Liverpool Banter Archive August 21 2014

21 Aug 2014 23:21:07
Wow so Balotelli was true who new I hope he sees this as his chance to really grow I hope our style brings out the best in him I hope our team spirit is something he respects I hope the player accept him I just want this transfer to work as suarez left we built a squad now we bought his replacement

21 Aug 2014 23:14:04
Still think we could do with three or four more signings before we're ready to challenge.

How many teams you want?

Lol sarcasm is fun

*nibble nibble*
Happy Friday peeps!

22 Aug 2014 08:23:48
Classic post, you threw the fishing line and he nibbled like a fish!

21 Aug 2014 22:55:11
I genuinely cannot believe people are asking if we will sign anyone else after Mario. News flash, we've signed sh@t loads of players and have had serious cash spent. Pipe down and be satisfied!

Maybe just a couple of world-class marquee players in case of injuries?Reus and Firmino maybe? And Hummels.

We should ask the FA if we can field 15 players so that we can buy more

21 Aug 2014 22:40:30
Surely that's now it for summer transfers. What do we talk about now? Unusually cold weather for the time of year? All Rodgers fault!

21 Aug 2014 21:40:21
At the end of the day to cap off all the Balo talk, what it boils down to for me is one question:

Were you scared of the potential threat when Balo lined up against Lpool for City?

I was, I wouldn't have been for Borini, for Shane Long or even for Bony. But I wouldn't want Balotelli to play against Liverpool. That's all that matters for me.

I remember when he played against us. There was a clear agenda to wined him up. It worked, very easy and he was sent off. I was quite happy for him to play against us again cause it was so easy to take him out the game.

21 Aug 2014 22:38:10
Gota say I'm with emre on this one, I always remember watching him against specifically at anfield and emre hits the nail on the head, we sound him up he lost his temper and got sent off, still excited about the potential move but Gota agree with emre all the same :)

He's mad, unpredictable, funny, disruptive. He's also a winner. His medals speak for themselves. And more importantly now, he's a red. You'll never walk alone Super Mario, welcome to the greatest football club in the world

21 Aug 2014 22:56:56
I was worried about playing him because he had the potential to do something amazing. However most of the time he just got wound up like can said

Spot on DPrince95.

21 Aug 2014 23:10:09
Someone wined him up! We'll have to change that - let him go drinking with Gerrard after the match and not before.

21 Aug 2014 23:17:57
Get the point being made, maybe not the best example. Though when England played Italy there were only two players that worried me, Pirlo and Balotelli (imagine the Germans felt the same during the Euros).

Is very hot and cold, has a temperament issue and doesn't have the best work ethic. But. . he is capable of scoring goals and can create them out of nothing.

Not saying it will work out or it isn't a risk, but can't say he isn't capable and scoring from nothing is a talent few players have

21 Aug 2014 21:09:14
Ballotellis interview i'm looking forward to first!

Big Al, I'm looking forward to bommy night.

Will Mario be bringing the Bangers?

21 Aug 2014 20:52:06
Have always had mixed feelings about Balotelli but for talent alone it think the deal is a no brainier.The market today is just crazy and if you look at Long 12 million and Mc Cormack 11 million joining a championship team then it could be an absolute steal.I have seen Shane Long play many times for Ireland and he's a great lad who gives 100% every game but he's not going to produce that bit of genius in a tight game with ten minutes to go but Balotelli can, this is why I'd go for the maverick every time especially for that money.Its also a far better option than signing someone on loan for an absurd amount of money who will only end up at Madrid after a year anyway.

21 Aug 2014 20:30:09
After Balotelli, would like us to sign Alonso back and Lavezzi, just to complete the jigsaw

alan50

What about Messi, Neymar and Ronaldo?

Do you think Mario could be a smokescreen, then Alan?

We clearly need a whole new team seeing as how we only finished 2nd. Slackers.

What jigsaw puzzle do you speak of?

22 Aug 2014 00:22:53
Phooey, I know that Mario certainly enjoys a smokescreen, so you may be right. I think he's a smokescreen for Wilshere, who himself is a smokescreen for Rooney, who himself is a screen for the ultimate smoker. Yes, you've guessed it. .it's teddy sheringham!

21 Aug 2014 19:55:16
I would like to thank Mario Balotelli for single-handedly managing to take my mind off Glen Johnson. ( well, till Monday anyway ).

I have a small concern,
How do you good people think Mario is going to react to the gobfull he is undoubtably going to receive from Stevie G when he throws his first Balo-strop?
I suspect he is not going to like it one bit, leading to a Balo-super-strop.

Balotelli could throw a strop if his boot-lace were to come undone without requesting Balotelli's express permission to do so first!

And Stevie G 'aint going to have none of it!'

And fellow reds, this can only be a good thing.

I'd like to think that the squad was consulted prior to Balo being signed as to how they all felt about.

Ridiculous I know. Naturally, when my company changes the CEO, I'm the first one the board of directors ask about possible replacements.

Getting Balo 45 away shirt soon as.

Much love,

N.

21 Aug 2014 21:48:18
"Much love" reminds me of Terry Tibbs :d

21 Aug 2014 19:10:13
With balotelli signing, this sureley means mignolet is going to leave ed?

Can't believe this didn't get a single bite? Maybe I've lost my touch😟

22 Aug 2014 00:24:32
*splutters into his horlicks with indignation and self righteous rage*

21 Aug 2014 18:56:16
Everyone needs to take 5 and chill. balotelli is young and can blossom we had suarez biting people before he came and turned into an absaloute gem for us same with sturridge also coutinho I honestly think we will end up playing the same formation as last year and be as powerful upfront too I understand were people are coming from but like I said he's still young I would have been exactly the same at 20 at city on god knows how much cash a week he's only human remember back when you where is age cocky check, arrogant check, loads of money just adds fuel look at sturridge at city obviously didn't rate him that highly and went too chelsea they didn't rate him now look at him looking back and going I told you I can play give the lad a Chance he might be the buy of the season comparing what southampton just paid for long

I don't believe it was so much Chelsea not 'rating' Sturridge as it did Sturridge wanting to play regularly and as a CF.

At the time, that Chelsea dressing room was like shark-infested waters. It was either eat or be eaten so Studge had to survive by being selfish just to stay afloat. Hence, he got a bad wrap. Now, look at the boy blossom b4 our very eyes just be being in a place with the right environment and support system.

21 Aug 2014 18:42:39
17 Jul 2014 19:06:57
To the people clamouring for the signing of Balotelli, I believe the issue boils down to this:

BR will be predominately playing with one man upfront, allowing fast and skilful midfielders to support from all angles.

As a player I feel Balotelli probably edges Sturridge for all round ability.

However Sturridge is by far the better no.9 and will convert more chances into goals than Balotelli would.

Therefore Balotelli would, more often than not be on the bench.

How would he react to that and what impact would it have on the rest of the squad?

Togetherness will be a huge factor this season so I would steer clear of signing him.
_______ ____________ __________ ____________
I stand by this assessment.
I will cheer Mario louder than anyone should he wear the Liverbird, but until then I cannot see how his style could possibly gel with our fast, free-flowing, fluid movement.
I hope I'm wrong!

Ynwa

21 Aug 2014 19:00:32
We would play two up top similar to last season in a diamond formation.

There'll be plenty of games for both of them to play in. Plus if he plays to his potential it mightn't be Mario on the bench.

21 Aug 2014 18:31:05
no one can deny ballotelli has talent and his scoring record is not bad I think it is the baggage that comes with it,
i just checked his record over the last 2 seasons, only 1 sending off for 2 yellows however he had 10 yellows last season. is this due to his temprement or is it a forward making tackles he shouldn't. I don't know, but I don't think it is too bad.maybe just maybe he has grown up and he played 30 times last season(5 as sub) scoring 14 goals - not too bad again- so maybe we get behind him make him feel loved and maybe just maybe we will have a real bargain at £16m if that is correct and ignoring all the extras.
he has pace, skill, an eye for goal, knows the league and if he signs he plays for us so let's stand right behind him and welcome him

21 Aug 2014 15:57:09
Edd001, do you still see us trying to sign konoplanka? We have enough attacking.options now IMO

{Ed001's Note - I doubt it now mate.}

21 Aug 2014 18:12:19
i think everyone should give mario a chance in a Liverpool shirt before we criticise him joining although I can definitely see why some have their doubts

21 aug 2014 18:08:00
hi eds great work love this site
just would like to say if baloteli sorts his rubbish out on and off the pitch and if he uses half of his potential he will be a great signing for us and for the reported 16m could be a great peice of business for lfc i hope he knuckles down in training but i can't see some senior players putting up with any of his rubbish gerard will put him in his place if he has to
cheers guys what you all saying i think most fans are split 50/50 about him

21 Aug 2014 17:48:57
A bit of perspective on this:

There is a lot that potentially could go wrong with Balotelli, and the fact is he has never consistently shown himself to be a very top level striker. He's still a big bundle of potential at 24. But we're a good team that are squeezing the best out of a lot of players that other clubs gave up on and if we can get 15-20 goals per year for 3 years out of him without him exploding on us then it's not a bad deal.

