Liverpool Banter Archive September 21 2016

21 Sep 2016 22:56:13
Banter please - Player of the season so far?

For me, without question has been Mané. Gives us such a different dimension that we've lacked for a long time. He creates so much space for all our other good players eg firmino Cautinho Sturridge that they too are looking even better.

If he stays fit for the season - we get top 4 and possibly challenge for title. (damn I've only gone and said it)

21 Sep 2016 23:55:59
Firmino

Has looked quality every time I've seen him. Great movement, touch, goals and creates chances, fingers crossed this can be a big season for him.

Mane and hendo are very close though!

22 Sep 2016 00:04:35
It's very early but nonetheless Matip has really impressed me.

22 Sep 2016 00:08:27
I thought Mane has been a bit too quiet past couple of games after a phenomenal start. Hendo, Matip and Firmino have hardly put a foot wrong so far. Its a bit tough calling our best player after six games but so far Matip seems our most consistant.

22 Sep 2016 00:56:37
He's made the biggest difference to the teams play vs. last season because he added something we desperately needed, but player of the season for me so far is Firmino.

22 Sep 2016 01:16:13
Hmmm. maybe firmino, he always seems to be the catalyst to create turnovers and goals.

22 Sep 2016 01:39:41
Mane has looked good, but for me, hard to go past Firmino, with Llalana and Mane not far behind. Matip has also looked the business when played. In fact, the only player to have underwhelmed slightly has been Winaldum, but it's early days. Sturridge needs a run of games to show he's our best striker, but Klopp's formations have by and large worked so far, so it's a tough job getting a start for Sturridge, Origi and now Ings.

22 Sep 2016 01:53:46
Milner. Played at LB and whilst unspectacular, has done a decent job and looks better than Moreno. Massive credit to him. He has bailed us out from having to rely on Moreno.

22 Sep 2016 02:46:39
Firmino.

22 Sep 2016 04:07:23
There have been strong performances from Firmino, Matip, Mane and Henderson IMO. Lovren, Milner, Coutinho and Lallana have done pretty well too.

22 Sep 2016 04:33:23
Mane will influence and will have a decent season. But Firmino hands down. He is so important to our team.

22 Sep 2016 09:58:43
So many have upped their games.
Hard to pick just one.
Our run of form seems to be due to a much better team effort rather than one or 2 players taking us forward.

22 Sep 2016 10:27:51
Hendo is impressing me a great deal. He is the next big thing for us.

Firminio is incredible and the best we've had since suarez in my opinion.

Mane I feel has adapted to our squad perfectly he is incredible and I look forward to seeing him play every time he plays.

During the transfer window we signed quite a few so I was a little worried about them gelling but that's obviously not been a problem.

Very happy about how things are, onwards and upwards. The nice thing about all of this is the squad are only going to improve. I don't want to jinx anything so not saying what I was going to but yeah, top 4 I'll be happy :)

Firminio for me overall

YNWA.

22 Sep 2016 15:23:05
That's the thing. Really difficult to pick out one clear standout so far. So many players have been consistently good or better when played. Tells you a lot about the team we have this season and the way we're playing. Very interesting times ahead. My one fear is injuries, even though we have a much better bench than in earlier years.

23 Sep 2016 00:22:15
hendo is lfc captain. He's already a big thing foru S. We just need for him to get to the next level.

22 Sep 2016 23:17:45
We've played 5 games fellas?

21 Sep 2016 22:21:42
Spurs in the next round does anyone know where I can buy a ticket for this game.

22 Sep 2016 01:39:51
I really fear for our team as as spurs thash their opponent 5-0 with a reserve team while we manage only 3-0 with 1st team. And the way we end the game at WHL does not bode well. But we'll. who knows we may pull off a upset at Anfield.

22 Sep 2016 04:08:15
Honestly I can't tell if Leekuanyew is a troll or not.

22 Sep 2016 04:11:49
Leek what are you on about? firstly we out played spurs away and should have easily beaten them. They have since lost Kane.

secondly the scorers were lamella, Eriksson, janssen, all of which will start their premier league games. they are not a reserve team.

Thirdly we didn't play a full strength team either.

In case you didn't notice Gillingham play a division below Derby so are not at the same level. They also played away, derby were at home.

none of what you said makes any sense.

