Liverpool Banter Archive December 02 2016

 

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02 Dec 2016 21:25:23
Is Bobby Adekanye highly regarded or anywhere near the firet team? Cheers.

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{Ed001's Note - yes but no, not yet.}

03 Dec 2016 08:43:42
Very highly rated but he struggled with injury for a while. He'll bounce back though.


02 Dec 2016 19:31:28
Probably for ed01 this. I know you've answered similar questions to this before. But. Rafael Benitez. Has he become less standoff-ish as a manager since joining Newcastle? As a man manager in the past he was lacking that gentle touch. But listening to some of the Newcastle players now, saying "he's improved the squad morale, we're like a family etc. " Do you think he has adapted and added that to his game?

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{Ed001's Note - yes, he spends a lot of time examining his mistakes and looking to learn from them. At Newcastle he knows the main problem was that they were not working as a team, they were all individuals playing for themselves. So he worked to change that and bring them together.}

02 Dec 2016 20:02:21
I'm glad he's been able to work on that. Usually you either have that sort of thing or not. I know I try to be nice and it comes off forced haha. I'm sure people can read through it!


02 Dec 2016 23:46:56
Such a good man. Wish we can have Benitez as assistant coach to Klopp.


03 Dec 2016 05:30:40
Benitez as assistant to klopp would be like trump assistant to obama.


03 Dec 2016 19:45:25
Harsh on Rafa comparing him to Trump😡.


02 Dec 2016 18:15:47
I know you got some spare time for me Ed01☺️
Whose your pick Xabi or Xavi and Y. Both excellent and both so different.

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{Ed001's Note - Xabi was light years ahead of Xavi, it is not even a worthwhile discussion. Iniesta is the one that made, and still makes, Barcelona tick, Xavi was just lucky to play alongside him. Xabi is the best holding midfielder, possibly, ever. Xavi is just a very good central midfielder, but nowhere near the best in his role. When Alonso was at Real Madrid, their win ratio increased massively when he was in the team compared to when he was missing. He is that good that he makes a genuine difference in a team of 11.}

02 Dec 2016 18:29:51
I always believed Xabi was a once in a life time player and better than prilo ( this has nothing to do with the Liverpool background ) . I know many love Xavi because he was so good in a brilliant Barcelona team.


{Ed001's Note - Pirlo was not even close to Xabi's level. Pirlo was a liability defensively.}

02 Dec 2016 19:00:14
Xavi and alonso were different types of midfielders.
Xabi was a holding midfielder and his positional sense was and is the best you could possibly seek from a player in his position. Fans often look at tackling as great defensive work and play . Prime example macherano who was vastly over rated. he was making them last ditch tackles because he was out of position and caught ball watching most of the time . No positional awareness.
Xabi prevents dangerous moves and balls simply because of his positional sense. He knows were the danger is and snuffs out the move without having to touch the ball. Defensively brilliant and offensively we've all witnessed how good he is. Fantastic passer.
Xavi was a fantastic offensive midfielder imo. The only thing Xavi had over alonso was that he was more skillful. Like Iniesta the ball stuck to his feet and he could dribble his way out of danger with 2/ 3 players around him. Everythingelse though Xabi was superior. He's an all round brilliant midfielder. Warrants to be called" world class "and actually under rated because like iniesta he deserves to be called one of the greats of the game. Intelligent man and truly great midfielder.


02 Dec 2016 19:11:37
Big Al

No disrespect to my best player Xabi, But Xavi was the best controller of the ball ever 😎. Thi guy was like a robot in short pass. He takes the control of the game from kick off to until he is subbed off 😎.
I adore Alonso and only player I ha e got 3 shirts of but Xavi was no ordinary mate 😎.


