Liverpool Banter Archive July 24 2014

24 Jul 2014 22:43:53
Lets talk Ryan Bertrand! Is everyone really against this move as per many of the posts?
I for one don't think he would turn out to be so bad, it wasn't all that long ago he was touted as the next Ashley Cole and was meant to have big potential. Now obviously up to now he may not have fulfilled that, but he isn't exactly old and there's plenty of time for him to become a solid if not top player.
There are others I'd prefer, but I won't be writing him off.

He is a good squad player who could turn out to be a top addition, but I could think of quite a few better options that would be available.

Red Rum

I don't rate him whatsoever, but if Brendan does, as it seems, I'm willing to give him a fair chance.

I don't know much of Moreno, so can't really comment there. The other options I keep reading about Rojo and Rodriguez, Rodriguez would be my choice.
But them aside Bertrand could be a good player for us, he didn't/doesn't get the playing time at Chelsea to truly show what he can do. People will bring his Villa loan up, but there's no point judging him on that, as Villa were just so poor in general. Point in case being Vlaar, fantastic at the World Cup as he was playing with superior teammates.

I like him.

He's relatively young, and was kept out by some good players. No reason why, when given the chance, he can't hit that next level.

IMO (and majority if fans) Not good enough, we should be aiming higher

I have no issues with targeting him, just the fact that in lfc's world there only seems to be two left backs in the world. I would have thought there were plenty of good left backs out there we can target that would be good enough, available and willing to play for us. Strange that we are only focused on the two deals in world football we are either unable to or unwilling to complete.

Good player.

Ed001, how about poll of the day "Would you prefer to sign Bertrand for LB or stick with what we have?"

My preference would be to ideally sign someone better and if we can't then leave him off and stick with what we have (Enrique, Flanagan, Smith, Can, Johnson is still here)

{Ed001's Note - the poll of the day is a yes or no question!}

Maradona kebab don't ever say you speak for the majority of fans because if that ever becomes the case our club will officially have become a embarrassing pessimistic joke where our fans don't know wether to cheer or boo our players as their are soo few that they want there!

Maybe its time to update the polling system ed001 since its getting peoples attention.

{Ed001's Note - no mate, I already have to find 71 questions each day, there is no way I could do that and set up all different answers. It is staying as yes or no. We have normal polls for other questions.}

Ed, you could reword it; is Bertrand a better option than what we already have?

Keep up the good work!

{Ed001's Note - I could do that yep, good thinking. Should have thought of that really doh.}

@Ed001, I was full sure I picked between two players a few weeks back but anyway fair enough. Bertrand does seem to really split opinions so that's why I thought a question on him might be good for poll of the day.

For the record why I don't want him is because I think our own left backs are already as good as him. For me LB should be No Improvement = No Point.

Regarding Bertrand
I watched him play for Reading against us a few years ago with a mate of mine who is a Reading fan.
He stood out to me straight away as a quality left back with all the attributes required to excel, probably better defensively than going forward.
Then my mate informed me he was a Chelsea player. We agreed he was
similar to a young Ashley Cole in a lot of ways.

24 Jul 2014 21:38:29
What do the eds make of the Vidal rumours? I personally don't see what the big deal is with him, but have seen his name linked several times recently. What's the eds views?

{Ed002's Note - Use the search function.}

You don't see what the big deal is with him?

He is, without doubt, right up there as the BEST box to box midfielder in the world.

I have a close friend who works at Juventus and have seen a lot of there games over the past few years.

IF, there is the slightest chance Liverpool have of getting this guy, it would be the transfer of all transfers.

He would become one of the greatest mid-fielders to grace the Anfield turf. And, when you think back at the players we have had in the past, that is quite some statement for me to make.

I believe, in my opinion, he would become a legend.


vrcomp
Y.N.W.A.

Calm down vcomp. I follow football and this guy has only been on my radar in a major way for 12 months. He's 27 now. He's gone from a 10m euro player to become a £40m man because he's played in a dominant Juventus side in a weakish Serie A? And he has injury problems I believe. A lot of people seem to be like me. Struggling to work out why someone who's allegedly the best midfielder in the world was completely unknown to them for large parts of his career. Not saying he isn't a good footballer but this hype is ridiculous.

