Liverpool Banter Archive March 25 2016

25 Mar 2016 18:47:09
I know Eds it's not really Liverpool related, sorry but I was having a discussion at work about left footed players, when I played football as an amateur I use to take penalties for the teams I played for and not blowing my own trumpet but I scored a lot and could also hit a decent free kick, I put this down to being left footed as I could spank the ball sweet and very hard, my right foot well the ball could've ended up anywhere, a couple of lads at work said they are left footed and can hit a ball hard, I mean look at John Arne Riise, boy could he hit a ball, that free kick against Man U was hard and as fast as a rocket, when he hit a ball it stayed hit, what do you fellow reds think, can a left footed player hit a ball harder than a right footed player or is it just a coincidence with me and the lads I work with.

{Ed002's Note - There was some work done on this a few years ago, well at least on the "fastest" shots recorded. I cant find it now but the "fastest" was (as I recall) well over 200 kph and it was from Sporting Lisbon's left footed Ronny Heberson. However, I suspect it is coincidence that you and your chums are left footed and able to kick the ball hard.}

25 Mar 2016 20:42:30
Peter Lorimer could hit the ball really sweetly with his right foot.

25 Mar 2016 21:15:43
Has to be a coincidence I reckon, but I suppose right footed players are probably more expected to use their left well. Maybe left footers use their prominent foot more than right footers, so it gets stronger. Batsmen in crickets often find it harder to bat against left handed bowlers, not because they are better, just because they are more accustomed to facing right handed bowlers.
It's an absolute long shot to say the least, but for example, Moreno takes some free kicks for us. Talent wise he wouldn't get a shot at a free kick, but because he's a leftie he does.

25 Mar 2016 21:28:03
Roberto Carlos, Julian dicks come to mind.

25 Mar 2016 22:21:56
Fabio Aurelio had a terrific left peg. Just a shame about his injury record really. I think because the majority of players are pridominatly right footed it gives a quality lefty the advantage as they can be unpredictable.

25 Mar 2016 22:40:31
Jan Molby could batter a ball.

25 Mar 2016 23:19:44
It was probably the biggest weakness in my game, I couldn't get any decent power from a dead ball.
I just couldn't kick it hard, it's because I've got little backlift and that always helped me as a striker so not complaining really.

25 Mar 2016 23:59:19
I don't think that left-footed people are inherently packaging more shot power. but that's interesting.

26 Mar 2016 01:33:06
John Arne riise could let em rip aswell.

26 Mar 2016 07:15:57
Patrick Berger had one hell of a strike.

26 Mar 2016 10:05:40
Actually this is an interesting observation. Personally I'm both footed but right foot dominant, I could hit harder with left too.

26 Mar 2016 10:06:16
I've thought about this before, lots of the hardest shooters I've ever seen are left footed:

Podzolski, Kolarov, Riise come to mind and when Studge puts his foot through it he can leather a ball. Plus you've got the left footed centre backs like Dagger, Vertonghen and I'm sure Vermaelen used to hit the occasional pile driver?

Plus of those I haven't seen live, Hulk is left footed and so is Ronny, two players supposed to have as hard a shot as any in world football.

26 Mar 2016 13:38:17
Gerrard was probably right up there. I remember his lay off free kick against Newcastle. If it had hit the wall there would've been a fatality.

Having said that Riise did break Alan Smiths leg with a shot so perhaps left footers can really let fly? Van Persie was packing a serious belter. As is Gareth Bale!

26 Mar 2016 17:52:08
There are a lot of Lefties who belt the ball tbh. Robbie Carlos is a stand out for me. But then as EMS (MK) states you have to have stevie up there to.

For me and the lads at uni, i think personally i'm up there as possibly hardest shots and i'm a righty!

Also Moreno can catch them on his day.

25 Mar 2016 18:01:32
Am i the only ine who is genuinly annoyed that it hasn't worked out with benteke?

In terms of ability, i thought he was a lot worse when we signed him. The first few games, i was pleasantly surprised. He actually had good ability for a big man.

But then the attitude problems came and yrah he clearly can't fit in.

But combined with how many chances he manages to creat, plus just how good his technique combined with his size could be iff he put more effort into every aspect of his game, isn't it frustrating how it hasn't worked out? He gets so many chances and has so much going for him and ballses up every time.

