Liverpool Banter Archive April 30 2017

30 Apr 2017 22:54:10
Hi Eds.

Not directly LFC related but more of a general question on the standard of football mostly here.?

I think back not so long gone ago to when the likes of Shearer, Bergkamp Gazza Fowler etc . and I can't help thinking that the matches were way more exciting to watch.

Even Randy Grey made a better fist of commentating.

The odd match now reaches them levels but they are few and far between and the quality of player is way lower in most cases.

30 Apr 2017 23:52:08
Think how many crazy exciting games Klopp's given us and that's just one team. Football's still just as exciting you've just forgotten all the old boring games.

{Ed007's Note - 2 teams, Klopp managed Dortmund before Liverpool and had success there. It was exciting to watch his Dortmund team play.}

01 May 2017 09:27:47
Classic nostalgia there OP.

Us humans have a tendency to always remember the past as being better. Our memories often ignore the bad stuff and only remember what we want to.

It can actually be quite damaging. far right politics are built on it!

01 May 2017 11:19:21
You will say the same in 20 years when watching footy.

30 Apr 2017 20:39:10
where will Danny Ings fit in?

30 Apr 2017 20:50:37
Up top as a striker.

30 Apr 2017 21:23:46
Well if he was fit he'd be probably be starting currently.

30 Apr 2017 21:54:26
We'll have a shed load of extra games if we get to the Champions League, so it's obvious that he'll get chances.

30 Apr 2017 22:32:32
He's had 2 bad injuries that would effect a player in any position on the pitch, but mostly as a striker.

He's definitely got the work ethic and attitude but those injuries make it uncertain whether his body can stand up to the intensity of our game.

He won't be anywhere near ready for the start of next season.

Christmas hopefully.

Best of luck Danny. YNWA.

01 May 2017 11:03:02
Spot on, Dermot BUT if any player can come back, it will be Ings. His attitude, drive and desire is exemplary.

30 Apr 2017 19:36:33
Lads. It's back in our hands again.

30 apr 2017 20:17:06
we need to go out there tomorrow and finish the job.

30 Apr 2017 19:05:43
We need to take this chance tomorrow, with Arsenal, city and they who shall not be named losing points, a win would be massive. and qualifying for the champions league would surely increase the calibre of player we would attract. Do the Ed's know of any player we are after that CL qualification would be a must? Not after names just a nod will do.

{Ed001's Note - no but it does make recruitment easier and hanging on to our current players.}

30 Apr 2017 20:18:40
Fingers crossed, Decimus. A win tmrw and we have one hand firmly on CL footie next season.

01 May 2017 10:26:17
Klopp did an interview last year in which he stated that if players were more interested in the CL than in playing for Liverpool then he wouldn't be signing them. He's right too, but it won't suit some of the transfer Top Trump fans on here.

30 Apr 2017 18:25:16
Dear Eds,

While Brendan Rodgers was incharge he hired Steve Peters to help Liverpool improve mental strength.

What do you think of having such Life coach/ psychologist to be around the squad? What is your opinion?

{Ed002's Note - It suits some players and not others.}

30 Apr 2017 22:41:44
Helps them to show great character .

30 Apr 2017 18:22:06
Such a nice day today.

30 Apr 2017 16:35:59
Watching the North London derby after a couple of decent results for us so far today. (Weren't we supposed to be 5th by now?!? 😂)
I thought I'd keep an eye on the Ox as he has been mooted as a transfer target for us. Opinion after one minute? Arsenal can keep him 😂.

30 Apr 2017 16:58:55
I'd take koceiney from their defence to 👍.

30 Apr 2017 17:18:48
Spurs have quality centre backs and a top class goalkeeper. What a difference that would make for us.

