Liverpool Banter Archive July 27 2013

27 Jul 2013 23:10:25
Hi eds is it true real madrid are waiting for suarez to put a transfer request in before making a bid? {Ed002's Note - I would doubt it.}

27 Jul 2013 22:51:58
Ed - with the Suarez fee under such discussion, have Chelsea finished paying for Torres yet please? Clearly, we all know fees are paid over years, which is the Premiership moved last year to limit deals to 3 year payments as a maximum. If Arsenal agree to pay £50 million, what proportion will be paid as installments and what proportion as clauses? {Ed002's Note - CHelsea paid for Torres whn they purchased him. Are you aware of the rules governing payment now - no more Portsmouth deals?}

Unlike their cheapskate north London neighbours, Chelsea not only offered us a fair price but also paid up front, plastic they may be but at least as a club they don't insult the club that they want to buy from by making derisory offers.

27 Jul 2013 22:35:47
eds could you post for every one who doesn't use the search button loss ratio with the ball because i'm sure he looses the ball more than anyone else, I could be wrong {Ed002's Note - 17.}

27 Jul 2013 23:33:22
Any interest in victor moses or mario gomez or any good players? {Ed052's Note - no no. What's a good player in your book?}

How about someone who would improve the first 11 ed?
Mike G

27 Jul 2013 22:04:54
Leandro Damiao any chance Eds? Great player young knows were the net is and is Brazils number 9 which says a lot! They stated 22 million i'd be happy paying that Damiao or muriel and ill be happy! :) Cheers PDLFC {Ed002's Note - SEarch engine please.}

Damiao for £22M would be brilliant as he is a natural goalscorer, strong on the ball and will have no problem slotting into our system.

27 Jul 2013 21:15:05
This is my thoughts on our current squad and management. Be warned it's long, very long. That said I haven't posted in a while so you're getting a months worth.

Firstly I'm happy to say BR is winning me round. I always knew he could talk the talk, he's media savvy, seems a strong motivator and to connect well with his players and staff. What worried me was his tactical knowledge, his eye for talent and his lack of experience.

Whilst his eye for talent was originally questioned, January showed us all that he can pick out real talent. Not only that however, he can shape those players to fit his tactics and style. His tactical awareness is growing. It seemed naive early last season to pass around to no purpose, but things slowly changed. We mixed up our passing style, the pressing and discipline grew and we started to look like a team, not just a couple of individuals.

He learned to abandon his rigid 4-3-3 and develop other systems, e.g Chelsea away, second half vs Everton etc. this showed development and progression with experience he's getting all the team. I feel like he's handled the Suarez situation impressively, never waiving from his positive stance.

We've acted decisively in this window (to an extent), which is pleasing. We've certainly had a few set backs incoming, but outgoing has been very successful. Over £20 mil for Carroll and Shelvey. Assaidi, Spearing, possibly Coates all soon to depart proves a good clearing of underused and not required squad players.

On recent acquisitions, I really like the look of Luis Alberto. He looks assured, patient and has great awareness, just like the Brazilian magician Coutinho. Sterling looks fit and raring, with Ibe snapping at his ankles to really establish names for themselves. The potential of those four along with Henderson, Wisdom, Allen, Kelly, Suso, Texeira, McLaughlin, Sinclair and Yesil points to a very positive future. But what of now?

Suarez may stay. I doubted it from the moment the window opened but I can't see us selling to Arsenal and Real may still decide to use their highly talented youth. That said if they don't get Bale, he's definitely off. It's difficult to predict what will happen if he leaves. Personally I can see him being replaced by two players. A number 10 and a right winger. Who is anyone's guess, hopefully we get it right though, as it could be the most critical thing that happens all summer.

Aspas looks a good buy, but for me he's vying for the spot up top with Sturridge and Borini. If Suarez stays then perhaps Aspas will play on the right, ahead of Downing, whose chances will surely be limited this year.

Our midfield looks good on paper but not great. In a huge fan of Lucas, but we desperately need some cover for DM. Gerrard was excellent last year, but he is prone to an injury and without him we'd have to see Henderson or Allen really step up and make that position their own. Both are extremely talented, but right now seem to lack that edge, that the very top players have. They both seem a little nice (if that makes sense).

It's clear that we wanted Mkhitaryan. I'll be the first to admit I've barely seem him play. After reading countless reports, watching clips and parts of games, I can clearly see why. His engine is excellent, as is his pressing, movement and finishing. He looked an all round player with plenty of goals/assists in him. In reality, we were never in the running. The deal with Dortmund went back months, which is frustrating.

Finding an alternative seems a challenge, don't get me started on Eriksen, as he's clearly not it. We surely will have one, but Suarez seems to be at the centre of everything right now. It feels like he's tied one hand behind our back and is beating the crap out of us with our other. Hopefully it won't distract us from attaining our most crucial targets, but it's difficult to say what will happen.

Onto the defence. Personally I'm not happy with Skrtel staying. I know he's a good player, but he looks disinterested and doesn't seem comfortable in the system. I hate to jump on the band wagon, but I'd love Papadopolous. The kids a tank, a real old fashioned centre half. He loves a battle and is the perfect partner for Agger. Yes he's overpriced, but he's a rare commodity in my opinion and one that we desperately need.

