Liverpool Banter Archive April 21 2012

 

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21 Apr 2012 23:29:32
Does anyone know who played for the under 18s today v Newcastle? The last bit of info I need to finish a webpage I've created documenting the 2011-12 under 18s season. Cheers!

DP


It's hard to find any list. Newcastle have their players listed but not Liverpools. And, needless to say, the at times shoddy job on the Liverpool site gives only a brief match report. Here's the report from the Necastle site. It might be too long for the Eds. to allow but you can at least make a start on some players who played.

Newcastle United Under-18s 3 (McGorrigan, Maddison, Miele)
Liverpool Under-18s 2 (Ortiz, McLaughlin)

A late goal from Brandon Miele took Newcastle United to within touching distance of the Premier Academy League Group D title.

Dave Watson's side need one more win from their two remaining games to be crowned champions following this dramatic victory over Liverpool, despite second-placed Leeds' 1-0 win at Everton.

And United's latest success came without key players like Adam Campbell, Remie Streete, Dennis Knight, JJ Hooper and Michael Riley, proving that their form has truly been a squad effort.

In a thrilling match at Little Benton, Jose Ortiz gave the Reds a first half lead from the penalty spot but Newcastle equalised through Ryan McGorrigan before Marcus Maddison headed them in front.

With six minutes remaining, Ryan McLaughlin equalised for the visitors with a fine solo goal but in the dying seconds, midfielder Miele slid in to seal a vital three points.

The Magpies started off on top, with Steven Logan forcing Tyrell Belford into a good save after the midfielder did well to win possession inside the Liverpool penalty area, before Maddison forced the Reds keeper into an even better stop after Dan Taylor had hooked the ball on for him.

Logan, playing just behind main striker Taylor and revelling in the role, then strode forward to bring another save from Belford before the visitors began to threaten as an attacking force.

When they did, Jordan Ibe was the main instigator and after his strong run, skipper Jordan Lussey scuffed the ball wide. Defender Lloyd Jones then headed wide from a corner but at the other end, Taylor's flick-on was met on the volley by Miele, only for his effort to flash past the post.

However on 38 minutes, Liverpool went ahead when Michael Hoganson's rash challenge on McLaughlin in the box was penalised and Ortiz stepped up to convert - although Jonathan Mitchell almost kept it out.

The Magpies keeper did well six minutes later, though, to get his hands to a curling strike from the same player but the Reds went in ahead at half-time.

Liverpool continued where they had left off at the beginning of the second half, with England under-16 international Jerome Sinclair beating Mitchell only for Hoganson to block his shot on the line, then Kristofer Peterson shot just wide.

But signs of a Newcastle comeback were there when Maddison played in Hoganson and the left-back almost caught out Belford as he attempted to squeeze the ball in at the near post, only for the keeper's fingertip to push it onto the woodwork.

At the other end, MItchell denied Sinclair before the Magpies levelled on 57 minutes. Maddison sprinted upfield before slipping in Taylor who advanced and crossed low from the right for McGorrigan to force the ball home at full stretch.

Maddison was proving too hot for Liverpool to handle and another great run and shot was matched by a block from Belford, but Mitchell made an even better stop seconds later as he once again thwarted Sinclair.

But after McGorrigan had shot into the side-netting, Newcastle went ahead through Maddison who got a deserved goal. He had caused the visitors problems with his feet all day but it was his head which did the damage as, after winning a free-kick, he rose highest to steer Miele's floated left-wing delivery home.

The Merseysiders refused to accept defeat, however, and on 84 minutes the pacy McLaughlin scampered down the right before finishing from the tightest of angles and it looked as though honours would end even.

Miele had other ideas though, and after Alex Nicholson's clever pass to Logan allowed the Scottish youth international to drill the ball across goal, Miele was there to get the vital touch.

United still needed one last intervention from Mitchell, whose trailing leg kept out Sinclair to ensure a wonderful win.

Newcastle United Under-18s: Jonathan Mitchell, Alex Nicholson, Michael Hoganson, Louis Storey, Alex Kitchen, Ryan McGorrigan, Ben Sayer, Brandon Miele, Marcus Maddison, Steven Logan, Dan Taylor

Subs not used: Freddie Woodman, Lee Desmond, Liam Smith, Esteban Cardona Lopez, Alex Gilliead


You've created a webpage about the under 18's entire season and you don't know who played today? How could you comment on that game when you hav'nt even seen it or know who played in it? and people on this page talk about lazy reporter's!


That must be why liverpools official site gets more hits than any other British club.


Ah thank you very much, got 8 of them now. Yeah Liverpool's match reports of the youth games do leave a lot to be desired, especially when you see what other clubs produce- like this one! Thanks again

DP


And to the second person: I'm not writing match reports or anything, it's just the results with goalscorers, and then player stats- appearances/goals. All I need to be able to write the page is lineups, goalscorers and ideally times of goals. It's just an article on a Liverpool wiki I edit.

DP


Ok DP i'll let you off! Hehe! Sorry for questioning you!


This place is mental but f--king addictive lmfao


No problem DP seems like even helping a fellow fan on this site will bring about ignorant comments from the muppets. To the guy who said Liverpool site gets most hits. If you had the intelligence to read properly, this particular thread was about the under 18s game today. The official club site is very bad for anyone seeking info on reserve or academy games. Newcastle's site had a great roundup of the game, even Chelsea have a link on their site for all league positions of their squads.

Cork Red Boi


Sterling will play sunday unless we get a player sent of


 

 

21 Apr 2012 22:44:57
I see not matter what this teams does this season some people are not going to be happy. Two cup finals are obviously clearly not enough. I heard on the radio Arsenal had qualified for CL football for the past 15 seasons, but no trophy for 7, going on eight, yet it's considered a success. The spuds rose to 3rd and were mentioned as possible champions, now they are struggling to finish 5th!

Now I may be missing something here but isn't success measured on trophies won and not finishing in the top 4? We had 3 competitions to enter at the beginning of this season, we could end up winning two of them. Chelski apart, no one else can claim this.

Yes our league position is not great, notice I said not great as some on here think the words Acceptable, Right, are our god given privilage. It's not we have to earn finishing at the top or top four. Realistically with a little luck we could quite easily have been 12-15 points better off, but we are NOT. Yes like all redmen I want us to win the league, the CL, and all cups we enter, but I also believe we are at least 18 months away from a serious challenge (but will gladly settle for a cup or two inbetween).

As you know I back KK to bring us these glories we strive and I am more than happy with:

a. Overall the style of football we play.
b. His signings, that includes AC & JH (Lucas anyone? remember how he was slated early on?)
c. Progress to date (2 cup finals)

Early in the season AC came in for some dreadful stick on here (some granted I agree) but since the new year I have seen a significant improvement in his all round game and contribution, the boy actually looks like the player we wanted when we bought him (interesting fact from todays paper, when AC & LS start together they have 12 goals in 15 games btween them.......) Jordan H, a young lad who has played out of position most of this season (remember D Kuyt when he first played out wide, slated for not being able to beat a man - now people are clamouring for his return) the point here is give JH a chance to prove himself. Not just over a season, give the boy a couple of years to develop before writing him off.

Finally, just want to comment on the semi final, last week. Thought overall we were the better side and given the bitters were full of confidence going into the game and given they were going to slam us and teach us a lesson I can honestly say it gave me as much pleasure last week to beat them again as it did in 1986! Roll on the 5th May! - TMac


Your post was to long and i got bored.but the little i admitedly did read posed the question.over 38 games the team or teams that finished above you where better than you,and if the teams that finnished above you just so happen to make the top four the bonus for acheiving this is qualification for the cl.this is held in such high stature that without kicking a ball they are gaurenteed a minimum of roughly 12-14 mil plus add ons and the like plus all the kudo,s that go with it.over 38 games luck doesnt come into it.but you can be unlucky not to win a cup on the way to a top 4 finish.only 2 thinks really matter prem league winners and cl qualification,the rest are just decorations on the cake,sorry!


