Liverpool Banter Archive April 06 2016

06 Apr 2016 22:31:51
So with Sturridge's lack of form, desire to do the work off the ball we've been seeing (whether that's due to confidence in his body or not) do we start Origi over him for the Dortmund game?

06 Apr 2016 23:37:09
No. Even Sturridge at not fully fit levels is more of a goal threat than origi is currently.
Besides origi will be more effective off the bench than Sturridge as he can use his pace to stretch Dortmund and exploit tired legs, Sturridge would be less effective off the bench as like you say he can't really put that extra work in just yet.

06 Apr 2016 23:57:14
I would like firminho st coutinho and lallana and use the pair late on.

07 Apr 2016 00:15:41
Or we could stack the midfield and play a diamond with origi and sturridge up front, hit them on the counter and nick an away goal. Only way we'll win the tie.

07 Apr 2016 06:33:58
AW

That would be stupid to leave space on the flanks. Dortmund has pace on the flanks and they will hit hard. I expect us to play 3 CM anyways.

06 Apr 2016 19:55:51
Just wondering what people's thoughts are on the totting of yellow cards system in European football. With Luiz just getting booked and out next week and 5 of our players on a tightrope I can't decide if I think it's all that unreasonable for players to pick up one yellow card in numerous games, especially with some of the soft decisions given these days. I assume there are no appeals allowed for yellow cards eds? Why did it come into effect. Red card followed by suspension is fair enough but one yellow a game over a few matches? Seems a bit harsh.

06 Apr 2016 20:33:27
It's obviously to punish persistent offenders but it does seam harsh that you can miss vital games for picking up a single yellow.

06 Apr 2016 20:41:16
Yeah I know, but just thinking that if someone is such a persistent offender they should be picking up 2nd yellows and therefore reds. It's potentially one moderate foul per game isn't it and you're out.

06 Apr 2016 22:08:00
I think also it's a little harsh considering the magnitude of most games especially at this time in the season. Even at 2/ 3 up you might have to take a booking because there's a second leg to think about.

06 Apr 2016 23:38:36
Players could maybe stop fouling other players?

07 Apr 2016 02:12:42
I agree, many yellows aren't deliberate and just mistimed tackles, it's part and parcel of the game but they are handed out fairly frequently and seems a shame for someone to miss the critical games in a season because of this. Also it particularly impacts defensive mids and defenders while the attackers will struggle to add up to a ban.

07 Apr 2016 11:06:00
Its the reason Gazza cried in the semis in italy 90, i'm guessing that it was implemented around that time!

06 Apr 2016 17:33:44
To add to the center back debate. I'm surprised no one is mentioning Lucas to partner lovren. Dortmund aren't going to beat us with headers/ height. Lucas has been more than sturdy every time he's played back there. I think this is the perfect game for his leadership.

06 Apr 2016 17:55:08
Lucas is still injured.

06 Apr 2016 18:25:25
I said this a couple of days ago. I agree, providing Lucas is fit then I'd like to see him there and see how it develops. He reads the game superbly.

06 Apr 2016 18:40:10
Hahaha lucas at cb.

06 Apr 2016 19:56:47
Just go with sakho.
Don't know why it's such a debate, he had 1 bad half against spurs in a fairly decent run.
The alternative is skrtle, who hasn't had a decent half let alone a decent run since Kenny was last here.

06 Apr 2016 21:51:25
Dortmund has exceptional pace and Lucas wouldn't stop them. Sakho will do it for me as we have no other real choice.

06 Apr 2016 21:59:14
Lucas at CB, no! He's done ok but a guarantee he'll be exposed if he plays there often. I'm not knocking him as a player but his legs have gone and he gives away unnessacery free kicks in midfield. Why anyone would want to see him play at CB worries me.

06 Apr 2016 22:14:13
Because he makes the team nervous he's a liability.

06 Apr 2016 22:44:49
Definitely go with Sakho. 100%.

06 Apr 2016 23:33:29
No he is not, Banter. Didn't hear you moan about him when we were costing clean sheets and eliminating chances by the opposition. Now he had a bad half after a very good run and suddenly the fangs are out. Get over it. Sahko is a very good CB, the best for a while at the club until Klopp came and gave us the Lovren throne we thought we were buying. I'm not worried about him. I'm worried about his fellow fullbacks especially Moreno going against HM and a dodgy GK.