30 Apr 2017 17:51:21
It's especially frustrating when half their team were linked with us before moving to Spuds!

30 Apr 2017 19:17:34
Spuds have a top class defense, would anyone from their back 5, and the lot of them if I could.

30 Apr 2017 19:52:13
How could Wenger even think of replacing Carzola with Xhaka. Santi is elegance with the ball. A passing machine. Spurs with Dembele owning Arsenal.

30 Apr 2017 20:29:22
Bar Sanchez, I wouldn't want any of their players and definitely not the shambolic Ox who was dreadful today. Harry, Carzola can't stay fit (his season is over via injury) and his injuries won't end as he's over 30 and your injuries don't heal the older you get. Xhaka is who he got when he could not get Kante so the comparison is well off base. Owning Arsenal is no longer a big deal anymore as even the great Tony Pulis slapped them silly w/ o breaking a sweat. Wenger is and has been a has-been and living on WAY past glories so he's their problem, not ours.

30 Apr 2017 15:03:30
Get the win tomorrow and put the pressure back on city and utd with a hopefully 4 point gap to each if boro maintain the job today. Utd are now stretched to the last with their squad and that will put pressure on where they have to play 5 hard games in 2 wks (4 away) with a thread bare squad. Hope spurs do a job on Arsenal today. Last wk it was all doom and gloom but could be a gr8 wkend for us so fingers crossed lads.

30 Apr 2017 15:23:58
I agree, the result tomorrow is massive to add pressure on those below.

30 Apr 2017 15:41:41
Get in there chambers. Refs are doing is no favours today giving both city and utd penaltys for blatant dives.

30 Apr 2017 16:02:33
So far so good lads, been a good day for us so far, just the spuds to beat arsenal and obviously a win for us and it's been as close to a Carlsberg weekend for us as we could get, sure Everton were suppose to catch the top four ha.

30 Apr 2017 16:06:47
Two shocking referee decisions, where diving cheats have been awarded penalties!
Will we be given any favours tomorrow night. I doubt it.

30 Apr 2017 16:17:12
This is now a must win game! We win we put there game in hand useless and both will be still under us . No ifs no buts just get the job done we have showed time and time again this season that we are capable of making the best look like Sunday league teams now it's time to do it against bottom half sides it's time we put them in there place I hope to god it's the Liverpool we love and not the one that just turns up and looks hopeless I'd take a 1-0 and hanging on with the skin of our teeth aslong as it's three points!

30 Apr 2017 16:33:30
Excellent results so far and now puts it back in our hands. Hopefully with lalana and sturridge back we will have too much for watford tomorrow night but you never know. I will keep my fingers and toes crossed that the boys play their natural games and not let the pressure get to them.

30 Apr 2017 16:44:09
Today was a very good day for us and the lads have to make sure we have another good day tomorrow.

30 Apr 2017 17:02:12
I don't understand why fans make such a fuss of a bad decision, it's not like Liverpool never score an offside goal or get an iffy pen, or dive. All the big teams get some over the season. So it's swings and roundabouts.

30 Apr 2017 19:02:08
Guarantee we will be denied a clear pen tomorrow.
Not just to us but seems to happen refs, watch previous contentious decisions then play caution.

30 Apr 2017 19:13:17
It easy to say when your team is always the one to receive the advantage especially when the swings and roundabouts are in your playground.

30 Apr 2017 14:04:24
And as I posted earlier in the week top 4 is a certainty for you, and that confirms it. Done and dusted imo.

30 Apr 2017 14:13:26
Wise up Stand. You expected to win that match, no doubt about it which would have put you above Liverpool. Who do you think you are? Fergie with his mind games?

30 Apr 2017 14:15:42
We still have 4 hard games with teams that will sit deep, your not gone yet.

30 Apr 2017 14:32:04
On paper we should win it given the games left, but we still have to go out there and do it so anything is possible - we've shown we're vulnerable enough on the counter and against set pieces to not take anything for granted.

30 Apr 2017 14:42:10
On paper if we had won the games we "should have" we would be challenging for the league title. We have 4 very difficult games coming up, 4 cup finals! Let's not get sucked into any nonsense that its done and dusted. This is Liverpool football club, we don't make it easy for ourselves. One game at a time.

