Liverpool Banter Archive January 02 2015

02 Jan 2015 22:40:20
Hey peeps,
Assuming Yesil is available, BR plays him - which is a bigger assumption than the first!- Do you think he could fit into the system or will the system need changing to accomodate him? I ask this because aside from knowing that he was a beast for U-21 Germany, I don't know much else. Will he be a star, wasted or not good enough?

02 Jan 2015 23:37:46
He was incredible when signed. I think injuries have slowed him down a bit. The ability is still there. Good luck to him.

02 Jan 2015 22:31:45
Been reading a lot of posts about who is the greatest Liverpool player of all time.
I think a lot of people will have a very similar top 10, but the order will be different as each opinion is different.

Does a certain player stand out from the rest as he was better than those around him, so carried the team more or does that just make him seem better because he was better than those around him?

We have been blessed with many many great players over the decades, but each of the "legends" were in stand-out teams surrounded by many top class players, so does that make Gerrard the best as he did it surrounded by some shocking players that really should not have played for us?

It's a debate that will go on for many more years (hopefully - as that will mean we have more legends and world class players in our team in the years to come).

All I can say is that the player that hurt me the most with leaving is Fowler.

Gerrard is in my all-time top 10 along with the likes of Fowler, Barnes, Rush, Dalglish etc.

It's a shame that he was not able to carry on with the style of play we know him best for, but since about 2009-2010 we have not really seen the Gerrard we will remember in 10, 20 years time.

Maybe if he had been managed better, he could have carried on playing at that high intensity but over fewer games and/or as a sub (like has been discussed in many posts these past couple of seasons)

I would love to see him come back when he hangs up his boots and be part of the set-up in some form.

02 Jan 2015 21:54:00
Ed001 I'm so happy that there's another person in this world who has the same view as me. The amount of Gerrard worshipping in the past couple of days has been so embarrassing. You would think the world was about to end.

02 Jan 2015 20:05:41
Ed's any chance of signing jurgen klopp brother clipperty? :)

Top bantz. Fair play if you've come up with that!

No we going to sign the mouse that ran round the clock, must have a good turn of speed!

02 Jan 2015 22:39:39
Do you mean Hockory or Dickory or Dock? And what about that Jack horner? Bit short but good at corners apparently.

02 Jan 2015 20:21:16
Whatever his personality off the field his performance on the field, along with only a handful of other great players over the years, rightly earns Steven Gerrard a place amongst Liverpool's top 10 players of all time.
It's easy to forget the incredible performances he has delivered over the years because of our recent malaise.
He was so close to ending on a high last season and I don't think any of us could begrudge him if he did a Lampard at some point over the next 2 seasons and won the premier league with Chelsea or Man City. I've no doubt if he was coming off the bench for Man City right now he'd be doing what Lampard is doing. He hasn't been given that freedom or been managed properly, although I'm pretty sure he's headstrong and made it tough for the manager to use him to the optimum.
Anyway good luck to him and hopefully this will give the hendo's & Lallana's the opportunity to express themselves and grow into their careers at LFC and a new era will be born.
Thanks Stevie and Carra you'll always be legends.
YNWA

{Ed001's Note - I don't think anyone would argue over top 10, or at least I would be surprised if they did anyway!}

02 Jan 2015 21:04:14
Why can't fans not just appreciate that we've had 17 years enjoyment of a top footballer ?
I can't think of anyone that, over that time frame, played for the club and was good enough to cover (not just cover but be first choice, in fact England quality) 4 or 5 positions !
That includes Kenny, Souness, Hansen, St John. Liddell I never saw and can't judge. Tommy Smith and Ian Callaghan had similar longevity to Stevie, but covered two or three positions.
There has never been a better all-round footballer for such a length of time at Liverpool than Gerrard.
That can't be disputed surely ?
Does that make him the best ?
It must do.

Cheers Ed
I had meant to say in my post what Aldridge suggested that he played with some poor squads over the years and a few good players alongside him.
I'm not his biggest fan as a person but I do respect hi s ability and contribution to LFC. We are all overdue a change, Gerrard included. Happy New Year all.

02 Jan 2015 19:54:29
This will be the first time in many years we haven't had a player in the team to make a goal from nothing now that Stevie is leaving, in other years we had fowler, Owen, Rush, kenny, Aldo to name but a few, now we have nothing, slightly depressing to think that we have to rely on what we have in the team now, take a bow Brendan for not replacing Suarez when we had money in the kitty instead of wasting it on players we could have got by without.

Coutinho and Lallana? There's two already.

Sturrdige
Sterling

02 Jan 2015 18:47:55
I get the feeling Shaqiri doesn't want to play for Liverpool, and i have had that feeling for a loooong time, i mean if he wanted to play for us he would have done so by now! we at least are not his first choice but hey, what do i know, i hope i am wrong, he would be good for us.

02 Jan 2015 19:14:04
He's a good player, but I'm struggling to see why we're signing him with Lallana, Coutinho, Sterling & Markovic already here and Ibe to return from loan.

We have enough attacking midfielders. We need cover in other areas.

Totally agree, if he was a world class keeper or a 25 goal a season number 9 maybe. but an attacking midfielder ?

Let's face it, he's at one of the best teams in the world right now with a very real chance of wining several trophies this year. You would think twice about leaving for a mid table placed team where the manager will probably put you in to play keeper. Would love him at our club but there are bigger priorities we need.

02 Jan 2015 18:25:44
Legend and alltime great? absolutely
our best player right now like the experts are saying and like some of the fickles are saying on here now he's leaving? definitely not
I don't care if he's played in dm or forward he's not the player he was and at some point we had to make the change, let's look at it as a positive thing and give him the send off he deserves while we go through to a different era with a new outlook
YNWA

02 Jan 2015 17:57:00
Listen, let's have this Gerrard thing right here.
He was / agruably still is good enough to turn out in several positions for LFC.
He's been in the first time 17 x years ok ?
Forget this argument on his status as a great, because there is no argument.
Take it from me who has seen Liverpool sides over the last 40 x years.
If Gerrard had been born in another time, we'd be talking of possibly the most decorated Liverpool player ever.

