Liverpool Banter Archive June 05 2014

05 Jun 2014 23:18:56
Just had a quick glance on Bayer leverkusen forums using a bit of google translate to make it readable (Germen to English). I found that most Leverkusen fans rate Emre Can very highly, with some of his main attributues was the flexiability in playing different positiions and very good on the ball. However sometimes can be abit agressive leading to unwanted tackles. Although the Leverkusen fans are not pleased that Emre has a clause in his contract, they unsuprisingly would perfer that he goes to Liverpool than spend another year at Leverkusen developing untill the following year bayern activate his buy - out - clause.
All in all; brilliant signing for us, 20 years old still a bit raw but is versatile which brendon wants.

Best comment I read translated as, "As punishment for his departure, he has to live with millions of poor 'Can' word jokes on the island now."

Those Germans know us too well.

Not to disappoint then, for the thirty something's and less check out Suzy quattro's 'can the can' song on you tube. for the more mature of you, also check it out and reminisce!

Sure there's a song in the making there for him!

{Ed002's Note - Then people would certainly be laughing at the Liverpool fans.}

Yes they do and the famous German sense of humour means they know a poor joke because they created most of them.

Given the amount of leather on show in Suzi's group, I'd have thought the German population would have been all over the song!

{Ed002's Note - I guess they are much brighter than you guys and know how his name is pronounced.}

Yeah lads it's pronounced Chan not can. just thought I'd let yas know

I know gents - it was banter.for god's sake, lighten up!

05 Jun 2014 22:59:23
Hi eds, was just wondering whether the transfer of Rickie Lambert will be officially completed on 1st July, like stated with the Can deal? The deal for Can has been reported as 'agreed in principle', whereas Lambert appears to have signed and is now a Liverpool player, yet the transfer window is not even open yet! Is this simply the difference between national and international transfers? Cheers.

{Ed002's Note - I cannot give a specific day.}

Sorry Ed, I wasn't looking for a specific day, just wondering why one has been completed (with the window not open) and one is only agreed in principle?

{Ed002's Note - They don't get completed until the paperwork is processed by the FA - they begin doing that on July 1. You are reading too much in to something or other.}

05 Jun 2014 22:47:38
Can anyone either indicate why Chelsea lost/dropped interest in Moreno or advise what search words are required to find this info? I've tries Chelsea Moreno and search says sorry nothing.

{Ed002's Note - It is not for discussion.}

06 Jun 2014 09:27:52
You won't find it, it's a closely guarded secret. I asked my friend in Sevilla who is a hardcore fan & he didn't know. The Eds will take it to their graves. I know mate, the gossip vacuum is killing me too! Let's just assume he made a pass at Eva Carneiro and move on.

05 Jun 2014 22:32:53
Saying we get Moreno and can, and we sell aspas and Lucas like suggested, we haven't added any players to our squad from last year. Cissohko for Moreno, Borini for Moses, can for Lucas and lambert for aspas. Albeit the quality is much higher in my opinion, it still doesn't really add that strength in depth we will need for next season!

I sincerely hope we hold onto Agger and Lucas, If we sign Lovren I'd much rather ship Skrtel out and use Ilori and backup and Kolo to cover any injuries from there.

I think the point of bringing the players we've brought in are they are an upgrade on the current options we have any more players and I think we've stiffling development and I'm sure a wide player will come in. In terms of depth I would look to our youth, Joao, Suso, Ibe, Kelly, Wisdom, Flanagan, Mclaughlin, Smith some of these are judged to be ready for first team minutes.

Yeah what imred said really.
The bench will be much stronger and the youngsters can fill in any gaps that arise due to injuries and form issues.
The first team will hopefully be fresher as Brendan will have real back up so he can afford to drop a player or two now an again.