30 Apr 2017 14:43:53
Hi Stand, I enjoy your visits over here, logical, fair opinions from the dark side.
As a UTD supporter what's your take on Fellini I well know lfc supporters opinion.

30 Apr 2017 14:49:26
Stand, were do you stand regarding that dubious penalty, a lot of united s goals are dodgy, including the hand ball by Herrera V Chelsea,

30 Apr 2017 15:14:42
Wasn't an penalty. The handball I don't agree with Hererra didn't move his arm to the ball as was 2 yards away. But it's swings and roundabouts, we've had some shocking desicions, goals disallowed for no reasons etc so you get some and don't get others. It evens out

Fellaini offers something different but isn't good enough to be a United player, but I could say that about a lot of them. Jones, Smalling, Shaw (can't keep fit) , Rooney ( finished 3 years ago) , darmian, young, carrick ( legs gone) , Fellaini should all be moved on in my opinion. Valencia, rojo, Bailly, DDG, Hererra, pog, Martial, miki, rash, Mata are the only ones who I would keep. The rest I wouldn't be arsed losing.

30 Apr 2017 15:17:31
Our problem is psychological.

We tend to raise or lower our level of performance to the level of the opposing team.

Stand has made some great posts on our pages, he must be wondering what the he'll has happened to his club.

For me the Utd. board have sacrificed the clubs ethos and traditions of trying to win every game they play.

Again this year they will try to buy the title by throwing millions at players to come and play for a coach who actually stifles talented players.

That's always been the special ones way but not the Utd way. till now.

30 Apr 2017 15:58:21
Fair play Stand, good honest reply, United have some difficult games left to play, anything could happen, its going to be very close finish for top four, every game so important . and Fellaini simply not good enough for a top team .

30 Apr 2017 18:43:57
I don't think it's as nailed on as that Stand, we've four tough games to get through, but it is in our hands now.

30 Apr 2017 13:56:42
For Banter who would be the one realistic attainable player you would want to see the club sign this summer? For me it would be William Carvalho from sporting lisbon as I think we need an out an out defensive midfielder. I'm guessing Eds choice would be Medel no doubt lol.

{Ed001's Note - no, I think we need more energy, a Kante-type, to provide something different. Not sure about Carvalho, I have seen him have some stinkers and look really slow and sluggish, then the next game look a pacey powerhouse. Tielemans I would love but not sure he is realistic. I would be very happy with Sessegnon from Fulham.}

30 Apr 2017 14:12:29
Just the games I watched of him ed I thought he was Class and thought he would be great in the prem maybe I didn't watch enough. Not many Kante-type players around ed can you think of any? Tielemans great shout not sure if we could get him though. You seem to really rate sessegnon I won't lie I am still a bit unconvinced that we should have a 16 year old playing week in week out as first choice. From the games I've seen he looks very good especially attacking and works very hard.

30 Apr 2017 14:12:29
Just the games I watched of him ed I thought he was Class and thought he would be great in the prem maybe I didn't watch enough. Not many Kante-type players around ed can you think of any? Tielemans great shout not sure if we could get him though. You seem to really rate sessegnon I won't lie I am still a bit unconvinced that we should have a 16 year old playing week in week out as first choice. From the games I've seen he looks very good especially attacking and works very hard.

{Ed001's Note - I don't know, like I said he sometimes looks great, then another time terrible. I have not watched enough of him to really get to know his game and see what Carvalho is like.

Gueye, Obiang, Ndidi and Mendy are Kante-type, Nzonzi too, though none are the same level as Kante, who is a class apart.

If your only issue is his age, then I would say that should tell you Sessegnon is fine. If you are picking apart his game, then you would worry.}

30 Apr 2017 14:19:59
ED 01 you've mentioned a few times recently you'd be happy if we got sessegnon do you believe we could get him.