{Ed001's Note - if he was unknown to them it is because they lack knowledge of the game. He was mostly unknown because Chile were a nothing team when he arrived on the scene, not because he was not top class. If you didn't know about how great he was going to be 10 years ago, that just shows you are not knowledgeable about the top prospects, as he was regularly put forward as a star in the making. He was just always going to struggle to get a chance to move up, as Chile were seen as a very poor team playing out of their skins, and no one was going to take the chance that they could transfer their international form to the club level. I can quite clearly remember a number of fans, including me, desperately wanting him to join us before he went to Juve.}

You love your hot CHILES Ed! So is your bromance with Arturo more long-standing than the one with the drop-dead-gorgeous Gary Medel? Or deeper?

{Ed001's Note - same time mate. Silly how it came about, on the original Champ Man I got the job as Chile boss, and just started taking an interest in them. Just out of interest checking out them whenever they played. Medel and Vidal pretty much appeared at the same time. Completely different types of players, but they were outstanding in what was a team that lacked any other players until Sanchez appeared as a tiny little kid. Next thing you know they had a fair amount of good players and Bielsa had made them the most exciting team to watch in world football. They never had any decent defenders, so he would just put out a team of attackers and midfielders and make them defend as a unit instead. But Vidal was 100% their best player.}

Vidal has to be one of the best midfielders out there but as a poster has pointed out he is now 27 and for £40 million I would rather have Pogba. Not that he is better than Vidal but he could be and he is considerably younger. Never going to happen tho. Unless someone wins the Euro millions and give all the money to Liverpool. Ah well, Joe Allen it is then! Having the Welsh Xavi ain't so bad!

Love it Ed.

{Ed001's Note - if Vidal had been born a Brazilian or Spaniard, or any other major nation, he would have been moving for £60m years ago.}

24 Jul 2014 21:30:30
Been a little while since I posted. Few thoughts about upcoming season.

Media hype about loss of Suarez is crazy. We cashed in at perfect time, and what a cash in! 75 mill pounds. . how could any team say no?

Truth is, 84 points will be tough to duplicate for any team in PL and champion will likely be around 84 pts this year. We look stronger (crucially) in midfield and have much stronger bench. I think the focus should be on top 4 again, and if we are near top in April, all the better for it. Even an 80 point haul will be considered a disappointment, but not in my eyes. I would be happy with top 4, decent run in CL and (crucially) knock Barcelona out!

Looking forward to exciting season!

Coop

Coop you must have low expectations about Liverpool, don't you want us to even try and finish 1st, why are you happy with 4th place, what do we win for 4th, nothing, but hey if your happy with 4th then that's up to you, not me, I want us to try and win the prem, shanks said it best when he said 2nd was no where, I wonder what he would make of fans wanting to finish 4th instead of winning it,, but I doubt we will be in the top 6, not because suarez has left but because again BR has gone for attacker, it was our defence that cost us the title and the goal keeper, maybe the defenders are happy with a top 4 finish lol, lol

Disagree Mickey B. 1st place would be great, but top 4 on a consistent basis is nothing to sneeze at. You ask what you win for 4th? Easy, CL qualification, money that comes with it, attraction for better players etc. I' also assuming you haven't experienced a European night at Anfield?
Yes, 2nd was nowhere to Shanks, but those days are long gone and football is also a business now. I'm not saying we can't finish top, but I won't be gutted if we secure a top four finish again. I was in the Kop when Michael Thomas scored "that goal" so I know how finishing second can feel. That feeling came on the back of a run of title wins and success both at home and abroad, but I'm realistic enough to know that modern success either comes with continued improvement, or wealthy sugar daddy.

I agree with Burkeyboy & Coop here - Mickey love you're enthusiasm and it comes from our success last season - And let's face it as lfc fans it was nice but it was one off and came out of nowhere - So this season coming would love to see us just steady the ship and make sure that we hit top 4 next year - That will be difficult enough but I think that's what we should be looking at - We have a young squad and if the boat is steady for the next 2 years say I guarantee you these boys will then be challenging consistently each year - Enthusiasm = Great but let's be realistic

24 Jul 2014 21:16:03
Looking forward to the Olympiakos game, do the Ed's think the likes of Gerrard, Lallana, Sturridge and Sterling will play?