22 Sep 2016 04:38:00
We'll smash em captain negative.

22 Sep 2016 06:21:57
Sorry - what are you on about?
What relevance exists beween us and Spurs playing two completely different teams?
Not that it matters, but we made seven changes from the 'first' team by the way.

How could Liverpool beating Spurs at Anfield possibly be considered an upset in any time, space or dimension?

Respectfully - what planet are you from?

The mind boggles.

22 Sep 2016 06:36:54
Sydney, I don't understand you, Spurs are title chasing team last season and UCL team while we are not even in Europe, how can beating them not qualify as upset?

22 Sep 2016 06:52:28
Oh dear leek. are you sure you're a Liverpool fan? U do talk some nonsense my friend.

22 Sep 2016 07:49:51
He's on a wind up!

22 Sep 2016 07:54:28
Oh Lee, (sighs and drops head)

22 Sep 2016 07:55:26
Leekuanyew again - what does that have to do with anything? It's not relevant. And they're still Spurs.

We just thorougly outplayed them away from home - they were lucky to get a draw. They haven't beaten us, home or away, since 2012.

IMO there's only a hatful of teams in the world that could come to Anfield and not be classed as underdogs - Spurs not being of them.

Anyway - have some faith mate! Take some of whatever Ron is taking!

22 Sep 2016 08:08:42
Leek is a troll trying to wind up people with foolish comments :)

22 Sep 2016 08:19:42
Leek. are you sh****ng out your mouth and talking out your arse again lol. Your comments really do my nut in at times mate lol on the other side i think we can have a really good chance at winning this cup. What a mad of a draw at this stage of the competition ay?!

22 Sep 2016 08:31:15
Come on lads Lee is right. No team should beat a team that finished above them the season before. You should also never lose to a team that finished below you and if you play a team that finished on the same points as you, it is decided on alphabetical order.
Now I'm off to the bookies to lay some bets.

22 Sep 2016 08:43:25
Leek mate, you need help!

22 Sep 2016 08:53:34
Wow harry drops the bombs and sits back waiting for the fallout. He is trolling folks, better off ignoring him.

22 Sep 2016 09:51:22
Everyone is entitled to an opinion but, seriously Leek, if you're not a troll i really pity your perspective on our club.

22 Sep 2016 10:03:01
Allo, I have always been my harshest critic and Liverpool is big part of me.

The majority may have been blinded by recent results but gg back to spurs game, do u realise how close are we to losing after Danny Rose scored? It's like the same horrid way we crumbled b4 Crystal Palace in 13/ 14 season. The weakness in the team still not solved. Henderson is no DM while spurs grab both sissoko and wanyama. U guys not realise the gulf in recruitment and management and team dynamics? U guys are praising the team the way it was b4 sevilla game and u know what happens.

22 Sep 2016 10:29:46
Leek that's the funniest post I've ever read, thanks for making me laugh 👍.

22 Sep 2016 11:08:03
just be glad people he not the team motivator in the dressing room.

22 Sep 2016 11:19:15
Leek, it was some upset when we beat Leicester 4-1 then ;)

22 Sep 2016 11:32:13
Funny post, at least a troll provides some entertainment. Spurs will struggle to be top 4 this year, sissoko and wanyama will not improve their first team and they did not buy well in the transfer window. Doubt either team will play their full strength first team anyway.

22 Sep 2016 11:47:25
Funny thing is he's not a troll, these are his genuine beliefs. He basically thinks if we don't play as well as Barcelona then we're terrible team with plenty of issues. Points to one bad second half against Sevilla as a bench mark, forgetting all the wins that got us there. Hopeless.

22 Sep 2016 14:04:37
@lee, Did somebody take a leak on you?

22 Sep 2016 15:05:15
Leek, I doubt LFC has always been a big part of you as you have almost nothing positive to say about the club. You were the one who is pissed at Klopp for kicking Balo out just because he's scored a few goals at Nice. Now you are saying we should be afraid of Spurs, a team that is yet to beat us in seven games and one who we should have thumped on their own patch had it not been for our own poor finishing. Au contraire mon frere, it is Spurs who should be crapping in their pants to play us especially at Anfield where the crowd will be on top oft the them. Frankly, you are only fooling yourself as no one believes the stuff you post. Get a clue, seriously.