{Ed001's Note - yes, unless they win promotion. In which case I would say it is better for the lad to stay another season, and I would expect his advisors to tell him that.}

30 Apr 2017 15:10:15
thanks for the speedy reply.

{Ed001's Note - welcome.}

30 Apr 2017 15:28:28
I know Keita isn't Kante type whatsoever, but he does provide energy, fight and bursting forward runs. From the little I've seen of him I think he would provide something different.

{Ed001's Note - I can see how he would be useful, I certainly wouldn't mind us signing him from what I have seen.}

30 Apr 2017 16:01:20
I would probably have to say Ben Gibson, has shown he's a top left footed centre back with real leadership qualities. however the transfer fee would probably be astronomically high and I expect him to go elsewhere : (.

30 Apr 2017 23:06:54
I think we are in dire need of a player who will not accept a dropping of standards regardless of whom we play. So Gibson could fit the bill.
From everything I have heard (as I don't watch Ligue1), Bakayoko from Monaco would be the best thing going around to give us energy and drive in the midfield. Sadly Ed002 has him likely going to ManU.

30 Apr 2017 10:59:08
I thought, to change over from constant complaining and questions on who we are going to sign, that it would be interesting to look at how we could improve the team for next season. These improvements may be tactical, mental or through personal, whether buying new players or promoting from within. This may come across as a criticism of the players but I want it to be noted that I am not looking to belittle players but just state my opinion on what occurs and that overall this has been a fairly successful season. The following is my personal opinion only and I welcome comments.
Clearly this season we have performed very well against the top teams and less well against the bad teams, so this will mostly be an analysis of how we can improve against lesser teams.
1. The biggest issue is with our mentality. Many of our players seem to get sloppy against lower teams and don't pass or press as effectively. This is a hard issue to solve but could come down to Klopp ensuring players are properly prepared for the game, having more leaders and players who are consistently trying on the pitch or through having greater competition, especially in midfield, as players who are scared they will get dropped are more likely to try.
2. The lack of width. Currently we play very narrow football. Excepting Mane, we have no players who are comfortable taking a man on one on one out wide. This is compounded by issues with our full backs. Clyne lacks the ability to consistently put in decent balls and make the right decision offensively and Milner lacks pace and always cuts inside. This makes it easy for teams to defend against us as they have no need to worry about being stretched wide. This leads into the second issue and could be improved by ensuring that we had fullbacks who provided actual width and attacking threat.
3. The lack of variety in our attacking play. Essentially, we are a team that is very good at playing in front of a defence but lack the ability to change it up and pierce a team that sits back against us. When there is a little bit of space, and our players are in sync, this can be devastating. But when that is not occurring we can look very blunt. This could be solved by having greater width to create space and by having the ability to change up our attacking play, whether through players capable of taking on and beating a man, midfielders who are willing to run beyond or players who are capable of shooting from distance.
4. The lack of options to change. We have a very strong first team but do not have options on the bench to change up the team during a game. Klopp has shown that he is willing to do this when the players are on the bench, so we have to ensure that next season we have those players.
5. There are various issues with our defence that all intersect with each other. I will start by addressing those with our centre backs. Basically, we just lack quality in this position. Players are either slow, just not that good or inconsistent. This allows teams to target them, doubly true if they can counter while our fullbacks are up the pitch and they can isolate our cbs, which can leave our defence weak. The solutions for his are either to coach our current starting cbs into not making the mistake they currently make or to improve the quality of players in this position by bringing in new players either from the academy or through transfers.
6. The full backs are also an issue defensively. They either have questionable positioning or lack the pace to deal with a forward when isolated. This can be combatted through coaching and tactics.
7. The goalkeeper. I think we all know the issues with this, the lack of organisation, passing and ability to deal with crosses. Short to say I think we are all aware that this position needs an upgrade.
The above is my opinion only and, it is important to note, when I say we need new players I do not necessarily mean we need to buy new player as we can also look to our academy and other players that we have at the club.

