Liverpool Banter Archive November 29 2014

 

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Believable1 Unbelievable0

29 Nov 2014 21:33:33
Hello

A quick 'tip of the hat' to Johnson today for that one moment of uncharacteristic bravery.
Credit where credit is due.

There was a moment when he inexcusably gave the ball away (again) on the edge of our box, causing me to throw the electronic cigarette i had in my hand across the room.
It is now broke.

Lucky i'm not one to moan ;/

Believable18 Unbelievable0

29 Nov 2014 20:40:57
Well at least we won, but i'm still far from convinced, wait till we play the big boys! not inventive enough in midfield, defense is still shaky but better with Toure, Enrique did Ok, johnson did ok but still making mistakes, Lucas played well, some better performances but i think we looked workmanlike not enough flair, Lallana instead of Allen for me, still, a win is a win and a start, well done for the win lads.

Believable10 Unbelievable1

29 Nov 2014 20:04:43
Biggest shock of the day is that our u18's beat Stoke they usually get hammered by them so extra well done to them today

Believable6 Unbelievable1

29 Nov 2014 19:56:30
The game was encouraging. Liverpool looked better and better the longer it went on. Sterling played better than he has for a while, Coutinho played well, Henderson looked more effective. Even Johnson had a good game raiding down the right virtually at will. Even Mignolet pulled off some good saves. Hopefully this will do wonders for their confidence. A win midweek will give them belief I think and potentially lead to a good run at just the right time.

Believable8 Unbelievable1

Good assessment mate, it's obvious that confidence has been a bit low, but the second half performance was much more like it.

The players really seem to be putting it in for Rodgers, a lot of spirit shown today. The rest will come with results and confidence.

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I'm just happy Rodgers let them play the last 30 or so rather than knocking it about the back.

Agree0 Disagree0

29 Nov 2014 19:42:08
Thank god.

Believable3 Unbelievable0

29 Nov 2014 18:27:09
3 Points thank god, but we were very lucky, I would urge you all not to read to much into it and just be grateful for the win. We were pretty much awful for two thirds of the game and only poor finishing by them got us over the line.

I don't like Lucas but thought he and Toure played well, having said that, I would like to ask the Stevie haters, you all got your wish and he was dropped, do you think we were any better or worse?

I thought we were rudderless without him myself but I'm sure none of you will agree! Stevie plays for me end of!

Glad of the win, but were still in a really bad place and the Manager still isn't getting the hint.

Believable6 Unbelievable5

I don't think people hate Stevie, I think they just don't agree with him being deployed as a defensive midfielder. I think it is more that the fans are acknowledging a weakness in the team and the only way to fix the weakness is to drop him or play him in his natural position.

Red Rum

Agree15 Disagree1

29 Nov 2014 18:46:53
I'd still much rather have Lucas at DM than Gerrard. And Coutinho at AM than Gerrard. The only difference I would've made today was allen for Lallana, not that Allen did poorly, it's just lallana is better.

Agree9 Disagree1

I totally agree about the game. It was dire, but 3 more of the samw might bring us better efforts in the long run. The whole team is so down on confidence right now, and i mean everyone including Gerrard. We did keep a clean sheet tho. Would you still persist with Gerrard so deep Waro? Or further up the pitch?

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So, Waro, a bit of a contradiction going on there with your post: You want people to not read too much into a single games' performance but want people to make a judgment on Gerrard after 1 game?

Agree7 Disagree4

For prob the first time, i will agree w/ Waro. I want my team to winregardless of the manager is BUT it is still not good enuff and the probs are still there unfortunately. The first 60mins were dire to near worthless and we only started playing at the hour mark which is not good enuff to win games consistently in the PL. Here`s to hping he has learnt and will change the tactics and system for the next game BUT I highly doubt it.

Agree1 Disagree0

29 Nov 2014 19:28:14
@AG - I think Waro's point is that some people were coming across as if dropping Gerrard and putting Lucas at DM would almost overnight solve the bulk of the problems the team is having.

Agree3 Disagree0

Something red, that's exactly what i was getting at. Glad at least one poster can look past the name at the bottom of the post.

Agree3 Disagree7

Irish rover, further up the pitch now mate, he can influence the game more from there.

Agree3 Disagree2

I agree with AG here, you can't say not too look too much into it and ask people to make a snap judgement on the game without. regardless of the point. it seems very contradictory.

Agree2 Disagree4

Isn't that our first clean sheet since that dire 0-0 with Hull? I'd say dropping Gerrard helped.

Agree5 Disagree2

I don't know many that want Gerrard dropped completely, I just want to see an actual CDM play that position instead of one of the best attack-minded midfielders the game has seen.

Other than that, think I agree with the rest Waro.

