Liverpool Banter Archive January 27 2015

27 Jan 2015 23:33:41
I think BR missed a big opportunity to praise Mignolet tonight. Instead of heaping it all on theirs.
If it wasn't for Mignolet we'd have easily lost a few.
Never thought I'd say that, it's usually the other way around

Apart from the kickouts I think it was his best performance in a red shirt

It took Chelsea two and a half hours of open play to register a shot on target in the two games. Did they deserve to go through???

They won the second game, so hard to see how they don't deserve to go through.

When he took the ball off a clean through Costa I couldn't believe.

Looks a different man

27 Jan 2015 23:19:37
I really hate watching us play Chelsea, I loath them with a passion. However I thought we played well, really committed performance if not a little toothless but had enough chances. Once Sakho went off and Johnson came on I thought we where doomed ( Why do people slag Sakho off I think he has improved greatly lately}

I keep getting mixed up between my FIFA 15 Balo and the real one. The FIFA one is very good, the real one is not. I again sadly thought this might be his chance to seize
the moment but was as usual a complete toss pot of the highest order.

Mistake not bringing on Lallana earlier however some great gutsy performances from everybody else. The whole experience seemed to last a week

27 Jan 2015 23:39:05
Balotelli has a lot of potential (which I hoped we could get out of him) and showed it tonight as can pass, control the ball, strong, fast, etc but needs to apply it more which for some reason i still hope he will - can't explain why.

Big worry I have is the team as a whole's ability to hit the self destruct button and concede at the worse times.

against united, dominated the whole game, sterling goes one-on-one with the keepr. 2 mins later we concede.

against arsenal, dominate them all game, get a goal. silly foul, free header, and we equalise before half time.

Same with everton, dominate the game, don't put away chances, 90th minute equaliser.

Same tonight, not going to try make excuses for balotelli as needs to apply himself more - but we just can't defend anything and unlike last season aren't scoring enough to make up for it.

But even last season, against chelsea, palace, etc just concede bad goals at stupid times.

Balotelli has really divided opinion tonight

28 Jan 2015 00:51:55
Balotelli is clearly pressing. You could tell he was trying to make an impact unfortunately it was usually to the detriment of the team. He drifts wide too much which can be okay especially if Sturridge was playing along side, but I just don't see how he fits into the team especially if we continue in this formation. Hopefully he can make an impact on Thursday nights because that is really the only legitimate time I see him getting.

28 Jan 2015 01:01:49
In fairness hasn't really played much at all sense we've switched to this new formation.

Tbf don't see why we did him a start against Bolton and rest other players, then if he played well brought him on tonight

27 Jan 2015 23:16:58
Can't believe some of the criticism. What a game! Both teams what a credit to our clubs. Don't want to argue about any penalties or wrong decisions, at the end of the day, we went the Bridge and gave them a game. couldn't have asked more from our team. I don't mind losing like that at all, losing against a lower team when not performing winds me up but that was sheer entertainment, what football is meant to be about. Well done lads!

Great effort but we still got beat!

The boys gave their best and credit BR for getting them ready to play. How did Costa stay on the field?

Please stop praising BR. We lost because of him. He played G.J for 1. Gerard for 120 minutes. left Lallana out. and why is Borini still not no.1 striker. leave sterling to be a wide forward and get on with things. The thing with BR is even when he gets the formation right and the tactics he still makes glaring personnel blunders and chooses his "boys". and it hurts the team. most people end up being less effective. the fact that people are versatile doesn't mean they give the best output in positions they are played by the nose. Chelsea was there for the taking we just had BR as a coach that is all. He has a way of undoing his own work which is really frustrating for me as a fan. I would like to appreciate the team, though they gave their all yesterday. With a better coach they were good for wembley. Kudos to Migs.

28 Jan 2015 17:47:26
Ron the Red

Spot on, Sakho off & then move players back to where ineffective a few games ago with others played totally out of position ie GJ left CB.

