Liverpool Banter Archive October 05 2014

 

Use our rumours form to send us liverpool transfer rumours.

05 Oct 2014 19:03:21
I just wanted to say a word about Sterling. No doubt he is a huge talent and almost every game so far, including yesterday, he created a goal or 'almost a goal'. I still think he can improve a lot however. A lot of his dribbling ends in nothing and he is not always very accurate with his passing. Sometime it is because there are not enough people around him to get the pass but something it is about poor decision making and not looking around enough. His finish is also inconsistent - sometimes brillinat, sometimes weak. I think he could use some one on one coaching from BR or one of his assistants because he can be as good as Hazard or even better but I don't think he is there yet. and more generally the team has to work on what to do with and without the ball in the final third. Defensively we don't have the qualities to keep a lot of clean sheets, but I think that other than the game against City we didn't concede more than 1 goal in any game. That is not too bad as long as you can score two or more and we have the people to do it. It just seems at times that the machine is a bit stuck in the final third. And I am not taking anything away from the two very good finishes yesterday (the first coming from Raheem's work).

Believable2 Unbelievable5

Sterling is contributing more than enough in terms of end product. I think I'm right in saying only 2 players have more goals + assists in the league so far this season. Even the best dribblers in the world- Hazard, Robben et al will fail to see an end product with the majority of what they try, that's just how football works. You can't seriously expect any more otherwise any teams with a good dribbler would be scoring 10 goals a game. I'm sure Sterling is getting all the coaching he needs. I know your post wasn't terribly critical but I think the points you've made haven't been thought through properly.

Agree0 Disagree3

I think end product comes with age and experience ! To a certain degree

Agree4 Disagree0

05 Oct 2014 21:30:54
Thought we conced 3 against West Ham?

Agree2 Disagree0

Fair enough - I may be too demanding. I didn't expect him to score 10 goals every game, and am aware that all good dribblers sometime hit a wall of players. Just felt that especially as other parts of our attack look stuck and rusty, and naturally he gets a lot of the ball and is so good in penetration, when he or others lose the ball, it is a bit frustrating. But maybe it is unfair given his contirbution to our goals so far.

Agree3 Disagree0

06 Oct 2014 10:12:56
Fanobip

Sterling is a fantastic player and would become even more brilliant in future. But Hazzard is another level. If you are stunned by that little run yesterday, He used to do it week in week out at Lille.

Agree4 Disagree0

05 Oct 2014 18:43:02
I don't know how I feel about Valdes coming in,
I know Mignolet is a little shakey, but the whole of world football had the chance to sign him on a free and didn't.
Plus, he was pretty damn shakey himself at Barca, remember they were looking to Pepe not so long ago, the same Pepe we were looking to move on!
I imagine big wages, and I'm not so sure that's wise given our current FFP investigation.
What do others think? A noticeable upgrade on Mignolet or a potential expensive bench warmer?

Believable5 Unbelievable0

They were looking to Pepe because Valdes was meant to move on then didn't leaving Pepe high and dry. Out of all the keepers out there i think Lloris is playing at the top of his game. Very assured but no hope of us getting him. Unless Spurs have another nightmare season which isn't out of the question.

Agree1 Disagree0

05 Oct 2014 20:37:40
They were looking to Pepe because they knew Valdes was leaving.

Agree0 Disagree0

Bergovic seems like the one we should go for however according to various sources he is happy at Stoke. my point being t's not exactly a million miles away from liverpool is it? I'd commute that nay bother !

Agree0 Disagree0

Would much rather wait until January and figure out a way to afford Cech.

Agree1 Disagree0

06 Oct 2014 05:27:57
Ahh right, ok guys! I didn't know Valdes was looking to move on! Thanks for the update!

Agree0 Disagree0

06 Oct 2014 07:55:28
I would rather wait till Jan and get a first choice top class keeper an investment for the next 5 years.

Agree0 Disagree0

Like who Harry, who could we possibly tempt to join us.

