot rather than a purchase 'just incase the majority of our strikers get injured'. Sinclair is probably a few years off the first team but I'd rather play him in a pinch than spend 10M+ on another cover striker.

Fabio Borini helped fire a relegation threatened (for nearly the entire season) Sunderland into a League Cup final, scoring some important goals along the way including a good goal in the final.

I think he has a lot too offer the club should Rodgers keep him, which I hope he does. I'd personally be much happier to keep Borini as a third choice/another option than to sell him. I'd like him to feature in the domestic cups and offer an attacking threat from the bench if Sturridge fades or gets a knock for example.

He works tirelessly and is a constant pest and he can score given a chance or two. I think he developed very well in the second half of the season under Gus Poyet and became an instrumental player in their bid for safety. He was given Sunderland young player of the year award and finished joint top goal scorer with Adam Johnson on 10 goals in all competitions and he managed a couple of assists.

Borini scored against : Newcastle in the Prem twice home and away from the spot, Chelsea in the League Cup and in the League from the spot away at Stamford Bridge, against Man United from the spot in the semi final of the League Cup, against Southampton in the Prem, against Man City in the League Cup final, against WBA in the Prem and against Swansea in the Prem on the last day of the season.

I think you're right, we do need one. To replace aspas. hard worker nice guy but not quite worked out for him.

quite like to see someone physical like bony in case teams park the bus and we need to mix it up a bit. either that or promote one of the young lads like jack dunn

20 May 2014 19:09:32
I think Agger + £15m for Sanchez would be a good deal for everyone concerned. My only doubt would be if Sanchez wanted to come to Liverpool. i'm not so sure about that. And how serious are Liverpool about bringing Sanchez to the club? i'm not so sure about that that either.

This isn't something I've heard, its just my opinion.

Thanks

So we give them our vice captain and £15 million?
What are you drinking and can I have some?

Getting Sanchez will i'm sure take a lot of finances. He's an awesome player, I don't know why Luis Enrique would sell him but he is apparently available.

Juventus apparently want him, Arsenal and ourselves also. But we've seen this many times over and I personally don't believe it unless they are standing at Anfield with the current staff, say either Arye or Rodgers shaking their hand or just signed a contract, or having a medical (those weird picture of players half naked laing on a futuristic looking medi bed getting the once over from Dr Zaf. :D

20 May 2014 17:41:35
No real news on transfers yet so I'll open up a discussion if anyone has any thoughts,,, do you think they'll ever just do away with the Europa League altogether? Personally I don't think clubs take it seriously,,, big clubs see it as a distraction and I remember 'Bolton' even fielding a weaken team to concentrate on the league. Is there even any significant money for the club who lifts the trophy? I think they ruined the competition when they changed it, now it seems like a long hard slog from pre season to close and no club even wants it. Thoughts?

I personally feel that having the winners qualify for the next season's champions league is the last throw of the dice.

If that doesn't work i'd expect they'll remove it.

It's only us English clubs that whinge about how many games. Foreign sides take it very seriously. Also its great for clubs like Hull and Wigan to play in Europe. It's a massive trophy that our clubs need to take seriously. It's very important for players development as well. AVB always took it seriously and fair play to him.

20 May 2014 19:31:11
Now that there is a CL place at the end people will take note of it.

It should not be scrapped, the bonus of a champions spot for the winners has been introduced (from 2015 I think) and this may prove to be more of an incentive.

For me personally I do not agree with the cl 3rd place dropping into it, this devalues the competition as various managers have done over the years with their team choices.

If a team qualifies and then doesn't take it seriously then they should have a european ban (possibly suspended) but maybe there should be a choice, wigan suffered last year, hull may well suffer next year because the additional games cause more stress on the smaller squads. So should a team qualify and choose not to enter then the place should be up for grabs for a team that wants to. Though the teams turning it down should note that it could impact on them should they qualify for champions league, maybe placed in the bottom seeds or early qualifying rounds as probation for disrespecting the europa league.

With the likes of Sam Allardyce at bolton it was understandable but laughable, this is a manager who wasn't willing to test himself properly against foreign opposition but would have happily taken the england job.

The competition does need a revamp, but it is still a very important cup for testing your skills in a larger arena. Teams need to treat it with more respect because the champions league is a tough one to be in with no european experience.

Personally I think it is devalued with the 3rd place CL teams entering the competition. Hopefully the entrance to the CL now makes it a more appealing prospect.

I was ecstatic when we last won the Uefa Cup, but teams have a very different view of success nowadays. Staying in the Premier League outweighs most things because of the revenue it brings in. Much like Daglish I believe success is (ultimately) about winning things although there are exceptions.

