Liverpool Banter Archive April 07 2014

07 Apr 2014 22:22:04
Reds/eds

Eds,

If all of the eds were to get together to form a team, would you all be in universal agreement as to whom would make the best manager?

Or would you simply be forced to 'draw straws'?

{Ed003's Note - not even worth discussing it would obviously be me :) }

Sivy1001 - when your post started I
THOUGHT you were going to say 'if all the eds were laid end to end. no=one would be surprised'

{Ed001's Note - and we all know Ed003 would only make the best manager because he is too old to run around any more!}

08 Apr 2014 15:02:51
I think Ed001 and Ed02 would be up front together. I'd fancy them as the rumour pages very own SAS, or EAE as it would be!

07 Apr 2014 21:26:41
Well a rain soaked Aldershot was the setting for a fascinating match tonight for our U21 lads. A huge crowd made possible by Chelsea who arranged for free entry for everyone to the match. Liverpool set the tempo straight from the kick off and Dunn was unlucky not to get on the end of a cross in the 1st minute. Texeira was a class act all night and only the woodwork prevented an excellent effort from a free kick. The winning and only goal came from a brilliant sliding tackle on the half way line by the tireless Petersen. The ball popped out and a first time through ball found Jack Dunn who calmly slotted away. The scoreline hardly reflected the dominance of the young reds who carved open the Chelsea defense at will.
For all their chances Liverpool were nearly made to pay when Chelsea were denied a penalty. They held on to win the match and move 6pts clear of Chelsea.
The blues have 2 games in hand but Liverpool have a far superior goal difference. Liverpools final game is away to Everton this day week.
The highlight of the night was the return of Marc Pelosi, out since feb 17th 2013 with a badly broken leg, who came on for a late cameo.
A great result for the reds who move 3 pts clear of Fulham at the top with 1 game to go.

Cheers for these youth updates Simon. I for one really appreciate them. Just another reason to love this site.

07 Apr 2014 20:40:20
Great to see Marc Pelosi back playing

07 Apr 2014 20:28:46
Texiera is a class act, a different class in the U21 side tonight

Joao is at the level of Suso & Alberto as in he is too good for U21. He needs a loan move to like a Serie A or La Liga side, same with goes for Ilori. I would like to see Dunn make his debut his season even if only for 5minutes. The Norwich game would be good to have him on the bench.

07 Apr 2014 16:43:49
A late point of contact but I was in bits yesterday watching the Liverpool/west ham game. Was anyone else the same. got to a point I couldn't even watch Stevie's pen. Anyone on the same boat as me!?!

Haven't been this nervous watching games since champions league days! Another 5 of these to go. Every 1 a potential Final

U redddddssss

Haha. I was the same, it's fantastic because it's that feeling that reminds you we're fighting for something!

I had to go to my car and listen to the radio. Somehow the radio commentary is less nerve wracking than TV / Streaming.

Every penalty we ever have I run upstairs to pray despite being completely unreligious, God's been pretty kind so far this season touchwood

Honestly lads I had my first panic attack in over 10 years. To make it worse I was on my own in the house pacing around the sitting room and sticking my head out the window.

I bet my neighbours thought I was losing the plot. All things taken into account though and you what, I wouldn't change it for the world.

Enjoy the remaining 5 games my friends. I just hope to survive them!

07 Apr 2014 14:28:16
Hi, a question for ed001 if possible. Would like to get your thougts on Jon Flanagan as a player and how he has come on this year. Thanks for all your hard work as well- great site!

{Ed001's Note - I really like Flanno, he was pretty much on his way out of the door at one point, but a bad injury saw him given time to recover and work his way back. Since then, he has shown such an excellent attitude, and such desire to improve, that he was given time to work on his game, playing a holding midfield role to see if that suited him. Many youngsters will sulk a bit and lose their way, especially when shifted about into a new role, but he just knuckled down and worked on his game.

He has clearly improved massively, showing not just heart and workrate, but ability too. While not possessing the tricks of a forward, he does have a good intelligence to his game, he learns and listens to instructions. He will still have bad days, but they will get fewer and fewer, as he learns and develops. He reminds me of Dennis Irwin, I know he played for Man Utd, but he was a top class professional and one of the best full backs I have seen play the game. While he is not that good, he is certainly developing nicely and could come close to that level of excellence, in my opinion.}

He faces his most important exam against Navas/Nasri and Zabaleta on Sunday. I hope he does well!