07 Apr 2016 10:57:16
Pegleg really giving away fouls in midfield its part of his job to break up play at dm same as matic etc. he's going to give away fouls and pick up a few yellows.

07 Apr 2016 12:08:11
If you read the game well enough you don't need pace.

06 Apr 2016 15:46:21
Smith, Stewart, Branagan, Chirivella are in the squad for the Dortmund game. Nice .

06 Apr 2016 15:52:41
Wow that is a big gamble, not that I'm unhappy about it.

06 Apr 2016 17:17:36
Smith and stewart ok. But chivirella and brannagan?

{Ed001's Note - Brannagan looked good, the best set piece specialist in our squad by a long way. Why is he a surprise? And why would you question Chirivella? What is it people have against him? He is one of our better prospects.}

06 Apr 2016 17:54:24
Chirivella I've been excited about him for some time. Would love to see him more and travelling to games like this I think is great! Give them the experience they need. Everybody starts somewhere.

06 Apr 2016 22:17:55
Good on you ed for supportin the young lads .

{Ed001's Note - I just don't understand why anyone ever does anything different with youngsters. You can never tell how good they will become until they have had a long run of games. Just ask Spurs, Kane was crap out on loan and in his first few games for them. Now he is one of the best strikers in Europe. You just don't know what they will do and how they will adapt until the get the chance.

Those four kids named all impressed when given the chance, in 90 minutes against senior opposition. Yet people will champion Joe Allen, who was miserable against Southampton, and has only managed to impress in late cameos. Oh and is incapable of playing a full 90 minutes more than once a week, as the Wales coaching staff have confirmed that they were informed as much by Liverpool before the recent internationals.

Kids like these, and Ibe, for instance, just need to get the kind of opportunities that are currently being wasted on the squad players, such as Allen. Now that is not intended as a dig at Allen, but he is not going to make major improvements, we have seen what he can do, and he is not good enough, so we would be better finding out if the likes of Branagan are good enough.}

07 Apr 2016 03:27:29
They are all 'good prospects' but Smith and Stewart been featuring in lot more 1st team slelection tha. Brannagan and Chivirella and both look very light weight compared to smith and stewart. I wouldn't throw them into couldron just yet. Besidea who u expect them to deputise? Can, Henderson? I can see smith in for moreno and stewart in for Can as DM.

{Ed001's Note - Chirivella is younger for one. Branagan picked up an injury which is the only reason he has not featured more.}

06 Apr 2016 11:48:45
Thommo thinks it will be a tough decision on who to play along side lovren tomorrow evening.

Absolute no brainer for me. Skyrtel was shocking in the last game, and although sakho was too in the first half he is clearly the more reliable defender. He looks shaky as he'll but he is rarely at fault for goals we concede. Not nearly as many as more no, Clyne and Skyrtel have been.

1 poor half shouldn't lose you a place in the team and I hope klopp agrees or we will get trashed playing lovren and Skyrtel again.

06 Apr 2016 12:47:05
totally agree mate, everyone's guilty of having a shocker from time to time, Sakho's came against Spurs, Thommo seems to have conveniently forgot how good Sakho was in the last round against UTD.

06 Apr 2016 12:53:36
I would play the same team at the weakend but if firminho fit he play . My X11 would be mignolet clyne lovran sakho Morono hendo can Milner coutinho lallana firminho . We would have Orige and sturrige if we need a goal . I know it's a bit defence but we need to make sure we are not outrun in the midfield and take something back to are place.

06 Apr 2016 13:17:28
I don't agree tbh why bring it back where we need to outscore them due to away goals. Play in germany 1 goal gives us a huge advantage.

06 Apr 2016 13:54:01
Why not play Toure? I don't think he has done much wrong when asked to play.

06 Apr 2016 14:30:40
Irish have you seen how fast abameyang actually is before he turned the ball would be in the back of the net no disrespect to kolo because I love the guy!

