Liverpool Banter Archive July 09 2016

09 Jul 2016 22:02:44
Hello House and Editors, I am not sure this has been dealt with? But I wanted your thoughts on merging Melwood with the Academy, and it's effect on Liverpool club as a whole.

10 Jul 2016 07:10:47
A good idea in principle but extremely hard to find a viable site. Both Melwood and Kirkby are too small for both and to find land in Liverpool suitable at a good price is almost impossible.

10 Jul 2016 10:37:52
Kirkby site isn't too small.

10 Jul 2016 16:07:13
knock down Goodison.

09 Jul 2016 21:59:17
Just a quick opinion on Lucas Leiva I think might be appropriate right now.
Lucas was never my favourite player and I remember his press blurb when he joined as "attacking midfielder with a fantastic shot" which was just what we needed at the time.
He didn't settle quickly into this role.
Rafa stuck him as DM and he was utilised as such but without too much fanfare or approval.
The lad stuck at his role without rancour or complaint. He wasn't the best but was not the worst.
But over the years he's grown into the Club and become an ambassador and an important part of our recent history.
He's also a far, far better footballer than we give hime credit for.
It might be too late to guarantee Lucas a squad-role given we've targeted that as an area of concern but I'd hate to think we've lost a very decent Liverpool-loving man with a massive heart who did so much for our community.

09 Jul 2016 23:49:39
I've always been a fan of Lucas. He was always criticized by fans especially when times were tough and results were less than desirable. However, compare liverpool with and without (whether due to injury or team selection by a muppet) him in the team. He works tirelessly and for me is one of the best defensive mids in the game. When he sits in front of the back 4 he allows others to push forward due to the teams confidence in his ability to break up play, read opponent's passes and tackle. His biggest shortcoming is his pace. For me, he should be one of the first in the team.

09 Jul 2016 23:52:58
Lucas won over a majority of fans who never appreciated how hard the lad worked to fit into the team and to do what's best for the team. A good player and fantastic servant to the club.

10 Jul 2016 00:46:01
He should stay, lead the domestic cup runs and cover the prem.

10 Jul 2016 09:28:24
Lucas is a top lad. Ed once talked about how he broke down in tears after a game because the amount of abuse he got from some pathetic fans, crushed him emotionally. He is a far better man, with honor, decency and dignity, than he is a footballer and he's a very good footballer, no doubt. The way BR treated him and almost sent him packing from the club is some of the most disrespectful and disgraceful things BR ever did. Glad he didn't leave and is still here.

09 Jul 2016 15:23:11
On the subject of centre backs, who do you think is our best? Sakho is a beast, puts his body on the line and is a good passer, but seems to slip a lot and sometimes gets a little muddled. Lovren has improved greatly, makes a lot of sliding tackles, but it's really hard to gauge how good he actually is, considering who awful he was before this season. Confidence seems to be his key, the more he gets, hopefully can keep improving. Matip, not seen enough to make a fair judgement, looks decent on the ball, but considering he is going away for 6 weeks, I'd defo start with sakho and lovren, they have a basis to work off, and if they stay fit, hopefully can keep improving together, they seem to get along well.
Forgot about the acon, hope mane goes out early haha!

09 Jul 2016 15:53:14
Sakho is vastly superior to lovren. Sakho is a dominant defender with great passing ability. His passing often leads to attacking players being able to turn and run into space creating attacks from a single pass cutting through the opposition. Lovren is beyond mediocre. His performances slighly inproved under klopp but still he is nowhere near good enough if we want to challenge for silverware. His game is filled with such basic flaws and is often targeted by the opposition. I've seen Matip twice last season so I can't judge him fully.

09 Jul 2016 17:20:55
Both average really. Improved massively under Klopp though.

09 Jul 2016 16:39:48
Sahko, hands down. Any defender has a slip here and there so don't know why this is such a flaw as there is no such thing as a perfect defender.

09 Jul 2016 17:38:21
Do you think it'll be sakho and lovren then?

09 Jul 2016 17:46:32
Count how many slips sahko has through the season. I'l go for 10 plus. For the life of me don't know what folks see in him? I'm betting on Lovren getting first shout at partnering matip.

09 Jul 2016 18:51:45
Scouse john please just watch the home league match vs west ham before saying that. Lovren is nowhere near Sakho's level. Just stop, lovren typifies mediocrity.

09 Jul 2016 19:17:41
Your just here to make sure your name doesn't get trodden on and to be a troll.

Lovren was superb last season, absolutrly one of our two best defender hands down.