{Ed002's Note - I have yet to decide who will play.}

24 Jul 2014 20:47:00
Eds do you think there is any chance of use getting reus?

{Ed002's Note - No.}

24 Jul 2014 21:19:46
We've got more chance of Isco, ay Ed?

{Ed002's Note - Why the repeat questions - it is a complete waste of my time.}

Instead of Reus & Vidal I'd rather go for a Rolls & Sassoon.

Dezmondo, does your log in name start with a D? Does it end with an O? does it have a Z in it? Is the Z the third letter? Get my drift?

24 Jul 2014 19:08:08
Alright lads, was just wondering what people thought about giving Coates another chance after he looked solid against Roma, yes I know we have a load of centre backs and he was awful against Oldham, but I feel like he could be another Lucas (i.e torrid start but then got better) and has all the qualities that we need, height, decent in the air and on the ground as well as fairly agile.

He is without a doubt a talented young centre back with many Qualities that will ensure he has a long and successful career. Had Dalglish stayed, he'd probably be looking at being a regular next season. However Rodgers wants to play a high line and Coates would get beaten off the line by a steam train. He needs to play in a deep back four or a slower paced league and we can't offer either of those things. I wish him luck though and for me, that Bicycle kick against QPR is still the best goal I've seen in my life time. Certainly on par with Rooneys vs City but Coates isn't English so it was never going to be hyped up by the media.

He will leave with a good record though. One shot. One shot on target. One goal. 100% accuracy. 100% conversion rate. Better than Ian Rush that ;)

Like any player he's got a chance as long as he has a contract with the club. It's up to him to improve and impress the manager.
Whenever I've watched him in a competitive match, he's looked mentally weak and unfocused. With maturity he can overcome this, but he needs to put the work in.
I wouldn't really form or change an opinion on any player based on a friendly.

I don't know much about the tacticsl side of football, but have read from various posters and ed01 that the ability yo read game helped carra and hyppia, even thou they were not the quickest, can't this thing hold true for Coates.

24 Jul 2014 21:20:51
Coates won young player of the tournament in. whatever tournament it was at the time. He is obviously talented, just lacks a bit of pace needed for the EPL for me.
I think that given the chance he could do a solid job as a back up to Sakho, Lovren and either Agger or Skrtel. So as our 3rd or 4th choice and then look to progress.
The lad might well progress with his undoubted potential, but he needs games that Liverpool cannot guarantee. It may be best for the player to move on.
Personally I would keep him. He has trained with the club for long enough to know what were about and with 4 competitions this season would offer much needed back up.
Either way he has never moaned in the papers and iv never heard horror stories on here about him so good luck to the fella whatever happens.

What you are missing Kenny is that Houillier`s team defended very deep and played counter-attacking football which suited Hyppia and Carra very well and would defo suit Coates. If you have slow CB`s and you play a high line, you will get picked off at will. Ask Spain how they did w/ that high line w/ Pique against Holland when they got shallacked. In contrast, look at Costa Rica who played a high line with a very fast and fit back 3/ back 5 and looked how well it worked out for them.

More chance of Ralph Coates being a regular at the heart of the Liverpool defence.

Positional awareness and reading the game is far more important in my opinion, particularly with the fast paced open-approached, attacking football played by many sides. If a player can read the game and get himself set, he doesn't need to be rapid. Even a fast centre half can be caught out easily during a defensive transition.

On form tonight anfield boy, Ralph Coates, classic, definitely over the head of most readers, I bet they've already googled it.

Come on Adam, so Coates goal v qpr was better than Suarez v Norwich, poll of the day request I think.

He can read the game, he won the young player of the tourmaent, when neymar was odds on favourite to win it, its very rare that a defender who was so young making his debut wins an south american award beating a player like neymar so the lad has got talent and ability, he just has not had a run in the team, when he has played he makes so many interceptions in the games, then he just gets on with his team work, I think it would be a bad mistake letting coates go,

24 Jul 2014 18:31:17
Afternoon Eds, i've seen a couple of reports suggesting that BR is interested in bringing Sam Byram of Leeds United to LFC. He is young (20yrs) Defender (RB) but can also operate as a Winger. Any truth to this Eds?

