Liverpool Banter Archive April 30 2014

30 Apr 2014 22:44:04
I see the Chelsea gk had a great gam.'.shame he was in Atleticos goal

Yesterday we saw why he is ahead of Mignolet in the Belgium team.

To be fair, Courtois would probably be the 1st choice keeper for most countries in the world. He's quite good.

Chelsea will have quite a good team when Mourinho balances it. Martin Samuel says he's overseen a team in transition this season. Don't buy that. Back 5 as experienced as they come. Midfield bolstered by a guy who's now 24 but had experience of the club. He has strikers with bags of experience. Just aren't playing well. Best young player in world in Hazard. How's that a transitional side. Getting a desperate Manchester United to pony up 40m for a player he didn't want which funded 3 new signings he did want was also the most incredible stroke of luck. The transition comes when Cech, Terry & Lampard have all departed the scene. Courtois means the keeper transition will be painless. We've been a way more transitional side. Migs, Sakho, Flanagan & Sterling becoming regulars is getting on for half a team. Note three in defence which has been our weak spot.

30 Apr 2014 21:49:52
Call me bitter but that was great :)

A win for football. Athletico to win the final I hope.

Either madrid side deserve a win both the two best sides

They simply cannot beat bigger teams without resorting to his 'bus'(es) tactic. Masterclass, you'd think! More like Mastercard for me.

01 May 2014 06:48:51
I know it's petty but I really enjoyed watching the Chelsea Bus lose tonight

Yeah, that felt great. Poetic Justice?

Perhaps Jose now needs to buy a train?

30 Apr 2014 21:48:42
It has to be Arda Turan. Boyhood Liverpool fan.
Karma.

30 Apr 2014 21:42:39
Have to admit, enjoyed watching Athetico win at Chelski. Somehow very satisfying after Sunday's events. We need to take leaf out of Athetico's book and win out final games.

30 Apr 2014 21:35:43
Wonder why mourinho didn't park the bus at 1-0 genuinely! matic makes a massive difference to the Chelsea midfield

He was thinking of putting another one before parking the bus in the 2nd half but the first Athletico goal changed everything.

30 Apr 2014 21:05:27
.............hatred ..................

{Ed002's Note - Try not to spew hatred and embarrass the decent Liverpool supporters.}

Wow he really did spew hatred!

30 Apr 2014 18:31:30
Would we be interested in signing Carl Ikeme from wolves? He's got big reviews from the black country boys and kept 24 clean sheets. Probably available for £5m plus Minoglet?
Thanks eds

{Ed002's Note - No.}

30 Apr 2014 18:47:44
So we sell mignolet to a championship club? Laughable!

A guy who's played in league one is worth 15m making him the second most expensive keeper in PL history! Who's their striker? Swap him for Suarez and we will give them 10m as well. An only slightly more ludicrous suggestion.

Is it you Carl Ikeme

No thanks Carl.

30 Apr 2014 17:07:58
I like that Lfc don't play that tiki taka so much. We play tiki attacka!

30 Apr 2014 15:23:36
Just looking back over this season,
we have played some great stuff.

Just wondering which of this seasons games was everyone's favourite?

Mine was beating Man U in their own backyard.

30 Apr 2014 15:36:54
Spurs home and away. complete dominance, A team who could have taken anyone in Europe.

Destroying Arsenal was fun.

Spurs away was pretty magical. But you're correct, there are a lot of very good ones to choose from.

30 Apr 2014 16:38:09
The arsenal match was fun but if they had Ramsey and Walcott it may have been different in their defence, I think the way spurs were running us into the ground for about 4 years with their taunts of loserpool et al that was sweet the double over utd was great we could go on all day what was good and we really have to say a big thanks to manager and players for a fantastic season and hope whatever happens now we build on the experience I said here before utd got close 1992 and won it the following year maybe r team especially the likes of countinho, sterling, mignolet, sackho, suso, borini, Flanagan can gain valuable experience from this current campaign.