Cant really split them myself.

Both will improve even more with a comoetant gk and a more settled mid.

09 Jul 2016 19:24:36
Sacko is boss, well just watch sackos performance against watford as carra called it " the worse cb performance of the season, spurs at anfield, Newcastle away, just a few where he was muck, we have 3 cbs who've been at the back for last 2/ 3 seasons and we've shipped 50 odd goals each season, skertl sacko lovern, all bang average, matip will def play and I hope it's with another new cb if not lovern.

09 Jul 2016 20:14:34
Does any of the conceded goals get put down to mignolet.

Come on. How many have been his fault. And not just directly ie throwing to the opp striker, but just by being poor, saving ones that my nans nan could save. Yeah not even my nan my nans nan, that's how terrible he is and I dint know why he doesn't get slaughtered in here. Your all quick to slate hendo, lovren, sakho and barely anything about the worst Liverpool keeper ever.

09 Jul 2016 20:49:28
Think Westerveld comfortably takes that prize Paulo.

09 Jul 2016 20:50:59
I think centre backs work in pairs and so it's hard to judge individuals, however, I think Matip will prove to be a great signing.

09 Jul 2016 21:59:00
Lovren was poor under BR why I don't know but since JK come in one of the best in the league. I think sacko can be be brilliant at times then sometimes squirm at what he does. Unfortunately for sacko his partnership with DL was becoming the best in the prem before his ban.

09 Jul 2016 22:00:11
Westerveld was a good keeper when he first arrived. Was migs?

10 Jul 2016 07:30:45
Muck? Love to see the hate spewing as usual. Jc.

10 Jul 2016 10:41:09
Nothing worse than a kick to the 'sacko'.

09 Jul 2016 15:03:41
Hi eds

Read that Kloop wants to move the akademi closer to Melwood I have wondered the same earlier but do you think it is feasible?

{Ed001's Note - it really depends on what sites are available to develop. It might make more sense to move Melwood, if anything.}

09 Jul 2016 20:19:11
It has its pros and cons. Of course its great to get the academy players hunger up and bring on them, but it has a darker aide whice is it makes the academy players see all the fancy cars and money etc and the ones who don't make it can go down very bad routes ie drug dealing. There's a support group been set up my Michael kinsella which you might want to check, for footballers who haven't made it either injury, good enough etc and have gone down bad routes or to prevent them.

Its something not a lot of people think about ebcauze for that woodburn to come through makes all our days but he had an entire team around him who are either never making it, injured who go to the very bottom of the game. For sure some come back and do it but there needs to be more done for all academy players.

My view is there should be on site tutors, no real money until there 18, and if you want to give them good contrcts it goes into a savings account. Apprecriships, getting them a trade so if they don't make it where not just waving them goodbye and a good luck.

10 Jul 2016 01:43:42
I think it'd make less sense to move to Melwood. That would require knocking down heaps of surrounding residences.

09 Jul 2016 13:41:14
just hearing some of the reviews of the youth players coming through, it is hard to see them getting a shot with the amount of players coming through. I'd like to see a youth player on the bench most games and if we are winning, they can get 20 minutes, rather than Milner or lallana, would do the, a world of good getting real first team action. Also, like players like Kane and Flanagan, some may step up in the big games.

09 Jul 2016 13:18:48
LFC 2016 captain thoughts people I think were lacking a real skipper inspirational figure at the moment.

09 Jul 2016 13:38:04
That would be because he's been away with England.

09 Jul 2016 13:39:14
Yeah because he was injured. Hendo is the best captain material we have.

09 Jul 2016 13:42:27
Henderson for me.

09 Jul 2016 13:42:33
Henderson is our captain and I for one would have it remain that way. To be honest the more I read some of the messages on this board and on the LFC forums the more ashamed i become of the treatment of a player who has workee tirelessly for to get to were he is today and possesses qualities massively underated. Sometimes i think some of you should decide whether LFC is really the club for you.

09 Jul 2016 13:47:03
Agree, I think Henderson don't have leadership we need, he's given it a good shoot but we need a proper captain, fair play he gave I a good shoot but time for a change.

09 Jul 2016 14:01:40
Time for a change after one season when he was injured half the time and when playing carrying an injury? Yeah right.

09 Jul 2016 14:02:57
Think he's a sound captain he's fought his way to where he is and we always look a better side when he's playing, we may have won the league a few years ago if he hadn't been banned for the last few games, anyway that's my opinion an that's what makes the site so good the many different opinions from fellow reds an eds, I usually find myself agreeing with Ron an not agreeing with Harry. YNWA.

