Liverpool Banter Archive December 24 2015

24 Dec 2015 21:25:19
First off all, a very Merry Christmas to all.

Have a good feeling vs Leicester. Looking forward to the match. Not going to be easy but reckon we will beat them.

Keep the faith!

24 Dec 2015 21:57:52
Just signed up, would like to wish everybody a merry Xmas and all the best for new year.

{Ed002's Note - Thanks.}

24 Dec 2015 20:59:23
Just watched the new Big Bang theory, Stephen merchant looks remarkably like Jurgen klopp with that beard! Similar glasses, hair and probably similar height too!

{Ed002's Note - Almost a Klone then?}

24 Dec 2015 18:49:28
I had a Nightmare before Christmas last night, that the club had parted company with Klopp, I was genuinely distraught and could not understand with the fact we are set to sign Grujic, thankfully I woke up and realized that is not and will not be the case. But was a very scary dream. Anyway, Hope everyone has a happy and safe Christmas ahead. YNWA.

24 Dec 2015 18:13:32
Fantasy Football stuff :

Thinking abt bringing in Aguero for Lukaku. I know it looks daft but hear me out:

pros:

1. Nobody in my league has Aguero
2. Newcastle can keep Everton at bay given their last few matches.
3. Everton have got Stoke and Spurs next.
4. Aguero can score heaps.

cons

1. Aguero is not fully fit and will not play full 90
2. Aguero may be rotated with Bony
3. Lukaku is in terrific form. If he scores and Aguero tanks, I am in serious trouble.

My other 2 strikers are Vardy and Giroud. I also don't have Kane who is there in almost everyone's team in my league.

If it works, i will have 2 great differentials : aguero and giroud.

What do you guys think? . worth the risk?

Agree : Yes Disagree: No.

24 Dec 2015 19:48:48
Personally i believe fantasy leagues are won and lost on your defenders - evryone knows the good attacking players but predicting clean sheets is easier and what separates the men from the boys.

Stick with giroud and jiggle the defence if you have any underperformers if you can.

24 Dec 2015 17:09:46
Merry Xmas fellow Redmen and Redladies. I hope you all get what you desire under your tree in the morning. A bit random but can anyone tell me how Bacca is doing at AC Milan I know we were heavily linked with him before he signed for Milan. I don't follow Italian football so wouldn't have a clue. Remember guys please don't drink and drive you may ruin someone's life.

24 Dec 2015 17:42:10
Bacca is doing well at Milan and he is their first choice striker. Milan as a whole isn't doing well though.

24 Dec 2015 19:13:06
Bacca is the one we defo SHOULD have gotten because he is just a beast of a player. Runs all day, presses all game and has the energy to still score goals. That is one that got away, I`m afraid.

24 Dec 2015 21:10:31
Thanks for the feedback guys. I remember having a conversation with eds 01 about him when we were after him and eds 01 said he was a beast and we should definitely go for him. Looks like he was vindicated. Sigh.

24 Dec 2015 13:48:18
Is grudjic deal complete?

There are reports that his dad is not interested and had confiscated his passport.

Not sure what to say.

The club needs money and are willing to sell to the highest bidder.

His dad is also correct in wanting him to stay as this gives him the best playing time wise.

What are your thoughts?

We know that he will stay with RedStar for 6 more months.

24 Dec 2015 16:05:01
No. The window opens in January buddy. Looks like we have reached an agreement with his parent club. Agree with you. The club should have NOW gone for someone who has played the trade for at least 2-3 years in a relatively tough league.
What has they learned from Markovic and Can is beyond me. Every player wouldn't become another 49 mill Sterling.

25 Dec 2015 02:00:58
So what was the plan with Lucas then Harry? We just going to ship him off when that replacement came in?

24 Dec 2015 12:49:58
As is in football. A coach or manager does a bad job. He gets sacked. Rodgers and Mourinho. Moyes and so on.

How comes the transfer committee haven't been sacked? They obviously haven't got it right?

24 dec 2015 13:22:35
regardless of no of people in the so called committee. the manager has the final say on any incomings and outgoings.