22 Sep 2016 17:50:05
Harry is sat at home laughing at the rumpus he has created on this site with his random nuggets of nonsense. He knows we have made clear progress and with the signing of matip we are much better in game management as shown at the chelsea game and we played spurs off the park for 40 mins. We have just been getting better and better, though i echo his sentiment from another thread to not get carried away though. But the signs are clear and it does not feel like a false dawn as in previous years.

21 Sep 2016 18:24:33
Thank you FSG for giving us Klopp.

21 Sep 2016 16:22:09
At the moment we look really impresive, and I think it´s down to a couple of things

1. Tactics and player improvement. I remember Klopp complaining about not having enough time last season, to implement his tactics or getting the best out of the individual. At the moment Hendo and Lallana has improved quite a lot, both have been given new roles, and both have adapted and shown some of their best displays. Lovren and Milner has also stepped up! A thing I´ve also noticed, is that fluidity of the game has changed a lot, it seems like there´s more movement, players have a better understanding of each other, knowing where they will be in each phase of the game.

2. New signings. It´s early days, but at the moment it seems like Klopp has bought the players that were needed. Players like Matip and Mane has been superb for us. Matip seems like one of the best Cb we have had for years, so calm, and able to drive forward, but also know when to defend. Mane has just been a gamechanger. I still see some criticizing Wijnaldum, calling him a passenger. The fact is that he is also getting used to a new position, and from what I´ve seen, he is progressing.

3. Squad. At the moment I believe we have one of the best squads for years, and one of the best in the EPL. Remember when we had Suarez, and he got banned? I remember these pages went into meltdown, because we were so reliant on him. Everyone just played better when he was in the team. At the moment, anyone of our players could get injured, and it wouldn´t be a big deal (RB, LB might be an issue) . 7 players have shared 11 goals this season (4 players have scored 2, and 3 have scored 1), showing that we aren´t reliant on a single player to score for us.

At the moment there´s certainly a lot more positives than negatives, but the question is, can we keep this up?

21 Sep 2016 17:52:10
Broadly agree but I think we're playing well thanks to

1) good defensive base with Matip, Lovren and hopefully Karius soon
2) Midfield with blend of plenty of energy and creativity, and Hendo performing well in his new role as a deeper midfielder. have to admit Klopp has me on this one as I would have gone for Can, Hendo and Coutinho but current setup working well
2) biggest change is a forward line that really clicks. Firmino and Mane in particular transform the side

But this team is so much more than the sum of its parts. the key is each of these working together and a real style of play that actually fits. No Benteke without wingers to provide service, or attacking midfield with no pace, or defensive midfield with no positional sense or physical presence/ height etc. etc.

21 Sep 2016 19:30:08
You can distill the improvement in the side even more. The manager: everything great about what is going on at LFC is down to Jurgen.

He has got the coaching staff sorted the first team said largdly sorted though still a work in progress and the owners and fans on board,

It's bloody brilliant really.

22 Sep 2016 01:17:32
I have noticed the co-ordination of runs beyond the ball has got a lot better.

Players go into the box one by one rather than all at once or not at all. Makes for lots of chance-making opportunities and even stubborn defences are struggling with it.

Hope i don't eat my words after Hull.

22 Sep 2016 11:41:53
I think Wijnaldum isn't getting enough credit. New position, new team. Able to work his way out of tight situations and seems to always pick the right pass, and I think it's a matter of time before he starts getting on the scoresheet. definitely an upgrade on Allen or Lucas for me.

21 Sep 2016 12:35:47
Good game last night. Good goals and managed the game well at the end.

Karius had his long awaited debut and didn't have to do too much. His quick clearance at the stroke of half time was very sharp and he flapped on a corner i think. over all looks good.

One thing that really pleased me last night was lucas's passing he was making good accurate forward passes, something he has been criticized for not doing well in the past.

Really really hope we get wins in the next two games against hull and swansea. Will do wonder for team confidence and i think we can really kick on from there on the solid start.

{Ed001's Note - I have no idea why people criticise Lucas for that when he has always been excellent at passing out from the back.}

21 Sep 2016 13:54:26
Ed Lucas will always get stuck no matter what just like Henderson. I for one will dread the day he goes.