I certainly support the view that success is measured in terms of trophies, not in terms of how much money a club makes. I have always regarded trophyless seasons as failures, and trophy-winning seasons as successful ones.

Red Owl


Tmac I agree fully with your post. I the last year and a half we have had a beat full squad over haul and I my-self will be buzzing if we take 2 cupsthis. Yes league form has not been perfect. But what do people expect Afta these lads have just under a year together..??!?? If u people think what has been achieved this year is not progress then we have a problem.. I think if we can get 3-4 good young players in for the positions we have fallen slightly short on this year eg a goal poacher and pacy right winger... I for one think we won't be to far off. I'm for will sit
Back and look at the bigger picture and if we take the fa cup I would say good season. No will remember who came 4th in 2012 but they will say oh Liverpool won the cup double that year...
sorry for the long post....
Rickblfc....


Im sitting here thinking,who da f--k won the f.a. cup last year,and i honestly cant think who where in the final,but thank goodness im not suffering from dementia because i can remember who the top 4 were last year and where they finnished,believe that or dont believe it,i dont really care,but i bet a lot of you secretly agree
trev the gooner


Trev you would remember the top four because thats all you can remember....log on to LFC and you will see a captian lift a trophy and not a board member rubbing their hands at 4th spot and that 10m it brings.........ask RVP which he would sooner have?? - TMac


 

 

21 Apr 2012 22:39:40
Though our last round of English signings have yet to be totally convincing, I believe Jordan Henderson has already played so many first team matches in his career that he will without doubt become a midfield force when he is allowed to grow into his best position. A lot like Lucas his best is yet to come.
As for Andy Carroll I almost feel sorry for him as he has had so few balls put into his killing zone this season. Balls with pace 7 ft of the ground in the 6 yard box is where Andy Carroll will make his money. Given plenty of them again I feel the best is yet to come.
Stuart Downing has fallen short of Ashley Young this season in the who brought the better player from villa stakes, but he is not useless. His going to have to chip in with more goals next season otherwise he will become the next Dirk Kuyt.
This said I hope we will not shy away from buying other English players who have potential. One name that I believe will bring great fizz to our forward line is Victor Moses.
When He is on form I see something in him that I see in Wayne Rooney, he is small but tough, strong and skilful. Hard to knock of the ball, someone who can hold up the ball and bring others into play.
We should make sure we get him, we should have gotten Valencia from Wigan but didn't, let's not miss out again.
Bellamy is great but time is running out, Kuyt is finished, Suarez is unpredictable.
Moses is quality, his potential is huge. It's a shame he will represent Nigeria not England.


Henderson is a chicken Shelvey has more balls than him, when i watch Shelvey his movement and playing style looks to me like Gerrard's.


Shelvey is another along with spearing and Kelly and flannagin who given the game time will cement themselves as permanent fixtures at Anfield for years to come.
Should dalglish move up stairs or out of the club anytime, it's hard to imagine a new manager putting their head on the block and trusting so many youngsters. No doubly we would see an influx of new foreign players, and many youngsters loaned out or sold. Stirling can't even get a game, and he is the most promising young player we have had since Michael Owen.


 

 

21 Apr 2012 22:03:35
There were 3 ex Liverpool players on show tonight in the el classico. Add that to the loss of Torres, demise of carra and injuries to gerrard, it gives you an indication of the world class quality we had at one time in our first team. It takes time to rebuild that. So before we ask for dalglishs head or carrol to be sold or slag of any other player remember it takes time, can't be done in one or two seasons alone and we have to be prepared to go backwards before we step forward. The league was the step back this year, the cups were positives. With a bit of luck and some changes in the summer it should be better next year. We don't deserve to be first because we are Liverpool, we have to earn the right to be first. Lots of mistakes made in the last 10-15 years at the club, hopefully this new mgt team will address all of those mistakes but it takes patience & toil. I will still support the club whatever happens, if you can't say the same you are not a fan.

Red first & last.


Brilliant post


There was one in the 'el hotpoto' this afternoon aswell and Tom Ince was great.

Mr.Roller Coaster ;)


To be a massive 36 points behind Man U,shows how much we have fallen behind,and Torre wasnt doing the business for months before he left and has been dire at Chelsea,to have spent what we did on players should have brought us nearer the top teams,which it obviously hasnt,Newcastle have boughht much better and spent far less,daw your own conclusions.


In those 10/15 year's true a lot of mistake's were made but in that time we won a cup treble in 01 the League cup 03 the CL in 05 the FA cup in 06 and possibly a cup double this year! Add to that we were runner's up in the League cup 05 and the CL 07! If we win the FA cup in May we'll average a major trophy every 2 year's which some side's would deem very successful! IN the last 11 year's we've got to 10 major final's! 13 counting the super cup final's and World club final! just wanted to remind people that it was'nt all that bad in those 10/15 year's!


I get it takes time. my only thing is you don't pay 35m and 20m for time. you pay it for NOW.


In the long term, the bigger picture, have Newcastle really bought better? Don't think so.
My money is on a massive dip in form and back to mid table or less mediocrity for the Geordies next season. Where as we will go from strength to strength!
kidmillions


 

 

21 Apr 2012 21:46:54
I certainly hope LFC are not interested in Tello anymore, he is very average!.


This post is average!


Tello is a very good prospect


You obviously have only seen him play once and it was tonight trust me this guy is not average


 

 

21 Apr 2012 21:42:01
Commoli has attaked kennys transfer policy.He said Kenny was the one who wanted these players he advised kenny against buying most the players he signed. He said Suarez and Enrique are the only players he agreed with kenny on along with some u18 players. The rest are kenny's choices. He also said he is not the one who trains the players and that at times he has been shocked by kenny's tactics and results in the league as are the owners.He also said that the manager will always be judged by league form as this is the most important thing to the owners cups are a bonus and great but only if we are in the top 4 with the outlay they demand champions league anything else is not good enough. This is one of the first interviews he has done after leaving


Can you provide a link to prove this please?

Or have you just got off the phone to Mr Commolli?

Otherwise, you're just blowing smoke out your ass...

Matt S - YNWA


Do you have a link to it? I think most fans would believe that it was kenny who wanted the ' british talent'. RedTurk


Its true commoli was telling me & santa peter pan & big foot
red rrab


From what i can gather kenny clearly admitted they where all his signings and commoli did a great job getting them here.. and they also seemed to have a great relatioship so i find it hard to believe he would slate kenny like that.. i could be wrong i suppose.

lfc89


The source, I believe, is 'bloke down the pub'

cozinoz


If comolli did say this it shows his complete void of dignity. However if as I suspect you have just made this up it shows how foolish you are.

As for the owners investment. If you ignore the increase in commercial revenue. The £30m a year the club was paying in interest and the record deal we have signed with warrior and just look at the £117.8m they have spent. Knock off that the £78.4m of players they sold that leaves an investment of just shy of £40m. When you consider the summer clear out achieved a £30m a year wage saving the new owners have pumped in a massive £10m.

If £10m is not enough to take a team from 6 points above relagation to top 4 god knows what is. Kenny should be strung up


Commolli has been paid off and sent up the road. can you honestly see liverpools owners not putting clauses in that require himto not say anything regarding the club or the signings?. if they did,nt ,then they are not the business people that i thought that they are.
robbie


What a stupid post. There is NO WAY Commolli would be allowed to talk to either the press or ANYONE due to a rock solid NON DISCLOSURE agreement that FSG have certainly put in place.