Conbicks, whilst the sheer size of the squad will not have increased, the depth in turn will have because there is a reason Rodgers had troubles utilising players such as Aspas and Moses. because they simply weren't good enough and it was a better option to just leave them on the bench. Hopefully with these new additions the squad will be able to be rotated more readily and then you will see the actual benefit of quality depth. all this talk on the size of the squad is rubbish, they submit the same amount of players as a squad every year don't they? its all about quality depth not quantity

Cissokho, Moses and Aspas - all 3 of these were part of the squad but not good enough so they weren't used. The better players we'll have next season should play more than them so numbers wise the squad might technically be the same size but in reality it will be bigger.

I'm made up for Rickie Lambert and I think he's a great choice as our 3rd striker. I must admit though that I had never heard of Emre Can before we were linked to him. I hope he shines for us but it does feel a bit like the Alberto signing, massive potential but unproven and raw. I had hoped we would strengthen the squad by bringing in a few top quality players who would improve the 1st XI straight away. The team are hopefully working on this, plenty of time yet, but so far we have just brought in better quality subs.

06 Jun 2014 07:19:52
Hi Conbicks,

If you think about it last year we had 3 strikers; with Borinin and Lambert - if Aspas goes we have 4 / 5 - so not an issue.

Ed002 said that Emre Can will be in and around the 1st team but maybe not always in the 1st 11 - therefore it's unknown if Lucas will leave - if he does and we get Lallana then not an issue.

Borussia dortmunds squad isn't huge but the backups they do have are quality and for the most part very adaptable, grosskreutz can play somethin like 4 or 5 positions, I think this is what brendan is going for with us, multi purpose, intelligent, high quality footballers eg lallana and can.

05 Jun 2014 22:01:03
Evening eds and fellow reds I hope there is still a chance we can get lallana but if not there has been talk of a move for lazar markovic never seen him play so don't no how good he is in your opinion would he be a good alternative to lallana

05 Jun 2014 21:45:43
Eds fellow reds, question time, all this talk Luis is going ok .say we got £90million for him .fans only name me the three player we will need to replace him and you can guarantee would come to Liverpool without a second thought . Then maybe you might understand that fsg won't let him go unless the fee is £110 million plus .

05 Jun 2014 22:15:58
I think if he is or isn't sold our strAtegy should be the same. It could likely result in a slight increase of bids for our targets. We could get one striker to replace, and I'd get slapped by some for saying balotelli, but the guy has the ability. That money could really help club stability in the long run, and we can promote youth to fill the voids. Whatever money is left over would help out with the debt issue. I don't want Suarez gone, but if he goes, he goes. We still aren't going to have trouble scoring goals; maybe not 100, but that wouldn't be our problem.

Sanchez & falcao

Tj red .dont see the point in selling Suarez .we would have to pay at least £60 million for falcao .and I think the Suarez brand has a huge part to play I wonder how much the Suarez brand makes the club each year .keep him IMO

A wide forward or two and an attacking midfielder-type would do the trick for me. Say maybe Sanchez, Firmino, and Konoplyanka as examples.

I'm telling you now if he's sold the fee will be less than Bales was. But Liverpool don't want to sell so hopefully it remains academic.

05 Jun 2014 23:09:52
Well if it's as simple as "keep him" then what have we to worry about?

What about we stop worrying about luis, enjoy him while he's here, and hope he isn't going anywhere. I wouldn't sell him for the world. The only time we would know how to replace him is the exact moment he is going to leave, to prepare at any other time is just pointless.

If we got offered that much for suarez (£90mil) i'd take it in a heart beat)

You can pretty much build a spin of a team from that.

I'd purchase Mueller, gundongan, begovic, for a start

05 Jun 2014 20:49:58
ed do you think LFC may look to sign another wide player if Assaidi was to leave? Cheers!

{Ed002's Note - Assaidi will be entirely unrelated to what the club do.}

Well its been like that for the last 2 seasons.

05 Jun 2014 20:43:54
Macca on form this window so far! Kudos to you sir.

06 Jun 2014 07:17:12
Big up to Macca

05 Jun 2014 20:18:57
I think there is a strong chance Suarez could go in the summer. interested to hear what fellow supporters would feel what would be an acceptable offer for him / good business for Liverpool.

