Liverpool Banter Archive July 26 2015

 

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26 Jul 2015 22:46:58
its a shame that br does nt sinclar that's highly i think he will be awesome in a few years

Believable7 Unbelievable3

26 Jul 2015 23:51:36
I think you're wrong and I've watched him since he made his under 18 debut at 15 he scored tons of goals in his first full season for them until he got 5mins in the first team since then his game has dipped with lots of injuries and him seemingly loosing his ability to finish. I mean first 6 months of u18s and left foot right foot you give him a yard in or around the box he scored. He was unbelievably good. The best finisher I'd ever seen at his age with huge pace and good technical ability. But since then he's never hit those heights I mean sure he still gets goals but you wouldn't believe the chances he misses now compared to then. If he leaves it'd be a shame but it wouldn't be a big loss at all we'd still have 4 1st team strikers all currently better than him

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27 Jul 2015 08:31:15
Interesting analysis to read from someone here who doesn't watch much of the youth footie Sam. Very interesting you think he completely dipped after getting a few mins of first team action, good analysis none the less

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27 Jul 2015 15:36:41
I think he does and maybe seems him closer to ready than some of the others.

The problem being from what's being reported by media and eds etc

Is that the club have offered Sinclair a contract extension and asked him to go on loan for the season as he doesn't figure in the plans for this year and Sinclair wants to leave signing a new contract and pursue other endevours.

My bets on him already having somewhere else lined up as I don't see him back tracking to a league one or championship club permanently when he could do that whilst on loan from us and really put himself in the mix for next season. Tottenham, city or Southampton for me.

Me and ed1 had a nice and heated discussion about it and from what I can tell the kid wants to go and prove himself and its with the intention of potentially dropping down leagues.

I don't get it but that might just be me. Sign, loan and see what next year is like and he can also look for a transfer if he still isn't going to get a chance.

Take Ibes method

My thoughts for what there worth lol

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26 Jul 2015 21:59:33
Ed001 or anyone can you help me?
I've bought tickets to see us play away at Swindon on Sunday, but I noticed we have a friendly in Finland on the Saturday, I expected to see big names but I'm guessing it's just going to be the kids I'll see?

Believable0 Unbelievable0

{Ed002's Note - I suspect you will see a couple of folks of have yet to appear.}

26 Jul 2015 22:55:42
There is also a Liverpool team probably youngsters playing Morecambe on the Saturday. I am going but doubt to see any first teamers.

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26 Jul 2015 23:05:46
Should see benteke & firmino in Swindon though as they haven't travelled?

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27 Jul 2015 11:09:51
The squad go back to melwood then fly again so I'm sure the likes of benteke will join them

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26 Jul 2015 16:11:23
Ed01, if you are around what would happen with Ibe and Markovic?

I can't see neither getting chances this season, with Brendan opting a midfield diamond of Henderson and Milner that leaves no place for the above two?

Ibe is a magnificent and only winger we have got who will provide us with width and pace and Markovic is the closest to Sterling.

Believable1 Unbelievable5

{Ed001's Note - I expect Ibe to get chances, but Markovic is likely to leave, if anyone will pay enough.}

26 Jul 2015 20:19:32
Ibe will compete with Anyone for a spot. I expect him to be the first sub in most games and certainly may force his way into the team very early on.
Lazar has failed to impress. Slightly gutted ed says he could leave because he's barely kicked a ball in his natural position. Never going to shrug Coutinho Firmino and Ibe though

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{Ed002's Note - Liverpool want too much for him to have any chance of leaving - they need to look again about how they are going about this.}

26 Jul 2015 20:27:09
EG So you can't see those 2 getting any chances. Unless BR plays the same 11 every game of course they will get chances. I assume you do realise that it is vital to have a strong bench and allow for injuries if we are going to win anything this season

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26 Jul 2015 20:30:42
what's the point in buying for the future if we sell a year leater?

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26 Jul 2015 20:37:47
Would like to see Mark get a loan somewhere, he's still only young and I'd hate to see him stuck on the bench.

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26 Jul 2015 20:58:46
Its beyond a joke the way the club/manager/scouts operate. Just like peeing money down the drain.

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26 Jul 2015 21:21:20
The joke is Brendan!

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26 Jul 2015 21:30:24
Real shame, wish him best in his future. He was the closest to Sterling whenever I saw him play.
Had him being a BR purchase and not not the committee, he, like Allen and Migs would have got plenty of opportunities.

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26 Jul 2015 22:03:34
With the giant squad we have now, Markovic probably doesn't even make the bench most games.

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26 Jul 2015 22:07:34
Ibe can really be a special player, I'm undecided on markovic I want it to work out but I just don't see him getting a game next season, saw flashes of brilliance last season.

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26 Jul 2015 22:25:33
I want it to work out with all our signings but i would settle for half.

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26 Jul 2015 23:18:10
I feel sorry for Markovic - not his fault; I remember at the time Ed001 said it was a mistake as Ibe should've been given a chance. 1 year later and £20m spent and we have the same situation but Ibe will get more chances!

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27 Jul 2015 00:33:15
He should never have been bought due to Ibe already being here just like Milner shouldn't have been signed due to Hendo and Can already here. We have no idea nor structure in our TW approach hence, the bloated squad we now have. And to crown it all, we wanna sell unwanted players at prices no one will pay. Go figure!

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27 Jul 2015 01:30:45
Would be very surprised to see Markovic leave,he's the only natural wide man other than Ibe,can play either side, so surely must figure in Rodgers plans.I think he's a great prospect and should certainly make the squad.Lets wait and see !!!