The pay off he received will have very stringent legal clauses that would prevent any disclosure, which is very common in cases like this. If Commolli does a press statement, he would literally lose MILLIONS......and hes not that daft.

Ignore the post it was written by a muppet

Tel 1949


 

 

21 Apr 2012 21:37:38
I think a team of
Reina
Gj ms da je
Sg ll ca sd
Ac ls

Would be a match for most teams
Key is sg on the right in a 442, he doesn't suit 442 as a cm

Cp


Your two center mids are out for da season
AnfieldUSA


So you managed to spell 'Reina' and then...just gave up.

cozinoz


Youve not realy grasped the concept of the post have you ?? AnfieldUSA


 

 

21 Apr 2012 21:13:00
come on liverpool fans do we like hodgson? yes agree no disagree


I don't dislike him. He's just a gentleman of the game, set in his ways.


What's to dislike about a 65 yr old nice man who took a job that anybody would have if offered!
Even if he wasn't quite upto it!

Lyndon


As hateful old people go, he's third behind Thatcher and Slur for me. Best place for all three of them is a halftime bonfire at Anfield. I'm only messing, calm down.


I don't dislike him...
It was the managers who appointed him the anger should be aimed at.
But have we not all moved on for this to even be an issue?

MIKEY


Stop all this, give the man a warm round of applause and then smash his team. Why waste energy on meaningless bitterness.
Red first & last


What's to dislike about a 65 yr old nice man who took a job that anybody would have if offered!
Even if he wasn't quite upto it!

Lyndon

He took 7.5 million quid out of our coffers for 6 months work with a promise he wouldn't set his Fleet Street chums on the new owners perhaps? Benitez didn't even get that when he was told he'd been sacked and he gave a million and a bit away to charity.


They all have clauses about not talking to the press in payoffs.
What's your point!!


A Tax deductible 1. Something million to charity you mean!!
As for Hodgson if you had a contract at work you'd obviously of said "no I don't want it be real man/boy

Lyndon


7.3 million pound for 6 months work that took you into the relegation positions, where you talk up your bitterest rivals and the possibility of them poaching your best player, where half of your better senior players want out? Get Fu%#ing real you quim


I think that if Roy Hodgson is given a bad reception tomorrow then he would'nt really need to give his team any motivation! So could have a negative effect! Plus we'er LFC fan's and do thing's the right way! He took the job at a very difficult time! it did'nt work out! Our cries from the Kop were answered! Let's move on and give this man a warm welcome! Otherwise there will just be more negativity concerning LFC in the media! He was a servant to the club! Not a very good one but still!


That guy was stubborn and would have gotten lfc relegated before quitting


If everyone is like you!
I look forward to some more "great" press in the papers tomorrow for booing an old man

Well done "quim I doubt youve ever been near one dick"


 

 

21 Apr 2012 20:54:46
Messi is rubbish, barca never got going, they could have done with big Andy up front tonight.


Maybe they will swap :)


Expect a big bid from barca this summer then. Messi plus cash for big andy.

MIKEY


It would have to be messi +£££££££££


Messi dont score for 2 games and hes crap,,, since he burst on the scene he has barely missed a game give him a break hes the worlds best player for a reason


What a person this guy is!! Of course messi is class....... It's called the banter page!


It'ss called a joke


 

 

21 Apr 2012 20:44:32
Looks like barca could do with those two units we've got at cb agger and skrtel.


I think skrtel would be good at barca and agger good at real.


 

 

21 Apr 2012 20:38:22
If anyone wanna watch a team play with 1 goalkeeper,1 center back plus 9 medfeilders then watch barcelona..amazing system with no recognised strikers..mascherano is CB..
Wow..they are loosing though..humans after all..

Red indian


That's just it with Barca, stopping them is easy in theory, you just smother them. Actually doing it is the hard part, being that organised must take masses of concentration.


 

 

21 Apr 2012 20:30:35
I think we should go for 3 spanish player can help us win the league next season javi martinez munian and soldoldo even if the may cost us


Would be great but you're looking at £80 to £90 million and we won't spend that much. The other issues with buying expensive players is that heavy burden on there shoulders.

I'd rather go for slightly lesser known players without the giant price tags personally.

Papa G


All of the top european clubs are looking at Martinez and Munian, Liverpool have little or no chance of attracting these players.


I think lfc have a chance with Munian because I'm sure a lot of clubs could be chasing hazard erriksen etc


35+20+20=£75m for three Brits
i think 80m for those three Spaniards would be justified. we would 100% get cl football with them.

reina
johnson, skrtel, agger, enrique
lucas, martinez
suarez henderson muniain
soldado

(have to have at least two English in there)


 

 

21 Apr 2012 20:27:07
Ed i have said about hamsik I know u think we would have no chance of getting him but I can't see Napoli getting champions league an skrtel an hamsik are really good friends an do think he is good {Ed002's Note - If Hamsik were to move then Manchester City and AC Milan would be the likely choices but I doubt it. Again no known interest from Liverpool.}


Signed an extension to his contract yesterday.


 

 

21 Apr 2012 20:05:04
kristian nemeth has just picked up a yellow card for waalwijk


Thanks for that


Wasn't he the next big thing to come from the academy? Completely forgot about him.
Can the eds or anyone else fill me in on where it went wrong?

MIKEY


And john welsh scored for tranmere, daniel o donnell for stockport and james ellison for southport


Is waalwijk a serious offence then?

cozinoz


And i just scored before! YESSSSSS! Get in there! but i knew i was on a promise though!


 

 

21 Apr 2012 19:52:36
I'm loving the American / Geordie commentator combo on First Row Sports, doing El Classico !
Bizarre but it works, sort of.
Like a burger with Branston Pickle or something !
Lol.
The Real KB


Lol it adds something extra to the match kb much better than listening to garry neville on skysports
fixbyred


Ray hudson the newcastle ledgend he works for gol tv in the USA brilliant comintator


I will get hated for this but Gary Neville is the best Pundit / Commentator there is .............................. I said it I will go have a word with myself


 

 

21 Apr 2012 19:34:30
nufc fan here,me dad was telling me today that he was at the cup final,74 a think (may be wrong) liv -new final where hughes marked super mac oot the game 3-0. just lke to say it was the era of football hoolys. he told me after the game all london clubs came out looking for trouble,he was darting all over the place, got in a bit of a sticky situ ,when 4 liverpool fans helped him out ,thanks for that lads ,is it true that we drew together down the smoke ,or a myth.cheers lads. if this gets though


You type in geordie too....even though i read it like alan partridge...


Yes its true we stood together and won against the cockney troops,we played possibly the biggest ever football match on the car park,one of my best football memories.Good luck for Champions League qualification.

Derek


As that welsh singer used to say, I WAS THERE. It also happened before the game and yes, Supermac never got a kick after saying what he was going to do to us. lots of gates went down that day and there was way in excess of the 100,000 fans in there.More like 110000 minimum. none of our 11 had tickets but we all got in, some even in the Newcastle end. Ah, memories eh
robbie


 

 

21 Apr 2012 19:29:53
Poor ode Spurs and Deputy Dog!!
SO nearly one of the Big Clubs??
How's it all gone Wrong

Lyndon


Where have those arrogant Spurs gloaters gone- they were here in their hundreds at one point

cozinoz


Harry Redknapp remind's me of the Churchill dog! Hey Harry would you take the England job? Oh Yes! DO you think Spur's will get in the CL this year? OH No No No No! That's where it went wrong Lyndon! He has got a look of that Churchill dog too!


 

 

21 Apr 2012 19:04:41
From didi hamann's book as a POINT.

Rafael Benitez isn't big on relationships, but in my mind he is pure managerial genius.

