Liverpool Banter Archive November 29 2015

29 Nov 2015 23:50:58
Great win today, let's hope to reach the semis in the league cup :)

Hey guys, so the latest podcast is up Podcast No. 10 It's a review of the Bordeax, Man City and Swansea City games against Liverpool FC

30 Nov 2015 04:42:32
Very very lucky win today. Total Fluke.

9 out of 10 times that would not be given a penalty.

Just imagine if it had happened on the other side.

Only good thing is all other results went our way.

The overall play was very boring and esp the first 20 mins of 2nd half was way boring.

Can't imagine how it would have felt for fans watching live in the cold. Total carp performance. Disjointed from top to bottom.


Don't know if it's an odd bad game or the quality of players. I think the quality we have is just average to below.

Oh Lalana Lalana . Such a pain to watch him play.

Ibe - very very raw. rawwer (don't know if this word exists) than Origi. He make Sterling look like top drawer.

Can - Lucky to be getting so much playing time in a top PL side when so many youngsters are waiting to make a mark all over the football world.

Mignolet -- Why can't Bogdan be given an opportunity or two? He can't be worse than Mig-WILL-let

Firmino looked lot jaded / tired.

Clyne has been playing continuously from day one and I don't want to blame. However he is a very good upgrade over Johnson.

{Ed001's Note - no mate, rawwer doesn't exist, it should say 'more raw' but we get what you mean so it makes little real difference.}

30 Nov 2015 06:31:58
Ibe is too nice, he needs to think about himself more, if he had continho's or sturridges mindset he would be immense, but he's too content with keeping our average players happy. I think it will come with time if klopp keeps starting him. Also how clumsy was benteke today, sturridge would have buried his half chances.

30 Nov 2015 07:38:43
Being tired can affect the performance a lot.
I watched the whole game, In my opinion the energy in first 20 mins was enough to KILL the game. But as time passed we could see the Europa Hangover and game being stretched.

I really hope Milner can be new Kyut. Only issue i see with Milner is his ball control is not good.

I was hoping for Allen to get a start or replacement for Lallana in second half.

As said by Manager in one of the very first interviews that "players need to have vision, they should look around to pass the ball"
Most of the key passes made by Ibe were intercepted by Swansea.

And we cannot ignore the bad weather that affected all his deliveries into the box.
It was indeed boring to watch the game after first half but vital 3 points and 6 points behind the Leaders. Hope the gap reduces further by end December.

{Ed001's Note - Kuyt's ball control was not good either.}

30 Nov 2015 08:03:54
samikewell, I very rarely comment negatively toward someone's point of view as we are all entitled to one. However, this is just so negative and pointless. For me, that's a penalty, hands down. You can't turn your back and raise your arms in the box, even if you are just a couple of metres away. You see so many defenders now go into a block with their hands behind their backs for this very reason. You then go on to critique a few players. Firstly Lallana: yes, he needs less touches and to release the ball earlier. But, he is our most skillful player and is working tirelessly at the moment. I can't remember which game it was, but his dummy on the edge of the box to set up Firmino, I think, for a shot was class.
Then you bag Ibe, a young guy with all the basics to be a really solid player.
Then, for some reason, you get into Emre Can, who I thought was MOTM, what game were you watching?
You bag Migs when he actually had nothing to do all game, though should have called Skrtel off from that header.
Firmino I have to agree with you there. I just hope that the Chelsea performance wasn't an anomaly, but a pointer to what's to come. Maybe we just need to play him in away games?

30 Nov 2015 08:46:25
Stop whingeing lad a win is a win no pleasing some people. You can not play like the city game every game there are going to be boring games along the way the most important thing is we got the win when in the past we wouldn't of. Enjoy the result not the performancr.

30 Nov 2015 09:42:05
Agree with Burky, surely that lad Sami is a united troll? The performance was ok, Swansea didn't have a shot on target so we were pretty solid. Can was excellent as was Ibe. Lovren seems a different player under Kloppo.

30 Nov 2015 10:45:44
Dunno how you got 8 disagrees samikewell. Your post was spot on in my opinion. I think too many people are refusing to accept that anything is still wrong under Klopp. He is a great coach and we are improving and definitely in the race for top 4. But our midfield is still being pushed over, we can't score at home and certain players (Mignolet cough cough) are letting the side down.

