Liverpool Banter Archive July 09 2017

09 Jul 2017 22:04:56
Hi Eds 002.You mentioned earlier in one of your replies that Salah was third option. Obviously Brandt was first choice who was the second choice? I tried looking at your historical replies but couldn't see anything to answer my own question. If anyone else could let me know I'd be obliged. Thankyou all in advance.

{Ed002's Note - I understand that a very low offer was made for Keita Balde.}

09 Jul 2017 23:03:38
I'll be honest, I'm happy with Salah, he's a talented and hungry player.

10 Jul 2017 00:08:02
Agreed Hansens, he seems to be a genuine and passionate player as well, I think the lad will shine.

10 Jul 2017 00:25:04
Low offer for blade. omg these guys think that we are buying second hand cars.

10 Jul 2017 02:45:42
Ha ha! Another low offer. ROFL, Time to change our club and to Low offer FC!

10 Jul 2017 06:23:24
Perhaps you'd prefer LFC overpaid for players?

10 Jul 2017 07:39:40
There is overpaying ron and being disrespectful to other clubs with low ball offers. Start at a reasonable level to start the discussion/ negotiation not two bobs worth of lemon sherbert. I exaggerate obviously but if i remember it was a silly offer for him.

10 Jul 2017 08:05:15
Can't believe brendasoldteeth got 2 dislikes for this very reasonable question. the negativity from some of our fans is disgusting.

09 Jul 2017 21:23:30
Just wanted to ask, with the possibility of losing coutinho, apart from money why do we often sell our assets? cause if that happens fans are going to be pissed.

{Ed002's Note - You cannot keep adding players without others leaving. There are various reasons particular players leave.}

09 Jul 2017 23:35:48
it’s all money, football is a business more than a sport nowadays (has been for a while actually)

Although as Ed2 said there is various reasons.

Some cause too much trouble for the club/ bring it’s reputation down (Suarez)
Some don’t get along with the manager or staff (Sahko, Mascherano and kind of Alonso)
Some NEED to be moved to settle "the books" (Alonso again)
Most of them always leave for Barcalona/ Madrid because, it’s Barcelona/ Madird and if they come calling you are not going to say no. Although I hope to god Coutinho says no Barcelona though and I can’t see him going to PSG anyway.
Some in the past wanted to win trophies before they got past their prime and our "buy young and build for the future" style pissed them off (Torres, although the board basically forced him out and made him look like the bad guy)
Lastly it is because the Club is just stupid.

10 Jul 2017 02:42:41
No point in keeping an unhappy player. he's not going to play his heart out if he wants to be elsewhere.

10 Jul 2017 02:50:20
Coz we hardly win anything on the pitch forvall the talking we do. All these usual ". We have vastly improved. " ". Next year is our year. " sounds familiar and boring to players who have a very short playing career. So they tend to move to clubs who has a good chance of winning trophies!

09 Jul 2017 20:54:11
You don't actually think Couts will be sold. Would be impossible to replace.

09 Jul 2017 21:01:23
One of them isn't it, its that time of the year, stupid rumours going around but I wouldn't be surprised if he did go. Time will tell we'll just have to wait and see. I have everything crossed he doesn't go of course.

09 Jul 2017 21:32:26
He's going nowhere as he never even hinted at a move at all this summer.

09 Jul 2017 22:04:57
If Coutinho goes then who takes the hit on that. The owners or Klopp.

{Ed002's Note - Te players are simply transient members of the club - they come and go. Why are you so surprised there is interest in the player from elsewhere.}

10 Jul 2017 02:52:09
Klopp! 3rd year and 0 trophies.

{Ed001's Note - it is not 3rd year yet. It is still his second year.}

10 Jul 2017 05:53:42
Not surprised there's interest in Coutinho as he's a top player. Just think we need to hold onto our best players if we want to challenge.

10 Jul 2017 06:29:22
Pathetic post from "if you know me"

10 Jul 2017 09:06:46
Could of swore we won the wenger trophy this year?

09 Jul 2017 20:13:03
Ed 002, would love to know a little about your career. Sounds like it's taken you all over the world. Is that purely within football or have you been involved in different industries before that?