Flanagan is suited perfect at left back. He will handle city fine.

He made his debut against City didn't he? I remember he was excellent in that match, hopefully he has good memories of that and he keeps whichever of the worldies he faces out the game.

07 Apr 2014 13:35:12
Hi guys,
a big match tonight for our U21's. Liverpool take on Chelsea at Aldershot Town FC with a 7:05 pm kick off time. The match is being shown live on LFC TV and available online. The young reds currently hold 1st place in the table ahead of Fulham on goal difference although Fulham have played all their games. Southampton in 3rd place 2pts back have also completed their fixtures.
Liverpool are the divisions top scorers with 53 goals from 19 games.
Their opponents Chelsea are 5 points behind in 5th with 2 games in hand. Man city amazingly are also 4 pts behind the reds with 2 games in hand in 4th position like their senior colleagues. The young reds need a point from their last 2 games to guarantee a play off position, although other results may mean that they are ok as is.
Sunderland, West Ham, Leicester and Manchester United in 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th respectively have an outside chance of making the top 4 but with games running out and relying on other results have an uphill task.
So a win tonight for the Reds will be crucial to go towards eventual top spot in the division. The winners of the division gain a crucial home advantage in the semi final play-off match, which in our case will be at Anfield.
Alex Inglethorpe, a new recruit by Brendan Rodgers in November 2012 from Tottenham, has worked wonders like Rodgers himself. Exciting, attacking, free flowing football mirroring the 1st team in goal scoring and style. Credit can also be given considering the age of the players, many regulars promoted to work with the 1st team or having gone out on loan. The introduction from a young U18 side to now established U21 level also has not been detrimental to the style of football on display.
A bright future looks in store throughout all facets of the club at this stage.

07 Apr 2014 14:07:48
Who do we play in the semi finals and how is this league worked out, interested as watch some u21 matches when time permits, would be grateful :)

The most impressive aspect of the U21's has been the team; irrespective of the individuals who are in the team, they always play the same. One other notable point is how the younger players from the U18's are bought into the team, and seemlessly perform.

Hey Bootroom. The top four places haven't been decided yet. Depending on our finishing position it goes like this.The top four clubs will progress to the semi-finals and subsequent final to decide the overall Barclays U21 Premier League champions. In the semi-finals, the 1st and 4th place clubs will meet, and the 2nd and 3rd place clubs will meet. As far as I know both 1st and 2nd have home advantage, though I do know for sure that 1st definitely does. I hope this helps.

Hey Bootroom further to your reply as to how the league works;
The league has been set out with the following criteria:

In total, 22 clubs compete in the Barclays U21 Premier League, with each of the clubs having applied for ‘Category One’ status in the Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP). There are 16 clubs from the Barclays Premier League, five clubs from the npower Championship and one club from the npower League One.
The format has changed since the 2012/13 season, with the 22 clubs now placed in one single national group, rather than being split into three smaller groups.
Clubs will play each opposing club in the group once, either home or away. Overall, the season will last for 21 matches.
The top four clubs will progress to the semi-finals and subsequent final to decide the overall Barclays U21 Premier League champions. In the semi-finals, the 1st and 4th place clubs will meet, and the 2nd and 3rd place clubs will meet.

Other rules include:

Clubs are only allowed to field three outfield players over the age of 21, plus the goalkeeper is also permitted to be over 21.
Each club must host at least three league matches at their main stadium during the course of the season, which helps to enhance the matchday experience for the young players and fans. In addition, the overall final will also be played in the main stadium of the home club.
Member clubs’ training grounds or Academy venues will be permitted for the staging of up to three home matches over the course of the league season.
The 22 clubs in the Barclays U21 Premier League are:
Arsenal
Aston Villa
Blackburn Rovers
Bolton Wanderers
Chelsea
Everton
Fulham
Leicester City
Liverpool
Manchester City
Manchester United
Middlesbrough
Newcastle United
Norwich City
Reading
Southampton
Stoke City
Sunderland
Tottenham Hotspur
West Bromwich Albion
West Ham United
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Promotion and relegation to be introduced next season
From the 2014/15 season and beyond, promotion and relegation will be introduced as the format changes for the Barclays U21 Premier League.
In a bid to encourage more competition and prepare Academy players for the intense environment of elite competition and progression to the first team, the current 22-team division will be split in two. The top 11 Category 1 clubs will compete in the top tier of next season's competition, with the bottom 11 clubs vying to gain promotion to the top flight as of next season.