09 Jul 2016 14:42:13
If Henderson were to be stripped of captaincy, then assuming he stays, I think Lucas should be given it. If he leaves and Jordan is stripped, then perhaps Lovren.

But I don't see the need to strip Henderson, he's grown into the role as time has gone on.

09 Jul 2016 14:53:53
Henderson is a great captain in my opinion. He shows a lot of passion on the pitch and I think he is a great role model for some of the younger players in the squad. He isn't in the game for the fame and fortune, to me he seems like a man who just wants to play football to the best of his ability. I really think we are unbelievably lucky to have him.

Red Sandman.

09 Jul 2016 15:48:54
Problem is its already hendos, you can't take it away from the lad. But sakho would be awesome as captain for me.

09 Jul 2016 19:14:18
When u have so much controversy over henderson as captain, u know its a marginal choice.

09 Jul 2016 23:14:49
Re the controversy, my view is that's because we have had an inspirational (albeit flawed! ) captain for 10+ years before Hendo who often dragged the team to success singlehandedly.

Hendo has my full support. Just because he has had only one season, and that season was mediocre in the main by the whole team, is no reason to sack him.

Let's see how he copes over the next season or two with a decent manager and squad.

09 Jul 2016 23:40:17
Henderson is a natural leader, he captained all Sunderlands youth teams from a very early age and captained their first team in the PL at the age of 17/18.

10 Jul 2016 15:37:08
Henderson by a mile. Sakho as vice-captain perhaps?

09 Jul 2016 11:02:10
Liverpool have already received £4.5m from the sales of Jerome Sinclair{£4m}, Jordan Rossiter and Joao Teixeira{£250,000 each}. Martin Skrtel is expected to tie up a £5.5m deal to Fenerbache within the next couple of days which will bring Liverpools tally up to £10m. Sergio Canos is also on the verge of a £2.5m move to Norwich. Christian Benteke is subject of a £31.5m bid from Palace consisting of £27m up front and £4.5m in add ons. Joe Allen is expected to leave for around £10m with Swansea, Southampton, Sevilla and Leicester all interested. Luis Alberto is the more likely player to move to Sevilla though with the clubs already discussing a £7m move. Jordan Ibe is set to hold talks with Bournemouth after a £15m fee was agreed and I'm hearing this morning that Besiktas are interested in signing Lucas Leiva for around £8m{I'd prefer to keep him as back up}. Liverpool could potentially get another £10m from Balotelli, Ilori, Wisdom and Bogdan not to mention the wages they are saving from the likes of Kolo Toure and Jose Enrique. Liverpool should recoup £90m plus this summer and there's always the potential Markovic could leave as well depending on how preseason goes. I'm just wondering we've missed out on Zielinski over a difference of £2-3m and were also putting the Chilwell deal in danger by a similar amount, we've offered £7m and they want £10m. I get that you should always negotiate the best price but sometimes it's better to just get the deal done when we have so much cash coming in. It's good to get value with the likes of Karius, Matip and Grujic while sometimes you will have to pay slightly over the odds Mane for ex. but we need to sort deals sooner rather than later. We are again being linked with Camacho this morning, is this just rehashed paper talk ed? and have we got any other midfield targets? with Zielinski looking likely for Napoli and Dahoud saying he wants to continue his development at Monchengladbach.

09 Jul 2016 13:11:59
Ed0o2 always says its best to not qorry about fees. It just derails us.

09 Jul 2016 13:30:59
Just think about what you're saying, if we start matching whatever people want we'll end up paying too much for everyone, even if it is 'just' 2-3 million. If we think Chilwell is worth 7 million, tops were not gunna offer more without trying to get him cheaper. You pay what things are worth to you. Same with anything else.

09 Jul 2016 23:15:56
I got a great deal selling my car.

Doesn't mean I'm going to pay 25-50% above market value for my next one.

Think about it.

09 Jul 2016 10:05:08
So what's klopps signings so far since joining our club and how do u rate them?

09 Jul 2016 10:37:52
What? In that one game against Tranmere? Are you having a laugh.

09 Jul 2016 11:12:28
Well Mane is clearly the best player of all time now.

Matip makes Hyypia look small.

Karius? Could've sworn it was Clemence.

And Grujic? I didn't really notice him but sometimes for midfielders that is a good thing as he obviously didn't make any mistakes!

09 Jul 2016 11:54:18
You didn't notice Grujic MK because he wasn't in the squad and never made it onto the field. But as you said he didn't make many mistakes!

