Liverpool Banter Archive July 07 2015

07 Jul 2015 22:50:49
Some punk has tweeted about Lacazette. Good luck eds

{Ed030's Note - I kinda guessed, The Pedro/Lacazette posts have been flooding in. }

07 Jul 2015 22:33:16
Hey eds, an updates on Garbutt, a player Liverpool has interest in?

{Ed030's Note - Signing a new contract I think. }

07 Jul 2015 19:14:00
Hi Eds, you may have already answered this but can't find it. What's your view on the Benteke transfer? I was one of those who thought £16M for Balotelli was a bargain & look what happened! £32M or thereabouts for Benteke seems very risky business to me. With someone like Jovetic supposedly available for less than half that (I know he hasn't settled here but is good friends with Lovren)I do wonder if this is a very expensive gamble. I know Benteke can be 'unplayable' on his day but those days are not very regular.

{Ed030's Note - I think you summed it up perfectly, on his day he his unplayable but to make him worth the money being talked about he would need to turn from being unplayable on his day to being unplayable consistently. He has all the tools to become a great players, just needs to work on a few things, perform consistently and play for the team by creating movement etc and he will be worth the money. }

07 Jul 2015 21:51:57
IMO it's a pure gamble and a gamble which must pay off. Else we are in big trouble. He has to adapt himself to our system and that's not an easy task.
Work cutout for Brendan as its his pick.

07 Jul 2015 22:17:21
Don't you think that the new management/coaching team is the ideal team to get that consistency out of Benteke

{Ed030's Note - We can only hope mare. }

07 Jul 2015 22:23:00
I have to admit he has everything you want in a striker. With the right coaching and attitude the sky's the limit for him. I honestly think he is the missing piece for us. He could be the difference between top 4 or not, or even better. There are just some strikers you just would rather have in your team than play against you. For me he is one of those. I would be delighted to see him sign.

08 Jul 2015 07:07:56
Make him do the insanity dvd and he will soon have the fitness to make runs and not get tired.

07 Jul 2015 17:01:41
Hi eds. Do you think we would be able to attract/afford pedro from Barcelona. And would we be interested in him.

{Ed002's Note - Try the search engine.}

07 Jul 2015 17:13:46
Pedro should have been bought last summer when Suarez was sold to Barca. I go in line with Ed02 on this. We have no place for another attacker ATM.

07 Jul 2015 18:51:42
I'd prefer Pedro over Benteke. Purely because of his movement

07 Jul 2015 19:14:09
Pedro won't get us the goals benteke does. It would be another case of buying for the sake of it. We need a proper goalscorer. Weather its bentek ir anyone else. No buying players because they offer movement or fit the system or whatever nonsense

07 Jul 2015 21:22:08
So you're telling me that if Sturridge was unable for most of the season you'd back pedro to score those missing goals?

No way! He's a wide man and not capable of leading the line like Benteke is. We have enough players that play off the striker what we need is a top goal scoring striker to play when Sturridge can't as well as with him if and when necessary. That player is Benteke not pedro.

I think pedro is a better player than lallana and markovic buy neitet of those are moving on and both are good enough and the improvement to pedro would not be signifiCant enough to justify the cost of bringing him in

08 Jul 2015 07:08:59
Pedro is poor and definitely not what we need. Ibe is sterlings replacement.

07 Jul 2015 16:37:50
Ed002
Could we have an update on the target list please ed?

{Ed002's Note - Nothing has changed.}

07 Jul 2015 16:53:01
Ok no prob ed

08 Jul 2015 06:55:13
The update is as follows.

We are interested in some players you know about. We are no longer interested in some players you know about.

We are interested in some players you don't know about and have lost interest in some players you don't know about.

We have absolutely no interest in a lot of players you think we have.

07 Jul 2015 15:20:01
Hi ed.
Would you expect Benteke to be our final buy of this window?

I think we have a top4 team now including him and we now need to concentrate on moving some players on.
Balotelli - such a shame he hasn't worked hard enough for us, as the talent is there. What a waste
Borini - as good as gone.
Lambert - at his age, he should be looking for regular game time
Enrique - needs to focus on playing instead of spending all day on Instagram
Manquillo - looks like his loan will be cancelled early
Skrtel - I wish we could sell him instead of giving him a new contract. Baffles me and will just push Illori down the pecking order.

I think we should keep the rest of the squad as is and add more from the u21s for Europa League group stages.

Happy red

{Ed002's Note - I am not going to try and answer such questions.}

07 Jul 2015 16:16:51
I expect another player to come in the form of a DM or DLP. This might come in the very end of the window.
Don't rule out the exit of Lucas.

07 Jul 2015 17:05:05
I know people want illori to get games I do too, but hrs no PL experience so I don't think it's wise to get rid of skrtel.

If skrtel went and illori didn't perform what then?

Lets keep illori at the club bring him in gradually over the season then if he performs then you sell skrtel next summer.

07 Jul 2015 17:16:33
Agree with Lavers ( not a big fan of Skrtel ) but some here believe the moment we drop him this side wouldn't concede ever. Skrtel has played under 4 different managers and 2 of them kept fantastic defensive record.
Find it strange every time we let a goal in blame goes to Skrtel. Remember he was bought at a very minimal amount.

07 Jul 2015 17:16:46
If Skrtel went and Illori didn't perform Lavers we would have both Toure and Lovren able to come in. In an injury crisis which left us with one cb we have quite a few in the youth squad capable of covering in times of need. We have too many cbs. If one is to leave, I for one hope its Skrtel.

07 Jul 2015 17:29:36
Back

The only reason I could see Lovern at the club is down to the fact we cannot sell another player on massive loss.
The man who bought lovern doesn't trust him anymore.
Lovern might need another Istanbul miracle to cement a place in our starting eleven.