24 Dec 2015 14:30:14
Why should they be sacked? They answer to BR and BR had the final say on transfers as was the original setup. You better stop listening to BR and his allies in the media who used the TC to sheild him from his rank incompetence on this and many of his other issues at the club. Almost every big club has a setup like this so don`t know why it is such a big deal. He himself said, "No player will come to this club that the manager doesn`t want". So why should they be sacked, exactly? Also, BR was quick to take the credit for the signings that panned out yet wants to blame the TC for the ones that didn`t. What type of reasoning is that? My opinion is if the TC is getting the blame for the bad transfers, they should be getting the credit for the good ones. That seems fair, right?

24 Dec 2015 14:27:24
I understand that euro, but we don't know the complete ins or outs. Is it a list given to the manager that hr has to choose from, not his choices but he gets the final say. If that list has say

Tomkins, Williams and fonte. Yes he will have the final say but he would just be choosing the best of an ok bunch bunch.

If for example the list is

Lacazette, alcaer, bacca, vardy and gomis and he chooses gomis then he had better options but made a poor choice.

That's where I am on it but until we know its so difficult to praise or criticize!

24 Dec 2015 17:06:27
Spot on Redohio.

Wouldn't the manager also tell the scouts what type of players he wanted and how the team was going to play?

i. e. You wouldn't play Jan Molby in a team where everyone is expected to press and chase the ball.

BR chose to buy 7 to 9 players on average each year then play differently / not fancy the player.

24 Dec 2015 17:55:02
Cheers guys
Merry Xmas all.

24 Dec 2015 15:57:29
Paulo

A list? The List also consist of players ( options ) if your first choice target is out of reach due MULTIPLE REASONS.

Firmino - first choice target. Pipped other clubs by paying over the odds
Lovren - over the odds
Lallana - Over the odds
Origi - Over the odds
Remy - Money was never the issue
Milner - Highest paid player
Allen - Over the odds
Henderson - Over the odds.

As for the players we missed ( Majority being smokescreen ) the genuine one would have infinite reasons. Liverpool has not been in CL for nearly 6 years to put quite a no of players from the list.

Every club will have 2-3 players in their list for the same position given you fail to land the first priority.

Emre Can - The scouts are at blame not analyzing the player strength and weakness and buying to replace a DM and plays alongside a DM.

You could always say NO to a transfer and turn to the other best option available.

Brendan is completely responsible for our average mid table squad and no one to be blamed ( yes of course FSG for sanctioning such deals )

24 Dec 2015 16:32:46
Not too many good ones Redohio. I think that is part of the issue.

24 Dec 2015 19:24:55
Then BR should be getting the blame for these players not panning out, Irish. Who played players like Can, Marko, and the rest out of position? Who lobbied for Lallana and Lovren at all costs? Who dithered and blithered and let Balotelli come in here? Who stood by and watched Milner screw us into paying him stupid wages and promising him mandatory game time whatever the weather? BR`s level of incompetence on this issue is off the charts because I can keep on making examples, mate. bacca was there and would have blended well with the way we press the opposition but He dithered (for the upteenth time) and got us benteke who is struggling to adapt to the system. Is that the TC`s fault too? Bottom line is BR had the final say and if the players don`t pan out, it`s his fault and not the TC because in the end, they work for him and not the other way around.

24 Dec 2015 20:17:24
EG hendo wasn't signed by Rodgers. Plus I wouldn't say he's over the odds considering he's our captain now, and has a lot to offer. I wouldn't say origi was too much 'over the odds' he's young and was highly sought after, after the World Cup. And with can, how do you know what the scouts said about his strengths and weaknesses?!

24 Dec 2015 20:47:51
Fency

Henderson and Downing in Particular close to 40 mill regardless of who bought them. That was a huge gamble 4 years ago. Brendan initially wanted Lallana to take the captains armband.
We did pay over the odds for Origi who would need time to develop.

Can was clearly bought to replace Lucas. It was confirmed on this page. He is very similar to Henderson in attributes and far from a defensive Midfielder. Isn't that the reason we are after Grujic?

24 Dec 2015 21:03:51
The posts were on about rodgers' signings so I presumed that was the point of the players names. A gamble that paid off in hendersons case? Lucas was bought as an attacking midfielder. Can has better attributes when signed to be a good defensive midfielder, than Lucas did when he arrived. Also, because he needs time to develop doesn't mean it's a waste of money, it's far too early too say it's money wasted.

24 Dec 2015 20:55:46
Fencey

My point was, Money was never the issue for any recent manager. They got 90% of the players they needed.