{Ed002's Note - I can't help - maybe the Leeds page and Ed013 can.}

24 Jul 2014 13:50:02
HI I saw you mention that Brendan has asspirations of managing Barcelona or Real Madrid!

1/ would you expect him to complete the job he has here at Liverpool, ie winning the title

2/ If they came for him next year would he go?

3/ I always though providing these first 3 years went well, he would be our own Fergie here for long long time, should I forget that dream

4/ if you know or can get a message to Brendan tell him not to leave!

YNWA JFT96

24 Jul 2014 18:54:15
I've never seen anything where BR has talked about Barca. If anything, from what I've read he seems most interested in one day being England manager, changing the way the English FA think about players and tactics. He has been touting for a few years now the technical ability of the English player and has felt that that has been overlooked for the big fella who can run in straight lines onto a hopeful long ball or cross.

He's also said he sees Liverpool as a destination but nobody could turn them down

Brendan knows the only place he can truly create a legacy and become a true legend is LFC. He dreams of Anfield singing 'Rodgers, Rodgers, Rodgers' to the tune of 'Amazing Grace'.

24 Jul 2014 09:20:39
Hi Eds & Reds

Been hearing a few rumours again that Pepe Reina may not be getting shipped out now & the club are trying to negotiate a new contract if he reduces his wages. I can't see personally why he'd sign a contract for less money unless it's a long term deal & he's made things up with Brendan but I've been watching some of the videos of the squad out on the tour & he looks in great shape & looks really pumped up, focused & happy in training & doesn't look like a player who's who's about to leave the club, in fact he looks like a whole new signing, I'm probably reading to much into it & he's just enjoying running round in the US sunshine, have the Eds got anything new on Pepe or is it still the same & the club are looking to sell?

{Ed002's Note - I am not aware of that.}

Keep him to battle Migs for No.1

Let's also give Jonesy a pay rise and extend his contract just to make sure we are really wasting enough money.

24 Jul 2014 13:28:36
Question (probably for the Eds) - is a medical a fairly standardised thing? Or do different clubs have more or less vigorous ones?

{Ed001's Note - they vary from club to club.}

24 Jul 2014 18:34:07
Sorry Ed001, you may have gone into detail on this before. But could please explain why our medicals are so vigorous? What makes them take so long? Anything specific would be greatly interesting to read.

{Ed001's Note - it is mainly insurance purposes, but also we check for degenerative conditions, evidence of damage from previous injuries etc. Most just check the player is fit now, ours look to see that they will be fit to play for years to come.}

24 Jul 2014 19:24:11
Thank you for your insight ed. Always appreciated. Love reading about what you know.

24 Jul 2014 19:43:11
Frustrating as it is to be waiting for days after hearing a player has had a medical, sounds like a sensible thing to do. Thanks for the reply/elaboration

24 Jul 2014 14:30:12
Hi Eds & Reds,

Wishful thinking here and there's been a lot of mixed reviews about the so call 'marquee' signing - Personally ill be cheering us on if we don't sign anybody else but I do agree with maybe that one particular signing that gets everyone really buzzing about the season to come as not sure on anyone else but if for one am slightly nervous whilst excited,

Would love to now see Lovren all sorted and squared as well as our LB position wether were going to pay extra for Moreno or go with bertrand i'm not bothered but would love to now really see Reus come in for us (unlikely I know) but i'd be on cloud 9 if he did - Coutinho/Sterling/Lallana/Ibe/Markovic/Sturridge/Reus/Lambert/Remy - So many attacking options whilst having Stevie/Henderson/Can/Lucas to hold the midfield whilst we attack and then Lovren and Sakho with flanno and our new LB to keep a strong defense - WOW

That signing has already been made - Lazar Markovic.

The problem with lists of players is that they often always look great on paper. Daniel Levy was a genius last summer. Papers were full of background features on how he'd turned Spurs into title contenders because of shrewd forward planning, buying Bale young, selling high and look at this list of SEVEN players. Unfortunately Bale won the CL, at best two of those new signings did OK and the title dream? It's what you do on the pitch that matters. From day one you could see that Brendan is able to put together a TEAM. Let's just trust him. Not all the signings will be world beaters but who cares if the TEAM as a whole is successful. There were some iffy signings last summer for but it didn't hold us back. The core of the successful team remains - only (I know, hardly an ONLY) Suarez will have left from the core 14 players who we ended the season with. With seven new signings in the squad that's a really strong core of 20 players all capable of starting with 4/5 prospects supporting them.

