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21 Oct 2014 20:32:42
Having thought long with short arm's about Sundays match , I will be offering the following summary,,,
1) the game in the end was a Caulker.
2)after the 3rd I thought QPR R Dunne.
3)eventually they ran out of VarGAS.
YNWA
You get an A for effort.
Personally i thought our performance was far from sterling. We just lacked the bite we had last season.
21 Oct 2014 19:01:22
I would like Seydou Doumbia in January, I really don't care this age of a thing. Does anyone truly think Diego Costa just turned 26?
I have to say, he is good on Fifa this year.
If you thought Eto`o was old, wait till you hear how old Doumbia is, "allegedly".
21 Oct 2014 18:15:12
I'm going for a 2-2 tomorrow. Unfortunately I'll miss the game as I'll be playing a big cup game myself but I will definitely record it and watch it that night! I reckon Gerrard will score a freekick, before Benzema equalises. Ronaldo will then put Madrid 2-1 up, before Coutinho scores in the 87th minute. Think I might pop down to the bookies before the game. I'm almost certain Gerrard will score! On the other hand we may get thumped 4-1 but let's be optimistic!
Cheers,
I hope you win a shed load of dosh at the bookies mate!
21 Oct 2014 17:57:48
Posted this yesterday and don't think it ever got up, I'd appreciate if it was placed on the banter page too Eds cause I'd love a bit of feedback.
I really think we should play with no striker against Madrid tomorrow, I very much doubt we will, but just think it could catch them unawares and is a risk worth taking seeing as we are the underdogs.
Disregarding the back five I'd want us to line up with Gerrard and Allen (or Can for that matter) holding, with Coutinho and Hendo slightly further forward and Sterling and Lallana floating in and around the no.10 and wing positions in front.
Not convinced?
Let me explain:
1. Sunday saw Coutinho return to form in a spectacular fashion, and in particular his link-up play with Sterling. His previous poor performances and Sturridge being out with injury are no coincidence I don't think. Balotelli offers much less movement up front and is less able to run in behind, whereas Lallana and Sterling move non-stop.
2. Ramos is unable to play for madrid, whilst Varane may be a doubt. This leaves Pepe and possibly youth teamer at the back for Real. Pepe is not brilliant tactically and so having no set man to pick up, yet having to watch two players constantly could be impossible for him to deal with, and, to some extent, Marcelo and Carajaval. Sterling and Lallana would both offer inside, outside, in short and in behind throughout which is impossible to mark.
3. By packing the central midfield with 4 or 6 depending on which way you look at it, you negate the threat of Khedira or Modric having time and space to pick a pass, and thus one of Real's main threats.
4. If Allen or Can is supporting Gerrard then Henderson has the freedom to break forward and support Lallana and Sterling, and this would be something that Real may well have overlooked in comparison to say, sterling cutting inside. Particularly if Khedira isn't fit enough to start, you'd back Henderson to be more mobile than both Kroos and Modric and complete Lampard-esque third man runs to create chance after chance on the break.
I doubt we will play without a striker as it's very complex tactically and seeing as we haven't done so before to try it in such a big match would be a huge risk, I just think given balotelli's current form among other things, it's worth it
{Ed002's Note - As a special treat Toddy.}
21 Oct 2014 17:41:11
We've spent over £50 million on 2 supposedly first choice CBs, and 2 full backs, our defence is still laughable.
I could get on board with our new 'controlled' style of play if it meant we weren't as bad as last season defensively, but we're missing the goals scored and still leaking goals.
I'd be happy with Borini and or Lambert starting Tomo, they have to deserve a chance at this stage or we'd just as well have 2 forwards.
Rodgers/the Committee have also bought 7 strikers in 2 seasons.
Welshboydave, since RODGER'S became manager he has had only one unequivical success in the transfer market and that's STURRIDGE, all his other signings are debatable and there's a lot of them.
Wembley, Coutinho has been an overall success along with Moreno, Manquillo and Can who on the face of it look like good prospects. Also, Allen has shown to be a shrewd aquisition ONLY because he does what is necessary for the system we play to function and many have said we struggle MIGHTLY without him. We can debate the fee BUT cannot discount his impact in midfield ESPECIALLY when we play the diamond like we did last year and at Spurs where he had a very good game. We can debate the fee BUT that`s the market nowadays so we got to deal w/ it. As for the others, the jury`s still out.
I agree WelshBoyDave.
We spent 40 million on 2 cb's and now we have decided they can't play together.
They have only played 2 games together since we bought them.
Weird.