Spurs away.

Beating Man Utd on their ground was priceless but I really loved the destruction of Spurs away and home.

01 May 2014 14:27:54
Flanno's goal against spurs away just for the raw passion in the celebration.

30 Apr 2014 13:48:14
I could be wrong on this one. But what I thinks been happening to us over the past 3 or 4 games is that we're a little jaded. Suarez in particular looks off the pace. Gerrard somewhat too. If we had a bit of quality in the squad I think some players would have 'enjoyed' a bit of respite.
Perhaps a bigger squad will help next season.
Just a thought.

I agree. The problem I see is that BR has this group of 15-16 players he trusts to make a start and they have all played continuously barring injuries.

Perhaps 2-3 players to challenge these 15-16 is what we need.

I also think the pressure has been a genuine factor.

2-3 first team players that can play instead of what you have but are easy to drop and can cover when say Gerrard or Suarez is tired or out

Think your spot on there Jack, once tiredness sets in, a player starts making mistakes, taking the wrong option, we had a bit of this on sunday, but I am sure that we will be a better team for that, come on you Reds .

Er, they're playing one game a week fellas. Even I can manage one game a week!

One very intense and physical game a week, played at hundred miles an hour and ofcourse the pressure included.

30 Apr 2014 13:02:26
I keep on seeing people talking about pool of the day but I can't find the tab on the side for it. There's the voting polls but that's not updated. Can someone direct me to where I can find it?

The top center of the page where it says 'Liverpool poll of the day' is a hyperlink, click there buddy.

It's at the t FSG the page as part of the header.

Ah right. The only place I didn't look and it was right in front of me! Anyway, thanks guys.

30 Apr 2014 12:07:52
Does anyone know why Casillas is Real Madrid's second choice GK? Everytime I've watched him this season in the cup and CL, he hasn't looked like he has lost it. He's still playing very well. Do you think he will leave in the summer, and would he be realistic for Liverpool? I feel that he would bring much needed calmness to our defence. I have never seen him make mistakes like Mignolet. Whenever the ball is in the air, he always comes out and comfortably catches it or punches it, whereas Mignolet doesn't fill you with confidence in those situations.

See, I thought Casillas was dropped by Mourinho because of a dressing room bust up. However the fact he has remained on the bench under Carlo suggests something otherwise.

Perhaps he is struggling with an injury that is limiting his game time. It might even be a bust up with someone higher up in the club.

Casillas for me is still the best keeper in the world so naturally, of course I'd take him at Liverpool if he were available. However, is it really a position that needs investment to the tune of £15-20m? Because I assure you, Iker won't be going anywhere for less than that.

@ EMS - This might be bad timing considering Bayern's laterst result. However, better than Manuel Neuer? Surely not.

As for thinking of replacing Mignolet so soon. He is young and learning, he will improve, the talent is there.

I agree, he doesn't fill you with confidence when coming to collect or punch the majority of the time. However this is part of what sets LFC apart from our rivals, we are patient with talent.

The goalkeeper coach rates Lopez higher. Lopez is obviously a good goalie, but when it comes down to it I think Casillas is better, maybe because he's got such a worldwide reputation, it's got a psycological effect on the rival, or something like that.
But in my experience Casillas always delivers.
I doubt he'll ever leave Madrid tho.

Its the heirarchy at Real that is keeping Casillas on the bench. Nothing to do with the coach.

30 Apr 2014 10:14:10
Here's a good philosophical quote for our good friend Mr Mourinho -
"The obscure we see eventually. The obvious, it seems, takes longer".
It's rubbish football Jose!

30 Apr 2014 09:34:26
This could be a nightmare but I have been informed that BR could be leaving in the summer and on top of that Suarez shall be heading along with him to the same club!?! I had a 20 minute row with the lad telling him that it was BS but he was adamant that this was happening. my contact is an ex employee of the club who would still have contacts there so I am not sure if this is a wind up, hopefully it is but just passed on what I received.

