Liverpool Banter Archive May 28 2017

28 May 2017 20:31:44
Why do all of our players have to make daft comments all the time?

Lallana is the pro at it, but now Mignolet is shooting his mouth off about turning points in his Liverpool career.

For the love of Fowler, you have had 6 good months mate. Let your game do the talking and stop spouting off!

I was so pleased at how he had quietly gone about his business and so rapidly upped his game. Now it just looks like it has gone straight to his head and he has lost focus again. Really disappointed.

28 May 2017 21:55:12
I think if they adhere to an interview, and get asked a question, most peopl are going to respond to it.

28 May 2017 22:35:50
Because they're not very bright.

28 May 2017 23:24:02
I'm sure I've read somewhere that Mignolet is actually very intelligent Ron.

28 May 2017 23:25:04
As long as it doesn't make the club look bad and/ or negatively affect perfomances, I couldn't care less what they say in unimportant interviews.

29 May 2017 07:29:18
I thought it was a frank and honest interview. I don't see the problem at all. Fair play to mignolet, he derserves credit for his performances.

29 May 2017 07:52:49
seriously, its an end of season interview where he was asked how his performances went. He simply explains what improved and when. You need to lighten up!

29 May 2017 09:31:48
If he was asked how his season went all he needs to say was that he was still trying to improve every day.

Not this nonsense about turning points, bringing up Casillas and Neuer, slagging off the managers decision to drop him "for no reason" earlier in the season and how that made him "angry".

If you can't keep a level head, here is a bright idea, don't do interviews! You know you'll get loaded questions when you walk into it. Doesn't mean you have to lose your head!

This is exactly the problem our players have, they go way overboard in praising themselves and each other and therefore don't focus on their actual job which they are paid handsomely for. Maybe some people are happy with players publically calling out their bosses decisions in a self absorbed "I told you so" interview, but I am not.

28 May 2017 19:28:31
Given that we are going to be awarded around 148.1 Mil from the FA, and that at least another 50 Mil will come in from sales (Sakho, Markovic, Wisdom and other loanees), it brings incoming funds to around 200 Mil. My point is that the figure of a budget limit of 100 Mil being bandied about here is way off and people should not be surprised if we end up spending around 200 Mil. Klopp will definitely be more ambitious with his targets than he has been in the past. And not only because of the money being available but because the pressure is on to show tangible, durable results (Titles and trophies) . People are right when they say we are going to see a very crazy summer with huge numbers being spent. Guardiola will wipe the slate almost clean, and start over. Moanrinho will spend like crazy because that's the only thing he's good at. And Chelsea, Spurs and Arsenal will not simply sit and watch.

28 May 2017 21:00:14
The club doesn't run for free, it's has to pay the plAyers, staff, the debt owed etc etc. What fans pay for tickets and shirts will not cover all of this. We also have to work within finances so not all that money is made available for transfers.

28 May 2017 21:29:54
Correct. That's why I didn't include income from tickets sold at games and the commercial deals and endorsements in place. These two alone provide 160 Mil per year (at least) . So you think that's not enough to service the debt and pay employee salaries and all other expenses? You know more than me.

28 May 2017 21:56:31
Do you think football clubs are ran on the basis to invest all revenue into the transfer market? No wonder eds don't like talking about finances.

28 May 2017 23:31:27
Last season player wages for Liverpool where £152m and it's probably more now the way footballers wages are going, so there's your £148m prize money gone right there. Fans need to stop worrying about the cost of footballers imo, it's absurd. You wouldn't brag about paying two or three times what it's worth for a house yet football fans aren't happy unless the club they support are paying £30+ for a player regardless or if he's worth it or not. We spent very sensibly last summer imo and all the signings worked out pretty much (klavan's ok as cover) so I'd be happy with another similar summer this year. We seem to have a good squad harmony atm and signing 5-6 big ego mercenaries just to keep fans happy could ruin that.