{Ed001's Note - true.}

21 Sep 2016 14:19:13
Lucas deserves a new contract in my opinion. A great backup for midfield and defence when needed. Also good to have an experienced player whoes been at the club so long to help the youngens. It's almost 10 years since he joined!

21 Sep 2016 14:54:47
100% agree mate.

21 Sep 2016 15:19:57
Spot on Ed and fellow posters. Lucas was a former ACM and voted best midfielder in Brazilian League before he came here. You don`t get to be that good if you can`t make incisive and forward passes. People just give the guy and of course, Henderson stick because everyone else is doing it without actually watching the guy play. Simple example, the first two goals vs Leicester started with Lucas` raking pass to Milner and a forward pass to Firmino for the second. I guess many his detractors missed all that but didn`t forget to slate him for the goal we conceded after Mingo had stupidly passed the ball to him when he wasn`t even looking. I love the guy and so does Klopp and he should stay here as long as Klopp wants him.

21 Sep 2016 15:48:40
Definately agree with above comment. Also, one aspect of his game i like is that he always looks to pass forward, rather then sideways which so many players do.

21 Sep 2016 15:58:16
Im always happy to see Lucas in the team. Deserves way more praise and respect than he gets.

21 Sep 2016 17:10:11
The other quality that Lucas brings to the squad is his ability to get on with the squad and integrate new players, obviously he is an "older" member of the team but he has always been popular in the club and is definitely a player that the others look to and respect. With a growing Brazilian contingent I believe he has helped them settle into the club and the area and is probably one of the reasons why Couts didn't leave in the summer. So his influence on the team isn’t just what he does on the pitch but maybe more importantly what he brings to the team, making them a team.

{Ed001's Note - he is also the reason why Couts chose to join us in the first place.}

21 Sep 2016 23:58:37
I've always defended Lucas Leiva from his detractors but even more so nowadays. The lad is 100% Liverpool and a true servant both on and off the pitch. Okay, he's not necessarily going to play every game but what a back-up! Lucas will rank alongside Molby, Hyppia, Hamman and Rafa as adopted Scousers in the future but, for the present, he's a talented footballer and an essential presence in the dressing-room.

21 Sep 2016 08:58:36
The most pleasing aspect of yesterday's win was that we ended the game with 9 out of the 11 on the pitch being different to the Chelsea starting line up.

I know it wasn't EPL opposition, and ironically we need less strength in depth this season due to no Europe, but, as one of the commentators said on Firstrowsports, despite the changes, the replacements slotted in to the same system seamlessly.

There's been plenty of hype about Klopp to date, but the words are meaningless without the performances and they are starting to become more regular now.

There was a table in the Mail yesterday which showed the loss percentages across all competitions all PL managers since August 2015. Klopp is joint second best on that list, alongside Pochettino and behind Ranieri.

There may have been a few hiccups, but I think the Gaffer is getting it right now, and in a big way.

21 Sep 2016 15:20:39
Any people who complain should remember the end of the rodgers era and the fact that we are incredibly lucky that a manager like Klopp is at liverpool.

21 Sep 2016 15:31:09
Spot on. I`m not a stats guy but I can relate to the stat you just posted. Klopp spent all of last season righting all the wrongs of his failed predecessor and still got us a Cup final and a European final out of it. That pretty much did it for me and told me that the guy bar some mistakes which is normal as he doesn`t consider himself a genius, can coach and knows what he`s doing. Now, he`s building a homogenous squad where he can make 7 changes and there will be no drop off in performances. It`s what we call in U. S sports as "Plug N Play". Studge is out, plug in Firmino/ Origi, no problem. Firmino is out, plug Coutinho and no problem etc. Very few teams can do this and I`m happy Klopp is doing that for us.

21 Sep 2016 16:34:59
Hamilton Red, kudos to fsg for Plug and Play Klopp after Rodgers conk out.

21 Sep 2016 08:20:54
Ed1 how do you think karius performed last night? well enough to drop migs? or do you think migs will be given more time, couldn't watch the match myself but have heard he was really unchallenged which i guess makes it hard to judge him but surely the only way to judge him is have him playing more regularly instead of when cup games come across? unless migs has more howlers i guess.

{Ed001's Note - there wasn't enough to judge him but I would say that Migs has to be dropped before he costs us again, as it is only a matter of time.}

21 Sep 2016 09:24:25
First clean sheet of the season.
Migs has had 5 games with nour clean sheet. You can't argue with that.