07 Jul 2015 18:40:08
What's a DLP? because the only i know is a distance learning program

{Ed001's Note - deep lying playmaker?}

07 Jul 2015 19:15:32
Reet

In my memory, The DLP system with a diamond formation started at AC Milan under Anchelotti, Pirlo playing the playmaker role with Gattusso and Seedorf as B2B player and kakka at the tip.

Juventus still plays it very good with Pirlo as the Anchor man, B2B roles between Vidal, Pogba, Marchesio and Pererra ( If I am not wrong )

The best player to play that role is Alonso.

A Deep lying playmaker is the eye of a manager, His vision on the game, he reads the game through his eyes.

We tried Gerrard over there and he was successful in the attacking side as he picked up Suarez and Sturridge with ease, But his lack of defensive attributes and age proved to be costly as we lost the title.

Allen was tried there with little to no success.

BR wouldn't play Lucas over there.

So does we are linked with Kovacic for that position. At Inter the kid played well, scored 5 and assisted a few.

there is nothing wrong in bringing a DLP. The only player in the league who is good at the role is Carrick.

We have none to play that role.

07 Jul 2015 19:33:06
You didn't need to explain what a playmaker is. I know that part. I was confused with the abbreviation

07 Jul 2015 19:42:14
We need Skrtel!

07 Jul 2015 20:05:59
Back!

I'd rather Skrtel over toure and Lovren of last season.

07 Jul 2015 21:43:26
And who would you all like to see beside Skrtel. Bearing in mind he has been unable to ever play with anyone?

{Ed030's Note - The rest of the substitutes. }

07 Jul 2015 21:54:23
Sakho and skrtel as the 2 CBs or if we play 3 at the back then ilori gets his chance to shine.

If ilori performs and we switch back to 2 at back then ilori and sakho.

07 Jul 2015 22:37:30
He was player of the season under Kenny. Seemed to do ok alongside Agger.

Why do some fans always have to have a fall guy or two?

You Got your way with Johnson so now it's time to move onto Skrtel, Migs & Allen in that order.

It's painful to watch and read sometimes.

07 Jul 2015 22:52:51
But Lavers Skrtel isn't going to be happy to just sit on the bench is he? Lovren I agree looked bad but most of our centre backs were usually paired with Skrtel who makes everybody look bad.

Boom what has he done since Agger left? Maybe you realise now it was Agger that made him look good whereas Skrtel makes his partners look bad. I suppose you're just won over by all of the last ditch tackles he makes that he should never ever need to make.

Its painful to watch and read fans who think we can't afford to let Skrtel go.

07 Jul 2015 19:15:43
Pretty much the same thing lol

07 Jul 2015 23:22:31
lovren and Sakho waste of 40 million quid hopefully lovren may turn it around this year but i'm not holding my breath. I don't like calling players but I seem to be doing it a lot since BR came in? coincidence or what? think a lot of money and time has been wasted. bitterness is raring its head amongst us and asking for skrtl to be moved on? that's why we was crap last year! martin wears his heart on his sleeve in fact he is one of the only players to show heart! that's why I always liked lucas and more recent shelvey. when the crowd got on there back they never shied away they played on regardless! you should all applaud these type of players that's why anfield like a morgue! the only fight I seen in this team was over the penalty shambles when Mario took it and sturridge seen his ar*e even then hendo bottled it and walked away! and you think he should be capt!!!!!!

07 Jul 2015 15:23:33
Ed001 if you're about, do you think that Ibe could possibly be used as a striker? There is just something about the way he shoots that reminds me of Fowler.

{Ed001's Note - he might well end up there, but right now I expect him to stay out wide unless we get desperate for a striker.}

07 Jul 2015 16:18:55
I see Ibe as more of a striker. He's more in the Sturridge mould than the Sterling mould, but he can play anywhere across the front line which is an advantage.

Red Rum

07 Jul 2015 17:17:14
And the rumours a week or so ago were that Rodgers plans on trying him in a deeper position.

That sounds most like a wing back role which would indicate keeping 3 at the back which I personally think is a bad idea. Anyway only speculation at this stage.

07 Jul 2015 20:33:02
Ibe needs to improve his finishing a lot better to have any chance of being played up front. Right now, his finishing is as poor as it gets for a forward player.

08 Jul 2015 09:50:32
@AG, He requested extra finishing/shooting practice with KK after the end of the season. let's hope that works!

And I do think that's a very harsh opinion on his shooting.

07 Jul 2015 14:42:08
Hi Ed's,

So many fans still believe that Milner is sub at best.

Now since he has taken no7 shirt and public addressing that he would be given chance to play in midfiled.

Do you believe that he is going to be the main man steering the ship and probably end up as captain.

Thank you.

{Ed001's Note - he will be a regular starter if fit.}

07 Jul 2015 16:39:14
I don't get this promise of playing him at centre midfield. Never seen him set the place alight in the middle of the park and he's never played there on a regular basis either. I hope Brendan knows what he's doing giving Milner those kind of assurances

07 Jul 2015 17:33:19
I don't think BR had anything concrete in his mind giving the assurance. Milner is not a creative kid like Fabrigas or Carzola at Arsenal. Expecting Milner to dictate the game is pure gamble.

07 Jul 2015 22:52:56
Milner had a very good season playing in central midfield in his last season for villa which is presumably why city paid 20million plus for him

07 Jul 2015 14:23:40
Afternoon gentlemen,
James Milner has said he hopes to play more games in central midfield. With that being the case would you be happy to see him start there and who would you like to see play alongside him and around him in midfield.

