Liverpool Banter Archive December 09 2013

09 Dec 2013 22:56:11
Whats everyones few on flanno at left back coming up against lennon on sunday that's the only area that has me worried just wondering what people would do stick with flanno an back him to cope with the pace of lennon or maybe move glen to left back an kelly ryt back any thoughts eds an the rest?

Maybe just flanagan right back and glen johnson left back? it does make sense because he has been very good in the few games that he has played, saying that I think it would be his biggest test yet to see how he handles real wingers, as he is a fullback.

Lets face it Lennon is no world beater.

09 Dec 2013 20:54:39
You know what's really underrated? Sakho's passing. Sure, he has to tilt his body 23.5° before he releases the ball, but more often than not they find the target and their positive passes aswell. Added to the fact that he eats anything in the air (minus Maiga's header) and he's very good 1 v 1 I think he's by far and away our best defender.

Unfortunately himself and Agger are both left sided. Before anyone guns me down about 'well if two right footed centre-halfs. ' Skrtel and Kolo vs Hull is a perfect example. Both right sided. Minus Skrtel's usual shortcomings you could see him drifting over to the right all the time during the match, positionally that's what he does instinctively. You could see for the OG that he was right on top of Toure, usually that's his side. Unless we pop back to a back 3. I don't think Sakho and Agger can play together, while performing to the best of their abilities.

Agger's not having the best of seasons by all means but they're both too good not to play. I've almost accepted he might be off in Jan. And one of the caveats of Sakho's move was game-time.

Let's just take a moment to appreciate Joe Allen. MOTM on Saturday and I've been crying for him to get inthe team. I can't believe people where writing him off. His performances tailed off after Christmas but that's because Rodgers persisted in playing him despite his injured shoulder and he became a father around that time which could have been difficult aswell.

Fernando-Allen-Coutinho 'tis all I want.

Sakho and agger are both left but could play together right siders do it, its about practice not inability if flanno can play left fully it ain't impossible for to players to play center half together if both left footed

Most football players are right footed anyway so you're more likely to have a right footed left centre back than a left footed right centre back. I agree with you that it's about training that's why you get more right footed LCB's because that's the side they're trained on.

Thiago Silva is one of the best CB's in the world and he's left sided. If it was that straight forward Sakho would just pop over to the right but they played Alex instead.

Didn't expect Flanno to do this well but, and it might just be me, I think playing on the opposite flank might be easier because you're not really going to be heading into the middle of the pitch because it's not what you naturally do.

Say we pop Sakho over to the right after a while yeah, his natural tendencies would be to cover right but is it worth it when Agger might be sold, if not January the summer.

How about Hernanes-Allen-Coutinho?

Love Hernanes aswell. I reckon we'd blow away a lot of teams with that midfield but against the bigger boys I think you need a better defensive player.

09 Dec 2013 20:50:01
Loved watching Jordan Rossiter on LFCtv this evening v Bolton reserves - perfect .

09 Dec 2013 20:16:58
Even if the results are not so favourable for us over the next 4 games we go in to the 2nd half of the season knowing we've played all the top teams away except the mancs. If we are still hovering in the the top 4 we will have a realistic chance of top 4. If the results are favourable then we have a genuine chance of a shot of the title. I hear people moaning and groaning about some of our players but look At the other top teams and I see top players underperforming. I think the likes of Henderson and Allen are really trying more than some of the other players out there. Let's try and not be so critical and get behind them all.