Say he made his debut at 17 in the 1973/74 championship team. He would have got his place as a CM / right back, maybe not played all the games but enough to be a valuable squad member.
Likewise the 74 cup final team.

By the time 1976 came around, he'd have been there - right back, CM, or right sided midfielder.
1977 team, the same.

The 78 European Cup Final team saw the emergence of the Souness and McDermott partnership. But an ageing Emlyn Hughes played left back, and Jimmy Case as RS midfield. Gerrard would have gone in my team before both aforementioned.

By 79/80 we had Sammy Lee, Avi Cohen, Jimmy Case still. Again, Gerrard would have gone in my team in place of any of the above.
Sammy Lee was still present in the 81 European Cup side, so Gerrard would have had medal no.3 there.
By 82, Lee and a young Ronnie Whelan were playing in midfield - Gerrard anyone for another couple of seasons ?
The 84 side still had Lee and, by now, Craig Johnston. For me, Gerrard (at 24 / 25 year old by now in our mythical world) would be automatic choice in the team in place of either.
85 saw Souness depart, and Gerrard straight in to his favoured CM role.
Would you choose Steve McMahon, Nigel Spackmann or even Jan Molby over a Gerrard at his peak ? No, is the answer there.
So, by the time he is retiring, say 1990, Gerrard would have played (was good enough to, rather) in every Liverpool side for 17 x years.
Believe me, there is no doubt about that. He was that good. He wouldn't have been able to pick and choose his position, and as I say may have covered several, but that speaks volumes for his footballing ability.
If he was about then, managed by Shankly, Paisley et al, there would be no more decorated Liverpool player.

Rewriting his career is pretty delusional. Shows the lengths people will go to in order to exaggerate.

Why not just write that he's been pretty poor for some time now. Isn't that more realistic!

I'd choose Molby, Whelan or McMahon every time at their peak, Molby was a superb footballer anyone who had the pleasure of seeing him play would agree, Whelan was a better all round footballer than Gerrard as he never lost his head but always put the boot in when needed and McMahon could play defensive midfield something Gerrard is not capable of, don't get me wrong Gerrard was good enough to play in these sides but better than those guys? Have a word with yourself. He is better than Sammy Lee and Spackman were, I will give you that.

Sammy Lee was a very underrated player

The juicer, spot on, Mr Dennis, you must be having a laugh, none you mentioned where as good as Gerrard, just because McMahon could play centre mid better than Gerrard so what? Molby was class but all round nowhere near Gerrard and Whelan (one of my favourite players by the way) can't be put near Gerrard either. You are so far off the mark that I think you are taking the p*ss or Gerrard has Kn*bbed your bird.

02 Jan 2015 20:11:00
He's a club legend, we won us a champions league, he has not been the player we loved for several seasons and now he hardly has any legs. Thank you Stevie and show some respect for a Liverpool great.

Very difficult comparing past and present players and pretty pointless in my opinion. Footballers are complete athletes these days, not as much in the 80's. If Whelan, Mcmahon and Molby had the same fitness and training as Gerrard would they be as good? Who knows! Would Gerrard be even better if he had the quality wplayers e had in the 80's or would he not tried as hard? Hard to say. They are all equally very good players that we can look back on with fond memories. that's it.

Should have read DEFENSIVE centre mid

02 Jan 2015 22:57:56
Molby was an exceptional passer of the ball. Absolutely exceptional - I've never seen anyone since who could move the ball on and direct the tempo like he could. Fat git though who could barely jog let alone run. Whelan was a good honest workman. Back in the mid-80's I once watched him single-handedly destroy West Ham at Upton Park. McMahon was a complete midfielder - he wasn't the world's greatest but he had a crunching tackle, was brave and could play any midfield position.

All three of Molby, Whelan and McMahon could boss the midfield every time, as much as I like Gerrard, he never had that ability.

Gerrard was the best of HIS generation but he wasn't the greatest we've ever had by a long chalk.

By the way Molby scored two of the greatest goals I've ever seen from a liverpool player, the free kick against Norwich and the run against Man U. He was a beast, great on the ball, could pass better than Alonso and boy could he hit a ball.

I do wish Gerrard well in his next club, but we have to move on and forget sentimentality, there isn't any place for it.

Mr Dennis, I watched ALL the LFC careers of the 3 players you mention and loved them all but I can honestly say I can't put any near Gerrard at all. The era the 3 played I watched us home and away and would go to all home games and be gutted if I missed more than 2 or 3 away games league and cup often going to every game.
You mention 2 goals by Molby, come on Gerrards goals in quality at least match them and quantity far outnumber so come on what is your real beef with Gerrard? Because you don't seem to be able to give him anything like the praise he deserves. And for the record, I don't particularly like him as a person but I am simply talking football. Maybe we just have to agree to disagree because we are miles apart.

02 Jan 2015 17:36:38
If my eyes don't deceive me "there's something going on around here"

At present we have a goalie you would not hang your hat on unless it was a Top Hat.
Great shot stopper but inadequate in every other area of goalkeeping.

Different defenders selected on a weekly basis, playing different systems-unable to settle-unable to gel-zero cohesion.

Midfielders-or should i say "more defenders" who concede far too much space for our opponents to attack us when we lose possesion, regardless of who's playing, so i can only assume this must be a "philosophy".

Attack wise we're like Arthur Mullard - Toothless without saurez, sorely missing studge, inept with purchased replacements, and now appear reliant on just young Raheem trying to paper over more cracks than Ed001's uncle can offer up in a world record joke telling attempt.

Defending throughout the premier league is mediocre at best-rule changes in recent years have aided attacking play, so how in the name of martha and the vandellas has Brendan managed to bugger up a system of attack attack attack he stumbled upon last season, which clearly delighted the majority of reds from here to Timbucktoo.

I would like to offer assistance in the construction of a management system capable of getting the most from the 50 or so players at our disposal.

