Liverpool Banter Archive February 25 2016

 

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25 Feb 2016 23:16:21
Good night for English teams coefficient vs Italy. Only Lazio now left in the Europa for Italy vs 3 English sides left; also hopefully Juve will fall to Munich with City progressing in the Champs League.

Believable1 Unbelievable1

25 Feb 2016 22:27:45
We were far from impressive in both legs and a bit lucky with the penalty and few missed chances of the Germans, and very poor in converting our chances as ever.

A win is a win but next round we will need to up our performance big time if we want to have a chance of making it to the quarter final.

Believable2 Unbelievable6

25 Feb 2016 23:06:12
Are you anything other than negative?


25 Feb 2016 23:24:33
Depends on what you define as performance, I felt it was generally good today, however we lacked the finish as you pointed out.


25 Feb 2016 23:31:03
We played really well tonight, we just didn't take our chances.
Can had another stinker as did Moreno.
Coutinho was well off the pace.
Milner was excellent in the first half, quiet in the second.
Sturridge and Firmino linked well.
Hendo was decent
Lucas was great. Sakho is a cult hero. Clyne was average.
Origi looked dangerous.

Mignolet was very good, fair play to him.

All in all we look so much more threatening with Sturridge on the field. We were good tonight we just couldn't take our chances but it could easily have been 6-1.


25 Feb 2016 23:43:12
I am realist Mainznilfunt. What part of what I said you don't agree with?


26 Feb 2016 00:05:13
I think it is a question of how high you set the bar before making your comparison. We were 'far from impressive' compared to what? If it is what we are capable of then fair enough, If it is in comparison to the top sides in the world then it isn't really a fair comparison.


26 Feb 2016 00:24:13
We should never have allowed us to get to the stage of that nervy last 10 minutes or so, but a win's a win and we're through to the next round, plus more match fitness for Sturridge, which surely bodes well for Sunday!


26 Feb 2016 01:10:36
We should have ended the game by half time. I thought we played well, created several chances but we never looked like scoring. Lucas was very good at CB. His positional sense and awareness of where and when to press the striker or when to drop off was uncanny. And he doesn't need to foul all the time to win the ball BUT I'll prefer a normal CB than him to play come Sun. Sahko was in every area and Can n Hendo must defo do better. We'll see who we get in the draw but there are some heavy weights left in the tournament, that's for sure.


26 Feb 2016 02:28:48
I managed to go to the game tonight and I took my 10year old lad for the first time. The result is a good one but the performance was not great, we made the game really hard work for ourselves. We were void of ideas in the final third and there were to many passes round the corner to nobody. Not one player really stood out tonight. Firminio worked hard but again made the wrong decision at crucial moments. There was a lack of leadership it was all very quiet and players just going through the motions. That said they have a cup final on Sunday and my lad enjoyed himself so I hope we perform better against city.


26 Feb 2016 03:41:00
well summed up redohio that's pretty much what I thought about the match. credit where its due for james milner who took another big pressure penalty very well, sadly his corners were poor. mind you Liverpool having a corner kick is about as much use as a chocolate fireguard. something has to be done about our woeful conversion rate we could have won the tie in the 1st half and relaxed in the 2nd half. we just don't seem to want to do things the easy way.


25 Feb 2016 21:43:48
i think a lot of players went through the motions even though their gk needed to make a few good saves to keep them in it but i think the players were thinking of sunday and some silver wear, we beat man city in the league so why not at wembley were i think our players will benefit from the bigger pitch.

Believable2 Unbelievable1

25 Feb 2016 22:37:12
I think our players thought about tonight's game and this was what they were able to produce. We will see what happen on Sunday but based on what we saw this week from both teams City are clear favourites.


26 Feb 2016 01:14:17
Fano, City would be favorites regardless of what happened with them or us. They have a better team now and did when we slapped them silly in the league. Can they be beaten? Yes. Are we scared of them? Why should we? It's a cup final and a winner take all situation. We must do all to make sure that winner that takes it all is us.


26 Feb 2016 01:59:21
Fanobip

So the cup final comes down to how both teams performed this week?

We should have been 3 or 4 up at half Time.

City have been just as woeful as us this season and also we tend to have the upper hand when we both meet.

Personally I think we have a very good chance of lifting the cup.