I hope he does not go btw, just feel it may be now or never for a Real move.

The question is: what is an acceptable offer? As Spuds showed with the sale of Bale, it's very difficult to replace a special player with 1, 2 or even 7 players (as in spuds case).

It's all about how we replace him. If we can do that then every player has his price.

If we can replace him with 2 or 3 quality players, I would like the price to be very similar to what Bale cost Madrid. It is a big sum, but there are not many in the world who can do what he does.

It would have to beat bales fee.

05 Jun 2014 21:17:13
I also think he will go. I would say we hopefully get at like 90mil Euro. spend about half of that on a replacement and the rest will either help pay off debt or fund some other transfers. But if we get that for him, get a decent replacement and the club is better off fiscally it will be a good result.

I agree.all Liverpool have to do is get as much money from madrid for him
With champs league we can attract some quality players.with the money

05 Jun 2014 21:34:21
Zaappp, I agree we need to retain a wedge of any fee for our debt. This would mean a single player in to replace him -scary! I'm not sure we get more than the Bale money either, £60m - £70m maybe.

So that begs the question which 1 player would you buy as a replacement?

Madrid won't be paying more than the bale bid. They see his off field issues as something which decreases his value. I'm not mentioning figures but I can assure you that it is much less than the bale bid. It also doesn't help much that carlo isn't keen and is the reason that no bids were made previously.

O thought he had a release clause of 100 million. if that offer was made i'd accept but only for the following season. he needs to give us a season in the cl. if a player wants to leave its best for everone that he does. as a replacement, there isn't 1!

{Ed002's Note - You are making it up.}

05 Jun 2014 20:00:37
Does the editor think we will buy Moreno, Lallana plus a centre half and another wide player or will Lallana also cover as a midfielder/wide player?

{Ed002's Note - RTP.}

05 Jun 2014 19:50:31
Liverpool and Sevilla have come to an agreement for full-back Alberto Moreno, who himself has also given his approval.

The deal is reported to be a 5-year contract, for a fee of €22million.

05 Jun 2014 19:45:16
Any interest in Jackson Martinez of Porto?

{Ed002's Note - Lots but not from Liverpool at this time.}

05 Jun 2014 19:42:29
Hi all

it may sound stupid but do Bayer Leverkusen or Bayern Munich have a buy back clause in Can's contract?

Thanks

{Ed002's Note - There won't be.}

05 Jun 2014 19:35:27
ive just heard this from a very good sauce, we are signing lord lucan with shergar as his room mate

Lol.

Reads as if you're on acid.

Strange days. :)

05 Jun 2014 18:52:44
I know agger seems most likely of the centre backs to leave but I personally hope he will stay! It's looking like sahko plus either ilori or a new cb, which means it'll be hard for agger to earn a place as he if left footed like sahko, but this guy is a true red, and when he is fit, a top defender! Sadly I don't see him stating!

Regarding centre backs I think we have 3 likely outcomes, which do you reds think if best?
1) agger plus skrtel leave, ilori sahko and another fight for the 2 spots
2) skrtel starts with sahko, ilori/wisdom/Kelly (whoever progresses most) as a backup along with toure
3) skrtel starts with sahko plus one more centre back squired, agger leaves along with ilori on Loan.

I know it depends on a lot of ifs and buts, but what do you guys think?

My personal preference (although I have no idea how likely it is) would be Agger to stay along with Sakho for LCB. Skrtel to leave, replaced by Lovren and Ilori. Toure and others (Kelly, Wisdom) to provide add'l coverage as needed.

For me Skrtle and Toure to leave (harsh on Skrtle I know but cash in whilst he is doing well and still right side of 30.

Agger wants to leave so again cash in whilst he's the right side of 30.

Leaving Sahko, Kelly and Ilori. In addition bring in one of De Vrij or Lovren and we have four quality centre halves with Kelly and Ilori learning their trade.

I doubt toure will leave, I think he has on year left on his contract, and can still come in for that experience if desperately needed! Would much rather play toure in the champions league if necessary than kelly or similar!