25 Mar 2016 18:40:50
I'm always frustrated when it doesn't work out, I'd rather have a manager coach a player to fit the team rather than go out and buy another player. But sometimes you just have to hold your hands up and say they either can't or are unwilling to learn what they need to in order to contribute to the team consistently.

25 Mar 2016 18:43:52
I must admit I was very happy when we signed benteke as he was often a monster when we played villa. However he has been a huge disappointment, to the point where he easily gets knocked off the ball now. Can only be down to attitude with the physical attributes that he has.

25 Mar 2016 18:45:27
I never really expected him to be a roaring success but I was hoping he'd prove me wrong. He has motivational problems unfortunately.

25 Mar 2016 19:29:17
Complete and utter stupidity by Liverpool football club to buy a player for a manger who was a dead man walking. Fsg strike again.

25 Mar 2016 19:35:24
I'm with you Anonymous. He's clearly a talented player and one that can be effective in a completely different way to any of our other players. That's why I keep rabbiting on about giving him another chance before the end of the season. We should want it to work out with him and set the conditions for him to excel. If it doesn't work then it's purely on his shoulders but at least Liverpool tried. At the moment his Liverpool career is just fading away.

25 Mar 2016 21:38:08
So if a player performs poorly muscatred, we have to build the team around him so he doesn't play poorly?

25 Mar 2016 22:44:50
Benteke reminds me of the Andy Carrol signing. Extremely effective if you play to there strengths. Problem is both Newcastle and Villa played to their strengths and although the player was effective the team wasn't. These types of players can cause havoc to any side but mostly through long balls on the counter against a team trying to win the game. Thoughts?

25 Mar 2016 22:47:33
Never said build the team around him beef, he can be a valuable member of the squad. We should be aspiring to have all our players succeed.

25 Mar 2016 23:53:20
It's rare for the 'lump' centre forward being a success at Liverpool. We just haven't got that DNA in our teams.
Small nimble forwards or Hard working inventive Class is what is a success here.
Benteke is like Heskey but better at being rubbish.

26 Mar 2016 01:39:49
heskey was bought to do the dirty work for owen, if he had been our main striker he would have struggled, also by buying heskey we lost Robbie fowler, that decision I have never forgiven houllier for.

26 Mar 2016 13:49:04
Muscat, you don't pay what we paid for Benteke to become a valuable member of the squad so your post makes no sense. Players like CB, Lallana and Milner suck the life out of the club, money wise so being valuable members of the squad is money thrown out the window. If they can't produce relative to their fees and or wages, then they need to go. Ings and Origi are valuable members of the squad. A 32m pound striker is not, FYI. Benteke was bought for a king's ransom to get goals and if he can't or won't be bothered to do what he's told by Klopp or get goals then what is he still doing here? I want it to work out too but Benteke has to want it as much as we do but if his attitude stinks as it seems like it does, there's NOTHING you can do for him and constantly defending him will make you look foolish. I refuse to look foolish because as a former athlete, I know what it takes to get better and if my attitude stunk like CB's, I wouldn't have been good enough to compete on the pitch or basketball court.

26 Mar 2016 17:57:48
He has the ability and the physicality easily. It annoys me when people say oh he's so big he's not mobile. I recall, pretty sure a poster on here actually sorry i can't remember exactly who. But they said look at Lebron James, he is extremely athletic running and dunking. Benteke might not be quite as much as a athlete as him i don't really know but he can still run and gun if wanted to but it looks like a lack of effort. I like Big Ben and I thought it might be a pretty decent signing but you have to wonder when players get out wide he comes back for the pull back. i'd rather him draw a few men and stay in the middle to either contest the head or create space for a runner like RF or PC to run on and have a pop.

Personally the way Klopp has set the team up really doesn't suit BigBen and how he wants to play.

I do really like him but i think it might just be a case of it not working out. It happens in football.

25 Mar 2016 15:58:29
Ed01, Free tom mate? Let's Meet up. I am here in Diera.

Cheers.