Manager---------------- Ed001
Financial expertise----- Ed002
Owners liason officers- Waro and Ozone
Physio- The corker from Chelsea
Young scouts----------- Reet & Big bad ben
Statistical analysis---- Adam
Kit man Ken Aguero
Technical support----- Ed033
Entertainment officer- Harry
Cheerleader----------- Daveyboyblue
Tea lady--------------- Miss Mushroom


Kind Regards

YNWA

{Ed001's Note - no DoF?}

02 Jan 2015 18:04:30
DoF has to be macca

I am 100% behind your suggestions. For clarification, does 'young' scout mean I spot young players, or I get to be considered as young myself?

I will be the physios personal assistant.
I can help her get them rubber err gloves on. ;)

Wooo!

Quote: Macca on 2014/15 Summer transfer window

"Good transfer window, really feel we've improved the team"

Macca for DoF! :D lol.

Just banter guys, I love Macca!

02 Jan 2015 18:54:57
Youth scouts come on man put me in the physios office a p.a perhaps?
Anyways I am honoured:-D Probably scout myself first though I am little out of shape for a 15 yeqr old

Can I be the team spiritual and psychological doctor

03 Jan 2015 02:45:44
Spiritual doctor. Sounds sketchy. I like it

03 Jan 2015 05:53:29
Dof not needed Ed, you get to pick the players so we know who to blame if it all goes pear shaped.

Tj, you get to manicure Ed002's toe nails.

BigBadBen, appoligies if your a wrinkley.

Mikey, or should i say "Marigold" your in.

hsf, good spot mate, New rumour munger.

Reet, sorry fella, Marigold beat you to it.

Adam, for that response you also get to sit up front with the train driver at away games.


YNWA

{Ed001's Note - pear shaped? With that team behind me? It couldn't possibly go wrong. Though it might be best to have an ugly physio, otherwise we will have all the players feigning injury at every opportunity.}

Funny post sizemick.

02 Jan 2015 17:17:58
Bit difficult to write this but I thing SG leaving will help LFC move forward and I think BR may be the man to do it. Having a legend so established at a club makes it really difficult for a manager to drop them even though they are no longer at the level required - SG's decision to go at the end of the season removes the problem and allows the club to move forward.

We've all seen in recent weeks that - and it's hard to say - that the team does play better without SG these days. I think he knows that himself so this is a good thing for us

I wish him well though - hope he has a few seasons at a european giant like Ashley Cole has done rather than wasting time in the US. Also hopes he's back as a coach with us asap!!

It's as easy as saying 'you're dropped', unless the manager is both spineless and clueless.

hmmmmmm. Eh, BR.

Also - I never want SG back as a coach. He lacks the intelligence to understand the tactical side of the game - as is obvious by watching his performances at DM.

Sadly, VERY OBVIOUS.

Pandering to past-it stars (legends or not) is no way to run a club. We need intelligent coaching - not Gerrard - thb - Gerrard needs coaching. He does not have a clue how to play as a DM - Imagine him trying to coach!!

Shocka!

02 Jan 2015 18:49:57
I don't think it's as black and white as that TBH. These days the media 'outrage' over that approach would have been just as distracting!

I quite enjoy your posts ZK, but my fourpenneth about Stevie G, after watching the greats in Red for over 50 years, in my opinion what an LFC manager should have done 15 years ago was bring Terrry McDermott in to coach Gerrard, that man very rarely wasted a pass, and boy did he know when and where to run, pure quality in mind and body. Gerrard may have got in our greatest midfield - Graeme Souness, Terry McDermott, Ray Kennedy and Jimmy Case - he may, and I only say may have replaced Case, definitely wouldn't have replaced any of the other 3.

02 Jan 2015 17:14:15
Watching Steven Gerrard compilations is going to be sad for the next few weeks!

Agreed ;)

02 Jan 2015 16:22:03
Only being 18 myself, Gerrard has in footballing terms always been my idol, you look at the media and what-not and younoften get told that footballers don't make the best role models and in all honesty I generally agree to that statement but when it comes to Gerrard he is possibly one of the best role models out there, teaching loyalty, commitment, desire, leadership the list is truly endless and like I said me being only 18 Gerrard almost single handedly (not to undermine any of the other players) gave me the best footballing moment i have ever witnessed in 2005. Whilst I think it might be the right time for him to leave I am also hugely dissapointed to leave the one true legend I've seen in a Liverpool shirt in my lifetime, now to organise a trip from the top of Scotland to the stoke game, ticket or not I have to be there to bid farewell to a true legend.

{Ed001's Note - hmmmm not sure he is that much of a role model in his personal life, but there you go.}

02 Jan 2015 18:06:50
Elaborate ed001.

{Ed001's Note - I really don't think this is the place for that kind of thing to be honest. Let's just remember his ability on the field, as a great player, and forget the role model stuff.}

02 Jan 2015 18:20:09
I'm pretty aware of what you're referring to eds, and you're right possibly not the timenor place to goninto that part, but in terms of role models I did mean more to any aspiring footballers, on the pitch throughout his whole career he has been a good role model in those footballing terms there's not many other players I can think of that I could say the same about, there are a few but not many

Michael Jordan was NOT a model citizen and nobody seems to really care. His on-court exploits are eternal in the minds of everyone and that is what matters. I f you want a role model, I suggest you look at LeBron James who is a much bigger role model than MJ and indeed SG will ever be.

02 Jan 2015 16:15:37
Eds, just wondering, at the end of the season when Gerrard is gone, do you expect Henderson to be given the armband given that he is vice captain, or do you expect a more senior player like Skrtel or Lucas to be given a year as Skipper (assuming they don't leave)

{Ed001's Note - I expect Hendo to get it.}

I will cry if Skrtel gets the armband. He is one of the players that needs to be moved on, not given the captaincy. Why give the armband to someone who has shown no leadership qualities whatsoever ever since he joined the club? Hendo for captain, with Lallana or Lucas as VC.

02 Jan 2015 17:05:50
I think Henderson was bought to be the eventual captain.

02 Jan 2015 17:09:41
I think Henderson was pencilled in as future captain the minute we signed him.

Henderson is class when he plays in his preferred position and I now think he should be the first name on the team sheet.