09 Dec 2013 19:30:08
I haven't bantered on here for a while but i'm still a daily user! I just wanted to say i'm made up with out league posistion and I think Rodgers has done a great job so far. The kind of football being played at times is breathtaking and reminds me of our golden age in the 80's.
A few of Brendans transfers haven't come through but not all players work out going to a big club like LFC. However I believe his man management skills are very good, however his choice of line up (constent back four changes) frustrates me, but he knows when he is wrong and trys to make changes in the game unlike Rafa.I just hope he can choose a consistant line up in the next crucial games against Spuds, Mancs, Cardiff and Chelski, with the loss of Sturidge and Gerrard players have to step up. If we can get 8 points from the next four games we will have done really well and could realisticly challenge for top three. Ithink it would be great for all Liverpool fans if we could start 2014 with optismism and hope and incorparate that into our lives in general.
Anyway I also wanted to defend some of the players being slagged off. Firstly humans make mistakes, teams win and lose its hard to be perfect so the so called fans that contantly slag of Henderson, Allen and Gerrad on this site are just sheep! BAAA
I said when Rodgers took over we will win the league within 3-4 years, well I believe he is on tack.Keep believe people YNWA

09 Dec 2013 18:26:53
Sorry If this has already been done but now it will be interesting to see how we do without Stevie for this month. A lot of us, myself included thinks that he may need a rest anyway.
I think we will definitely miss his delivery, his forty yarders and his vision in the center but we will perhaps have a better shape in the middle and not be broken down so easily. It will also give Allen a chance to show us what he is made of and see just what he adds.
I was always in favor of Johnson getting dropped but when he was out injured we did seem to miss him at rightback.
End of the day the proof is in the pudding but what do you guys think? Massive blow or blessing in disguise? The only certainty is that it will not impact it nearly as much as in other seasons over the years. YNWA.

Johnson is an interesting one. At times this season he has been as bad as he has ever been - sloppy, seems disinterested, lazy and gets caught out of position, but he still has loads of quality. That cross he put in on Saturday for the Suarez goal was a peach, he stuck it straight on his head over the top of the defender. There's not many that have that quality. Maybe drop him for a few games to get him keener, but I'd keep him in for the next four games for sure.

Johnson will turn 30 next year and I think it is a position we need to look at in the summer, if Kelly/McLaughlin are not deemed enough/not ready or whatever.

I think we will miss Gerrard. Against the big teams, he is a leader and always seems to step his game up. It is against the lesser teams that he tends to be a passenger. I truly think his leadership will be missed over the next few weeks.

09 Dec 2013 15:59:15
i think mulumbu its one of the players do we need in defensive depth. is cheap( 3 mil.)

I'm not going to go as far as to say that we need him, but I wouldn't complain.

A decent player but I feel we could do better.

09 Dec 2013 13:25:08
Hello all!

I've been following this site for the past 3-4 years and have seen the support given to fellow reds here.

I've just been told by a 3rd party selling Liverpool match tickets on the 21st Dec against Cardiff that they have shut down! Now my pair of 250 pounds tickets are gone.

Could anyone help with regards to getting a match ticket for that day? Since I have already made all the arrangement for accom and plane tickets to Liverpool that day already!

Any info is greatly appreciated!

YNWA

Hi mate unfortunately 3rd party ticket sales in this country are in a loop.

My advice is to head to Twitter & look for the Liverpool fan ticket swaps. They are run by fans for fans and one in particular only does ticket transfers at face value. They have a large follower count and people regularly offer their tickets if they can't go through them.

I am not sure if it is still available but LFC had a sale on Hospitality for Cardiff and the tickets were working out to about 60quid each- not much more than a standard ticket and you get some food before the game.

Good luck!

Thanks mate!

i have finally found a website that is legit since they are authorized by 6 premiership clubs to resell their VIP tickets.

anyway I get to watch a match at Anfield and that's all I really needed!

09 Dec 2013 12:46:19
Eds is it just me or does the phrase "I have it on good authority" actually make no sense at all? It just doesn't sound correct to me. What the hell does authority have to do with a strong source etc. Anybody who uses that phrase is a blatant liar anyway, but it just doesn't seem to make relevant sense to me in terms of a transfer.