{Ed002's Note - Gentleman adventurer and rodeo clown.}

09 Jul 2017 21:02:09
See a pic I posted of ed02 on the sightings page recently.

09 Jul 2017 21:08:26
Gentleman Adventurer is a superb job title.

09 Jul 2017 23:05:20
You rode some clown and had an adventure with some gentleman?
Sordid affairs of the eds.

09 Jul 2017 23:05:51
Was your job as a window cleaner on a submarine between them two Ed002?

{Ed002's Note - I still do "other" stuff as well.}

09 Jul 2017 16:19:43
Hi ed,

Out of the 3 position which we are trying,
1.midfielder
2.defender cb
3.left back

Can u please tell us the who it might be other than vvd, keita and Robertson.

Looks like we might not get vvd and keita.

Getting concerned thinking klopp has messed up the transfers by putting word to press.

Thanks.

{Ed002's Note - Of course he messed it up - everybody knows that and he has changed his stance completely. There are no other players I am aware of at this moment in time that have not been mentioned here or on the Sharkopod. Asking over and over when the wiondow has only been open a week is beginning to piss the eds off.}

09 Jul 2017 16:26:46
Hi ed,

Sorry to piss you off.

Just worried with the way lfc and klopp has managed the transfer season.

Hence worried.

Hope we get players who suite our team.

Thanks as always.

{Ed002's Note - This would be the one week old window?}

09 Jul 2017 18:19:59
Lights on, doors open.

09 Jul 2017 18:22:56
It's definitely not deadline day, Jim White isn't on Sky TV fizzing at the bunghole.

09 Jul 2017 19:14:37
I think its a little quite because Klopp is as deluded as some fans in thinking we will still land VVD and Keita.

09 Jul 2017 19:37:03
It's quiet.
Maybe the administrators ARE listening to the fans because that's what we've been saying for the past few weeks. We are acting a little more professionally and media savvy.
Good, that's the way it should be.
Ed002 has kindly provided players of interest in posts and Sharkopod, it doesn't matter how many times we ask ed002, they are not going to make up names to satisfy our thirst for rumour.
Don't worry, Klopp will improve the team, have faith. 😎.

09 Jul 2017 19:47:05
Hey Ed002 it's interesting that you say that Klopp has changed his stance completely. Do you mean his approach to transfers and he's now keeping his mouth shut rather than using the press? Do you know if Klopps previous actions were confronted within the club? I'm just interested if the executive management of the club had the balls to address the issues with Klopp or not. Thanks in advance, appreciate all the great work you and the other eds are doing during the transfer madness!

{Ed002's Note - No, it didn't say taht. He has gone from saying he wanted everything done early and now is asking fans to wait as he cannot get those he wants.}

09 Jul 2017 20:24:42
I love Klopp and I trust him, but he needs to engage his brain before his mouth at times.

10 Jul 2017 00:38:00
I'd rather he waited, yes it's more ideal to have everyone in early but waiting to get the right players (and maybe trying to do It legally) is better than random players who are no improvement.

09 Jul 2017 15:50:55
Bit of a weird question Eds (or reds) . There is a thread on the others page dealing with employment law and it's relation to football.
But I was wondering what the 'transfer fee' for a player was actually for, I. e. Is it more like a purchase fee like a house? Or is it consideration for the selling club to do something like terminate the contract or give consent for the move. Or is it something completely different that is completely football/ sport specific?

Understand if you don't want or have time to get into this but thought I'd ask the question.

Cheers.

{Ed002's Note - It is for the transfer of the player's registration fr4om one club to another.}

09 Jul 2017 15:37:18
There a lot of post say that liverpool are willing to sell coutino to PSG FOR £80 million. If we keep selling our good player and replace with average one, we'll be fighting for top 4 every season. Are the romours fake news or is there truth to it.

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

09 Jul 2017 16:34:11
There is interest in the player mainly from Barcelona and PSG if they loose Verratti to Barca.

09 Jul 2017 18:34:51
(1) Like it or not, every player has a price.
(2) I imagine Coutinho has bigger ambitions than PSG, if it were Barca, I'd be worried.
(3) If he goes, make sure the money is used properly, not on mediocrity like we've done before.

09 Jul 2017 21:42:19
Ed02 has said months ago that Couts is open to the move to Barcelona and lately, that PSG is tracking him if they don't get their primary target. Now, does Couts want to kick up dust to make the move to Barca? I doubt it and IMO, he's not interested right now. PSG? They can take a hike.