For me it's wait till January and try and get Cech, he's a great keeper and there's plenty of seasons left in him. Would give us time to find the next young superstar and I believe he would be great helping the squads younger keepers and might be able to sort out Migs.

Agree1 Disagree0

06 Oct 2014 10:42:06
Czech would be happy to come down and be the first choice. It would be a dream signing for me. He would make sure won't concede anything from set pieces. The best keeper in the league.
His wage would be a stumbling block, But then what's the use of paying 50k to 4 players?

I agree with you, We need top stop buying for the future which is a dig at our Academy, We need to buy established whom our youngersters would look up to and elarn.

Agree0 Disagree0

05 Oct 2014 17:43:34
Any else realise we are 4 points behind city 2nd place city ?? And people are calling for rogers head haha clueless

Believable13 Unbelievable1

If only we had kept our heads the last few mins against the Toffees .

Agree8 Disagree0

If we would be 4 points off every 7 games we'd be 30+ behind at the end. I know it doesn't work out like that, but there is also 3 points separating 4th and 16th.

Agree6 Disagree4

05 Oct 2014 19:37:27
Fence y

You ain't a glass half full lad are you? ;-)

Agree2 Disagree2

Better to look on the positive side Fencey! We can't play worse than we are at the moment.

Agree3 Disagree0

I mean to the point in calling for the managers head were still in there for **** sake

Agree1 Disagree2

To be fair jags scored the best goal of his life nothing you can do about that same with west brom that "peno" was a free kick

Agree2 Disagree0

No one is calling for the managers head. I really don't know why people keep saying stuff like that.

Agree4 Disagree4

Couple of people went OTT after disappointing results. But that is down to frustration and it is disappointing to see posters calling others clueless, because they don't understand the frustration the other felt when they were posting.

Agree3 Disagree0

06 Oct 2014 07:49:25
I did. As I am not conviced by BR yet, Let me the fist one to open up and honest. He needs to provem himself and get us one of the promises. EPL

Agree2 Disagree2

06 Oct 2014 07:56:35
AG

Spot on, You finally getting into people's mind.

Agree0 Disagree0

Well said Dez

Agree0 Disagree0

05 Oct 2014 15:15:04
I believe that when Can and Allen return the burdain on Stevie should be eased. I really do hope he moves him up further up the pitch and won't be playing every single minute of every single game. I really like Can but maybe we should of bought a more experienced defensive midfielder as well. Like ed001 said we really missed a trick by not bringing Alonso

Believable2 Unbelievable0

I can't see the manager radically changing Gerrards' position on a consistent. He might however, get to play more forward at times during the game.

Agree3 Disagree0

I would have thought when Can returns he would be taking Stevie place as DM?

Agree5 Disagree3

Maybe not drastically but he has to change something cause he doesn't seem comfortable. average at best

Agree1 Disagree0

He didn't have much problem doing a decent job, and still being effective last season.

Emre Can is more of a box to box player than a DM.

Agree1 Disagree0

I would rather play Can or Lucas as a DM than Gerrard as a DM real AG.
Use Gerrard further up the pitch and for less minutes and have him cover the DM position when necessary/desperate.

Agree4 Disagree1

Emre Can played centre half for Germany under 21's, so I would say his best position as yet to be determined, I personally feel the holding role will be his best position, but that's just my opinion.

Agree0 Disagree0

I think Emre Can can be an excellent central midfielder. His natural tendencies are to go forward and attack and when a big guy like Emre moves forward at pace, it becomes difficult to stop him, like Yaya Toure.

I can't see BR ever dropping Gerrard for a game or taking him off early.