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27 Jul 2015 04:11:28
hopefully we keep the price high and loan him out to get some good game time at a high standard. he has been touted as one of the best young players in Europe, he deserved more than a few games played as a wing back.

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27 Jul 2015 04:46:08
Thanks all for your opinions.

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27 Jul 2015 07:01:34
Dbol

Who apart from Countinho impressed you last season? Y a diffrrent treatment to Lazar compared to Lallana and Lovren?

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27 Jul 2015 09:54:55
Cause Lallana and Lovren played the majority of games and did so in their natural positions.
Simply put, give the boy a chance.

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27 Jul 2015 10:10:56
Welsh

On merit Markovic deserve a chance.

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27 Jul 2015 11:12:41
Lallana gets so little credit

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27 Jul 2015 12:10:01
I think Markovic, Teixeira, Ilori and Origi will get very little playing time this season.

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26 Jul 2015 18:41:03
Hi Ed's Just wondering two things if you have the time to answer them. Firstly are there any updates on possible destinations for Enrique? Also is Yesil still at the club or did he leave? If he is still around do you know what the plans for him are? Thanks for your time!

Cheers

Believable0 Unbelievable0

{Ed002's Note - There is no news on LE. Yesil remains at the club - he would stand pretty much no chance of playing any league games next season. Perhaps a league cup game is an option.}

26 Jul 2015 19:02:34
Wrong Enrique, Ed002. Yesil played int he friendly with the U21s today, and is contracted until next summer, when he will leave IMO. Incidentally, Sinclair was also part of the squad today along with Coutinho and Can both playing 45 minutes against FC Porto B.

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{Ed002's Note - A typo - sorry.}

26 Jul 2015 22:59:17
From what I hear Enrique has the following destination possibilities

Monday - manicure
Tuesday - tatt-u-like
Wednesday - colonic irrigation
Thursday - if Wednesday goes ok, it a full sack back and crack wax
Friday - a bit of training
Saturday - plumping up cushions in the players lounge

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26 Jul 2015 23:12:05
I've got a picture of him twerking with Miley Cyrus in a bathroom mirror if anyone's bothered?
It's the first time I've seen his tackle !!

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27 Jul 2015 03:26:43
Tweaking along with a Robin Thicke as well.

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26 Jul 2015 17:40:29
People saying we are going to score/concede lots of goals this season. I'm not so sure we will score a lot. I thought the same last season; I think our strike force is better now, but I just don't think, given our really difficult start to the campaign, that we will be scoring many goals.

Believable5 Unbelievable3

26 Jul 2015 19:10:13
I think we will score more than last year.

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26 Jul 2015 20:08:07
Not saying much is it Mikey :p

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26 Jul 2015 20:34:12
No it doesn't lol
I wonder if you can get a bet on benteke scoring more goals than all our strikers put together did last season?

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26 Jul 2015 22:26:29
My cat could score more goals than the Liverpool strike force managed last season, and it's got a sore paw.

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27 Jul 2015 04:13:45
if we start playing strikers upfront then we have a chance to score a lot more than last year. Sterling was no striker ( yet got the most game time there) and pea-rolled about 5 chances every game.

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26 Jul 2015 17:04:30
Sorry ed, that was wrong that last post.
The planning application has only draft conditions attached to it, with the existing Main Stand & AR capacities attached to it, ie 12k & 9k.
So you needn't print that.
Apologies.

Believable0 Unbelievable0

{Ed002's Note - You will need to reply to the other post.}

26 Jul 2015 16:44:08
Ed / Reds
Saying as there was some posts lately about the ground, and it's a quiet Sunday, I had a look on Liverpool City Council's website to view the planning application on the stadium extension.
Full permission was granted for the new Main Stand for up to 12,000 spectators.
And outline permission was granted for the Anfield Road redevelopment for up to 9,000 spectators.
These numbers are on the draft conditions PDF document.

So current capacity is just over 45,000.
The club could add (if it wished) another 21,000 capacity under these permissions.
Bringing the total capacity to around 66,000.

Very interesting, no ?

Believable0 Unbelievable0

{Ed002's Note - sorry J but you have misunderstood this - it is not what the club is planning to do at tis time.}

26 Jul 2015 18:43:16
Yes, as above, I was interested in the conditions attached to the planning decision.
But they're only draft conditions on the application I looked at - ref 14F/1262 if anyone wants to check it.
Apologies again.

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26 Jul 2015 18:59:53
Hi, I was just wondering with the increased capacity are the club going to be releasing any more season tickets?
I have been on the waiting list for nearly 15 years and hoping that this is my chance to get one.

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{Ed002's Note - You might want to try the club web site. The problem with season tickets is that the return on them is less than on others.}

26 Jul 2015 14:48:52
Hey Ed's any chanc eof a move for Berahino? would make a good attition, especially if lambert & borini maybe evern Ballotelli leave?

Believable1 Unbelievable13

{Ed001's Note - why would he make a good addition? Even forgetting about his off field issues, why on earth would we need him?}

26 Jul 2015 15:52:44
Another striker?

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26 Jul 2015 16:06:29
mate even if them three do leave we still won't need to bring another striker in.

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26 Jul 2015 18:27:35
Because he's a quality striker and we don't have one

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26 Jul 2015 19:06:34
Are you saying Benteke, Sturridge, Origi and Ings all are not "quality" and not as good as Berahino, Chris?