{Ed001's Note - you have not seen him play in Qatar if you believe Xavi is that special. He was little short of ordinary there, despite being up against a low level of opponents.}

02 Dec 2016 19:23:26
Well not Ed01. Always believed Scholes and Xavi was neck to neck when it come to the best CM. And Alonso was a a special player. A truly special player

A football expert defiend Alonso as ". He is a DM who could launch attack. "


{Ed001's Note - Scholes was better than Xavi without doubt, in my opinion.}

02 Dec 2016 19:47:22
Bit of a shift away from central midfielders ed, what did you make of thierry Henry? Always thought he made everything look simple.


{Ed001's Note - brilliant player once he moved up front, but he was not a good winger. One of the best centre forwards of all time.}

02 Dec 2016 20:53:20
Alonso was and still is, the best DM or DLP in Europe, period. He showed that being a headless chicken, making tackles and last ditch interventions, were nothing but smokescreens, to mask patent faults in your game. See Mascherano, who doesn`t play DM any more because of that reason, IMO.

Xabi plays a very difficult position so effortlessly and his passing ability and positional sense, tactical nous are not even on the same planet as Xavi. He made SG a better player, no doubt which is testament to his overall ability as a footballer.

In fact for Spain during the time they won things, the central midfield was patrolled by Busquest/ Sena with Alonso at the base while Xavi was played behind Villa/ Torres. I wonder why? may because he wasn`t good enough to play where Alonso was (Busquets is awful, btw) . As for Iniesta, even Messi isn`t better than him, and never will be, IMO.


03 Dec 2016 00:17:09
The top of this thread reads like the world's ultimate tongue twister.
Alonso is the greatest of his generation and since, try to think of a weak part to his game there are none
Did he ever miss a shot from his own half.
Hard as nails, vision, skill, awareness, team play, bottle (pen in cl final) .
I've followed football for 40 yrs and I really can't think of a better midfielder I've seen apart from maybe Gareth Barry!


03 Dec 2016 06:53:02
I think Zidane was a better midfielder.


02 Dec 2016 18:02:02
With regards the debate of Karius or Mignolet. Karius has a few cock ups. Mignolet has many. The speed that Karius distributes the ball plays more to our style of play than mignolet. In my non professional opinion.

Believable2 Unbelievable1

02 Dec 2016 18:06:57
Both decent keeper. One hasn't improved a bit in 4 years while the other has time in his hand.


02 Dec 2016 19:19:53
I she holding a watch then?


02 Dec 2016 20:56:25
There`s nothing decent about Migs. Three years of screw-ups and errors have shown that. Karius is already light years ahead of him in the footwork, and distribution dept. (miscuing one pass in 90 minutes doesn`t change any of that) pass) and is steadily improving. I`m ready to give him time to make his claim for the spot, just like I gave Migs time to prove he was a flop. That`s only fair.


{Ed025's Note - that is very magnanimous of you hamilton, just remind me not to go to your fall out shelter when the 4 minute warning sirens go off....no doubt the door will be locked with just you on the inside mate.. :)

03 Dec 2016 02:03:23
Hamilton is right. No doubt about it whichever way you may look at it. Migs isn't / wasn't good enough and there's nothing else to it.


02 Dec 2016 17:39:10
James has said Origi is starting Saturday . Yes I love Origi and hope he scores.

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02 Dec 2016 18:02:25
We are playing on Sunday.


02 Dec 2016 19:55:41
Ya Harry sorry my bad . I always look to watching the Reds .


{Ed002's Note - It is unimportant - it is only a game.}

02 Dec 2016 20:46:14
Is Origi playing by himself on Sat lol.


02 Dec 2016 22:35:43
Who is James? And why does he know the teamsheet ahead of time?


03 Dec 2016 01:43:38
James Pearce from the echo lads. He's also said Lallana and firmino are fit lol.


02 Dec 2016 17:25:08
Question for Ed001 and fellow Reds - for the next month, and between Firmino and Origi, whom do you play up front and whom on the left wing? My personal choice is Firmino up front and Origi coming in from the left. I believe that Origi is a better finisher (that tap in against Leeds was pure natural finisher) but with Firmino there, it seems our attack simply functions better. He presses more, he manoevers around and creates open spaces for the others, and the interplay is more creative. Opinions, gentlemen!