25 Feb 2016 21:37:00
i think milner will score on sunday maybe another pen and 1-0.

Believable1 Unbelievable5

25 Feb 2016 21:28:23
Mignolet: 8/ 10 MOTM for me. Commanded his area well, kicking was uncharacteristically good, was quick off his line a few times and made a few top saves.

Clyne: 6/ 10 pressed a bit high. Looked great when it came off but he was caught out a few times

Lucas: 5/ 10 shocking back pass, lots off silly free kicks for pushing people instead of challenging for headers.

Sakho: 7/ 10 very composed and imperious in the air. Why can't he play like that every game?

Moreno: 6/ 10 got up and down well as usual but yet again his crossing was abysmal and he got sucked towards the ball too often.

Can: 7/ 10 quietly went about his business and didn't really do anything wrong.

Henderson: 6/ 10 put a shift in but he rode his luck a few times in possession and missed an absolute sitter.

Milner: 7/ 10 like Hendo he put a shift in, however when his chance came from the spot he put it away.

Firmino: 6/ 10 neat a tidy. Pressed effectively, made some clever touches and got into the right areas. Goal just wouldn't come.

Sturridge: 5/ 10 looked laboured. Didn't get into the box enough and missed a few chances that if 100% sharp he would normally bury.

Coutinho: 7/ 10 pressed when required, carried the ball well, and was unfortunate that Augsburg came with a gameplan to kick him off the park. Rightly hooked by Klopp for his own protection. He is needed on Sunday!

Origi looked good when he came on. Won a few headers and held the ball up well. Worked some space to get a shot away as well despite us being under immense pressure for his duration on the pitch. Offered an important outlet. Teixeira didn't really get on the ball sadly.

Bad day at the office for a few of the players but we got the job done. I can't help but feel a few of them had one eye on the Cup Final.

Believable0 Unbelievable6

25 Feb 2016 21:33:40
Bad day at the office nearly every game mate, it's a joke!


25 Feb 2016 21:52:52
Can't say Sturridge was our worst player on the night. Good link up play, some great touches and came the closest to the second! Didn't get close after he came off.


25 Feb 2016 23:18:52
Dunno what game you were watching. Job done and on to the next.


25 Feb 2016 23:26:53
Lucas a 5? I was there and to my eye had a great game. For all you say about Migs, the player offering the most communication in the defensive unit was Lucas.


25 Feb 2016 23:45:04
Giving Mignolet an 8 and Sturridge a 5 seems a bit off for me.


26 Feb 2016 01:20:03
Mingo is no 8 and Lucas with Studge are no 5. Lucas was very good today. His positional sense and ability to know when to press the forward and when to drop off is uncanny and a few of our CB's could learn from him. Studge was sharp in his movement and interplay. Had Couts and Firmino and him scored, he'd be MOTM which is defo not Mingo. Sahko would be my pick as he was solid and composed all night long.


26 Feb 2016 03:52:52
countinho should have buried that chance in the 1st half, its puzzling to me how he can score 30yard screamers yet in the 6 yard box he goes to pieces, however I can only see good things coming from him, sturridge and firmino the more they play together. lucas looks very impressive at centre back, silly back pass apart I thought he was very solid.


26 Feb 2016 04:21:30
Lucas had 1 foul. I stand to be corrected tho! and a whole bunch of tackles, clearances etc I think this is case of seeing what you wanna see and being blind to everything else!


{Ed001's Note - that one 'foul' was simply an attacker feeling a presence tight to him and throwing himself down to win a free kick.}

25 Feb 2016 21:18:15
Any tips on which pubs in liverpool will be decent for the final on Sunday? Big screen and atmosphere.

Believable0 Unbelievable3

25 Feb 2016 21:39:14
the supporters club off townsend lane.


25 Feb 2016 21:58:59
The Sandon in anfield or fly and loaf on bold street.


25 Feb 2016 22:20:05
everywhere in town.


25 Feb 2016 20:56:44
what do u thing of the GK HItz of Augsburg seems to have massive potential and still young.

Believable1 Unbelievable5

25 Feb 2016 21:17:30
Augsburg goalie had great hands and was confident on crosses made 3 or 4 good reflex saves from close in shots and his kicking was good on most occasions as well as good distribution with his throws, also very calm when he had to deal with ball at his feet, come to think of it all quite the opposite to Mingolet.