06 Apr 2016 14:51:05
Have to agree with Reus it seems the most sensible 11 considering we are away to a very dangerous team and in my opinion it's not a time now for Toure as he is a great defender but won't have the legs to keep up with the speed and agility of their attackers Lovren would be run ragged trying to cover for Toure when caught either on the overlap or just on the turn and also have to deal with Moreno and his lack of ability to actually defend.

06 Apr 2016 15:17:28
What about smith or flanno more defence minded?

06 Apr 2016 16:06:05
Flanno not in Europe squad so I think he play on Sunday against Stoke. . Smith is a bit or risk plying him against the person we trying signing .

06 Apr 2016 22:09:52
As much as I admire toure, we need the slightly quicker sakho, they have pace in abundance, toure would get left behind.

06 Apr 2016 23:40:06
Sahko plays and you don't lose your job due to a bad first half as a poster said here already. That is just madness and a complete knee jerk reaction, one that many here and in the media are known to do for diverse yet pathetic reasons. Sahko starts with Lovren, our best CB partnership at the moment. We move on.

06 Apr 2016 09:44:46
I really can't wait to see Ings play under Klopp. He suits the pressing style perfectly and he's a proper striker always getting into the box or running in behind. Think he could be great for us.

06 Apr 2016 10:01:35
I think the key thing is not to expect great things from him straight away. As ed001 said, this is an injury can take a lot of time to come back from or it could take very little time!
I do agree with you though MK, I believe Ings will suit Klopp's style very well!

06 Apr 2016 11:00:20
me too. Ings has all the credentials, but his injury was a nasty one and it will take time. also LFC have unnecessarily got involved in a tribunal with him. so i don't know how that works but it should have been avoided. but i think we all can agree Ings will suit klopps style.

06 Apr 2016 14:00:04
His injury return shouldn't be to bad tbh. He's had 1 or 2 in each of his knees before and still made it this far and kept his qualities.

Pushing himself to hard might be his downfall, wanting to impress and rhay. He just needs to relax and realise he has 4 years left on his contract so he has time on his side. We couldn't really sell anyway without him having showed he is over his injury. The number uofront should decrease after the summer so he will get his chance. I would use him as a 20 minute man for about 10/ 15 games and then start him.

There's always a chance his knee might never heal properly and he will do the damage again, all we can hope for is he has resilient knees when returning as he has sjwon in the past.

06 Apr 2016 20:02:54
Was Morono a typo or intentional, Redman Reus?!

07 Apr 2016 00:06:51
Ings will be like a new signing, able to play anywhere along the front line. His work ethic is infectious and of course, he can score goals.

06 Apr 2016 08:30:06
Saw a debate about Hendersons position and with my idea for him, thought it might throw up a new question.

I'd like to see henderson in a couple of games further up. He is an intelligent runner and has many times made a deep run to be in a goal scoring position.

I also agree that he could not replace one of the three behind the striker, as they are different skill set. I'd try a defensive cm pair of Can and Lucas, with Can most likely to carry forward. Henderson in front, the option there is to see him in the more attacking cm role with deep runs and higher pressing. This position also allows him to drop back if required.

This formation gives a fluid front three, as before with Sturridge, Suarez and Sterling (which was pretty awesome), now Sturridge, Coutinho and Firmino. I think this would also suit Origi, Ojo, Ibe and the returning Markovic and maybe even Lallana as Hendersons cover now that he's found his stamina. Also Allen/ Allan fit this option. Plus Gujic (is it? ) as DM cover.

This makes me question whether Gotze would fit, if this formation requires the squad overhaul some wish for? Maybe with this it's selling Benteke, Skrtel and using funds to sort out a top GK and full back?

06 Apr 2016 10:14:51
yes, the fact that can and hendo have to sit deep while lallana and milner are our attacking threat is pretty funny. I like can and hendo when they manage to get forward. lucas is made for the defensive role. have we actually tried a combo of lucas, hendo, can yet? hendo and can bombing forward with lucas as cover and a attacking trio studge, firmino/ continho and origi would make my mouth water.

On players fit atm, I would give allen and hendo with license to go forward with can sitting back. but i dunno, hendo is probably more secure than can sitting back. Can can be a bit dodgy at times.