02 Jan 2015 16:27:17
To follow up oin that eds assuming Henderson gets given the full captaincy who do you first want to the nree vice captain? And secondly who would you expect to be the next vice captain? Always interesting to hear your insight on such things
Thanks

{Ed001's Note - want? Erm not sure to be honest, difficult because I would prefer it to be a defender personally but that only really means Toure, who isn't first choice and might not even be there next season. I actually expect it to be Skrtel though, if he stays.}

Ed001 do you really see Hendo as captain material? I'm not convinced although perhaps he's a little in Gerrards shadow at the moment and I'm just not seeing that quality?

{Ed001's Note - the club certainly do mate. He has captained Sunderland.}

02 Jan 2015 18:25:36
Lallana

Maybe Lallana as vice captain?
If Lucas goes anyway.

In all honesty. I'd want to see Lovren return to his Southampton form and then he would be the obvious choice for VC.

Skrtel? Heck NO! He should be sold for starters. Hendo is captain material because he`s been captain at international and club level. And he has the heart of a lion and the leadership qualities as well. What we should not do, is to compare him to SG all the time as that could hinder him as a player and an individual aw well as damage him. Let us support him for who and what he is and he will thrive.

03 Jan 2015 01:41:17
Jordan Henderson will be captain with Mamadou Sakho as vice-captain if he stays. That would be my choice

I really want Lallana to be our new captain come the summer. An example on and off the pitch i believe, a lot of experience and by all accounts someone who is very highly liked and respected by his teammates. Maybe he isn't the most vocal, but i believe it isn't necessarily have to be. I want someone who is respected, liked, doesn't stir up the pot but by simple means, intelligence and the right word with the right person now and then helps create unity and togetherness. Henderson i believe isn't quite ready to be captain. He will be eventually i am sure - but i would give him a bit more time. Ideally i would prefer my captain to be a center back - but out the current ones i can't see any of them doing the job. Especially not on the pitch. And not off it either, expect Kolo who isn't regular and most likely will be gone in the summer.

02 Jan 2015 15:16:13
Anyone else think retiring the no.8 jersey would be best. couldn't stand watching any mediocre players try and fill the shirt.

Fenton I think that is only appropriate after a death to former player. seems a bit extreme tbh. he is not dead, just trying something different and he'll be back in a few years in a coaching/directory role. YNWA

It is not just done when some one dies pele if your old enough to know who he was had his number 10 retired and he is alive it has been done many times for great players who retired I think it is the best way to show Stevie G how much he means to LFC

Well no not really. they could of said that about kenny and the number 7 shirt. suarez was handed the number 7 shirt.

No way. Stevie is only arguably the best player to have worn the shirt in the premier league era.

Fowler, Carragher, Suarez and Alonso aren't exactly too far behind him.

We haven't retired numbers for Barnes, Souness, Rush, Dalglish, Liddell, Hansen, Clemence, Nicol, Keegan, Yeats, Smith, Hughes, Callaghan, Neal etc.

You can't just retire numbers for every great player we have. We'll have to start on the Alphabet otherwise!

I agree with the first reply. You do that if somebody dies. There might well be a few anomalies where it's happened (Pele etc) but look at the Brazil national team. They're so caught up with History and "we are Brazil, we should play attacking football" that they're just an international version of Liverpool thinking they're automatically deserving of winning trophies.

This is exactly why it will be a blessing when Gerrard leaves. Too much of the fan base think he is bigger than the club and some sort of god amongst men.

I don't remember people saying we should retire the 23 number when Carragher called time on his career and he was far more deserving of such a notion. He could easily have gone to the MLS to get a final pay day, but he chose to retire when he thought he was a hindrance, never held us to ransom over contracts, didn't need death threats to stay loyal for his entire career and never went missing on the pitch. There is a reason we sing "we all dream of a team of Carraghers". I wouldn't even retire the number for him though because again, Liverpool FC > Carragher or Gerrard.

If Gerrard had died, fair enough. He's only going across the pond!

Stupid idea. We don't have to retire a great squad number to show our appreciation for him. I'm pretty sure 150k a week and voted 1st or 2nd best player ever to play for us is appreciation enough. I'd quite like to save it for a youngster who is coming through like Rossiter, if he proves he is worthy of a valuable squad number.

Come on fella get a grip, he is a player(been excellent agreed) for our great club, nobody is bigger than the club, we move on

Albeydered , as you clearly have a few years on me I will forgive you for not using your goggles when reading my earlier post. lol. It was only what I thought about retiring the number, never said it is what happens. so let me give you a hand getting you down from your soapbox and i'll see that you get back in time for supper at the home. mmmm. ps . isn't pele the guy that played for brazil?? oh well I don't think I remember him. lol.

02 Jan 2015 17:34:48
Not strictly true Adam, loads on here called for 23 to be retired, if I remember there were far more posts on the subject, too.

Tom, crackin' place Coatbridge. Great people.

Fair enough Dave. I can't remember them but I know you wouldn't lie.

It is davie, depending which day you are here. lol. everyone drinks buckfast for fun.

02 Jan 2015 14:43:45
All things considered; I'm glad Stevie has called it time. I'll miss the man, but I don't think Liverpool will miss the player on the pitch.

For me, he is a legend. My childhood hero and the best attacking midfielder in the world from about 2005-2008.

Gerrard personifies everything good about Liverpool. Pride, passion, determination, spirit and quality. He also personifies everything wrong with the club though. There is an aura around him as though what he has done in the past is an excuse for the lack of what he is doing in the present.

It's almost an arrogance. This has been Liverpool's biggest problem. We can't keep living off our past, just as Gerrard can't. I so wish Rodgers had used him properly because I think we'd have got him and the club that allusive title.

I'm am going to choose to believe that this was Gerrard's decision that he took to put the club before himself. For me, It is the right decision for us and him.

Hopefully he can win a league title in America and without his status holding us back, we can start pushing towards winning a title here in England.

All flames eventually turn to ash. Gerrard is a mortal just like the rest of us and cannot rise back up like a phoenix. Liverpool FC is immortal though and can and will rise again if it receives the correct leadership and puts the future ahead of the past in it's list of priorities.