I still have the debate with some of the Liverpool lads today “ Stevie Gerrard and I have had quite intense discussions about this. Rafa's lack of emotion contrasted with Stevie, whose view was ˜he never praises you', and he thought it would help some of the other players if they got some positive strokes.

s.p
-------------------
SP mate problem is its the same steve g who has been world class under rafa..it was rafa who invented his position behind torres and earlier on right..
Rafas job was to get best out of players not be there father figure..and when people talk about him asking for money what some people forget is that he fixed acadamy so that in future when purse is tight due to stadium we can have world class players from acadmy..
I have lots of respect for him..I remember him being there at club world cup even when his father had expired if I am correct..
And who can forget him standing to fergi for LFC..trust me winning 2 titles against barca and real is very difficult just see the record since he left spain..
He absolutely got under the skin of jose,fergi n wenger and I just love him for that..
Red indian


Did Didi think that when Rafa left him out of 2005 champions league final??

Then only brought him on to change the game due to injury not god Like Genius!

Lyndon


Rafa should have been born Swedish he is so cold and completely emotionless towards players. I loved him! It was purely a results business for him, getting the job done on the pitch. He wasnt afraid to stand up and say what he felt. Thats not to say he didnt have his flaws! 50,000 players thru a revolving door like a Tescos supermarket! His way or the highway! Anyway, that was the past and i have to say i love the way Kenny backs his players to hilt and takes no sh1t from the media. Maybe there is a happy medium in between these 2 great managers.

The Irish Rover


"Father had expired" .... Like a parking ticket?!

Dirks Engine Room


Hamann would have been brought on at halftime anyway but he would have replaced djimi Traore.Yosser


Alska day rafa


Results business man is WHY FSG SHOULD get him in as manager and back him, i bet when they first took over they thought he Fk'd up but now i think they realize that he was a genius, and had took the moneyball and successfully managed it in football


 

 

21 Apr 2012 19:00:14
everton to win agree
man u to win disagree
what would you prefer tomorrow, be honest..


A draw


Forgot to say I would take a everton win for a chance utd dont win a bean this season.


Everton win, anything to stop the red spam winning the league. I live in Manchester and their fans are a pain in the apse, city fans are more humble so I don't mind them winning it. We can write our league season off now and focus on the cup and next year, in my opinion anyway.


Either way L'pool will be mid-table at best

Gav


 

 

21 Apr 2012 18:44:28
Alls well Gareth Bale doesn't need his leg amputating as it first looked after that tackle. It touch and go!!!
He's now back on and looks fine

Lyndon


He should be careful with it though - he wouldn't want to miss his weekly ballet classes with Drogba and Young


 

 

21 Apr 2012 18:41:06
Sorry Eds but have i missed something? I have seen lots of talk about glen johnson leaving. Why is this? IAnd how likely would you say that he will be leaving. Thanks Red Danders {Ed002's Note - Try the search function.}


 

 

21 Apr 2012 18:21:55
i am sure we wont go for adel taarabt, we had previous interest in him and he has fallen through wid his manager and hes got attitude problem, if liverpool can get him under 7 million, we should go for him. no use buying costly players and seeing them not perform like henderson and carrol. lets take the risk for adel taarabt.

redh0t


He has no Pace at all!

Lyndon


Neither does garath hale


Sorry Gareth not Garath...i appologise..


Bale, not Hale mate

cozinoz


It was a joke cozinoz! Gareth Hale and Norman Pace!


 

 

21 Apr 2012 18:21:22
Hi Ed's any truth in the reports that Liverpool have offered trails to 4 Nacional youth players ? and if so are they any good??

ramy {Ed002's Note - As part of an agreement with their academy there will be four youngsters coming over. The purpose is to see if they are "any good".}


 

 

21 Apr 2012 18:16:36
What a steal that boy Hoilett is going to be for someone, just hope we have the nouse to offer him something.


 

 

21 Apr 2012 17:53:14
Comolli so called had said he wanted Rooney Mata and Paddy Kenny...when all he had actually said was "Wazza Mata Kenny" smf


 

 

21 Apr 2012 17:45:49
Since Harry the Dog was linked with the England job,Spurs have been awful...Do you think the FA could have approached Kenny too..smf


Two Cup Finals would suggest otherwise.

Red Owl


Would you change your 2 finals for champs league...just askin not bein smartass


Being in the champo league or winning it
If being in then no
If winning then obviously yes


No 2 finals and at least 1 trophy is a lot more important than just taking part in the champions league. Would probably swap a carling cup and the FA cup for a 6th European cup though. It's all about winning.

MIKEY


Any day
we have only won the mickey mouse cup so far


I'd rather win the CL more than any other trophy! you'd have your various champion's of all the different countries but we'd be champion's of them all! I'd rather win the CL than the premiership!


 

 

21 Apr 2012 17:44:00
please bring xabi back to where he belongs at anfield! he has it all, shortpassing,longpassing,crosses,freekicks,penaltys,tackles and the most important thing LIVERPOOL HEART! so my question is, what are the chances to get xabi alonso back to anfield?!?! {Ed002's Note - Slim at best.}


Bring xabi back where he belongs
where the eagles fly
on a mountain high...

its that officer and a gentleman thing...smf


Im actually happy with lucas we just need a partner for him.


 

 

21 Apr 2012 17:42:03
matt jarvis, matt phillips or victor moses? what do you think guys?


Victor moses looks the real deal. Phillips looks good too but not for silly money. Jarvis i wouldnt bother, we dont need another mediocre player picking up a wage

Derry Dan


More squad players? sure why not but it WOULD affect Sterling's chances. and i think toni silva should get a loan to reading next season.


 

 

21 Apr 2012 17:18:02
Can't help but admire newcastle this season. Apparently sold there best players in Barton, Nolan, Carroll and Enrique and buy unknowns like ba, cisse, cabaye etc and are fighting for 3rd. Pardew has done a great job and think Liverpool should be looking at them to see how to do things. The scouts need to be doing there jobs and find talent like the newcaslte scouts have. Don't need to spend a fortune on players, just need to have the right guys out there doing their jobs. Too much wasted money spent on players when maybe we should buy better scouts!

Nulty


What can scouts or Dof do when Dalglsih is hell bent on getting average overrated British players for what ever the money!

Bosco


I would rather newcastle get top 4 myself not cos im bitter just cause they deserve it more
big red john


Its been a difficult season for liverpool but hopefully we will get better players and sell the rubbish players in the next transfer window. also we might win the fa cup. newcastle are acting like they have won the league. if they were in the champions league next season, they won't get past the group stage because, they will get thrashed by teams such as barcelona, madrid, ac milan etc. if we didn't give newcastle £35 million, then they would not be in the position that they are right now.


All those Newcastle fans that protested against ashley, abused him and his family, I wonder how many of them are man enough to appologise now he has them in a much better financial position and looking like champions league.
Sacked a popular manager and sold there so called best players, guess he knew better.
RNred


I think we gifted our top 4 position to Newcastle buy giving them 35M for Carroll.

Bosco


Lads ya missing the point,newcastle are not ment to be where they are,at best they was hoping for top 10 finish,they are 3 seasons a head of what they should be, no wonder they think thay have won the lge


One good season for the Geordies and everyone's getting carried away!
kidmillions


 

 

21 Apr 2012 17:10:55
I am not going to say Commolli was the right person for Dof, but sacking him on the basis of not able to get players like Carroll, Henderson and Downing for less money is injustice. Mr. Dalglsih also need to leave along with him.

Looks at Suarez's fee, Coates fee, Enriques fee, Adams fee.. we got these players for far less money but they are better than the other three (England players). Dalglsih's stubbornness and his delusions about Henderson, Carroll and Downing is pathetic. He might have told Commoli to go ahead and get these players for what ever the money. what a big joke.