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{Ed001's Note - Origi up top, Firmino is excellent on the left and that would be my preference for their positions in the long term anyway. I prefer Couts to play from deeper, behind Firmino.}

02 Dec 2016 18:01:03
Origi is built to play CF, not left wing nor right wing. Firmino is good wherever he plays hence, he can play on the left till Couts gets back. Either way under Klopp, the system is flexible and players are interchangeable so it won`t make that much difference, IMO.


02 Dec 2016 18:05:43
Disagree. Firmino up top and if some ever displace him it has to be Sturridge or similar range. Coutinho ha son fixed place he roams and Float around and just occupies the left flank for the sake of it.
If Liverpool sell Sturridge I would get Icardi ( this guy is excellent infront of the goal and is a work horse off the ball. I am a regular inter Milan match viewer )
Icardi and Firmino up front with anyone behind would be lethal.


{Ed001's Note - Icardi is an utter prick who is one of the main problems with Inter and why they are such a mess. I don't care how good he is, I would never want that man near the club.}

02 Dec 2016 18:05:48
Thanks Ed.


{Ed001's Note - welcome.}

02 Dec 2016 18:11:43
Thank you Ed01 😎. I just love him for what he is. Absolutely terrific on the pitch.


{Ed001's Note - he is but he is not so terrific off it. He is terrible for team spirit.}

02 Dec 2016 18:44:00
Amazement, bewilderment, confusion, consternation and just plain freaking stunned - to find myself sharing the same opinion as Harry! (LOL)


02 Dec 2016 18:45:06
Harry, you confuse me.

There was a post (yesterday I believe) that you said Frimino is an attacking midfielder and not a striker and shouldn't be because he misses sitters.

Then you basically say he should be playing up top with another striker. and would be lethal.


02 Dec 2016 19:53:43
Exactly how good is he ? Never seen him play.


{Ed002's Note - He is a 29.2.}

02 Dec 2016 20:57:59
Hoola, Harry is full to the brim, of contradictions. get used to it, mate because there`s a lot more where that came from.


{Ed025's Note - yeah..but you just cant stop liking him mate..

03 Dec 2016 01:13:55
29.2?, thought he was better. 36.7 surely.


03 Dec 2016 08:53:51
Tripe.


02 Dec 2016 16:45:27
Ed001, do you think the reception that Torres gets from Liverpool fans is warranted? I know he forced his way out and moved to a rival, but lots of fans make out he's worse than Suarez/ Mascherano. Imo those two are vile scum, Fernando isn't that low!

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{Ed001's Note - I have never heard anyone say that of him sorry.}

02 Dec 2016 17:43:57
It hurt when Torres left, at first I took huge enjoyment from his terrible play at Chelsea, but then I just felt sorry for him.

I'm happy for him being at Atletico and doing well again.


02 Dec 2016 18:02:24
I`ve moved on really, and like Hsf said, I felt really sorry for him even when Chelsea were winning the CL and the EL trophies.


02 Dec 2016 18:10:09
If there is one player the Kop loved as good as the God it's Torres. His first goal was was class. I was lucky to see him live as well the best midfielder of my generation Xabi.
Fernando bought the Liverpool FC back to the Liverpudians.
💕.


02 Dec 2016 19:00:02
I think anyone who thinks a player is scum for moving clubs needs their head tested.


{Ed002's Note - It is a Liverpool thing more than any other club IR - I am with you.}

02 Dec 2016 19:51:40
I saw both Torres and Suarez play at a charity game at Anfield (was it last year or the year before? ), and both were cheered wildly when they came on. So I don't see the negative reception at all. Maybe there are a few guys on here who write that way. Anyway, they are both professional footballers, and they did what they thought they had to do, at that moment in time. Not much else you can say.