06 Apr 2016 10:33:32
firstly Henderson would flop in that role currently because that it the role where most of the attacking play would pass by and there is hardly any space. Hendo can pass but i am not dead sure about his skills and vision and that is position you need a very flexible player in, not necessarily an energetic player but a sublime, guile, clever and skillful player in. Hendo did well in 2012 because all three forwards were on fire and he had so much space to just make simple passes to them. that is just not the case right now. if ever such a scenario happens again that we three forwards on song hendo or for that matter anyone would do great in that role. if anything Can would fit the role better than Hendo because he can definitely beat a man and has some pace.
Secondly Gotze would fit exactly to the tip where you are trying to fit Hendo. just the front three of Ings/ sturridge coutinho and firmino backed by gotze makes for a brilliant attacking lineup because all of them can switch positions. while with hendo you won't get same kind of fluidity
Thirdly Hendo is very good where he plays currently he can run, break play, make his passes and get a hold on the game. along with can he is going to be a pillar in that role and he looks comfortable to me .
for me the problem is we have too many combinations in this team . too many forwards too many mids and too many attacking mids. its very difficult to judge what is best. For example joe allen has been wonderful whenever he gets a run but he is not the answer.

i think Hendo is best as a deep lying midfielder even when 100 percent fit. he is also the captain so we should try to get off his back a bit too. ( i am not dead sure though for some reason i don't think klopp really fancies Hendo but that's just me)

06 Apr 2016 15:20:14
He isn't anywhere close as good as Coutinho and Firmino though. He can be a useful squad player though, I just don't see him as a starter for a top 4 team.

06 Apr 2016 09:18:12
We would need one wide player in case one of Coutinho or Firmino gets injured. A three men midfield with a specialist CDM would relieve all the pressure from both Henderson and Can. But some people doesn't agree to it. Lucas is not the answer. We need to get one in the summer and promote Stewart to rotate in that role.
Decent observation mate.

06 Apr 2016 11:25:55
Gerrard wasn't any Brazilian or dribbler when he enjoyed his best season in his career playing behind Torres. You are asking Hendeson to fill the space of Alonso.
Deli Ali has been banging in goals playing exactly in that position. Henderson should only okay there and if not then on the bench.

05 Apr 2016 22:05:40
Out of curiosity was wondering (know how you feel about him as a person) but was wondering what ed 001's opinion is on Suarez as a player?

Personally think he is currently the best player in world football and considering his play is based of intelligence and talent as oppose to athleticism, could be for a few years. saying that reckon he won't win a ballon d'or as always seem to think it is biased.

{Ed001's Note - he won't win it because he is a moron, last night he clearly kicked out at an Atleti player and should have been sent off. He is a vile little prick, that is why he will not get it. People seem to have forgotten the idiotic bans and taking Liverpool to court because they are so far up his backside.

As a player, he is great, but you have to take his bans into consideration, as he is only a misstep away from yet another, or even a lifetime one. That is part of his game, sadly, so it is impossible to suggest that he is the best player in the game, no matter how well he plays. Just the same as you wouldn't call an injury prone player the best player in the world. If he wasn't such an idiot, then yes he would have to be under consideration as the best player in the world. His workrate is better than anyone else's, which is a massive bonus. He makes any team he is a part of better, while he is on the pitch.}

06 Apr 2016 10:03:28
Hey Ed, further on this subject, what was his reputation before we signed him? Normally a player who can genuinely be considered world class would be fully established by the age of 24 and you'd expect him to be playing for one of the European giants. How did he stay under the radar and how did we convince him to come to us when we had clearly fallen of the edge of a cliff after the highs on 2009?

{Ed001's Note - he was seen as being trouble and people were steering clear. We were willing to take a chance on him when most were not.}

06 Apr 2016 10:22:59
to be as good as suarez probably requires a bit of crazy haha.

{Ed001's Note - was Pele a bit crazy then? Was he going round making nasty attempts to hurt opponents?}

06 Apr 2016 10:42:23
I don't know if suarez is better, but in my opinion he's the best player on the planet playing right now. He's great technically but not the best technically gifted player. the fact that he's bat crap crazy definitely has some correlation with his ability to play the game better than everyone else and is unfortunate that it also comes with side effects like biting.