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26 Jul 2015 19:13:52
So Benteke and Studge aren't quality, Chris? Berahino isn't better than anyone we have and is nothing but trouble. Your post is sure worth a good chuckle, tho.

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26 Jul 2015 19:14:04
strange one that chris.

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26 Jul 2015 19:39:54
Sturridge is the only striker on that list better than Berahino and he's not available for quite a while and then for who knows how long

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26 Jul 2015 23:22:08
Even if he wasn't a troublemaking, slightly above average risk would we really want another session with his scumball agent?

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27 Jul 2015 00:36:17
Berahino is at WBA and that is his level for now and that's it. The fact that you think he's better than Benteke shows exactly why your comments on this issue are a huge source of chuckles.

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27 Jul 2015 04:18:44
lol post of the day! we have benteke, sturridge, ings, origi, Sinclair, yesil, borini, balotelli and lambert. Plus 5 attacking midfielders. I don't think i've ever seen us with so many attacking options. let's see how many more strikers we can buy- there's got to be a record to be had somewhere!?

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27 Jul 2015 06:11:41
Sorry but I would even argue that Ings is better atm, and will be in the future. Call me blinkered I guess.

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27 Jul 2015 07:34:48
Redohio, laugh on son.
You've said that you believe Benteke and sturridge are better, ok let's assume that's correct. So do you also think our other strikers are better?
If you do you're a fool
Also hasn't he changed his agent?
Makes me laugh when people suggest that because a player is at a so called smaller club that somehow suggests he isn't good enough for us.
We bought most of our greatest players from so called smaller clubs.
It's called spotting talent

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27 Jul 2015 09:47:10
Can't say I have watched Saido much in all honesty. But he's had 1 ok season in the premiership. Infact at that smaller club,Lukaku scored mroe goals in less games and barely any one on here wanted him. So why would we want a statistically weaker player(simple view I know but I don't want to compare their play as I haven't seen enough of saido)we have Ings as well,who as a 3rd option I don't really see much difference in their stats,he also doesn't bring any off field antics I'm aware of.

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26 Jul 2015 13:58:40
Ed002
Have Liverpool made an approach to Nantes at this time for Jordan Veretout?

Believable1 Unbelievable0

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

26 Jul 2015 19:16:31
For what, exactly? Our squad is already bloated and unbalanced yet people still want players to come in and replace players that have already been replaced. Baffling
,

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26 Jul 2015 20:31:59
Redohio. you been reading my mind buddy? Where did i say i wanted the player to come to Liverpool? I read something somewhere and wanted to ask on here. Sorry should have asked you before. I don't know what other people think of you but please don't moral police my posts

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27 Jul 2015 00:08:21
Tee hee . good answer reet. Some people on here need to chill tfo

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27 Jul 2015 00:38:24
You are free to post what you want buddy boy. No sweat! Moral policing your post isn't worth my time so don't think you're that special.

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26 Jul 2015 13:13:29
Looks like Harry has found his new lover, since Suarez's departure - Morgan Schneiderlin. Can you give it a rest with all this Schneiderlin crap Harry? The only thing worse than having to see you troll every post with Schneiderlin love-in, are your attempts at trying to spell his name.

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26 Jul 2015 14:26:42
Lol Ag, what's your problem with me mate.
Like me there are millions outside who loves Suarez.coz he is world class.

Morgan Schneiderlin is a fantastic player you like it or not.

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26 Jul 2015 14:41:49
And the fighting begins 😨

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26 Jul 2015 14:55:22
I think it's because you contradict yourself quite regularly European Glory, moving on from Suarez to Kovacic, Schneiderlin and countless others. You get a new footballer to love every week, maybe even every day. Can't fault your passion though.

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26 Jul 2015 15:00:13
Schneiderlin is decent no more, as never really been out of his comfort zone, can't see him playing too much for them lot.

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26 Jul 2015 15:55:07
AR

Not sure where did I contradict mate, Kovacic and Morgan are typically CM which I would love to have with us over Allen. If you need your midfield to be a balanced then you need all the three right players in each position.
Names are irrelevant here.

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26 Jul 2015 16:04:39
Pleased your not on the transfer committee u would have the club bankrupt in weeks

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26 Jul 2015 16:26:25
All European has done over the past couple of weeks is try and make more people aware that our midfield is not only too similar but far off being strong enough to take us to dizzy heights.

He mentioned Morgan after Mateo because that ship has sailed and he like me can't believe we targetted every other Southampton player and not Morgan.

Allen, Hendo, Milner, Lucas & can don't take you to the top 3 let alone the league. We will scrap for fourth/fifth. It doesn't matter what is infront or behind unless you have someone like suarez, Messi or Ronaldo. When you don't have that much talent up top then you actually need a midfield and tbh take alonso away from Madrid and there not half the team they were.

I'd prefer reading EG all day than people who just parrot what the eds say. Atleast he has an option and sticks to it.

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26 Jul 2015 16:30:19
I just find his vast knowledge of every player across Europe incredibly impressive

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26 Jul 2015 17:32:00
Well I learned a lot from this site mate. this site is an encyclopedia and Eds are pretty close to genius.

Ed01 masters in anything related to Liverpool footie while there is nothing in footballing world that ED02 isn't aware of.

Just type the name Rabiot in the search engine a player that Liverpool isn't linked with but would get absolutely everything about the player in this site.

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27 Jul 2015 11:19:49
Wait I though he was in love with cazorla?