I'm impressed with Toure, he's such a great player to have in the squad. A really quality experienced player, but he is prone to bad spells of form and gets lots of niggles. Kelly, may prove strong back up in time as will Wisdom, but neither are ready for week in week out football, so I am concerned.

Enrique needs competition, to keep him on his toes. I've heard rumours of Moreno from Sevilla, which I'd be pleased with, more so than Cissoko. Johnson needs to retain his focus also, which hopefully Kelly/Wisdom will make him do. He looked jaded around March onwards, so some rotation would help.

A lot of goals were mistakes from the defence and notably one Pepe Reina. I love Pepe, whose such a good bloke and has given us some great early years. Those that deny he's gone downhill, would be kidding themselves. Mignolet, for me is a quality replacement. He's strong, commanding and a great shot stopper. He's still got a long way to becoming Truely top class, but he's got time on his hands. My concern is Jones, as number 2. But if Simon stays for then we'll be good.

We've got a crucial few weeks coming up, which we absolutely without question need to get bang on. Sign a strong centre half, with Skrtel/Coates departing, competition at left back and DM and a strong AM/RW then we've got a real shot at a cup and top 4. Loose Suarez, then the rules change and we need some magic, but try to remember that we replaced Torres with Suarez and can do the same again.

Despite all the talk above, all I really want is football on week in week out. Whoever pulls of the shirt will get my support and I honestly can't wait.

Papa G

Good post Papa

Chi-Paul

Spot on, good post.
Jonny71

Agree with the comment on Alberto - he doesn't look out of his depth in the first team and has so far impressed. I know its preseason, but Aspas needs to show a bit more of what he's capable of during games but I've every confidence that he will do well.

cozinoz

Nice one papa, good honest view

Tel 1949

Good post. I think that one reason why Jamie got back in the side last year was he gave us some vocal leadership. I think that it was great management by BR and I hope Toure can provide that for us and maybe get a couple of leaders in.

27 Jul 2013 18:45:04
I'm a celtic fc fan I also like Liverpool I hope the rumours of the Americans selling Is true I think the middle east owner would allow lfc to compete with the top 3. Money wise also possibly a new stadium and manager just a thought ed as I think Kenny and brendan have wasted a mint on average players at best and it's not good enough for the mighty Liverpool your thoughts first time post

Kenny wasted a lot! BR had a shocking summer window but in January spent 20m and got two top quality players that could be world class!

Haha u obviously been drunk last 20 years we have spent over 100 million in 3 seasons

27 Jul 2013 19:42:31
Given the transfer market and how its shaping up Liverpool should now refuse to sell LS to any team.

Its clear that we couldn't being in a talent of similar levels to replace him. So shops stick with what we have.

Possibly the player is unhappy but I feel its now the right thing for us to do. Its ok being linked with potential future stars but we have one of the worlds best now!

This is a bit of a turnaround for me but we can't attract anyone to fill the void - RedLee

Yep, agree.

Why can't we dig our heals in and keep the player?

We won't get anyone near as good, possibly our only chance to get in the CL and our last top quality player. {Ed002's Note - He wants out. He has dragged the club through the mud. He has been a complete embarrassment. He wants to rip off the club and the fans.}

28 Jul 2013 03:05:28
Agree with you totally Ed02, and not the first time he's done it either. Look at what he did before Ajax, then what he did at Ajax and what he's doing now. Maybe we saw him as a risk worth taking at the time.

BaldyRed

I don't agree with his action however we are seemingly only linked with 19, 20, 21 year old "prospects" as we can't attract established talent so we should keep him until this changes and then sell him.

RedLee

Have you been living under a rock for the last 2 years? Keeping Suarez would be surely one of the stupidest things LFC could do. And they have done a lot of stupid things in recent years.

Ed, I know Suarez has said a few bad things, but if he will possibly be the difference between getting a Cl spot or coming 7th he's worth keeping (not that we know he would).

He is a top quality player, and we now can now no longer afford his type or attract under FSG.

Why do we have to always sell our top players as soon as they say they want to go? Suarez signed a contract on his own free will, was not forced to.

If its about money then why don't the club offer a better contract. {Ed002's Note - Did he get Liverpool in to teh CL the last two years? Does he want to be at the club?}

27 Jul 2013 17:48:28
Stan Kroenke has just offered £350,000, 001 to buy Liverpool Football Club.

Rigsby.

That the only way he will get to speak to Suarez .

What are they smoking over there Rigsby?

Ha ha ha ha love it!

Goober

Had to think for a second there! haha

Lol.
But on a more sober note, one player - Suarez - is valued at more than 1/7th of the entire club's worth.
Crazy.

The Juicer

Yes miss Jones

Is that the karaoke guy from black horse pub?

No thanks, if he can't win a trophy at arsenal for 8 years and counting then he obviously isn't much good

27 Jul 2013 17:12:45
I'm sorry but if fsg do sell up, could you blame them! If partners get death threats on twitter! What has she done in fact what have the owners done but try and run it like a business which is what all football clubs should be run like! We have been very lucky to have them it will pay off in long run.