I
22 Oct 2014 08:00:30
I'd say Lallana has been pretty impressive as well
I second that.
21 Oct 2014 16:38:32
As well as making an early morning bee-line for this site when I wake up, I also head to BBC Sport - Rumours.
I have been tracking who we've been linked with recently, and its almost exclusively teenagers.
Now, we do have a bit of a chicken and egg situation here, in that are we being linked with youngsters because BR has a reputation of buying youngsters, as we predominantly did in the summer, or are we actually just looking at youngsters!
Either way, I'd be happier if we had a few established stars on our radar just in case tomorrow never comes for BR
21 Oct 2014 15:13:23
my feelings tell me that balotelli would have scored many goals in last years team.
We made to many changes trough the team, once sturridge comes back balo will score, balo is not alone striker he needs 1 to play of.
Sterling sturridge balo upfront will give most teams trouble, our defence is the problem
Malta
21 Oct 2014 17:05:50
Sturridge is a great striker, but he is not Guaranga.
He'll probably come back in low on fitness and sharpness after this long out. I can't see it galvanising Mario in any case,
21 Oct 2014 14:03:15
Gday Eds,
Any clue what these 'technical' reasons were for Moreno being left out of Spain U21 squad? I've just read that he has an injury but "first scans were inconclusive so will be sent to a specialist" although I dunno, is that a fact?
I really hope he's ok technically and physically and will remain so for the season. Enrique shouldn't get another start, not even in the Cup. He may seem like a likable guy but absolute dodgy dullard on a football pitch, I've had enough.
Oh and is Sakho expected to be available tomorrow or at the weekend?
Thanks a mil Eds, not even going to say a word about Balotelli. >:(
{Ed002's Note - The Spanish manager simply considered another player better in his place. I have no idea when Sakho will be available.}
Spot on about Enrique. He is woeful at best. He just does things w/o thinking and his defending is so atrocious atimes, it`s cringeworthy. He never tackles, challenges aerial balls, gets stuck-in on challenges, is tactically weak, and positionally horrendous. One of the poorest defenders I`ve ever seen, TBH. I just hope Moreno will b ok because if we play Enrique tmrw, God help us. But then again, I hope he proves me wrong. Here`s to hoping!
21 Oct 2014 14:06:25
I am tired of all this talk about Suarez etc. it's a bloody game of football!! how is that Southampton can start the season playing so well after losing some of their best players and we can't put a pas together or score or defend? something is fundamentally wrong somewhere, and if i knew the answer i would be picking up £6 million a year, why has nobody teken the responsibility in majoring the defense? ~Gerrard is our leader on the pitch but i don't see much of it, (sorry Steve) i don't want to moan but the QPR game was the worst display by any Liverpool team i have ever seen, when i saw the team sheet my heart sank, Johnson and ENRIQUE! as i wrote on here earlier there needs some serious bottom kicking right through the club not just BR and some of the players, an honest appraisal from the coaching staff up, because it's not happening, i know it's early days and all that talk but tell it to Southampton they thought they would struggle i think some people at our club need to own up.
Jack, the problem is it's not early days, apart from summer training, 8 league games, UCL games and daily training we have also had most of these same problems last season, shocking shocking defending and also I agree a lack of leadership on the field.
There should be no more talking, coaches need to be sacked, BR needs to learn from his mistakes and Gerrard needs to man up on the field like years ago or be man enough to step aside and let someone else do.
QPR was only another chapter in the God awful start to this season, it's not acceptable, please LFC make some changes.
21 Oct 2014 16:35:34
Giggity
Giggity seconded! also Mcgoveb i meant it's early days as people keep saying but it's not early days is it? it's been going on too long, cheers bud!
21 Oct 2014 13:30:04
Good news! Bale is injured for Wednesday so, as he's RM's only world class player, I will be expecting a repeat of the 4-0 drubbing from a few years back!
2 OGs from the clueless Ronaldo and Ballo to miss his hatrick strike in the 90th minute when faced with an open goal, but still be happy with his 2nd and 3rd CL goals.
I'm off to chat to BetFred
21 Oct 2014 13:01:39
I so hope Brad Smith plays left back vs Real Madrid. Moreno is AWOL and Enrique is quite possibly the worst defender in the clubs history. He makes Djimi Traore look like Roberto Carlos!
Astonishing that we are conceding so many when you look at the players we exiled:
Wisdom, Kelly, Ilori, Smith
Infact, i reckon those 4 would be a better defence than the players who played against QPR. I don't understand Rodgers. He wants to play a high line and split the centre backs and you therefore need fast centre backs. So he sold Kelly, loaned out Wisdom and Ilori, and exiled Toure and Sakho.