If kenny doesn't listen to Mr. Commoli's word what is the guarantee he would listen to the person who gets the Dof job next.

Bosco


Continuing.....

If say Dalglsih becomes Dof, what is the guarantee he will choose same average British players over quality foreign or not and suggest same crap to who ever the manager....

I really don't want to say anything bad to Dalglish but since I saw this story from Commoli and where Newcastle is looking at the table and where we are it really hurts. But at same time happy with way we are doing in cups but that is not an excuse for our poor league form.

Bosco


You show a great deal of inside knowledge - oh, wait, no, you're commenting on rumours! There is no way for any of us to know how the transfers were handled and why Comolli was fired, so leave this topic off!

Drigan


He wouldn't be dof as Rafa would make all signing choices and bring it to the board.


 

 

21 Apr 2012 16:44:04
Ed, do you think any of our youngsters will make any appearences for the first team towards the latter ends of the season (ie now), love to see Suso get some first team experience, had a fantastic second half vs united resvs. Seeing as we have nothing to play for anyways..? {Ed002's Note - A cameo or two.}


Suso, Ngoo and Eccleston have all stepped it up in the last few months.


 

 

21 Apr 2012 16:31:05
do you think victor moses is good enough for liverpool, do you think matt phillips is better? cheers


Why are we being linked with british players that are not good enough to play for liverpool?. we need to be careful about who we buy. moses hardly scores goals and matt is playing in the bloody championship. ffs we need world class players, not players from the conference league.


Hold on why are you commenting on his nationality im more worried about his quality


 

 

21 Apr 2012 16:26:35
I think if we win FA Cup, it would be great.
So with a double in the bag, Kenny can step down with pride & dignity. He will be our King for ever.

Really disappointing after seen this Mata story from Comolli.

I don't think Kenny should be the Dof even. Get someone like Bigristian for Dof & Unai Emery for coach [heard he is leaving Valencia at the end of season.]

Bosco


Oh yes, brilliant idea. Who needs a manager who wins trophies anyway? Are you for real?

Red Owl


 

 

21 Apr 2012 16:18:06
I have told this before, Aston Villa will be having a massive summer with MacLeish set to go, a new manager and significant funds for new players.

What I heard from someone close to Villa is,
They are interested in Adam [since his Blackpool days] & are keen on taking Stewart back too. Also slight interest in Andy Carroll. Though a double deal involving Adam & Downing is more likely than any deal involving Carroll.

Spurs are keen on Carroll, from what I understand we are willing to listen to offers of around 16M+ for Andy.
Adebayor is likely to leave with Spurs unwilling to meet his 100k+ wages. Andy deal involving Carroll will see us putting a clause on the deal so that we have the first say on any future sale of Carroll.

Bosco


Wherever you got the spurs are interested in carroll is a non starter, they are not interested, as ed2 stated no interest in carroll!


Thankfully, Andy will be staying.

Red Owl


As much as all three of these players have disappointed to varying degrees, the only one I believe could possibly leave is Adam. The reason being we just don't have a position on the field for him. On the other hand our 35 million striker is still not where he needs to be when compared to an Abedayor or a Gomez, but he is way ahead of where he was at the beginning of the season. In short they won't drop 20 mill on a player who is starting to show improvement. Downing also fits our gameplan, and while inconsistent I believe that we would rather keep him as a squad player in the maxi mould then lose bucket load of money selling him on.

YNWA Cape Town


I think Bosco is telling porkies

cozinoz


 

 

21 Apr 2012 16:18:01
All our opposition in the FA Cup was in a blue shirt. One more time.

BthekingB


 

 

21 Apr 2012 15:38:57
If you guys want to see Liverpool reserves highlights subscribe to LiverpoolPlus on youtube. It isn't me but I just want you guys to have the ability to watch them frequently. They were very good this week against Manchester United and unlucky not to win.

BthekingB


Thank you with a great deal of appreciation thrown on top.is there any other YouTube channels for liverpool? Im only subscribed to liverpoolfc.
AnfieldUSA


 

 

21 Apr 2012 15:11:34
Ed...this Juan Mata/Stewart Downing is just nonsense. If Mata wanted to join Liverpool, Kenny would have wanted him but it's plain for all to see that Downing wanted to join Liverpool, Mata didn't. Do we need confirmation of this?


How it is Plain that Mata didnt want to join its another rubbish excuse as Ed002 said if Liverpool didn't make any formal offer you expect Mata to come to LFC? and Its nothing new reputable journalists like Sid Lowe said even at the time that Mata wanted to join Liverpool had interest but went with Downing it is not new Downing is our player now move on


Ed said Downing was first choice, I think so was Henderson as we got him so early in the window.


 

 

21 Apr 2012 15:06:52
Hi eds, I read that comoli wanted to buy abroad cause he thought is was better value for money.Do any of the eds know if this is true?

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


 

 

21 Apr 2012 14:53:53
why do people mention the likes of fuller,vaz te or moses in relation to liverpool fc,they never were or will be good enough for lfc.players such as ericksen dempsey, hazard,m,villa, cavani and alonso are the type of player we need to step up to the next level.Spend the whole budget on 1 or 2 players rather than on 4 or 5 players of lesser quality. it might take longer to get back to the top but it would result in a better team.


You were doing well until you put dempsey in the same bracket as alonso cavani and hazard


Budget spent on a right winger and striker then. If anythings left over than maybe a centre back who can play defensive mid like Jan Vertonghen.

Papa G


 

 

21 Apr 2012 14:35:33
Great site, i am watching the Chelsea game and Torres does not look happy like he did a Liverpool he looks like he does not want to be there is there any chance he may join back ?

thanks :)


Would he improve us?


No, please. He was woeful in his last season in red, he has been shocking this season.....why would you want him back? You wouldn't want Voronin or Kronkamp back for the same reason.....he's pants (except Torrid would still cost 20m). Move on ffs

cozinoz


 

 

21 Apr 2012 14:28:36
If we bought no other players this season and nobody left, would next season be better in terms of league performances?

Would be closer to 4th place than 13 pts at this stage of the season?

Can things only get better?


Look at the average age of our squad. if you look at it we have some of the best players under the age of 23 in the league. our new singings will have had their season to gel. carroll may have picked up form, lucas might not be injured. toni silva sterling and suso will be pushing for places. coates will be used more often and will be more effective. i think we can only improve barring injuries, but things could change. just my opinion.
derryred


 

 

21 Apr 2012 15:50:05
Ode to Drogba

Ooh, yeah! All right!
I'm Divin':
I wanna dive it wid you.
I'm Divin' Divin'
And I hope you like Divin', too.


Ain't no rules, ain't no vow, we can do it anyhow:

Divin' I will see you through,

'Cos everyday we win da game with a little sacrifice,

Divin' till the dive is through.


I'm Divin' -

To think that Divin' was a thing of the past;

We're Divin',

And I hope this dive is gonna last till de ref is fool.


No ref can stop us now, we'll always beg and bow;

Yes, we can be bought n' sold.

We all defend the right; Dive - Dive cheats must unite:

Your life is not worth much more than gold.


We're Divin' (Divin ', Divin ', Divin ')

And we're Divin ' in the name of the club;

We're Divin ' (Divin ', Divin Divin ''),

We're Divin ' right straight in de box.


With apologies to the late Bob Marley


How about apologies to the rest of us?