30 May 2017 15:49:58
Nobody knows a thing about the finances of the club nor how it is run nor how the funds are allocated for transfers. This is why the Ed's don't talk money on this forum cos it gets everyone's hair to get on fire. I suggest people ignore the transfer amount being bandied around in the media or you will just be disappointed and angry for no reason. Just trust the manager and know that he will do what is best for the team. We know where our deficiencies lie and the Ed's have mentioned the players they know we are interested in so let the manager do his work.

28 May 2017 16:22:05
Looking into this transfer window if we don't sign a quaility right back to replace Clyne we'll have missed a big opportunity to further improve the back line and our play. We can buy a striker, another midfielder etc but I definitely don't think it will make as big a difference as replacing clyne. We need a quaility right back that is a solid defender and can exploit the space down the wing.
Right back I hope is a priority. Likewise a left back to compete or add cover for Milner.

I personally don't want a striker. I don't see the need nor likelihood of buying a striker that's an improvement on what we have. Origi is still only 21 I believe? And is excellent. His decision making needs to improve but he's young and quaility. A fit and firing Sturridge as I said a few years ago is the best natural central striker in the world imo. I'm still not sure whether he's lost pace however he's still top class as proven with the last few games he was involved In. Also him and origi together were excellent.
Firminho. Nothing really to say. Brilliant player. Only frustration is for all his ability you'd expect him to score far more goals. Here's hoping that changes next season. We also still have Ings to return.

Midfield wise. I would let two midfielders go and bring in a top class one that is a real improvement in the first team. Keita imo would be ideal and a fantastic signing if it's likely to happen at all.
I think lucas may be on his way and Cans future is still uncertain. Wijnaldum I'm still not a big fan of but there's no doubt he has a fantastic engine and attitude. Henderson is our captain. He's going nowhere. Grujic hopefully gets more game time next season.

In defence I would like us to sign three players but it's highly unlikely. A centre back. Right back and left back. Lovren is hot or cold. Completely unreliable but it looks like he is going nowhere. Hopefully he improves in his decision making next season and is significantly less rash and reckless

Lastly our goalkeeping situation. I hope Karius is going to be our no1 goalkeeper and pre season will be a warm up for him. He looked excellent when he was first put in then made a few mistakes and was taken out. His distribution was excellent. In comparison to Mignolwts which is non existent. He's young and will make the odd mistake as had de gea but in Karius I truly believe we have a top class keeper.

28 May 2017 17:05:38
Some fair points Big Al. However I would say two things:

1. Gini was our player with the most assists last season. On top of that, he scored some big and importantly decisive goals last year (City and Middlesbrough come to mind, I know there's a few more too) . Would you not agree he had a good season?

2. Mignolet after Xmas was very good in net. He's had a tough time over the last few seasons but the 2nd half of this season he was brilliant. After working with the coaching team on being stronger when collecting crosses we saw a notable increase in performance here. Does he not deserve to hold his place?

28 May 2017 17:53:11
Puzzled he made some solid saves but that's what I expect from a premier league keeper. It's been made more of because of the standard we're used to from Mignolwt. I think he was solid but Karius is and has to be our future IMO mate. Especially our play. Mignolwts distribution has never improved and is truly awful.

On wijnaldum. I watch the game and players performances. Stats especially assists mean very little to me. A player can a terrible game and can make a six yard pass for an "assist".
I've been very honest concerning wijnaldum mate. He performed better than I expected since he signed but him and Lallana are by no means starters next season if everyone's fit and we buy another midfielder especially keita or close to that quaility and Henderson returns. Wijnaldum has plenty of ability. He just doesn't impose himself enough on games imo hence why I call him a ghost at times. However I think he's a great player to have in the squad. Likewise Lallana.
Many will disagree. Everyone has been differing opinions.

28 May 2017 18:01:50
Some of the best midfielders come up with big moments witch gini does also at times u don't notice him because he is doing al the unselfish stuff keeping everything ticking over. He has been are best midfielder by far this year.