24 Dec 2015 21:29:12
The transfer committee work for the club Redohio. Who scouted Marko and put his name forward, who suggested Mario. The point being there is more to blame than Rodgers and to blame him for everything is completely unfair. Also Rodgers has no sway over wages or transfer fees, again something he is regularly blamed for. There are plenty of things he is at fault for without adding false ones.

25 Dec 2015 14:01:29
Wrong again, Irish. Nothing I said was false. The TC work for him because he has the final say on transfers. That is the bottom line. I haven't blamed him for fees and all that because anyone with half a brain cell knows he controls none of that. He said it himself that no player will come to us that he doesn't want yet Balo came here and he did nothing to stop it? Remy was all set to sign then BR dithered again and stopped it, via Ed01's account. If he didn't want Balo, he could have stopped the deal like he stopped the Remy and Bony deals but he chose to allow it to happen so he and he only, should be getting the blame for that, . This has already been litigated on these boards. BR is to blame and that's the bottom line.

24 Dec 2015 12:38:34
To My fellow Reds, Fans of other teams and most especially the Eds here who put in a tremendously hard shift throughout the year. MERRY CHRISTMAS and may 2016 bring you peace, success and joy in whatever form you seek.

{Ed002's Note - Thanks, my your tentaferes hand straight throughout the holiday season.}

24 Dec 2015 15:04:54
Yet another word to combine with glifnard that when googled, appears Liverpool-rumors. You've got to be making this stuff up Ed. :)

What on earth is a tentafere.

{Ed002's Note - It is like a fadget, but with batteries.}

24 Dec 2015 11:30:42
Hi Ed's,

Merry Christmas and Happy New year to all Ed's and all other posters.

Cheers.

{Ed002's Note - Have a great time.}

24 Dec 2015 11:13:33
Just wanted to wish all Eds and Reds a merry Christmas and happy new year. Appreciate all posters input regardless of opinions and all eds replies and information. Thanks to you all and hope you all have a fantastic and safe festive season.

{Ed002's Note - Enjoy and keep it greasy.}

24 Dec 2015 10:58:55
Seeing as you are around today Ed002, would it be possible to do the summary of players LFC are interested in since Klipperty took over?

{Ed002's Note - I will get around to it today AG.}

24 Dec 2015 10:15:10
Ed001 is there any chance Sergi Canos might get a chance this season? His loan ends soon I think and he has been excellent for Brentford by all accounts. Our lack of wide options and the risky January market might make it more sensible to give him a chance instead of paying out on a player like El Ghazi who would cost ~£20m and might flop like Depay, Altidore, Assaidi etc.

{Ed001's Note - I would expect him to get a chance, if he deserves one. Klopp wants to look at everyone on the books.}

24 Dec 2015 10:30:50
I saw a report wtitten by a Brentford fan and they seemed incredibly impressed. Described him as very direct and a proper winger. Picks up goals but is also happy to go on the outside and whip in an old fashioned cross. What impressed them the most though was his attitude. Apparently he is more than willing to get stuck into a tackle and help defensively and the week before last he was left out ofthe squad. Instead of sulking though he came back against Huddersfield and was arguably the best player on the pitch in Brentfords 4-2 win, scoring the opening goal.

He sounds like one of those players who will just step up to whatever is thrown at him because of his superb attitude towards the game.

{Ed002's Note - Brentford has said they have already approached Liverpool about extending the loan through the end of the season.}

24 Dec 2015 10:48:20
That's a strange request Adam; earlier this year, you argued that El Ghazi is not a risk!

24 Dec 2015 10:51:07
Canos should be allowed to finish out the season at Brentford. They are improving him (in a high press system) and he seems to like it there (his words) .

This is one of those rare occasions where Liverpool have managed to get a loan right and they shouldn't ruin it by bringing him back too early.

I think one more season on loan after this one and he will be ready. Certainly a talented kid.

I like the loan system if done right but I know that is not an opinion shared by everyone.

{Ed002's Note - It will be Inglethorpe's call. Brentford has not had a response yet.}

24 Dec 2015 11:21:13
I see your point Davey but at 19 years old Canos is at the same age Sterling was when he was given a chance and broke into the side. I was just wondering if Klopp was interested in bringing him back to actually give him gametime.

The Real AG I don't remember saying anything like that. All transfers are risks. I might have said that in my opinion El Ghazi would be a success. I still think he would be. But with our financial state Canos is less of a risk.

Is there an EMS archive or something Eds? People remember more about what I've written than I do!