They need to change the days the games are played on, same as the CL.

I like the Uefa Cup/Europa League, I know it's been battered over the years, but it is a decent second tier competition in Europe and has some bloody good history behind it.

I loved it when we won it with Michael Owen, Robbie Fowler, Danny Murphy, Sami Hyypia, John Arne Riise, Emile Heskey, Gary McAllister, Didi Hamann, Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard, some of my favourite players during a very awesome time in my youth. Beating Roma, Porto and Barcelona on our way to victory and watching Chelsea get beaten over two legs by St Gallen from Switzerland in the first round was extremely comical. :)

I especially like it when the Europa League team beat the Champions League team in the Super Cup. Chelsea losing 4-1 to Atleti with Falcao scoring a hat trick springs to the mind. Or when we, Liverpool beat Bayern Munich 3-2 with a very red faced Oliver Kahn, who was red faced only a few months later again, when England played Germany in Germany and won 1-5 with all Liverpool players scoring the goals in a memorable and rare victory over ze Germans. :) Truly an awesome year for football.

When Liverpool qualified for it it meant we were live on tv on a thursday and normaly the sunday aswell which was a massive bonus in my eyes. I would play the squad players and youngsters anf belive if utalised properly iy would keep everyone match fit and give the youngsters massive experience.

Thanks for the posts reds. Very interesting to hear other fans views. I agree with most things said tbh,, it's a historic competition that we've been lucky to experience great nights in.
The champions league teams should not drop into it, Thursday nights are a hindrance to clubs, would it really effect anyone if they played on Tuesday/Wednesday same as the Champions League?

I think the Europa League should become a straight knockout cup competition. No group stages, just a randomly drawn, home and away 2- leg straight knockout. Not even starting until after the group stages of the CL are over. 3rd and 4th place getters in CL drop to a Europa Cup knockout competition with a reduction in teams able to qualify for this knockout comp. But that's just me.

20 May 2014 16:41:23
I wonder how many cleaners, canteen staff, ground workers. etc at Citehs training ground recieve birthday cards off Yaya Toure

Maybe all the sheiks involved should have rocked up in their bugatti's, jumped out and done a Poznan .that's the traditional and 'original' celebration for citeh fans isn't it?

I'm sure that would have been more appropriate than a simple handshake

Agree with mikey, he needs to get a grip!

20 May 2014 16:12:13
Hey eds I know this is more for the united page but I don't really have too much of an interest in visiting their page and so I was just wondering if van gaal has any input on uniteds transfers as obviously he is still going to be prioritizing holland at the word cup so will all transfers be solely down to their transfer committee or will van gaal give some input aswell? Thanks

{Ed007's Note - You're right, it is a question for the Utd page.}

I'd imagine Van Gaal would give Woodwood the heads up to who he'd like the club to go for, that club, much like ours is a machine and the wheels turn even when there isn't a manager in place. But that's just a guess.

20 May 2014 15:26:22
what would people think about a playoff situation in the premier League either for relegation or the finals CL place not a lot of banter on here today so just a question I personally think the League is fine as is but am Curious for others thoughts

In my opinion there should be no play off system in any league. A league is a league and where you finish should be where you finish.
I have no time for such nonsense

I would like to see a championship game between the top 2 teams if there are 3 points or less between the 2 sides. At the end of the day everyone can go on about City being of a Championship caliber, but the reality is that they were 2 draws better than Liverpool. The manner in which you win doesn't matter, only that you win. good is a stupid way to decide a champion, in my opinion. A final game can either be played on a neutral ground, or the team in 1st gets the home advantage.

{Ed002's Note - Sour grapes - how would you feel if Liverpool had won the league and then lost.}

Have a play off if the top 2 teams have identical stats come the end of the season. Or if 2 teams finish on the same points and stats and one needs to be relegated. That's it though.

{Ed002's Note - That is how it is already.}

I agree. A league is a league. Live with it.

The thing I like about the play-offs is it still gives mid table teams something to play for coming up to the end of season instead of them just going through the motions, with no chance of promotion or relegation.

I agree with Chris. I can't understand why the FA don't believe that 46 games isn't enough.

How many times have you seen a team pipped at the post on the last day and finish 3rd (or 4th in League 2), god knows how many points clear of the other play off teams and then not make it through the play offs a la Brentford last year - Just seems wrong as far as I am concerned

They had a play off in Rugby a few years back, Gloucester won the League but lost to Leicester in the ''play off'' it was chuffing awful, it turned the league into a mockery and was done away with soon after. Gloucester still haven't won it since, so many actually feel a great resentment to the very notion of ''playoffs''.