27 Jan 2015 22:55:30
Courtois being MOM both games says a lot.
Got to give Mingolet credit tonight, apart from I think 2 misplaced kicks he was excellent, best game I can remember for a long while.
Can't really criticised anyone except maybe Balotelli and I've been less critical of him than most but he's not right is he!
Lucas and Skrtel excellent, Henderson an absolute workhorse, shame about what was a terrible miss with the header, coutinho some wonderful play, sterling had a few quiet periods Can done well but I don't think he's a defender, Gerrard got worse as the game went on, haven't seen him shoot so wayward before but got to say early on he played a few lovely passes. Sakho, got to say I don't like him, too many silly mistakes for me. Markovic and Moreno bit quiet and could have done more, Moreno could have done better with chance Gerrard put on a plate for him.

27 Jan 2015 22:41:59
Every disappointment that goes by I rue the disgusting summer transfer window and think what might have been had we signed a prolific goal scorer

27 Jan 2015 23:01:58
Seeing remy on the bench had me thinking why didn't we get him!

Maybe if one was available that wanted to come here we would of.

28 Jan 2015 05:07:27
Remy was here because according to the Ed002, BR blocked the move. Seeing him there erotting on the bench was hard to watch.

27 Jan 2015 22:33:53
Henderson our next captain?? why? because he's been with the firm the longest.

Skrtel? Lucas? Johnson?

He's consistent, Never injured and constantly giving orders(more than gerrard)

He puts a shift in every game. And he backs it up with decent stats that get better year on year.

He was excellent tonight but just lacked the finish on the header, trying to put it out of Courtois' reach.

He is best choice for captain when Gerrard leaves. His desire and focus are exceptional.

Yes and he scores loads of goals. oh wait a minute! he misses open goals!

Jack,
if goal scoring is a requirement for captain.
Then We are truly doomed!

28 Jan 2015 08:05:40
Cause Gerrard has never missed a great chance?

Who was the first player in the refs face and standing up to John Terry when Costa was head to head with Skrtel after his second stamp, the great Steven Gerrard captain fantastic? No didn't think so Henderson was there arguing his teams cause like he does every game

27 Jan 2015 22:21:27
Balotelli is a disgrace to the club and should have his contract terminated. Most selfish and senseless cameo I've ever seen from a Liverpool player

{Ed018's Note - yea he is awful and looks like he doesn't care. We were happy anytime he touched the ball}

I thought he did ok. He seems to b everyone's scapegoat! He is not the reason we are not in the final.

27 Jan 2015 22:47:13
@ Magic.

What game were you watching? He didn't run once. Not once. He just ambled and jogged around covering less ground than players who had played 70-120 minutes of high intensity football. He barely got into the penalty area, could only provide an outlet by going wide on the left from where he didn't carry any sort of threat whatsoever. His total contribution was a couple of flashy backheels that led to nothing, and then costing us a goal by giving the ball away and losing Ivanovic on the freekick.

It was an absolute joke of a performance by a professional footballer. A player can struggle because slow, technically limited, not strong enough or inexperienced. Balotelli is none of those things, but he was as bad as someone who is all four simply because he didn't put in enough effort.

Magic, he gave away the ball which led to the free kick from which he let Ivanovic walk free for their goal, screwed up one shot from the edge of the box before blaming the pitch, lost the ball about 10 times and tried to lob the keeper from a position it was nearly physically impossible to do so

The main questions for me are;

1) Why keep Gerrard on the pitch when he was completely ineffective.
2) Why bring Glen Johnson on as centre half when he is one of the least effective defensive players we have and being a defender that's not good.
3) Why bring on a centre forward and put him on the wing.

Only positive thing out of tonight was Mignolet's performance, had a really good game and didn't look like getting beaten until that person Johnson decided that he would fall asleep and not track Ivanovich.

27 Jan 2015 23:20:05
You're right let's flog him and throw I him to the wolves. He contributed a lot more thn lambert. I thought he had several clever touches and you're a moron if you think he didn't sprint at all.