Agree1 Disagree0

29 Nov 2014 23:22:59
Waro

Mate what's that Gerrard offers that you are proud of lately. Absolute nothing TBH.
Just after 10 mts into the game you could see him literally walking one end to other.
Would you play him at ACM ahead of 5 attacking players we have got?
Absolutely not.

Agree3 Disagree0

Not at all Waro. If you have been reading the site regularly, you would have noticed that our sentiments on what is happening at LFC match at least on some levels.

Agree1 Disagree0

Ah! And here we have the king of the Stevie haters EMS. So we got our first clean sheet since the hull game and it's in the main due to Gerrard not playing? ha, that is the most inept and clueless post I've read on here in years and that takes some doing lad.

Agree0 Disagree4

30 Nov 2014 12:53:18
Gerrard offered absolutely nothing when he came in. In fact our game slowed down. We need to face the fact that Gerrard has lost significant pace and power.
It makes no sense to bring him in and leave Lallana and Markovic on the bench. Brendan's inability to come out the Gerrard grip could be his downfall.

Agree0 Disagree0

Waro,

I don't personally see it as stevie being dropped. I see it as the boss resting him because the guy is nearly 35 and can't play 90 mins three times a week to a high level.

If you look at the fixture list we have a lot of games coming up and I reckon he rested him as he thought this was a game we could win.

This has been done by all the top managers over the last few years to their aging stars and to good effect.

I think Stevie will still start all the "big" games and be rested where possible.

Agree0 Disagree0

29 Nov 2014 17:57:35
I had wondered when BR talked about "our season starting now" whether he had finally realized his possession style footy wasn't working, accepted defeat and was going back to the more intense pressing style. We saw glimpses of that today, but I guess we will have to wait and see if this is the case over the next few games.

Believable4 Unbelievable0

If the last 30mins of the game doesn`t tell him that the High press game is what his players thrive in then I don`t know what will.

Agree6 Disagree0

29 Nov 2014 17:35:50
Well done today lads, toughed it out at the end. Signs that the confidence is returning a little bit, especially in the second half. Little intricate pass and move, trying to get through a packed defence, could've had a couple more on another day.

The crowd really got behind Brendan and the team aswell today, good to hear and see. Ynwa boys.

Believable5 Unbelievable1

It was a decent 2nd half from us.

Agree3 Disagree1

The crowd was the only thing i could cheer for in the first hour because the footie was dire at best. It was this same crowd that got us over the line, IMO. Bravo and YNWA!

Agree3 Disagree0

29 Nov 2014 17:19:00
Oufff! Finally a win and 3 points in the bag but BR tactics is still not good and his players are playing without confidence. Apart from the win, the only positive for me is Toure at the back. He is way better than Skrtel and Lovren.

Believable7 Unbelievable1

Could not agree more mate. Apart from 20-25 mins, the rest of the performance was just dire and boring. Yes, we got 3 points but it still should not take away the fact that Brendan has no idea what he is doing. Lucas and Kolo need to play more regularly but we all know Gerrard and Lovren will be thrown in sooner rather than later even if Lucas and Kolo keep performing well.

Agree6 Disagree5

Don't know if Toure is a better player, but what he has is a leader and organised and I think he also is a bit of a character.

Agree4 Disagree0

Based on Toure`s recent perfs and Skrtl`s errors, then I`m afraid he is better. Toure`s a leader and that is what our defence is lacking and until proven otherwise, he should b playing. Lucas was very good today and IMO, should not have been subbed.

Agree2 Disagree0

How much things can change in a year: stoke having more possession at anfield. - extremely worried.

Agree3 Disagree0

29 Nov 2014 17:06:15
That's as gutsy as I've seen this season so far. Lambert has been huge, in my opinion. Good win and confidence booster.

Believable11 Unbelievable0

Lambert has stood up to be counted in each game he has played and you can see how much it means to him.

Agree5 Disagree0

29 Nov 2014 18:55:07
Totally agree on lambert, so pleased for him. When everyone is fit I guess lambert plays with sterling on the left and sturridge on the right. That leaves 3 midfield places up for grabs and currently lucas has to play in that team, so were down to 2. personally coutinho is a terrific player so i would have him in which just leaves one place. Can would seem to add good ballance while hendo ads a few goals and terrific energy.

Agree3 Disagree1

Lambo has shown he is ready to go to war for his boyhood club and is coming good right b4 our eyes. The high press we played in the 2nd half shows that our squad can cause probs for the opposition BUT BR is schackling them with his disgustingly boring possession game which we all saw fail miserably in the first half. Will he finally change? Only time will tell.

Agree2 Disagree0

Hope so, redohio. The last 30 or so were miles better than the first 60 even if it did open up the game for Stoke as well.

Agree1 Disagree0

29 Nov 2014 17:05:30
Credit where due - I slagged him off before the game and at half time but a really good second half and brave finish from Glen Johnson.