We don't need the next Steven Gerrard. We need the first Jordan Henderson. We don't need the next Carragher. We need the first Mama Sakho! We don't need the next Suarez. We need the first Daniel Sturridge.

The past should stay in the past and the future should be left to those who have a place in it. Liverpool FC needs to realise that. We do not have a god given right to be a top club. We need to earn it and the only people capable of achieving that are the players we will have over the next 3-5 years and beyond.

Thank you Gerrard.

02 Jan 2015 14:59:57
I agree, Sakho , Henderson and Sturridge could be the perfect spine for us to build on .now only if we could complete that spine with a competent goalkeeper then the rest of the squad could be very successful if played in correct positions. c'mon Brendan get a decent keeper and we will rule once again. YNWA.

02 Jan 2015 15:38:41
I'm not sure I know the correct positions anymore. I always count around 4 players being played out of position when we play anymore. Starting to think i'm crazy.

02 Jan 2015 15:54:40
All I know is Henderson is wasted playing at wing back hopefully r New captain will play centre midfield all the time from now on.

Tommy you are spot on mate, Henderson looks different class in the middle.

Please don't put Henderson in the same class as Gerrard even in the future, he just does not have what it takes to hit the heights as Gerrard hit for us.

Well said EMS!

02 Jan 2015 17:26:28
Bit unfair on Henderson there 18and5, he's come on leaps and bounds in recent seasons and could be great for us for another 7/8 seasons. Agree he's not a direct replacement for SG, we do need to find a midfield partner that complements his ability.

Whoever disagreed to my earlier post is in cloud cuckoo land if they TRULY believe Henderson could emulate what Gerrard has done for LFC.
Put it his way, a lot of people put Gerrard as the best LFC player ever, a lot put him 2nd or 3rd, some others say in top 5, some more may say top 10, I don't think anyone (or very few anyway) would put him outside top ten, now to Henderson, I and many others would be able to name at least 100 players who have and always would be better than Henderson and that allows for him to improve in the future.
Anyone who thinks different, please explain.

Johnnyr1970, I have said as much myself about the improvement in Henderson but come on he's not and never will be in the same league as Gerrard.

Henderson doesn't need to be like Gerrard. That is the point. He just needs to focus on being Jordan Henderson and people like you are the reason this club is stuck in the 1970's.

Henderson certainly has the leadership qualities and he is a very good player. Roy Keane wasn't world class but he was part of a functional team. That is more important than being a one man team.

EMS, "it's because of people like me that the club is stuck in the 70's",
I have read numerous long posts from yourself so explain in another one exactly what the f**k you are on about.

Another thing EMS, I never said henderson had to be like Gerrard, just that he isn't and never will be in the same league as him. Why don't you ask the opinion of Ed01 who is a favourite of yours and who isn't very fond of Gerrard the person if he truly thinks he can emulate what Gerrard has done for LFC, which is what I said originally.

18and5 if we want to help Hendo realize his potential at being a very good and effective captain, asking whether he can or cannot emulate SG is NOT the way to go. SG was NEVER compared to other club captains when he became captain in 2003. We need to stop going into the past and digging up stuff that make very little diff in this day and age. Let us accept Hendo for who and what he is, support him and give him the backbone he needs to be the leader we all know he can be and NEVER compare him to SG or anyone else because it is very unfair and he will defo fail.

Redohio, It wasnt me that was comparing henderson to gerrard, and i have supported henderson giving him a lot of credit for his improvement from last season. I was telling everyone not to compare them because as you say henderson would fail.

No one will be like stevie, the same goes for ian rush and kenny d, but i do believe hendo can become a very good midfielder in his own right and become a future captain, he is a different type of midfielder to stevie but he has all the tools to become a top player for us

02 Jan 2015 14:07:43
Respect to SG, YNWA. Every club has a big player or several but who do we have once SG leaves? When signing players, having someone like Gerrard can swing a deal. Imo anyway. I think a team needs a good blend of youth and experience.

02 Jan 2015 13:31:41
Steven gerrard from 17 to 32 was a great great player for Liverpool. The moments, goals and passion he gave us was special. Shame he never won the title and played in better teams but he was a truly great player and special midfielder. The debates between him and Scholes and Lamport were always meaningless. He had everything as a midfielder in his prime, everything. Sad to see him leave but it's time for Liverpool to create a new chapter. Good luck to Steven

02 Jan 2015 12:06:47
Would be interested to get your thoughts on the Anfield situation. It seems that it only really rocks for the big league games and the european nights these days. I hate that the 'anfield atmosphere' is now being referred to as a myth, and that every game i go and see i have to endure taunts from the away fans - 'shall we sing a song for you' etc.

Rather than just a moan, how do we turn this around?
I know this is influenced by the performance on the pitch but the Anfield faithful have to accept some responsibility here.
I go to the games wanting to sing win or lose and i feel that everybody around me does too - so why are the chants only half-heartedly joined in with and dropped almost instantly, and what can we do about it to make Anfield special again?

ps. would be wrong to post here today and not quickly mention the obvious. Tremendously sad day for all involved with the club, not because the team isn't ready to move on without him, but because he was in my eyes the best player to wear the shirt and the winding down of his career is a loss for world football. There is no replacing a player like that. Thanks for the memories and best of luck in the states.

02 Jan 2015 13:22:52
We were recently measured across 10 games as being the second quietest stadium in the UK.

I think part of the problem is hostility towards new blood. There are a lot of people in our club who are hostile to anyone who isn't a local, or a regular matchgoer etc. Complain if you like about that statement, there are. I've even seen someone talking about how excited they were to be going to their first match get shouted down by a group calling the lad a f**** day tripper, telling him they were better off without him etc. All because he was going to his first game. Wonder if that poor guy wanted to sing? A lot of fans nowadays are afraid to open their mouths for fear of hostility if they aren't perfect at first time or if they forget a word etc. Our attitude to everyone who shows up to support the reds must be more welcoming.