25 Feb 2016 22:01:04
You thought his kicking was good? 1 minute to go chasing the game and he puts it out on the full.


25 Feb 2016 23:16:30
Burley oh, Yes his kicking was good, notice I said on most occasions, did you not notice he was also good with both feet, mainly right foot but used his left to curl a ball under pressure to his right back in the second half.

EMS, Sakho composed, not hkw I would describe him, and Mingolst MOM? Although there wasn't many candidates I will say that, Sturridge was ok certainly not a 5/ 10.


26 Feb 2016 01:21:37
Their GK was average and inspires no confidence in the slightest, just like Mingo.


25 Feb 2016 20:46:13
Didn't see the game as had to finish up at work but how we still struggle to score is amazing. Something is very wrong.

Believable3 Unbelievable5

25 Feb 2016 22:51:15
To be fair their keeper played very well.


25 Feb 2016 23:08:14
It wasn't a 'struggle'. Just missed 4 or 5 clear cut chances.


26 Feb 2016 00:02:31
All too familiar this!


25 Feb 2016 20:27:16
Please UEFA can we have Valencia in the next round. I would love to see that pillocks face when we knock them out.

Believable3 Unbelievable6

25 Feb 2016 21:02:41
If we can have one request for the next round I would go for the same referree.


25 Feb 2016 21:03:29
The way we performed tonight we couldn't knock out a pub team.


25 Feb 2016 21:16:17
I thought we played better than the first leg!


25 Feb 2016 21:18:56
Yes fans up we did get a lot of decisions didn't we.


25 Feb 2016 22:40:50
Are we complaining about decisions going our way now? Are we never happy!


25 Feb 2016 23:19:55
Brenda, who is complaining? Just saying.
Problem with getting Valencia would be Neville would be more aware than any other manager that Mingolet is poo and would be targeted with crosses at every opportunity.


26 Feb 2016 00:43:18
We can beat any of those teams left in, we play better against the better teams.

No danger in this comp. 😎.


26 Feb 2016 01:54:17
So you're going to win then?


26 Feb 2016 04:19:12
don't forget 18and5 that pako is now helping the chuckle brothers they have won there last 3 games. whoever we get we are going to have to improve our finishing. I wish I had your belief ron and I would love you to be right. perhaps you could motivate the strikers to be more positive that they will score when the chance presents itself.


{Ed001's Note - just shows the difference having someone that knows what they are doing, Pako arrived and Valencia win their next game.}

25 Feb 2016 20:04:00
Reds eds,

Am I right in thinking tonight's win is our first in the knockout stages if europe since the 09/ 10 season under Benitez before he was sacked?!

Believable7 Unbelievable3

26 Feb 2016 01:23:47
It says says a lot about our dismal record since that year where we still made the EL semis despite the dreadful season we had.


25 Feb 2016 20:00:33
Shout out to Teixeira. Think he was good when he came on.

Believable3 Unbelievable4

25 Feb 2016 19:55:25
Hhhmmmmm! 🙄.

Believable2 Unbelievable2

25 Feb 2016 18:54:38
As far as looking for a new goalkeeper for the pool goes look no further than that boy Hitz for Augsburg, he's tidy, demands his box, catches the frigging ball and a good shot stopper.

Agree or disagree fellow Reds.

Believable11 Unbelievable9

25 Feb 2016 19:42:53
maybe that's how we signed mignolet? after watching him for 2 games against us. hehe.


25 Feb 2016 20:01:03
Seen him twice and definitely an upgrade on Migs lol.


25 Feb 2016 20:07:31
And if augsburg fans were to judge mignolet over the past two games i'm sure they would probably think he was better than their keeper!

Put it into perspective, we need to properly scout players before we let match of the day fever take hold.


25 Feb 2016 20:48:10
Commentators on match I watched online stated he has been voted best keeper this year in Bundesliga, even ahead of Neuer. don't know how true the statement is though.


25 Feb 2016 17:29:45
Lucas at CB and Flanno not in the subs Milner starts with Sturridge up front with couthino and firmino wide

Interesting.