Having said all this, I don't think they will sell just yet. all that hard work and ffp round the corner it would not make sense unless they had a double your offer like £600 million. then if that is the case that's business!

What next, death threats for selling the club! Sugar daddies and oil money is not always the answer! Some things money can't buy, not history, more than that self respect! Would you want to race against some one who takes steroids? no you want clean fair chance then and only then will it taste so sweat knowing you won or you gave it your best on
on that day. it was not to be but you can hold your head up high, that's my take on it. some will 100% disagree but some might agree sorry for long post

Ynwa lfc linc

It's not out of the ordinary for club owners to get death threats and I'm not condoning it by any means in fact I think it's disgraceful. But they've had a lot more from their native fans in Boston. It's not good to pigeon hole us. Abramovich received them in the wake of the first Mourinho sacking and the Glazers received a torrent of abuse when the first took over Utd. Bottom line whilst it's not acceptable public figures running clubs etc need to expect hostility and it will always occur. If FSG can't afford to take us to the next level and maybe can't obtain the investment they seek and the eds constantly refer to, then maybe they should sell to more 'appropriate' owners.

Keep up good work eds.
Cheers

CC

Great post! Completely agree!

Marc

Well said. Good owners don't come round often and I believe FSG are good owners. Some fans would be happy to borrow from Wonga to buy a title and go bust the year after
TSB

The only people who would make death threats to the owners are either persons or - either group can be ignored (or sent to the slammer if identified)

Puzzled

27 Jul 2013 23:18:20
All those 'appropriate' owners that were just squabbling over us the last two times we changed hands in the last 6 years?

There is a small supply of Middle Eastern or Russian Billionaires interested pumping their money into football clubs, so we can't sit here expecting one to come along. When you go below that, someone like FSG is really the best out there. They footed the bill for buying the club without lumping a huge loan on us, have spent on transfers, wages, agent's fees etc. and have paid for the daily loss the club has been running at since they took over.

Wake up. There aren't more appropriate owners.

CC- sell to who exactly?

28 Jul 2013 00:07:39
FSG done nothing that bad to get threats. we Liverpool fans should stick together but there are a few keyboard warriors only a small number that act like divvys sending threats to owners misses on twitter etc.

i don't think that good that's 1 of my points. if I was a Manchester United fan I would say to them or who ever that's it not good, people who do that should get a life and stop hiding behind there keyboard. we as Liverpool fans expect better from each other.

Ynwa lfc linc

Who are these "more appropriate owners"? Arab or Russian sugar daddies?

There are plenty of investors out there. They are not as scarce as some of you are implying. Honestly do any of you think we will ever win the league with our current owners. It's not a criticism of them I am big fans of them, it's an observation.

CC

27 Jul 2013 16:15:16
Hi eds, iv read today that apparently 'guardiola has has open the door for Liverpool to sign there player' meaning Xherdan Shaqiri. Is this true and what is the likeliness of us signing him? Thanks, JD {Ed002's Note - There is a list of players that BM are looking to let go - I cannot for one minute imagine that Pep G has said anything aboutLiverpool.}

27 Jul 2013 16:03:12
Hello, eds.
Is it true that Assaidi is in discussions with Anderlecht?
If so, good riddance.

Ron Saleh {Ed002's Note - "Good riddance" - nice to see respect being shown to the Liverpool players. Perhaps the reason that players don't want to move to Liverpool is the rubbih fans like you?}

Has Assaidi done anything wrong . I think he has done well when he has come on .
YNWA
Jamesy

Well said ed'02!

Good riddance? Listen up you silly troll, Liverpool fans, well real ones aren't the type to badmouth our team and always defend our players to the hilt. Go do one! All the best Assaidi, shame it didn't work out son!

Red Till I Die

Agree with you mate - common economic sense - death threats may have come from other club supporters

"Good Riddance"? What's he ever done wrong? Some people are unbelievable!

"Good riddance" for what?
At least he did not throw a custard pie in our faces like the cannibal. Show some respect man, just because he is not a world class player does not mean you demean them for no reason whatsoever. Imo Assaidi realises he is not going to get much game time at Liverpool, hence he wants to move on for the sake of his career and we get some cash for new transfers. Win-win situation for both the player and our club.

How can you say good riddance he never really got a chance to prove himself one way or another.
good luck to him at his next club if it's true

You are the epitomy of contradiction ed.

One minute you infer that Suarez is an person and encourage us fans to want him out and then the next minute you call us disrespectful for feeling happy that Assaidi is leaving.

Are you really on this planet? {Ed002's Note - Man you are one foul piece of crap. Assaidi has done nothing whatsoever to drag the club through the dregs as Suarez has and yet again you want to make this about me. Feel free to trash all of the Liverpool players, I don't care. I feel sorry for them to see some stream of piss like you yet again trying to make me the issue whilst fans abuse poor sods like Assaidi. People like you are indeed making the club, the players and the fans a laughing stock.}

Yes totally agree ed it is disgusting. When you see 95,000 travelling from all parts of australia and beyond to watch a friendly and show real passion. There is always one mindless person that makes us look a joke. It's a minority that need stopping in their tracks. You are not welcome.