I think it would be a travesty if it happened in Football.

Im going with Chris. I don't think there should be a playoff for promotion as well.

I don't like it in the championship when the top 3 are like 10 or more points clear of the chasers and the team who could third still have to do the play offs! Unfair really!

20 May 2014 22:08:45
Ed002 - not sour grapes at all. I'd actually be in favor of a more robust playoff system, but I'm American and we love our playoffs! My dad is Hungarian and I remember him telling me that's how it was decided in their league and I've always thought that was a great idea. If it's within a win there's a playoff. Just how I feel regardless of whether Liverpool were 1st or 2nd.

{Ed002's Note - I suspect you are the only one who would want to see Liverpool win the league and then put it up for grabs again.}

The league results clearly show the best and most consistent team as the winner. With playoffs, Liverpool could win every game in a season beating every team 5-0 and lose their final game so end up with nothing. It makes no sense.

20 May 2014 11:50:26
Hello Eds, I was just wondering, if Barry was loaned out last season, surely he will be moving to another club this summer. Is there any interest from Liverpool? I believe he would fit in nicely with our system. He was good for Manchester City and we are trying to play a similar sort of football. Thanks in advance for any info.

{Ed002's Note - I am not aware of any interest.}

Sumon, did you check his age before you typed this post? Just a thought .

He's out of contract in the summer, I thought?

20 May 2014 11:12:16
Does anyone know what is the situation with yesil? any chance of seeing him play for us or on loan this season?

The situation is that before Christmas his knee exploded for the second time in a few months, his ACL is ruptured again . The outlook is not good I'm afraid .

Words like "again" suggests it's the same knee, which is isn't. Extremely unlucky for the lad, but I wouldn't write him off just yet.

Feel absolutely gutted for the lad, really hope he fully recovers, he's probably young enough to have a chance, but can't help feeling it has most likely severely damaged the enormous potential he obviously had prior to the injuries. Hope I’m wrong though, get well soon Samed.

He is probably unlikely to ever have a playing career in a top team now. Maybe unlikely to have a playing career full stop. I'm hope I'm wrong though.

It is really a very devastating thing for a footballer, not to mention this young, to encounter so many injuries. I have got to a point that I just wish he could continue plying his trade as a footballer even if it's not for us. Get well soon Samed.

20 May 2014 10:55:06
hi eds any chance Liverpool interested in serge aurier, I know arsenal looking, get him for less than 10mil and his wages wouldn be massive, imo this is the type of player we need and should be looking at we have plenty of creativity its tough strong defenders and cdm we badly need imo.thanks eds great job sifiling {sp}through all the s**t out there that the papers are filling are heads up with.

{Ed002's Note - I can't sensibly answer questions with "any chance" in them. Liverpool has shown no interest.}

20 May 2014 12:18:00
Good afternoon ED's and Reds,

The anticipation of the WC is building and the excitement surrounding prospective transfers to Liverpool.

It's going to be a great summer for football after what has been an enthralling season!

So here is my first controversial thought.

Gerrard needs to retire. His legs are gone and that slip against Chelsea was just completely reflective of a player without the nerve to cut it at the top level. Fergie was right when he said Stevie wasn't a top TOP player.

Only joking. I feel dirty even typing those words! Ha.

But seriously, Alexis Sanchez + Adam Lallana anyone? One can only dream!

20 May 2014 11:15:54
Hi eds,

First time poster here, but I've been reading the forums for long, and really appreciate the work you do.

Read today in a Swedish newspaper (Aftonbladet), that Yaya Toure might be leaving City this summer. He's feeling appreciated enough by the club, with the most recent example being them completely forgettting about his birthday. His agent made an example of Liverpool as a club where nothing like this would've happened, where he would rather be praised.
My question is, how likely is Toure to leave City this summer? And also, is there be any chance Brendan might be able to or interested in reuniting him with Kolo in Liverpool? I know he is on ridiculous wages, but imagine the power shift it would be in the Premier League if we got him.

Cheers and have a great day,

YNWA.

Anddddd.we can all sing Ya ya, ya ya ya ya, Kolo Kolo Kolo. Wait

20 May 2014 10:53:17
Can you see the sanctions placed on city this summer, take over world football? Caps have always been discussed, and city's sanctions mean they can only spend 49m+ what they bring in for sales. It would be great if this happened to every club in my opinion, could get the right balance across European football, as well as making clubs that over spend, healthier in the long run?