Believable0 Unbelievable4

25 Feb 2016 17:53:40
Flanno is not in our Europa League squad. How come you didn't know that? Interesting.


25 Feb 2016 19:01:38
didn't realise that.


25 Feb 2016
The real time live chat page is open for today's Liverpool match at the below link for you to talk to each other during the match
Liverpool Live Chat page

Believable1 Unbelievable0

25 Feb 2016 16:23:40
I do hope tonight we set a good tempo and try and get the match won as quick as we can, one away goal for them will make it tricky. man city showed last night how to do it, I hope we follow suit. This is the start of a season defining 4 days for me, anything less than 2 wins and we are left with nothing to do but fufill our epl fixtures. a quick question for you ed001 what are our plans for canos for next season as I think, this was one loan move we got right, I was wandering what klopp had planned for him.

Believable0 Unbelievable3

{Ed001's Note - nothing is decided yet, but Klopp obviously agreed the loan is doing him good or he would have been recalled in January.}

25 Feb 2016 16:46:24
'anything less than 2 wins and we are left with nothing to do but fufill our epl fixtures'. If we win tonight and lose on Sunday we will still be in Europa league so that statement is totally untrue. Also why do people think beating German opposition is a foregone conclusion? e. g. 'I do hope tonight we set a good tempo and try and get the match won as quick as we can'. I saw the same sort of comments before the 1st leg e. g. put out our strongest team get the tie done in 1st leg etc. A bit of realism please we are not that good at the moment where we can blow away a Bundesliga team in 1st leg or presume that we can put the tie to bed early tonight. I do agree that these 2 games are season defining.


25 Feb 2016 16:51:31
Anyone who thinks the Augsburg game is going to be a walk in the park is deluded. I think we will win but it will be touch and go. 2-1 to LFC is my prediction.


25 Feb 2016 17:40:43
sunday represents our best chance of a trophy this season Brendan f. we are a far better team when we play at a quicker tempo, i'm not disrespecting the opposition at all hence the fact I mentioned the away goal, a 1-1 draw and we are out. a good win tonight and we go to Wembley full of beans, a bad result and we have more pressure on sunday and man city are no mugs. Also I don't think we are consistent enough to win the Europa league even if we win tonight, even though we all dream of a Liverpool vs Dortmund final, we have gone from being the number 1 ranked team in Europe to number 45, the facts speak for themselves. put it this way lfc fans if you could only have 1 win from the 2 games most of you would pick Sunday's final understandably. I take no pleasure in writing we would have nothing left but the reality is if it all goes wrong in the next 4 days, our season will be another write off, with nothing to look forward to but a mid table finish.


25 Feb 2016 15:15:22
Ive just been watching the under 18 highlights on you tube and to say we have some excellent young players is an understatement Ben Woodburn looks a very good player and then there's Toni Gomes and the right back who reminds me of stevie nichol all look very good and they are stars for the future there's even the CB Matterson who's been a sub for the 1st team on a few occasions to watch out for, i can't wait to see them in a few years when they have got better and made the step up what a team of young players we have.

Believable2 Unbelievable3

25 Feb 2016 15:34:36
Question is have u watch u18s of other bpl clubs? Other bpl clubs u18s are really good too.


25 Feb 2016 16:07:25
Chelsea youth team is terrific.


25 Feb 2016 14:05:29
Eds this is going to said stupid buy I've got to ask this is there any chance of Liverpool signing a player like reus this summer.

Believable0 Unbelievable4

{Ed002's Note - I have no idea what you mean by "like Reus". Do you mean players with blonde hair?}

25 Feb 2016 14:48:43
I mean a big name signing.


{Ed002's Note - I cannot answer that as it is subjective. If you mean will the club continue to spend money they can't afford on the "marquee" players the fans will trash then I am sure you will be happy.}

25 Feb 2016 16:54:49
We do not have the money for a player like Reus unless we sell Coutinho AND Firmino. We will sign a winger but it will be someone like N'Koudou or Praet, who would be way cheaper than Reus. I would rather more money is set aside to strengthen our defensive line (including a new GK), and additional training to the forwards and midfielders on how to put the ball in the back of the net.


25 Feb 2016 13:32:24
Hi Eds

What number are Liverpool in the co-efficient rankings these days? And if (massive IF) we won the Europa League where would we end up or is it not that simple?

Thanks in advance.