06 Jun 2014 05:58:53
IMO, is very likely that Agger will leave and LFC will bring in a CB. Ilori will likely be loaned out and Coates sold or released from his contract. This would leave us with Skrtel, Sakho, Toure, new CB.

05 Jun 2014 17:59:16
Hi Ed's and Red's, just as a bit of banter (and a break from the endless repeated questions about the same players), was strimming away today and got to remembering the famous Norwich City victory over Bayern Munich at the Olympic stadium in the the UEFA cup (always had a slight soft spot for the canaries), going on to win 3-2 on aggregate, possibly their greatest ever moment as a club. Just wondering what other non Liverpool moments/matches stick out in peoples minds from over the years?

A brilliant West Brom side beating united 5-3 at old Trafford
'78 I think

05 Jun 2014 18:16:43
Hereford United vs Newcastle United 1972. Ronnie Radford pile driver!

Oxford United 3 - QPR 0 at Wembley. Ray Houghton and John Aldridge starring for United.

05 Jun 2014 19:23:11
Unfortunately , seeing Everton win 5-1 at a very good QPR side on 08 October 1977 . The Blues had a very good winger called Dave Thomas ( ex-QPR ) who played without shinpads , he crossed four times and Bob Latchford knocked it in four times .

Younger readers won't know what a winger is! I love these blasts from the past .

Celtic versus Athletico Madrid in the European Cup semi-final at Parkhead in 1974. Something like 90 free kicks, three players sent off, lost count of the number of bookings and, er, no goals.

Check it out on You Tube. Never seen anything like it before or since.

Celtic lost the return leg but justice was done in the final as Athletico were turned over by Bayern, in a replay, after being a minute or so away from winning the first game.

Portsmouth taking AC Milan all the way in 2008 I think it was.

Or maybe when Newcastle battered Barcelona in 96 or 97 I can't quite remember.

Wales 4 england 1, at the racecourse wrexham. won't ever see that again. anyone remember the england captain and his o.g?

Nice one for all the replies reds. Have checked out the first few on youtube, some crackers there, will do the same with the others.

Germany 1 - England 5, all five goals by Liverpool players.

Barcelona 4 - Manchester United 0 - just because lol

05 Jun 2014 22:38:32
With my dad being a spurs fan, the bale hatrick vs inter Milan was a special moment! Unbelievable stamina and power! Coutinho even played in that matcH!

05 Jun 2014 17:24:46
I wanted to say well done LFC. Another great capture and lessons have clearly been learned within the club and everything is being done to sign the players wanted swiftly. I for one like the players we have made offers for or signed and it's both reassuring and refreshing that we have a manager and club that are progressive and learn from what has or hasn't worked so well in the past. If we get the other signings it will be fantastic and I'm already excited and looking forward to seeing Lambert and Chan play.

Win the league or don't win the league, as long as we continue the same development and show the same attitude next year I will personally be a very happy chappie.

A great transfer window already, WC to come and more insights and updates from all the Eds and all's dandy. A little less nagging from the misses and my EuroMillions numbers coming in Friday and life will be just splendid.

Cheers

05 Jun 2014 18:34:21
I think the euromillions win may help with the nagging =P

You don't know my wife! Ha! Ha!

But sure if you do well in the euro millions you can have anyone's wife haha

05 Jun 2014 16:27:23
Hi eds, any information on interest in Benfica's Lazar Markovic?

{Ed002's Note - Nothing new.}

05 Jun 2014 15:21:27
My mate who lives in Germany just emailed me and said we have signed a gem in Can. He has watched Liverpool a lot this year and thinks Brendan will mould him into a top player.
He reckons he can force himself into a regular first team spot by the end of the season.
Let's hope he's right.

I have just spoke to a friend from Austria who is a Dortmund fan. He is an ex coach and has seen a fair bit of Can. He reckons he can become "the next Gerrard". I hope he is right.

Red Rum

He reminds me more of alonso or a blend of Gerrard and alonso.
If anyone can bring the best out of him it's Brendan.