As for selling our best players, that is a no-no if you want to build a team to challenge. People just see the money and think it will all be good. It won't. Look at our history of doing such a thing and let me know how that worked out. Also, Spurs tried that with the Bale money and that was a disaster as well. Keep your best players by signing other good players to play with them cos selling clubs will never b able to compete.

09 Jul 2017 22:35:10
What you have to remeber Noah is if you are buying a "spanish speaking player" like brazilian argentiniun etc they will want to play for Barcelona or real, just like germans want to play for bayern. Its not rocket science. Eventually he will leave just like suarez. One of the many reasons british players are so expensive as they want to play for the best british teams.

09 Jul 2017 23:34:21
Brazilians speak Portuguese.

09 Jul 2017 12:00:42
Hi Ed 2, as an erudite gentleman I wondered how you view the obsessive nature of fans regarding transfers, and how this might effect football going forward.

Specifically, how many supporters seem unreasonably worried about being 'left behind' by rivals and as such demand exorbitant player purchases to ease their own insecurity - axiomatically revealed by the incessant repetitious questions to the Editors on here.

To my mind this psychological phenomena runs a close parallel to economic boom and bust, such as Tulip mania for example, and how it demonstrates a collective irrationality driven by feelings of 'missing out'.

Do you ever envisage therefore that football could be heading on the trajectory of economic collapse precipitated by irrational demands of fans?

Thanks in advance Ed 2.

{Ed002's Note - Clubs should ignore the fans desires for marquee signings, but some do just buy players to placate the fans who need their predicatory pleadings responded to. The FFP rules were put in place to try and protect clubs from making commitments that they cannot meet but in England the additional TV income means that clubs can afford to pay more, over the odds, whatever. And boy others will milk it.}

09 Jul 2017 15:48:03
I appreciate you taking the time to reply Ed 2, Happy trails.

09 Jul 2017 12:03:55
Anyone else excited that the season starts soon? I really can't wait and here's why.
Reasons to be cheerful:

1) The team is still on an upwards curve. Does anyone else remember the first few months of the 2015/ 6 season? In the 20 months Klopp has been here we have seen vast improvements in the football. Ok we need to win something this season but at least we look like winning something. We are competing again. Klopp has had us in a domestic cup final, a European cup final and had us top of the league in January eventually finishing in the top 4. Believe it or not it's only the second time we've finished in the top 4 in 8 seasons. We play entertaining attacking football and on our day we can beat anyone. The team is improving on all fronts.
2) Champions league is back at Anfield! Well we have to play a qualifier first and that won't be easy but Klopp knows European football and I'll back him to do well. I actually think Klopp will surprise a few people in this competition. Compared to the ill-fated Rodgers campaign this will feel like LFC are BACK!

3) Salah, Mane, Coutinho, Firmino,

09 Jul 2017 12:18:28
Now this is the type of post I like to see, nice one Ron, a breath of fresh air reading that, couldn't be more correct. I'm always excited about the season ahead but this one especially, Klopp knows what he's doing and we need to trust him, he will take us far, I'm almost certain of it.

09 Jul 2017 12:35:24
We need to sort the defence. Without that nothing has changed. We will get eaten alive with our back 4 as it is at the minute.

We need better players to compete on all fronts. We struggled last year with a few injuries when our bench looked weak.

We still need to work out how to beat the "lesser" teams. No point beating Man City then getting beat by Bournemouth.

Still plenty of work to do in my opinion. Far from the finished article.

09 Jul 2017 13:04:13
I think we're soft in the middle, both in midfield and defence and we need more grit than what we've got as it was shown time and again last season to be well short of the quality needed. Salah and Solanke are very good signings. Robertson will be an ok signing as he is an upgrade on Moreno. Ox and either of Mammana or Koulibaly would be terrible, necause they don't address the problems in the starting line up, either in centre midfield or the centre of defence as Ox isn't and never will be a player who can play centre midfield and Mammana and Koulibaly are both the wrong players, either for the physical nature of our league (in Mammana's case) or for the type of football we play (Koulibaly's case) . So I am concerned that the likes of City, United, Spurs and Chelsea are all more capable than we are and have better starting line ups.