Absolutely AG,
Neil Critchley has done a gr8 job at U18 level too. They are sitting in 3rd place but are to far off Everton and City to qualify for the 2 play off positions( the U18 format is different as their is a northern and southern section). Their form is a little more erratic although they are scoring bucket loads of goals too, but the style of play is the same. I think the promotion of key players has affected them a lot more, but considering the constant change over of playing staff they have done really well. They are also a very young group for this level also.

Cheers for all the info Simon - as a fan who is unable to view/follow the development of our youth level teams your insight is interesting and helps give a good overall view of how the club is developing, cheers for your posts.

07 Apr 2014 12:17:49
The great thing about brendan is that he is not stubborn and is willing to try new things sometimes things that would be in a fans mind.

Before the west ham game I was thinking that against man city we will need more steel in midfield to shield the defense and break down there play, for which we will need lucas. Moving from that I thought that it would also be important to get lucas some minutes as he hasn't played in a long time.

Brendan did just that (also it being a requirement at the time) won't be surprised if lucas starts on Sunday!

Come on mighty reds 5 more wins!

I fully expect Lucas to start and Agger to return.

Go for the jugular against City, like we did against Spurs.
Keep their fullbacks penned back.
Lucas on the bench for me.
Coutinho and Sterling to both start.
I hope Liverpool don't bottle it and I don't think BR will, AG.
By all means change it around mid-game but, IMO, we need to play our game. Not theirs.

How is playing Lucas, their game? Were most dangerous on the counter attack, as are they, so a defensive midfielder makes Sense!

Playing lucas will not be there game, we aren't spurs, he will do a much more effective job at breaking up play, keeping possesion and ticking things along with stevie g in the middle of the park.

We'll still have our quartet of suarez sturridge henderson and sterling / couthiniho upfront. i'd personally go with sterling but boss knows best

City will give us space to play balls into. Chelsea won't. They will be compact, hold a pretty deep line and hit us on the counter. We will see plenty of the ball against Chelsea.

For this reason I more confident of a result over city. probably a high scoring game. Patience will be key against Chelsea.

Good result yesterday.

So, from the Spurs line-up, who'd miss out for you Conbicks?

Sakho to start ahead of Agger on Sunday I think. Sakho is a far better defender at the moment.

Juicer, from the spurs game, I'd drop Allen, for Lucas, in the middle with gerrard and hendo, then either diamond or 4-3-3 with coutinho/sterling, up to BR. Yes Allen is good at closing down and I like him as a player. But city won't collapse like spurs did against us.

It's a fascinating scenario Conbicks.
I see your point there.
That two of Gerrard / Lucas might start us 10-15 yards further back. But then equally, as you say, that could bring them onto us and open up the counter.
Me, I believe we'll look to tap into the emotion of the occasion and look to start very positively.
I wouldn't be surprised to see Moses get a run-out late on if we're looking for a goal. What an opportunity that would be for the lad.

I can see BR going all out with a 4 3 3, with Allen coming back in and sterling in the front 3 leaving Lucas and couts on the bench - and sakho keeping his spot . if Allen not fully fit then Lucas

I think we will see the return of the diamond. Teams are struggling to deal with Yaya Toure. The boss will want us to dominate. If Allen is fit I would expect the boss to play him. IMO Lucas was awesome in the second half. He makes breaking up play look effortless and his throughball set up the last penalty! I would go with Stevie deep Lucas left, Hendo right and Sterling at the head of the diamond. I choose Sterling over Couts simply for his pace, he can cause major problems for their CB's

08 Apr 2014 11:43:50
I imagine our guys will put in some of the strongest tackles they have all season.

Teams see we have gone through opposition repeatedly this season easier than a hotdog going through a hallway and tried to counter our play by putting one tonne of human being between the ball and their net without much success.

Raheem Sterling and co look ready to smash through Brock Lesnar to win and probably would easier than a demolition crew on site at Legoland.

Can City or even Chelsea say the same? It is a World Cup year and I expect there to be more hair gel than rubbing alcohol on their team bus. Expect an immensely frustrated MP.

433 but
………………. Gerrard……………….
……. Henderson………………….
………………………. Coutinho…….
Sterling……. Suarez……………….
…………………. Sturridge……….

Created to maximise Sterling's pace on the right supported by Henderson and Johnson.

07 Apr 2014 11:15:38
Sam : Liverpool won with two penalties not the attractive football.

Really Sam, how about the boos you recieved from your fans at the hull city game?
Attractive football aah?