24 Jul 2014 15:58:30
It's been quiet on here today considering we lost last night, I've been watching it on fast forward 6x & it's still awful. wouldn't it be nice to have a pre season in a climate similar to the one we might actually play in? Let's get all these sides to come to anfield for a whole pre season I guarantee we'd have a better start to the season!

Or we can train in tougher, more humid, warmer climates and the players will feel fitter when they play in easier conditions? Also by doing this boost the club and give international fans the chance to play abroad

24 Jul 2014 17:13:25
It wasn't awful. Some players showed a lot of promise.

It's all about fitness. The Great Liverpool sides of the 80's used to lose many pre-season games.

25 Jul 2014 01:57:11
It has little to do with fitness, and a lot to do with global branding and money.

24 Jul 2014 12:19:25
IMO we will finish in the top 4 this year at least.

Amazes me how many people ( mainly opposition fans ) have forgot how good we were last season.

Easy to have lazy analysis and just say 'youve lost Suarez you will be poor again next season'.

I for one am happy with people writing us off again.

I appreciate losing Suarez is a big blow, but this time last year we signed, Toure, Aspas, Alberto and Mignolet. and Arsenal went and signed Ozil and we finished above them! Who'd have predicted that?

What i'm saying is we haven't all of a sudden become a bad side, we finished 2nd last year with Suarez but our defence and squad depth was worrying.

Add in Lovren and a LB and our defence is stronger. Our main achilles heal last season, .

Replacing Aspas and Borini with Remy and Lambert is stronger

Adding Lallana Can and Markovic to the squad and that's a lot stronger.

What i'm getting at is people will automatically revert to ' Liverpool will drop out the top 4 ' because on paper it looks tough to get in it this year.

But we've actually become a lot stronger in the off season then people think, and if people want to write us off as a mid table team because we've lost 1 player ( albeit excellent player ) then that's where we will take advantage and surprise everyone again.

Completely agree, and would love opposition to see us as a lower team too but the only thing I don't agree with is that you never said anything about another top ST! We still need 1! Rodgers said he wants to compete in eveything and The Studg, Remy and Lambert are not good enough for Prem and Champions league

Only thing is mate it got to be top three for champs league

Liverpool over achieved last year, fair play to you, you could have who the league. This year, you have lost your best player (by a mile) and you also have the distraction of the Champions league. Chelsea have addressed their weakness up front, City will spend again. Arsenal have Sanchez and still appear to have money. Irrespective of who United sign, they now have a quality manager who will make a difference to players who won the league 2 years ago, and they also will spend again.

There is a top 5 now (including United) and it could get very interesting. If United buy well, they don't have Europe so could be this years Liverpool

24 Jul 2014 11:36:51
Any idea if Remy passed his medical and if he's expected to sign today? If so would he be eligible to play a part in Sunday's game or (more likely) the rest of this tour?

Thanks

Echo has said it's been delayed for some reason but its not serious and the deal will still go through

24 Jul 2014 11:31:24
Saying 'Rickie Lambert only has 28 PL goals in 16 years' is like saying 'Charlie Adam has scored more PL goals than Messi' - That is, dense.

Well said mate. It is actually 28 PL goals in 2 years. As well as that he has 18 assists. That is from a total of 75 games or 5, 939 minutes.

That means he averages a goal every 212 minutes and an assist every 329 minutes. that's a goal every 0.42 games and an assist every 0.27 games. Those stats are very impressive and even more impressive when you consider:
a) he plays for an average team who nearly got relegated in their first season and then finished 'upper end' mid table the next.
b) he cost £4m!

I honestly don't see the problem with this signing at all and people are just being pathetic. He will play with passion and put in 100% effort every game. Hopefully surrounded by better players he will excel when he gets the chance and shut people up fairly quickly.

{Ed007's Note - I think your maths is a bit out there, EMS.}

Engineer's are supposed to be good at maths. :)

I thought the same, Ed007, but I think Adam has reduced down the number of games based on minutes. Given that Lambert was subbed a few times (on or off), the 5, 939 minutes translate to 66 full games (5, 939/90). So on the basis of 66 full games, his 28 goals do translate to a goal every 0.42 games and his 18 assists are an assist every 0.27 games.