If that second half doesn't show we are better on the front foot and pressing teams, i don't know what will.

Believable10 Unbelievable0

He`s making a fortune every week so the least he can do is take one in the face so as to help the team win. Not slating him but he, like the rest of the team had a shocking first 50 mins.

Agree2 Disagree0

29 Nov 2014 17:04:39
Great to finally get a win and a clean sheet. Thought the lineup was improved, think Rodgers has learned that playing Lovren and Gerrard causes to much instability in the defence. Lucas and Toure did well, nothing spectacular, but they did the job that was required. Not a pretty win, but we were stable, and didn´t let them create a lot of chances. Also thought we created a lot of chances ourselves in the 2nd half. We could have won by 3 or 4 goals.

Believable3 Unbelievable2

As much as I agree with you, i doubt BR will change anything because he has done nothing to indicate he is ready to do that and the fact that he waited till the last 15mins to make a change shows he still has no idea what he is doing. I am still waiting to be proven wrong and I`ll be glad to be wrong provided my team wins.

Agree1 Disagree0

29 Nov 2014 16:56:45
Umm, does that not prove that the pressing game works? If Rodgers wants to keep his job, he has to make the team press. It is hard for the team, but we only need to do it for the first few minutes of the game to set the tempo.

Believable8 Unbelievable0

29 Nov 2014 17:08:51
It was hard work, not at all pretty, but it could be massive win if use this result as turning point

Agree2 Disagree0

The players we bought and the players we have fit the high press game as shown in the second half but for the life of me, cannot understand why BR keeps playing this aweful possession game that just inhibits the players instead of releasing them. I will reserve judgement till the next game(s) because BR has shown nothing to suggest he is ready to do that and making 1 change in the 75th minute shows no sign that he knows what he is doing and I don`t see him changing anything because he has done nothing so far in that direction. I`ll b happy to b proven wrong.

Agree0 Disagree0

29 Nov 2014 14:46:11
Gerrard is dropped. ? I almost couldn't believe it. As I threw cold water in my face, I looked at the rest of the team sheet. Toure starting!?!. it couldn't be.

This has to be a dream.

Oh wait, johnson is starting. Back to reality.

Believable7 Unbelievable2

It is a truly poor starting line up and one which reflects how far down the wrong path Rodgers has gone - a defence that still includes Enrique, Johnson and Skrtel despite seasons of poor performances and bad defensive displays - it is almost beyond belief.

Agree3 Disagree4

29 Nov 2014 15:50:53
Now if Rodgers will play maybe one more central midfielder, we should have enough clutter in there for an even more boring half.

Agree0 Disagree2

Enrique has played alright in the game. Skrtel n Johnson so far haven't been put under too much pressure.

Really need to see more from Sterling. I think he needs to wear one of those performance metre vests because it looks like he has been taking it way too easy the past months.

Agree0 Disagree0

29 Nov 2014 16:45:07
I'll eat that humble pie all day. Thank god for glen johnson haha

Agree4 Disagree0

Try it with Skrtel or Enrique next week!

Agree2 Disagree1

About time he took one for the team. He`s been poor for months yet still plays every game.

Agree0 Disagree0

29 Nov 2014 14:19:26
IMO Moreno, Can and Lallana would be playing every week. They actually put in a shift. I don't understand the decisions made sometimes.

On the sacking of BR, I bet Newcastle and Hammers fans are glad the board stuck it out with their managers.

Personally, I'm on the fence

Believable5 Unbelievable1

29 Nov 2014 15:22:50
I don't care who he plays, I want him to find his best 11 and stick with them. This team tinkering for the sake of it need to stop. Southampton and Chelsea used around 14/15 players (starters) in the 11 pl games, its no coincidence there are where there are in the table.

Agree4 Disagree1

29 Nov 2014 16:26:42
Moreno was at fault for the goal midweek

Agree2 Disagree4

Moreno needs to stay on the bench UNTIL he can figure out how to defend and if he is ready to challenge for a header instead ducking from every aerial ball that comes anywhere near his face.

Agree2 Disagree0

29 Nov 2014 14:03:55
Moreno's on the bench again today.

Is he carrying an injury or something, or is Rodgers starting to go cold on him?

Believable1 Unbelievable0

Don't know, but last game we had 2 start from the summer signings, this game just 1.

Agree1 Disagree0

The fact that 5 of the subs on the bench were new signings worth 87m pounds is a damning and scathing indictment on BR who suddenly has no confidence in the players he bought (shocking, I know) and that shambolic transfer commitee who clearly have no idea what they are doing. As an owner, i would b fuming at that stat alone.