28 May 2017 20:59:49
Lallana is one of the first names on the team sheet when he's fit.

28 May 2017 21:09:35
Mignolet's distribution has improved mate, along with everything else in his game. I suppose you have conveniently forgotten Karius kicking a goalkick straight out for a corner. Probably hard to remember that with all his other mistakes.

Mignolet will start next season as No 1. I have a £10 charity bet with one of the EDS to that effect.

28 May 2017 21:22:14
Strong points, Big Al but as Puzzled said, Wiji (which you are no fan of regardless) has been great for us and was there to be counted when we were at our lowest with goals vs Chelsea, Arsenal and Burnley (a game where we were in dire straits) . The GK situation is less of an issue and I agree that Karius should never have been pulled cos Migs had been a disaster for three years so Klopp was right to replace him, period.

I will agree that he has improved but this summer they will both go in with equal opp. to fight for the job so may the best man win. I do agree with you that Clyne needs to go, end of. He is awful in all facets of the RB position and it is good to know that Klopp is looking at Ricardo Perreira from Porto, who is light years ahead of any of our FB's as he can play both LB and RB seamlessly. Hopefully, we get him.

29 May 2017 03:37:25
not sure i agree about Karius though? I think he could maybe be a top keeper but i thought he looked really out of place in most his games.
Not surprising though to be fair, with new team and country to boot.

29 May 2017 07:20:39
He's not new to the country Gareth, but he still needs time to acclimatise to the club and the physicality of the premier league.
I thought he looked fine in every area apart from crosses. That dented his confidence.
By all accounts he's been working hard on his game. Good on him, what happened last season is history, he starts with a clean slate 👍.

28 May 2017 14:39:08
Eds,

Do we have any interest in Quincy Promes? There were links in last Jan window and he would be great on LW across from Mane w similar pace. Not a break the bank type signing either - potentially under 20m Dutchman w friendship w Gini from national team etc

Nuff respect from Kingston, Jamaica.

{Ed002's Note - Promes is a right winger primarily and someone who has been dealt with on numerous occasions.}

28 May 2017 12:42:36
Congratulations to brendan rodgers. Unbelievable achievement to go undefeated throughout entire domestic season. How do you top that though.

28 May 2017 12:47:09
Getting past the CL group stages.

28 May 2017 12:48:05
Do it in a competitive league?

28 May 2017 12:50:13
He could top that by moving to a competitive league and actually try to win something that means more than damp squib. The Scottish league is a joke and BR proved that. No doubt he will be a decent manager in the coming years but his time at Celtic proves nothing.

28 May 2017 12:50:38
It's only happened because Rangers are so poor.

28 May 2017 12:54:39
It's a decent achievement, but the jury's still out on Rodgers. If he's half as good as he thinks he is, he'll get out of that Mickey Mouse league ASAP.

28 May 2017 13:22:44
I suspect it will be a platform to get to a major European club. After the Liverpool saga he needs Celtic to help rebuild his reputation. He may well get another PL club but I doubt it will be one of the top 6 again. After all, how many successfully Rangers or Celtic managers have gone on to
manage top sides?

28 May 2017 13:28:41
Seriously, even in the Scottish league, going a whole domestic season unbeaten is some achievement.

28 May 2017 15:12:09
Unbeaten and the treble hasn't been done by celtic since 2002. And they have had better teams since then.

But they have never been unbeaten as far as i know. that's a special achievement.

Haters clear out. aren't we the best fabs in the world. Everyone congradulated benitez. let's give rodgers some credit. he's not here anymore.

28 May 2017 15:51:34
If it was so simple it would always happen. Domestic unbeaten treble in debut season, credit where it is due.

He won't be posting in this site though, due to the character limit. Ha.

28 May 2017 15:53:36
I feel so sorry for the next team he in England he ends up at (that's if he can get his head through the door) because the man is a fraud.