I also think we could do with a couple less songs and to retire some of the old ones so less regular fans and even day trippers know what we're singing. As great as Garcia was and as much as we liked him, 6 years on you're isolating a lot of the stadium by singing his song. Unless we want to start handing out hyme-books with tickets, stick to a select few classics and songs about current favourites and let the rest (mostly) retire.

And finally (based on the second half of last season), the most important thing is that the players give us something to cheer and believe in.

Excellent post hjikie and so true mate

02 Jan 2015 11:19:20
Let's hope now the pressure is is of stevie he can end the season on a high scoring some big goals and help us win a cup and get top 4 never give up

Let Rodgers be dropped instead.

Be gone sir, be gone, before you drive us into the ground !

02 Jan 2015 10:41:10
Thanks for the memories Stevie. . LEGEND. .

02 Jan 2015 10:19:12
While most of the fans on here will crow about Stevie the Legend etc. a few who see the bigger picture will see today as a good day.
A great player will leave our club, a true Legend with years of fantastic service. But, he hasn't been that player for some time, has too much say on what goes on and in fact has been holding the team back from performing at its peak.
It used to be said that Stevie could play in any position and be "world Class" (I certainly agree) but we have been finding him a spot to play in as opposed to him deserving a starting spot for some time which just shows how his powers have waned.
I believe that if we use Stevie less our performances will improve, players that defer to him will start to take responsibility and the club will move forward. We do have some very talented footballers at our club they just need to be played in a flowing team to maximise their potential.

Stevie is the best player we have .name me a better player at liverpool now .

Hopw about:

Coutinho
Lallana
Sterling
Sturridge
Henderson
Can
Sahko
Moreno. not to mention one or two from the youth set up who could be in a year or two

Stevie G will always be a legend, but great player now he is not. I hope he has some fun across the pond and bumps up his pension fund doing so. let's look to the future and build a great 'team' (which I think we can be) to challenge for silverware this year and the title again next season!

Devon red, I will bet you not one of those players mentioned are on a par with Stevie coutinho the only one that might get a mention but let see in 2/3 years . And as for the other don't be surprised if half of them won't be liverpool players in 2 years .one other quick point we would have lost yesterday if it wasnt for Stevie carm and collected .pure class the only english player I see that has similarities to gerrard at the moment is inLiverpool but plays for bluenoses .Ross Barkley .

02 Jan 2015 12:22:24
The fact that you no longer have to hang out with a plaster on doesn't make the pain of ripping it off any nicer

King Luis. The players mentioned there are in fact better than Stevie is now, doesn't matter what they will be like in 2 years or whatever.

02 Jan 2015 15:15:45
King Luis. The players mentioned there are in fact better than Stevie is now
=====

I wonder how well
Coutinho
Lallana
Sterling
Sturridge
Can
Sahko
Moreno

will do if asked to play out of position as defensive midfielder.

Why would you ask them to do that?

Roy,

Henderson, Can, Moreno and Sterling are all playing 'out of position' at the moment, some to accommodate Stevie G playing. I for one would prefer to watch the way we played at Swansea without him, than the way we played against Leicester with him. forget the pens (just bring on Mario for them lol). All I know is that if Stevie G were to stay for a couple more seasons we would end up worse that Man U did by continuing with Giggs and Scholes for so long for sentimental reasons

02 Jan 2015 09:59:37
It's a sad time when a legend leaves our club. All of those memories, all of those unbelievable moments in your life just watching a legend. What happens next? We wonder how we will cope without them and at the same time thank god that the legend played for us and we feel proud to have grown up with them. To have supported them. So, with sadness its that time to say goodbye. So goodbye tommy smith, goodbye cally, goodbye crazy horse, goodbye tosh, and goodbye to all of the other legends that we have had at our club. Too many players were given the legend status. Stevie was lucky because, unlike other legends that we have had over the years, he played when money was really high. Other legends went bankrupt and didn't have the massive contracts that today's players have. Yes, he brought me some great memories, so did Souness and case and especially Kenny.
Sir roger hunt was a legend, the saint, Peter Thompson etc. they were not as wealthy as today's players are and don't preach me loyalty either. Stevie was going to Chelsea at one stage of his career. For me, of the modern day players who were legends Carragher springs to mind. Everyone remembers Stevie in Istanbul. Remember the man who kept on falling over with cramp, only to get back up and throw his body on the line time and time again. Now, that is a legend. So to finish off. Remember him as a great player who played for a great club. Would he get in the best Liverpool ever team? I wonder.

02 Jan 2015 08:52:55
G'day all,

While a disappointing result I don't know if we stick with what we got or go for broke with transfers.

Ideally outs would be Allen, Borini and Lucas. Bring in a GK (Cech, Ochoa or Neto) and DM.

I think Mario will turn it around. Would like to see Lambert get a decent run as well.

If we are offloading Mario get Vela from Sociedad. Origi next year will be inconsistent but the kid can play and will need managing and direction.

Hopefully a big win in the cup tie can fire the lads up for these next 2 months are vital!

YNWA (from hot and sunny Brisbane)

You are spot on with your players out

Why would u want Lucas to leave? He is one of our more consistent and better players. And do not overlook his loyalty to the club. Since Gerrard is leaving, its important we hold on to the senior figures at the club like Lucas and Toure for experience rather than give people like Balotelli another chance.
Imo, Allen, Enrique, Johnson, Balotelli, Borini, Aspas, Mignolet need to be moved on for their own sake as well as free up wages for better players to come in.

Because he isn't good enough

02 Jan 2015 10:53:57
I think Mario will turn it around
================
I was hoping that Mario at one point will turn it around, but the man is far too lazy even on the training pitch (from what I hear and read) , He reminds of Ryan Babel , gifted but wastes their talent by not bothering

02 Jan 2015 11:07:28
Lucas is good enough.

Chris if you are saying Lucas isn't good enough then were does that leave the majority of the Liverpool squad this season? There are certainly a hell of a lot more players that have under performed more than Lucas. Should they not be heading out the door first?

02 Jan 2015 11:31:56
Lucas is consistent and diligent. Most of the 'mistakes' he has made this season have been when Gerrard has been on and played in a deep position, resulting in Lucas not only having to do his own job but also half of Gerrard's.