02 dec 2016 19:55:59
it was b3cause he went to chlsea at a time when we were fierce fiearce rivals, after releasing an autobogrphy aswel stating he qould never but if ya watched gerrards twstimonial then he knows he is still loved.

fernando torres liverpools number nine 'bounce ;) ' tuneeee.


{Ed002's Note - I suspect the trouble started over a spelling error rather than a move to Chelsea.}

03 Dec 2016 01:08:27
Agree with hsf. At first, i felt hurt and betrayed by him, looking back i realize there were probably other factors at play, i think he said in his book he was going to be sold in the last days of Hicks and Gillete to raise some funds? Could be wrong there. It was sad that his career went soo bad after that, as I would say in his prime at Liverpool, he was probably at the time the best No.9 in the world. I saw him play back in 2007 and score against Fulham in front of the Kop, and he was just a pure joy to watch. I don't feel bad that he left anymore, it is ultimately just a job at the end of the day. I often wonder how he feels, if he had the choice would he choose to have the form he had at Liverpool but not have any trophies to his name, or be at Chelsea and win the PL and CL but have awful form. I do feel bad for him, but was delighted when he moved back to Athletico Madrid. It is hard to believe it is nearly 10 years since we signed him. YNWA Torres, I thank you for all what you gave to this club, always wished though to be able see Torres and Suarez up front for Liverpool. That would have been amazing.


02 Dec 2016 16:31:47
Ed001,
On your match previews could you add score predictions for each game? I know you're superstitious so you don't have to do our game if you don't want to.

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{Ed001's Note - no, I don't do predictions.}

02 Dec 2016 19:08:34
Okay thanks for the reply ed.


{Ed001's Note - sorry mate. It is a silly superstition, I know that, but I can't help how I am.}

02 Dec 2016 19:42:42
Not a problem, we all have our faults;)


02 Dec 2016 14:17:12
Do you think Alex Teixeira can still be a good backup to mane and Coutinho in January? I still rate him.

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02 Dec 2016 14:57:25
No. No. No. Its History. Leave it alone. Lol it makes me laugh posts like this, so we go and buy him for cover then when couts and mane are back then What? Come off it, He's never going to be a liverpool player for us and we don't need him.


02 Dec 2016 15:32:02
Seriously?


02 Dec 2016 15:53:59
Massive no, no, any player who is willing to China in the prime of their career has a very questionable attitude and is very obviously a mercenary. I would rather we avoided mercenaries', Alex Teixeira is also in the past so leave him there. There are far better, younger, hungrier options if we do want another winger.


02 Dec 2016 16:08:52
Exactly. Mane was bought to take up the slot that Texeira would have probably taken. What's the point now, especially when you have players (second team and U23's) already waiting to get their shot on the position? What message does it give to them? Even if Klopp does buy, then I don't see him buying a like for like player to replace Mane.


02 Dec 2016 16:37:25
i think suso would've been perfect, he could've pushed for the starring eleven. really liked him. shame we lost him.


02 Dec 2016 17:32:34
Watched Suso a few this season and he would have been great in our system.


02 Dec 2016 13:08:23
A little question for ED 01 or Ed02 if they are around.
Last summer I thought I would see a lot of Pedro Chirivella who was expected to be the next big thing.
If I remember correctly he even signend a new long term contract.

Now I didn't see or hear anything new since then, is he injured or doesn't he have as much potential than expected

Cheers Marc.

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{Ed001's Note - he is only a kid mate, he is playing in the U23s.}

02 Dec 2016 14:46:37
Tank you Ed

Marc.


{Ed001's Note - welcome.}

02 Dec 2016 10:12:48
Ed01, In reply to the thread under the underrated player. Poch has admitted the club made a mistake in selling Gylfi Siggurdson and I think he is right. He is a good player who scores goals and that is what they are missing atm. He is a better player than a lot they have now including Son.

Cheers.