28 May 2017 15:54:48
Neil Lennon had a much better record than him in the CL so BR going undefeated and getting smashed by Barcelona 7-0 means absolutely nothing.
Also, It depends on what you view as an achievement. The SL is just above the standard of League One so for me, until he does it in a league that is reciprocal to Europe's Sunday League, he is still a woeful manager who will not be touched by any big club in the PL or Europe regardless of how many.

28 May 2017 16:22:12
Waro good to see you back, we missed your special brand of cynicism and realism on these pages. 😉.

28 May 2017 16:08:48
Remember when Brendan led us into the champs league.

It was embarrassing.

The man is all about self promoting himself on the European stage.

He ultimately wants to manage Barcelona or Real.

He needs to get REAL.

28 May 2017 18:59:20
Wenger did it in a competitive league, the premier league.
That was a special achievement.
What Rodgers achieved was impressive, but far from a special achievement.

28 May 2017 19:26:32
Jesus christ.

Klopp has won nothing. Failed in two finals. Failed in a semi finals. Just scrapped fourth on the final day. doesn't play the youth.

Hes just won the treble wheres the good sportsman ship. He hasbt got a great tean either. Lennon did have van dijk and wanyama ones about to be about a 50 mil pound player.

Well done rodgers.

{Ed007's Note - And Neil Lennon's Celtic team were beaten 6-1 by Barca in 2013.}

28 May 2017 21:07:08
Thank you ed.

Noones saying he's the next madrid coach. Or coming to spank the prem into shape.

But for me when he joined, all the publicity it created, i knew he had to win the league minimum.

But to win it unbeaten and the treble, that's like absolutely rediculous.

And then for the best fans in the world? To not be able to give the man a clap and move on without slagging him is absolutely abismal.

And lord a man whose done nothing. Absolutely nothing. Just for moanings sake. Brendan hadnt spent anything compared to klopp at this stage and nesrly won the league, klopps team bottled it in january. You will say that was suarez, well without mane all of klopps tricks went to crap didn't they.

The mans great and will do well but he's done squat yet. Just failure. If were still liverpool. if were some b team pub group who get pissed at half time and stagger through gamea then failer must be acceptable.

Again well done rodge lad!

{Ed007's Note - I'm hoping Rodgers stays up here for years mate. I seen someone on here suggesting signing Paddy Roberts and the usual bs answers of it only being Scottish football etc etc So that means they wouldn't want Kieran Tierney or Dembele? Simunovic would walk into the current Liverpool team and Stuart Armstrong has been one of the best midfielders in the UK this season.}

28 May 2017 21:23:33
Only in his dreams, Dermot can he manage Real or Barca. The guy is still a fraud which is why he went to a one team European Sunday League in Celtic. He went there to win trophies with no one to challenge him and like the self-promoting and arrogant individual he is, he prolly thinks he can use that to get a better job at a big club in the PL or Europe. Like I said, only in his dreams.

28 May 2017 23:07:33
I know ed.

The problem with the premier league is were so big headed every one elses success is lowered.

The scottish league, no league anywhere is an achievement if you go unbeaten.

But yeah im certain with noone leaving, a few more shrewd signings. Roberts, id go for brannagan from us, a big youth signing could be someone like reece oxford.

Then one or two more experienced players.

Rodgers kept. You will have a good year in the cl.

{Ed007's Note - Football fans will respect achievements but EPL fans will knock anything outside the league - not team - they support. Look at the money EPL sides spend yet Celtic will be judged in the CL? When are English teams going to be judged on Europe when you see the money they spend. Yeah Celtic got pumped by Barca but so did PSG and will we look at Arsenal from the best league in the world against Bayern Munich, what was it 10-2?
And yet Man City couldn't beat Brendan Rodgers Celtic. The people who slag Scottish football obviously don't watch it, why would they when Sky would rather show Watford v Burnley with their sell out 12,000 tourists with their half n half scarves and selfie sticks.}

29 May 2017 00:29:37
I don't particularly like the fella, but in any league, to go unbeaten domestically in 3 competitions, is a tremendous achievement. He's coaxed a level of performance out of Celtic that nobody has touched for years.