{Ed002's Note - It is where I would expect him to play.}

07 Jul 2015 14:47:36
Well I am not sure, whose getting dropped to bench If Milner plays centrally. Countinho should be the 3rd man in the midfeild and we defo need Lucas / DM in it. Can recently epxressed his desire to Play in Midfield.

07 Jul 2015 14:53:40
I would think him and Henderson with can/lucas just behind in a midfield three

07 Jul 2015 14:54:58
Lucas, Can, Henderson and Milner. Any 3 of those 4. There are plenty of games.

07 Jul 2015 15:15:15
For me Milner is the perfect replacement for the centre of Midfield.

He is still one of the fittest players in the EPL and given the chance can change games as well.

One thing he will also give, which we lacked last year from a few individuals is 100% every minute of the game!!

07 Jul 2015 15:18:57
It's difficult. The only way I can see our midfield being happy with their playing time in the center is to either play 4-3-3 or go back to the diamond(my preference).

Now given that Gerrard has left, we don't need to have a player cover his defensive duties, so this gives more freedom to the likes of Coutinho, Firminho, Lallana and Ibe.

I can see our midfield being one of the most difficult to deal with in the league, assuming its set up correctly.

This is all on paper of course, anything can happen in Football.

07 Jul 2015 15:27:47
I suspect it's Hendo/Milner behind Firmino, Coutinho, Llalana in 4-2-3-1.

If we play 4-3-3 though, I'm not discounting BR trying Milner/Coutinho/Hendo midfield given his preference for a deep lying playmaker and perhaps thinking Milner can do what Wiltshere does for England. I prefer Lucas/Milner/Hendo though as most stable defensively but then since when has BR valued a DM.

07 Jul 2015 14:44:39
With Henderson a likely starter and now Milner brought in as a starter, along with Can being promised more game time in midfield is this likely a midfield 3 we can expect going forward?

07 Jul 2015 15:49:26
Zimbo

Where would you play Ibe?

07 Jul 2015 16:57:13
I don't get this promise of playing him at centre midfield. Never seen him set the place alight in the middle of the park and he's never played there on a regular basis either. I hope Brendan knows what he's doing giving Milner those kind of assurances

07 Jul 2015 17:08:47
To everyone not including Can in their midfield. He has been promised game time in the middle but seems to be quite down the pecking order in most fans mind. Hope we don't see his potential wasted.

07 Jul 2015 17:35:44
Back

You cannot field more than 11 at a time, we also need both Firmino and countinho in the starting eleven.
Nine of the above midfielders are true holding players which means Lucas or a DLP is a must.

I lost my sleep on what BR is planning with the squad.

07 Jul 2015 19:12:08
Milner should not have been signed. We have the players in central midfield. That he has been promised game time and to be played in centre mid is problematic for the squad in my opinion and particularly the younger players - I also don't like players demanding where they play, managers decision not theirs.

07 Jul 2015 21:45:08
European Glory thanks for clearing up how many we can play at a time I've been so confused mixing it up with another sport and thinking its 15, duh.

07 Jul 2015 22:42:05
The amount of times you get to field the mythical strongest starting XI every season are few and far between.

Plus you change the make up of your team to counter different opponents.

So stop asking where player x, y & z fits in. At least 18 players will get loads of games and 6 others will be used as and when. That's how it works every season.

07 Jul 2015 23:47:34
Is that how it worked last season when a young winger was shoehorned in to play as a lone striker while actual strikers sat on the bench? Or when we decided to play no strikers?
Thats how it worked last season.
You can't just say don't ask where these players fit in they will all get loads of games. This has been proven to not be the case.

07 Jul 2015 13:48:55
been having an argument with my boys between ibe and sterling who's got more potential to explode.for me i'd go with ibe,the thing i like about him is his shooting power,strength and speed.the boy can shoot a ball unlike sterling who whenever i see him,i get so frustrated with his crosses and finishing.they are either shot,hoffed,weak e.t.c.i would like your input especially ed01

07 Jul 2015 14:19:25
Sterling's potential is more realised and obvious right now as he's played so many more first team games than Ibe, so we can't really know for sure.

However, Ibe seems more robust and direct to me, so I reckon he will be better. He also (based on the last few months) seems to have a much better attitude which makes me think he is more likely to succeed.

07 Jul 2015 14:32:02
Similar to Zeddicus' point I think Ibe's attitude to this point is much more positive than anything we have seen from Sterling. That being said both are quality young players and despite the annoyance of Sterling and his agent forcing his way out the lad has undoubted potential and it is never nice to see the best young talents leaving our club. Ibe now has a lot of competition for places and will he get the necessary game time?

07 Jul 2015 14:35:09
Sterling is rated as the most valuable young player recently.

07 Jul 2015 14:54:12
Harry
That same survey was complete tripe in my opinion. Some of the valuations hsd me laughing on my ass

07 Jul 2015 15:37:03
Sterling is the better dribbler/creator right now (but perhaps because he has more experience/confidence at PL level?), Ibe has a strike on him and is better at crossing the ball IMO.

I think over time Ibe will be more dangerous because he has all the tricks but also looks like he has the finishing to score a lot of goals.

07 Jul 2015 16:08:43
Ibe can be a ronaldo-esque player.He got decent skills,pace,technical ability and more importantly great shot whereas Sterling is the best dribbler with pace.He can damage any defence in epl if played centrally,But we already have similar player in Markovic.Best part is both Markovic and Ibe have great attitude to learn things and have this hunger to be best.In future these two players can be great in EPL.