{Ed001's Note - ok mate, do you know Al Ghurair Centre? If you are in Deira that should be near you.}

25 Mar 2016 16:42:05
Brilliant. I ll text you half hour in advance. See you soon then.

{Ed001's Note - how on earth do you know my number????? I am truly scared now!}

25 Mar 2016 16:43:43
RIP Eds 001.

{Ed001's Note - that's why I chose a public place, to stay safe.}

25 Mar 2016 16:57:06
Ed just making sure you know that is one of harrys accounts? 😂.

{Ed001's Note - that is why I am scared....}

25 Mar 2016 17:44:21
Ed001 was a good man who crazily gave on of his banter pages to me to manage. We will. miss him. Goodbye amigo.

{Ed001's Note - cheers Reet.... I would like to say it was nice knowing you, but me ma says lying is bad.}

25 Mar 2016 17:59:03
001 will get done for grooming when it turns out Harry is 12 years old!

{Ed001's Note - then next step will be your show....}

25 Mar 2016 18:21:27
Have we still got the sightings page? Get a pic up haha.

25 Mar 2016 18:47:28
Get a selfie on the Facebook page 😂😂😂.

25 Mar 2016 18:45:24
Brave man Ed001 you'll never escape him.

{Ed001's Note - I have security on standby.}

25 Mar 2016 19:19:51
Hey buttercup are you going to take your Kovacic figurine when you go and meet Harry tommorow?

{Ed001's Note - it would only get him over excited. Meeting me is more than enough for one day....}

25 Mar 2016 20:23:42
Ha ha. Ed01 will cherish it forever. anything could happen over a cup of Coffee.

25 Mar 2016 21:28:31
Harry I hope your a gentleman and buy Eds 001 breakfast in the morning? By the way he likes lavender oil rubbed into his tummy at bedtime it helps him sleep.

26 Mar 2016 01:36:10
Lady stopped ed001 in the street and asked what grooming products do you use? Ed replies harribo and Facebook love.

{Ed001's Note - sheesh, I am not Adam Johnson!}

26 Mar 2016 14:18:05
Haha I'm only joking Ed mate hope your meet went ok with Harry. Although I could imagine him to be the male version of the woman off that movie misery lol.

{Ed001's Note - I have not seen the movie, but I doubt she has anything on him.....}

26 Mar 2016 14:18:05
Haha I'm only joking Ed mate hope your meet went ok with Harry. Although I could imagine him to be the male version of the woman off that movie misery lol.

{Ed001's Note - I have not seen the movie, but I doubt she has anything on him.....}

25 Mar 2016 14:02:29
Hi Eds,

Lots of discussions over the last few months about inconsistency with most comments being in the vicinity of "should be better next year when Klopp has a pre-season with the players".
My question is will he have much of a preseason to gel players, to build fitness, to improve mentality, to sort out glaring defensive errors etc? There's European championship, club tours, holidays, the transfer merry-go-round etc, do you think he will have the time to fix the problems and get the fitness where he wants it?

{Ed002's Note - There will be plenty of time.}

25 Mar 2016 16:46:53
We will need more than just good pre-season. We will have to keep Sturridge and coutinho and be very successful with enw signings. But a good pre season may help the players to avoid early season injuries.

25 Mar 2016 11:59:44
I think benteke has put himself up for sale after his outburst about klopp. Maybe could of had a future at club if he just tried harder and bust a gut to get on end of things' should take a leaf out of origi's book who works is heart out when he has the chance.

25 Mar 2016 12:51:59
You may be right but always remember that an interview given in a foreign language can be translated to favour a journalist's agenda (change of inflection, using more confrontational version of words etc) .

As for the Origi comparison, Origi work's his nuts off but scores less goals than Benteke. There's virtue to both of them and neither are perfect.

25 Mar 2016 13:14:57
But I`ll take one who actually is arsed to work hard and get better over one who is neither scoring goals nor willing to work hard, thank you very much, Mustcat.

25 Mar 2016 15:00:33
There's plenty of people in England who speak and understand french.

FWIW, I haven't seen a single person take issue with the translation.

And are Benteke's comments really that surprising? Obviously a guy who was a top starter key offensive target for Aston is going to be disappointed that he is basically a fourth choice striker here.

That's why I called for moving him in January, if there was interest, as because Benteke would be far better off elsewhere. It's clear he agrees. He doesn't fit here, and he never will. Move him on.

In his defense, Benteke also probably viewed Klopp ripping him openly on the field after the Southampton debacle as a pass card to air some of his own feelings in public.