09 Jul 2016 12:06:31
Oh fruitba. *places face into palm*.

09 Jul 2016 12:16:08
I think MK was fishing, mate.

09 Jul 2016 12:16:32
Grujic isn't even in the country so you'd do well to notice him, he has to sort a work permit out.

09 Jul 2016 12:35:33
Irony? Haha.

09 Jul 2016 12:43:32
Ah MK I feel your pain. 🙈 can't cope with people. Let's hope it's a language barrier thing.

09 Jul 2016 12:56:29
Wow. It's the banter page lads. Think about it.

09 Jul 2016 12:58:03
What the hells wrong with asking how you rated the new signings? On a scale on one to ten would of been nice, but saying are you having a laugh is just being negative to my post, a lot of people like to know how well people perform for our club! Especially if I didn't get the chance to watch it. Thanks for your reply but genuine insight would be spot on cheers.

09 Jul 2016 13:13:58
William I think a lot of people also get an opinion of players and stick with it too. It was 45 mins of the first game back against Tranmere. It is almost pointless and very difficult to rate anyone. Karius had almost nothing to do. How do you rate a keeper who didn't have to make a save. Likewise Matip had very little defending to do. Mane showed some pace and small bit of link up play. Karius 6/ 10 Mario 7/ 10 mane 7/ 10. that better. Try not to pay much attention to media rating of players. I saw Rooney get 8 and 9 in a game for England at the euros. They are ridiculous.

09 Jul 2016 13:48:47
Thanks kop.

09 Jul 2016 09:10:09
Ed001, agree that the 3 signings have all been improvements to the starting lineup?

- Krishna.

{Ed001's Note - I have not seen enough of them to judge, other than Mane, who is clearly an improvement. However it is hard to see how Karius wearing ski shoes and his arms tied together could not be an improvement on Migs.}

09 Jul 2016 10:49:30
Karius was wearing ski shoes and had his hands tied together?!?!?

Wow, Klopp really likes to put his players through the paces in warm up matches!

😉.

09 Jul 2016 11:17:51
That's nothing Zed. Grujic was wearing Harry Potters invisibility cloak! Do you know how hard it is for your team mates to spot your runs in one of those things!

09 Jul 2016 11:41:19
Ed1 that comment about Migs tickled me, that's class.

09 Jul 2016 12:31:15
The ski shoes and tied hands stems from a Norwegian fetish party.

{Ed001's Note - it is Ed003's latest fad for his parties Davey, you must have been then?}

09 Jul 2016 17:14:46
I've only tried the Finnish 'hide the eel' party. Not in to the slalom skiing, if you catch my drift.

09 Jul 2016 08:59:41
Great news that Sakho is back. Let's hope he can press on for next season and be part of a much improved back line with our new additions of Matip, Karius (and hopefully a new LB) .

What's with a lot of guys on this site suggesting that Sakho should replace Hendo as captain though? How on earth did you suss out that Hendo isn't a good leader? Is it because his leadership stats on football manager and Fifa are as good as you like? He was clearly made captain for a reason and Klopp has been around long enough to determine who should be captain or not. So sit down, shut up and get behind the lad.

Red Sandman.

09 Jul 2016 10:46:14
I'm not disagreeing with you but was it not Rodgers that made him captain.

09 Jul 2016 11:05:41
Farno I'm not disagreeing with you but are you able to read?

09 Jul 2016 12:33:39
Me ma is made of better Captain material than Henderson.

09 Jul 2016 12:40:51
My bad just re read it there.

09 Jul 2016 12:48:08
Just out of curiousity Davey, what makes a good captain? What has Hendo done to prove (or maybe not done) to make you so convincingly think he is a poor captain?

09 Jul 2016 07:07:07
Neven Subotic to sign for 6m Euro's sounds like a bargain to me.

09 Jul 2016 07:13:07
Maybe before sakho was cleares but don't see it not kyself.

09 Jul 2016 08:00:13
While I see the sense of just going with 4 CBs, if we have a major injury we're left with Gomez as our only CB on the bench (assuming Illori and Wisdom move on) . I'd be in favour of bringing in Subotic and giving Gomez a chance to back up Clyne at RB and Flanno to cover LB.