I'm with you EMS I don't know what Rodgers is doing either! does he?
Enqurie is not that bad buddy he is only back after a season injured
It is quite baffling how he has gone about his business, especially when we have capable players available in our ranks. For instance, the need for Manquillo, Markovic & bench warmer Toure when we have Ibe, Wisdom & Kelly/Ilori seems kind of pointless spending if you ask me.
But EMS he has a history of working well with youngsters and giving them a chance!! This is what we are always told
21 Oct 2014 16:45:03
You are surely having a laugh mate? I'm all for giving the youngsters chances and experience but I think going from playing the mighty Gillingham or Fleetwood in League 1 to being given the starting spot at left back against Ronaldo and co. might just be the definition of "being thrown in at the deep end". It was bad enough chucking him on against Chelsea away last year, and this would only further damage his confidence. Enrique was absolutely abysmal against QPR, but he still gets in the team ahead of Smith for me. Johnson could even move over to left back if Moreno isn't available
EMS - Moreno AWOL can you elaborate please ?
Brad Smith against James Rodriguez and/or Isco? You must be joking. They will eat him raw and spit him out. I don`t like Enrique anymore than the next guy BUT he gets the start by default and as dumb as that sounds, it is what it is.
{Ed001's Note - that is exactly why kids so rarely make it. You would rather have the one you know will fail to cope than give a chance to a kid who might also fail to cope. Madness.}
22 Oct 2014 08:03:56
Monero is fine and is expected to play as far as I know. He certainly seems to expect to play
Has Smith been recalled Eds?
I thought he scored for Swindon last night?
Mind you its not like Smith is a common name or anything:)
I thought Rodgers had recalled him after watching Enrique against qpr.
I would not mind if Enrique never played again to be honest.
Poor is not the word.
{Ed001's Note - he has been playing well but yes he was recalled, they replaced him with Toffoli of Norwich.}
Ed, I see your point BUT we can`t throw him in against RM. He will defo struggle and that ight hurt him regardless of how good he is. Baby steps w/ kids is the best way to go Except youare sure he can do a job then play him and see what happens.
21 Oct 2014 11:19:54
Greetings all,
Is it just me or should Br and all of us move on from Suarez?
All this rubbish about him leaving stalling our progress . .If you build a team around the player most likely to leave then you should accept that you have stalled the teams progress, not blame the player.
I am a supporter of BR but this is quite obvious to me and most reds .Suarez was ALWAYS going to go, it was no secret .
Blaming the shock of him leaving to explain the poor start is dishonest .
The problem for me lies not with the fact that we didn't sign big names, its the fact that we didn't sign the right kind of players, and have a squad that lacks balance .
21 Oct 2014 12:21:14
Blaming the shock of him leaving to explain the poor start is dishonest .
=======================
Agree with you on BR should not be using Suarez leaving as an excuse , and I am sure the owners were not too pleased when they hear him say that considering the amount of money spent this summer. But I do understand the fans missing Suarez the player.
We don't just lack balance, we lack desire, urgency, creativity and threat , and like it or not Suarez provided all of those attributes last season and clearly was the difference and big contributor to us finishing second.
If we have replaced him with a similar type player, then no one will be mentioning his name now; and I don't mean as expensive or "big name" --whatever that is-- ; but someone that wants the ball, go through players with creativity and put fear in the opposition defences.
We've known for years Suarez wanted out and he actually left pretty early in the window when he finally did leave. Surely there should have been a better plan in place than punting £16M on a 'calculated gamble' given the sheer amount of time involved?
Nah we're Liverpool fans we bang on about ex players whenever things are bad or during a transfer window. Torres, mascherano, alonso, I even read a post about getting luis Garcia on a free once he left Mexico!! We will not get over Suarez for a long time yet.
We won`t get over Suarez until some here and BR himself, stop talking about him. HE IS GONE! Let it go! If BR stops talking about LS then maybe everyoone else will.
21 Oct 2014 10:55:17
Balotelli, congratulations you have lived up to all my expectations, i said i'd rather have signed nobody than have him. Lovren, he must be being told to play that way because surely you wouldn't distance yourself so much from your partner leaving a gap big enough to roll a b52 through and not try and win a header goal side of the attacker? If he is being coached that way then someone needs sacking on the coaching staff, if it's his own decision making then it's him who needs sacking. Enrique =joke, and not a very good one, there are others who are awful atm to but these 3 have taken awful to a new level.