Its alright mate not to worry we always have king kenny as a back up :p

I doubt either will be leaving.

30 Apr 2014 11:09:20
Suarez will be movig to Real, and would be almost certain If benzema is sold out. Could also see a bid for Aguero, As Real rates him pretty high

I can almost imagine Harry sobbing from here.

Real Madrid's priorities are in this order
Aguero
Cavani
Suarez
Falcao
If they fail to get their first two targets thn suarez will be their man
Now make out what you will

Meh!

Movement is part of football. Rodgers has done a great job and Suarez is a genius, but the club is in a good place at the moment and the owners seem to have upped their game.

Both will go at some time, only fans remain.

Here we go. Every window Suarez is leaving according to everyone's sources, he isn't going anywhere. Like last summer. Why would the owners sell him and dismantle the team that's on the brink of greatness?

DBol, perhaps if Suarez would stop flirting about with the likes of Juventus 2 summers back and anyone who would pay for him last summer people might feel slightly less uncertain about him being on the brink of leaving? It's not like there is no precedence for it and unfortunately I don't think it likely we could offer him more money for the 3rd summer in a row to keep him tided over again.

30 Apr 2014 17:29:01
Suarez was pretty much hated by everyone last season (non Liverpool)and I think he just wanted out for sake of his family for fresh start etc as all got on top of him. It's only my opinion obviously but I think, and hope both he and his family are very happy in Liverpool plus he gets to play champions league, so I can't see him going anywhere. Plus I don't think we would sell because we simply don't want to, or have to

If he does go then we will get 100 million which will be re-invested in the team. He may still want to go. who knows but from the outside looking in we have given him everything he was asking for at the beginning of the season.

30 Apr 2014 07:42:42
Mignolet, who was blameless for Sunday's 2-0 defeat to Chelsea, came in for some stick following an error which was punished in the previous win at Norwich but Rodgers says that was down to a collective problem.

"That happened at a time when as a team we were a wee bit too deep at Norwich, " Rodgers added.

"At times we looked to protect our lead too much and that didn't help Simon."

(Above extract from an article)

How refreshing is it to have a manager who will actually admit his tactics/team where at fault rather than blame an individual (or let that individual be blamed by others).

The only thing that stopped Rafa from becoming a complete manager was his inability to learn. He never learnt from the crazy substitutions or the negative tactics against relegation fodder. Rodgers at over a decade younger has already shown the wisdom to recognise his errors/the teams.

Long live King Brenny.

This is nothing new he did it at Swansea too

I think BR is good at deflecting blame away from his players. But in all honesty, it was a mistake from Mignolet.

30 Apr 2014 11:12:45
The Real AG

Spot on, Mignolet has cost us some serious points in the past, He is an excellent shot stopper, But he is pretty poor in other departments. His blunders panic the whole team from a winning position to draw.

Mignolet has also saved us some crucial points this season including against Stoke at home, Aston Villa at home and Everton away.

I don't think there is any need to be overly critical about Mignolet Harry.

30 Apr 2014 13:06:37
The Real AG.

I agree, But it tends to worry when skertel or Sakho pass the ball to him, or we conceedes a corner.
I remember Soldado Goal when he pushed Mignolet

We beat Spurs 9-0 on aggregate this year. There was no Soldado goal.

However, I do remember the incident which you are alluding to. Mignolet has been decent this season and will improve. I see no reason to even discuss the possibility of replacing him.

30 Apr 2014 19:02:08
Some games, when we attack and score 2 goals with in 45 mts, Mignolet comes with a blunder and makes the score to 2-1, then we hold on like the most defensive unit ever in the world, dropping deep.
We eventually wins, But those final 20 mts are the courtesy of Mignolet.