{Ed001's Note - surely that is what we need to do with regards to Gomez? Or shall we just not give him a chance by buying 35 centre backs and destroy his career like we all complained Rodgers was doing to attacking midfielders?}

09 Jul 2016 08:37:03
3 internationals and Gomez as a fourth seems perfect to me for next season.

09 Jul 2016 08:48:40
I think Gomez should learn like carragher did play as a full back and progress to centre half this way firstly solves our left back problem snd he gains valuable experience. I personally would keep wisdom and ilori rather than buy which we don't need to do as only domestic cups this season.

09 Jul 2016 09:31:01
@Zimbo f we have a major injury then yea Gonez will be called on, if he's not even going to get a game then, what chance does he have of playing footbal next year?!

09 Jul 2016 10:51:52
Completely agree. These 4 are enough given the relative lack of games this season.

Ed001, who do we have left at the youth/ reserve level should we have an injury crisis? I'm assuming Ilori leaves.

Thanks

Z.

{Ed001's Note - off the top of my head I can't think who it the stand outs, but that shouldn't matter, buying just in case there might possibly be an injury crisis is pointless. Either use the academy or scrap it.}

09 Jul 2016 11:29:07
I stand corrected obviously its best to sit on the bench and watch. Lots of experience gained there. 3 disagrees!

09 Jul 2016 12:41:57
Personally I'd keep wisdom.

09 Jul 2016 13:00:19
Wisdom is awful mate. Gomez on the other hand. I want him knocking on the door for a starting place this season.
Sacky and Lovren are no Maldini, I think I he's good enough to break through should one of them or Matip fall out of form.

09 Jul 2016 15:02:02
My point was I'd like to see Gomez given time at FB rather than CB. I think we lack talented cover at FB and Gomez impressed me there, while I think stepping up in the PL at CB might be harder for such a young player. The lad is exceptional and deserves a solid crack, don't get me wrong.

09 Jul 2016 16:52:26
We have Flanno and Clyne on the right and Moreno and Chilwell coming in on the left or are those not enough cover, Zimbo?

10 Jul 2016 00:43:27
Look at John stones give a young player a chance and they can take there chance. Why can't Joe Gomez take his chance.

09 Jul 2016 03:35:59
So how the hell can Sakho fail a drugs test if the substance was not even on WADA's banned list? What an almighty screw up by UEFA.

09 Jul 2016 06:59:11
My initial understanding was that the drug Sakho consumed was *on* the list, but the club and Sakho were trying to squirm their way out of it because they argued that the drug is innocuous and shouldn't be on the list. But nope, it was the other way around. Liverpool lost arguably their best defender, and Sakho lost an opportunity to play in EL final, and at the Euros, all because of UEFA's baffling incompetence. How could they not be certain if the drug was on the prohibition list or not? Shouldn't there be some kind of database that can immediately give an answer? It's like a cop pulling you over for driving under the speed limit, because he thinks the speed limit should be lower than what it actually is.

What an embarrassing and unprofessional waste of time that was. Don't really care whether we pursue legal action or not. Is anything we'd get in compensation really worth it? I don't think so. Sakho can't get back that opportunity to play at the Euros, and Liverpool can't get back that opportunity to play him in the EL final.

Anyway, that Ejaria kid. I must say, I don't think I've ever seen his name mentioned on this site? I know it was Tranmere, but that kid seems to possess so much poise and talent on the ball! Mane also looked impressive, we've been sorely lacking a fast and direct winger who doesn't muck about.

09 Jul 2016 10:33:18
Niklas, agreed that Ejaria looks inpressive as a B2B midfielder. How old is he? 20? Would love to see brazilian kid Allan too but he is not on show.

09 Jul 2016 10:54:30
Allan can't get a work permit yet, so what's the point of playing him in a friendly if he can't be part of our plans this season?

Eds, if a player doesn't have a work permit, can they play in friendlies, or not in any games? I presume no games as they are still "working" whether the games are competitive or not, but I'm not sure.

Thanks

Z.

{Ed002's Note - They can play in friendly games.}

08 Jul 2016 23:47:32
Just to assure people. We have got a superb player in mane, some natural talent that boy. Not overating him from one game against Tranmere but his pace and movement will be superb next season.

Woodburn, future superstar.

Ejaria, ops arsenal. Is that your pogba moment, nah calm down Paulo but very well done.

First half team looks like first team and subs, second team looks future, sales and place earning team.

A Arnold looks great. Really chiffed.

First game back after summer and only firmino looked to have piled some on.

Lets Av ya Fleetwood haha.

{Ed003's Note - might be going to this I'll let you know they do :) }

09 Jul 2016 07:15:56
It will be tuf ed but we should have enough.

Can see woodburn starting over kent myself.