YNWAdam

{Ed002's Note - Perhaps you should look in a dictionary.}

It just means you have the information from someone who you trust to have correct information
Perfectly acceptable statement although often used by liars and attention seekers when they want to sound believable

09 Dec 2013 15:01:44
Dictionary was a good shout. From the definition of authority I can reasonably conclude that it does not make sense in this context. The correct way to use it would in fact be:
"I have heard from somebody with authority"

"I have it on good authority" only loosely makes sense at all in the true sense of the word.

Grammar Nazi momemt is over. Cheers Ed!

YNWAdam

Authority is also evidence or testimony or someone who is an expert.

09 Dec 2013 08:19:06
JORDON HENDERSON LONG TERM SOLUTION.

Jordon henderson seems to be the king of pressing the ball and BR seems to be unable to leave him out of the team(rightfully so as he covers up for Gerrards lack of legs).
But what's the long term plan with Henderson, especially without Gerrard in the team?
He seems not to have that extra bit of skill to be seen as a proper winger/inside forward. And seems to be used more as a defensive player who presses and wins balls high up the pitch. He hasn't been trusted with the lucas position, as rogers rather play Allen/Gerrard there if need be, nor has he been given a go in Gerrards position(which I think would suite him), but
Another posibility to look at since the owners are trying to clear out the overpaid players in favour of performance based contracts, is instead of finding a replacement for Johnson(long term). Why not Henderson be that understudy. He has the legs to bomb up and down the pitch and is good enough technically to provide that attacking side if need be.
This too would allow us to play a PROPER winger/forward on the right and increase our attacking threat rather than playing Henderson in that roaming position just because we can't leave him out of the squad. Thoughts guys.

Yes wing back for me.

09 Dec 2013 09:50:02
I'd actually love to see Henderson Alongside Joe Allen. I love Lucas and think he is an excellent player, but Allen and Hendo offer so much energy and mobility. Ultimately, I see either Henderson or Allen becoming captain (whoever wins there place in the starting XI) and in 3 years time when Gerrard is gone, Rossiter will play alongside whoever cemented the other spot as there own. You just never know though. We could sign the future best midfielder in the world in January and see Allen and Hendo dissapear. Football is just unpredictable.

YNWAdam

Right back or wing back & on the left side is a specialist position. Full backs should be around 6ft, lighting quick, technically gifted with an athletic build & for our system specifically must be strong in the air. Center mid isn't a position where people drop back into full backs it's a bad idea that may work for the odd game in emergencys. If you're trying to find a position for someone then they aren't good enough. He is good enough at center mid

When he get a run in the centre mid he plays brilliantly. He's a central mdifielder. He played amazingly at the back end of last season with Gerrard! (such short memories!)

NEWS FLASH,,,
In the absence of SG, we are simply hoping coutinho and suarez beat teams on their own.
If we play lucus, henderson and allen in the same midfield top teams will BATTER us.
I will state we will not beat ANY team in the top 6 with these 3 playing.
I honestly expect us to drop like a stone over the next few weeks and if not busy in JAN window for AM we will continue to fade.
Not negative just honest. I will copy and paste this mail as and when required throughout the rest of the season.

{Ed007's Note - No you bloody won't.}

Dave, I hope your wrong mate.
We have a real test against some of the best teams in the league coming up.
I like a lot of followers/supporters of this site and our beloved team, feel that without Stevie we might be ok? We have been before in seasons gone by.
Give the youngsters a chance, we upped the tempo against west ham at the weekend when Stevie left the pitch, I'm not convinced these players can do it for 90 mins tho?
Time will tell.

09 Dec 2013 21:26:39
I expect Henderson is going to be playing as the goal-scoring midfielder as Gerrard was in his greatest years. All title winning coaches will tell you that a 15 goal-a-season midfielder is a massive help. The goals part isn't working just yet but I am sure that is BR's long term vision for Henderson especially as he frequently challenges him to take more shots and score more goals. If that doesn't happen we will see him fade into a squad player or more likely be moved on and replaced. At the moment he is playing every game because of his enthusiasm, energy, work rate, and quite frankly our lack of options. Wing-back won't happen because there is already Kelly and Flanagan and hopefully Montoya, agreeing a pre-contract with him would be excellent business.