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26 Jul 2015 11:34:53
Allen, Can and Henderson are not defensive minded midfielders.

Allen doesn't come deep enough to show for the ball and often passes and runs instead of passing, wanting it back and dictating the play. He is also weak in the tackle.

Can has potential to be a defensive midfielder as he has played CB on many occasions and can be disciplined. In midfield though, he likes to run with the ball and use his strength and pace to cause problems for the opposition. However, he has a lot to learn positionally and technically before he can fully adapt to demands of the CDM role.

Henderson has always been an attack minded midfielder throughout his career. Only last season was he asked to play a more disciplined role, but he's not one who dictates the play with quick, snappy passes in midfield, and he's not a defensive midfielder either, despite his willingness to work hard and press the opposition.

If Allen was at Chelsea, United, City or Arsenal, he wouldn't make the bench. I feel for the lad but that's a fact. If Can was at one of those clubs he'd be played in a box to box role like Yaya Toure. Henderson would be played in a similar role, either box to box or in a more attacking role. In no other top premier league club would you see any of those players sat in front of the defence dictating the pace of the game with their passing.

So how many defensive minded midfielders do we have? The answer is 1. Lucas

How many playmakers do we have? I don't mean attacking playmakers who feed the forwards, I mean central midfielders that dictate the passing in midfield. Players who always want the ball and run the show in the middle of the park? The answer is, None. Lucas can do a job playing simple passes, but he doesn't dictate the game and is often slow in his movement and passing.

Therefore, we have only 1 senior central midfielder at the club. And he's injury prone. Why are fans not concerned about this?

When we played a midfield of Allen, Henderson, Milner, Lallana and Ibe in preseason, We effectively fielded 5 attacking midfielders with 3 of them playing out of their NATURAL position. Notice that there was not one defensive minded midfielder on the pitch, neither was there a deep lying playmaker on the pitch.

Problems in defence? I think not.

Red Rum

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26 Jul 2015 12:26:06
People wouldn't agree to your post as they just don't want to rather than accepting truth. It has been like this from years.
Ed01 would deco agree to your view and its spot on mate.
It's quite hard to make people understand the fact.

We criticized BR through out last season for playing players out of their position, yet people want to try different names on different positions leaving with no difference between us and the manager.

We have no playmakers in the middle since Alonso and that's a hard truth.

Milner wouldn't go the Chelsea team as they got in one with Ramirez and y would they need another one,

Wenger simply cannot play Milner at the center replacing Carzola.

Glad someone actually find the difference between Henderson and Modric.

Your point regarding Lucas is spot on, one injury and then it's all expire ends shoring players to that role which Wenger tried with all his players from 5 years with no results at all.

We should have bought two players at the expense of anything.

Medal and Kovacic ( or a central midfielder )

Could you tell me where would Henderson play at Chelsea?
He could only replace Oscar at the very best.

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26 Jul 2015 12:31:00
Red-Rum - "Therefore, we have only 1 senior central midfielder at the club. And he's injury prone. Why are fans not concerned about this?"

Because the signing of Benteke means only one thing - we are abandonining orthodox 4-3-3 and about to adopt 4-2-3-1 as our standard formation with the back pairing in midfield being Henderson and Milner.

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26 Jul 2015 12:40:55
Red Lenin

Forget the formation mate, the motto of the window is pretty simple, score goals and that's it.

He convinced people in U.S, the lack of goals are the hard factor of us crumbling down.

Without Lucas this team won't survive. He has to play at the expense of any other notable names to balance the squad.

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26 Jul 2015 12:59:43
I disagree with most of what Red Rum has to say. Henderson has enough defensive acumen to play in central midfield and be effective. I cannot believe you think Henderson is not defensive minded. This echoes most of the nonsense Harry was talking about yesterday. There is too much over analyzing of players who play in a certain position - central midfield. I agree all of the central midfielders at the club bring different things tot he table, but I find it ridiculous that you think LFC have no central midfielders who can playmake in midfield. Are you telling me multi-million pound footballers like Henderson, Milner, Allen and Can cannot play in central midfield and be not effective? Sorry man, you are reading to much into this. Alternatively, I think it is irrelevant to over-analyze about this, as if there are going to be more changes in central midfield, it will be next summer. No more CMs are coming this summer.

I also disagree with Red Lenin. LFC WILL play a 4-3-3 with two central midfield players, Henderson and Milner ahead of one of Lucas or Allen with Coutinho and Firmino out wide, supporting Benteke. This is Rodgers' preferred systems, he has backed himself to get the best of the squad and bought players to play this system, and this is what they have been playing to in pre-season.

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26 Jul 2015 13:02:34
Exactly Red Linen. 2 attacking midfielders in Hendo and Milner playing as disciplined central midfielders. Even Kompany and Terry would struggle with those 2 protecting them.

Red Rum

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26 Jul 2015 13:47:07
Red Rum and eg are spot on. DM should have been a priority this season. The DPL notion is hogwash because no other team in the top six plays with one and that won't work here in the PL. Why? We tried SG and JA there for the dreadful results we now know of. Hendo and Can were already here hence, the need for Milner remains baffling because they are similar. This I idea that BR wants to play with no DM whereas we have seen that when we do play Lucas, we rarely lose nor concede, is just stupid because again, no top team in the PL plays with a DLP.

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26 Jul 2015 14:17:11
I think you are right in your thought process regarding what is needed in the center of midfield but unfortunately I cannot see it as a remote possibility considering the players already purchased and Rodgers previous selection tendencies.