Agree3 Disagree0

05 Oct 2014 15:12:27
Im not just saying this cause it happened to liverpool yesterday but i like the idea of mangers been able to challenge the ref

Believable0 Unbelievable3

05 Oct 2014 15:10:48
Brad Smith (a good talent no doubt) was an unused substitute for Swindon in league 1. Looking good in our u18's or 21's doesn't mean they are good enough, for our 1st team right now. To compare a £12m, europa league winner, capped international, winner of underage international tournaments to brad smith is astounding, he may have more international caps although only for Australia but he can only be picked for the team's he wants to but their level isn't even close. I'm a big fan of the kids getting chances but clearly nobody in the game thinks he's that good right now otherwise he'd be on loan in the championship or higher. But we also have to trust that the people that see him each day in training in Rodgers & the staff know his worth more than we do much lie when a judge & a jury come to a verdict us as the on lookers need to trust that those people that had all the evidence came to the right decision. This post is inspired by what ems said on the team's page but is nothing against him personally, there are plenty of others that overhype players on here specifically the youth. Trust that the judge has came to the right decision having seen all of the evidence.

Believable6 Unbelievable1

I agree totally. Many wax lyrical about how good some of the younger players are. I mean if they don't make it at Liverpool then can always make it at another club, but how many have?

Agree5 Disagree0

05 Oct 2014 14:22:10
Ed001, I remember you used talk a lot about Kevin Trapp a year or two ago. Are we still looking at him. Also is he progressing the way he was expected to? (I've not had a chance to watch him play in the last year or so)

Believable0 Unbelievable0

{Ed001's Note - I haven't been keeping tabs on him, sorry mate.}

He's injured for a couple of months unfortunately. He would've been my choice for keeper for sure.

Agree0 Disagree0

05 Oct 2014 12:48:17
ED001, wondering what you think about Stevie playing the no 10 role like he did yesterday - personally i thought he looked boss. Think the performance was better in general, more pressing, Lallana made things happen.

Believable18 Unbelievable0

{Ed001's Note - he suits that role, it suits his way of thinking, he should be playing there every game. He is excellent at breaking forward, defensively he is average. It makes little sense not to use him in the way he is excellent and continue forcing him to play where he is average. I would rather have have 30-60min of the brilliant Gerrard, than 90min of him sat deep. I just hope Rodgers will let him stay up there.}

I think rogers sticking him further up the pitch might be a sign of things to come ed001. We can at least hope anyway, Rodgers can't fail to see he is more suited further up again.

Agree2 Disagree0

05 Oct 2014 18:29:46
Ed1 do you still believe Gerrard has the pace and power to do a job further forward?

Agree3 Disagree0

{Ed001's Note - yes.}

Couldnt agree more Ed, thought we looked a lot more fluid up top against West Brom when Gerrard is pushed up. That one two on the edge of the box reminded me so much of Gerrard and Torres when Gerrard would look to overlap Torres, which was when Stevie was at the top of his game. I also miss the second balls that Gerrard would latch onto and smash them home, never see him pushing up and taking shots, need to hear more commentators screaming GERRARD when he winds up for a shot

Agree0 Disagree0

Ed01 - i too think he is better suited to the position further up the pitch, i also thought when we signed Mario that he would give us more with Stevie playing behind him, similar to when Torres first signed?

Thanks for all your patience so far this season!!

Agree2 Disagree0

{Ed001's Note - Stevie's whole mindset is forward thinking, I think we all agree it is better to use that, rather than shoehorn him into trying to be defensive.}

06 Oct 2014 10:17:33
ED01, You do realise, Gerrard wouldn't accept the part time role untill he hangs his boots
I would love him to come off in the second half. Not going to happen though
He is and would never be anything other than the best ACM club had.

Agree2 Disagree0

{Ed001's Note - he should either do what is best for the club or leave. No player is bigger than the club.}

05 Oct 2014 12:02:38
Roi
Have you seen any improvement in defense since last season that every tom, dick and harry could witness we are soo weak in? Or any improvement to any player? A resounding no. The player i was delighted we signed was lallana and he.could save BR's blushes this season.
This will be my last post for a while. As always frustrating being a Liverpool supporter but we carry on.

Believable1 Unbelievable3

I thought we won yesterday Al.