I imagine they will have a clear out so that will bring in some income. 49m is a lot of money still and the squad just won the league. They are hardly hard done by by these sanctions. But I get where your coming from, it's at least a start.

I get UEFA wanting to milk these money cow clubs such as City but if they want FFP to work it has to be exclusion from UEFA comps and/or big points deductions in the domestic leagues. The point is to stop buying success, not just have to pay more for it! A 3 point retrospective deduction for city would do nicely for this first offence ;)

{Ed002's Note - UEFA has no control over the domestic leagues. Do you want them running the EPL?}

I know Ed but an agreement between UEFA and the various FA's could be sorted out.

IMO, the FA should be doing more on FFP. They act with points reductions for clubs that go into administation which is kind of closing the stable gate. Don't get me wrong, I'm not looking to lock the leagues down, every club should have the opportunity for somebody to come in and invest.

{Ed002's Note - The FA have their own FFP rules. I have no idea what you think UEFA and the FA will sort out. This is all nonsense. Sorry.}

What is it that is nonsense?

Agreements between the various FA's is what UEFA it there to do - the EPL and the other 50+ members.

I have not specified any details to an agreement - a points deduction could be proposed and perhaps agreed, the same as anything wanting to be changed.

I have not said the FA do not have FFP rules, simply they should do more.

{Ed002's Note - I don't think you understand about the plans the premier league has for FFP, nor what the remit of UEFA covers.}

20 May 2014 09:17:40
Hi Eds,
I just wanted your honest opinion as to whether this window will be a success for Liverpool or not? The last couple of windows have been disappointing as Liverpool haggle over prices and another team swoops in and signs all of our targets. Do you anticipate the same again this summer? Your opinion would be appreciated.

{Ed002's Note - Many posters will never be satisfied.}

Jrach, we will have champions league which is a major factor in attracting players .

20 May 2014 09:07:42
Up bright and early to read last nights posts,
Ed002 mate, you were really on form last night -
good stuff that gin? What of the hangover effects?
Hair of the dog is the only cure I know of that works.

20 May 2014 13:46:41
SWIM told me weed is a mighty good hangover killer too. Although it might hinder Ed002's travels at airports if he smells like Bob Marley reincarnated.

JFT 96

JP

20 May 2014 09:00:22
wpedia says Wilfred Bony had a trial at Liverpool in 2007 but wasn't offered a contract. Is this true?

20 May 2014 11:16:06
Yep it is, but one of the reasons was a work permit, it was impossible to get him one at that time.

Yaya toure should have been an arsenal player but for the exact same reason

20 May 2014 21:23:14
mhm, funny how that special talent so you can get a work permit works. Players like Anderson and Fabio got permits with ease! but I guess they are "special" though;)

20 May 2014 10:25:45
Ed's, I read that "Macca" was a busy bod at the mo but would you chaps expect he'll be throwing some opinions in the pot this summer?

It's fun flailing around all the "targets" but always a pleasure seeing a Macca post, genuinely hope the historic negative replies haven't made him jack it all in

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

20 May 2014 00:23:22
I was reading Marca online and they say Barcelona have put the following up for sale: Alexis, Mascherano, Alves, Pedro and Tello. They would also consider bids for Cesc. what are the chances of Liverpool making a bid for anyone of them. Thanks

{Ed002's Note - Brendo and the boys might be a bit flaky but they can't have that many knee jerk reactions each summer.}

If true. I'd take alves with flano and McLaughlin as his under studies. In an ideal world that is.

19 May 2014 22:16:50
Ed with the worsening crisis in ukraine, will it impact on teams from there . Donetsk dnipro and dinamo kiev etc . can't imagine any european teams relishing going there if they were drawn in the same groups in europe, and i'd imagine players would want to leave

{Ed002's Note - In the same way as all of the players left England during the 70s and 80s I guess when there were issues with Ireland? No doubt Liverpool will be there snatching them all. But I am guessing it will be less than 20 that join. Feel free to pick up to 20 players from Ukraine who can replace the trash at Liverpool that have failed again this season.}

I wonder if some teams will end up in the Russian league.

20 May 2014 09:06:00
Oh Ed002, I can see you getting a lot of stick for that one, however, not from me, I thought it was funny

20 May 2014 09:06:56
One question ed, with the popularity of this site increasing everyday, do you know if there are LFC players or staffs who post in this site?
Btw I've read the Ed002 appreciation page in facebook, hilarious ed :D

{Ed002's Note - I showed the site to one prospective player who decided not to shine. Ed001 has said he knows of a couple or so.}