If the "per x games" figures are normally calculated using total games appeared in (regardless of whether he played the full game or not) then it would be a goal every 0.37 games and an assist every 0.24 games.

How are these stats normally calculated? Based on total games or based on total minutes/90?

At the end of the day, the proof of the pudding will be in the eating, and at a relatively low price of £4m, I'm more than happy with Lambert so far.

{Ed007's Note - Every 0.42 games works out at less than half a game (0.5). 28 goals in 66 matches is a goal every 2.36 matches (66/28). With a ratio of a goal every 0.42 games over 66 games he would score 157 goals (1 goal every 0.42=2.38 goals per game x 66).
0.27 is just over a 1/4 (0.25), so is he assisting a goal every 24.3 mins (90/100 * 27 = 24.3) .... I think... :) You've confused me by questioning it!}

Sorry Ed. Maths was spot on but I worded it wrong! It's meant to read 0.42 goals per game and 0.27 assists per game. When I say game I mean 90 minutes. Apologies for the mistake with the words but the maths was sound haha.

0.42 goals per game, not a goal every 0.42 games. Apologies again.

24 Jul 2014 10:49:53
Hai Mates.

30 mill + Borini for Vidal.

Haha funny

Hai Harry

Harry is back then. 'Hai mate'!

24 Jul 2014 15:15:06
Excuse me.
Was that a joke?

You tell us.

24 Jul 2014 10:37:23
Good day felloe Reds and Eds.

For those in the UK; I hope you are all basking in and enjoying the glorious sunshine bathing these fair shores.

I have a quick question which I am hoping my fellow fans or if I'm lucky one of the Eds could answer;

Who is this Mark Key player everyone is banging on about? who does he play for? we must pay £50mill to get him, even though I have never heard of him, is he foreign? Damn Must be some player, as all I have seen this week and last, are commentaries about Mark Key, and how we must have Mark Key signing to replace Suarez as apparently he was our only World Class player. a tad bit insulting for the rest of our team if you ask me, but such are fair weather fans these days. I mean it was evident that it was Suarez and Suarez alone who dragged us to 2nd position, no one else in the team did anything.

So if this Mark Key player is signing he has a lot to live up to, coming into our really poor second placed premier league team of no hopers, and coming in as our only world class player; big shoes to fill.

If we do bring him in, I hope he does well for us :-)

Tongue firmly in cheek.

Peace out guys

JFT96
YNWA

Post of the day

His name is actually Marc Quee
He's French, Brazilian born, but speaks Spanish and has German mentality
Sounds perfect right?

Brilliant!

Maybe it is Lazar Markovic's nickname?

Red Rum

Peace out?!

I though Peace was 'in'.?!

:P

24 Jul 2014 09:34:32
I'm not suggesting that the commentators know what is going on with transfers and if you do not know you really shouldn't comment. however did anyone else pick up during the game the following statements:

Borini's move has broken down due to not agreeing personnel terms - I thought he didn't fancy the move.

Liverpool had bid £16M for Lovren (approx 20m euros).

Not saying the above is correct just what the commentators (during the match) had said.

Borini will still go to sunderland I suspect.

24 Jul 2014 12:41:12
Not agreeing personal terms can be not wanting to move. It's a blanket term for 'refused their contract offer'

I read today that juventus are going to make a move for him?
If true it will be interesting to see if he still wants to stay and fight for his place?

24 Jul 2014 08:05:38
I've sussed out the transfer strategy.

Lazar, Loic, Lallana, Lambert, Lovren.

I can only assume its Emre L. Can.

L is for Liverpool!

I can feel a new song coming on ( we all dream of a team of letter Ls )

Leo, pack your bags and wave goodbye to Barca mate. We've sussed it

24 Jul 2014 10:00:30
We will have to get Luis Suarez back then

That will be one "L" of a team m8!

24 Jul 2014 12:42:22
Well we had a team of 'S' before with Sturridge, Sterling, Suarez, Stevie and Skrtel. It's good to change the letters every now and then!