09 Jul 2017 14:19:43
Too right Rover, Lovren as our starting CB means we're in the exact same situation as last year. Positivity is all well and good but if we don't address our key issues prepare for that optimism to come back to bite you. I'm not being negative as I believe we really could push for the title with the right additions but so far we've gone to extreme lengths to mess it up for ourselves.

09 Jul 2017 14:40:48
Firmino, Coutinho, Sturridge, Mane, Salah and Lallana as our main attacking options. The fans were looking for depth and it looks like we've got it going in attack, we're in desperate need of defensive recruits, but it's still early in the window. Feeling very optimistic too Ron :) .

{Ed002's Note - Plus Ings, Origi, Solanke, Ojo - and whatch out for Rhian Brewster. He was very well thought of in London and perhaps he will get a little look in later in the year.}

09 Jul 2017 14:49:18
With better fullbacks and a midfielder who protects the centre backs will improve the defence considerably.

09 Jul 2017 15:55:53
Agree lots to feel optimistic about but also ehco our defence needs a strong leader to be real contenders for both dometically and in Europe.

09 Jul 2017 11:33:16
Eds,

Sorry for the 'is such and such a player an option',

.....

{Ed002's Note - Why ask then?}

09 Jul 2017 11:24:30
Lads, I seen a post on twitter earlier regarding a melwood insider reportedly leaking that Liverpool are preparing a signing that will "blow away" fans (possibly rubbish) . I know it's unlikely, and you're all sick to death of answering VVD questions but surely in terms of "blowing us away" and after the circumstances with this deal in the past, surely this must be referring to Van Dijk as there's no one else with such a high stature rumoured to be linked with us; also considering that he apparently wants the Liverpool move desperately and will hand in a transfer request to do so. Thanks guys.

{Ed002's Note - Read the posts, use the search engine.}

09 Jul 2017 11:37:06
I stopped reading at 'I seen a post on twitter'

09 Jul 2017 12:24:11
I did the exact same.

09 Jul 2017 12:44:56
Conducting a proper legal transfer move from start to finish will blow most away.

09 Jul 2017 14:56:19
Sound.

09 Jul 2017 10:27:26
Hello Eds,

Are we interested in Lefty McLeftback, for the LB position?

09 Jul 2017 11:14:36
I reckon we should tap up Jezza Corbyn. About as far left as you can get and always on the defensive. Could be a masterstroke. Plus he is a nice guy and counts towards the home grown quota.

09 Jul 2017 11:32:30
Andrew Robertson is your left back mate! Get used to it and stop throwing random names!

09 Jul 2017 12:41:46
Random names. paaahahahahaha.

09 Jul 2017 13:26:30
Lol Harry mate re read. - post of the day that one Hahaha!

09 Jul 2017 20:30:20
Absolutely priceless ha ha ha ha.

09 Jul 2017 09:30:46
Everyone banging on about VVD, Keita and Robertson. Apart from Robertson do Liverpool have any other genuine targets? Ones that have not been tapped up!

09 Jul 2017 09:43:12
It doesn't seem like it Jim.

09 Jul 2017 09:58:29
Oxlade Chamberlain and Robertson seem like the two most likely right now in my opinion. Then possibly Koulibaly if we up our bid and stop low balling Napoli, or Mammana if we push it.

I actually think those 3 might even conclude our summer business if they happen. I doubt there is an alternative to Keita. I think he was more of a chance target than anything else.

09 Jul 2017 10:12:16
Oxlade and either of Koulibaly or Mammana would be terrible signings. We'd be better off not wasting the money.

09 Jul 2017 10:19:53
I personally wouldn't say no to us signing Mammana.

09 Jul 2017 10:29:10
We'd be better off signing ya mama than Mammana teabag.

09 Jul 2017 10:36:18
Keita and VVD were dragged through the press, the fact that we aren't hearing anything, for me, is a good thing as we might actually be trying to act through the proper channels. So let's just wait and see what happens and can we please stop saying that x player will be a terrible signing, have we not learnt our lesson with wiji and mane? Give em a chance!

As long as the club buy a decent left back, any other business is a bonus.

{Ed002's Note - They were raised in the press as they were two of the four players that Klopp briefed the press about so they could be unsettled and he could get all of his summer targets.}

09 Jul 2017 10:38:28
Spurs have interest in Mammana not us as ed has explained.

09 Jul 2017 10:47:20
I'm just forming an educated opinion based on what the Ed's have said.

Robertson is the main left back target right now.