However, his character flaws, in-game flaws and general all round ability cannot be compared to the greats. He's not Suarez, Messi, Ronaldo or Ibrahimovic. Yes, of course people gloss over their rough points a bit more - they have shown over a number of years incredibly effective, consistent talent. Balotelli has not earn't that right yet.

It's a lot of money to invest in a player. Just like any of the guys we've bought like Monero, Lovren, Marovic etc it could turn out to be a winner for us or a massive waste of money. Personally, I'd rather we hadn't picked him up because I think he's a troubled distraction with talent that just doesn't compensate for that. Now we have, I'll be supporting him as much as I support/ed Gerrard, Fowler, Carragher, Hypia, Alonso or any of my old favourites. I'm hoping that come May, I'll have a big old egg on my face for it - I did with Lucas and Sturridge. Good luck Mario. Be Super

21 Aug 2014 17:20:34
There are quite a significant number of people comparing the transfer of Sturridge with the impending transfer of Balotelli. There is not a valid comparison to be made. There is no indication that Sturridge either had off the field issues (if there are make them known and I will check them out) or that he had an attitude problem in either his application or professionalism. Balotelli has all of these problems and more, is going to cost more in terms of transfer fee (and I suspect a hell of a lot more with add-ons) and represents what can only be described as a huge risk for the club - I personally am flabbergasted that the board is ratifying such a move, I think it borders on negligence.

For those touting the Rodgers man management/Dr. Peters miracle cure: this is dreamland stuff. Rodgers has gotten good performances out of players but there is no indication, since his time at the club, that a player on the spiral down have suddenly made a miraculous turn around in their career. People might cite Flanagan or perhaps Henderson but these are players who have never had problems with there application or work ethic and who have worked hard off their own back, because they wanted to be better. Has Balotelli done that? As for Dr.Peters (or should we call him St.Peter?) - he is only a psychologist, he can help players but there are limitations. Anybody citing Suarez as comparison should remember a few things: 1) Suarez was still a phenomenally hard worker both on and off the pitch - his work ethic was never in doubt and 2) His bad behaviour stemmed as much from wanting to leave the club (and thus forcing our hand to sell) as it did from some unknown mental malady he was afflicted by. Balotelli has bags of talent but his attitude and approach to the game is all wrong - Rodgers and Peters are not miracle workers (and indeed there is no evidence to suggest they are) and in my opinion it is a miracle that is needed in order to change Balotelli's mental approach. This is going to end in tears for all involved.

{Ed002's Note - Sturridge wanted to leave Chelsea because of the position he was having to play (wide). There were no off field issues at all.}

I didn't think there was but thanks for confirming Ed.

21 Aug 2014 17:04:44
£16m fee agreed. Personal terms and medical to follow. Let's give our new signing the same welcome we'd give to others. All the best Mario. What a shout from Macca.

21 Aug 2014 17:01:19
I have literally just read on daily mail that fee is agreed to bring in balotelli if this is the case I think this is a fantastic shrewd move by Br and it will improve the team and he will be fantastic.
Macca you are right again.

While this is true, I would advise against believing anything the daily mail says.

21 Aug 2014 16:57:31
No one can deny Macca's inside knowledge. Lambert, Lallana, Moreno, Lovren and now Balotelli. All spot on. Are we finished with this latest purchase or is there more to come?

And can also

Let's hope he's right about Kono and I'm glad he's never mentioned etoo

21 Aug 2014 16:56:18
I read a rumour of Xabi Alonso to ManU, any
interest from us? I thought Macca once said there
was? Eds?

Welcome to LFC Mario! Hope I'm wrong about you.

21 Aug 2014 16:46:01
If we have the money to buy Balotelli, consider Falcao then we are clearly looking for a game changer.
If we need a winger, we've been linked with a few, I'm surprised we've not looked at Di Maria?

With Sturridge, Borini, Lambert and both Sterling and Markovic able to play central. The emergence of Peterson and Origi to come next season our forward options are covered.

Anyone else like to see Di Maria over a massive waged striker?

Di Maria is good but the cost would be very high and he wouldn't suit our needs.

21 Aug 2014 16:23:44
Welcome mario I hope you prove them all wrong!!

All depends on fans glass half full/half empty outlook. Teammate Pirlo has reportedly said 'Mario has matured since he has been back in Italy. He will be the first to admit when he was younger he made some mistakes - but he is not that player anymore.

'Anybody who still talks about him in that way is living in the past.' . I definately think for the money reported he is worth the gamble.

{Ed002's Note - A colleague in Italy tells me that there are very mixed feelings about this there. Vieri has given an interview in the past hour with completely the opposite opinion.}

21 Aug 2014 15:51:07
Hi eds, just for clarification, is Origi's loan cancelable for any reason during the course of this season? Even with an additional payment to Lille? Perhaps only in the next transfer window?

Just thinking if we do have any reason to need to recall him, say, in Jan.

{Ed002's Note - I have not seen the terms of it but the agreement was that he would spend the season in France. And that is where he will be.}

21 Aug 2014 17:32:58
Thanks for clarification.

Z

21 Aug 2014 13:47:02
Eds, when would the Mario deal need to be finalised for him to be included in Mondays squad?

We all know he is a nutter, but 16m? Great deal!

{Ed002's Note - He would need to be registered tomorrow.}

21 Aug 2014 15:37:17
ssn saying £16m few agreed for Mario. Not sure how I feel about this, but he will bring unpredictability which we may be lack without Suarez. Hope he does well!

21 Aug 2014 15:16:13
To all those who are saying BR will/can handle Mario and his attitude, can anyone clarify how they know this? When has BR shown he can handle disruptive players?

Surely you can't be going on Suarez? He bit someone's again so where's this insight into Rodgers coming from? Did he do something with a disruptive player with no work rate at Swansea? reading? Watford?

The same Rodgers who publicly confirmed no interest in Mario, do you think this is his signing?

All replies welcome.

You definitely raise a valid question. A few top managers have tried and failed. We have to have faith in Rodgers. Liverpool won't splash 16million on a player without considering all things. It is a huge risk, but we have to trust the managerial team.

Really don't see how you can blame Rodgers for Suarez biting another player when he was away on International duty, in another country and wasn't under his control? Since the bite on Ivanovic Rodgers and Peters had kept Suarez under control and I think that showed on the pitch too! An absolutely ridiculous statement Emre!

Personally think Rodgers would walk if the club signed a player he didn't want. He is a man of principles and integrity, and wouldn't accept it. Just like before he signed for us he refused to work with a Sporting Director, and surprise surprise, we don't have one.

I think he deserves a chance at least, don't you?

The 'no interest thing' could have been all part of negotiating. Best way to get a price down is to say you're not interested. Another way to get the price down- say you want to include a 'send back clause'. They're called variables which you use to push price down. As for his psychiatric qualifications I'm less sure of but I'd suspect it would be on the lines of what he allegedly told sturridge. ' This could be your last chance to make a proper go of it and play for a big club' the rest is up to mario but if he comes let's see what he offers on the pitch.

Rodgers has the ability to keep players grounded and adopt a togetherness and a hunger to succeed.

Surely you have picked up on this simple observation.

Red Rum

Personally I don't think he will try to handle Balotelli more so than give him the utmost confidence and tell/ encourage him he can and will be one of Europe's best if he shows good work ethic on the training ground and apply that same attitude on the pitch as well as off the field.

Rodgers can't and won't hold Balotelli's hand but rather give him responsibility as he done with sturridge, sterling, coutinho to get them to perform to the levels they have in the red jersey.

because ultimately that is what BR does, how he uses communication(focusing on the positives) to instill confidence in players is what he is good at not telling players how not to be.

EmreCanDo - you're right, there's certainly a chance Balotelli could end up being a flop. But don't you take some risk with any new transfer anyway? I'd much rather look at how BR has helped resurrect Coutinho's and Sturridge's careers, and fostered the unquestioned progress by Sterling and Henderson. Sure, the players worked hard themselves but that's only one ingredient. Maybe it's wishful thinking, but I'm betting Balotelli will be a better player now than when he was previously in the EPL.

Just to clarify where I am with Mario joining. He wouldn't be my first choice, just based on what the club had been through publicity wise with Suarez.

If he were to join, he'll have my full support. As a player I mostly think he is great, I'm half Italian and have followed the Azzurri always. This might explain my want for Borini to succeed. It would be fantastic for me to see Balotelli do well and hopefully alongside Borini.