05 Jun 2014 14:57:19
Why would we sell one? Because we have just bought one who can do his job. Also another midfielder in Lallana is likely to come, and suso is also an option. Plus hendo, plus Allen, plus Gerrard. I have been Lucas's biggest fan from the day he was bought, I just feel the writing may be on the wall for him.

This is meant to be posted further down on my last post

05 Jun 2014 14:15:48
Hi everyone

Great news on Can's signing. As a linguist, I'd just like to point out to everyone that his surname is pronounced 'jarn', not 'kan'. I'm sure TV commentators will ALL pick up on this (note the irony).!

{Ed002's Note - Charn}

Pedantically, I note sarcasm not irony.

My wife said it annoys her that I'm "nit-picky."

"I think you mean pedantic, " I replied.

05 Jun 2014 13:28:45
@ Reddan73
RTFP - huge answer from Ed002 on the transfer committee and Ian Ayre just scroll down the page!

05 Jun 2014 12:54:08
With regards to my last post I didn't means under the radar as in there's no interest.declared etc I.meant more so transfers people didn't believe we were linkedbor interested in? Are we going.to bring.anyone.else who we have been linked with or is there.more surprises transfer coming?

{Ed002's Note - Can was not a surprise at all. There has been extensive discussion for a couple of weeks.}

05 Jun 2014 16:23:30
Ahaha, so your question is will there be any transfers in the future that nobody knows about in the present? No offence to the Eds if I'm wrong but I don't think any of them are oracles. Tell me I'm wrong! :)

05 Jun 2014 12:44:34
Very pleased with the Emre Can deal. He could have stayed as he was a guaranteed stater and potentially played in CL with Bayer next season but he wanted this move.

05 Jun 2014 12:12:11
Is there any real chance of Markovic? At 20 he's younger and has European games behind him. I can't see us with a sniff there really.

I remember one of the ED's mentioning that Chelsea have the option of buying him at a price which would be cheaper than it would be for say ourselves - something to do with part ownership. Like yourself, I do not see this deal happening.

{Ed002's Note - Something like that.}

Thanks Jassi

05 Jun 2014 12:05:10
Can in, Lucas out?
Hope not to be honest. But it wouldn't surprise me.

Last season when Henderson was suspended we lacked a midfielder why would we sell one? when we are in CL next season

05 Jun 2014 13:30:22
Hyach

Balancing the Wages mate.

We only lacked a midfielder because lucas wasnt versatile enough to do the job henderson had left well, rodgers believs that Can could do that job for us.

I disagree with the site's most regular poster. If Lucas is sold it will be because we have adequate cover; yes we need to "balance the books" however the budget we have is higher due to Champions League Qualification; I'd expect us to sell next year if we don't get Champions League as the squad will not need to be as big (and the rewards in the Europa League mean it is a lot of work for little financial reward).

05 Jun 2014 15:18:31
Hoola

Budget?. What about the creeping Debt?

Harry, you seem so adamant on constantly discussing money I can picture you now walking the streets of Liverpool daily keeping an eye out for coins on the footpaths. Do you summer holidays include a metal detector whilst at the beach?

Harry,

Do you think that no company uses a budget model to plan the coming year(s)?

Liverpool need Champions League football to ensure that losses are kept to a minimum; with a hope to break even at some point.

Hence why the so called £100m spree that Comolili and Daglish went on (to achieve CL football).

Money will be spent to ensure we stay in the champions league for future seasons.

Therefore even with debt you have budgets and hopefully stick to them.

05 Jun 2014 11:53:41
Are we in talks with Barcalona Ed?

{Ed002's Note - About what?}

I just read on koptalk that Liverpool are locked in talks with Barcalona about what? I have no idea, you have to be a member to to find out apparently.

{Ed002's Note - These were the people who had Liverpool illegally obtaining contracts a couple of weeks ago. Don't bring it here.}

That is wishful thinking. BIG wishful thinking. if only it was true.