30 Apr 2014 00:08:38
IF we do decide to cash in on Suarez in the summer, & i'm not totally against the idea if we got a real top price. Out of interest, who would people like to see us get to partner Surridge next year:

1. Rodrigo - Benfica
2. Heung Min Son - Leverkusen
3. Kevin Volland - Hoffenhiem
4. Luis Muriel - Udinese
5. Alexandre Lacazette - Lyon
6. Mario Balotelli - Milan
7. Romelu Lukaku - Chelsea
8. Other?

Yeah, because that worked out well for Spurs. We need to keep our best players at all costs now we're finally back challenging at the top.

If suarez goes then Balotelli & Muriel would do.

They're all good players and that's the problem Suarez isn't good he's exceptional and I wouldn't be to excited with any of those as a replacement if and when he leaves.

We used to get this every time one of our "PAST" quality players left.
Rush, Fowler, Mcmanaman, Owen I could go on all day.
Let me just make this statement to you guy's.

WE DON'T BUY WORLD CLASS PLAYERS, WE MAKE THEM.

Look at our past. How many players we have brought to our club and turned then from average to great?

Suarez was not at the level he is now when he arrived. He was coached into being this good. He had the talent there and LFC brought that out of him.
We do it all the time.
Henderson, Courtinho, Sturridge, Sterling, Flannagan, Alan. Have all improved DRAMATICALLY, and they is in the current squad. Never mind the "GREATS" of the past.
I want Suarez to stay. He is an outstanding WORLD CLASS player.
But, if RM come knocking with stupid money and he wants to go then he gets my blessing.
BR will go out and find another gem I am sure to sparkle in the LFC front line.
Lets stop all this "what if" and trust those in charge, I am sure they know what they are doing.

vrcomp
Y.N.W.A.

30 Apr 2014 07:50:14
You are thinking of Suarez as a striker rather than a forward. that's an error in itself. If Suarez was to leave I'd break the bank for Reus. He has all the credentials of a Rodgers player. His pace would make our team slightly different, but he is the only player who I believe could replace Luis.

Alexis Sanchez is another good option. Of those on your list, I think Lacazette is the best option. He shows similar all round ability to that of Sturridge.

Our team dynamic would certainly change, but Suarez is not irreplaceable.

Did you watch Suarez before he came to Liverpool VRCOMP? he was that good for quite some time. Liverpool has built a team around him to make him a goal scoring machine, but he was already world class when he came. He was nearing Uruguays all time record goals, and had banged them in for Ajax in the eredevisie. I'd say he actually dropped off when he initially came to merseyside

30 Apr 2014 09:18:15
Tbf, bobatron is right here. Suarez scored 55 gosls or something in his last full season at Ajax. In contrast he scored about 11 in his first full season with us. He has no doubt got better, and part of that will be thanks to Rodgers, however he was world class long before he pulled on a Liverpool shirt.

{Ed002's Note - I didn't think he had ever had a full season with Liverpool?}

Bobatron.

You think when he arrived he was the player he is today?
ANYONE who thinks he is, maybe ought to look at themselves.
Yes as said above he was a good player.
But he has IMPROVED out of all recognition to the player we signed from Ajax.
He has turned from a decent player into a "TRULY WORLD CLASS" player.
And Suarez is not the only one we have done it/doing it with.
Sturridge has gone from a good player to being on the brink of world class.
Have our training methods NOT improved Henderson, Sterling, Alan and Flanagan?
Do not players that come from abroad often "drop off" in form as they acclimatise to the EPL?
Honestly. tell me you believe LFC has not improved Suarez asa player?

I don't think ANYONE can!

I will repeat what I put above because I think it is the essence of Liverpool Football Club.

WE DON'T BUY WORLD CLASS PLAYERS, WE MAKE THEM!

vrcomp
Y.N.W.A.

Think your clutching vrcomp…. Most of the players you have mentioned are not great players… they just work well in br's system… .I couldn't see allen or henderson or even flano getting in any of the top 7 as it stands teams! As for suarez he was pure quality b4 he even came here!