I wouldn't argue that Lucas has been fairly consistent nor that he's a decent player I just think we must improve on him in that position to challenge
Of course there are other changes that must also happen not least in the back 5 but I've said consistently that we need a better DM and in the short term I believe Can would be the answer for now

02 Jan 2015 06:23:26
Dear EDs

You mentioned in next years (2017), Liverpool would have a new investor. Are they DIC? Or they are not interested on Liverpool anymore.
If not DIC, would be possible to share your view in who would be the new potential investor?

Thank you

{Ed002's Note - Nobody knows who the next owners will be but it won't be DIC.}

02 Jan 2015 12:05:56
So Ed002, do you believe the Americans will sell the club in 2017 or just look to add an Investor to help cover the costs of the Stadium expansion and others ?

{Ed002's Note - They will be looking to sell. I have no idea what you are talking about in terms of "adding an investor".}

02 Jan 2015 08:21:29
Hey lfc fans

I still think it's bad news for the club because you have already seen how the defence has crumbled since carragher left
He was a great leader and organiser at the back
The defence has been clueless

Now most people wanted gerrard gone
And now he will be. Mark my words those people will regret it because he has stil saved liverpool countless times even when he is not the typical all action hero. His forward intricate passes are still better than what Liverpool have got

I blame Rodgers . He's the one playing him in the wrong position and set up
He's the one who has spent countless millions on . let's face it plan D . potential in the next 5 yr players!
No quality experienced players at all

Gerrard played higher up. Would have been far far better and more useful


So let's just see how liverpool cope now because god help them if Rodgers is still there in the summer

We have a crumbling defence because we have a manager who chooses to ignore the defensive side of our game.

02 Jan 2015 09:34:05
I agree, Stevie isn't what he was but he is still a better player than half the cr4p signings BR has made. BR won't bring him onto the coaching staff as he is too strong minded better off with Colin Pascoe and Mike Marsh!!!!

Brisbane how the hell did he choose to ignore the defence when he bought loveren, Sako, Moreno, Manquilo (on loan) ming in goal

02 Jan 2015 06:58:10
Ed do you think the club will look to directly replace Gerrard once he's gone or fill the gap with players we already have. I no some will say he is not replaceable but surely we need to try?

{Ed001's Note - I would think that the long term replacement is Rossiter. How can you buy a replacement for a home grown legend? You have to create a new legend, and it has to come from within.}

I'll say we in the short term all ready has replaced him with Lalana & Henderson.

long term I do hope we will see Rossiter, but I fear there is a question mark on his physique.

Hope to be proved wrong though :-)

Eds do you think Rositer can step up in the future then?

{Ed001's Note - yes, he just needs to be bled into the team. He doesn't need to start, or even be in the squad, every game, but he should be given a run of games here, a few sub appearances there and then sent back to the ressies to think on the experience and see if he can use it to improve his game.}

If Rossiter is to be Gerrard's long term replacement, then Brendan needs to be sacked as soon as possible. I just do not see the lad getting a fair shot while clueless Brendan is around, in all likelihood he will be probably farmed out on a pointless loan where his development will be stunted. And i agree with Ed001 about Gerrard's replacement coming from within the Academy and more specifically a Scouser. An outsider no matter how good will jump ship the moment things get tough, a Scouser on the other hand will brave the rough weather and continue to fight.

Agree with edoo1 young Rossiter has the passion and the same burning desire and young Gerrard had if he gets chances as edoo1 said than there is absolutely no reason why he can't write his own legacy.

End of the season Gerrard scores a cracker top 4 is safe

Gerreard comes of for Rossiter to a standing novation

02 Jan 2015 03:50:44
hello eds.
hello fellow reds.

just because of u i became a fan of this great and wonderful club.i never realized that a single man can make such lift a team each time without any flicker of burden.for the first time i realized the pain of seeing a great legend leaving this club.
u r symbol of hope, courage and inspiration.
thank u STEVIE for u r service to this great club.

YOU WILL NEVER WALK ALONE.

02 Jan 2015 02:04:03
How Liverpool need to react to Gerrard's departure

The first reaction of every Liverpool fan was of genuine shock and devastation. That is the natural reaction and rightly so, but as a football club we cannot feel sorry for ourselves. And anyway, should we really be shocked? He is not the same player he was, even the most loyal Gerrard fans such as myself must now accept that. He has followed the path that Carra took and chosen to go out on a high, and on reflection, I think that is the right thing to do.

Many fans had been calling for Stevie to be dropped against Leicester, instead, now fans will be wanting to get the most out of his last 20 or so appearances for Liverpool. There is little room for sentiment in today’s game, but I would be surprised if we hear any more moans about Gerrard’s form between now and May.

Last season had all the potential to be the fairy-tale ending to his Liverpool career, and he would have deserved it. But cruelly, some things are not meant to be, and the squads he was in at Liverpool were never quite good enough. So bar a miracle over the next 5 months, the one trophy Gerrard missed out on in a red shirt is the league, and that will always remain painful.

Performances in the last two seasons have shown Liverpool can cope in his absence, we may not have a direct replacement for a while, maybe never, but in fairness he hasn’t been that world beater himself in recent years. What can be argued is that Liverpool are losing the heart of their team. Well the first eleven may lack scousers next season but I don’t think it lacks leaders. The ready made captain appears to be Henderson, he lacks the touch of class Gerrard has but certainly lacks no passion.

This news now could be the inspiration the players need to get their season back on track. The dressing room and us as fans last year wanted to win that title almost as much for Stevie G as we did for ourselves. What better motivation could the team have to turn this season around. Liverpool are still in three cup competitions, including the semi-finals of the league cup and within touching distance of the champions league places.

Lets enjoy his last few effortless 50 yard through balls, crunching tackles, calmly slotted penalties, rallying cries, oh and with any luck a classic Gerrard screamer that takes the net off. But most importantly, let's all keep Anfield noisy till the end of the season and help Gerrard get his hands on some goodbye silverware.