I'm purely asking where this notion that BR can handle him. A lot of your answers make sense. But I'm still unsure of the use of Sturridge or Coutinho as examples. Both are great talents and no doubting BR as a great coach, but neither had the off-field troubles and circus Mario has. Neither could be accused of poor low work rate on the pitch. I've seen Balotelli play and seen him disinterested. He was the main striker at the WC and had times where he couldn't be bothered.

I hope we get the great player he can be. He loves Milan and Italy, sometimes doesn't turn up for them. I was just keen to know how many were so confident Rodgers would just 'handle' him. Thanks for the replies, it's just to enjoy a bit of banter with fellow fans.

21 Aug 2014 15:11:12
Just seen Balotelli's scoring record for City and AC, not bad at all. 30 goals in 80 games for City ain't too bad considering he only scored 3 in 20 in his second season.
I think that shows he just needs to work on his concistency and he could be a real shrew buy.
Does worry me that a lad of his age has gone for a reduced fee in his last few transfers. Signed for City for £24m. Signed for AC for £19m. Moves to Liverpool for £16-17m. Just reflects his volatility I suppose, but hey, this guys met the Pope and the Mafia, not many can claim to bave done both surely!

He'd also be some banter in a night out!

21 Aug 2014 15:06:16
Good Day fellow Eds and Reds;

So super Mario is joining us!

And even before he has signed on the dotted line the "trash" talkers are at it!

Liverpool Players who play for the shirt will always get my support no matter who they are; as long as they give their all they deserve our support.

Those who don't and coast or can't be bothered, can be subjected criticism, but not the vilification some on here are displaying (GJ as an example and Balo who is about to join, btw I can't stand GJ and was against his signing in the first instance).

Lallana is not worth the Money, we are signing another nutcase etc etc

My apologies to all, but I didn't know these players had even kicked a ball yet for Liverpool, or had a few games for Liverpool yet, or had a season with Liverpool; but the prophets, Augerers, Soothsayers and Mystic Meg wannabes have already written them off because they have a unique insight into the future and can see all. They are all multi millionaires who through their visions of the future have made themselves small fortunes from betting and the national lottery.

You don't know, what you don't know!

The future is dependant upon many variables and impossible to predict!

Mario may turn out to be a great bit of business, or he may be an abject failure, but give the man a chance at least!

His antics smack of an immature young man who has not been properly allowed to grow up, others have been worse, and done a lot worse i.e St Ryan of the Giggs, but don't even get half the criticism or exposure of someone like Mario who's every move, gesture etc is scrutinised by the media and used as fodder by the small amount of imbeciles who support our team and other opposition teams(similar to Suarez, hence his outburst and joy at scoring the winner against England).

Lallana is a great player, I was saying to my younger brother last year that I hoped Liverpool would buy him, and was ecstatic when they did. again do I know he will be a success at LFC. NO, but as a supporter I hope he will be as good and as influential for us as he was for Southampton.

Mario-I will support him as an LFC player and hope he realises his immense natural talent with us and shuts up a few people along the way. If he doesn't, then like Carrol, Arrividerci Mario and thanks for trying.

I wish all my fellow LFC supporters, and my beloved team all the best for the rest of the season :)

and for goodness sake some of you just take a chill pill!

Peace out!

JFT96
YNWA

Well said.

People do realise Mario actually comes from a well brought up back ground right?at 24 it's about time he realised he's not a child any more. How has Mario not been allowed to grow up? and why have you brought Giggs into this?

Lallana works his socks off, and actually put southampton in a place where they'd have to sell him so he could play for us.

I can't believe so many people on here spout about our finances, then say, oh if he's a failure, we'll just send him on his merry way and call it a sunk cost.

21 Aug 2014 14:57:42
Girls and boys, get all your Balotelli negativity out now because when the deal is done, it is time to get behind the lad.

Red Rum

Not in the slightest, it's for him to prove he's worth getting behind. I don't want him doing stupid back heels and missing the target. He's coming here with an attrocious reputation, it's not for us to just blindly cheer him on regardless, it's for him to give us a reason to chant his name.

21 Aug 2014 15:07:13
Red Rum

Loving the optimism today from you mate
A nice change from all the doom and gloom posters who I like EMS was just tired of

21 Aug 2014 15:07:50
I have 0 negativity about this signing. I'm more nervous about it than negative. This could be a brilliant signing, or it could be a flop. But I have to say, I love watching super mario play. Now he's going to have me pulling all my hair out, but I really am excited to see him and sturridge up front.

Bob, how do we expect a player to come good without our support? Should we all boo him until he scores a goal?

How about support him until he let's the club down? Wouldn't that make more sense?

Red Rum

21 Aug 2014 15:43:45
Agree TJ Red, this signing has so much potential behind it and Balotelli can be a huge success at Liverpool, but are we going to see the same pattern as we saw with Suarez? It's a little unsettling.

I won't be booing him. I just won't be getting a balotelli shirt, mug etc when I expect him to be gone in 2 years, for a big loss and no sympathy. I won't be crying out for his name on the team sheet either. Or wanting him to take away a more deserving players role. That's what I meant.

I'd much rather us play a system that allowed lallana sturridge, coutinho and sterling to play, then 1 fitting in Balotelli.

If he starts banging them in, in crucial games, doesn't get yellow cards atleast every other game and unnecessary reds, I'll start chanting his name.

Lets hope he makes back page headlines not front page hey bobatron, and we all know what front and back pages you read.

21 Aug 2014 14:54:26
a little reminder that we bought suarez after he had this biting incident at ajax and he turned out to be a very important player for us, so let us all stop this endless moaning Lfc have bought a player we support him and give him a chance and maybe score a goal against mancity even. he will be a Liverpool player stop the bitching around.

Great post and some food for thought . we needed a striker and we have got one in

21 Aug 2014 14:52:44
What if Balotelli is ready in time for the city game and scores the winner at etihad? the roof would come down.

Not his biggest fan because of his attitude but if he's a red now then we will get behind him and support him

YNWA

21 Aug 2014 14:51:46
Brendan Rodgers is the best man manager in the league.

He turned Luis Suarez into the best striker in the world. Totally turned around Daniel Sturridge's career, making him one of the best forwards in the league. Developed Raheem Sterling through a rough patch into the best teenage player in the world.

Who's to say that Brendan can't work his magic with Balotelli?

21 Aug 2014 15:09:12
It's a gamble Olly. But you got to take chances if you're going to be the best!

Like a gamble of trying to get Diego costa and the next season he became a goal scoring machine? That type of gamble?

21 Aug 2014 16:30:58
Costa had already had a decent season before he had last year's run. Balotelli always puts up at least decent numbers.

21 Aug 2014 14:37:49
Everyone trashing balotelli and his attitude should give him a chance. It's easy to point out his flaws and apparent attitude problems. People saying daft things like "a leopard doesn't change it's spots" etc. He is an extremely gifted footballer who has had immense difficulties from a young age, being a black man in an institutionally racist country for one. I think most people would have the attitude he has if they were vilified in the same way an constantly told they are not "one of there own". Let him come to our club where players are loved an accepted as long as they make the effort. I say all this because I'm a black man born in Italy, although I came to Liverpool at a young age, I know the problems he has encountered. I just feel in the right environment and encouragement he WILL fulfill his potential.

21 Aug 2014 14:33:30
anyone else think Borini might go now? would prefer him to stay but it seems like he wouldn't get much of a look in if the Balotelli deal goes through

Borini was always going to Sunderland as soon as a striker was signed. So I expect that to be the case when the MB deal is wrapped up.

Red Rum

Respect to the lad for wanting to stay & fight for his place, but for him and his career I would say time to move on & hopefully for the £14 million.
Shame you could combine Borini's work ethic, energy and determination with Marios undoubted skill

What would have been clever was to persuade Milan to take Borini in a straight swap.

Personally I like Borini. I'd keep him even more now, possibly help Mario to settle, show Mario the work rate and passion required. Think they'd have played off each other for Italy

You need 4 strikers, ask Mourinho, Fergie and Mancini/Pellegrini. They all won the title with this as a requirement.

I want him to leave not because I hate him or anything. But he should go for his career mate, he needs game time, and with Balotelli here, he won't be getting any.

21 Aug 2014 14:17:03
Club shop already selling Balotelli Shirts - Check the 'Liverpool sightings' section for picture!

21 Aug 2014 14:27:28
You've just customised it ha

Haha, I like the name tag!

Shame you picked number 9 and gave it away

21 Aug 2014 14:04:50
BBC are reporting it as a done deal.
Milan are stealing 16million quid from us.
I have the same feeling as when we signed Big Andy what's his name.
Heres a question for you EMS & co:
Do you think West Ham fans thought they were buying a world class centre forward when we sold them Big Andy?

I'd love to know what Milan fans are saying. they must be having some laugh.