I have no idea why people still list Luis Muriel as an option. He is nowhere near good enough, and this season, having being made the main striker at Udinese, has managed a grand total of 4 goals. he has struggled with injuries and weight issues in the past. In all honesty, I would steer well clear of Muriel.

Suarez has indeed never had a full season at LFC. Incredibly, one thing I find quite astounding is that in the 3 and a half years he has been at LFC, he has not missed a single game through injury.

30 Apr 2014 11:15:59
If Madrid comes for Suarez above all other players, means he is the best player and only player they want to lead their attack.
Sorry, But none above would actually replace him, but a collective group of good players would help our club in long term,
Add Errikson in the list, As I would love to sign him up.

30 Apr 2014 11:17:18
Haych
Balletolli??.

No one IS "clutching"

You don't think that these players have improved while at LFC?

You don't think the players of the past, Rush, Riena, Hyypia, Mascherano, (the list is endless) improved while they were here.

This is what Liverpool do. They buy players and work with them and improve them.
I never said Suarez was not a good player when he came here. I said that while he has been here he has IMPROVED as a player. He has gone from being a great player to being a "world class player".
And Suarez is not the only player the coaching staff have done this with.
I really don't see what the disagreement is about.
Luis is a FAR BETTER PLAYER now than when he arrived at Liverpool. In my eye's there is no question about that.
And that improvement is down to the way he has been coached as well as him fitting the system we play.

vrcomp
Y.N.W.A.

Interesting post and comments.

Personally I feel there are a combination of things to consider and many other external factors at play.

@vrcomp - I am slightly in favour of your perspective, it is no luck that we have constantly brought the best out of, in particular, forward players. At least since I was a kid. Fowler, Collymore (cough), Owen, Torres, Suarez, etc. But at the same time, being realistic, this is only when we build teams around them and allow their talent to impact on games. We have also had a large number of flops based on poor transfer decisions. So we don't always manufacture 'world class' players (which is a phrase I'm not too keen on since it's completely subjective).

@chiswich - I feel your comment is sitting on the other side of the fence. You are basing your comment(s) completely on opinion (in my opinion). I think most top 4 teams would snatch our hands off at the player Henderson is turning in to. I think Allen is more tactically astute than other 'recycling' midfielders in most of the top six or seven teams. With the exception of perhaps, Fernandinho. Looking at, Javi Garcia, Arteta, Carrick, Mikel(?) - I would take Allen any day of the week. But it's all down to set up and you cannot impose a players abilities based upon another team's system. It doesn't work like that. It's like people who try to compare Maradona to Messi and Ronaldo to Eusebio, Neymar to Pele, etc. It doesn't work like that. It's a different game and played in different ways.

@ The Read AG - Agree on Muriel.

@EMS - I am a massive fan of Reus too and I think this lad has the ability to make a massive difference to the starting eleven. Undoubtedly, we will not be a surprise package next year and I think he would be key to smashing through some of those buses we will undoubtedly see next year. But as a replacement for Suarez? Absolutely not. He is a completely different type of player and whilst I think both are capable of playing one another's positions, by no means do I think these are their natural positions whereby you would get the best out of them. Unfortunately I do not feel there is a replacement for Suarez, only another player who might be able to offer their own impact playing a different style of football. I don't think there is another player in the centre forward in the world I would take over Suarez right now. So unless we are going to replace Suarez with Aguero and have a few pennies left over to sign somebody like Reur or Lallana, after the extortionate agent fees and other external cost factors to consider, what on earth would be the point?!

I personally, would try our utmost to keep hold of Suarez (as we did in the past). If he really wants to go and the fee is right, then I wouldn't keep a player who isn't fully committed. But such is the player, I feel you will always get 100% from him, so I trust in the club to make the best decision on all fronts. If I were Suarez and from my understanding of Real's targets (from what I've read), if I were third choice, I would stay where I was loved and playing my best football.