30 Nov 2015 11:42:28
Sami I'll tell you what it was like for a fan who went to the game, I enjoyed it. First 20 minutes we were unlucky not to be one up after hitting the post, but then again that 'rawwer' Ibe should have just hit it from 20 yards out shouldn't he. As the game went on it felt like it was only a matter of time till we scored and we always had the option of more attacking players on the bench. Secondly I would like to say that was the best atmosphere at Anfield this season even with the cold weather the crowd actually tried singing and it was nice to see a lot of people stay till the end to clap the side off.

Overall the team looked tired, Firmino especially but he has played 3 games in 8 days. Got to say I agree with the earlier made ramblings about Lallana it was a pain to watch him play yesterday because he too drained himself on the pitch, I think he really goes hard for the first 20 minutes and then he's is spent. Its nice to see him not getting subbed at the 65 minute mark every game but there was little left in the tank at the end of yesterday and as such he was getting sloppy in defence.

Can on the other hand I can't have a problem with, maybe SamiKewell you saw it on TV and the commentators mentioned it but Emre wasnt playing his usual role. It is my honest belief that Allen would have played vs Swansea but was poor in the Bordeaux game and as such the formation was changed (may also have something to do with the weather and opposition tactics not just jumping on Joe), so Emre Can had to play deeper. He is no Lucas but he played well stopping attacks with one absolute fantastic track back and shielding effort in the first half, his passing was ok but he rarely ventured forward because of his role. Can for a big man can not head the ball effectively but that to me is his one fault for a man turning 22 in January. He is improving every game finally playing in midfield and there are few I would rather see in his position for Liverpool in the coming years.

As for the awful word play on Mignolet what did he do wrong yesterday? I actually saw for a change, you know being at the game and seeing the whole pitch and stuff off the ball, Mignolet trying to talk to his defence and get them to keep the line something he rarely did in the past (much louder in poor weather conditions fair play to him) . Now I was all over him on here for holding the ball and he again went over 6 seconds yesterday but he had little to do and to slag him off for that is ridiculous.

Now I'm not going to get my hopes up and say we'll win every game from here to the end of the season and the league is a cakewalk and we'll win every trophy. There is improvement under Klopp and every game you can tell that, the shape, the movement and for me the big one fitness. First game under him he had the press as soon as people got the ball, problem was the players couldn't cope, he obviously reigned this back in so that now (unless we are high up the pitch or there are particularly dodgy players) we press as soon as they come 25 yards out, therefore saving energy. There needs to be a few more substitutions when players are flagging but he is showing confidence that they can dig deep to finish off the game. What yesterday showed was with little time off, or preparation we can still win and win ugly. Even if we had gone behind yesterday I had faith that his side could get back in the game which is something I couldn't say under BR for the last season. 3 wins on the bounce and we can play much better than yesterday overall I'm very happy at the moment and long may it continue.

30 Nov 2015 12:01:07
Because a lot of it was tripe EMS

Luck had nothing to do with the win

9/10 penalties for that aren't given is a fact from thin air

The play certainly wasn't boring. It wasn't disjointed. We are carrying 1 or 2 players but our play was good.1st 25 of 1st half we were very exciting, and when Hendo came on we took it to another level in the final 15 and should have had some more goals

The general quality of the 1st 11 is NOT below average.

The Ibe hyperbole is embarrassing.

Lallana comment . great insight there

The comment on Can after that performance needs a lot of explanation.

Cough cough Migs he messed up midweek getting called for a foul that hasn't been given against any other keeper for a decade. YAWN. he didn't do much in the game so don't get what he did wrong here. Clearly not good enough, but Bogdan hasn't shown much in the game she's played and people made the same calls for Brad Jones who made howlers *cough cough EMS*

I'm not entirely sure on the Clyne Johnson thing, if he is hinting Clynes a good player, he's certainly wrong in my view. I'm not even entirely convinced on the ''upgrade'' at the moment personally.

30 Nov 2015 12:43:54
Hmmm 6 wins in 7 games but somehow that's just not good enough for the hyper critical. Yes the performance was not as stellar as the man city game. But considering it was the second game for many in the space of 3 days and our home form is patchy at best then yes that was a bc fantastic performance. I love you jurgen, c'mon lfc we got your back. well some of us do lol.