06 Apr 2016 11:03:53
Cheers Ed1.

{Ed001's Note - welcome mate.}

06 Apr 2016 11:32:16
that yesterday was pathetic by Suarez.
He is at both ends of the spectrum really good as god, bad as the devil. He brings the bad on himself unnecessarily which means ed001 is absolutely correct he is a moron and an idiot but an idiot with unbelievable football ability. reminds me of another fav of mine ronaldinho, another idiot with godly football ability but peanuts for brain.

06 Apr 2016 15:16:18
I think for once Rio Ferdinand got it right though, he would not be the same player without those levels of aggression. I'm not saying that all aggressive players kick opponents, nor am I saying it should be accepted, but the fact is that he's a world class player and a lot of that comes down to his animalistic personality on the pitch.

{Ed001's Note - I hate those ridiculous comments from players trying to justify the nonsense. Would Suarez really be any worse if he wasn't biting and kicking at players? Being aggressive is not the same as being a moron. He would be better without that stupid edge to his game. It wouldn't lower his workrate, it wouldn't stop him nutmegging in the box or making the runs he does. There is absolutely no evidence or anything at all to support the nonsensical idea that removing a tendency to commit violent acts on other players would make anyone a worse player. It makes him a target for opponents looking to get him to react, when they would otherwise not do so, and so he might get a little of the tight niggly marking. Defenders would be worried about giving away the foul if it wasn't that they know that it is worth taking the chance to get a reaction out of him.}

06 Apr 2016 16:05:01
he would also have a better chance of winning the ballon d'or if he didn't have the reputation he has, look at zola he was a brilliant footballer but he didn't go round biting and kicking and making remarks to other players, zola was respected and that's one thing suarez will never have is the respect and admiration he should get because of his antics, his goals and assists record is what we should be talking about, not his latest bout of silliness.

06 Apr 2016 17:17:51
Aggression would be like what Barton did to get sent off against city or cantona's moment, were something goes off and they just react. Most of what gets saurez suspended aren't a reaction to something just daft childish behaviour. For both bites don't recall him reacting to anything just doing something stupid!

06 Apr 2016 18:06:06
Suarez is class, I don't care about his stupid things that he's done. Still a top player. I'd swap him for any Liverpool payer we currently have and I mean any. People hold onto the bad things he did in the past too much, yeah still has his moments but nothing remotely as bad as he used to be.

06 Apr 2016 19:17:21
You don't care about his racist comments and the fact he tries to bite opponents?

You have low standards.

06 Apr 2016 07:08:05
Brilliant player with terrible mental issues. Best player ahead of many many names mentioned in and around. Only second to Messi. Look where is Aguero and where is Suarez now, Once they were pretty equal.
His work rate, desired to win and only win makes him special. Doesn't give up at any given conditions. Never seen his head down during any match.

06 Apr 2016 10:28:34
A shame. Based solely on individual footballing ability, one of the best to ever wear a red shirt. Being a great player though requires a great mentality, professionalism and sportsmanship which Luis Suarez clearly lacks.

06 Apr 2016 21:47:47
Ron League of course him been racist and biting people was beyond stupid and no footballer should get away with things like that. He didn't, he was banned for what he did how many times? Time to leave it alone, he's not done anything like it since he went to Barcelona has he? I won't put it all down to management but it had something to do with it, he got away with murder at Liverpool. We should've been more strict with him. But yeah, again. I'd still have him back. History's history he was a fool doesn't mean he is now.

07 Apr 2016 11:14:52
Like El Hadji Diouf, Suarez disgraced the LFC shirt.
Like Mascherano he insulted the club and its fans by the way he tried to engineer a move.
He spent about 25% of the time he was here suspended.
Has he ever publically apologised for his racism? I don't think he has yet I'm supposed to believe he's a reformed character?
Some things are too important to ignore. Footballers should not get away with things just because they are outstanding at kicking a ball.

07 Apr 2016 14:00:52
he has also been far from angelic at Barcelona either jurgen, incidents in the tunnel, kicking opponents, blatant diving for a start, agree totally ron to many footballers think they are above the law, which is why some of them are doing jail time as we speak, and others spend more time in nightclubs then they do on a football pitch.