From what I gather Red Rum you would prefer a midfield partnership like Matic/Cesc or Coquelin/Carzorla. Rodgers seems to prefer a deep playmaker with either energetic or attack minded players in front. Similar to how Barca set up to an extent with Busquets in that role and Rakitic with Iniesta in front. I can see us trying Henderson or Milner trying to replicate Rakitic's role and Coutinho doing Iniesta's although it looks like we might sacrifice the creative link in Coutinho for more energy with Hendo + Milner.

The main issue is we don't have a Busquets. Gerrard had the playmaking ability without the defensive positional sense and Lucas the opposite. Honestly I think Hendo could take this role as I believe he has the ability on the ball and is intelligent enough to learn the positional aspect but it also restricts the qualities he brings to the team i.e energy in pressing and supporting the attack.

I just think that Rodgers will always focus on the playmaking ability of any player wanted for this role instead of looking at strong defensive midfeilders who have the potential to develop their playmaking ability. I still think we might buy a player for this role if we are successful in selling the players we need to and hopefully we will stumble across someone who happens to have that defensive ability also.

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26 Jul 2015 14:19:58
Ag

Everyone are entitled to their own opinion and let's not impose. Creative and playmaking abilities in the midfield is a different ball game to play someone over there.
Agreed on Allen as he was bought to play that role besides Lucas and was a disaster.
Henderson is not Allen nor he is Modric.
Jose wouldn't play Henderson over Fabrigas in the center of the park.

Scholes and Xavi are the best players to play that role and currently it's Modric and Pjanic along with Fabrigas.

Henderson for me is an attack minded midfielder just like Lampard or Vidal.

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26 Jul 2015 14:28:11
Red Rum
as i agree with your point that we have little in the way of defensive midfielders i cannot uderstand that people can't see that our defense, particilarly our centre defense partnerships are very poor.
you talk about Arsenal, chelsea Man City and non of our midfileders getting in ther side, however with Terry Cahill Ivanovic or Kompany, Zabelleta, sagna playing behind, the likes of Allen, Milner, Henderson Lucas would all fit in no problem. Man City have one of the poorest Defensive midfileders in the sense of positioning and defending in Yaya Toure and they seem to be doing ok.
Every great team has a great back 5, from Liverpool 70s 80s, Arsenal 90s, Utd, and now Chelsea. Where you look at Liverpools back 5 last year they were woeful. Making goalkeeping errors in positioning and organisation is nothing to do with a defensive midfielder, not commanding your box on set pieces and not being able to distribute the ball is nothing to do with defensive midfielders.
Centre backs who constantly make individual mistakes and have poor positional undestanding is nothing to do with defensive midfielders, Failing to be able to attack the ball take responsibility on set peices and simply head the ball away from danger is nothing to do with defensive midfielders.
Full backs who fail to tuck in and follow their markers is nothing to do with defensive midfielders.
If we think that buying a defensive midfielder, will cure all our defensive problems then i think we are seriously missing the problem. If you want to make comparisons with teams, then compare Chelsea. Man City, and now with Arsenal defensive back 5, ours you will see are light years behind.
Defensive coaching is a massive part of defending as Steve Clark proved however with (its not my fault) Louvren playing in the centre we will have no chance and if Mings plays like he did at the start of last season then we will have no chance.
We should have learned from the season before last when we scored over a 100 goals and still didn't win the league, we actually went backwards buy buying Louvren and selling agger.

Evered

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{Ed001's Note - Man City play either Fernando or Fernandinho as a defensive midfielder, alongside Yaya who plays the box to box role. Why does every one keep on about Yaya as a DM? He hasn't played that role in ages.}

26 Jul 2015 15:07:31
Exactly as Ed has said, Man City have both the Fernandos playing in defensive midfield, neither of which are exceptional at it but just selecting someone in the team who has the discipline and defensive mindset makes half the difference.

The mistakes you list may individually have nothing to do with DMs but having a DM in the team snuffing out danger before it starts means those errors will each have much less opportunity to occur during the match.

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26 Jul 2015 15:20:36
Hi Ed001

Ok whether it be Fernando or Fernandinho, my point is that unless you get the back 5 right it is very difficult for a defensive midfielder to paper over the cracks, Lucas in my opinion is one of the best defensive midfielders in the prem when fit, however even he cannot cover for individual mistakes behind him and poor defensive performances week in week out.
For me Rodgers is covering over his weekness in defensive coaching when harping on about the lack of goals, its much easier to score when the team has confidence and leaking in poor goals week after week destroyed confidence last year.
Lets hope Gary Macs influence helps the issue.

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26 Jul 2015 15:47:43
Lucas is very underrated just like Carrick for United.We have our own version of Busquets,Lucas may not play those hollywood long passes but he is real good reader of the game both defensively and offensively.He picks out the right outlet to pass when we transition to attack and infront him we have players such as Coutinho(you people completely forgot him),Henderson(oh he is actually good with long passes),Milner and really good attacking options also our substitute bench is healthy maybe we need a def midfielder but why we have Can and youth players like Rossiter,Chirivella.Also who is the backup for Busquets at Barcelona is that back up as good as Busquets.

There are good teams with lack of decent playmakers and stunned world class teams like Monchengladbach,Leverkusen.May be this whole discussion will be irrelevant if Rodgers opts more rigid 4-4-2 with Hendo and Milner as our cms and pacy wingers.What our maybe the tactics we have really good players to fill the roles.So where is the lack of playmakers in our team?
As KLOPP said Gegenpressing is the best palymaker.Maybe we play this style when our playmakers are injured.