30 Apr 2017 11:48:42
I generally agree with all of those points, and this could be a bit naive if me but I reckon that if we had a couple more players that could have a shot on target from distance then it might help us break down the teams that sit back against us as the defenders would be more inclined to come out of the back line for a tackle if they know that we have the ability to score from distance, at the moment we only have Coutinho who is known to be a threat from far out.

30 Apr 2017 12:40:21
Not everything could be corrected by coaching. Tactics are not going to be changed or altered. We will play high press high line football under Klopp and you need personal especially at the back to play this system.

30 Apr 2017 14:22:08
I think we are generally in a good space provided we keep our squad together our main issues we need to fix are
1) our fullbacks need to deliver quality into the box going forward but we struggle with Milner right footed on the left and Clyne poor going forward on the right. Witness how effective we are with Mane and part of that IMO is he's a natural wide attacker and when we switch him out, we lose that penetration in behind. Likewise a natural wide left back is key as Coutinho often drops deep or cuts inside so we need someone to exploit the space he creates. I think we should go Sessegnon as understudy to Milner and start playing TAA or else bring in Pereira for Clyne if he's not ready.
2) our next problem is at CB - we've struggled with injuries and inconsistency but likewise we are vulnerable on the counterattack either through lack of pace or mistakes, but also partly because we leave them very exposed. Klopp seems to be favoring a deeper midfielder which has been effective at times, playing more of a 3-4-3 at times against sides that sit back. Main thing is we need a top CB to replace Klavan IMO and challenge Lovren, but we also need more luck with injuries to benefit from a settled partnership.
3) Our other big problem is from set pieces. This is down to two things IMO - training and the keeper. I think Migs has been excellent the last few games, but he's still not the long term solution, we need Karius to start asap next season, or if not ready spend on the strongest keeper we can afford.
4) Sturridge is a talented player but we can't afford to live with his injury record anymore, particularly with Origi still learning his craft and Ings yet to prove his recover. We need someone with pace and goalscoring ability to allow us to get in behind with pace if Mane isn't available. I'd bring in Dembele or Brandt depending on if we see Firmino as long term CF or a false 9.
5) Midfield is the toughest decisions IMO - we have some good options and Can has shown an ability to play understudy to Hendo but then we look a bit light if Hendo suffers from an injury hit season again and Grujic doesn't prove himself ready. I'd love to see us sign Keita but it's a bit of a luxury as far as I can see.

Main thing is to keep the first pick side together as it stands now (apart from perhaps Clyne and Migs) and then bring in a few top recruits to strengthen where we lack options. Hopefully Coutinho stays and we get CL - he's getting better and better and his partnership with Firmino could be a big part of the next few years if we can give it time.

30 Apr 2017 05:08:18
{Ed's Note - We have posted a new article entitled, Zonal Marking Gets A Bad Press

30 Apr 2017 10:36:16
a good article that ed001, if I remember correctly under rafa one year using this system we only let in 25 goals all season and only 7 at home, every system has its faults and it is impossible to stop all goals being scored but it is ignorance to say zonal marking does not work.

{Ed001's Note - cheers kk7.}

30 Apr 2017 11:46:08
Rafa had in my opinion, a better all round defence, was a more defensive coach, and from what I've read, he would do lots of situation based training so defenders could think quickly for themselves, not sure how Klopp and his staff approach it these days, but I wish he'd get a specialist defensive coach and a new goal keeper coach.

30 Apr 2017 13:35:54
We also had a few more leaders in that team, we need someone like a Carra screaming his head off making sure people are switched on for both set pieces and open play.

30 Apr 2017 12:42:22
Rafa had if not but certainly one of the very best coaching staffs.

30 Apr 2017 15:13:47
Pako Ayesteran and Xavi Valero are two of the the best coaches in world football.