And while Benteke did miss an important chance late, but aren't we used to that by now from him? Also, it wasn't a sitter. Other strikers would have missed it.

Skrtel, more than Benteke, deserved to be ripped openly and publicly after that disgraceful display.

Klopp made mistakes in his substitutes (Toure far better to bring on than Skrtel) and then he made a mistake in ripping Benteke instead of Skrtel.

25 Mar 2016 15:16:38
I know professional etc. But he's been crap he has missed a few 1 on 1s and countless chances he should have sunk intp the net and. would have for villa.

25 Mar 2016 15:37:50
Fear, I pretty much fully agree with you. My point was more 'Benteke said he was having a bad time' (accurate), and the press have written the headline 'benteke blasts klopp' (less accurate) .

The question is have decisions been made, does Benteke want out and does klopp want rid? If the Answer to both those questions is no then it's klopp's job to try and integrate him and Benteke's to earn his place. If the answer to either is yes then it's time to start arranging his move.

Ginja. I see your point about 'he would have scored that at Villa' as a positive for him. He can and should be scoring goals for us. Is it in our interests to try and bring out the goal scorer in him or call it quits and look at a different option?

25 Mar 2016 16:20:38
It's pretty clear that Benteke does not fit into the coaches style of play - therefore it is better for all parties if he leaves right? Whether or not there is a bust up, or disagreement, or whatever is actually insignificant - I would imagine things like this happen regularly, we just don't see it (unlike Klopp berating Benteke at Southampton, and Benteke then making ill-advised remarks in an interview) .

Origi is a player, though he works incredibly hard, I worry about in terms of his overall quality and what he can ultimately bring to the team. He scores very rarely and doesn't even seem to have many chances to score in games. The lads attitude is top notch, always works hard for the team and maintains good energy, but as a forward it is a concern that he rarely scores. I think there are some question marks over the lad - if he gets a chance to play regularly with a better striker than Benteke we might see more of the lad - he#s definitely worth persevering with - but he does need to start scoring goals, that is an important aspect of his role.

25 Mar 2016 17:32:54
origi has shown he is willing to work hard and listen to the managers instructions, as for his finishing that will improve in time imo, at least he gets his shots off, also he has age on his side. Bentenke is so deluded he does not even think there is anything wrong with his performances so in his mind he is right and klopp is wrong.

25 Mar 2016 18:37:48
Spot on, KK7. If Benteke wants out, then so be it.

25 Mar 2016 23:49:08
Muscat: fair enough, I definitely saw some of the usual ridiculous headlines about Benteke's comments, that are either click-bait or shop-sale-bait, stuff like, as you say, "Benteke blasts Klopp" or "Benteke regrets signing", which isn't accurate at all.

I actually doubt a decision has been made, and Benteke was unlikely trying to "hit back" at Klopp, but it may have been a mistake, nevertheless. Klopp strikes me as an emotional character who may be hurt if players air grievances in media before coming to him. When asked about his discussion with Benteke by media, he declined to get into it. I'm not sure if it means he's done here, though. Hard to tell. If Benteke was offered an opportunity to leave in January, then I think this may mean more offers will come.

25 Mar 2016 05:38:57
Ed01, If you are around, Thoughts on Romario? For me he was the best striker ever. My childhood crush. When every footballers located to Europe for glory, Romario stayed in Brazil in his peak years.
I rate him above Ronaldo and in fact above everyone except Maradona.
Suarez and Aguero reminds me the little man. His goal scoring records are still in beaten.

Cheers mate.

{Ed001's Note - he was a great goalscorer, despite his lack of the physical requirements most people think are necessary. If only he had worked harder, he could have been one of the best ever. As it is, he was nothing like as good as the real Ronaldo. His attitude held him back sadly.}

25 Mar 2016 06:15:57
An incredible player but loathe to train properly and that is probably why he wasn't one of the greatest ever. Agree with ed the real Ronaldo was on another planet and is probably the best out and out striker of the last 30 years, possibly of all time.

25 Mar 2016 07:19:04
Thought he was at Barcelona at his peak?
Anyway he was a class player, loved a goal against Man Utd too 😄.