YOU need sacking.
21 Oct 2014 10:54:33
Hey guys, i've had a fantastic thought - what if, Balotellis poor form is really just a smoke screen to lull Real Madrid into a false sense of security and on Wednesday night he ends up scoring a perfect hattrick.
you heard it here first.
Appreciate the positivity, but with Our defence/keeper we will probably lose 6-3.
21 Oct 2014 12:23:58
Come on Ken , I thought you are the King of positivity . I do think we will get a result against Madrid , we tend to play better against the big teams. Just make sure you have these lucky pants on mate.
Balotelli's poor form is clearly part of his own agenda, which is going exactly to plan .
There have been pages and pages written about him in the national papers since the QPR game, once you disregard the rubbish and just read the balanced views given by people who have worked with him in the past, literally no-one is surprised at his attitude .
I am sorry Mr Ayre, and whoever is on the transfer committee, you have been had . You should have listened to Mr Rodgers .
I am more than happy to hear alternative views but answer this - is there a single top flight club in Europe who would pay £3m for him in January ?
21 Oct 2014 14:14:24
Ritters, I do think the club knew full well what they getting into when they bought him. I "guess" , they looked at an Italian international , with previous sell price of 30M and though 16m is a bargain. they probably assumed the club can turn him into 50m+ player like we did with Torres and Suarez. They might be right and eventually he may come good. I have doubts, because he is different to other 2 players and because the coaching staff that made them are no longer at the club.
21 Oct 2014 17:33:15
Bad logic Roy. Based on that, Torres at £20 million is a bargain cause Chelsea gave us £50,
The question to ask is why is a former £30 million player being sold at half that price right at the end of the window?
21 Oct 2014 21:00:34
What bad logic , this is exactly why he was bought, he was going on the cheap because it was close of window and his club wanted to get rid for various reasons not all of them football or on pitch related. Someone at Liverpool thinks the club can fix these issues and bring back his form. What do you people think; the club just like to throw money at players . When they buy , they know what they getting, they would've done a lot of research and highlighted weaknesses as well as strength. Yes they do get it wrong lots of times but at the time of buying they would have analysed every little aspect.
As for your Torres analogy, if he was still 24 and already a premier league winner and have 4 seria A winners medals plus few others, number one striker for his country and joint top scorer at the Euros -his first major tournament-, then yes 20m is a good price, because I can justify his recent slump as a dip of form due to lack of confidence and bad surrounding environment; and think my club , the coaching team and doctors etc can fix that and bring him back to his best , because if he done before he can do it again.
21 Oct 2014 09:57:33
Hello eds, what's with this rodgers not liking sakho and wanting him out?don't you think he is one of our better defenders along with lovren?and what is all this story about moreno being out?is this why smith has been recalled?i can't believe sakho is looking likely to be sold when he should be the one starting the games.
{Ed002's Note - Try the search function.}
I'd be tempted to play Sakho and Toure tomorrow because of their Aerial ability and physical presence.
Red Rum
I would give Toure a chance. He is an organiser and did well with Agger last year and has not had a real run since.
Also did you see his passion when we scored against QPR. This was more passion than certain players on the pitch.
21 Oct 2014 13:14:04
I'd be tempted to play Sakho and Toure tomorrow
==================
Toure ; seriously with the pace Madrid have up front .
{Ed001's Note - he is quicker than either Lovren or Skrtel, so I fail to understand your point here.}
Even better let's start with the cb pairings we have had all season that have been solid.
Yeah definitely lovren and toure looks a better partnership than lovren and skrtel. so, br should start toure tomorrow ahead of skrtel. this lovren skrtel partnership doesn't seem to work. rodgers should try something else. but i think sakho should also get some game time. br would be mad to let him go. we can't defend for gods sake and still we are letting one of our best defender to go.
21 Oct 2014 09:32:08
Thought Wisdom did well for WBA last night. Pretty solid and not scared to go forward. Think I'd prefer him there to Johnson anyway.
Quick question about Moreno. What is the story? Is he injured? Enrique was so poor on Sunday. No wonder they have fast tracked Brad Smith into the squad!
21 Oct 2014 10:04:34
Emre Can is also an option at left back as well.
Emre would be better suited defending against Bale in my opinion.
Red Rum
I think we will probably switch Johnson to LB.