05 Jun 2014 14:19:58
You believe Koptalk. About the crappiest, made up stuff ever.

Also, this has caused friction in the past here I think.

05 Jun 2014 11:16:46
Well a lot of posters called for transfers to be done early (i.e. pre-WC). We can't complain on that front!

2 good solid players. Still a wide player and defender to come though I think.

05 Jun 2014 11:41:13
Deals were made early last summer and most of them were bench warmers and helped out in training to make up the numbers-- a big waste of money. I'm sure lfc fans would help out in training for free.
Ive never seen emre can play but what il wait for is whether Brendan will carry out his words of getting quality players that will improve the team namely go straight in the first 11
So for now we shall see what happens till August because I don't think the real transfers have started

Ahhh lobster, thank goodness you're back - there was an air of positivity here in your absence

05 Jun 2014 13:31:16
Right. Well, there goes my smile.

Thank god you showed up lobster, I was almost starting to feel optimistic after our dreadful season clambering to 2nd from 7th. What are we to do.

05 Jun 2014 09:44:23
I would like to ask a similar question related to today's poll.

Who would like Agger to stay? And would you prefer him as a starter or backup to Sakho?

For me, I like Agger and believe he would make an excellent partner for a player like Lovren. The word that comes to mind is composure. Personally, I feel more comfortable when Agger is playing.

On the other hand, Sakho and Skrtel are warriors, they defend by throwing themselves in the way of danger and whilst I admire their efforts and determination I would rather have a partnership that will calmly deal with situations and remain alert throughout the games. The problem with Sakho and Skrtel is that they tend to switch off during games and end up too deep or out of position, whereas, Agger and Lovren have excellent footballing brains and know where to be at all times.

I am interested to know your thoughts.

Red Rum

05 Jun 2014 10:10:09
No problem with Agger, But he is slow, Any pacy winger or striker would get easily past him.

05 Jun 2014 10:18:16
I love Agger and would love him to stay but don't think he'll be satisfied to be back up. Sakho will be more settled and better next season, I could see him & Lovren forming an excellent partnership.

I agree, I believe his our best defender and he loves us. Only problem his injury prone

Skrtel and agger are very good defenders, it wasn't that long ago we were talking about them as the best partnership in the epl under kenny
Rodgers comes in and all of a sudden our defense becomes the opposite of what it was.we all believed we needed new cbs and we got that when he signed sakho and toure who are also very good defenders, and another prospect in ilror still our defense hasn't improved
After 3yrs under brendan we are still talking about buying new defenders.I thinks its the coaching that needs improving not the players

To stay for sure, the lad is a class act and the best CB at the club, he had a bad season by his high standards, but I think that was down to being in and out of the side because of injury and loss of form and trying to adapt to the system we were playing which because of his fragmented playing time he couldn't get to grips with, but with an extended run in the team he will prove ideal for the way we play because the lad can play football, partner him with Sakho Agger playing the right sided CB because although predominantly left footed he is composed with both feet where as Sakho is strong in the air but looks shaky on the ball. Agger is perfect for the way we play.

I'd love Agger to stay also, I admired him a lot when Man City were interested in buying him last summer and he came out and said he wanted to stay and had YNWA tatooed on his knuckles. Irony is that had he left for city he could well have a PL winners medal now as he is a much better defender than Demichelis at MCity.
I don't think our defensive problems were all down to the players. I think we need some technical management - maybe a job made for Jamie Carrager? On Skirtle, despite defensive errors, he did weight in with scoring a few vital goals too.

Agger has slowed down both physically and mentally. He has been fantastic to us over the years but I would be ruthless in his case and I would sell him. We can still get some money for him now, we don't need his wages on the bench and, imo, Sakho is better short and long term. Agger's concentration levels have declined considerably, he keeps losing his man.

For his own sake he deserves to go somewhere he will start - he is good enough but we have Sakho and I would rather see him start for a good team in a different league than waste away on our bench.

Agger is far more composed on the ball and is the best ball playing center back at the club but unfortunaly he suffers with injures and I agree that when Agger plays our defence looks more solid and safe as he organizes the back quiet well.