Agree3 Disagree1

05 Oct 2014 11:56:54
Great win yesterday ! Just hope we continue getting results after the international break . Look what happened after our last win v Spurs when the internationals came along !

Believable1 Unbelievable0

05 Oct 2014 11:55:42
What's the opinion on Gerrard being pushed forward yesterday?
I was delighted, deft touches, nice one twos, could have got a 1 on 1 if Balotelli had played him in, and was full of running!
He's an intelligent player, I really hope that his little forward cameo gave BR something to think about!!

However, how Gerrard can play there with Coutinho and Lallana and Sterling all having played similar positions will be tough.
It could depend on whether BR thinks Lucas is good enough to take Gerrards place as CDM!

Thoughts?

Believable5 Unbelievable0

Great post mate; was thinking the exact same. Looks a lot more comfortable there, doesn't he?

Hopefully BR sees the same and moves him from a position he clearly cannot cope with, which makes us a lot more vulnerable defensively?

Agree3 Disagree0

05 Oct 2014 13:40:07
Gerrard played the best football of his life in that position. Just because he's 34 doesn't mean he can't do it anymore. I've been saying it since he was moved to DM that he should've moved back up the pitch into a more advanced position.

Sadly, as nice as it was to see Rodgers finally use Lucas to release Gerrard further up the field, rather than either playing both as DMs or shoehorning Lucas into a more advanced role when both are on the pitch, it's still 25 minutes out of nine games. I'd be surprised if Gerrard doesn't continue to be our first choice DM at least until Can comes back from injury and gets established.

Agree3 Disagree0

Agreed, Something Red.
Don't think it's too likely Gerrard will move positions.

Especially with the abundance in options we've got for that No. 10 role, like Welshboy pointed out.

It's a difficult one, but surely you should pay your players in the positions that suits them best?

If these means Gerrard is on the bench, because there's better in these other positions (AM & DM), then so be it.

Agree0 Disagree0

You say we have an abundance of players in that position then mention coutinho who is playing awful? Playing Lucas as DM and Gerrard in place of coutinho would be really benificial to the team and to coutinho who I feel has lost his way a little and a bit of bench time might help motivate him.

Agree0 Disagree0

05 Oct 2014 11:12:35
May just be me although I've seen a couple others thinking along the same lines but has ballotelli actually been that bad or is he being over analyzed because it's ballotelli?

1st off I honestly don't think Lambert offered more than what balotelli has done maybe the link between him and lalanna obviously is just more developed as I thought the midfield was much better yesterday.

2nd people are criticizing him for not making the runs in behind and coming too deep or out wide but I feel a lot of this was down to not getting the ball and trying to make an impression. he came on yesterday and was in and around the box more and played well I thought. also when he played with sturridge at spurs I think everyone could see it looked a good partnership and he could have had a hat trick.

Finally yesterday he got angry at sterling for not playing him in early which I think was justifiable but two minutes later he put sterling through brilliantly which I thought showed a small bit of team mentality at least .

Don't get me wrong I don't think he has been amazing but I don't think he's been poor enough for all the criticism imo he has worked defenders more than any other time in his career but he can still be wasteful but I think he is also over eager to get some goals. I think the team playing better and sturridge back will benefit me greatly and while the jury is still out no doubt in that I've seen enough that I will certainly give him time until I've seen him with sturridge and the midfield is creating more chances.

Final note great win exactly what we needed a result that was ground out even though a lot went against us and we controlled the game better at the end. lalanna and Henderson were phenomenal coutinho was controlled and sterling not his best game but what a player still! Win our next game and we probably will be in top 4 which I'm happy enough with! Onwards and upwards!

Believable5 Unbelievable1

No, balotelli has been awful. Its not so much his ability that i boubt, he just seems to lack intensity, sharpness, footballing intelligence, all the mental attributes that make a footballer what they are. I genuinly think i could make better runs and position myselfu better for goals for ballotelli. I hope that when sturridge comes back,, the movement of sturridge and sterling will make it easier for balotelli. Part of the problem is also that brendan has been playing this stupid 433 which has never worked for us whenever we have played it, but he is being insistant on it as its his way of playing, even though two up front has always worked for us. Its not an excuse for performances like we have seen from balotelli, but could be a small reason why he looks so out of it all the time.