Red Rum
I think bale is out but no matter who plays against us we will have a match on our hands
21 Oct 2014 09:02:48
Ed001,
Value you opinion on things, I know you haven't ever been Balotelli's biggest fan so my question is out of the options available in the summer, who would you have bought in? I personally would have loved Lavezzi at the club regardless of him being nearly 30.
Cheers
{Ed001's Note - no one, I would have just not sent Ibe out on loan. Put him and Sterling up either side of Lambert while Sutrridge is out and utilise their pace. The only way we should have bought a striker was if we could have bought one early, and it been the big money signing. Falcao I would have taken, even if he is not back to his best yet, when he gets there he is exceptional. Maybe Lacazette, though I haven't seen enough of him yet. Personally though, when you lose a player like that, who is irreplaceable like for like, I think the thing to do is give a youngster the chance to step up. Unless you can get that big signing, sometimes it is best to spend nothing.}
I get what you mean about Ibe, I personally would have avoided signing Markovic in order to give him a chance. I like Lambert but for me He isn't your typical #9, he does enjoy shadowing the centre forward like Balotelli and is at his best around the box linking up with play. I think we lack a real goal scorer in the absence of Sturridge, we don’t seem to have that within our academy at present who are ready to step up. Plenty of Ibe’s and Sterling’s though, which is why the Markovic signing really threw me! Maybe Borini deserves a decent run in the team up top with Lambert or Mario
21 Oct 2014 09:01:32
good morning, a question for the eds if i might. i realize we have injuries to contend with and many games to play so the need for the squad to be rotated. but what i can't quite get my head around is the omission of the following players, lucas, suso, sahko, borini? it looks like certain players just get overlooked by br. with the ffp issues what is the point of having players in the squad who just don't seam to get used.
welcome any comments/views
cheers
{Ed001's Note - Rodgers doesn't feel Lucas offers a big enough range of offensive passing to play the deep lying holding midfielder role. Not while he is struggling to get back to his best following long injuries. Mind I am not sure how he is supposed to get back to his best if he never gets a game.
Suso is injured, but Rodgers just doesn't trust him enough to give him a chance anyway.
Rodgers is not happy with either Sakho or Borini and doesn't feel either are good enough. Probably should have considered that before signing them really!}
Thanks for the information
Can we Add Ilori, luiz Alberto , Texeira and Ibe (I hope not) to that list as well ?
21 Oct 2014 08:38:35
Sorry I don't really follow the youth to much.
anybody knoknhow Yesil is doing is there any chance of him making the bench or first team
21 Oct 2014 09:51:24
Yesil is not long back since rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament, its hard to find any news about the reserves and youth's these days without coughing up the ridiculous sum they charge for LFCTVGO or whatever its called.
I think he started playing again in August, so should be nearing full fitness.
However i imagine his first team chances are as slim as mine, another BR signing destined for the scrap heap
21 Oct 2014 10:14:43
If lfctv would ever come bk to normal we will get to know and see how the youth r doing.
21 Oct 2014 06:25:31
whatever has happened to strikers of italy,
well for one i don't think any italian striker can play a rodgers way of game. Italian strikes are marksmen, excellent of dead ball situations and generally good poachers and headers of the football. that's how they are bought up. i think we need to play a more obstinate style of football to get goals from ballotelli. however that being said he hasn't done himself any good by missing 6 yard out chances against villa, qpr and many others. he gets into good positions but misses absolute sitters in front of goal.
i had no big expectations from balotelli when he joined but i didn't expect him to be this bad . plus that god awful haircut.
perhaps he is waiting for a hat-trick against United at OT to be his first LFC goals . so i believe we rest him till then and use lambert and borini or even young sinclair upfront till sturridge is unavailable.
21 Oct 2014 07:57:30
I use to love watching football italia on c4. With the likes of del piero, totti, inzaghi, vieri. They had some great italian strikers. Admittedly, they don't seem to be in the same class now.
Yes Immobile, di natale, pelle and Destro are turning out to be horrendous players, nothing like the strikers of yeaster year eh. Such as the prolific pine warmer inzaghi, and the oh so prolific del pierro.
I used to love watching it in the 90's. Baggio, Vialli and Ravanelli.
Jesus makes me feel old!!
21 Oct 2014 09:40:32
Never called them horrendous, just not in the same class. Bit of a difference. But having said that, those players youve mentioned are pretty damn good.
I was being overly sarcastic using your examples against the original post, that has lumped every italian striker under 1 category. Sorry mad max I wasn't meaning to be insulting to you.
21 Oct 2014 10:36:01
No probs bobatron. All in good nature, just my fault i don't see sarcasm when its so obvious. Haha.