02 Jan 2015 01:23:02
Eds who would you put as captain once gerrard leaves. It going to be sad to see him leave. Wont get another captain that talented and passionate for a long time now

{Ed001's Note - Henderson for me, but he has to play central and not be wasted on the right.}

Ok thanks mate

02 Jan 2015 00:43:33
:(it's a sad day to hear if our great and loyal captain that he is leaving I thank him for all he has given to lfc and hope he remembers what we gave to him and keep it on his heart.
I trust his judgement and trust lfc's and this might be for the best.
We thank him for all the goals and sweat he spilt for us you will never walk alone .
Hope this brings us good luck like it did when carra left and we nearly made it to top spot. Still it is a sad moment to all.

02 Jan 2015 00:13:52
How far down the table do we have to slide before the pro-Brendan brigade wake up?
Brad Jones is our first-choice goalkeeper.
Glen Johnson, Martin Skrtel and Jordan Henderson are deemed as essential and un-droppable when available.
Joe Allen is the next Iniesta and Raheem Sterling is the next Pele.
Two wins in a row against mediocre opposition merely means we've had a decent run. it doesn't forgive "Team Brendan" for everything else he's subjected us to!
We need a goalkeeper, a CDM and a striker. Fact.
The loss of Lucas, Balotelli, Borini, Suso and (maybe) some of the youngsters this January shouldn't be a disaster but I wouldn't trust the current regime to buy the sandwiches let alone improve the squad!
Luckily, January isn't a particularly busy period and the scope for mistakes is limited.
I can only see Suso moving on and can't see too many additions. why would you give money to this clown?

01 Jan 2015 19:02:43
Ed1 do you still think they will get rid of rogers ? I think he's a clueless manager who has no idea how to win a game an until we get rid we have no chance of top 4 again.

{Ed001's Note - I expect him to be moved on yes.}

02 Jan 2015 00:18:46
With Gerrard leaving at the end of the season, arises a situation we all feared. Who can step up to the plate and provide the motivation and game changing moments left by our local hero?
Jordan Henderson is our vice captain and has come on leaps and bounds over the past 2 seasons. He has the hunger and passion to succeed, but he just doesn't possess the quality of Stevie. Yet. I say yet because this is a lad that is always looking for ways to improve. Learning from the master himself won't be possible for much longer, making our task even harder, but I'm praying he has learned enough already to succeed.

Jordan Rossiter is the only other player capable of filling the void in my opinion. Right now he is nowhere near ready, but in years to come he has the potential. The same problem arises though, with Gerrard leaving at the end of the season, he can't learn much more from him. If we don't place too much pressure on him, he can be a special player.

At the end of the day, there is only one Steven Gerrard. There is no way of finding or integrating a player to replace him like for like.

I think its the right time for him to move on, but heres my problem - where do we go from here? I just fear we don't have a leader who can have the impact of Gerrard. We don't have that player that we turn to for inspiration if he leaves. Hopefully we come together as a team, but will this encourage our better players to avoid us or even leave the club because they don't have Stevie to captain them? So many questions left to be answered, we'll just have to wait and see.
Cheers.

ROI, Totally agree we need a new leader ( those who say Gerrard isn't a leader are wrong, he has lead by example since he's been in the side, nobody could not be influenced by his crunching tackles, spectacular goals or his work rate). I think the club needs to make a statement and do all it can to sign a world class centre mid( I know it will be difficult), we have been blessed with Gerrard for 17 years and we will not fully realise that until he has gone.
Stevie, it's been a pleasure to watch you throughout your career, in fact I remember when Kevin Keegan was the England manager (I was doing some work for him) and he asked if it was true about this young kid at Liverpool being a great prospect, I told Kevin there and then he was going to be a world beater and that he would be England captain one day, Kevin duly picked him for his next England squad, I wasn't wrong was I!
All the best Stevie, you've given me some of the best times of my life, (it's ok my bird doesn't come on this page)
YOU WILL NEVER WALK ALONE.

01 Jan 2015 23:58:48
Hi eds, all the best for new year! I read through the posts and it seems likely that rafa will be leaving Napoli in the summer. Is it possible he could be the DOF that we are looking to appoint? Cheers

{Ed002's Note - No.}

We don`t want him here. He`s part of the past and should stay there.

We? Try just speaking for yourself, not for everyone else.

01 Jan 2015 23:42:33
I agree with all the other posts Brendan Rogers needs to leave the club immediately. The owners have been very successful in sport and business and I believe John W Henry knows when something is not working.

There are three main things working against the current manager. The first and most important one is that he has never won a trophy anywhere, so it is time to bring in a proven trophy winner like Klopp or Simeone. I know they brought Rodgers in with potential but Ferguson wasnt brought to United with potential, he was already a trophy winner with Aberdeen. The experiment needs to stop now.

Secondly and most importantly we are awful without the ball, absolutely dire. For all the success of last season with Suarez and Sturridge etc we still had a horrendous defensive record and would have won the title if we had even conceded 5 less goals. So even when we were supposedly lording it over the rest of the Premier League, we ended up throwing it away because of Rodgers inability to defend or have a system that works when we don't have the ball.

Finally last season was great but Suarez would have any team challenging for a title. Sturridge is special and with the right manager and right striking partner and back up can help us bring back the promised land but not under Rodgers. His signings in the summer were atrocious and Lovren is a joke! So even if he was given until next year and given millions more to spend there is no reason to believe he would do any better.

Yes it took Ferguson four or so seasons to get going at United but he already had trophies in his Cabinet. Liverpool are way too big a club and have way too many adoring fans around the World to not be managed by a trophy winner, by a manager who will have us where we belong in the top 4 backed by John W Henry to deliver the silverware we all want to see at Anfield.

Sorry Brendan but you lost my support today and its time now for the owners to be ruthless as they were with King Kenny. let's restore Liverpool to greatness :)

01 Jan 2015 23:12:20
Eds fellow reds .the best player I've ever seen and that will ever grace our turf in leaving .i wish him the best.but this is the saddest day for LIVERPOOL FC . Not only has BR sold all our great players there's noone there to fill there boots . A Beatles song come to mind . THE LONG AND WINEDING ROAD .going to be a very long time boys now