07 Jul 2015 19:17:47
Sterling is miles ahead of Ibe mentally and in terms of his tactical understanding of the game, knowing when to dribble, when to pass, etc etc etc. Ibe, I think, can be the better player but Sterling has had a lot of games, at a high level, already meaning he is way ahead in terms of development. When you look at their base skills Ibe has more potential but, at the moment (due to circumstance), Sterling has had the opportunity to realise his, Ibe is still waiting. I expect Ibe to come on leaps and bounds this season.

07 Jul 2015 11:55:06
Hahahahaha you guys are mad borini is a good players offers space to others with his running just like Henderson just unlucky not getting game time when he comes good usual writers on the site eat there words wow been long time since I posted eds hahaha read every day tho hope lfc do good this year tho hope everybody on the site cool and enjoy the rain hahahah STEMLOCC1

07 Jul 2015 12:29:35
What?

07 Jul 2015 12:58:50
Did you just compare and assert that Borini is better than Henderson? Get help while it may be treatable.

07 Jul 2015 13:02:13
Someones had a coffee or 2 this morning lol

07 Jul 2015 13:20:33
What was mixed in your coffee?
And believe me when you live where i live, with the amount of rainfall there's not much left to enjoy

07 Jul 2015 13:32:55
I get what he's trying to say, I think anyway.

I would like to offer a translation if that's ok.

blur blur blur blur blur you get the point.

07 Jul 2015 14:49:07
Think he's saying borini will prove doubters wrong and he's effective in his running even if doesn't score goals just yet like Henderson by creating Space for others.

Nice to see BR giving a young player the chance to develop. He was named in the euro under 21 team of the year a few years back. Normally we'd be raving about signing players like him yet everyone seems to think Ings is the answer when at an older age ( at the time) than borini he did sweet FA at the euros. Don't take this as a dig at Ings as I've used him as en extreme example and think he has potential but he comes here with probably worse credentials than borini did yet he won't be a success unless he's given a proper chance. Shame BR didn't do the same for borini.

07 Jul 2015 16:43:01
Posts like this bother me. Not one single period and I imagine some loon laughing while writing it.

07 Jul 2015 23:17:26
If your best attribute as a player is "running" - then you are not good at football I'm sorry.

07 Jul 2015 10:56:45
Everton need a striker, Borini doesn't want to move further than the corner shop, Liverpool will accept a loan-to-buy deal. Come ON Roberto, you know it makes sense! :)

07 Jul 2015 11:32:02
I actually think that would be a good move for Borini if he felt it suitable

07 Jul 2015 10:26:18
Hello Reds.

Which players should be loaned this season? Will Lazar Markovic live up to the potential?

I for one hope he turns out to be of Roberto Baggio's quality.

Thanks.

07 Jul 2015 10:43:54
Stewart Ward Rossiter Jones and some others. Also Origi if we sign another striker, Sunderland maybe we seem to have a decent relationship with them. And unpopularly but yes Markovic. Don't understand the comparison with Baggio but i don't see him getting much game time. And i don't want the kid to rot on the bench.

07 Jul 2015 10:58:24
Baggio just happens to be my favourite player of all time. Great professional, talent and all round great guy. If Lazar is even 50% of the player/person he is then 20m will be a steal.

07 Jul 2015 11:15:39
All the players who the club think are ready to breakthrough into the first team should be loaned out to championship teams.

If they can't make it into championship teams then they aren't going to make it in our team.

Ojo for example should be playing week in week out in competitive games not the reserves.

07 Jul 2015 12:23:17
Baggio was super alright, but I will never forget the match in 94 when Paul mcgrath had a brilliant match against him in giants stadium.
There's a question for eds - would there ever be a contract offered to a player like McGrath nowadays with the known injuries he had as was offered to him that time by villa ? Or would he not even get past the first hurdle

{Ed002's Note - I cannot possibly answer that.}

07 Jul 2015 13:18:53
@ski sunday, ledley king at spurs is a relatively recent comparison

07 Jul 2015 14:27:59
@ski sunday - whether he could get over the hurdle or not would largely depend on his injuries ;)

07 Jul 2015 14:40:06
McGrath was pure class.

07 Jul 2015 15:56:00
I agree to a point lavers but it's not 'just loaning them out to championship teams'. They need a proper loans in teams that play football systems that will benefit them. There's little point on sending a playing maker out on loan a to Bolton when all the do is lob the ball in to a CF ( using a stereotype I know). That league is completely different in terms of its physicality as well, more technical players can often struggle in that league than they would in the premier league.

07 Jul 2015 10:14:38
Good bussiness done so far if the benteke move goes threw do you think BR will look to buy a cb i know there a a lot on the books but i don't rate them as liverpool cb if so have any been looked at

07 Jul 2015 10:36:34
We weren't planning on it, but since you don't rate any of the ones we have. Go on then.

07 Jul 2015 11:24:46
So we should bring in 3 centre backs this window should we? Gomez, illori and then this mystery man of yours.

On top of all the ones we've got?

07 Jul 2015 11:46:28
So what of our cb do you think come nearto the quilty liverpool need at the back

07 Jul 2015 11:48:31
We have too many CB with us, But Apart from Sakho who would be a regular starter?, I have no idea behind the signing of Gomez, Skrtel is everyman's last choice. Lovern has been poor, Toure is very old to play 30 games a season. That leaves us with only Sakho and Llori for the whole season.
One Injury to Sakho and we are back to square one.

07 Jul 2015 11:58:13
Thats exactly why BR should be looking to bring in a qulity cb and get one or two off the books

07 Jul 2015 13:01:17
Liverboy

Its not easy to move players off the books given their performance has been poor. Lovern needs to play a blinder this season.

07 Jul 2015 09:19:05
Hi guys,
Great job as ever by the way.
Am I missing something or are no clubs showing an interest in Charlie Austin. Don't get why LFC haven't gone for a stiker clearly capable of scoring.