For a start, Andy Carroll doesn't have the talent of MB and I don't recall EMS or anyone on this site saying AC was world class. I think signing a striker of quality for around £20m is a bargain in this day and age.

Are you srsly comparing mario with carroll? Really? I guess you're half blind or clueless about talent and players abilities.

Well worth reminding mate, that a day before we signed Carrol we signed Suarez for 23M and no one could have predicted back then he would become the player the became. So I think we all need to be a bit modest in predictions.
Also worth reminding re Mario that he was in the starting eleven of Italy (a country not short of good forwards) in the last Wc and the last Euro and scored in both (including the two wining goals in the semi final against Germany in the Euro). He scored 14 league gaols last year and 3 more in Europe and has been quite consistent in scoring 10 goals or more in most recent seasons. Yes he has his issues and has some risks but for 16M, on the face of it, not a bad deal in my view. Hi is not brought as our main attack threat but more as a support to SAS and if one of them is injured. Giving the unexisting and extremely expensive alternatives I think he is a good buy.

The fact that you are comparing Andy Carroll to Mario Balotelli shows this post is not worth a well thought out reply

21 Aug 2014 14:38:50
But if the money goes to Porto and Milan gets Jackson Martinez, that's one hell of a business for Milan.
Questions have to asked, Y we never went for Martinez?

It's almost up there with those comparing balotelli to falcao

Jackzokay, he's a Liverpool player. Despite your reservations and criticisms it is time to give him the benefit of the doubt and show him our full support. Hopefully we will get to see the real Balotelli on the pitch so let's make him welcome.
As a side note, I can't believe Liverpool FC are signing Mario Balotelli!

Way off the mark Jack. On his day Ballotellis unplayable. This just about rounds off a fantastic summer transfer window. I'm renowned on here for being pessimistic but I'm over the moon. This could be our 'Cantona' moment. Sturridge, Sterling, Markovic, Origi as an attacking line with Lambert as an option. It's looking good. Ballotelli has the lot, strength, fantastic first touch, vision and he knows where the
onion bag is. I'm convinced his characters made for LFC and we'll get his best years if Rodgers gets the right focus from him. I think if that madness streak can be channelled into a will to
win we're going places.

{Ed001's Note - not often I say this Ozone, but I hope you are right. Actually I think that might be the first time I have ever said it!}

21 Aug 2014 14:48:33
Because he didn't want to play in England for the same money he can get a Milan.

I predicted it

Blocked

I am having a hard time digesting it
#Ecstatic

We paid over triple what carroll was worth and the whole league knew he was w@nk when we did, was never suited to our style of play at all either

Mario would be worth twice what we might get him for if he sorted his attitude and has had more than 1 season at the top flight

Second Ed, I've kept a log!

{Ed001's Note - you've kept a log? It must be the world's shortest log....

I have the same excitement with Balotelli as when I did with suarez signed

21 Aug 2014 15:36:12
I could tell you about the world's shortest log. It was after a Thai meal. Anyway.

Ozone, not taking the piss mate, but is that really you?! Not seen you so positive for a long time!

Ozone, most posts you write I totally disagree with. Spot on with this one.

21 Aug 2014 14:02:12
What was the most important ingredient in our success last season?

Last season every player shown a togetherness and a real will to work as a unit which was why we achieved our highest finish in 5 years, earning a CL place in the process.

One great aspect of Rodgers is his ability to keep players grounded. If they want to play for Liverpool there is no room for big egos.

Suarez, despite his controversial episodes, took to the Liverpool cause and put his ego to one side last season. Sturridge, who was said to have had an attitude problem also got his head down and worked hard for the cause. Same goes for Sterling and I am sure there are others.

Every signing so far under Rodgers has been players we know will fully commit to the cause (regardless of their ability). Therefore, whoever else we sign whether it be Balotelli or any other player, If Rodgers is convinced that the player will commit to the cause, then so am I. If there is any doubt i'm sure he will pull the plug.

Red Rum

That's what I was thinking Red.

I can't see us committing to any deal we are not sure would work out. Very good signing at a very good price.

21 Aug 2014 14:01:39
hello eds,
crazy times.
if balotelli has agreed to join Liverpool and if there is wages gap between sturridge and balo . do u think it will affect the harmony of dressing room .

{Ed001's Note - I don't think that is the major issue when Balotelli does that regardless.}

Sturridge dropped his wages from Chelsea to Liverpool I think, don't see that as a problem really.

21 Aug 2014 13:54:10
So all the endless focus and talk about the 'group' and the 'team dynamic' is about to be trashed by a egomaniac, narcissist, paranoid brat, called Mario

Brenda has lost her marbles

21 Aug 2014 14:24:46
Mmmm nice positive post, good job " fans " like you are a minority - love him or hate him, the boy is a class footballer.

I hope I'm sat next to you at the next match. I love the positive vibes man.

Seriously does your mum remove all sharp objects from your house every night before she goes to bed.

21 Aug 2014 15:12:17
MrsSpiggot, aren't you a ray of sunshine?

21 Aug 2014 15:38:55
You're on the wrong board, Spiggot, its Leicester, not Liverpool that you're after.

21 Aug 2014 13:46:00
Back before Coutinho signed I posted something that showed his character (he had bought quite expensive leaving gifts for everyone). With Balotelli leaving Milan I thought I'd ask who I know to see what people think of him there, and the answer I have consistently got is "I would not like to work with him again." Without going into too much details many of the management team have been frustrated by his repeated ignorance.

Some of his teammates also have expressed their relief at his possible departure.

Talent wise many people praise his natural ability but also say he lacks the desire to improve. Is he a good signing? Debataable, he is a big gamble in my opinion but rodgers has managed to improve a lot of players at Liverpool and Balotelli has not worked with a sports psychiatrist before (milan do have a one who consults but Balotelli has never seen him) so maybe it might be different here.

If you had bananas and monkey sounds done to you would you also be nice to work with

{Ed001's Note - that is nothing to do with his team mates.}

I honestly think he'll still be the same Mario. He will score goals though which for some will be all that matters.

I am an adult and a professional and often get aggressive patients who are less than kind and some are intentionally attempting to be hurtful. However I don't allow this to affect my work, that would be the mark of someone who is not a professional.

In my previous job I worked with some extremely difficult people who threw insults around like spare change (very common in the fashion industry) and again never took it to heart and did my job well.

There is a bit of hope for Mario, a very well respected italian ex professional told me (after meeting Mario last year) that he seemed like "a troubled soul looking for a home." and felt the right club could turn him into a world class player.

21 Aug 2014 13:43:22
balotelli will sign and I think in our system he will surprise people, very talented and br can handle him.
and commercially it will help the club he gets loads of publicity and sponsors will be pleased.
i have a good feeling, sterling sturridge markovic lambert lallana ballotelli and maybe ibe(the future).
we done some good business let's hope it all gels.
Malta

Well sturridge surprised everyone, nobody could see how on earth he would link up with suarez, but that worked out well.

21 Aug 2014 13:34:42
Just wanted to share my thoughts on few things I have been reading here:

Balotelli - He is a superbly talented player who can win us games. We all know he has attitude problem but hopefully we can work through it. I am not expecting him to suddenly change but maybe BR can extract what is required from him. On a personal note I love to watch this guy. Remember " Why always me " against United!

Suarez - People need to move on. He was great when he was here and played a major role in getting us to Champions League. He will always be a special player for me. As for all that talk about him disgracing our club etc. He always played with passion and a will to win. I remember our 2nd last match against Palace where after we scored the goals, he was rushing back with the ball so that the game could resume as we planned to make up the goal difference. Then after we drew the match I remember him crying and Gerrard consoling him. He always played with heart, which is something you don't often get from players.
P.S. Regarding the world cup biting incident. I believe that it was his way of trying to force a move after Liverpool tried to pull out or were dragging their feet on a deal which had been agreed months ago with Barcelona. Of course this is pure speculation.

Lallana- I saw some post yesterday, trashing him and just could not believe it. He is now a Liverpool player. Please give him enough chances to play before criticizing. Same goes for other new signings. Also, if Man U or Everton had snapped him up, we all would have blamed the club for not doing enough.

We are in CL : I think this has gone little unappreciated around here with people bitching about players, BR and owners. This is the same group of people who got us very near to the title after finishing seventh in the previous season. If there was ever a time for getting behind them, it is now.

Thanks to all the eds and frequent posters. I love the banter

Agreed. Respect brother.

21 Aug 2014 13:16:44
SUPER MARIO

Get me to the shop Geeves as the new away shirt is having Balotelli 45 liveried - regardless of what the labrador feels about this.

Much love,

N.