Alfie {Ed002's Note - Sadly their is support for allowing the trashing of players - sickening to me for some poor guy who as far as I know has doen nothing at all against the fans and the club. Sadly the club has fould rubbish drifting around (Leo) who want to make it about me or just want the opportunity to abuse the club's players.}

Utterly ridiculous. Assaidi has done nothing wrong since coming to us. He's had limited playing time and things don't seem to have worked out. It happens, but he's said nothing bad about the club, manager, or owners and performed well when called upon and is in no way, shape or form due for any abuse.

Spot on Ed 2. I cringe at half of the posts on here from so called fans. I have supported Liverpool for over 40 years and have always been proud of the reputation our supporters have had not only for supporting their own team, but also acknowledging other teams when they deserve it. I have been at Anfield when we have clapped off other teams when they have beaten us and deserved to be given such respect, including when Arsenal won the league at Anfield in 89. It really infuriates me to see people on here show so much disrespect to people associated with our club and people outside our club who have given so much to football over the years. For example, I am sick at some people who insist on referring to Brendan Rogers as "Brenda" or Alex Ferguson as "whiskey face". There is simply no need to be so disrespectful. The muppets then put the icing on their cake by giving the Eds needless abuse which given the effort you guys put in to making this such a great site (NAND free incidentally) to me just beggars belief. I personally would like to see all such morans given 1 warning then a ban. I am all for banter but let's not drag our collective reputations down. Apologies for the rant Eds and please keep up the great work. I must visit this site about 25 times a day and love most of what is on here and long may it stay. Nil illigitimo carbacundum (or something like that!) {Ed001's Note - that is the thing that is missing badly these days, respect.}

27 Jul 2013 15:39:22
Ed, any chances of us going for Fabio coentrao?
Madrid value him at about 10 million & are willing to offer him + cash to spurs for bale. then why instead of cissokho we don't atleast enquire about him? or maybe get him in a deal for suarez . {Ed002's Note - This would be to act as cover for Enrique? Sit him on the bench or play him? Would he be interested? The club could enquire of course.}

Would be a great signing, realistic in my opinion too.

Anonymous woolback

27 Jul 2013 15:01:16
Hi eds and fellow reds!
i�m trying to watch the U21 as often as I can but haven�t really seen any of their friendlies this year. Since I barely never watch the U18; how good is Rossiter?
Hearing a lot of good things but never seen him play.
YNWA Gurra

He's got potential, but he's still very young to get to over excited about.He can handle the step up in age group at the moment, which of course is an excellent sign that he will progress further.

Interesting that you seem to know so much about FSG. The Red Sox alone are one of the richest franchises in American sports. Aside from the Yankees, the Red Sox own the baseball market. I HATE the Red Sox but I feel pretty confident that if FSG want to sell it's not because they can't afford it. I'd guess it'd have more to do with the inability of soccer fans in Europe to understand basic economics as well as the horrifying anti-Americanism that springs its ugly head the minute an American buys an English team.

27 Jul 2013 18:23:55
Leave the lad alone. He's doing very well. Important not to hype him up.

Soccer? hmmm. I wonder

27 Jul 2013 14:33:27
eds this is the only place I come for information concerning the club and the game in general.your site offers all of us fans fantastic service.this is even more valuable to people such as myself who don't buy or read newspapers(my best mate did not return from hillsb). my concern at the moment is that the club appears, from the outside, to be continuously teetering on the precipice.the suarez stories (all self inflicted), the continuous sniping at br by the press and fans, all the criticism of the owners again both press and fans.

again the nonsense this morning about the sale of the club. however the media are like all bullies and pack animals they generally only attack wounded animals.all of these stories seem to suggest the media smells blood. I do completely understand the statements of Ed02 we need to get our finances in order(this is an absolute fact) Ed02 is just telling the fans the truth.moreover I think we have become a lot shrewder in the transfer market (at bloody last).

i also believe br is potentially a fantastic coach.however the fans in this country are fickle unlike the astounding global fan base. in this country it strikes me that the fans are permanently on the edge of turning against the club.i apologise for the long winded post. put simply I have and will always support the club no matter what happens. I am just looking for encouragement from the eds that everything is heading in the right direction. {Ed002's Note - Everything in the latter half of last season was looking good on the pitch. The squad has a few additions and I suspect we will see a couple more. The distraction of Suarez is something that should have been better managed from above and is something the club really don't need. I see the club fighting for the European places this coming season.}

I would be very concerned about the amount of time BR is spending discussing Suarez with the press. His job now is to get the club ready for the season and let someone else deal with the issue of Suarez.

I see a poor start to the season on the horizon and BR using a "Suarez distraction" statement to account for it. There does seem to be a real need for LFC to sort out the job descriptions within the management team.

27 Jul 2013 12:18:09
Hi Eds
Is there any interest in Giovinco and do you think, if he was signed, would be a good player for Liverpool and would suit the EPL?
Cheers, Wez {Ed030's Note - I don't think he would,No interest from Liverpool at the moment. }

Your forgetting we brought in Toure, who imo will prove to be a great signing, With a couple of quality signings, we'll hopefully be right up there.
STEEVO

27 Jul 2013 12:34:10
Does anybody know if the supposed interest from Saudi Aramco is legitimate? I will always give FSG my utmost support however I think it's fair to say money is the only way to sustain long term success.