He's not aggressive enough and gets brushed off the ball a bit easy for a guy his size.

He's definitely not quite there yet psychologically. But hopefully experiences like tonight will push him on to achieve more for LFC.

Its not his fault. Finishing was again poor, we created enough clear chances.

Its really a case of him hitting a significantly low point in his career and life, his confidence is low and the chances he's had to rebuild have gone against him. That confidence is the foundation for his entire ability. I wouldn't write him off just yet.

Coutinho missed by shooting at keeper. Henderson missed a sitter. Sterling thought the kop was the goal. Balotelli made mistakes, just like everyone else. Lucas gave the foul away. Who allocates who marks on set pieces. I'm pretty sure it's not balotelli. Why was he left with ivanovic?
Seems like some people have tunnel vision.
I get u don't like the guy. But think you guys are being unfair.
next your gona tell me it's His fault prince Charles has big ears.

Hopeful makes the only sensible post on this thread, IMO.

27 Jan 2015 20:15:22
Eds fellow reds .got to get a proper striker on .

27 Jan 2015 22:09:47
not sure who that proper striker is? but balo on wing is not a help.

Balo anywhere is no help at the moment.

Placing Balo on the wing is just stupid. He on`t track back and won't pressure so he is wasted there. BR and his tactics!

27 Jan 2015 20:44:09
No luck again. Costa was a stonewall red card.

How many times are we going to blame bad luck?

Every team needs a little luck.

Mighty reds, i am talking about using it as an excuse! wearing a bit thin now mate.

It doesn`t matter about luck if the rf is too intimidated by Mou who has gotten into the refs` heads by whining about decisions that sometimes didn`t even happen. Costa is well-protected and can physically assault any player on the field and the ref will do nothing due to not incurring Mou`s wrath. He thinks he`s the bully now because Fergie`s gone and only the refs association can end this but like Fergie`s time, they will bottle it as well.

27 Jan 2015 19:00:45
Looks like the same starting 11 as first leg. I guess that worked well, but I still have a hard time seeing where the goals will come from, and we need atleast one to progress

Couldn't score in a brothel with a fifty pound note pinned to your chest! wingers playing as strikers and strikers playing as wingers

27 Jan 2015 18:43:42
Pls it must be a rubbish rumour that we are interested in Chuba Akpom?? He is a future prospect but youngster at LFC are like Salah at Chelsea they get no chance to play much less shine. Surprised he's giving Markovic so much game time and i think its because of his hefty price tag but that's just my opinion so take no offence y'all.

27 Jan 2015 19:26:20
Or it could be that when Markovic has played in the past he has looked like our best player. Have you actually watched the games?

27 Jan 2015 16:24:03
Have Chelsea ever lost 2 in a row at home under Jose?

{Ed002's Note - No.}

Then again they had never been beat by a lower division team under him at home either had they?

Nose has only ever conceded over 4, four times, two of which, this month! Records are there to be broken! ;)

And how often have two long standing records been broken in consecutive games?

27 Jan 2015 18:25:36
Slightly different but Xabi Alonso broke 3 bundesliga records in 4 games. and David Moyes broke 13 records in his time at United.

Also remember Mourinho having a long standing unbeaten home record at Chelsea that some team broke.

27 Jan 2015 15:09:14
does any of the edds know what is the reason for sterling not sighing a new contract, is it money or does rogers future have a say in it, thanks

{Ed002's Note - Read the posts.}

27 Jan 2015 12:19:14
Hello to all the EDS and fellow REDS

Rumours are Real have Raheem in mind! I despise how they simply buy the best every season! I admit I would love my club to flex its financial muscle now and then but not just buy anyone's prize assets every season. Maybe that's why I love watching the Spanish big two lose!

So, unless we get Top4, sign players, at least as good as Sterling, I think the kid is going to go, and I don't blame him. Is it true we're bartering over his wages? Does Ian Ayres realize what bigger clubs may be offering him? All great building a new stand but a successful team's much much more important.