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{Ed001's Note - quite simply he is not. He has not got the mentality, which is why he fits in at Swansea without pressure but crumbled at Spurs when there was pressure on him. It is also why he has turned down offers to leave, as he likes the easy life there. Wrong attitude, not enough ability, it is because of things like this, that Swansea are where they are.}

02 Dec 2016 10:30:16
When he went to spurs I was relieved because he was linked with us. No thank you. Woulda been another Markovic kinda situation.


02 Dec 2016 10:55:21
Ed01, Keeping aside the winner mentality for a second the lad knows his strength and weakness and took the step down to play where he thought he would effective. That's a top class attitude in my eye.

Liverpool FC

nothing like markovic gylfi is a very good player mate. You would be raving had he moved to us back then.


{Ed001's Note - that is not what happened. He was out of the team and Swansea made an offer so he jumped at it, rather than trying to fight for his place. That is not a top class attitude. Players that do so never become the very best. There are those that are bombed out by clubs that fight their way back up and there are those that fight for their place but are forced on by the club. Never those that run away for an easy life though.}

02 Dec 2016 12:50:54
Like Henderson, who refused to leave and now is club captain?


{Ed001's Note - exactly. The easy option was to take the move and accept his time was over, but he just refused to accept it and worked twice as hard at his game instead.}

02 Dec 2016 13:07:20
All the above arguments doesn't make him a bad player. Some who are at Spurs working their way out are terrible. He might have taken the easy route but he knew what he was doing.


02 Dec 2016 14:37:55
Nah another one of them f4om you Harry I can't agree. He's not good enough for a top team like us and that's as simple as I can put it.


02 Dec 2016 15:46:03
Harry, that is not the argument. He is a good player, only for Swansea-type clubs and that unfortunately, is not good enough for both Spurs and LFC clubs as just being a good player is not enough. Ed said he choked and never fought for his place, took the Swansea money and jumped ship. Hendo could have done that BUT didn`t, like Noski said. He stayed, got stuck in, and BR couldn`t do without him in the team, eventually. I would like Hendo-type players at LFC who have a backbone and desire to not be denied, than some "good" without the stomach for a fight.


02 Dec 2016 15:58:34
Harry, I'm not sure you have the capability to do this, but repeat after me "I'm sorry, I was wrong"


{Ed025's Note - its the guys opinion zed, he has no need to apologise for that mate..

02 Dec 2016 14:59:48
Ed, are you saying that Borini and Enrique were right to stay put and fight for their place. At least Gylfi realised that he wasn't wanted at Spurs, and left for first team football.


{Ed001's Note - he was wanted at Spurs, you are missing the point.}

02 Dec 2016 18:34:25
Made my day Ed025 😎. You are one brilliant person who hardly pops here and has a massive job at Arsenal and EVerton page. Owe yuh a pint mate ☺️.


{Ed025's Note - cheers mate..

02 Dec 2016 09:45:39
Any of the eds or posters know the progress of our U18's Attacking midfielder Yan Dhanda. How close is he to PL2 and what to the coaches at the academy think of him .

Thank You.

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{Ed001's Note - I am sure I watched him play in the U23s against Derby recently. He is very highly rated, they are just being careful with him.}

02 Dec 2016 02:48:04
Banter.
Some managers, klopp included choose to field 'a youthful'or second string side' in the league cup games and I personally love it. That said, how does the group feel when you reach the semis or final and have a chance to win it? Stick with the kids as they got you there and deserve the respect OR play your first team understanding it may give you a better chance at a trophy?
Is there a 'code of honor' between managers to stick with the kids?
Happy to hear what the group thinks.

I just find it almost rude when Jose plays a full strength squad against say a second string Chelsea squad as what happened earlier this year. But then again, rarely does a manager take heat for winning some silverware.

BTW as a yank this is rarely an issue as our Traditional sports don't have cups Julie st regular season games.

Believable1 Unbelievable1

02 Dec 2016 06:24:33
Difficult 1 to call, but I my money is that the "kids" might be happy with the idea knowing the team stands abetter chance of winning with a "stronger side" which they will also benefit from with winners medals and all. On the other hand I could be wrong and they might feel as if they not good enuf. Down to how Klopp handles the subjective situation.