21 Sep 2016 09:46:34
yeah i think migs tbh has had more than enough chances to be fair, it would be good to see karius play against hull but i think if he doesn't one more clanger from migs and he will be replaced by him.

21 Sep 2016 10:36:58
Gotklopp, you seem to be forgetting the previous round of the league cup.

My suspicion is that Migs will be back in goal on Saturday. I just don't think it's Klopp's style to drop him until he makes a klanger.

21 Sep 2016 15:48:36
Mingo has had three plus years to show us without a shadow of a doubt that he is nowhere good enough so to me, that debate is over. Over to Karius.

21 Sep 2016 07:33:58
Hi ed01,

I saw you mentioned bilic at loggerheads with people at West Ham. I know it isn't lpool related but my fiances family are all hammers so would be great to give them some insight!

{Ed001's Note - the owners and him do not see eye to eye over the transfers mate. Trouble is, when a manager and owners are not in harmony, the players pick up on it and that does affect them as they know they are safer than the manager. Plus he is causing unrest by picking Antonio at right back constantly. He is starting to lose the dressing room. If he doesn't fix it soon, there will be no way back for him at West Ham.}

21 Sep 2016 08:57:20
Thanks Ed, really appreciate that! I'd said to all of them when he was appointed that it was a mistake but he made me look a right knob last year!

{Ed001's Note - there were always signs of things not being quite right there, so it was only a matter of time before it went pear shaped, just like with Hughes at Stoke. He was given a lot of backing from the fans due to being a cult hero at the club, that was the main reason for the first season success. When the fans are with you, it lifts the players and they play beyond themselves. It also ensures the manager has more control, as it is difficult to argue with someone when you know everyone is on the other side, even if you believe you are right.}

21 Sep 2016 16:54:22
Ed01 had said already that WH was in disarray and now we know why.

20 Sep 2016 22:32:43
Hi edds if you are about me and the old man were discussing paul ince. Was he a bad influence or did Houllier just didn't like him.

{Ed001's Note - dreadful influence, arrogant prick of a man. He would be the one player who would not even acknowledge fans at Melwood. All the rest would sign autographs and chat, except him. He strutted around like he owned the place.}

21 Sep 2016 06:59:14
thanks edds we thought he was a fool dnt realise how much!

21 Sep 2016 07:22:49
Anyone who refers to themselves as "the guvnor" has to be a massive bell end.

21 Sep 2016 07:39:08
he didn't do his son any favours either, look at how his career is turning out.

{Ed001's Note - to be fair, his son is just not good enough, he did the right thing for him, in my opinion. He got him first team football.}

21 Sep 2016 08:20:49
Cheeky bugger! 87! My stage name is 'The Guv'nor'! . I sing up and down the country and sometimes abroad for a living. I didn't get my name from him mind. I got it not taking any nonsense from dodgy promoters lol. a bellend I am not! . made me giggle though cheers ha!

21 Sep 2016 11:12:22
It's all subjective RichieTyler, as to whether you are or not ;)

21 Sep 2016 12:23:48
ha, awkward richie!

to be fair, there's a big difference between a stage name and calling yourself the guvnor in football because you believe that's what you are!

21 Sep 2016 17:02:38
Maybe that stage name got to his head.

21 Sep 2016 01:07:46
I couldn't watch the game but just saw the goals. that's the third time I've seen Origi score near post top corner from that position when i'd expct him to hit it far bottom corner. He is amazingly clinical with his shooting and is really going to be pushing to be our first choice striker this season. Can anyone tell me how Moreno and Grujic played?

21 Sep 2016 02:18:36
Moreno was the same as always. Could be a decent left back but just two or three moments that he just completely falls asleep. Luckily derby were pretty poor.

21 Sep 2016 08:01:08
Difficult to judge Grujic on this game, he certainly didn't do anything wrong but he was quietly efficient as opposed to standing out.

21 Sep 2016 08:53:36
I notice WIjnaldum played in this manner too, so perhaps it is the manner in which Klopp is telling his centre mids to play, work very hard, keep it simple and efficient and be a team player.

21 Sep 2016 18:20:30
Bit harsh TJ Moreno didn't do much wrong and looked better than he has in past. Not tested tho.