 

 

21 Apr 2012 13:55:48
how come people tend to say we dont have that "kind of money" when certain players are mentioned? when in the interview with Tom werner he says - "we have the resouces to compete with anyone in football" has there been a set budget for the summer? ty for your time


 

 

21 Apr 2012 13:19:57
comolli wanted mata an kenny wanted downing,matas ppl apperntly let comolli know a deal could be done according to reports!
mata has probably been chelseas best player this season.
he has hit the ground running hasnt needed anytime to settle in doesnt need a season to settle in which ppl keep saying downing needs!
apperntly kennys reasons for buying british was so their was no settling in period they would hit the ground running!
comolli gets the sack!
fsg are fuming thier money has been spent poorly not even 2 cups can paper over them cracks.
i love kenny but blind faith isnt what is need at anifield now!
kenny will always be my king but a younger man with fresh ideas is needed in the summer.
deano mcc


What are your sources?
KJS


Young british talents with re-sale value is what's needed in the summer


For me, the season overall for a lot of players in the EPL has been a strange one. Personally, I don't think the likes of Mata, Modric, Silva, even RVP have been all that impressive as of late. Not saying their bad players or anything, just that to me in some ways the whole league seems to have had a dip in form and I think that maybe the difference between a 20k, 60k, and 150k a week player isn't as vast as many think. Just my thoughts anyway.


Just get over it, you absolute tool! Downing's a Liverpool player so support him or do one.


I take it your been sarcastic anonymous


Dalglish is doing a decent job. 2 cup finals in his first season in charge is not an easy target for any manager young or old yet Dalglish has.
Younger manager! What do you mean? Remind me how young Shankly was? How about paisley, fagon? Let's try other clubs.. How about coppello, lippy, Ferguson, Robson etc etc.. The list is endless of successful older managers..
This younger ( Hollywood movie style) manager phrase is all good in movies but in reality then the right man for the job has to be that regardless of age.
For me personally, I can't see anyone out there to challenge the throne other than mourinho, gaurdiola and yet both do not want the job.
King kenny has been out of the game for a long long time yet in his first season as a manager has brought us attacking pass n move football that has got us in two cup finals. That alone for me deserves at least one more season and who know what he can do.
As for Comolli, well Dalglish is in charge of transfers ( players he wants) but Comolli is in charge of fees. This means he payed over the odds for certain players and should off crossed him off the list and continued with the next target etc.
Comolli also has other responsabilities that wasn't properly fulfilled.
Physic red


I was led to believe Mata chose Chelsea over LFC. {Ed002's Note - Liverpool did not make any offer so he would not have had to make such a choice.}


Just a report on goal!saying ppl close to comolli saying he his disappionted he got the sack for players who wernt his first pick!it shouldnt matter whether the british or come from anywere in the world if thier good enough get them!


They must be fuming. I remember John Henry on twitter saying Mata sounds like a good player but that he isnt the one who decides transfers after he was bombarded with tweets from fans begging for Mata. If he has even heard how Mata is doing I think he would be a little displeased


Keyboard warrior! so you are happy with no premiership goals or even one assit?
so am sure you are happy with 7th as well!
we will be mid table next year as well if the transfer policy dosnt change!
deano mcc


I agree with ed002, liverpool never even put a bid in. probably because we could never have competed with the wages that were already on offer from chelsea! it's a pointless argument.


Ed002 is a chelsea fan i would say that liverpool never had a chance of getting a player before chelsea!
fsg have the money!
deano mcc


I take it Deano is allergic to silverware. He appears to have an aversion to it, for some reason.

Red Owl


Allergic to watching my european football on channel 5 red owl!
listerning 2 pat nevin an stan collymore!
i take it you like channel 5?
i suppose they do follow it up with a good jean cluad van damm film!
deano mcc


 

 

21 Apr 2012 13:01:28
easy game tomorrow, i expect 3 points....for WBA, good luck staying in the top 10.

JK92


No need to wish good luck to West Brom mate they're not in the top 10 in the first place.

Martin


No game is an easy game just ask the big teams who have lost to wigan
big red john


Don't think you understand...


Are you joking? Do you not remember us fans thinking that with the home games against Norwich, Swansea, Blackburn, Stoke, Wigan, Aston Villa etc...


 

 

21 Apr 2012 12:44:06
not a rumour
do you get in the champions leauge if you win the fa cup {Ed002's Note - No.}


Have you just decidied to follow football or what ?


Do you get into europe if you win the Texaco cup...


 

 

21 Apr 2012 12:28:47
Hey mate, if you were asked to choose your starting 11,who would be involve in your team.For me,mine would be:gk-reina,rb-johnson,cb-skrtel and agger,lb-enrique,rw-bellamy, cm-gerrard,dm-lucas,lw-maxi,st-suarez and carrol.


 

 

21 Apr 2012 11:08:19
If you haven't already, check out the 'This is Anfield' site ; there's a 4-part blog on a re-developed Anfield, which is worth half an hour of your time.
I like the author's conclusion. I won't tell you what it is, cos that would be like giving away the 'whodunnit'.
But it surely has to be re-development.
C'mon, all parties involved, hurry up please !
I want to sit in a 65,000 capacity Anfield.
But not in the zimmer frame section.
So pull your fingers out !
The Real KB


No decission has yet been made over a new stadium of re-development and doesn't look like its going to be anytime soon.
Naming rights has been looked into and advice/ offers heard.
John Henry loves our tradition and wants our history even longer than a new chapter but hurdles hit a re-development option and offers for naming rights on a new stadium are way off the value expecting.
More talks and developments will continue in June.
One thing is for sure, that is a 65000 stadium is a must to compete and that's the target.
Physic red


What else do you see in your crystal ball Physic red?


We will know what's happening regarding stadium issues at the start of next season.

Liverpool will be very much transfer active this summer with many leaving and coming.

I see Liverpool challenging the title next season for sure.

Physic red


 

 

21 Apr 2012 11:00:40
ED,

Has the players modeled the new kits yet? Just wondering whether anybody has any idea what the kits will look like.

Plain Taunt Hall {Ed002's Note - I hear they are red.}


Haaha, thanks for info ed. I should've used the search function before posting.

Plain Taunt Hall


Glen Johnson is one of the models for the kit pics but they haven't been released yet
Bean {Ed002's Note - That was the England kit Johnson was modelling - not Liverpool.}


No he tweeted that he had pics taken in the new Kit, but I'm sure that the England kit had already been released, when liverpool's obviously hasn't
Unless there were a couple of England kit releases
Bean {Ed002's Note - It was the England kit.}


Just finished the photo shoot for the new kit !! #Decent

This is the tweet Glen posted on 8 March this year.

The England kit was due to be unveiled on 29 Feb but it was brought forward to 23 Feb because Joey Barton leaked it the day before.

Why would Glen be doing a photoshoot for the England kit when it was released 15 days before?

Considering your complete and utter disdain for all things Twitter Ed002, I'm surprised you were so convinced regarding which kit Glen was indeed tweeting about LOL! {Ed002's Note - You may wish to find out why Scott Parker was in the photoshoot for the new Liverpool kit.}


 

 

21 Apr 2012 10:49:42
Anyone who's slagged off our young players like Carroll or Hendo should read Gary Ablett's autobiography - there's an extract in The Kop magazine. He talks about boos and abuse being a 'vicious cycle' where you lose confidence and form, so the boos increase, so you lose more confidence and form. We're incredibly lucky that the likes of Lucas and Carragher were mentally strong enough to get through it and come out as world class players. Let's get behind every player we've got and not make the mistake that too many made with Ablett.

Kieran.


Circle surely?


I wouldn't call either of them 'world class' players, maybe very good at a push


Lucas is world class and Carra was world class from 2004-06.

Martin


When were Carroll and Hendo booed?

Ash


Lucas is not world class, its not hard to look good in this current team


Carrol and Hendo get 'booed' everyday on here


 

 

21 Apr 2012 10:36:37
For doing what he did to our club we shud all boo that person ta mara!

BOO BOY


And thats Kenny not Roy Im talking about.
Commolli wanted Mata! Kenny demanded Downing! Kenny out! Id even take Roy back over Kenny!