Sakho on the other hand is as you say a warrior of a defender like Skrtel he will put his body in front of anything, last season was his settling in period but I strongly believe that next season we will see a more composed and louder Sakho who will take command of the back four just like Carra did for many years, don't forget he was PSG Captain so he certainly knows what to do.

Overall I would slightly edge in favor of Sakho as he gives us a little more than Agger, but for Sakho to perform to his best I feel we need a more stable and calmer center back to play alongside him as Skrtel is a very good player but is rash and clumsy at times, and as you say Lovren is similar to Agger he is very calm on the ball and good with his feet in distributing the ball and is a solid defender so for me I hope Lovren deal comes off and look forward to seeing Sakho & Lovren as our new improved center back partnership next season.

05 Jun 2014 10:37:18
Jessie

After 3 years, We are still buying midfielders.
Once we have a solid fullbacks and a good CDM. We would look excellent.

I think there was enough in the season prior to this that Rodgers might get another CB in to replace Agger. He regularly lost his player at set pieces and cost a few goals. There is no disputing his footballing qualities tho. He is by far the best with the ball at his feet.

Skrtle and agger where good in kennys system, however they struggle under Brendan. I like both players attitude and commitment (especially agger) but both need to go to club that will suit then more. For the sakes of their own careers if anything.

Agger to stay, I agree with waro, if he gets a run in the team, his class will tell. Partner him with sakho

I also agree with Waro. I love Dagger.

05 Jun 2014 13:33:10
I'll be very surprised if Agger is still here next season, but I certainly won't complain if he is.

05 Jun 2014 14:25:16
Agger has always been injury prone and is a slow healer from the injuries he suffer. He is 29, will be 30 in December, and while he has qualities that Skrtel, Sakho (yet) and Toure are not good at, he is, to quote Waro on Lambert: "on the way down".

When you consider the pros and cons, I think it better he leave. I love him as a player and wish him the best of luck.

Also, Agger-Lovren would be a partnership that wouldn't work that well. BR himself has said he wants strong defenders and has hence bought in Sakho, Toure; both of who are physically very strong and good in the air ans string in the tackle.

05 Jun 2014 15:20:32
I agree with all of you really haha. I like agger, a ball playing, classy defender who you would think is well suited to our style of play. I think in 12/13 season he was responsible for a few goals, losing his player at corners and free kicks but wasn't highlighted by the media because they wernt big mistakes. Coming to the age he is now it will probably be the clubs intentions i'd imagine to cash in which is a shame really because injury free he would have rivalled any centre half in Europe on his day. I would have liked to have seen him have a run as a holding mid actually

Great to hear everyone's opinions. Thanks for the replies guys.

Red Rum

05 Jun 2014 08:30:26
Hi eds, Is it true that we are 1st in the running for Cesc Fabragas? Thanks

{Ed002's Note - I really have no idea about that.}

Sky seem to think he is going to Chelsea now

05 Jun 2014 06:35:05
Hello ed morning just heard and now understand what you were going in about with debt ..................

{Ed002's Note - I really don't want to get in to this.}

05 Jun 2014 00:13:53
Didn't see the England game - was Sterling's tackle worthy of a red card?

Yes it was in my view. A very dangerous tackle that would have been a straight red ath the WC.

Nah. Particularly not in a friendly.

In the PL it would have been no more than a yellow - clumsy but not really dangerous. Ironically, I think Valencias OTT reaction made the incident seem worse than it was.
Does Raheem miss any World Cup games now?

05 Jun 2014 02:27:22
It was a bit dangerous; Valencia's reaction was childlike. I don't think it was a red because he got part of the ball. But, in today's game, maybe. Still, hats off to him for not retaliating.

05 Jun 2014 02:59:54
In England it would have likely resulted in a yellow card but in International terms we see these kind of tackles get red. In all honesty I think the referee would have ignored the entire incident had Valencia not reacted in the manner he did.