I fully expect progress in the Champions League for Celtic this coming season, and I also predict that Rodgers will stay at Celtic until they (inevitably) win 10 in a row. That will be huge for him personally.

{Ed007's Note - It'll be huge for the fans too. I'm not old enough to remember us doing 9 in a row and winning the EC or losing another EC final so these are very special times as a Celtic supporter. And long may it continue!!!}

29 May 2017 10:38:07
Yeah ed. I remember tottenham doing amazing aswel. Was it semis or not out of the group stage?

You lot gave city there best game after they had won every game for the first two months of the season.

Little crappy celtic and rubbish rodgers where the ones to stop city in their tracks.

You get 60k a week fans. Known all round the world. And do fantastic with the budget you have. End of the day it doesn't matter if you have money but spend is badly. like erm liverpool.

Brendan gave me the best season of my life so far. We were phenominal that year. Battered everyone. Goals, excitement and domination. Ill never forget him for that. He got sacked so everything else that happened lost him his job. Done now.

Made up for him and yourselves!

{Ed007's Note - Spurs dropped down to the EL and were put out by Gent, Gent! With the amount of English teams in the CL next season it's a certainty that we'll get one of them, I'd fancy our chances at home against any of them except Chelsea - we'd probably draw with them ;)

30 May 2017 15:33:37
I hear from now on he wants to be called Jock Rodgers.

To take his place beside Jock Stein and Billy mcneil.

More like Jolly Rodgers.

28 May 2017 10:54:00
Good morning Ed01.

A quick question, if he is a genuine target, why are we after Keita of RB Leipzig?

I might be wrong but from what I'm reading he sounds like a box to box midfielder.

But surely if Klopp reverts to his 4/ 3/ 3 we have Lallana, Can, Grujic, Gini, Hendo and Phil that can occupy those spaces along with Milner if we sign a left back.

I just don't get why we would spend so much money on an area I actually think is one of our strongest. Am I missing something here?

Is someone leaving? Is Phil not seen as playing in the centre long term but back out
on the left? Is hendo not going to get over his injuries?

I just think our money would be better spent elsewhere.

Hope all is well.

Cheers.

{Ed001's Note - they can occupy those spaces, but he offers something different and, the club believes, is better.}

28 May 2017 11:50:09
I don't understand all this negativity and doubt towards the Keita interest, its not our money we are spending and why wouldn't you want a potential world beater midfielder? We want to compete at the top and he could be exactly what we need.

I personally we believe we need a CB, CM, a forward and a LB and its unlikely we will be spending £50m+ on a forward or CB so why not increase the solidity of our side in midfield? We currently have: Lallana, Gini, Can, Coutinho, Grujic and Henderson (assuming Lucas leaves) and with regular fitness concerns for Hendo that leaves us with only Can as a solid defensive presence and Keita offers both brilliant attacking and defensive aspects to his game. We have European football once again and extra star quality and balance in our side can only be a benefit.

28 May 2017 12:20:37
Ive never seen him play but i can't see how he would justify the money at all. By the sounds of it, he is in the same mould as hendo and can, when surely we should be looking at a player more in the mould of lucas who we can actually trust when henderson is out.

28 May 2017 12:52:39
Anonymous Wolback, he is nothing like any of the midfielders you mentioned. Slightly similar style of play to Gini but more refined and loves driving forward with the ball at every opportunity he gets. A bit like Yaya Toure during his peak years.

28 May 2017 13:18:07
Why can't we jut give these guys a chance? They haven't even signed for the club yet. Half the time the board are getting criticised for not showing ambition and not spending enough, and now we've been linked with the likes of Mendy and Keita everyone is up in arms. It seems there is no pleasing some fans. It was the same when we bought Mane and Winjaldum.