Agree0 Disagree14

05 Oct 2014 11:46:57
Shane, against Basel he didn't have a single touch of the ball in their box. That simply isn't good enough.
Dropping deep as the lone striker allows them to get into position and create the 2 lines to break down.

We also need to consider his current games or minutes per goal ratio. It's terrible.

You can check out my posts if you like, I'm not a fan who slags the players off, but for me, Balotelli isn't doing enough, and I personally was pleased to see him dropped for yesterday.

He was dire against Everton and toothless against Basel!

Agree0 Disagree8

I think we also have to remember Mario's goal against the Bulgarians, his rebound which created the goal for Sterling against WHU and I think also he drew the foul from which Gerrad scored against Everton. It is also true he didn't get great service from our midfield. Saying all this, he does get 1-2 balls at least around the box in almost every game he starts, and so far he did very little with these balls. Either shot wide, or straight at the keeper or lost it to the defender. He is the kind of player you would hope that will give you this one moment of brilliance a game which he did for City, for us it happened only with his goal in the CL. Also provided very little in the air (I am stll waiting for him to replicate that header against England - and still no header goal from any LFC player this season). In any case, for me he is always more a threat on goal than Lambert and should start before him. Let's hope with Sturridge near him he will have more space.

Agree2 Disagree0

Basel he was our best player he won free kicks and played a part in sterlings best chance

Agree3 Disagree2

05 Oct 2014 13:11:40
But was our only striker and didn't touch the ball in their box?
How is this good enough?

Agree2 Disagree2

I get you Dave but if the midfield ain't getting the ball to you, you can't exactly touch the ball near goal. And a point I meant to make but forgot was say we signed bony instead and he had the exact same performances hypothetically . I think we would be saying he needs service and give him a chance where as with balotelli because of priors it's easy to make him the scapegoat. just my feeling on the matter but I certainly think he can offer us something and if he gets a couple goals we could see a different player. anyway enjoying the debate so keep the opinions coming

Agree2 Disagree0

05 Oct 2014 14:54:30
I'm not scapegoating him at all.
If I was, I'd be writing posts saying how bad he was, and how he's the reason for our form etc, rather than replying to one, and even then, I'm not slagging him off.
Disagree all you want, but even BR is telling him and the press he needs to do more, I share those sentiments.

Are the team playing badly? Yes. But I'm not laying that blame on Balotelli, nor however I am pretending he isn't part of the problem.
If Sturridge was up front alone, he would be creating chances and scoring goals, even with the team playing poorly.

To give you some reference, I've posted a few times this season about Borini, and how I love his workrate. Now he's as far from prolific as Balotelli right now, but he never fails to give 100%. Would Rodgers be asking Balotelli to work harder in the press if he didn't think he had more to give?

It's nothing against Balotelli, but it would be a start if he'd even try half as much as Borini, and this is taking out their very very similar scoring records at Liverpool.

I would love him to hit the goal trail as much as the rest of you, but when exactly does Borini and Lambert have a chance, when out of the 2 strikers ahead of them, ones been injured and the other has had a run of what, 7 games with a single goal to his name?

His effort or lack of infuriates me, and just like in the case of Borini, Kuyt ect, I would like him much more if he looked like showing some fight for the cause, and I'll stand by that even if he carries on not scoring.

Agree0 Disagree1

Balotelli's game is not about making runs, never has been and right now, it looks like never will be, unlike Suarez or Sturridge. He waits for the ball to be played on to his feet and then do something with it.

The problem is, we have plenty of players playing behind Balotelli, who is all about movement and dynamism and more movement. Someone like Coutinho is taken out of the game if Balotelli doesn't move as Phil's main strength is playing that through-ball for runners.