21 Aug 2014 12:58:06
I am soo happy. My favourite player is joining my club :) the back of my tshirt gna have why always me and if we win the title, I'll put champions at the bottom :) welcome Mario ballotelli

{Ed002's Note - You might want to take an adult who can spell his name with you when getting your shirt made up.}

Jealous chelsea fan 😂😂

{Ed002's Note - He was offered to Chelsea yesterday - they didn't want him. But at least I can spell his name.}

Of course he was. Ok balotelli happy now

21 Aug 2014 13:41:03
Ed, that is brilliant haha!

On behalf of all Liverpool fans Tonkz, stop being a ****.

Jolly red bet u didn't want balotelli? because u don't seem very jolly at the moment

I'm expecting a "yo momma" joke next from you Tonkz, at this rate.

Best not to feed the trolls any further though.

21 Aug 2014 16:54:56
Classic Ed002 lol

21 Aug 2014 12:33:29
Who can't say there not excited about ballotelli? Ems might go on about stats ;) but regardless he's a big risk but a bigger talent. Pace, power, technique and a very good finisher. Two things are missing atm, attitude and hardwork, that's Brendans task now.
Reds, what a window we've had' if Johnson leaves that will be the cherry on top. We are in for a great season

I hardly think it's been a great window.

Jordan ibe, Kristoffer Peterson, Texiera, Brad Smith, Ryan Mclaughlin seem to be have been given a massive middle finger.

I mean, I'm not saying the signings we have made are bad players but why did we get Manquillo? When we have Flanagan, Mclaughlin.

Why have we signed so many attack minded players of a similar style that Ibe and Texiera look to have been forced out on loan? It makes you think will Ibe ever get a chance despite being undoubtedly a extremely talented footballer.

However, I still think we'll have a good season. But got to feel for the younger lads who have had there chances this season all but blocked.

Leave it with the Johnson bashing now eh. It's getting tedious.

Good post mate :) I can't wait to see him line-up for us.

Imagine if he scored his first goal this coming monday as a late substitute. City fans would go mental! haha

I actually liked all these loans, other than Smith, who plays in a position we weren't exactly inundated with talent in, these players wouldn't have got much game time

I am confident that Ibe will get a fairly decent run out next season and I would expect the others may get given cup rotations and subs dependent on how they perform on loan

Aggers i'm being positive, whilst there has been a few top signings, there is an issue there with youngsters opportunities. RB, you are correct, though im.hoping QPR takes Johnson off our hands to allow Flanagan to shine again. Upfront I have the same.concerns with ibe. I believe he would have more of an impact than Markovic who though a talent i'm not sure why he was signed, don't think he was.necessary if BR really rated ibe who has shown a wealth of ability. I think lallana signing questioned texeiras role also. Though some were pivital for e.g moreno and lovren, could we maybe have spent the 20million that was spent in Markovic on a top GK.
But yes, t here is a situation with youngsters getting a.chance.

Manqullio looks great. Much better then Kelly who has now left. With Johnson off next summer (fingers crossed this) Wisdom should return.
That gives us Manquillo RB and RWB, Wisdom RB and CB cover and Flanno covering RB/LB. All young and versatile to give a number of options

McLaughlin, he played wing in the U21 game and think he got man of the match. My guess is he is being groomed into a RWB as Manquillo could well return to Spain with the buy back option.

Maybe we signed manquillo because he is awesome and Liverpool standard right now? I am sorry but we always talk about our acadamy players as if they could walk in any premier league club. the truth is they are not good enough. Don't get me wrong, mclaughin is very good prospect, but only prospect. manquillo is very higly rated and seen as a spain right back in couple of years. only reason why we managed to sign him is he wanted to come so badly.

{Ed001's Note - Manquillo is not rated any higher than our prospects at all. He is still seen as just a prospect. Dreamer you are lad.}

Understand where you are coming from on all points al.

I think Lovren s far and wide our best signing of the window and Moreno is a player that I'd of liked and we got him. Maybe having Smith as his understudy would have been better than Enrique. He would have 2 excellent prospects battling it out then.

I'm not saying Manquillo isn't good! I haven't seen enough to make a real judgement. I just doubt he is any better than Mclaughlin or Flanagan. If the likes of Johnson left then it would be better.

Just because Sterling worked from such a young age, doesn't mean everyone will. I think what we are doing is great and i'm happy with manquillo as he's better than what we've got when it comes to going forward

21 Aug 2014 12:23:54
The Mario Balotelli debate is an interesting one. I agree with both sides if that were possible!

Initially, I was well against the possible arrival of Super Mario. Primarily for his antics and the possibility of unsettling the superb chemistry of our players. His work rate is not the best either and quite frequently disappears from the game. I remember him well at City, when every time he would come off the bench, he would either get a red card or score the winning goal. He is that much of a gamble. Just look at how other teams have been so desperate to get rid of him! He's had some great managers work with him too, including Mourinho and Mancini. Granted they're not the best at man management, as they prefer to adopt a no tolerance attitude, but there's no doubt that any coach in the world would struggle with Mario.

But then, if we look at the positives, the price being reported is ridiculously cheap! Sorry eds, for I know the finance details are going to be off, but the press are reporting the deal around 20 million euros! That's around the same price as Bony if I'm not mistaken. And then I saw his age. He's only just turned 24! He's very young considering how much he's achieved so far. Cavani and Falcao are brilliant players, but my main concerns with both of them were how costly they would be, and their age. Cavani is 27 and Falcao is 28! If we somehow bought either of them, we'd only get a coupe years out of them, while paying astronomical fees and wages. I'm not saying Balotelli will be cheap, but we will get more years out of him.

Ignoring the financial aspect of the deal, yes, Balotelli has terrible attitude problems, but if we look at his actual ability, you'll notice that he has little or no weaknesses that are not connected to his attitude. He has a bad work rate and awful discipline, but these weaknesses can be removed. If Rodgers were to somehow address these problems, he could turn him into one of the best strikers in the world! But addressing those problems is no easy task. It will be Rodger's biggest challenge as of yet, there's no doubt in that. If he succeeds, then we have one of the best strikers in the world, and if he fails. well let's not talk about that.

It's a big risk, I'm not denying that. However, can you think of a better striker in the world currently available for £20 million or less? We've lauded Rodgers for his recent success, but can he go one step further and do what Mourinho and Mancini could not? The odds are not in our favour, but when were they ever?

{Ed002's Note - Ignore the numbers.}

Your point about age, 27/28 is not a concern. Those two players are top strikers. You are buying like most player a 4-5 yr contract. That's 31/32. You're buying the peak years of proven finished article.

Look at other top clubs who win titles and look at their purchases. Best example van Persie. Utd paid £30m was it? 31 was he? He won them the title. Juve have Llorente and Tevez both around 30 both bought in around 28? Juve won the title

Not saying signing Falcao would guarantee title, but if City or Chelsea bought him bookies would put them favourites. Just saying don't write off that age group

Yes, guaranteed Van Persie won United the title, but I can't help thinking he was a bad signing in the long term. His injuries meant he had little impact last season, and I can't see him staying fit long enough to make much of an impact this season either. Who would you rather have, a player like Sterling who will slowly cause more of impact each season for the next 10 years or so, or a player like Van Persie who will win you everything in one season, but nothing in the next? So I'm sorry, but I disagree with you about age being irrelevant. You say 4-5 years, but you forget that before that contract is up, you can either sign them for another contract with no signing on fee, or even sell them to another club for a possible profit. Signing players like Van Persie and even Falcao for high transfer fees makes no financial sense.

Plus, strikers don't generally reach their peak till mid to late 20's. obviously this depend on players etc, I'm talking about in general before someone pops up with stats on a 21 year old Amazonian.

"Van Persie was a bad signing yet he won them the league?!"
Does that actually make sense to you?
It just goes to show people will say anything to delude themselves.
Reminds me of that old story about the emperors clothes

Sturridge, Suarez, Owen, fowler, all hit big numbers and played well before mid 20's Those are just former Liverpool players

Bony is available for similar money and he'd be a safer option. Your question is better though not safer and I don't think anyone can know.

Balotelli is far more talented but far more wasteful of his talent. I would prefer Bony myself. I think he is very good and you would get good value from him for years.

Yes it does make sense. Look at Man United now. They're in turmoil. If you spend all your money on players who can only manage one season, then you're going to suffer in the long term. Granted there's many other reasons why United are doing so badly, but don't you think United would be benefiting more if they had bought someone like Sturridge? Answer me this for example, would you do a straight swap of Sterling for Falcao or even Sturridge for Cavani? Cavani and Falcao are currently better players than either of Sterling or Sturridge, but no way in hell would I swap them. Why? Because they're young, could be at the club for many years and can keep improving drastically. Sterling may not win us the title next season, but he has the potential to for many years later. Will Van Persie help United win multiple trophies in the next 10 years? Fans need to stop thinking of only the current season and start thinking of what's best in the long term.

Im with you, Sean.

21 Aug 2014 14:14:08
People don't seem to understand the statement of 'in general'. And Suarez best season was last season. Playing well in the Dutch league isn't too difficult, look at Kuyt's record.