{Ed002's Note - You should be able to search by name.}

24 Dec 2015 11:43:39
Dug out my exact words from October:

"El Ghazi in my opinion is the best wide player in the Dutch League. "

"He may take time to step up as Depay is also"

"El Ghazi has nearly a goal a game this season from out wide. Yes it's only the Dutch league but that is on par with the likes of Tadic, Mertens, Depay etc and everyone was mad at the prospect of signing them. "

"El Ghazi is much better than Markovic and Ibe right now in my opinion. The only potential negative is how much he could cost. I'd guess £15-20m easily"

"He is first team material. I know he's not a household name but he'd walk into our side with its lack of genuine wide players and goal scorers. "

So there you go AG. I did not say he wasn't a risk. In fact I drew the same comparison with Depay back in October that I've just made with regards to needing time to settle. I also suggested he may not be worth what it would cost to sign him hence why I'm now suggesting it may be worth giving Canos a shot instead of gambling £20m on a player.

Why are people always so desperate to pull me up on imaginary contradictions?

24 Dec 2015 17:50:07
Reading what you have posted previous suggests to me that you are saying he wasnt a risk. "First team material" "Walk into our side"

24 Dec 2015 09:43:15
Ed2 are lfc working on a way not too be at the top of agents fees paid.

{Ed002's Note - Sure, the owners don't want to keep spending and building debt the way the have been. It is one table they won't be proud about being top of.}

24 Dec 2015 10:15:37
Good that they are trying too sort it out. I hope with klopp at the helm i won't be seeing any hugely inflated fees paid ala the saints trio, benteke and firmino.

{Ed002's Note - The club needs to get back on track financially - clearly the lesson will have been learned that throwing money at the problem won't get success. Klipperty knows the constraints that he must work under in respect of the transfer committee and the available funding. He has actually a pretty good squad that he is still getting to grips with and no doubt he will look to fettle with it as we go forward.}

24 Dec 2015 08:29:04
Gundegon rumours starting again ed002 i see. Nothing new here is there in respect to us after him?

{Ed002's Note - You would have to tell me what the rumours are - I can't help.}

24 Dec 2015 10:55:07
Juventus has a long standing interest in the player. His price tag will put off liverpool anyways.

24 Dec 2015 04:42:13
{Ed's Note - We have posted a new article entitled, Payet Nears Return, Everton Near Takeover And More Stories Of The Day

24 Dec 2015 04:06:53
Hi eds, appreciate all the hard work and insight you provide. Merry Christmas as well hope Santa gets you what you want (hoping for Kate Upton! )

Just question whether you think our attack midfield or defence is our biggest issue?

Although attack isn't balanced have ability but think our midfield can be bullied and our defence as well. Think a shaky goal keeper doesn't help but think our frail defence and weak midfield not only creates weakness but gives teams confidence and a chance to destroy us.

Love Lucas but with the midfield he is teamed with (hendo is quality works hard but can't but a challenge in and can defensively is too naive) . Added a back four (besides sakho) can't cope with athleticism.

Or do you think a potent attack or someone to organise the defence would eleviate this?

{Ed001's Note - fix any one of our issues and it helps the rest step up as it makes it more difficult for an opponent, but clearly the main issue is our defence. It is nowhere near good enough.}

24 Dec 2015 09:08:01
I respect your views and nearly always agree with you Ed001, but stats indicate we have a better defence than Leicester and we all know where they sit in the table. 19 matches played this season where we have conceded no more than one goal in 26 played total. In 20 out of those 26 matches we have failed to score more than one goal.
To me you can always concede a goal in 90 minutes through some bad fortune or unpredictable skill. This may not have been the case in goals we concede but still as a team you have to factor in that scenario. You HAVE to be able to score at least 2 goals in any match if you have any sort of aspirations of competing for honours and the players don't look like they can create the chances or finish them if they are created.
For christmas I would like Arkadiusz Milik, great feet and a natural goal scorer that we miss in the team with sturridge always injured.

{Ed002's Note - Arkadiusz Milik only joined Ajax on a permanent basis in April this year and already they have rejected offers from both RB Leipzig and Augsburg and have told other interested clubs (Olympic Marseille, Leicester and Real Sociedad) that he is not for sale.}

24 Dec 2015 07:49:02
Our midfield is the worst. It neither protects the defense nor contribute in attract. 1 goal in 19 games between our CM midfield players so far. Lowest in the league.