Agree3 Disagree0

Couldn't agree more AG. Went back and watched his 30 goals for City and the ones for AC and if I remember correctly only 2 were from balls played over/through the defense. The vast majority were penalties or poacher type goals from a couple yards out.

Agree1 Disagree0

05 Oct 2014 10:36:07
Glen Johnson is not everyone's favourite player and rightly so for his performances last season but yesterday when he came on he looked very good.
Manquillo has done ok in his absence but I think he will lose his starting place to GJ now
Let's hope we see more of yesterday's Johnson than last season Johnson
Coutinho wasn't great again yesterday but the rest of the midfield worked very hard and it was refreshing seeing our captain pushed forward playing one-twos with ballotelli on the edge of their box rather than just 40 yard diagonals across the park.
Much needed positive result and I'm sure come our next league game we will improve again
Onwards and upwards fellow reds!

Believable2 Unbelievable0

When Coutinho joined his biggest asset was the ability to find a pass; I'm not sure if it is that there's less movement or his confidence as he seems to hold onto the ball 1 or 2 seconds too long and gets tackled.

Maybe Sturridge being in will help he discover his form - here's hoping.

Agree0 Disagree0

What I really want is Flanagan and Moreno as the full backs

Agree0 Disagree2

05 Oct 2014 21:41:22
There's definitely less movement without Studge.

Agree0 Disagree0

04 Oct 2014 23:16:24
Just watched the game again and had a crazy thought, play Lallana as the striker.
Great feet, very quick, chases down defenders and keeper, great shot and accurate, wonderful link play and would score more goals than Mario or Ricky
Thoughts Eds and lads, he has magic feet like an ex striker we had

Believable2 Unbelievable2

Interesting, could work, all the points you mention account for a good striker but it's just not as easy to play players with similar skills to Lallana as a striker as you would think. Recall Alexis Sanchez's pretty poor appearances earlier in the season for Arsenal when many of us here expected he could play both positions very effectively.
I feel his best position is most likely still in behind the striker playing as an attacking midfielder and possibly even playing as a second striker but i think to expect him to lead the line would also result in a lot of his creativity being lost from midfield.
Having said all this i'm pretty sure he will play well wherever he plays, so pleased he has found form.

Agree1 Disagree0

False 9? could work. no chance when sturridge is fit though

Agree1 Disagree0

05 Oct 2014 07:13:17
IMO His best role will be a free role upfront with Sturridge in the diamond ala the suarez role of last year

Agree3 Disagree0

Sturridge is back next game and I think Lallana offers much more behind the striker or out wide, where his trickery and quick feet will attract opposition players towards him, freeing up space for Sturridge, Sterling etc.

Agree0 Disagree0

05 Oct 2014 09:22:00
To the tune of Monty Pythons, SPAM:
Pants, pants pants pants
Pants, pants pants pants,
Wonderful pants, wonderful pants.
Wonderful pants, wonderful pants.
Paaaaants, paaaaants.
Paaaaants, paaaaants.
Wonderful pants, wonderful pants.
Wonderful pants!
Ken's lu-cky pants!

(or magic pants, or underpants, or epic pants?)

Cheers Ken. Don't you be taking them off till May!

Agree0 Disagree2

05 Oct 2014 10:05:49
Maybe Lallana is our Suarez replacement then . Certainly has the skills

Agree1 Disagree0

I'm thinking for the games without Sturridge, the guy gets injured and I think Lallana would be great up front occassionally in those situations. It would also allow us play another attacking player in midfield . He chases down better than any of our other strikers, shoots more often and more accurately and is a fantastic passer. Just my thoughts though.
I would also play him off Danny to when he comes back, I think he could be our next you know who, lol

Agree0 Disagree0

He should be played up front with Sturridge and Sterling. He has pace, skill and can score goals. If we play the same system as last season I can see him being vital for us this season.

Red Rum

Agree0 Disagree0

 
Change Consent