25 Mar 2016 09:12:25
Ronaldo used his physical strength to a great extent and he suffered once he got njured ( Not taking anything away from him ) Romario was pure skill. Some of his goals were just out of the world. His partnership with Bebbetto in the World Cup was sheer joy to watch.
He was a tireless worker. Once he had the ball it was certain to score. The man scored close to 1000 goals in his career and that's still un beaten.

25 Mar 2016 09:33:32
Sorry to crash the post. A striker not many people talk about anymore is Marko van Basten. One of the best natural goalscorers I've seen. Finished at 27 unfortunately. How does he rate against the best?

25 Mar 2016 10:31:07
As a footballer, Romario was pretty good, could have been a proper great, regarded as a legend alongside Pele and Maradonna but he was the thing that held him back. He stopped himself from being the best he could have been. Adelaide United signed him for a short stint a few years back and seriously lads we couldn't believe the attitude of the guy, as a person he fails as a human. It was like Xmas for us when he left, his attitude towards training, other players and the coaching staff was abysmal. I still to this day can't be beleive we signed him after knowing what he was like, John Kosmina rates him as the hardest player he has ever had to deal with, and he has worked with some real persons in his time.

25 Mar 2016 13:26:07
Bon, you are not crashing the party at all, mate. Marco is the hailed as the best product ever to come out of the famed Ajax academy. He was simply the most complete striker EVER. He could do everything. Shoot with either foot, pace, not too powerful (but who needs it if you had innate positional sense), excellent technique (goal vs Soviet Union at Euro 1988 is one for the purists), great header of the ball, could score free kicks, penalties and possessed the elegance of a dancing Flamengo. He was THE prototype in that position at the time till injuries held him back. Adriano Galianni of AC Milan was in tears and inconsolable the day Marco announced his retirement due to injury in his prime. He would have been THE best in his prime and sadly, we will never see that. as for romario, brilliant player and great goalscorer but filthy attitude which is what messed him up.

25 Mar 2016 15:57:14
Too much of a party goer, the Ro-Ro combo was just sheer dynamite though.

25 Mar 2016 16:13:34
Van Basten is a great shout and, as redohio says, he was a complete striker. Had everything and one of the most technically gifted players I have ever seen. I would still put Ronaldo (Brazil) ahead of him, but it's pretty close. I just think Ronadlo had everything Van Basten had and a little bit more in terms of pace and dribbling. Both superb strikers though.

25 Mar 2016 18:40:57
Spot on, Seano. But Marco was deadly in the air. Ronaldo was not. But like you, I`ll take either one any day. But Ronaldo is simply the best player I have ever seen in my 30 years of watching football. PERIOD!

25 Mar 2016 20:38:31
all brilliant goalscorers, but van basten was something else and THAT GOAL for Holland took my breath away, it just didn't seem possible he would score from that angle, having said that he scored goals for fun for ac milan, all different types as well, romario always seemed to score for brazil everytime I saw him play, but bebbetto's role in that team cannot be underestimated, he was such a unselfish player for romario, The 1st Ronaldo before his injury problems was at his peak, one of the best goalscorers on the planet.

25 Mar 2016 20:49:09
One story about romario i heard was he wanted to go to the rio carnaval but the manager said no. He begged and begged so the manager said if you score two goals in the next game you can go. He scored 2 in the first 20 minutes or so and got subbed at half time. Probably in the airport before the game finished.

25 Mar 2016 02:52:02
Playing football is simple, But playing simple football is hard.
Rip Johan cryuff
#Total_footballer.

25 Mar 2016 08:25:07
Cruyff was my hero, has a nine yr old watching the 74 world cup, I was in total awe of the player. I had never seen a player like him.
We had Chivers Clarke Channon Worthington and Keegan who where all good forwards at the time. England failed to qualify, and after watching Holland play their opening games he quickly became the person me and my school mates wanted to be.
RIP, one of the truly great players of my generation. Like your turn you will never be forgotten.

25 Mar 2016 11:58:09
I am too young to have seen him play but his philosophy is just as legendary as his ability and technique. Every football has benefited from him and as a result the vast majority of teams invest heavily in youth set ups. RIP.

25 Mar 2016 13:34:09
If you talk about JC as a legend and revolutionatry which he was, then you cannot discount the man who created the player and the football he thrived in, the great Rinus Michels. That man is the TRUE revolutionary of the football we know as Total Football. Cruyff may have brought it to Barcelona BUT Michels created it since his Ajax days.