During the 70's & 80's we broke all kinds of British transfer records.

Madrid have always bought success.

United have always spent big on fee's and wages.

Chelsea have been a force for 10+ years coincidentally when Abramovich bought the club.

PSG are now on the scene in France along with Monaco.

The only team that's built something worth shouting about with a structured fee & wage budget is Borussia Dortmund and even now we're witnessing Munich blow them out the water with their superior wealth.

The morale of the story is you need money to be successful.

Over the last 20 years LFC are the 3rd highest spending team in the league, only Man City and Chelsea have spent more.

Over the last 10 years again LFC come 3rd (both gross and net)

Man Utd came 4th in both cases.

We have not won the league with all that spending. FSG are trying to change the approach and ensure the players being signed are, or will become, proper Liverpool quality players. By the way, they've spent €187ml gross on players since taking over in 2010 and will spend more this transfer window.

Barcelona?

Plymouth red you talk a lot of sense.

There must be something there,
redforever

In the PL era, we've spent more on transfers than United.

Money has been spent, unfortunately it has not been spent well.

False statement to take the edge off the Luis Suarez garbage? It's certainly changed the tune on this site anyway, maybe edd001 has released the info.

I worked for Aramco in the 90s, and they're an oil production company, not an investment vehicle like DIC. It was made up by some person who saw 'Aramco represents 70% of Saudi GDP' and assumed it would make a believable story. It's just the usual press bollox, trying to unsettle us.

Agreed with Fitzy. People seem to think LFC don't spend money when in reality we've spent far more than most (something like 30M more than United in the PL era).

We don't need to spend more money, we just need to spend it more wisely. For me, signing Sturridge, Coutinho, Aspas, Alberto, Mignolet, and Toure for ~50M is very good business and a step in the absolute right direction.

Wait aren't Malaga ridiculously rich as well? Oh yeah their owners just up and left them one evening and everything went downhill. So the moral of the story? Money can buy success but a stable team that has its finances in order will stand the test of time. I'd rather this model then rich Prince buying us everything is it just me?

Barcelona produce quality players but they also pay a ton in wage's, Messi, Iniesta etc are on £200k+, they also spend a lot on transfers :

Neymar
Sanchez
Song
Mascherano
Alba
Alves
Fabregas
Ibrahimovic
Dmytro_Chygrynskiy

Etc.

Plymouth Red.

27 Jul 2013 17:25:11
bottom line. do not waste your money on caroll henderosn and downing. that's where we did the mistake.

27 Jul 2013 17:51:51
187m gross on players. There's no gross or net about it its just 187m.

Reddie

No, money ruins football when given to those who don't deserve it. I believe that in football you have to work your way up to the nig bucks through years of preparation and squad building, as well as being a financially sound and well run club. Which is what we in the 70sand 80s did, what manchester united did, madrid did, barca, the italian giants, munich, dortmund in particular have all earned their place at the top of the pile.

They earned the right to spend big.

What I do not approve of are teams who have done nothing and deserve nothing, transformed by money into something they are not. Chelsea, city, monaco, psg, malaga, have all done nothing to deserve their shortcut to success.

I would lose a lot of pride in Liverpool should a sugar daddy burst onto the scene, we are doing things properly and will have that pride and satisfaction when we reach the top in the correct manner, something city and chelsea fans don't have.

Anonymous woolback

Sure we don't offer anything like the wages that united have over the premierleague years.
derryred {Ed052's Note -

27 Jul 2013 12:05:02
Eds

Just a question, have you noticed the movement of the press being less critical of Suarez now that there is a mooted move to Arsenal.

Instead of being the pantomime villain to being the type of player Arsenal need to be a title challenger. {Ed001's Note - I don't read the papers.}

I have. Watch him become the golden boy overnight if he joins a London side.

You've just made that up off the top of you head!

Grow up

Lyndon

They are only critical when he does something wrong.
When he bites someone at arsenal the press will be all over him again.

MIKEY

He's right.

DaveyBootle

27 Jul 2013 17:54:04
There is no way Suarez's character will ever allow him to be a golden boy. I see another biting incident coming.

After the Biting episode, I remember John Cross being on a radio show ripping Suarez apart, saying that Liverpool must get rid and no English club would touch him with a barge pole.The same John Cross who writes for the Mirror who has clearly been pushing the move to Arsenal for the last month.I didn't have to guess what club he supports

27 Jul 2013 11:19:47
Thought I'd share some vital stats for Liverpools trip to Melbourne (vs Man U Sydney).

Man U crowd was 85 thousand
Liverpool crowd was 95 thousand and the largest we have ever played in front off. (I Don't care they were both sold out we still had more fans)

Man U game was sold out in 2.5 hours
Liverpool game was sold out in just over a hour.

Atmosphere at Man U was good but not great and my cousin sent me a couple of videos he had of the game, it looked insane. The YNWA anthem was awesome.