{Ed001's Note - we have no interest but others do.}

07 Jul 2015 09:52:01
Well Benteke is clearly capable of scoring.

07 Jul 2015 09:52:57
Yeah i am really starting to worry about this striker fiasco. See only 54 days are left in the window. My oh my what are we going to do?? 😨

07 Jul 2015 10:04:47
Ed001 ,did you say a little while ago Austin had a knee injury that some clubs may be put off by?

{Ed001's Note - it is an issue, you never know how long until his knee goes. Sometimes those players can manage to work through, as Demba Ba has, but it is a huge risk when QPR are asking over £15m and he might break down in the first game.}

07 Jul 2015 10:21:01
"Don't get why LFC haven't gone for a stiker clearly capable of scoring."

Now do you get it? If perfectly healthy players can't pass our medicals why would we be interested in one that's an injury risk? He has been linked to a few other Premiership clubs this summer though, so I dunno what you're talking about really.

07 Jul 2015 11:52:39
I would have looked at Remy myself, If an Appology would do it on behlaf of Brendan. Failed the medical at Liverpool went on to win the PL with Chelsea and scored more goals than our striker.
Wouldnt cost a fortune and would get amble playing time with us than Chelsea.
Find it strange the club has close to 35 mill to spend on a striker and we have only one target in Benteke.

07 Jul 2015 09:08:01
I'm not a big believer in shirt numbers being important but the fact that Milner says he's happy to accept the perceived pressure and responsibility that comes with the number 7 is good in my opinion.

Contrast that with another recent signing who completely avoided all pressure and responsibility.

I like Milner a little more already.

07 Jul 2015 09:56:19
Well then he has surprise to you already, He has clamied his desire to play centrally. makes me wonder who is dropping out?

07 Jul 2015 10:57:12
Didnt Ings say the reason was he deems himself not good enough yet to warrant a historic number.

07 Jul 2015 11:24:41
Milner used the number 7 at City, which he has chosen here. A lot of the players now stick with a number even if they change club and have the option to a more pertinent and prestigious number. Sturridge (15), Ballotelli (45), Markovic (50) are all examples of that at LFC.

07 Jul 2015 11:25:44
Ings said (paraphrasing) that he was aware of the pressure that comes with certain numbers and didn't want to put that pressure upon himself.

07 Jul 2015 12:31:02
If he is trying to avoid pressure, LFC is not the place for him, there will inevitably be huge pressure.

07 Jul 2015 08:26:05
I hope Gerrard imparted some tips and knowledge on dead ball expertise as we have no natural threat from edge of box free kicks. Phil and Hendo loss best options but they'll need a lot of practice.

07 Jul 2015 09:20:56
We'll have Milner and Firmino. Both very good at set pieces.

07 Jul 2015 09:21:31
Milner is a very good set piece taker

07 Jul 2015 09:23:11
Interesting point. Looks like the deadball duty will be shared between Coutinho and Henderson. Perhaps Milner and Firmino will be interested too.

07 Jul 2015 09:38:50
Hendo is more than capable of taking good free kicks at the edge of the are,as is Milner,infact Milner is quite adept at them from when I've seen him take them.

07 Jul 2015 12:17:58
Of who i have seen, i would go with Milner. No idea about Firmino. Hendo is ok and Coutinho is up and down.

07 Jul 2015 13:23:23
@Andy K, up and down is what you want, up over the wall and down under the bar! I'll go get my coat.

07 Jul 2015 07:45:34
Looks like déjà vue with Borini. He couldn't agree personal terms with Lazio and now wants to stop in the EPL. I wonder what he was like as a kid if he couldn't get his own way.

07 Jul 2015 08:04:19
Have an agree from me, totally frustrating from a fan and club point of view.

However, when he was a kid, if he was signed by a school who then refused to teach him or have him in class, wouldn't you feel a bit miffed too?

07 Jul 2015 08:15:20
He's a money grabbing little toe rag ozone, were he gets his over blown self confidence in his abilities from I really don't know, he is asking for silly money hoping someone is daft enough to pay it, or sit and see out his contract and get weighed in for millions on a free. He's rubbish and yet another in the long line of rubbish bought by swiss tony.

{Ed001's Note - if he was a money grabber he would have taken QPR's double money.}

07 Jul 2015 08:15:52
I don't think this is ' his way'. He went out in loan, did well and was rewarded with barely a sniff of a chance from the man who brought him here in the first place.

07 Jul 2015 08:37:24
He was sent out on loan to get his value up so we could sell him.

That bit worked but despite being told he could go (I don't want you) he decided to stay.

You can read it both ways - the lad genuinely thought he could crack it or he's just an arse.

He can't say he wasn't warned his chances would be limited though.

07 Jul 2015 08:51:02
It's a straight case of manager falling out with players, not trusting them. We played with Sterling and countinho up top and looked like a joke.

07 Jul 2015 09:00:10
He demanded a ridiculous amount of money from Sunderland didn't he? Then he rejected their offer afterwards. Regardless of how he has been treated by the club and the manager, the best way to rebuild your career elsewhere, at the right club and setup, but most of the time, you have to compromise and Borini comes across as a little to picky.

{Ed001's Note - he never demanded anything, Sunderland made an offer, he said he wasn't interested, so they made a bigger offer and he still was not interested. Nothing to do with being picky, just a desire to prove himself.}

07 Jul 2015 09:07:46
I think most players would want out asap if they were told they were not going to play a part. To me he has just wasted a year when he could have been playing regularly somewhere else. He either has an inflated opinion of his ability or else he wants the biggest pay day he can get. And running down his contact is the way to get that pay day

{Ed001's Note - would you not look around at Lambert and Balotelli and think you had a chance of games?}

07 Jul 2015 09:10:22
So all of you guys think that an employee should be forced to go wherever the employee sees fit? If your boss told you to move somewhere you didn't want to would you accept it?