BOO BOY


What a bellend u are get behind the team and the manager u tool commolli may have wanted mata but mata wanted chelsea's millions
big red john


 

 

21 Apr 2012 10:20:13
javi martinez is the man we should break the bank for...he'd be brilliant with lucas would allow gerrard to be used better .i.e on the right.behind the striker or sometimes rested.i agree with most we need a winger but with carra slowing down martinez being versitile enough to play as a center back too it would be like signing two players. please mr henry sign this man you won't regret it i'm sure !


Shame he'd cost £35 million, with City interested. Ideally we'd find an alternative cheaper option in that mould, if there is such a player.

Papa G


We don't need a player to facilitate Gerrard- the guy is rapidly approaching squad player status. We need players who will improve the overall quality and, over the next season or two, Gerrard will play less and less.

If he didn't go to the Euros and had a good rest before a good pre-seasoning, you never know, you might see something reembling his old form. But personally, I fear the guy is just about shot.


Does he score goals? Have said before, were overun with assistants we need finishers.
Any one who can't finish, need not apply!
kidmillions


 

 

21 Apr 2012 10:02:23
Liverpool are my team in premier league while barca are my team in spanish league.AGREE OR DISAGREE.


I have always had a soft spot for Ath Madrid and Ath Bilboa I also like.


Liverpool and only Liverpool for me. Zaydan123


And me!
...................reina
alves......puyol..agger..enrique
..................masch....................
.....gerrard...xavi....iniesta......
..............messi...suarez...........
kidmillions


What with this "my team in Spain or Italy are" You follow One team only Surely


And you guys call fans from other teams 'plastics' ?!

Gav


 

 

21 Apr 2012 09:25:35
Hi ED..When is the new Warrior designed kit due for release..do you think it be in time for the Cup final..and then released for public purchase in June? {Ed002's Note - I don't know when it will be available for purchase but it may be possible for it to be worn in the last home game of the season.}


 

 

21 Apr 2012 09:07:00
I cant believe that somebody has put down the page that Charlie Adam one of liverpools worst players. When him and Lucas was the heartbeat of our midfield the were brilliant at the start of the season and has good as lucas was and for me one of the best players in the prem, charlie adam was extremely good as well his form dipped when Lucas was out of the side but i am confident he will be a really important player for us next season.

As long as Adam gets a bit of confidence with set pieces and shows how good he is we will have some player next season. I remember fans slagging off lucas but adam will become just as important as lucas, so lets get behind the magican with the left foot. Lets hope adam can get double figures next season.

Mighty reds


I got cut off....when a simple pass would be more effective. I do think he has some good qualities as his shooting and through balls can be good, but his set piece quality really needs to return quickly. If Kenny stays in charge Adam stays, but if he goes he'll be at risk along with Carroll in my opinion.

Papa G


Adam is a overweight rubbish mid table player. He can't tackle can't pass like he did at blackpool he can't even chase back.


Seems like the first part my post didn't make it after all. Basically I was slagging of Charlie for the same reasons given above. I then described his ridiculous attempts at Hollywood passes when a simple pass etc

Papa G


Perfect for Liverpool than


 

 

21 Apr 2012 09:02:46
Ed when are they going to release images of our new kit? normally its around this time of the year when they do.
Cheers

Red Singh {Ed002's Note - I would think within the next couple of weeks.}


 

 

21 Apr 2012 08:41:38
Inter milan-champions league and italian league title. rafa then took over while they was still bouyant and won the super cup. he then tried to put his 'tactics' on this team and failed MISERABLY then got sacked. simple truth, simple facts.
people just need to accept it
---------------------------
Still bitter about the luis garcia goal jose I see..
Let go..don't cry...

Red indian


Red Indian the original poster is correct.


Chris in Tamworth


Just like all of Jose Mourinho's former teams.. They become pampered ego-maniacs.. And if they don't get their own way they spit their dummies out... Not even to mention Massimo Moratti being an idiot....

Does AVB ring a bell?


@red indian, i'm the original poster and i'm a die hard red. for 2/3 seasons there was magic in the air with rafa despite the football being not so pretty on the eye but the premier league got wise to his tactics and in the last season he really didn't have a plan b away from the 4-2-3-1 and 65minute substitutions.
he wanted more money despite the fact that his last squad consisted of reina, johnson, a younger carragher, skrtel, agger, aurelio, mascherano, lucas, stevie, aquilani, kuyt, benayoun, riera and torres to name a few out of 35 odd players. a bloody good first 13/14 players.
he then went to inter milan and took champions league winners to mid table while asking for MORE money again which is also what supposedly happened at valencia before he walked?!
his love for lfc is something truly very special i agree and his tactical organisation is 'at times' probably 2nd to mourinho but he is stubborn and the maker of his own downfall at valencia, liverpool & inter milan.
he is however owed a lot of respect for his work done in the academy and the legacy he may have started.
if i'm wrong, then i'd like to be shown how and why but most of it as i've typed is as he would like to say *FACT.

s.p

s.p


He had to sell Balotelli without a replacement, Walter Samuel got a season ending injury early on, and Sneijder and Milito both had dips in form. Inter have had 3 managers since Rafa and none have done any better than him.

Kieran.


Absolute rubbish.
Mourinho sets his teams out as difficult to beat and hit on the counter attack.
The team needed new players and you can't expect a new manager to come in and play the exact same formation, tactics etc. It just does not happen.
The owner refused to buy players and after only 6 months Rafa had left.
I would LOVE him back at Liverpool once KK has moved back upstairs. Whether that is at the end of this season or the end of next season i don't mind.
He put our youth structure into place, attracted players we probably had no right to attract and got us to the No. 1 ranked position in europe.
To add to.....Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Agger, Gerrard, Alons, Mascherano and TorresIf.....we could have had David Villa up front with Torres. Silva, Aguero and Mata in midfield and Alves in defence.
I truly believe we would have been very successful for a very long time.
Yes he made mistakes in the transfer market, but the majority of the team he was having to trade and upgrade rather than go out and buy the first choice target.
He did unbelievably well when you take everything into account.
He even managed to get that waste of space Rick Parry out of the club and it was he that stood up to H&G and let us know what was going on.
I think the only thing he ultimately did wrong was too try and do too much.
If he came back now, he would have decent owners that would back him. A managing director and behind the scenes set-up that will support him and the academy is now in place.
He can be told his remit is purely that of first-team manager.
It could be VERY successful.


Balotelli NEVER played under mourinho which makes it a fruitless point. mourinho wanted him gone before rafa arrived as he considered him uncontrollable. i can argue the walter amuel point but the dips in form of milito and sneijder coincided with a difference in man management style. mourinho managed to get players to run through brick walls. and as mentioned on here many times, rafa doesn't like that close relationship with players that sometimes can get the extra 10% out of their game. stevie g has frequently admitted it and this was said by didi hamann too. he never even congratulated torres on the birth of his baby. it's sometimes the little things that go the furthest. i'm not condemning rafa, i was close to tears the day we won the champions league. i'm just honest enough to see his good and bad points. i hope his time away from the game has given him the opportunity to alter things in his own style of management but the fact remains that we haven't got the money available that he usually craves as a manager.

s.p


Balotelli played a couple of games under Mourinho. Do you honestly think he would have been sold for so much if he didnt