I hope the international support shown to the team helps them get off to a good start.

Edd01, what did you make of our game vs Melbourne? {Ed001's Note - it was just a friendly, I didn't watch it, nothing to learn from watching friendlies or exhibition games. I really don't see these comparisons matter to be honest, it is just like saying 'my dad is bigger than your dad'.}

I learned a lot about Suarez watching that game

Red Ollie

Pointless comparison to make. Yes, we probably could have sold out a 200,000 capacity stadium, however, so could United. Everton on the other hand.! Back garden and all that!

El Pi**edolero

27 Jul 2013 10:51:24
We have sold, retired and loaned 3 players who were in the first team last season . We have brought 4 new players in. Rodgers said we were 3/4 players short last season. So by rights we are still 3 to 4 players short.
I'm not convinced we will have at least 3 more players than last season.
Your thoughts?

Ynwa

We don't have to compete in the Europa League

100% Cotton

Just another unbiased Arsenal article from John Cross. No disrespect but he is more of a fan than a journalist to be fair, so I would take it with a pich of salt!

For what it's worth I don't mind where LS ends up, so long as we get the best deal for us (which I think we will!)

YNWA

Devon Red

I think he meant 3/4 players short quality wise, not quantity wise. I could be wrong though we will see.
If we replace Coates and skrtle with better replacements, get cover for left back and get in an attacking mid I will be happy, I would be even happier if we got cover for DM and an exciting winger.

MIKEY

27 Jul 2013 10:48:40
Hi eds,

I saw earlier that you said we have been unable to find a cb who isn't overpriced. My question is do you think we will just not buy one at all or eventually give in and over pay? I would love to see papa over anyone. He has certainly got that winning mentality we are looking for. Appreciate his price is high but that's my preference. What would be the eds proffered option?

Cheers {Ed001's Note - I would expect we will stick to our valuations.}

18m for Papa is just not worth it especially as he is very injury prone and tbh he really isn't that special, i'd rather keep Skyrtel and spend the fee elsewhere.

We currently have toure and agger as first choice (more than happy with that)
Skrtle, Coates, kelly and wisdom as back ups. (we could always just hang on until January or next summer with these in my opinion, although ideally we should be replacing Coates and skrtle.)

MIKEY

18mill for papa is worth it because he'll be worth 30 mill in a few years

Remember how much ferdinand cost united, u want to be the best u need to buy the best available to you

>18m for Papa is just not worth it especially as he is very injury prone

He has had one injury and suddenly he is "injury prone"?

27 Jul 2013 10:37:40
Ed01 or Ed02 can either of you two recommend any British papers or websites that aren't biased against Liverpool. i'm Australian and not sure which sites are good. Clearly DM and tv are biased against us. Just looking for a good paper to read news articles and have good transfer news that isn't rubbish. Does such a site/newspaper exist?

Aussie Geoff {Ed001's Note - Liverpool Echo.}

Ha ha great point post of the day! All managers players papers talk crap these days. Acctually for two exceptions the edds and quite rite edd001 the Liverpool echo!
The only two sources ill ever listen too!
thanx again edds

Billynwa

Hunter from the Guardian and Bascombe from the Telegraph are good too

GuvTOB

The Echo? Really? I can't stand the blue rag. When the Blue's finished 4th
in 2004/05 the then Sports Ed wanted to use Heysel as an argument for Everton getting the last Champion's League place and the gap toothed TV critic wrote an article comparing a Guardian writer to a holcaust denier for having the audacity to suggest the there were some Blues out celebrating with us on the streets of Liverpool after the 2005 Final. On another slow news day the same guy was allowed to publish a piece called Why I hate You'll Never Walk Alone, that filled almost a full page. This is the same guy who's their lead writer on the Justice Campaign. Who could forget the hilarious full page comic strip they published when Owen left for Real but strangely when Rooney signed for Utd theyed lost their sense of humour and replaced it outrage and venom . The Deputy Sports Ed is married to Dixie Dean's Grandaughter and he's wrote numerous book on Everton & Dixie and his kids have appeared on the Goodison pitch more times then Van der Meyde. Their silence reguarding H&G never went unnoticed either
Tony Barrett & Brian Reade are Reds all day mate and still write from our side of the advertising hoarding's not just re-iterating a club memo

27 Jul 2013 10:34:31
I have accepted Suarez leaving. Will LFC use his transfer fee to buy big or will we be buying for the "future".

27 Jul 2013 10:20:31
Eds fellow reds, just read an article from wenger where he says arsenal can win the league with or without signings . My question is why try to sign players in the region of £50 million if your confident your squad can win the league? Why waste the money

Whatever it is they are smoking over at the Emirates, Wenger is puffing to much of it.

Spliffo

He's hardly going to say his squad's rubbish or he has no confidence in them though is he? He's just talking up his players, I never trust a thing that comes out of Wenger's mouth, or most football managers come to that, they're just playing the media in these interviews, not trying to be honest

Red Ollie

27 Jul 2013 09:37:56
BR has said that he has been very impressed by Kolo and may not therefore need another centre back. I suspect the only change at centre back now may be Coates out and a young one like Llori in. This would also give BR the flexibility to send Wisdom out on loan. Kolo, Skirtel and Ager, with cover from Kelly and llori if needed. Reality Red

Why loan out a young Wisdom and buy a young Llori? Play Wisdom when needed and use the budget somewhere else

Because he wants Wisdom to get 30+ games in this season, and he probably would get more like half that if he stayed with us.