I've no hard feelings for borini he's been a pretty good professional since joining and incredibly patient too. Stop attacking the lad.

07 Jul 2015 09:22:42
this is unreal. Are you guys serious? If you worked in a company who suddenly wanted to transfer you to italy or some small company in the northern parts of england - would you just say yes? You people tend to forget this is people. I do not care what money they are on - they are still people, not just things you can move around as it pleases you.

Calling him a money grabbing little toe rag is just stupid Waro. I think ed001 have pointed out countless of times that he isn't. Comparing with a spoiled child seems stupid too Ozone. He is a young man who have always tried to do his best. He for one never looks disinterested.

If a club give a player a contract you cannot complain if the player want to honor that contract for whatever reason. We complain when they want to leave but at the time it suits our needs they have to go whether it pleases them or not. Whether they like the destination or not. Absolutely ridiculous.

Blame the club and/or blame whoever bought him without playing him in his prefered position, without giving him a proper chance. He may not be what we need, he may not be good enough, but i am absolutely certain that we would have done better if Borini had played all the games Balotelli played last season. Atleast he would have cared.

Give the guy a brake and try to remember that this is people with their own will and ideas.

07 Jul 2015 09:22:57
Surely he'll have learned his lesson by this transfer window.

07 Jul 2015 09:24:23
Without being privy to all the information it's impossible for any of us to actually comment on the situation. The ed's know much more than us and have made it clear it is not about money. There 2 ways to look at it.
1- he is not wanted but is being petulant about leaving. Or
2- he feels totally let down by the manager and club who are trying to force him out despite not being a chance to prove himself. Maybe all he wants is one chance to show he can play a role for the club.

Why are the so called best supporters in the world so quick to turn on players theses days

07 Jul 2015 09:25:38
A bigger transfer fee Ed001?

{Ed001's Note - no that was nothing to do with Borini. He was made an offer after Sunderland agreed the fee.}

07 Jul 2015 09:35:08
That's not the story I was told ed001, and the lad I know is quite informed, to my knowledge he was asking for money that would have made him Sunderlands highest paid player by a country mile.

{Ed001's Note - Sunderland offered to make him their highest paid player, correct, but he was not interested in moving to them. QPR offered much more than Sunderland, he still rejected it.}

07 Jul 2015 09:40:35
Zed ozone and waro,this was all done to death in last years transfer window,the eds explained clearly the larger offers on the table from other clubs to him and his rejection of those,how is that money grabbing?!?!?!? Seriously read the posts and take in what's said.

07 Jul 2015 09:59:33
Lads ye really need to lay off Borini. He was signed by Rodgers and then Rodgers didn't want him any more. He wanted to stay, on his lower LFC wages, last season to prove he can cut it.

If he had been given Balotelli's game time he would have done better than him. It was Rodgers' stubborness that got in the way here.

He should have been given more game time. He wasn't. I'd imagine he's learned his lesson and will move on this summer instead but he has busted his balls for us any chance he has been given and he deserves to be allowed to make his decision on what is best for him now.

07 Jul 2015 10:21:01
Hate the way people compare being a professional footballer to a normal job that we all do, its a terrible comparison, the club didn't force him anywhere by the way, he was told his chances would be limited so feel free to find another club, Sunderland made a bid which we accepted, so who was trying to force him anywhere? And can people pack it in with this were supposed to be the best fans in the world crap, the only people who ever say that are players who are here or players linked to a move here, it's just lip service to get gullible fans on side, no Liverpool supporters I know have ever said that, so stop with it because your making yourselves look like nuggets!

07 Jul 2015 10:44:10
I think the point Waro is that if Borini is expected to go wherever and whenever the club pleases then that is clearly not fair.

Nobody should be forced to go to sunderland or Lazio or anywhere that they do not want to. Surely if Borini is to leave he should be given the decision as to where he is to go and when? If borini felt it was better for him and his family to stay in Liverpool and wait for another opportunity then he is fully entitled to do so.

Just because he works in the entertainment/sports industry and is a high earner does not mean his personal right to work where he pleases should be infringed.

07 Jul 2015 11:13:17
@Waro, completely agree with you on the best fans in the world nonsense. Completely agree with Nevada on it being Borini's choice though.

07 Jul 2015 11:30:07
He wasn't forced to go anywhere. I think you don't need to be genius to figure out that your chances are limited when told by the same manager that bought you. I am also pretty sure that Borini would prefer to go and play for Juventus but he can't; it is about accepting the best offer for your career.

As an aside, I would believe Waro's sources, he got the team news correct repeatedly for a very long time.

07 Jul 2015 11:37:35
Ok Nevada, if you want to continue this stupid comparison, then I'll indulge you. If my company said to me I wasn't fitting into the team very well and me staying was counter productive to myself and the company and I should look for a position elsewhere and then a company from somewhere in the UK or Europe offered the same position to the role I'm doing now with the promise of a massive bonus just for joining them and more than doubling my annual salary, then I'd be off, but I wouldn't have the luxury of being able to sit on my contract doing very little for my wages until said contract had ran out then being able to negotiate an even bigger joining bonus and even bigger annual salary, so you see were the comparison doesn't work with my last paragraph.

And bobatron, I can read,but I don't look at the ed's as the all seeing eye of football, they are more in the know than most, but the snippets of info I get now and again from someone I know I will tend to believe, and that is the case with the Italian, so hopefully you can read this through the ed love bubbles you have in your eyes and understand what I've written.