Believable0 Unbelievable2

{Ed002's Note - 45th and it is not possible to say where they would be if they were to win it - but say between 35 and 40 as a guide.}

25 Feb 2016 14:02:45
Thanks Ed2.


25 Feb 2016 12:15:59
Eds Kevin Stewart recently got a contract extension which probably means he has a future at the club. My worry is with Pedro Chirivella, don't you think it is time for him to get game-time? This boy is what we are missing since the Kovacic and Alonso era. Intelligence!

Believable1 Unbelievable5

{Ed001's Note - can we only play one midfielder then?}

25 Feb 2016 12:26:41
Not in that sense. We play 3 at times, I mean central midfielders. But playing Can, Hendo and Milner at times is not ideal. I was asking because he seems to have that potential to be "top" player.


{Ed001's Note - and he is just a kid, plenty of time. Milner will not be there forever.}

25 Feb 2016 12:59:51
Milner won't be moved on this summer though ed will he?


{Ed002's Note - Probably not.}

25 Feb 2016 13:13:15
I just hope he will get his break and save us millions in transfer fees in the future.

Thanks for your insightful response.


25 Feb 2016 13:32:27
Even though he is one of the highest paid players at the club, is blocking other players and has been so awful this season to the point he has offered virtually nothing?

I thought he would be one of the first names they would look to get rid of, and unqualified disaster.


{Ed001's Note - it is not as simple as that.}

25 Feb 2016 13:36:35
Did I miss the Kovacic era?


25 Feb 2016 13:51:54
That is when he was viewed on YouTube during the time most of the fans thought his transfer to Liverpool was imminent only for us to dither on paying the asking fee.


25 Feb 2016 14:06:01
Which kovacic era?!


25 Feb 2016 14:20:37
Is the Kovacic era based in Harry's dreams?


25 Feb 2016 15:21:30
Milner, so awful he has the highest number of assists?

What does that say about the others?


25 Feb 2016 13:21:42
I can't see a future for Pedro Chirivella. Can is very young while Grujic is 19. Henderson is the captain and Klopp likes Stewart.


25 Feb 2016 16:36:06
Yes, milner so awful he has the highest number of assists because he is the one that gets played regardless of how terrible he is.

If you're going to look into goals and assists, i'm pretty sure benteke is in our top 3 for goals from an individual, maybe even top i'm not sure.

Can't work out if it was a dig at me or a criticism of the squad as a whole?


25 Feb 2016 16:58:20
Chirivella is probably the most talented CM at the club. He will get his chance and i'm sure he will pass with flying colors. He is only 18 so people really need to show some patience. Him and Stewart could make a really solid midfield pairing as long as they progress like they are doing now.


25 Feb 2016 10:52:19
Eds do you think young Jerome Sinclair will stay or go?!? I don't think it's a good thing if he goes as he's been showing a lot of potential, hateful agent tho!

Believable0 Unbelievable7

{Ed001's Note - go.}

25 Feb 2016 11:38:55
His choice of agent shows the level of respect he has for our club and the game itself.


25 Feb 2016 14:41:14
Chirivella is a very intelligent footballer but he lacks physical strength at the moment but once he gets a little stronger and more decisive going into tackles he could very well be one of the top midfielders in the prem league given time, I really like this lad and do hope next season he gets a good run to prove he is worth getting into the starting 11 he has really good potential.


25 Feb 2016 15:29:02
He's not long 18 so he's bound to lack some strength. Having said that he did well against a very physical West ham midfield.


25 Feb 2016 10:36:06
Hi Eds,
Not sure if this has been asked, can't find the answer anyway.
If Liverpool get to the final against a team who qualifies for the champions league through their domestic league, does the runner up get a spot in the CL?

Great work Eds,
Cheers.

Believable0 Unbelievable2

{Ed001's Note - no.}

25 Feb 2016 10:29:20
We should sign Begovic and not Ter Stegen or Karius or anyone else. Opinions please.

Believable3 Unbelievable10

25 Feb 2016 10:45:57
I would prefer begovic as we'll.
not putting down the others but I feel bergovic would settle quicker and be a better fit.


25 Feb 2016 10:48:44
Personally raviance, I would prefer us signing Loris Karius. Out of all the GKs we have been "linked" with he seems the best all-around keeper, to me.