I believe Wisdom is ready now!

Ronillz

27 Jul 2013 09:25:04
It was good to hear BR come out with the real reason why pepe went out on loan. Perhaps pepe will regret shouting off how much he longed to join Barca no one is bigger than the club, enjoy that no so big club in Italy pepe.

I didn't hear Pepe saying a single bad thing about us?

He's been a top player for us.

This obviously the reason for his replacement
Good to see the club will not have messing from their players, who are paid very well.
We want players who are 100% committed winners who want to give everything for Liverpool Football Club

Napoli a not so big club in Italy?

To the poster who wrote this you are an person Napoli are a great old club and have actually got more ambition than us atm, have tons of cash to spend, Have a world class coach in Rafa, a world class gk in Reina, btw on loan which is laughable.

Next time think before you open your big mouth.

I agree with the idea that Reina was deservedly shipped out because he was clearly spouting a move to Barca. But whole heartedly agree with the other poster declaring Napoli as a small club? Ridiculous comment. If I was a footballer they look a lot better proposition than us. Plus a beautiful city.

CC

Previous poster - ambition does not simply equal having a big pile of cash to spend.

27 Jul 2013 09:22:32
Amid all the furore and constant publicity surrounding Suarez, we seem to have almost forgotten that we have just lost a major member of our squad in Pepe Reina.
Personally I would like to thank Pepe for his service over the years, in his prime he was undoubtedly a world class goalkeeper and a key member of our great team.
Good luck Pepe and thanks for everything, YNWA and i'm sure you will always be fondly remembered and welcomed back to Anfield.

Tel 1949

27 Jul 2013 11:20:30
I'm a little disappointed with the attitude some people on here have to Reina.

If he wanted to, he could've forced a move to a CL club any time within the last 3 years, but didn't.

But he's still betrayed us by "fluttering his eyelashes" at Barca during a season where we were linked with about half a dozen different keepers to replace him, yeah?

Yeah enjoy that big club pepe

Absolutely Tel.

Pepe has been brilliant and a great servant of the club. Good luck with whatever he goes on to do, and let's hope we see him back at Anfield one day. In goal for Barca in a CL game maybe?

YNWA Pepe

ND

27 Jul 2013 03:18:00
Hi eds, Any updates on any deal for Illori? {Ed002's Note - RTP.}

27 Jul 2013 07:13:34
I am reading that our squad has improved but I have my view on things.
we have unbalanced squad, we have 12/13 who are much better than the back up, the gap is too wide.
then we have youngsters like ibe/sterling who will have a great future but are very young end will have their ups and downs.
we have seen that quates/assaidi and proberly skrtl are not good enough or don't fit in the system.
what has surprised me most is that we brought in 2 attack minded players aspas/alberto and our priority should have been on the defence.
we have the numbers but not the quality. let's say suarez would stay and we could bring in 2 defenders cb/lb and another midfielder that who would make the same inpact sturrigde/coutinho made we be fighting with the best this season I am 100% sure
malta

The squad is rubbish mid table at best nowhere near top 5-6.

Sterling and Ibe will be like new signings for us considering they didn't play much, not sure we need another CB with the arrival of Kolo and Kelly back from injury, Widom can fill in as well.

IMO we need a LB, a player who can take over from SG eventually who can create and score, another forward with proven ability (once Suarez leaves) also think we need a better backup option than Jones in goal now Reina has been ousted.

Our side without Suarez is weaker but what can we do if a player wants to leave.

I would love to see better quality come in but that's not going to happen until we get CL, it's a vicious circle as without CL we cannot attract them but without them it will be tough to get back in.

Which players we are looking at is any bodies guess as know one knows.

Just a couple of things to point out Malta 1) Suarez is not staying and 2) the transfer window isn't closed yet.

MUSHROOM

Poster 2, I love your outlook, spoken like a true fan, or a fan of another club maybe?

MUSHROOM

Yet it was top 4 form since jan and webe added 4 players since then and about to add a few more

If we just pick up from where we left off last season, we are in with a great chance of top four, also not being in europe will keep us fresh for the next week-end match, I am very optimistic .
redforever

27 Jul 2013 01:41:17
Any truth in the daily mail's reports (I know. ) that Liverpool fc is up for sale?

Haven't read it but I see it as much like Suarez. FSG have no intention of selling the club, but I suspect if someone were to offer them say 500M+ in cash they'd probably sell.

You should see the comments on the Dailysmell about Saudi Aramco(?) buying the club.and surely FSG would want more than the 350 that is being said. Sounds like desperation journalism to me!

RyanWhittington

To me it makes sense. They have invested a lot and to make us even top 4 will require more. We have not spent big this year, are still losing money (this may have changed recently) and FSG are a business not a toy like some other clubs. If they get the right price then I am sure they will sell. I would thank them for rescuing us and see who is next.