07 Jul 2015 12:01:55
Waro borini even said himself after he was offered more money.The eds reported it whilst it was ongoing. If your informant is telling you differently. You might want to drop them. This has nothing to do with loving eds,I've had my fair share of fallouts with them over the ast 4 years I've posted. But clearly something is lacking in that cranium of yours if you think it's about money with him,as clearly rejecting a larger pay does not back up your theory

07 Jul 2015 12:40:32
Yes warp I understand your point about him being told his chances are limited and maybe he be better off elsewhere but surely the decision to leave should be up to him? If he decides to stay for whatever reason then why should be not be allowed?

I decided to split my time between a home in los Angeles and the north of England , my job is in LA my family in England and I can tell you the only harder than leaving my family at home to go to a much better job was trying to persuade them to come with me. What's my point? Money is not always the factor in accepting a new position in a different country.

I agree with you that from our perspective perhaps being paid more money and getting regular game time would persuade me or you but perhaps it's different for someone else

07 Jul 2015 12:46:53
Waro
I saw your little analysis,Sorry but there is more to life than money. I was offered a chance last year to work in Liverpool for a friend too for a significantly larger amount of money to myself rather than stay in leeds. However I had committments to a junior football club,and an AFL team in the area,whilst also not wanting to upset a cat I had just taken in. I am not a fan myself of the company I work at,but I chose to stay in Leeds because of those commitments.


There are significantly more social factors to take into account than a manager not wanting you and more money. I'm not saying that Borini is facing what I looked at but not every one has the same careers and social drivers

07 Jul 2015 12:54:14
He's well within his rights to honour his contract.

Red Rum

07 Jul 2015 13:07:42
This topic is now becoming fragmented, my point is, you cannot reasonably compare being a highly paid footballer to being a normal working man, there to far removed to work as a comparison.

I will keep it simple, I was told a fee was agreed, but he was asking for silly money from Sunderland, in short they offered him far more than he's getting at Liverpool and regular football but he " ASKED FOR EVEN MORE MONEY ", so yes Bob, in my book that is greed pure and simple, don't know what's happening with Lazio but maybe history is repeating itself. Now read that very very slowly Bob so you can digest what I've written, take a back step and think about what I've said and try not to focus on winning an argument.

07 Jul 2015 13:46:12
This is not about winning an argument,It's about you claiming your source has said this and that and using that to suggest a player is greedy. Do you not see your contradiction?
a player is greedy by rejecting a contract for bigger money than what he's on because he wants more money,he then doesn't sign a contract and stays on his current contracts which is less money than he was offered and much less money than he wanted. He's then looking likely to reject lazio and you suggest he is possibly doing it out of greed or as you put ''history repeating itself '' therefore inferring that he wants more money,even though he's currently earning less every week he doesn't sign one.


Do you not see the flaw in your logic? I mean seriously do you really not see how utterly nonsensical your reasoning is?!?!?

07 Jul 2015 14:00:00
I can concede that they are very different to a normal working man, that much is true waro but they still under law are allowed the same rights as a working person, one of those laws is the right to choose where they work. That was my point originally.

If he is being greedy and asking for a lot of money then he makes his own problems. Let's not get on his case about that though since we can fire that criticism at every single footballer since Jimmy Hill ( I know only of two footballers who did not ask for a pay rise when moving clubs or negotiating a contract and one who did negotiate a much better one but only so he could donate all but 10% to charity). If we are to criticise Borini for that then everyone should be criticised for that, seems unfair to single him out in particular.

I do agree they earn so much that they are detached from 'ordinary' society.

07 Jul 2015 14:47:34
Do you get haircuts Bob or get your head plained? That's because he can sit on his very nice contract ( let's not forget,he's very well paid by us already )until he gets the massive money he craves, if he's on 50k and other clubs offered him 75k but he really wants over 100k, then he can sit and wait because he will eventually get what he wants, IE " I can wait it out for a year because the extra 25k a week I was offered I will get that and more when I go on a free", that is very definition of greed bobby me boy, game set and match, thank you and goodnight😉

{Ed001's Note - what about the cut of the transfer fee he would have got?}

07 Jul 2015 15:25:16
I nearly got into a punch up with a fellow fan over Borini, New Year's Day, Leicester at home, 2-0 up and he comes on with his non sensical runs into nowhere, Leicester push up and we sit deep because of it, 2 goals within 10 mins I think it was. I blow a gasket about Borini and the fella in front starts questioning why it was Borinis fault. If he stays this season and plays, I walk out. As Waro says, the lads totally unrealistic in terms of his own abilities. He had the cheek to cock his hand to his ear when he scored against Villa. What's that about? From what I understand his reluctance to leave has a lot to do with his private life. Waros nailed it in terms of footballer/ real life employment situation. The lads had enough offers and he's now costing the club in terms of progression. Let's face it, if we'd got the £14mill last season from Sunderland, would we have gambled on Mario or would that extra dough been enough for a more accomplished striker or Bony for example.

07 Jul 2015 16:02:46
He would have received £1.4million from the transfer fee ed001, if leaves on a free, I would imagine he could look to more than double that as a signing on fee and no doubt double his wages. You think he's a committed lad who wants to play for us, I disagree, simple as that.

07 Jul 2015 16:27:28
I didn't realise you were a contract expert waro. Sahme that if he sticks with us for another year, He'll have done himself out of even more money,and will likely not increase his wages in doing so. He's so far only screwed himself out of more money going by your logic. There's something called opportunity cost. you should look it up.