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26 Jul 2015 16:04:41
If I am right, BR wanted to use the same tactics and system 2 years ago with a player playing the Gerrard role who could also defend.
Kovacic at inter was deployed as a deep play maker who receives the ball and carry forward and spray across the field. Play him with Lucas and you basically have a fantastic midfield set up.

We did try Allen in that role and was a failure and so unwanted a replacement for Allen.

Lucas - Henderson wouldn't be a terrible idea but it would take the best feature out of Henderson and he isn't a great reader of the game.

A playmaker is a completely different role, from Scholes to Pjanic, they are masters of passing and readers of the game.

A manager see his game through the eyes of this player. This position is his vision.

UTD dominated English football with Paul Scholes and two wingers.

We could have challenged for the title had we bought that player.

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26 Jul 2015 16:16:23
Evered and all those that disagree with me on this, ask yourself these questions.

1) Why do we constantly knock the ball about at the back, which sometimes leads to individual errors?

2) Why, when we don't play Lucas, do opposition punish us time and time again?

3) Why is our build up and link up play slow and lethargic?

The answer to all them questions is, we have problems in midfield.

I'm going to use Masch and Alonso as an example. If we had Masch and Alonso sitting in front of the defence would our centre backs be knocking it about between themselves, or would Masch and Alonso be getting on the ball and knocking it about in midfield, thus reducing the chance of punishable individual errors at the back?

If we had Masch and Alonso sitting in front of our defence, would the defence have adequate protection? Yes. You cannot compare Henderson and Milner to Masch and Alonso. Therefore, you cannot expect them to perform in roles they don't specialise in.

What does Alonso specialise in? Quick passes! Getting on the ball, passing it, wanting it back, keeping the pace up. Look at his stats in the bundesliga for last season, and for most of his career for that matter. Most passes on average per game at the highest success rate. Who do we have who takes on that role? No one! And we expect Milner who has played the majority of his career as a winger to take on that role?

These are specialist positions and those that can't see it are tactically blind. Maybe Reus is the answer?

Red Rum

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26 Jul 2015 17:04:22
Hi Red Rum

I am not disagreeing in the need for a defensive midfeilder it is essential to success with any team, Chelski have won everything with a decent DM and they are one of the most important positions on the pitch.
What I am saying is that however good your defensive midfielder is if the back 5 behind him are tripe then they are always fighting a loosing battle and ultimately look poor as a player. Alonso and Mash had Hyppia Carragher Aurelio, finnan, Agger, Riise, Arbeloa, Reina behind them at various times. Now if we had that callibre of defense to choose from now I would not be making this point.
Mings, Skittles, Louvren, Toure, Moreno, Sahko, enrique, are a big worry for me.
Also we had a manager who tactically could set up a team in Benitez (however a bit barmy). Rodgers does not know how to set up a team not too lose as it proved the season before last when that is all we needed to do to win the league.

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26 Jul 2015 17:24:51
Why it has to be 2 man midfield.Players don't rigidly follow particular formation,they keep on moving and interchange positions.We need playmakers and we have them.
1)&2)Because of Rodgers foolishness to stick with inept defenders and not playing Lucas or can.
As I said Lucas is good at picking out right outlets to pass when attacking .
3) Our build up play is lethargic because :
i)Coutinho didn't have runners to pick out a pass.We were struggling with strikers.
ii)And we lacked cohesion in our attack so when Hendo was looking to play forward pass no one was there or no one was moving in the gaps.
Reason for this was poor coaching and tactics implemented by our Manager.

And another thing when United started losing titles they bought Carrick from Spurs for the next season and then they once again started winning titles.Earlier they had Keane when they were winning.
If we need playmakers we have them & Already we bought many players how can we buy Kovacic.Also what about Can,did u guys see his passing range.Without giving him a chance how can we write him off.

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26 Jul 2015 19:14:49
Red Rum - No, the problem to all those reasons you listed is Rodgers. We play that way because he wants us to play that way. If you think a Matic would make LFC play quicker, stop them knocking balls around the back, and make them avoid all the defensive mistakes they have been making, I would disagree with you.

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26 Jul 2015 19:28:27
Indianscouser talks some sense here. BR is clueless at coaching the defensive part of the game hence, he always avoids talking about it. He plays cbs who can't play the way he wants to play and plays without a DM whereas every successful team has one. That is not player personnel issues. That is managerial incompetence and sticking with such dumb ideas that have been proven failures, will only lead us nowhere fast.

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26 Jul 2015 22:55:05
All the talk of Alonso got me thinking. he had a great keeper on his wavelength to help him with his quick thinking attacks. now you lot got me teary eyed what rafa got for for less money than allen? right around the team man for man better value? Why FSG overlooked his services beyond me. BR's squad now and I don't rate it one bit!

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26 Jul 2015 10:54:16
surely it would be worth entering the race to sign stones? would walk into our team and he is young English perfect profile ala FSG bluenoses would probably take players +cash. fear if he goes to mancs or chelski he going to become better than Rio and Terry.

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26 Jul 2015 11:49:31
Not worth the money.

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26 Jul 2015 12:13:40
We have Gomez who will given the chances at Liverpool be playing alongside stones or Cahill for England soon enough

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26 Jul 2015 12:28:24
Coz we ain't got the money.

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26 Jul 2015 13:29:04
Last person directly transferred from Everton to Liverpool, abel Xavier

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26 Jul 2015 13:48:59
And where would we get the money from and how would Everton sell to us?