25 Feb 2016 12:13:46
Not a fan of Begovic, turned us down before and since then has subsequently left Stoke to join Chelsea to sit on the bench in his peak years (There was no way that he would realistically get the number one spot from Courtois barring injury) . Also I'm not massively convinced by him either, from what I have seen this season at Chelsea, seems to be one of those keepers that if he is constantly busy then his concentration seems OK, but if he isn't busy for long periods he loses concentration and can let in soft goals and given that he is nearly 30, he isn't going to be good long term value, granted that he is better than both Bogdan and Mignolet, but that isn't really difficult. Another factor is that he signed a long term contract (expire summer 2019?) at Chelsea and I imagine that they would want a sizable fee, so I would rather look elsewhere for a younger better keeper, like Ter Stegen, Leno, Karius or Butland which may cost a bit more, but would be a better buy long term for us than someone who has previously told the club that he has no interest in playing for us (And I don't see that anything would change in that respect? ) and was happy to sit on the bench in his peak years.


25 Feb 2016 13:42:03
I still can't see anyone on the market who represents better value and quality than Salvatore Sirigu.

Ter Stegen, average. Karius, too expensive. Begovic, see Mr. Dennis's reply.


25 Feb 2016 15:51:45
Spot on, EMS. I would take Sirigu BUT would prefer Ward be given a shot at the No. 1 spot.


25 Feb 2016 17:45:08
Sirigu is not a good keeper lads. Even his own team mates don't rate him! Did you guys not see the look of panic in his eyes when PSG played Chelsea and out long balls into the box? He's an error prone keeper in the Mignolet mould, I would stay well clear of him.


{Ed001's Note - didn't Trapp play against Chelsea?}

25 Feb 2016 19:33:07
Was thinking the tie in last seasons champions league ed001, not this season, Sirigu looked bloody awful!


25 Feb 2016 19:33:07
Was thinking the tie in last seasons champions league ed001, not this season, Sirigu looked bloody awful!


{Ed001's Note - ah ok, sorry I don't remember them getting much in the way of chances to make him look bad.}

25 Feb 2016 09:43:58
Ed 01, you said in reply to kk7 that sturridge is desperate to play at the euros. Surely klopp hasn't been holding him back and getting him fit so that he can go to France and possibly injure himself again. Fingers crossed he won't be taken but my guess is that he'll be there. I'd love to see him next season with a pre season and some fitness training under his belt and not just being involved in hodgdons last throw of the dice.

Believable4 Unbelievable6

{Ed001's Note - I don't see your point. I am saying he wants to play and prove himself so he can be in the squad, not sure what you are on about. The experience is a good thing, if he gets in the squad. He could get injured at home, so why worry about that?}

25 Feb 2016 10:35:29
Ok sure he could be hurt at home but he'd have a better chance while being built up and monitored rather than involved in a hell for leather tournament and then not being needed for a few months. Anyhow it was only an opinion and I do agree the experience would be good for him, I just thought that game time and training in a less demanding environment would have been better, cheers for your reply.


{Ed001's Note - I think you should want your players playing international footie, it shows how strong your team is, it gives the player themself experience and it raises the club's profile.}

25 Feb 2016 10:47:50
Hopefully he will have built up his strength and match fitness enough to cope by then.


25 Feb 2016 10:54:11
Agree with Doohamlet : After every international break where our players are involved we have some casualties.

Though it is a little selfish on my part to not want Sturridge to play for England, but I still hope for it.

One of the main reasons is my utter dislike for Roy and the incompetency of the FA who appointed him.

I really wanted England to do well for past so many years with the great players they had ( and still have ) but when you appoint Hodgson as manager your statement is clear : " We don't want to succeed and this is the man who will help us achieve that"

PS : Few months back Roy told Arsenal to get Wilshire fit so he can participate in the international matches!


25 Feb 2016 11:22:42
Sturridge has gotten injured before while at international duty as have a lot of players. In this particular situation though, my opinion, the people in charge of team selection don't seem to care much about the footballers, as they showed in the case of Rossiter. Also, I am not sure how he will learn anything useful with Hodgson's tactics.

I'm a non-English Liverpool supporter who in all honestly doesn't believe England is going to achieve much in the Euros, so I wouldn't want him to play. I would rather we send him on an early vacation somewhere warm and then begin his training earlier so that he is in top-form for next season.