07 Jul 2015 07:24:42
Firmino vs depay.
Which club got value for money??
Comments appreciated.
kit

07 Jul 2015 07:49:46
I genuinely believe firmino as it stands. Certainly for Liverpool he was a better buy as we didn't need another player who in my opinion will struggle this season in the prem for a number of reasons. Firmino has much more first team football and at a much higher level. So overall I would say firmino for this season but potentially depay long term as he does have a lot of quality in him

07 Jul 2015 07:51:07
Won't really kmow until the seasons' end. Firmino arguably Been playing in a better league and has already played away from his home league so perhaps could adopt slightly easier. De pay is meant to have a pretty bad attitude ( read that somewhere - it could be wrong) I'm happier with Firmino for that reason.

07 Jul 2015 07:56:16
Both the clubs paid over the odds for the player IMO. both are very good players.

07 Jul 2015 08:01:26
Erm, kinda difficult to judge before either has played at least a few competitive games for their new clubs!!

Unless you want to compare the fees paid to Transfermarkt values?!

07 Jul 2015 09:01:23
Di Maria vs Coutinho. Who got the better deal as far as money goes?

07 Jul 2015 09:24:22
Firmino. Easy. Depay hasn't proved himself at the top level yet. Firmino has 4 goals in 9 games for Brazil.

07 Jul 2015 09:32:14
I could be mistaken but I am sure I have seen it said here that we paid and offered way more for Firmino than other clubs did. How can that be value for money?

07 Jul 2015 09:35:14
I'm honestly scared of Depay, scared of him being succesful at MU. He seems like a freaking beast, I was shocked when I saw him play for the Netherlands at the World Cup, he was amazing. Some say he's the next Robben, but some guy said he's the next Ronaldo, and I agree. His style of play is way more physical then Robben, really similar to Ronaldo. I just don't want him to achieve his potential at MU, let him go to Real so he spares us!

07 Jul 2015 10:01:32
Depay looks an excellent signing. Firmino looks a great signing too. Hopefully Firmino will settle and will be better but I expect Depay to be very good for MU as well.

07 Jul 2015 11:22:05
If I'm stuck in a desert for two weeks by the end of it I'd be willing to chop off an arm for a bottle of water doesn't mean it's good value for money.

06 Jul 2015 23:12:50
Question for ed001, if you have time? About our squad.

Players expected to leave or club would like to move on. Balotelli, Borini, Lambert, Sterling, Enrique and Manquliio. Please add to that if I've missed any.

Players we'd like to stay but might go if BR has his way. Ilori, Lucas and again add any missing.

Players LFC would like to sign, that seem confirmed and realistic. Benteke and Kovacic.

So Ed, let's say the ones in the first group are gone, the second two you know if likely to be and same with the last two if they're likely to sign by end of the window.

Our final squad for 15/16. How do you rate it? Where would you expect that squad to finish and where do you think they will actually finish.

Personally if we do move all the players on which are ment to go, manage to keep both Lucas and Ilori, also we sign Benteke and then close chq book on the first team. I think that squad has depth and cover in all areas. It has different systems with the amount and flexible midfielders & forwards available. i'd rate it as a top four squad. I think our match day and bench will be one of the strongest 16s in the league, if all fit. Great youth potential, if used (which may be more possible this season?). I'd say realistically the squad should be able to finish 2nd but expect 4th Still think Chelsea have the squad to beat, Arsenal look tasty too, but we may have better depth.

{Ed001's Note - it is unlikely we will be able to unload Enrique. It is a top 4 squad, as things stand.}

07 Jul 2015 06:26:00
How many years left does enrique have on his contract?

{Ed001's Note - one.}

07 Jul 2015 09:19:45
Enrique: Club wants to sell him but he doesn't want to go, has only one year left on his contract and will see it out. He will use his time for brilliant tweets and advice on how to shave your chest.

Lambert: Interest from Bournemouth and one other club; LFC are happy to move him on, but he may well be happy to stay. He will not even get into the match day squad if he stays IMO.

Borini: Has seemingly rejected a chance to move back to Italy at a very good level. I have no idea his intentions are, but suspect he is happy to wander around England with his partner.

Balotelli: Club want him gone, but thanks to the incompetence in the first place, LFC will struggle to move him on. Will go down as one of the worst deals in LFC history, like it or not. Maybe a loan and eventually selling for pittance, like the Aquaman.

Allen is getting a new contract, and as is Skrtel. I can see some substance in wanting to keep a senior player like Skrtel after losing Gerrard, Jones and Johnson, but giving a contract extension to Allen makes little sense, when Milner and Emre Can has confirmed they will play centrally and Lucas staying.

Luis Alberto has already left on loan to Deportivo. I would be interested to see what happens to Ilori, who is staying after LFC priced out a move for him, Origi and Markovic. Gomez will go on loan for sure.

Brad Smith: Rejected a new contract early last season, was called back from loan at Swindon I believe, and has been in limbo. Has attracted interest from Ipswich I hear.

McLaughlin and Yesil both spend large amounts of time injured and has no future at LFC IMO. Same goes for Paez and Teixeira. Pelosi has left already.

Jordan Williams, Ryan Kent and Kevin Stewart are going on loan to Swindon. I would think LFC will look to loan out Sinclair, Ojo and maybe even Rossiter, Brannagan and Lloyd Jones. Danny Ward has already left on loan after agreeing a new contract at 22 to be the 3rd choice. That mantle now goes to Vigouroux at 21.

07 Jul 2015 01:02:25
This is a bit random but since I think we need another new centre back so we have any interest in Laporte from Bilboa?
He seems quite good, thanks.

{Ed030's Note - Liverpool are overrun with defenders at the minute and I doubt will be looking at any more. }

06 Jul 2015 23:01:43
Banter please.

I've been reading up on the two new members of the management team (including Ed's / ghost writer's piece) and I must say they appear to be walking the walk; I think they will be assets to us - let's hope BR listens to them as much as other managers!