Can't argue with you Sean. Bony would be a safer option, and I would be happy if we signed Bony tbh. But it looks like we're going so sign Mario Balotelli, and so therefore, he has my full backing. I just hope he listens to Rodgers.

You keep saying to buy players in the peak of their career stuie_boy, but when you sign a young player, you have the chance of keeping them for when they reach their peak, yet for a much smaller fee. When you sign a player at their peak, you also buy them with their transfer fee at its peak. Liverpool rarely sign players at their peak, but help them progress into world class players. This makes much more financial sense, and in all truth, we don't have the money of Madrid, Man City or PSG to throw silly amounts of money at players in their prime.

We bought Suarez, Alonso, Reina, Mascherano, Kuyt, Agger, Skrtel, and many more, when they were young and cheap and all progressed to be better players.

And now we have players like Sturridge, Sterling, Coutinho, Suso, Lovren, Sakho, Moreno and many, many more. None of these players are yet to reach their peak, but much are expected of all them. They'd have been far more expensive if we had waited until they reached their peak before signing them. Its better to sign them while they're young so we can work on getting the best of them and have them in our service for many years to come.

21 Aug 2014 15:03:39
Plus I have never once said to buy players in their peak. I was merely making a point that Falcao and Cavani are hardly 'old' and past their prime.

21 Aug 2014 17:04:07
@Ed002, "ignore the numbers"? that's a typical EPL answer and why Glasgow Rangers died. Too much money being thrown about down there, its got to come to an end soon with some clubs going bust

{Ed002's Note - Idiot. I said ignore the numbers because most football fans don't understand any of the financial aspects of the game, of transfers, about the debt clubs are in, about the need to sell naming rights.}

21 Aug 2014 12:14:33
Balotelli to Sky Italia: "This is my last day in Milan. I am going to Liverpool."

21 Aug 2014 11:38:11
Balotelli will make Brendan a legend, or he will make him a failure. Personally I think it's a gamble that will pay off for Brendan and for us fans. Hope it's not to premature, to say welcome to our great club Balotelli YNWA.

I'm worried about him in training too, he's famous for not trying and skipping drills etc. hopefully doesn't rub off on some of the younger ones.

Spot on Fencey.

21 Aug 2014 11:49:01
All this talk of Ballotelli reminds of of a time when we were signing another young striker who never lived up to his potential. BR got him playing twice as good as I ever expected. I genuinely believe we have one of the best young managers on the planet and if he wants balotelli then I want him aswell. Simple as that. To add aswell. I love his personality. Some hate it but sometimes it's the type of character you need in a squad. Rodgers ain't no Mancini so I believe he will mature more with us

21 Aug 2014 11:46:17
Pretty sure Mino Raiola is also Assaidis agent, so we may all be debating this Mario business for no reason

Strong edit on my zlatan joke -.-

If mario says he is 'leaving milan today and going to Liverpool' then I can say it definately isn't anything to do with assaidi.

21 Aug 2014 11:19:41
All the EDS and fellow REDS

In my humble opinion the Ballotelli signing, if it ever happens, could could be an inspiring move by the club. True, he is an eccentric
True, he has had discipline problems in the past
True, neither Mancini nor Mourinhio could connect with him
BUT:
He is a true talent and does the unexpected ala Suarez
He is passionate but feels discriminated ala Suarez
His charity work underlines a man with a heart of gold.
Liverpool will give him what no other club could. Our unequaled support and love.

Mancini and Mourinho are not the best at players with personalities ; Tevez, Lukaku etc

Brendan has the manskill to bring the best out of Ballotelli, think of Cantona, how terrible everyone thought he was but was in fact a genius suffering to be understood.
I personally hope it happens because IMO this will be an inspiring signing that will push us up a step higher than we already are.

Thumbs up from me
I really hope even if he does not come he turns out a Cantona rather than a Gascoiigne

21 Aug 2014 11:18:05
Regardless of where you stand on the Balotelli debate, its so refreshing to see the banter about a player who truly divides opinion! Yes, there's players who some people rate slightly higher than others But to see a signing that is so truly unpredictable and could literally go either way, certainly fires up the interest and excitement levels!

Although it makes a pain in the back side reading all of it

21 Aug 2014 11:11:48
Balotelli on loan - agree
Balotelli permanent signing - disagree

Doesn't matter: Milan will only do a permanent deal for him.

I get the impression that if he feels he won't be coming back to Liverpool, it will give him more of an excuse not to try.

21 Aug 2014 10:37:06
{Ed001's Note - I would be very disappointed with him. He has a dreadful attitude to training, has completely the wrong lifestyle for a professional athlete and is a liability. I think he is incredibly entertaining, but he is simply never going to achieve anything like what he should do. He is a wasted talent and always will be.}

Ed would you say this bodes well then for Balotelli's future, I only ask as 90% of the time when you put your kneck on the line either with the hope we sign a certain player (Medal) or opinion on a player (Suarez before we signed him) it somehow seems to go against you.

Not a criticism Ed just sympathetic that its always you lol.

{Ed001's Note - I am not sure how it goes against me, other than we just don't sign the ones I wanted? Suarez was more trouble than he was worth, which is what I always said before we got him. Yes he was a better player than I foresaw but he was also a lot more trouble!

As for Medel, he has shown why I wanted him to sign and I still believe we made a mistake not picking him up. I would love Balotelli to prove me completely wrong, but he has shown a consistent poor attitude, lack of application, tendency towards idiotic and violent actions, lack of any kind of ability to work for a team's benefit rather than his own and a complete and utter immaturity that is staggering for anyone over the age of 5.

Our whole transfer policy this season has been a joke. We have bought players we don't need, good players, but not needed players. Then when it comes to the positions we did need to add in, we send out a promising young player on loan, mess about until the last minute with the main target and so are unable to play him in the first game and generally seem to be run by imbeciles.

This just seems to be compounding the issues we have already shown. We are not desperate for a striker, despite the fans obsession with signing big names. What we need is to start trusting some of the great youngsters we have coming through to be the back ups. The way things are going, we may as well scrap our academy now. Which of the kids is going to get near the first team if we don't have a major injury crisis? Who is going to be the next Sterling to get a shot?

It certainly won't be Ibe, he will now be lucky to even get a sniff of the bench this season, even if he doesn't go out on loan. Last season the club took a chance on some of the academy products to fill in gaps and it paid off. Why change it? Why not let those in the team continue to grow and give a few others a chance too?}

I agree on many levels, particularly about the transfer strategy. The committee or whatever they are called now, are just poorly run.

The main purpose of this committee is to pick up good players, ready fro a step-up for a decent price (example, Dejan Lovren could have been bought for 9 million Pounds last season and we were very interested, but chose Ilori).

Another one, they have known that there was a very good chance Suarez would be going this year, but really made no real attempt at trying to sound out players who could replace him. And don't tell me we didn't replace Suarez with one player because we just have replaced his position in the squad with Balotelli.

One wonders what the role of some of these people on the transfer committee are if they don't financially do business that benefits the club while at the same time bring in players who could improve the squad.

I posted even before the last season finished that we needed only 3 or 4 players, top players. But BR and the team really have gone through wholesale changes once again.

What is done s done; I hope the club are more prudent the way they do business in the future. The last thing now we all want is LFC to struggle this year and I hope for BR's and the transfer committee's sake that we don't hear a "year of transition" from BR anytime this year.

Fully agree with ed on this 1. i'm more for giving the kids a go, considering we seem to have an abundance of talent coming thru.

Sorry Ed I think this is very harsh. To say on Suzrez he was more trouble than he was worth? sorry mate that is not serious. He is responsible with his own legs for brining us back to the CL, as well as raising expectations enthusiasm and and belief around the club and now with the 65 of 75 Millions we got for him we can bring 4-5 very good players. And he was bought for less than 23M - so more or less tripled with worth, for me not only one of the best signing in the history of LFC but in the history of British football. Re the signing of this summer - we have to wait and see. On paper some of them are very promising. Regarding yougsters - very few teams in top leagues in Europe today have more than 1 or 2 home players in their starting 11 because statistically the chance that your club will produce more than 1-2 top class players is very small. But if they turns out to be so great what is wrong to let them demonstrate it in a one year loan in weaker teams where they will get many more minutes?

{Ed001's Note - if you are that clueless that you think it was down to one player, then it is a waste of time discussing football with you.}

I agree with you ed001, but maybe you are a bit too harsh? would your answer be the same if we bought Falcao? don't get me wrong, i'm not criticizing, just bantering. personally I would be happier if we kept ibe and spent the markoviz money on an up and coming attacker

{Ed001's Note - Falcao is a world class talent. Balotelli is a world class fool. Big difference. You don't mind talented youngsters missing out when the best is stopping them getting in the team.}

Ed, judging by your comments you would think we were going backwards as a club. It's moving forwards and like any fan, you as well as I will be proved wrong time and time again. Difference being I have only seen my club moving forward in last 2 years. You didn't want suarez but he got us into the champs league and we got a huge profit. If you don't believe it was solely him then that means it must have been A good manager, a good system so maybe you néed to believe in that too. What do we have to complain about given where this club was 4 years ago.