29 Nov 2015 21:02:58
Hey lfc fans

Who replaces the two full backs?
Surely they won't play every game?

29 Nov 2015 21:31:48
Youngsters?

29 Nov 2015 22:58:10
Connr randall was on the bench today, Jose Enrique is in the 25 man squad I think. There are other youngsters whos names escape me. If necessary we can switch formations. The players should be able to last the season, but we're also not too far away from January should anything serious crop up.

This is a non issue.

30 Nov 2015 00:15:40
Smith could play at lb.

30 Nov 2015 03:16:34
Agree Randall and Brad Smith, but I'd be a lot more comfortable if Flanno gets fit sooner rather than later.

We need at least one proven backup if someone gets injured (and no, I don't count Enrique until he proves himself again) .

29 Nov 2015 20:36:26
I think that's the type of match we wouldn't have won under Rodgers, most likely had a draw or even worse.

6 points separate us from 1st place City and 4 from 4th place Arsenal. we've played United, Tottenham, Chelsea, City and Arsenal, so we've done quite well now that we have some confidence back and look like a formidable team once again, also having dealt with some key injuries which unsettled the team. As well as qualifying from our group stage in Europa which at one point didn't look likely.

I am extremely pleased going into the crazy Christmas schedule, this season is back on track and the players and new manager need to be proud of their hardwork which needs to continue. Bravo Liverpool.

29 Nov 2015 21:15:06
I too think our league position is quite healthy. But I keep seeing posts saying "and all the top teams need to come to Anfield still" and I'm not being funny but our form at Anfield is terrible.

If Man United came to Anfield next weekend I wouldn't bet on us winning put it that way. Hopefully Klopp has time to sort out our home form by the time the top teams visit though because under Klopp so far we've drawn 1 lost 1 and won 1 at Anfield in the league I think? Correct me if I'm wrong but you get the gist of my post. Anfield is not currently a fortress that teams are scared to visit. We're better at going to other teams and taking points off them right now.

{Ed001's Note - did we not just win at Anfield tonight and in midweek?}

29 Nov 2015 21:23:43
Midweek wasn't a league game though and in both games we've relied on soft penalties to get the victories Ed. Surely nobody can sensibly argue that we are playing well at home right now? We scabbed wins against Bordeaux and Swansea. Swansea have like 1 win in 10 games and Bordeaux are a mid table team in a (albeit only slightly) lesser league.

We only got murdered by Crystal Palace at Anfield like 2 weeks ago.

{Ed001's Note - but our recent form is 2 wins in 2 games, so it is not bad form, regardless of the performances. You were talking about form not quality of play.}

29 Nov 2015 23:01:54
Murdered by palace? We played better against them attack wise than Swansea, EMS.

30 Nov 2015 01:50:56
We need to open up the opp defence more with better wing play and crosses. Ibe and moreno needs to put the ball into area where it hurts and the midfielders need to risks those runs in to penalty area more.

29 Nov 2015 22:03:21
I said league form. We've won one league game at Anfield under Klopp so far.

All I'm saying is we need to improve at home before we can start counting our games against United, City, Chelsea, Spurs, Arsenal etc at Anfield as guaranteed points. If we can go to the Etihad and take points then other teams can come to Anfield and take points.

That's all I'm saying Ed. We've been bang average at Anfield and I consider form to be based on your record over about 5-10 games across a couple of months rather than 2 games across 4 days. But I do see your point. It shows minor improvement at least.

{Ed001's Note - you said no such thing. And you can consider form to be whatever you want, but as most of the games were before the international break, they are not relevant.}

30 Nov 2015 03:17:53
Murdered by CP? Are you on some medication, EMS? We played ok and CP took advantage of our errors and won the game and had we not wasted our chances, we would defo not have lost. I know u're being cautious but no need to exaggerate the issue.