Yellow imo but valencias reaction forced the ref to send them both off otherwise everyone wouldve gone mad

Nope it wasn't a red card slightly over the top but he did get the ball 1st, didn't contact the crazy player who pushed the back of his head then gripped him by the throat.

Definitely a card. Possibly a red. Whatever the situation, it was a bit silly given that it was a friendly. Valencia's reaction was stupid as well.

Might cost him a starting place at the WC as he can't play in the last warm up.

I think it was silly and unecessary if a player was to miss the world cup because of a bad challenge in friendly it would be really upsetting. However I do think in the prem it was a borderline tackle and smalling dived in very similar in the first half and nothing was made of it. Valencias reaction was worse than the tackle

No not at all I think a yellow at best. Either way showed the passion he had for the game which can only do him well hopefully to get picked for next week.

I honestly think if valencia hadn't reacted then he wouldn't have been given a red at all. A bit daft challenging like that in friendly and you are asking for trouble going in like that but I don't think its was malicious

I didn't think it was a red at all, though it was just a hearty tackle and he got the ball. If it wasn't for Valencias ridiculous reaction nobody would have even been booked. Then again I'm a defender so I could be abit bias towards a lovely meaty tackle.

Not fussed to be honest. Keep the lad injury free and fit.

No intent and it was a friendly. would of been a yellow if Valencia hadn't kicked off. would of been red if it was World Cup game though!

Redohio, no it wasn't it was maybe a yellow, they weren't playing netball sorry basketball from your neck of the woods it's a contact sport, Valencia was a disgrace by the way he reacted, good on Sterling for not retaliating, he showed maturity beyond his years.

05 Jun 2014 08:43:25
Thats a Red Card anyday, even in the streets.
But what Valencia did after is another terrible display.

The reason Valencia reacted like that was because he dosen't want to break another leg just before a world cup for a stupied challenge in a friendly but he shouldn't have reacted the way he did really made a bad game worse

The reason Valencia reacted like that was because he dosen't want to break another leg just before a world cup for a stupied challenge in a friendly but he shouldn't have reacted the way he did really made a bad game worse

05 Jun 2014 09:12:50
Paddy

What, If it would have been a group game? would he still do it and get a 3 match ban?. What you mean by Maturity then?

The linesman was waving like a maniac straight away which probably didn't help. Maybe if Sterling had made more contact with the ball and not over the top. Refs never like that "scissor" action but Valencia magnified the issue with his Ott reaction.

05 Jun 2014 09:57:23
Naiive from Sterling, silly from Valencia.

Thanks for the responses :o)

05 Jun 2014 10:19:47
Both deserved to be sent off.

05 Jun 2014 11:47:17
Certainly don't think it was a red card. If it was in the PL, it wouldn't have been a sending off.

Valencia's reaction was quite poor and if it was in the PL, he would have got a decent ban.

I know this doesn't necessarily translate perfectly, but if this challenge was made in Sunday league football everybody would be applauding.

He mis-timed his challenge slightly, but he still got some of the ball. For me, Scum's wingers reaction made it seem a lot worse. A yellow at worst, Valencia could see the challenge coming and hurdled it - if he pushes the ball past Sterling (which he wouldn't because Sterling was there first) - then Sterling catches his trailing leg or standing leg - it becomes a dangerous tackle.

All the same I would discourage these challenges in the WC because you could see players sent off unnecessarily because it could have ''looked worse than it was''.

Sour grapes for me - Liverpool > United.

More rest for the young man.
I for one will not be too disappointed if all our international players have more of a rest over the coming weeks.
I just want them all back fresh and fit for pre season.
Yes the World Cup experience may have some benefits but i'd rather they were all on the beach now with their feet up recharging and preparing for next season.

04 Jun 2014 22:42:52
Ed's, is there any more on the search for a new keeper?
Thanks

{Ed002's Note - No.}

Keep the faith with Mig.

04 Jun 2014 22:00:16
Liverpool have appointed Ian Ayre as there new CEO. promotion from his previous position of MD