{Ed001's Note - I am sorry but we are watching a club with mounting debts spending money like there is no tomorrow on players it doesn't need. If that doesn't worry you, then I fear for you. We didn't need all the players we are buying, they weren't even all the chosen players of the good manager. We have a good system, that was a system of buying a couple of players and blooding a couple of youngsters. Now we have a system of buy, buy, buy. It is not the system we were using. This summer might work out short term, but it is not a long term answer.}

I agree they are spending but what is the net spend? You are better positioned ( I would assume to comment on this - if you don't know then fair enough) but then we are owned by a company that has ( on the surface) a good track history of running sports clubs . Time will tell but based on what we've seem is anyone really unhappy with the players we brought in? I would assume they have a team of highly paid financial advisors and accounts to judge the finances better than you, I or anyone on here. Seems like there are no wins on here-spend the money everyone complains. Don't spend and blood youngsters- everyone says we need a team for today not tomorrow.

{Ed001's Note - we are already losing a million pounds a week, I am not sure I am convinced that they are judging the finances that well any more. Seems like they are doing a Ridsdale and chasing the dream this summer! I have always supported blooding youngsters, that is the only way to run a club within its means.}

Agree Ed001. Just created an account only to agree with how we're overspending on players that we don't necessarily need. The players that we have signed are "good" but it's baffling the amount of money spent when we have a good academy. Or I suppose that it's not as good as we think.

21 Aug 2014 11:24:30
Signing balotelli would give us a fear factor similar to what Suarez gave us on the pitch. Yes he can be lazy, a loose cannon & others but on his day he can be unplayable. Having him in our team would make the other side very vary in ways they wouldn't be with borini, Lambert, yesil etc opponents see balotelli & they get scared because of what he can do. He doesn't always do it & he comes with more problems but he's like bervatov who was a wonderful footballer but didn't break a sweat having him on the pitch gives us a Diego Costa like presence & a player with huge quality fair enough he might not do it but that won't stop him being marked, creating space for others

{Ed002's Note - It is the haircuts the opposition will be scared of. A fur factor if you will.}

21 Aug 2014 11:53:48
JUSt like Brendan said with sturridge it's ballatellis last chance of saving a promising career at the top level.

Andy Carroll is unplayable on his day too apparently. just never had very many of those days.

I am allergic to fur, so I can understand the fear.

21 Aug 2014 12:38:22
Was that because Andy was mainly injured on his day?

21 Aug 2014 13:00:36
Not injured, hung over.

21 aug 2014 11:04:33
i think i've lost all faith in life if bazza comes to liverpool.

go away blingotelli

21 Aug 2014 11:30:37
Are we going for the most ridicules post of the day award?

If so you, here's one hoping you win it.

Cheers bud don't agree with the signing the ethos of his mentality is all wrong for the team and I'd rather have someone who genuinely will run and close the defence down on a regular basis.

21 Aug 2014 12:33:51
Fair enough, but "lost all faith in life"?

21 Aug 2014 10:53:50
People worrying about fitting Sturridge and Balo into one side need not worry, Balo can and has played on both wide forward roles, so I imagine he'd take Suarez's role. If we do get him, he's going on the back of my shirt. Bloody cult legend in the making.

21 Aug 2014 10:48:30
EMS and Reet

Seems your wish being Granted.
Mario, Liverpool's new No.9

More like LFC's new number 45.

Impossible.

Lambert is our new number 9. Balotelli will be 11 or 7 I'd have thought.

Lambert is No.9

21 Aug 2014 11:53:58
Balotelli always has no.45

Good shout on 45, he wore that number at inter, citeh (he had to swap with some.kid) and Milan. And take a look at our squad numbers this year. We have a 44 and a 46 but no 45. How long have we been planning this?

Balotelli will wear number 45, which I think is the number he has worn at all of his previous clubs.

21 Aug 2014 10:37:20
I am astounded by the nonsesnse I read here. How in Gods name can people think Balotelli is a footballer?
His attitude is wrong; he doesn't train properly and declines to live the life of an athlete.
He gets away with that bcoz he is young but this will catch him up like so many before him; think Paul Gascoigne et al. Furthermore, he will cause disharmony in our young squad and distract and take away the focus of the team. He will even distract Brendan from his duties. Milan can't wait to get shot of him. THERE ARE REASONS FOR THAT!
PEOPLE ARE OVERLOOKING THESE?!
I listed his indiscretions yesterday but I only ever researched his time at Citeh. Bobatron (down the page a bit) listed some of his carryon at Milan:
-He was fined for smoking,
-he was fined for smoking on public transport
-he was fined for driving without insurance in italy.
-he posed with a shotgun at a camera saying ''this is for all my haters''.
Can you see Steven Gerrard getting up to this type of carryon?
Ability is one thing; failing to properly train and live the life of a highly paid proessional athlete with a reponsibility to your club and its fans is something totally different.
Why would we want the antics of this person shaming our great club? And make no mistake - there will be antics!
I would be surprised however if Brendan invites this circus into our club.
Oh, and for those of you that compare him to Suarez: the differences between he and Suarez are glaring - Suarez trains like a true profesional, in fact this was a trait of his; Baloteli doesn't - he just doesnt.
Many of Balotellis issues arise when in training - when he is required to knuckle down and actually train - but cant/wont/refuses.
Suarez was so focused on winning that he'd do anything - literally anything - to win (i don't have to elaborate further); while Balotelli is so focused on himself that other things - SUCH AS WINNING - don't really matter that much.
Suarez had on-field antics - but he never, ever had off-field antics; Balotelli. well. off-field antics come in abundance with this circus clown.
'WHY ALWAYS ME'!
As a footnote I was on my hols recently and got chatting to some lads. They weren't Liverpool fans but they said something that struck me, They ageed that they 'liked Liverpool. because it is a proper football club'.
This is our image.
Please, please don't let Balotelli in.
He'll only harm us. if there are no quality strikers available then we, as supporters, have a responsibility not to put the club uner pressure to panic buy. We should wait till January.
The club and owners have more than demonstrated their authenticity in this transfer window.
In my opinion it is time for the supporters to demonstrate theirs.

Take it to parliament if you feel that strongly about the manager bringing in a player he thinks can help the club. Better still apply for his job. Judging by your 'likes' you'll have plenty of support.

Seems you have a one track mind- Steve g has had a few off field issues so don't put the blinkers on because he's a local.

21 Aug 2014 10:28:49
I really hope that if we sign Ballo that its not the start of BR's downfall. No question the kid has got talent but he is definitely a few fries short of a happy meal!
If BR can turn him around then no question BR is the master of man-management. If he can't then I just hope that its Mario that takes the fall not BR.
Mario won't care if it doesn't work out he will go onto another club and get paid fortunes where we could be left with the disaster that he generally leaves trailing behind him!
There's a village somewhere looking for an person like Mario, just hope Liverpool is not the place that Mario is looking to bring all his rubbish too!
Mario if you do come bring your football ability - leave the issues in Italy!

21 Aug 2014 11:21:40
Mario is 24, he was 18-22 when most of his antics were recorded, l am sure most of us were a bit crazy at that age too. For almost 2 years now he's been okay, some might argue that he's maturing, and others might say that he keeps a different company these days and he's all better for it.

Even though I am surprised that Rogers is going for him, I am willing to wait and see what happens, and hopefully Balo musters the will to turn himself in to a proper professional footballer, and if he does, it will be one crazy fun season ahead.

{Ed001's Note - sorry but he is still doing the same antics, it is just that they are now happening in Italy and so not getting reported here so widely.}

21 Aug 2014 17:02:21
I agree to some extent Ed, and maturing takes time and I hope he will progressively improve, if not this could turn out to be a bad move for the club.

Side note, when you get a chance can you suggest to Ed002 that Wonder Woman is in, and Batgirl is so passé?

21 Aug 2014 10:10:15
if we signed Mario Balotelli, I'd be so Happy

21 Aug 2014 10:35:58
You could ask him to come round and re-decorate your bathroom , I hear he has 5th November free .

21 Aug 2014 09:35:37
Tony Barrett ‏@TonyBarretTimes

Talks between Liverpool and AC Milan over Balotelli are progressing well and are set to resume today.

The first time we have moved for a player that I think is a big disruptive mistake, but hey ho, maybe ill be proved wrong but think not

21 Aug 2014 09:32:57
Balotelli's camouflaged Bentley Continental was NOT seen entering Melwood today.

Does that mean he's here for a medical?!