28 May 2017 14:30:36
To be fair to the OP Razor, he didn't say he wouldn't be a good player, just thought it wasn't position we needed filling right now - and frankly I'd agree with him as Hendo and Can look very capable in deeper role and we have a wealth of options further forward.

I don't mind him joining as we should always be pleased to see top players join, but hope it's not at the expense of a few other positions where we clearly have players that aren't quite there.

28 May 2017 09:30:26
May be a bit to soon as we do not know what signings will be joining for next season.

Expectations for the new season?

I would be thrilled if we can win the League but do not see that happening yet. First of all, getting into the knockout phase of the CL is a must for me. Along with that I would be happy with another top 4 finish and one of the cups. That is what I expect from Liverpool next season. Anything less will be utterly disappointing.

May be that I am settling for second best. Getting back to the top for Liverpool has been an ongoing struggle for an awful long time so will not be sitting here making us favourites to win the league.

Who's next?

28 May 2017 09:56:48
Similar for me too. Heart says the league title. Head says secure champions league football once again, one of the cups and compete in the latter stages of the champions league. but also a successful season will be if we've addressed last seasons ongoing problems on the pitch too.

28 May 2017 10:41:32
This is just me but I can never set my "happiness" barometer incusive of a cup win. Some msy label it settling for mediocrity but I'd argue that needing a cup or a title to be happy, even if we evenrually won something at the end of it still just leaves you feeling depressed basically all seadon lol I'd be happy if we're in the title race and make it to CL knockout stages. Stoked if we pick a cup along the way.

28 May 2017 12:23:14
Its a successful season if we all enjoy it, have a great time and our team gives us moments to remember. About time us liverpool fans ended this constant cycle of unrealistic expectations and disappointment, of feeling entitled to win things, and just enjoyed football for what it is!

28 May 2017 13:05:27
Id be happy if we finish top 4 again hopefully pushing for a title challenge bagging a cup and getting into the later stages of the champions league.

28 May 2017 14:32:43
Repeating top 4 is a must for me, and I'd really like to see some decent performances in the CL and a cup win to call it a successful season.

28 May 2017 15:35:29
I don't really have any expectations yet however the aim should be to win the league. what's the point of being in a competition if your not going to try and win it.

28 May 2017 21:24:41
Let's just see how the transfers work first and then, we can start setting goals for the season. Just my IMO.

28 May 2017 08:18:21
Why did the chicken cross the road? Benny, Ed001's reaction is what started making me piss myself. Ha ha.

{Ed001's Note - have you thought about adult nappies?}

28 May 2017 08:24:39
I will try fit on my 7 month olds Ed. Might have to combine some using duct tape in order to fit. Will have the concoction ready and waiting for part two of the podcast. Looking forward to it!

{Ed001's Note - good idea.}

28 May 2017 07:55:29
My challenge to Klopp is to find the next Ian Rush. I fortunately did have the opportunity to see this guy play and think he is one that goes unnoticed. Ok so maybe I am asking to much :-)

Rush had absolutely everything one wants in a striker. Absolute goal machine!

I fortunately did have the chance to see him score goals. I started supporting Liverpool the season after we last won the title. Feels like a life time. My sisters ex is a scouser and he was the one which introduced me to football and when he told me about Liverpool and their history and when I started watching matches and delving more into the clubs history I was hooked. I cannot thank him enough for letting me have part of the Liverpool journey. I still have the old scarf he gave me all those years back which has in time faded in colour.

YNWA.

27 May 2017 21:12:21
Ed1 you mentioned a young left back we have juami I think ---
What has happened there, and if he is seen as such a good prospect why are we looking at other young left backs.

Cheers in advance.

{Ed001's Note - because of two things, one it was decided he is more of a centre back and secondly he picked up a few injuries.}