Or have I been reading the rumours too seriously? Let's hope with Sturridge back Balotelli will hit form and we begin to climb up the table, and Sterling to sign the new contract. Although in all honesty even a contract extension, with much better terms, will not stop the bigger boys (can't believe I'm actually afraid of other teams) making waves to get him.

But let's be positive, Chelsea tonight, let's get to Wembley!

YNWA

{Ed002's Note - Real Madrid are one of several clubs interested in Sterling. He wants more than Liverpool are offering, and that is not simply financially. It is simply a matter of negotiation.}

27 Jan 2015 12:48:33
Want us to keep him but don't think £100k + is really justifiable.

If it is to do with football reasons then fair enough, but does play constantly (though maybe too much) and will imagine we will be involved in european football (europa league but still) and have a good squad so are set well him to develop.

Plus if you are talking 'bigger' sides (barca, real, chelsea, bayern etc.) can't really see him being a first team starter, isco and ribery aren't first team starters for their clubs! so can't see why staying for 1-2 seasons with us isn't the best option for him.

But if he goes it is his job and couldn't see him refusing to play, just as much as it is our ayre's job to get as much money as possible (aim for £30-40M). Shame if he goes though good little player!

27 Jan 2015 13:47:44
I get what you're saying IranRed. I know a couple of Bayern fans and they say largely the same thing - they gave up their season tickets this year saying there is no point, they'd rather buy to weaken opposition then to strengthen themselves and the league has just become boring because of it. Some teams have the mentality that if you fight them on the pitch, they'll take chunks off you off the pitch until you collapse a la Dortmund. Sad really

27 Jan 2015 15:12:58
Eds could you please tell the clubs apart from Real Madrid which are interested in sterling?

{Ed002's Note - Chelsea and Manchester City.}

27 Jan 2015 15:44:07
Thanks a lot

Would it be fair to say Sterling doesn't want any restrictions in his new contract on who he can sign for if he decides to move? For example Premier League clubs?

{Ed002's Note - You cannot put such restrictions in contracts.}

I have a horrible feeling he could end up at Chelsea I just don't see him going abroad at this stage of his career. I do wonder what other assurances he is asking for if it's just not just about money.

27 Jan 2015 17:26:38
First can someone explain why a new contract is so urgent if it doesn't run out until 2017? Second I would like to say, if Real Madrid want to give us a nice pay day then I would take it immediately, he is not THAT good. Thirdly Sterling is an absolute idiot if he thinks that leaving this club would be good for him and if he wants it that much then forget him. We have plenty of talented young players such as Ojo and Ibe and even senior guys Lallana, Coutinho, Markovic who are talented too.

27 Jan 2015 17:37:06
Thanks Ed002. You learn something new every day. Even at my age!

{Ed001's Note - you would think when even Methuselah calls you old timer you would know everything by now.......}

27 Jan 2015 18:34:27
03beef, it kinda needs to be sorted before the summer because if there's an indication he won't sign we want to be open to offers in the summer.
If let him get to 18 or even 12months left his valuation will be half or even less.

What dose he want ed2? You said it is not simply fisncially
Thanks

{Ed002's Note - He will be looking for assurances for the future - an exit plan if Liverpool don't make the Champions League perhaps.}

26 Jan 2015 22:02:16
Alot of our players contracts are running into there last year any update ed

{Ed002's Note - Not beyond what the club has said about Gerrard, Johnson et..}

Is flanno and ibes contact not up soon

{Ed002's Note - Ibe will have been on a kiddie contract until recently - I don't know what happened about a renewal. JF's contract runs out in the summer.}

27 Jan 2015 14:20:47
flanno is a cracking full back, proper old skool who defends off his front foot, gets stuck in and gets the crowd going. We ahve really missed his stability since he has been out which has been a long time o-inciding with sort of team the league went begging. hope he can improve his final delivery and attacking play, he will make a difference when back, just hope johno gets bombed for him which i doubt and to be fair he is more of a full back than part of a 5.