Agree0 Disagree0

29 Nov 2014 13:44:16
It was 16years ago today that a baby-faced Steven Gerrard made his Liverpool debut. AAAHHHH.

Believable6 Unbelievable0

29 Nov 2014 14:02:42
And would you believe it - he's dropped today.

Agree0 Disagree0

We needed the win, so no qualms w/ him neing benched and I`m sure SG would take the win being on the bench over starting and losing/drawing.

Agree0 Disagree0

29 Nov 2014 13:10:37
Hi to all the EDS and fellow REDS

I should stop reading newspapers. we spent £14.3M on agents??!! For what we signed? FSG are, without questions, the most patient and understanding owners (Proper sports owners) in the PL.
No one should have any complaints about FSG, although I'm sure the 'moron element' will find something to point at FSG.

So, come on Brendan, do your stuff, we are ALL behind you and team.

YNWA

Believable5 Unbelievable0

I think that is for last season. It is much higher this season.

Agree0 Disagree1

Would anyone blae them if they tried to sell up then? because with the money pit that LFC is at the moment, I wouldn`t buy us if I could.

Agree0 Disagree2

29 Nov 2014 12:14:23
Oh dear, sounds like we are going to play the same team as we did against ludogorets :/

Believable0 Unbelievable3

Would be happy to see Lucas play. We have missed his energy and skill

Agree3 Disagree2

29 Nov 2014 10:50:22
Todays Liverpool game isn't shown on Norwegian television. First time that's happened since for as long as i can remember.

Believable5 Unbelievable0

29 Nov 2014 06:15:10
Judging by Brendan's latest interview where he claims to be closest to the sack among BPL managers, i have a feeling he is trying to win some sympathy from LFC fans after so many excuses for the team's poor performances. He seems to have lost confidence in himself and the team and knows he has f****d up big time. Clearly was not ready for the job and will never be unless he downsizes his massive ego.

Believable10 Unbelievable4

29 Nov 2014 06:20:15
I am more worried if the new man comes in and demands a hefty transfer war chest and existing clear out?

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{Ed001's Note - if it is a new head coach, then he won't be making those kinds of decisions anyway.}

Passion_pride_LFC, our squad is pretty good, at least to make top4. We still lack a top CDM, GK and another striker for depth and the team could easily go for the BPL and UCL titles. Any manager coming in would have a good squad to work with as long as he sets the team up to play to his strengths.

Agree5 Disagree1

29 Nov 2014 07:30:16
Indian

The three position we lack are the most important in team.
Also we don't lack a striker for death, we need one world class.

Agree0 Disagree0

Passion, to get that world class striker we need money. The likes of Higuain, Martinez etc will all cost over 30 million GBP. FSG will probably want both Balo and Borini to move on to fund such a purchase. A strike force of Sturridge, Origi, Lambert and Higuain/Martinez would be great for next season. But personally i would prefer to see money invested in a quality GK first, then CDM and then a striker.

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29 Nov 2014 11:45:36
@ Passion. We can't predict whether a new management team would want to expensively stamp their own mark on the team. And for FFP reasons they mightn't be allowed anyway. But if they can't, it's far from the end of the world because we have a good squad that isn't in need of major surgery.

The way I see it, we definitely need to replace Migs, and even if we hang on to Lucas, we'd probably need to consider getting another DM as cover / an alternative option. Up front, we have Origi arriving, and I don't think it'd be helpful for his development if we basically tell him we don't trust him by signing another striker too. Our other problem area is right back, and we don't necessarily need to buy one: We have a good one on loan at West Brom who we can use next year, another good one in the youth system, and a decent one on the treatment table. We're okay everywhere else. So that's one, maybe two, first team players, and another back up option.

And after signing those players, plus loan returns & youth promotion, we would be able to offload: Migs, Borini, Balotelli, Aspas, Assaidi, Alberto, Allen, maybe Skrtel if we got Illori back from loan and extended Toure's contract by a year and possibly a few others largely without missing them. Okay, Borini, Aspas, Alberto, and Assaidi wouldn't command much in fees and Balotelli might have to be loaned out, but it would mean some transfer income without selling someone we actually want. Not to mention cutting down on the wages bill.

Agree0 Disagree0

Our squad is pretty good and IMO, don`t need too much overhaul. We just need to play a style that suits them because they are suted for the quick, pass and move, high-press game and not this slow, possession garbage we see evry game. As Ed01 said, this is why Allen (a good player) seems lost. He is playing in a slow possession system BUT w/ players who play the high press which makes him ineffective. We need a anager who will play to the squad`s strengths and not to it`s weaknesses.

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29 Nov 2014 15:04:02
There will be no new man till summer, unless we drop to bottom 3 and I can't see this happening.

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29 Nov 2014 00:59:27
Does anyone know roughly when we should be expecting the verdict from the Hillsborough inquest to come? i'm sure I read way back in March that it could be close to christmas?

Believable0 Unbelievable0

 
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