{Ed001's Note - I really do not care about England in the slightest, but it is for the player and club's benefit that players play for their countries.}

24 Feb 2016 19:57:01
Hi Eds,
Just wanted to know your thoughts about how Liverpools youth setup compares to other premier league clubs?

Believable1 Unbelievable1

{Ed001's Note - I have been trying to figure out how best to answer this question, as it is a difficult thing to quantify. There are so many things that impact on the academy, that trying to compare them is pretty much impossible. For starters, changes take a long time to show their full effects, depending on the change, it can take up to ten years.

Ten years ago was when Rafa initiated the overhaul, which, since then, has been tinkered with numerous times by managers who replaced him, even Klopp has come in and made a change. First and foremost though, the job of an academy is to produce players for the Liverpool first team, in which role it has failed in recent years.

However, a large part of that failing is actually down to having first team managers who were unwilling to take a chance on youth players from the academy. How can you judge players that have never been given the chance to prove if they are ready or not?

Always there is the 'but the manager sees them everyday in training so must know if they are ready or not', which is simply not the point. They are young and will not be as reliable as experienced pros, you do not know what you are going to get. Will they retreat into their shell? Will they grow and rise to the occasion? Maybe they will just be anonymous, but who knows until they are given a shot?

Therein lies the problem, managers have their jobs on the line and do not want to take chances. They want to know what they are going to get each week when they send the team out to play. So we have a bunch of youngsters that are very difficult to judge, that are failing to make it mainly because of those in charge, as the success of Flanagan shows.

Things are improving, Klopp has come in and identified one of the big problems that most people already knew, there were too many youngsters and not enough coaches. So he cut the numbers of players down to improve that aspect, which means things should improve in the future.

Bad loan moves have held a lot of the players back in the past, no thought has been given to where they go, it was just a case of whoever wants them can have them. That is another thing which Klopp is keen on changing. So that should improve things a lot. Loan moves are now not seen as the answer.

I guess what I am saying is that it is far too soon to judge our academy, just like it is too soon to judge the first team, as things have changed under Klopp.}

25 Feb 2016 10:17:27
Yap I think rafa was not given enough credit for the major overhaul he did to the youth system years and years ago! He bought in quality coaches as well.


25 Feb 2016 10:39:57
Is the youth system profitable/ economically sustainable? If yes how (selling players to other teams? ) if not why do top teams keep them in an era where the chances of having more than one player in every ten years coming from the youth system to the first team, is very slim (I am not talking about the under 21 which many of them are signed from elsewhere) .

I understand it is not a very costly system as you don't have to pay to youth players (? ) so it is mainly the coaches fess and facilities but I reckon it is quite an expensive system.


{Ed001's Note - one sale can cover costs for years.}

25 Feb 2016 12:17:40
Thanks for the in depth response! Appreciate it!


{Ed001's Note - you are welcome mate, sorry it took a while, I wanted to try and give more of an answer than just saying it is difficult to compare.}

25 Feb 2016 14:45:48
Ed
Do you think it's now going in the right direction now and if maintained hopefully we will see the fruits of Kloops labour in the academy side of things in the nxt 5-10 yrs?


{Ed001's Note - yes. I think the changes made are to the academy's advantage.}

25 Feb 2016 16:30:18
Great read, Ed. I have never understood how people can judge that a player isn`t ready for the first team without ever seeing them play FOR the first team for a while. It just beggars belief at how many defended BR for not playing the youth with the pathetic excuse that "he sees them everyday so he must know them" whereas per ED01, BR couldn`t be arsed about them nor even going to their games at the academy or at their loan clubs. Kf KK had done that, he would never have found Flanno and Sterling. that is what needs to happen. We need to use and invest in our academy more because they will save us millions in the future. We have seen what many of them can do in the few games they`ve had this year like Stewart, Branno, Ojo, Smith as well as Rossiter and Ward before them. I hope Klopp will do more here so we can find our own Goetze like we found SG.


25 Feb 2016 06:52:54
I like Daniels nose stud. It looks proper cool.

Believable3 Unbelievable13

25 Feb 2016 00:55:54
Really looking forward to seeing Markovic playing regularly next season, I think he'll be one of our star performers under Klopp (He suits the system at least) . I think he'll probably be the only player out on loan (Other than Grujic and Allan) that will be given a chance in pre-season, i'd imagine they'd try to move players like Luis Alberto, Wisdom and Balotelli on.

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