Some truth in the first post sp but the second is pure fiction.1.you cite didi hamann as a witness against rafas management.nonsense hamann always gives huge respect to rafa in interviews and describes him as a genius.2.rafa did not leave Valencia because of money he left because of interference.3.if he was purely money hungry why would he have joined u's in 2004 when we didn't have much money.having won two Spanish league titles in 3 years he could have went anywhere but chose us.4.why would a chequebook manager spend so much time in developing the academy system?5.to say his tactics were found out by the rest in his last season is nonsense do you really think it tool the rest of the premiership six years to work out his tactics.having finished second in his fifth year I think you're way off on that point.Yosser


Point 1. hamann has stated that stevie g could never understand why rafa never praised any of the players for their great efforts when they deserved it. i agree hamann also said he was the greatest tactician he'd worked under but he also said this is rafa's particular style of management to stevie when discussed.
point 2. rafa left valencia because of money issues and control. i.e money being spent by a director of football but not on players he desired. same story, different club....
(copied and pasted)-
Benitez began preparations for the 2003-2004 season under a cloud. Valencia's Director of Sport Jesus Pitarch, refused Benitez plea to finance a proven goalscorer and signed instead against his wishes winger NeĢstor Canobbio. Benitez was outraged: "I asked for a sofa and they bought me a standard lamp".
point 3. he signed in 2004 with provisions and guarantees in his contract like any manager would so that he could spend money and develop the team. we had money when he arrived. swiftly followed the arrival of alonso, luis garcia and a few others. and then subsequent arrivals for a few seasons thereafter.
point 4. the reason rafa developed the academy was because the club needed one after gerard houllier pulled it to bits in the previous managerial stint with his own philosophy for development.
point 6. we finished 7th in his last season because we couldn't break teams down, there was no width to the 4-2-3-1 system and the players he was using. the final nail in the coffin was that he'd apparently lost the dressing room which was evident in most of the performances at the end of the season.
i think i'm more 'near the point' than 'way off point'.

s.p


From didi hamann's book as a POINT.

Rafael Benitez isn't big on relationships, but in my mind he is pure managerial genius.

I still have the debate with some of the Liverpool lads today “ Stevie Gerrard and I have had quite intense discussions about this. Rafa's lack of emotion contrasted with Stevie, whose view was ˜he never praises you', and he thought it would help some of the other players if they got some positive strokes.

s.p


Hamann debates this with gerrard because he disagrees with him.a read of gerrards book makes it clear that despite being a great footballer he is quite insecure.more importantly for me is the fact that the best football of his career was played under Benitez.the fact that Liverpool did not have the funds to compete at the top level in 2004 is well established fact.owen left that summer believing we couldnt compete and moores gives it as a key reason for selling the club.Yosser


As just one example of Balotelli playing under Mourinho, he played for Inter when they knocked Chelsea out of the CL 2 seasons ago. Tore the pants off Malouda a couple of times as I remember.


My initial point about hamann actually said and i quote,
'rafa doesn't like that close relationship with players that sometimes can get the extra 10% out of their game. stevie g has frequently admitted it and this was said by didi hamann too'. where am i wrong?

i said it in my 2nd reply and then quoted it from hamann's book where hamann agreed despite him lauding rafa as a genius. he(rafa) doesn't like the man management style that is predominantly required to win the league in england. history shows ferguson, mourinho, wenger & dalglish all won the premiership and are all known for their man management style. hamann also said, 'I still have the debate with some of the Liverpool lads today'.
LADS being the key word here, it's not just an 'insecure' STEVEN GERRARD that thought it!
i'll take didi hamann's opinion in his book infront of yours and say the british lads liked to be encouraged when they do things well and with it being an ENGLISH league, success will be far greater or more likely when a manager uses a combination of man management/encouragement & tactical knowledge(like previous managerial winners also suggests).
s.p


@yosser, i'm confused? whats your point as i dont know whether you have any facts or just argue because you have this blind faith in rafa like many others?!
your last post states gerrard as insecure as a footballler under rafa. so we have this insecure disilliusioned footballer under rafa's reign who happened to produce his best season in his career under rafa's reign(so your opinion states)?!?! what is he? disillusioned or great under rafa? my point is that either way you contradict yourself. you can't argue with some one using the player as insecure under rafa and then say he had his greatest season at lfc while he was managed by rafa. that just highlights a total inability to give your side of the argument any credibility. you can quietly click agree to your side of the argument until your blue in the face but it cannot change the fact that your argument has eventually contradicted itself! therefore, i need not argue my proven facts anymore. bottom line is rafa isn't on his way back any time soon and for that i will end my argument right now. @yosser- april 22nd 2012 s.p, if i happened to be proved wrong and rafa's brought back then at least i've dated and signed my post come the summer.
s.p


 

 

21 Apr 2012 08:26:02
Hi Eds . Been a long time reader and first time poster.Love this site. I managed to spend most of my mortgage to come to anfield to watch liv v utd in 2008. Best day of my life. Would love to use other half of my mortgage to watch the fa cup final- lol. Any tips on how I can buy match tickets from here in south africa. Couple of websites have prices close to 800 quid. {Ed002's Note - I am afraid that you will probably need to go through the scalpers if you cannot get one via the club.}


My initial point about hamann actually said and i quote,
'rafa doesn't like that close relationship with players that sometimes can get the extra 10% out of their game. stevie g has frequently admitted it and this was said by didi hamann too'. where am i wrong?

i said it in my 2nd reply and then quoted it from hamann's book where hamann agreed despite him lauding rafa as a genius. he(rafa) doesn't like the man management style that is predominantly required to win the league in england. history shows ferguson, mourinho, wenger & dalglish all won the premiership and are all known for their man management style. hamann also said, 'I still have the debate with some of the Liverpool lads today'.
LADS being the key word here, it's not just an 'insecure' STEVEN GERRARD that thought it!
i'll take didi hamann's opinion in his book infront of yours and say the british lads liked to be encouraged when they do things well and with it being an ENGLISH league, success will be far greater or more likely when a manager uses a combination of man management/encouragement & tactical knowledge(like previous managerial winners also suggests).
s.p


 

 

21 Apr 2012 08:20:10
FA cup fact - When Man United dont win the FA Cup, its usually the team that beats them clinches it.
not that i believe in superstitions.

Daniel Rogers.


Do u know that every time we beat man united in the fa cup, we go on and win the fa cup?. hopefully we beat chelsea in the final.


 

 

21 Apr 2012 07:31:01
muniain or hazard...who would you rather have?


Muniain, he might be childish but he hasn't named every club under the sun as his next destination.

Square tomato


Both :) imagine them on each wing


You're not good enough to get either


Imagine we get neither :(


Muniain works harder defensively. Think Hazard might need to be in a 4-3-3 rather than a 4-4-2 because he won't give his fullback enough protection.

Kieran.


We wont get either so stop dreaming


Matt jarvis


 

 

21 Apr 2012 06:59:53
"EL-CLASSICO" guys what are your thoughts on tonights match.for me im going for barca to win.


Not LFC mate so not bothered either way


 

 

21 Apr 2012 04:12:43
You know what got Liverpool to 8th place maybe even bottom ten by the end of the season?saying and believing that Lucas is a good player ha ha oh that Adam fella , world class signing too i can really see you lads competing for leagues soon if signings like that keep it up, you're excited about victor Moses for heavens sake!its actually refreshing to see everton the main football team in Liverpool at the moment


Yawnzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

MR EM


Lucas is a very good player. Why don't you just crawl back under the rock you crawled out from.
YNWA
TIZER RED


I think the original poster supports Wigan. No worries pal


If your are spurs then if lucas isn't world class what is sandro? Man.u what is anderson? chelsea what is Ramires?


 

 

21 Apr 2012 04:00:08
"MESSI was muzzled by chelsea" am i seeing things or has gary cahill and chelsea completely lost the plot.. messi doesnt score for one game and hes "muzzled" i cannot wait to see them crash and burn in the second leg.. muppets..

lfc89


 

 

 
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