How about
Lawrence

Lawler Lloyd Lawrenson Lynsey

Lee Leiva Lallana Livermore

Litmanen Lambert

24 Jul 2014 01:22:32
Owen never got over 20 premier league goals in a single season. Fowler all day long. In my opinion Fowler at peak 13/14 team 35 goals. Fowler along with Rush most natural goal scorer. Correct me if wrong still quickest premier league hattrick.

We would have won the league in a canter if only we had fowler at his prime.

24 Jul 2014 08:21:26
History has proved that although 'IF' is one of the smallest words in the English language it is arguably also the largest in terms of meaning. I think most people understand when I speak about my aunt! Let's just look forward to a great season when those stupid and ignorant opposition fans who are making all sorts of stupid comments can drown in their own jealousy. Most of all, roll on 1st September when this stuped, unnecessary, and, in my opinion, illegal Transfer Window will have come to an end.

24 Jul 2014 09:35:47
I am a massive fan of Fowler but check the stats of Robbie and Michael

{Ed001's Note - stats are meaningless, only an idiot would suggest Owen was in any way shape or form an equal to Fowler in his prime. Fowler played in a far worse team for most of his time with us and never had a team built solely to provide him with hundreds of chances to miss each match, like Owen did. Stats need context, providing it just shows how useless they are.}

Fowler played for Liverpool, Owen played for Owen. no contest between the 2 of them. Fowler gets my vote all the time.

Robbie

I couldn't agree more mate, Owen's biggest fan has always been himself.

The guy, if you listen to him, constantly portrays himself as the best player in every team, every club he has been with!

When owen's pace left him, he had nothing else to offer.

Liverpool would not have won the league at a canter this year with fowler up front.

24 Jul 2014 12:44:01
Here's a stat - the record for scoring in consecutive games (in the PL I think, but don't quote me on that) is held by Adebayor. He's not a bad striker but is he a great?

Damn I just agreed with Blue247 ;)

Blocked

Please standby

Normal service will resume shortly

Lol ;)

24 Jul 2014 02:01:33
Hey everyone,

What's your thoughts on Emre Can after this game? To me he reminds me very much of a Viera/Yaya Toure player.

I liked what I saw

Can was really good and very impressive. He is fast, has great energy and really good close control and skill n possession. He, Ibe, Allen and Lucas really had a good game.

He is more of a box to box midfielder, in the mould of Henderson. Certainly not a CDM. If Lucas leaves, he would need replacing bcoz Can is not the answer for CDM. I do see a bit of Yaya Toure in him tbh. Along side a proper CDM, he would flourish with the freedom he would get to push further up the pitch without having to worry to much about protecting the defense.

Can DMs not have energy and close control then? Do they need to be static or something, not allowed to run? He can play almost anywhere - that's why we bought him. For the outlay he'll end up being the best value signing over time IMO.

I think BR likes the idea of having a midfield who can inter-change like the attacking two/three. In some matches I expect a stricter holding role, but in others I imagine a trio in the midfield who can cover whoever goes forward to link the attack.

Anfieldboy, Can sees himself as a central midfielder, he mentioned it in an interview when he joined. I just don't think at this early age he has the discipline to limit his role in protecting the back 4. He is not a natural CDM, and such discipline will come with time. He is not a replacement for Lucas imo. He has been brought to add depth and variety to our midfield.

He looked decent, physical but noticeably tired towards the end (as you'd expect from a player in pre-season looking for fitness). Difficult to assess early on but he didn't look out of place that's for sure.

Indian. My point was he can play pretty much anywhere. Therefore he is an option at DM. If he plays at LB it means he understands how to attack and defend. I agree he'll be more of a box to box guy mainly.

23 Jul 2014 23:58:46
I was going to stay up & watch the game on a dodgy link but after seeing the line up I'll just watch tomorrow on a decent screen.

Shame its a good half so far

24 Jul 2014 02:15:15
Such a fantastic supporter there then

Wouldn't bother, one of the dullest games I've seen for a while.

One of the most sleep inducing matches I've ever witnessed.stay away

In the not so distant past we just waited for the paper next morning to tell us we'd beaten some Norwegian amateurs. These are training games that have become elevated to TV spectaculars now. Don't bother watching them. It's like watching your mum doing all the prep before your birthday party. The main event is all that matters.

I'm glad I did I'll watch it at 2 when it's replayed by lfc tv by that time I'll be sufficiently bored for it to lighten my mood