21 Aug 2014 09:55:34
Being Balletolli, I am dead sure, He wouldn't choose the right way.

Haha brilliant post zed.

21 Aug 2014 09:04:09
Hi Eds, my cousin in Toronto tells me there is talk of Jermaine Defoe going on loan to a EPL side in October when the MLS season closes. I know we've been linked to him in the past. Also can you tell me what is happening with Reus if he isn't going to Bayern or Atletico Madrid? Thanks for all your efforts.

{Ed002's Note - You realise this is the Liverpool page. I am not aware of anything about Defoe. You need the European page for questions about Reus. Or try the search engine.}

21 Aug 2014 06:17:43
My apologies to Ed002, I have just asked the same question as yesterday re Suarez fee before checking the replies, sorry. However for clarity did you originally say (at the time of the transfer) the fee was £75 million give or take a few hundred thousand either way?

{Ed002's Note - You will need to point me at it. Perhaps a typo. I made it clear what the price was. All that has happened now is UEFA updating the database.}

21 Aug 2014 07:46:03
Ed's, I have two points of view regarding our 'need' for a Suarez replacement. On one hand I agree. But if we do, we should be looking for an older short term option and even a loan deal. We need a proven goal scorer for one season and a player content with a sub role thereafter. We have origi coming next year and with the improvements Ibe has made, he should be pushing for a starting role next season. If we get a big name player that has to start we'll be taking a player from one of these great young players or wasting a lot of money. My second thought is, we don't need a Suarez replacement. We have sterling. Playing sterling Sturridge with coutinho/markovic, Henderson, and lallana behind with gerrard /Lucas in a deeper role sounds like an incredible line up. I personally am of the opinion we should use the second option and save our money. The value on strikers just isn't there this window. However, with all that said, who is available that would fit the 1-2 solid seasons? We already got Lambert and we've heard of rumours regarding eto. But what other players are older (28-30) and high quality that would be available

21 Aug 2014 08:51:29
Counting on a 19 year old kid from League 1 to start firing goals next season is not acceptable.
We need a striker for atleast 3 good years.
Lukaku came down to PL and had 2 good loan spells. Origi would also need time to adapt.

Playing Sterling as the Second striker would be a decent idea. But then that would put pressure on the kid. He is best to play behind the two striker ( Tip of the Diamond )

Lfcohio, Origi will not be ready to lead the line next season. The premier league is a completely different beast compared to ligue 1, he will need at least a couple of loan moves in England to be good enough to be first choice for our team. Harry just gave a very good example of Lukaku, who has improved with every season of first team experience at lesser clubs.

21 Aug 2014 07:01:59
Hi Eds and fellow reds
Firt time poster but been reading on here for ages.With all the talk about Falcao and Balotelli, has anyone really thoughtthat Falcao if signed on loan would eventually seek his dream move to real madrid.Taking this into account I would rather go for Balotelli, a player who I believe that with all his antics could be an amazing coup for the club if he can get his act together and brendon rodgers gets the best out of him.Liverpool do have a tendency of turning average good players into superstars.
Vinay245

Whilst I agree with you, he is not 'good average'. He is already a superstar. He just needs to act like a professional to go with it. Whether Brendan (or Dr Peters?) can work with him is the gamble

Buying falcao makes more sense than the loan, at least you could potentially make money (based purely on fees and discounting wages) than if you loaned him

balotelli is as much of a risk though

21 Aug 2014 08:58:26
If someone thinks, Balletolli would be loyal to the club, They need a doctor immediately.
Atleast Falcao is honest in his wishes.

Boom did Suarez have your full support after his numerous incidents.

21 Aug 2014 06:33:47
I might just have a bad memory but I don't remember anything Balotelli did at city ever giving them bad publicity - if anything it was all good publicity, his antics made people want to watch city play

doesnt distract from the other cons of buying him but to use the excuse that he makes the club look bad seems a tad ridiculous imo

21 Aug 2014 08:15:07
2 red cards in high profile matches, including one only 15 minutes after coming on as a sub? Stamping on Scott Parkers head? Fighting with Mancini? Fighting with Anderson? Just off the top of my head.

That could be confused with being passionate about the game! Ha ha

Im still not convinced by the Parker thing, he was off balance and wasnt looking

The Mancini fight - from memory the only pictures showed mario doing nothing and mancini had him by the scruff of the neck, which shows bad attitude but he's pretty calm, I literallly can't recall him totally losing his head at all, even after the anderson fight he winked at rio and then just walked off as rio got dragged away from him - to me that's hilarious and only made rio and united look like mugs

as for the red cards, 2 wow - i'm not going to stand here and say he's a saint but if anyone is going to be a media scapegoat it would be costa and not him but that's another story, I honestly think that he is nowhere near as bad as he was in terms of media bait and if he can clean up his work rate he will be class

Take back what I said about the mancini fight, mancini sent him to the dressing room and he started swinging

21 Aug 2014 06:14:39
Ed001, what is your opinion of signing Balotelli?

{Ed001's Note - I would be very disappointed with him. He has a dreadful attitude to training, has completely the wrong lifestyle for a professional athlete and is a liability. I think he is incredibly entertaining, but he is simply never going to achieve anything like what he should do. He is a wasted talent and always will be.}

Fair enough Ed001. Would you be prepared to back him and give him a chance if he signed?

After all, there is no denying his talent and we can always hope for the best. I think he'd thrive at Anfield.

{Ed001's Note - of course I would give him a chance and hope he proves me wrong, but I doubt he will. He has the exact same level of professionalism as Carroll did. He is wasting his career. He doesn't have enough ability to get away with it.}

I think Rodgers and Steve Peters would sort him out. He has yet to work with a good man manager. Mancini and Mourinho are not exactly easy people to get on with and I think the racism he's endured throughout his career has made him worse. He won't get that at Liverpool. He's older than he was at City and I think he'll start coming of age over the next couple of years. He is still lazy, but he hasn't had a major incident for a couple of years now. We all know Rodgers style is about pressing. He obviously thinks he can get Mario on the same wavelength as the rest of the squad. I think he's right.

{Ed001's Note - you clearly have not kept up with his career if you think there have been no incidents for a couple of years. What about refusing to wear the new Italy strip because he didn't like how it looked? The guy has not and will not change until his career goes down the pan and he has to sit back and look at himself.}

I'm 100% with Ed001 on this.

My 1st preference would be to sign Bony who would cost roughly the same (maybe a bit cheaper fees and wages) but he would be a safer bet, imo.

If not Bony then I would be happy if we got Balotelli on loan - funny for 1 season and he'd plug a gap, etc but I wouldn't want him long term and I don't see him succeeding as he should long term.

Why do people think having steve peters on board is going to turn a guy from a complete weapon head into a genuine angel? He's not going to hypnotise him and make him play to his full potential and be an angel.

ED pointed out the misdemeanours he's still doing, as well as I have in previous posts. People need to just simply google ac milan ballotelli and indiscretion to see what he's done since moving.

he's also played under 5 managers that I can think of. all 5 say he's a handful.

21 Aug 2014 11:41:32
Well if he signs Ed, let's hope you're wrong and Rodgers knows what he's doing. I know there are risks associated with his transfer, but I think the potential outweighs the risks.

That's why we're all so split on this. There is no evidence he won't change but there is no evidence he will change. Nobody except Ed002 can predict the future, so it's literally just peoples opinions and gut feelings that they're going on.

All I can say is please support him if he signs guys. He needs to be given a chance to change and he will only do that if we make him feel welcome. I must admit though, I'm not happy with reports surfacing this morning about £160k wage demands. I'd half that and offer him performance related add ons. Maybe it'll give him some incentive.

21 Aug 2014 02:24:11
If we do sign Balotelli, it will be crucial that he presses the opposition. I question whether he will do this, I myself play an Irish sport (Gaelic Football) and it is infuriating when just one person on your team isn't giving 100% to cause a turnover. If he doesn't work it could lead to friction within the team. However if BR thinks he can tame him I will support him, the lad has serious ability. Nonzy

21 Aug 2014 01:47:58
Good ole balotelli! Why should we not take the opportunity? For all the supporters saying he is good one game and inconsistent in four, why not just start him every four games? (This was a joke, lol)

Get behind the club and support their decision! Balotelli will thrive at anfield. All he needs is support and appreciation something the fans and managers never gave him at inter, city and milan. Good times ahead!

21 Aug 2014 00:45:58
FabrizioRomano
Balotelli agent, Mino Raiola, is in London now. Talks ongoing between Milan and Liverpool, but #LFC must offer money. Milan said no to loan.

20 Aug 2014 23:56:57
Apparently we did bid for Balotelli and we included a "good behaviour" clause so if he misbehaved then we could send him back anytime. (Source BBC Sport) Not sure I believe it t be honest aha

How do you define good behaviour lol