Lets hope the Saudi interest is real! {Ed001's Note - why?}

Here we go again.The big sugar daddy Arab, worth Trillions, that we have dreamed about wants to buy us.Prepare yourselves Eds.We asked Saudi Aramco to invest and now they want to take us over.Believe it when I see it.

Well firstly they come out and rubbish reports saying the rumour has no foundation . then all of a sudden potential suitors have been named . read into it what you will . but like Suarez they have a price . Just hope we are not overvalued and if sold made sure it is the right people . Just give us our Stadium!

Alfie

The story originated in the s** enough said, words fail me

I know pool fans will slate me for this, but I would like to Liverpool be sold to some šeik, princ of oil or whatevers, as long as get things going our way, not saying that this leadership of rodgers and FSG is bad, but I simply do not trust and don't see americans as solution in any way, their corporation is doing some personic buisness in my home country with my local club HNK Hajduk, trying to buy them also and it smells rotten

Because fsg have turned us into a mid table club.

27 Jul 2013 10:42:02
Let's really not, look at Malaga
Saudi owners are not all good news

Alvy

Be stunned if Aramco were interested in football - they're an oil production company as opposed to some holding / investment company like DIC - unless something has changed drastically since I last worked there.

Oke fair play, Malaga now suck, evry new owner is a risk to take, but I just can't see how come ther isn't one deluded fan-billionare that loves Liverpool and buys it, heh
:)

Why would Saudi Aramco, an oil company, owned by the Saudi Government and not by a rich Sheik want to buy Liverpool? The company basically pays for all the infrastructure, hospitals etc in Saudi Arabia.

Just another stupid Daily Mail comment

How have fsg turned us to a mid table club. If your looking to blame someone try king Kenny and his disastrous transfers.

Posted months ago that I felt that the club would be sold this year. Hicks and Gillet where trying to hold out for this point. The massive hike in TV revenue home and abroad. There is a massive amount of money coming into PL clubs and this must make clubs a lot more attractive as their finicial position must have improved. Along with the lowering of the wage bill at the club. Put it this way Americans always have a Exit strategy. The club isn't up for sale, but could welll be sold if the correct price is offered.

redphil

Well well, the Stun and Daily Fail come up with a made up story and everyone falls for it. Wonder why it wasn't reported in the rest of the press? From the gutter is too good a description for them.
ND

Look at PSG, Man City, Chelsea, Monaco. They seem to be doing ok!

27 Jul 2013 13:00:14
FSG are nice people, but let's be honest they lack funds to move us forward, Liverpool need really bing investment if they are to move forward and that includes the stadium!

It wouldn't surprise me if the interest was concrete. Everyone saw the scenes in the friendlys and the club seems to be growing even bigger across the world despite the lack of success we are used to. Liverpool is a glamorous club world wide, it's just ashame the surrounding of Anfield is a bit of a state, because if we had a brand new stadium on Stanley park a billionaire company like Saudi would snap us up in a second.

I've no idea whether this is true or not, however, if we do get taken over, any improvements have to be done in the right way. That means as well as a better squad, we need better infrastructure. Basically, long term, the club needs a new stadium.

Everyone who has looked at it objectively agrees : Parry knew it, Purslow knew it, Martin Broughton knew it and put his reputation on it.

The fact that FSG seem to think differently says to me they are looking for an exit because they know this is not a short term project.

Suspect we'll have stadium news in the next few months (planning issues take months, if not years, especially where compulsory purchase orders may be involved). There's a limit to how much cash we can spend - we're already going to get slapped on the wrist for breaching FFP rules. The owners put in millions each window, plus anything we make from sales. Can't say I have any complain about how much the owners have put in.

27 Jul 2013 00:36:43
Good evening Ed's and fellow Reds
The current situation is this LS is not for sale.Can we please stop this, what are we going to do the world will end crap.If he goes he goes if he stays he stays.The simple fact is there is nothing us fans or the ed's can do about it . let's focus on where we are. we have strengthened the squad now we need additional quality players . Ed's, one for you do you still believe we need a CB? Is it still possible we could go for pop a pop pop pop a dop dop dop a lous ( sorry been hearing too much of Will I am and bang bang on the radio lol) or has our interest cooled

REDFORLIFE {Ed001's Note - we still want a CB, but we are just not finding one that is not overvalued.}

27 Jul 2013 00:08:40
anyone agree with me that eriksen would be the best 12-20m we will ever spend could you imagine him with our other midfielders hendo alberto gerrard lucas allen coutinho downing ibe and sterling all behind our strikers in sturridge suarez borini and aspas now that would sound like a top four team again what does everybody else think

YNWA

I think he is class. reminds me of Bergkamp. would be an excellent signing . maybe we have too many players for his position?

I agree at £12mil not much higher. Don't think he's as good as people hoped but at that price I think he is value. If he turns out to be better he will push for his Spanish move in a few years at least we would make a profit. Wouldn't go near him at £20mil
TSB

No other team seems to fancy him that much.

I agree he's a good player but is he what we need? Personally is rather we stumped up some extra cash for Lamala or Sanchez. I think Coutinho is better than Eriksen and I'd rather see someone out wide