Whats with all the hendo bashing on here the lad has well I woudnt call it a bad 1st season but yea we all expected abit more from him under kenny last season he was nearly on his way out the door with 4 million for dempsey what an insult that was, but he clawed his way back into the reckoning took his chances in the europa league an then come the end of the season he was playing brilliant scoring goals making assits. This season he's been one of our most consitant players being played out of postion do you hear him coming out an saying I want to play centre mid i'm not happy blah blah blah no he gets on with his job for the team he knows now after last season not being in the team that if he works hard does what the manager wants an most importantly learns from rodgers hel get his chance in the centre. His goal vs notts county in the league cup is what hendo can do he's got that drive to burst past people like stevie had he will end up in the centre an I do believe he will make it at Liverpool he myt not be a legend but he's the type of player every team needs.

09 Dec 2013 07:13:59
Hi fellow reds - now is the time to see what we are made of. A very tough schedule coming up and no Sturridge or Gerrard, certainly 2 of our better players.

Having not won an away league game since the end of September. things don't bode too well, and I for one am already feeling very nervous about our upcoming fixtures.

We need to do what Everton have done and get a couple of great away results to keep the pressure on, but for me, we are not a team that battles and harries like them - we are too lightweight for that kind of game, and not quite good enough yet to play teams like Arsenal at their own slick passing game, which was very clearly proven recently.

To be honest if we could somehow get 3-4 points from the next 3 away games, with 2 of our better players missing, I will be happy and somewhat relieved.

I hate feeling like this, but experience has taught me that we don't have a great record against the top teams away from home, so it makes for nail biting times.

I fear these pre-Christmas games will see us fall out of the top 4 leaving us with some work to do in the New Year.

Mind you, I always feel like this before most games because although we have done really well to be in second place right now, I always feel that we can be beaten by anyone. For me Liverpool are a side who can beat anyone on their day, but can also be beaten by anyone too.

Cheers for now.

KBL

What everton is doing actually is showing no fear regardless who they are playing. We need that bit of arrogance. That is what's lacking. BR seems that he still has that bit of insecurity about his tactics where as martinez seems confident at all times.
The nervousnous that always sits on BR's face seems to show in hour nervous defensive game in the 2nd half of games. and martinez's confidence shows in evertons play.

He is managing a bigger club

Have to agree in parts with both KBL and The Pirate.
I do think LFC have that aura about them for supporters that they will either turn up and play great or lose in a way that in no way can it seem possible that was the same team playing!
I also do think that Everton do have a little extra strength and confidence about them which we need to have without forcing it which sometimes I feel we do. I:E: looking so confident when we are playing well and have beaten teams by half time. However, when we really have to fight for scraps and are under it we sit more and more back generally and I lose nails and fingers!

That being said I think we will beat Everton and if we can get Sturridge and Gerrard back sooner than expected then I think we will do okay over new year period

I think we will get 22 ponits by time we finish our game with Swansea. but probably way out! :)

09 Dec 2013 03:02:09
Sterling was really good in the West Ham game. He was quite physical against Big guys in West Ham game.
He did miss 2 clear chances though. I feel he is lacking bit of confidence and if given a run of games I guess he will develop it soon.


Moses seems to be slow. He is better used as a Sub than a starting 11.

I Hope Flanagan keeps up his game against Kyle Walker and Townsend.

Would like to see more of Alberto. He looks good with ball. Hope he can be our Gerard Deulofeu.

With stevie out you could play aspas up top with suarez hendo right coutinho left

Flanagan is a no nonsense old skool full back. Hard in the tackle and has a good positional sense to his game. This will be needed against spuds tricky wingers