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26 Jul 2015 15:14:37
Hell yeah. If they want players plus cash then we have plenty to offer that would improve their squad and improve ours (by not being in it).

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26 Jul 2015 10:50:39
hahaha Jose saying everyone else trying to buy the title hahaha go back to bed lad.

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26 Jul 2015 11:51:53
If people are buying the title, what's our excuse?

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26 Jul 2015 12:29:37
If it was all down to money then City would have walked away with the title every year and Liverpool would have been inside the top 3 on the basis of spending alone.

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26 Jul 2015 13:49:46
And what are we doing?

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26 Jul 2015 09:54:56
Just caught a post on the banter page from Redohio, think you owe me an apology my mate😠

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26 Jul 2015 10:49:34
join the queue waro

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26 Jul 2015 13:42:27
What did I miss?

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26 Jul 2015 13:50:02
For what, bro?

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26 Jul 2015 14:22:06
You had a pop at me in a thread yesterday and i wasn't even part of it, hahahahaha

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26 Jul 2015 19:29:01
My bad, boss!

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26 Jul 2015 09:14:16
Great to see the new stand taking shape now. If we are looking at naming rights, does anyone know of any interested companies?

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26 Jul 2015 08:25:32
SO. just 2 weeks to go and our back line STILL looking shaky.

Does anyone have any theories as to why and/or what do you think our best back 4 should be for next season?

Gomez has looked impressive on tour. would you give him a starting chance against Stoke to see how he does or is it too early for him to be in the first team?

Maybe.

Moreno . Sakho. Gomez. Clyne??

A covering DM in front of this back 4 could be our solution.

vrcomp
Y.N.W.A.

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26 Jul 2015 10:02:19
Personally at this stage their isn't much we can do with the back 4, i'm not confident in any of them if i'm honest. I would play two in front of the back 4, maybe Lucas and Can, try to make us difficult to break down in the hope we could hit them on the counter attack with Benteke as the only striker. I certainly don't want to start with any sort of defeat. That would not be good for anyone.

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26 Jul 2015 10:27:01
I use to give Skrtel the benefit of the doubt but I watched him closely the other day and he is carp.

Always caught out of position and for the goal skrtel was up field and Lovren runs around like a wet lettuce. (That guy is seriously lacking in confidence)

Unfortunately for us Skrtel will be the first defenders name on the the team sheet every week.

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26 Jul 2015 10:47:22
I will not be surprised if very quicky BR will revert to the back three with Can, Sakkho and Skertl, with Gomez and Clyne on the wings (with Henderson, milner, Ibe Firmino/Lallana and Benteke in fornt of them).

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26 Jul 2015 10:55:04
First off I think it does need to be a back 4. I don't want to see us overexposed again.

For me Clyne is nailed on. I don't trust Moreno, Gomez is promising but I'm not sure he's ready to be started yet and I wouldn't throw him in at the deep end but would bring him along gently. Llori has just come back from loan hasn't played anything in pre season so he's a non option for me right now.

So, using the tools (and in one case I use that word advisedly) I would play

Clyne
Skrtel
Lovren
Sakho

Yes Sakho is a CB but he had played at LB quite a bit for France. I'd also consider Gomez at LB.

Bear in mind this is not what I'd do if I had the club cheque book but I don't.

I'd play Lucas with Hendo and Milner against Stoke. Benteke and 2 of Lallana, Firmino, Coutinho and Ibe behind. Probably the English boys due to a longer pre season.

Here's the thing though: wouldn't it be nice to be spoiled for choice on defenders too instead of having to make do and mend?

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26 Jul 2015 11:11:11
Lavers: carp are expensive mate. So Skittles ain't carp.

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26 Jul 2015 11:18:03
I would go with Clyne, Lovren, Sakho, Moreno and Lucas at CDM

I love Skrtel but no-one looks confident next to him since Agger left, but Lovren/Sakho might develop into something given the chance and with proper cover at DM

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26 Jul 2015 11:34:52
Oh well I've heard skirtel called a few things but a fish. ???? Maybe a fish out of water

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26 Jul 2015 12:09:07
Hahaha that's exactly what Skrtel is a fish out of water

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26 Jul 2015 13:02:28
It will be Clyne-Skrtel-Lovren-Moreno to start with. Depending on how it goes, Sakho or perhaps Gomez will get a look at CB and full back positions respectively.

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26 Jul 2015 14:02:28
He's Cool Hand Skrtel, because "what we have here is failure to communicate".

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26 Jul 2015 15:05:19
In all honesty if we were to start with lovren I think we would be better giving the place to Gomez.

The lad has looked superb in pre season and lovren doesn't look like finding his form.

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26 Jul 2015 05:37:22
Except Arsenal and Chelsea other top 6 squads are equally good.Rodgers took some good decisions for this coming season in transfers&coaching staff.But he already undid some of his good work by agrreing to provide contract extension to both Skrtel and Toure.And he is continuing his trend by persisting with Lovren and Mignolet.

For next season to have a balanced squad he should not compromise this two things atleast against a good attacking team.
i)Lucas/Can is a must as CDM. ii)Sakho is our main CB.

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26 Jul 2015 07:23:31
So far it is not looking good but I am optimistically hoping he would implement those two things when the season begins.

Also We have really good technical players each with their own abilities but we are lacking in our attacking play because:
i) our players don't seem to exploit the gaps or make the runs behind the defence.
ii)If they do any of these things then they are indecisive with their passes which is helping the opposing defence to settle.