30 Nov 2015 08:52:50
The main reason we do not "WIN" as often at Anfield is because teams come to us and "park the bus".
The reason for this is because they fear coming to play us and hope to leave with a point.
Swansea did not have 1 shot on target yesterday. NOT ONE.
We need to find a way of un-locking these teams.
In some parts of the game yesterday when we were in Swans half there was only Migs and one other defender in our half.
Believe me, teams fear coming to us. And as a result we will see more of these "boring" games at home.
Klopp will sort it. And when he does, we will begin to make in roads on the top 4 spot.
vrcomp
Y. N. W. A.

30 Nov 2015 10:26:12
I started the post with an opinion on our league position and then later quoted our last 3 results at Anfield in the league only. I didn't use the exact words "league form" but it was obvious I was referring to our record in the league.

European form is irrelevant to domestic form anyway. Look at Chelsea. Caught in a relegation scrap but winning their Champions League group.

It's funny you all think we were good against Palace. I must've missed our toothless attack and panicky defence who fell apart during every counter attack. We were dire. Hence why we lost against an average team. Unless anybody wants to argue that Zaha, Bolasie and Puncheon are world class?

It's okay to be unbiased guys. We haven't been good enough at home. Just admit it because other fans looking in and reading your comments will be laughing. We needed a soft penalty to beat (based on form) one of the worst teams in the league. It was a penalty but you see them not given and aside from that we had one other shot on target.

I know Swansea had none. But that was to be expected. Have any of you seen them lately? They have 7 goals in their last 10 games. This is a clean sheet that should've been an expectation. Not something worth praising.

And the excuse that teams sit back doesn't wash with me. They do against City, United and Arsenal too and they score loads at home on a regular basis against the lesser sides. We need to improve. If you can honestly say you think our home form/performances etc (whatever pendantic terminology you want to call me out on) then I'm sorry but you're wearing rose tinted specs.

I have every faith in Klopp to rectify it but let's not count our eggs just yet. Just let it go and stop making wild predictions about us being top of the league come Christmas and laughably calling West Brom, Sunderland and Leicester easy games. Pulis teams are never guaranteed points, Sunderland are on a high with a new boss and Leicester whether you like it or not are flying this season. We have a tricky December. They are all winnable but there are still points to be dropped if we do not focus and get complacent. So reel in the expectations until Klopp proves he can make Anfield a fortress again please.

{Ed001's Note - European form is not irrelevant at all. Nonsense, shows a complete lack of understanding of the point of looking at form.}

30 Nov 2015 10:54:58
Of course European form is irrelevant. Sion, Bordeaux and Kazan would be relegated from the Premier League. They are only in the tournament to fill out numbers. Hence why we can beat them or at the least match them with reserve teams.

Tel Aviv, Ludogorets, Genk etc. Its a cup competition. Might as well include mighty wins against Northampton Town, Wimbledon etc in the form guides.

I'll agree to disagree Ed. But I don't count cup competitions as being relevant to league form. It's a different style of football (slower pace) against (during the groups) lesser sides.

{Ed001's Note - you really have no idea what you are talking about. Form is relevant due to the confidence it builds, not what competition it takes place in. Otherwise we may as well discount the win over Chelsea, as they play slow paced footie and they are crap this season.}

30 Nov 2015 12:51:11
Sack klopp now our form is terrible. We want carlo, chant with me people carlo, carlo. No, noone?

29 Nov 2015 19:21:09
Not that convincing but very important 3 point! Almost all the team above us drop point! Arsenal, Everton, West ham, Spurs, Southampton, man utd. What u guys think of Can performance in this match? Couldn't really think it's a good or a bad for me. GREAT to see handsomeson back as well as sturridge lasting more than 5min.

29 Nov 2015 19:29:30
Haha handsomeson quality.

29 Nov 2015 19:32:21
It is great to see handsome back playing again 😂.

29 Nov 2015 19:41:49
For me, can and lovren had their best games in a liverpool shirt.

29 Nov 2015 20:22:53
Thought gorgeous was outstanding as well 😱.

{Ed001's Note - I wasn't playing.....

30 Nov 2015 03:21:00
I thought Can played well even tho, he had no one to mark because Swansea were very poor but he showed his passing is improving. Lovren is getting there but has a long way to go to convince me that he's up to the task. All in all, solid perfs.