Sorry for the long post, I've been itching all week to post but I refrained due to potentially nibbling either way as a result of Sunday's result.

We Go Again.

VRCOMP.
I would just suggest you go watch suarez's old games, his movement and style of play has barely changed.what Liverpool have done is build the team around him as a focal point. He was always world class. He just needed a grander stage to show it on.

Sturridge is not on the brink of world class.He's a very good striker, but will never hit those heights.You may also want to see what Studge did at Bolton. He always had that in his locker.Chelsea just wasted him on the pine.

As for the youngsters. I'd fully expect them to get better. I'd say 1in maybe 10 make it from u18's to premiership. Henderson had actually already had a brilliant season at Sunderland before we bought him.

Allen has improved?!?!?

Sterling and Flanno like I say 2 youngsters out of about 40 at the academy playing 1st team footy what about robinson, adorjan, ngoo, ince, pacheco, mukendi, wilson, spearing, amoo, darby, silva eccleston. the list can go on pal.

Bobatron.

I was watching Luis when he was playing at Ajax. He was certainly a good player for them, I have conceded that. But World class while there? Hardly. Good player. Almost certainly.
I posted that in my original post.
So the question to you is.Has Suarez improved in his time at LFC? I say without doubt YES.
Sturridge. You don't think the 2nd highest scorer in the EPL has the potential to become world class? The same question to you. has he improved while he has been at LFC? I say without a doubt YES.
Have Henderson and Sterling improved this season. Again I have to answer YES.
I will say it.i do not see what your problem is with what I am saying.
The MAJORITY of players that have come to LFC. Especially in the striking department as RobbenMolby has said, improve (If given the chance. and they want to do so) for there time here.

I never said Suarez was not any good at Ajax, but I do disagree with you that while he was there you could give him the label "world class" which you can certainly do now.

vrcomp
Y.N.W.A.

If Suarez was world class at Ajax then he cerainly would not have ended up at Liverpool. He would have by passed us on his way to where he actually wants to be, namely Barca or Real.

One season scoring 20 goals doesn't make you world class. That word is banded about far too easily. Do I see Sturridge as near world class atm?Hell no, good premier league striker.No where near world class.

I like how Suarez ratio of goals to games went down when he moved to Liverpool and he suddenly became world class. Striker move to get more attention. People knew Suarez came with baggage and weren't willing to take the risk.we did.
Mascherano and tevez went to west ham for crying out loud!Falcao went to Monaco and gave up champion league football (posibly a la liga medal and champs league one).There are other motives for moves

We obviously have different perspectives on this bobatron and are not going to agree.
But if you think Suarez would have come to us if he was "world class" for £23 mill then I don't know what world you live in.
Sturridge is young, 2nd most goals scored in the EPL. Been out for a while injured too. He has improved no end this season and will continue that too. If he does, mark my words, he will become world class.
I think we will just agree to disagree on this.

vrcomp
Y.N.W.A.

VR. You are mistaking price for ability. The fee does not determine how good a player is. EVER, it's just what the market dictates.
Carrol, Illaramendi are 2 prime examples of transfer bigger than Suarez who are both NOT world class. We then have a brilliant midfielder in goetze who goes for a paltry £31.5

I will also remind you RVP went to UTD for less than what we paid for Suarez

Like I say. we just have to agree to differ!

You still have not answered the question as to whether both Suarez and Sturridge have improved while they have been at LFC?

vrcomp
Y.N.W.A.

VR it all depends on perspective.

Suarez scores 0.63 goals a game for Liverpool, and scored 0.74 a game for Ajax.Is this an improvement?

Sturridge hasn't really changed no. He was scoring well for Bolton, and actually kept them up. 3 years ago.It was Chelsea that were holding him back by playing him wide and leaving him on the bench. Do I think Liverpool get credit for simply playing the lad? NO