02 Dec 2016 06:50:06
Now that we are in the semis I would go full strength. We are the strongest team left in the cup and it is a chance for klopp to get his first trophy.


02 Dec 2016 07:01:57
There´s nothing rude about being serious about a competition?


02 Dec 2016 07:23:55
We exist to win trophies. It has been way too long since that feeling. Win the trophy then discuss the options later. The kids will get their chances in time.


02 Dec 2016 07:28:54
I think a mix of both. TAA for instance has done extremely well so should keep his place. First teamers who are on bpl periphery like Can, Moreno, klavan etc could/ should be replaced by matip, hendo and Milner.


02 Dec 2016 07:52:15
I would go with a full strength squad, even though a mix of the first and second teams would also be fair enough. It's a team sport. If one player scores the winning goal, the whole team wins (on and off the pitch) . If a goalie let's in the losing goal, the whole team loses. So individual glories and defeats should be secondary. People remember only the titles and the years in which they were won. The players in the team get pushed into the fine print.


02 Dec 2016 09:08:38
I think I'd go half and half in the first leg and then see what needs to be done in the second leg. If we're losing then go strong.


02 Dec 2016 10:01:07
Id say go full strength, Southamptons not a bad team and could upset us. I want to win the cup and believe we can, we're better then all 3 teams in it so to be we have to win it. Of course it all goes on the day.

I would include Woodburn and Trent, even if it's just for one half or something they need to be part of it in my opinion. I wouldn't play Moreno or Klaven at this stage, Moreno for me hasn't changed much and Klaven worry's me at times, I really don't know why we got him in, he's backup at best, I want to see Gomez back. Migs is debatable, but personally i'd prefer Karius. Hendo has to be on, as does Milner, Matip, and the rest of the starters should they be fit.


02 Dec 2016 10:45:49
Klopp will put out a team that he thinks will beat the team we are playing. Simple as that really.


02 Dec 2016 11:25:52
Arsenal fielded the kids the other day and got a decent hammering from a full strength Southampton. Klopp would field a full a strength team which will include some youngsters as we will have UTD away immediately after the league cup tie.


02 Dec 2016 12:40:40


arsenal team - martinez, jenkinson, gabriel paulista, holding, gibbs, coquelin, elneny, ramsey, reine adelaide, iwobi, perez. imo only martinez, holding and reine adelaide could be considered "kids" - if you want to argue iwobi then i won't fight too hard but my point being that there 3/ 4 "kids" max in that team.

southamton team included the likes of martina, yoshida, reed and mcqueen - these are certainly not full strength players mate.

it's clear both teams mixed experience with youth and southampton came out on top.


02 Dec 2016 13:07:27
The rule in any game is to send out a squad that you believe is capable of winning it no matter who the opposition decide to field from their squad. If that means kids then great, so much the better and so much the better for the future. If you do not believe that you can play them and win then you can't play them.


02 Dec 2016 16:15:39
The Saints made 6/ 7 changes in the team that beat Arsenal so neither team were at full strength. As for us, the young players know what time it is and know they probably won`t play in the semis nor the final. They are definitely already happy for the chance given to them to perform and know they did well enough to get more chances going forward, which they more than deserve after their brilliant performances. As a young player, you just wanna play and it doesn`t matter what competition you`re in.


02 Dec 2016 16:25:41
Early stages play the youngsters but by the semis we should be playing full strength apart from perhaps a couple of slots for players that have been on fire in earlier legs. I'd play Origi and perhaps TAA.


02 Dec 2016 17:14:11
I think if young players contribute to the team getting to a semi-final then they deserve the chance to play in the semi-final. I'm not saying field a completely inexperienced team but that the youth players deserve a chance - how are they supposed to get used to pressure and expectation if you withdraw them at the first sight of it. I'd be bold and put a few youngsters in the team - you can always use substitutions if it doesn't work out.


{Ed025's Note - im with you seano..

 
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