29 Nov 2015 18:51:06
It almost seems we have two playing styles at the moment, a Brazilian type attack with movement and passing (Firmino, Coutinho, Llalana) and a target forward and wide attacking mids setup (More suited to Benteke, Milner, Ibe) .

I think this does have an impact on how Firmino is playing (he's best with quick one-twos and through balls) so can't wait to have Coutinho back, and also think Sturridge will suit him too with his runs. Think our best side will eventually be Lucas and Hendo behind Couts/Firmino/Llalana and Sturridge up top.

Having aid that, I thought Can played really well today, really seems to be going from strength to strength in midfield.

29 Nov 2015 19:21:24
True, but firmino has to be able to make 5 yard passes that aren't going 0.1mph. It must be the transition between bundeliga and the epl. He has played like this more often than not, and has to improve. Think he can be a more important player for us along with coutinho, but at the moment he isn't. He's extremely frustrating with the ball unless he's playing one twos.

29 Nov 2015 19:24:03
whatever style you play, players have to be able to pass the ball. Ibe, Milner (both as usual) and sorry to say Firmino for the second game running, couldn't give one accurate pass tonight. Can and Lallana weren't better. and all with way too many touches. Benteke as well.

Lucky win but we will happily take the three points, you need to know how to win these games. But we have to have Lucas, Henderson, Sturridge, Couts on the pitch and Milner and Ibe on the bench.

By the way, good penalty from Milner, as was the one midweek, but both were staight in the middle of the goal, he sould mix them a bit or GKs will just stay in the middle.

29 Nov 2015 20:10:16
Scrappy win guys and girls. Need these along the way. Winning on a off day? I'd take that on the days they pop up.
Under Rodgers this was a loss of at best a draw. Take the win!

29 Nov 2015 21:09:34
If I'd been asked half an hour before the City game would I take three wins this week I'd have had your hand off.

In the top 6, not out of CL contention by any means, reached the knockout phase of a European comp, chance to qualify for a cup semi coming up this week and a few games coming up that give the squad (and fans) an opportunity to keep growing in confidence.

A bit better positioned than I had expected in September.

I also think Klopp seems to be a decent bloke too - aware of the need for diplomacy but with signs of astute man management. quite possibly interesting times ahead me thinks.

29 Nov 2015 19:17:20
Absolutely Spot on Zimbo, Nailed it there. Now replace Milner with a top quality, proper winger.

29 Nov 2015 19:20:33
Very much agree.

Firmino was wasted out wide today; having him there, wastes his creative movement, runs, link-up play in tight spaces, flick ons, etc. He even has some booming strikes centrally; some of those will eventually start hitting their mark.

Clearly, Firmino was moved out wide to accommodate Benteke -- the idea being Firmino would help feed with crosses. Not sure why Klopp preferred Lallana centrally under this formation. Given how Klopp has used Firmino as a 9, 10, and now as a winger, he might view Firmino as more versatile than Lallana.

I don't know. But Firmino is far from his best on the left, in this formation. Needed him centrally.

Benteke poor today on several counts. Slow, undermines our fluidity in attack overall, and now we're putting our other great players in less effective positions to succeed, in order to accommodate and feed him in the middle. Not great.

30 Nov 2015 02:31:49
Kman, agree Firmino's been below par in terms of his touch and passing last couple of games, I'll put that mostly down to learning curve, coming down to earth after the City game, but also a lack of movement around him that means he's trying too hard to create on his own.

I think overall we got a bit stuck in the wide channels on the night, with only Ibe looking dangerous out wide (or perhaps occassionally Moreno on the overlap) . I believe Benteke would have done better with someone like Mane, Ayew, Marhez or Bolasie to stretch the defence with their dribbling and pace out wide, and ability to whip crosses into the box. We lack that, with Milner a part time winger (at least for us), Clyne hasn't shown he can take players on, Firmino is more natural in central midfield etc.

On the other hand, Firmino would also do better with Coutinho alongside him to take on sides through the middle, and/or with someone like Sturridge or Ings in front of him making intelligent runs.

I don't think it's insurmountable problem, and perhaps I'm reading too much into a couple of games, but I do believe it's something Klopp will have to solve for if we are to utilise Benteke at his most effective.