Maybe one of the stats that can be introduced for teams, can be length of time ball is in the air (above head height for example) or distance the ball travels while above head height.

I would imagine that West ham would be at or very near the top on both of those.

There's a big difference between SG playing a long ball into the channel just in front of a runner (even if it a 70 yard pass) than the opposition just lumping it the same distance into an area where their forward lumps can bully-boy their way towards goal.

Big Sam is a football dinosaur. His type are becoming extinct. The sooner the better.

07 Apr 2014 22:40:43
The FA should introduce a stat for 'most productive use of the elbows'.

We can all then give Fellaini a huge round of applause as he receives his trophy!

07 Apr 2014 08:19:30
I don't usually do 'who I'd buy in the transfer window' stuff, but

Left back, if Coentreo is available I'd go for him, but that could be an unlikely target. However, many previously unattainable targets may well become possible should we win the league.
It would be an attacking midfielder I wanted, Gerrard and Lucas provide enough cover at CDM, Hendo and Allen at CM but only really Coutinho for the ACM or tip of the diamond, although Sterling has played there to good effect recently.
I'd target Lallana, I know again he would be a tough ask, but he did recently come out and say he wanted champions league football, and again we become a far more attractive prospect if we win the league.

Suarez will almost certainly stay if we win the league, which in itself will help attract players.

I'd then let Aspas go, it's always a gamble as to whether a foriegn player will adapt but the lad needs to move on for himself, I'd replace him but I'll concede I don't really have any replacements lined up.
If keep both Borini and Suso if they were willing to play the squad game.
Alberto like Aspas may also need to make way.

We added squad depth last season, this summer needs to be about filling the holes highlighted this season!

Welsh,

Can't you keep Aspas and let Suarez come to us? lol

Just a thought, smiles.

07 Apr 2014 09:11:36
No Dags, sorry mate.
You nervous about 4th yet?

Lallana will NOT move to anfield

Think Alberto's been decent actually, when he's managed to play that is, and would keep him although consider loaning him out to a lower PL club or higher Championship club.
Completely agree with you on Lallana, so talented and PL experience. I know eds have mentioned he's loathe to come to us as he was an evertonian as a boy, but surely Champions League football, the chance to play in the same team as both Gerrard and Suarez and at Anfield for one of the biggest clubs in the world and naturally a bigger wage could convince him?
Also we do need a left back, as much as I love him, if we want to challenge in the Champions League we can't have Flanagan playing on his weaker side as there were opportunities for him to play the ball in quickly on his left yesterday and he just wouldn't. Secondly he needs to work on his pace whether he plays at left or right back because Bale, Sanchez or whoever could leave him for dead.
That said I really like the kid!

Sorry Dagenham Suarez wants to play in the champions league next season. Lol.

Ouch, lol.

06 Apr 2014 23:48:59
Hey Edds just wondering is there any clubs interested in taking Stephan El Sharwayy from AC milan this summer also with Aspas looking likely to leave do u see us bringing in another ST, any been on our radar you know of?

{Ed002's Note - There is plenty of interest in El Shaarawy. Liverpool's priority will be a wide forward unless someone leaves.}

08 Apr 2014 11:51:13
Players that make the cover of videogame boxes tend to have suitors.

06 Apr 2014 23:56:21
The sky owner must be dead because after the Liverpool game and now if anyone wants to watch they have an interview with carra and this is the second time they put it on.
It is on ssn one now and after is there is a programme called the greatest football team Liverpool, also on ssn one. If anyone wants to watch.
Hibsylfc

He lost a bet

07 Apr 2014 00:24:35
Personally thought we where mentally outstanding today . We could have thrown a hissy fit and lost the head with the ref but they kept there head and got the 3 points that we all wanted .
What about the two chips from the genius luis? Gerrard covered every blade of grass today and played like a true winner and leader . Also just want to give a bit of praise to the two cb's and migs. I thought today mignolet held his own against the bombardment from west ham and their flinstones style football. Sakho passing from the back is great even dough it looks like he's going to fall every time he swings his leg. I can see him been a very import at player for us in the final games . Last but not least mr Rodgers doing a brilliant job in which the way he's fearless in the substitutions whipping coutinho off at half time for mr reliable because he have the ball away to often and putting kolo on on the last ten to block up the defence .

Keep the faith and believe because this season has been brilliant. Very few weekends have us supporters been let down by our team!

Make us dream!