Most important thing in our 2013/14 season was how we were attacking defences in a structured fashion,all our players were in the right position at the right time,when we stole the ball or when we were building the attacks.

So Rodgers should not make drastic changes to our formation.As Ed said tinker the tactics in a particular formation.And if needed he should not hesitate to bench the senior players and fill the personnel with youth players.

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26 Jul 2015 08:22:44
There is no one in the world who is not LFC supporter who will agree that our squad is anything like that of City or United. Not even close.

Most people will find this suggestion laughable. City has a better player for every position on the pitch, some with big margins. United have better players for at leat 8-9 positions on the pitch. Both finished way above us in the table last year despite not having a great season in their own stanards. They both strengthened their squad considerably this summer. We sold the player that anyone who is not an LFC player would argue was one of our 2 best players, maybe our best (and most LFC fans thought the same until he started to say he wanted to leave).

We made some good signings bot most of them last year were not able to help their teams to finish with trophies or in the top 4-6 in the table (and Milner doesn't count here as he was a substitute and didn't have much impact on City's campaign) not did they score many goals (other than Benteke) or produced many assists.

With all my criticism of BR, our squad is just not strong enough. I doubt if even Klopp could have taken us to the top 4 though I would surely would like him to have a try.

It is true that sometimes (in addition to a magician manager) one player can change the fortunes of a whole team, as Suareaz did.So if Benteke starts scoring every time he touches the ball, than maybe something good can happen and then if one of the other top 4 has some crisis - say Aguaro is injured for most of the league, then we can maybe give City a fight. I cannot see this holding for 38 league games though.

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26 Jul 2015 09:57:47
Fanobip please tell me other than goalkeeper's position ,in which position does United have better players?
Only thing is that Van Gaal is a better manager than Rodgers.
This squad would atleast qualify for champions league with managers such as Klopp and Emery.I am optimistically hoping that Brenda would do the same.

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26 Jul 2015 10:08:41
Do you/anybody have a feeling Rodgers only has a so many games,I'm thinking 6-8 games and if we're not at the top or there abouts he'll get the boot ?

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26 Jul 2015 10:43:40
I don't want to spend too much time praising United's talent as I am an LFC fan after all. I think their new signings and especially Depay and Schwiensteiger are very good signings. Rooney, Mata, Blind, De Gea obviously, Fellaini was maybe their best player last year. Valencia and Young are two high quality wingers (when they don't dive, especailly young), Herrera is a very decent player. and I also highly rate Di Maria still and quite shocked they may be willing to let him go although they would probably bring Pedro or someone else of that quality instead (like Wenger I am also shocked they let RVP go). I think all of the above are better than what we have to offer in these positions with the exception of Coutinho and maybe Benteke - though Benteke with us is still a mystery - and maybe Ibe.

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26 Jul 2015 10:46:24
Indian

Morgan Schniederline.

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26 Jul 2015 11:05:05
On paper United squad has players who won many titles,laurels. etc.Di maria,Basti are quality players I agree but their recent performances and injury woes doesn't make them better than our players.Lallana was expected to make a great impact but we all know how that turned out.Both our team and United have players of same quality in Midfield,stiking and wing positions.Memphis Depay is a great talent,but it is his first season,even when Raheem left to city with potential but not being a complete player.And we have exciting players in both Ibe and Markovic.

I felt the same thing but realised that a team is dangerous when they are confident and have clarity and cohesion on pitch,most importantly their faith in manager's ability.That is why United's performance changed under LVG.Had our players solely believed that it is the manager who is the greatest support than we would not have felt the loss of suarez so badly.

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26 Jul 2015 11:30:41
You mention those players Fanobip but to me they are not all better options than ours. Young and Valencia? I'd rather cout/ Fir/ Lallana or Ibe.
Fellaini? I'd rather Henderson. Sure they have a few positions better but overall we are pretty even or we have better

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26 Jul 2015 11:33:10
Blind only looks like decent backup and Valencia is done - he's been rubbish the past 2-3 seasons. He became useless as a winger a one trick pony and was moved to full back as he can at least stay fit. He's not a good full back.

If either of these were our players they would be slated here and we would be screaming to move them on.

Fellaini is a good Plan B.

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26 Jul 2015 13:06:40
I think United have a better squad, more balanced than ours, but City's is definitely better than ours. Arsenal seem to be improving as a squad and a team, and two trophies in two seasons has definitely given them the confidence to perhaps finally push Chelsea and City (two best squads int he PL) this season.

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26 Jul 2015 13:24:44
EG
Lucas leiva is as gooad as Schneiderlin,for United in this position (CDM) they have two players in Morgan and Carrick.So once again other than GK position Liverpool have first team players as good as United's .

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26 Jul 2015 14:22:22
Indian

Wrong. Schnider is not a CDM, He is a CM who is equally good at defensive duties. He is a multi talented player very similar to Alonso. A playmaker in itself who is good in defending and breaking up.

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26 Jul 2015 14:23:32
Indian

Herrera is similar to Henderson and will play the advance role with Carrick and Schnider occupying the midfield slot.

We should have got him instead of Milner.

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26 Jul 2015 15:25:03
If Carrick and Schneider play Hererra won't

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27 Jul 2015 09:58:33
Having a stronger squad is an advantage but thankfully not the only deciding factor. Momentum is a powerful force. If you can gel in your good games, win some ugly ones and flat out steal a couple early, you never know.

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