Perhaps given Swansea love Allen so much we could convince them to swap him for Ayew :)

29 Nov 2015 18:47:11
Okay crap performance but got the win, got what we needed for once and didn't crumble, defence has been worse than that this season and led to 1-1 draws so at least we knew the importance of the match and got the result. Also that spirit rubbed off on the fans as they were in full voice at the end of the game when nerves died down. there's the positive.

On to the obligatory moaning bit.

29 Nov 2015 20:03:54
Sorry i posted before i had finished.

Obligatory moaning bit being that benteke, firmino, lallana and especially milner, were all dire tonight.

Benteke needs to step it up a little because while he creating chances for himself and others he is also squandering a lot of them. But he hasn't been relatively good for us. Firmino the same, touch was dreadful tonight as was benteke's. Both have been good recently though so we can just mark it down as a one off.

However, once again, the performance fro milner and lallana was just unacceptable. Lallana couldn't find the right direction to go with the ball in a one way street, he just never passes forwards or creates anything of note.

Milner was just awful. Again. He plays like a 65 year old man who's about to have a heart attack. Always huffing and puffing and falling on his arse and stretching for the ball, always looking so out of it on the ball, everything he does is so lethargic its like a lame dog was playing. I don't care what his style is or his work rate, he's a highly paid footballer and needs to play better, its absurd.

All in all just one of those days. Need to improve for the coming games, need to win as many as we can convincingly to build momentum.

29 Nov 2015 18:28:58
Good result, the old liverpool would of drew or lost that game. Think some players need a rest midweek play some of the youngsters. It will be good experience for them but more importantly give senior players a well deserved rest.

I think concentrating on the premier league is a must, with the fixture list we have had to be 6 points off too of the league is some going in proud of the team well done lads on a head fought week.

All hail klopp.

29 Nov 2015 18:37:30
3 points most important, especially after Europa league. No massive chances in the game at all though, but we didn't really look like conceding, which is a plus! Firmino looked tired, hopes he's rested midweek, but would have preferred him in the middle rather than wide. He still hasn't played 90 mins for us, but lallana seems capable of doing so now!

29 Nov 2015 18:56:37
I agree. Although I'd love to win on Wednesday, all focus should be on resting the likes of firmino for Newcastle.
I think our squad is good enough to go do a job on Wednesday I really do.

29 Nov 2015 19:06:58
Agree about Lallana. What's changed with him? He was always a 70-75 min player, even at Southampton.
I think it's great that he now plays the 90, he is growing in confidence too, playing the ball bait quicker, pressing really well.
Long may it continue.
Well done Red Men :0)

29 Nov 2015 18:16:24
Onwards and upwards we go again 4 points off fourth and played top six away not bad for the worst fixture list ever.

29 Nov 2015 18:39:21
6 points off top and we have an easy run of fixtures and all the top teams at home next year. Title challenge?

29 Nov 2015 15:50:28
Good team for me! Sturridge and hendo subs but coutinho not even in the squad, worrying or just precaution?

29 Nov 2015 15:19:46
Hendo and Studge on the bench.

29 Nov 2015 12:40:11
hi, anyone know where match is on?
or any links.

thank you.

29 Nov 2015 13:56:10
Try cricfree or eplsite.

29 Nov 2015 13:58:24
The match is on at Anfield. Cheers.

29 Nov 2015 15:20:41
My p2p is good to watch it.

29 Nov 2015 08:48:40
Anyone see the article Carra wrote? It's about the Klopp comments on Studge. Pretty much seem's like he's written it to Sturridge tell him to go out there and show what you can do.

29 Nov 2015 09:13:00
Id prefer mane he's rapid and scores goals although mahrez is very good! can we have both its xmas.
I think our main priority is a gk. I have never liked mignolet yet another of the football geniuses buys.
Where would we be now if klopp had been given 200-300 million?

29 Nov 2015 09:25:42
Swanseared do you even care about the actual football? Or is it all about transfers and what/who we could buy? I'm enjoying what our team improve and excited to see where this team can go.

29 Nov 2015 12:18:06
Lol so am i i was being sarcastic, with most fans wanting 2 buy a new team each summer!
I don't think we are that far off being very competative but a new gk is a must u can't trust migs atal.
Jurgen klopp is the only singing i wanted an we got him - i'm very happy.