Klopp likes Chamberlain, and Chamberlain wants to come to us.

We bid for Koulibaly as a VVD alternative, but the offer was too low.

We may show interest in Mammana which could lead to a bid. Though common sense dictates that this would be a Koulibaly alternative

Don't shoot the messenger. I'm just not delusional enough to still be banging on every day about deals which aren't happening without a massive change in circumstance. The OP asked a question and I answered it.

09 Jul 2017 10:58:05
There are very good reasons to be worried about signing Mammana, he doesn't speak a word of English, (he barely speaks French and he's been there a year), he's poor in the air, he's not particularly tall for a centre half and he's not physically strong or an imposing player, whereas he'd be fine in Spain, he'd get a battering here in the premier league as he'd be dominated pretty much every game, Benteke, Costa and Lukaku would make mincemeat of him.

09 Jul 2017 11:03:20
I know Ed, which I still think was a massively stupid thing to do by the club and Klopp. I just hope the somewhat quieter noise from the press is the club trying to do things properly.

MK can't argue with that summary.

And thanks ed's for the effort you put in on these pages, it's the only site I trust for what is really going on behind the scenes.

{Ed002's Note - Thanks.}

09 Jul 2017 11:03:30
Hansens - Hahaha good luck with that mate lol

MK - That's what I'm thinking, I seem to remember a lot of people moaning about how much we paid for Mane when he signed, how wrong was they. Klopp has an eye for it in my opinion, I trust him. Though we may not always agree on what he wants, I still trust him. He's building a team and fans will never be happy with every aspect of what's going on but that's football.
Good post mate, says everything briefly in one.

09 Jul 2017 11:32:39
Exactly Teabag. When we signed Klopp everyone was excited about his ability to pluck players out of nowhere and make them great. Now he is trying to do it and we are moaning about it! Robertson and Ox are two very coachable players with good raw talent. I say we see what Klopp can do with them first before writing them off.

You still need a balance though so I expect one major signing with more experience to walk straight into the first team. It looks like it could be Koulibaly, or a very slim chance of VVD if there is a massive change in that situation. I would actually prefer Koulibaly anyway but i accept that things could change very quickly in football.

Either way, I am happy if our summer business closes out with Koulibaly, Robertson, Ox, Salah, and Solanke. It'll be nice if Klopp continues to make minimal changes and builds a team. Sick of transition personally. Not sure why some are so keen in shredding up a team which looked like title challengers before we lost Mane's pace for pretty much the second half of the season. That issue has already been resolved with the signing of Salah, and we are holding on to Coutinho from the looks of it, so anything else is a bonus in my opinion!

09 Jul 2017 11:36:55
Robertson is your left back and I would urge the fans to suck it up and move on! We are not buying any 'Mendy's or Bertrand. Milner and Robertson will be rotated.

Kieta is the player Klopp wants and I expect the the club to make a serious attempt to sign him. There are no like to okke alternatives. Klopp likes Ox but he is no CM which means we are buying a player for RW ( dumb idea imo ) .

Klopp would prefer VVD over anyone and we could juts speculate at this moment!

It's 3 signings! And then outgojngs!

09 Jul 2017 11:56:21
Couldn't agree more MK mate totally correct Koulibaly I'd also prefer over VVD, this VVD saga is at the back of my mind personally because I think we're clever enough not to go for him (or one would hope) .

I agree with you Harry on Robertson, he will be signed. Keita I don't think will be. Which I'm not too fussed about to be fair.

Speaking of outgoings, will be interesting to see who we get rid of. Markovich and Sakho are key players to offload first. Recently we seem to have a lot of interest in Sakho, if we can pull of getting 30 mil for him it's a good bit of business.

09 Jul 2017 12:13:38
Has anyone actually watched Koulibaly for a full match rather than YouTube highlights? Bambi on ice with the turning circle of the QE2 is a reasonable description. Seriously give him a watch, add to that he's about the same as Sakho with the ball at his feet which at the best of times is a scary though. Then factor in negotiating with Napoli, which is almost impossible as they want well over £50m and it makes it something to steal well clear of. Ask yourself why Chelsea didn't go back to Napoli? Although I'm not convinced 100% by Robertson, I am sure that he's an upgrade on Moreno. As for Oxlade, he's another in a long line of Arsenal failures and is not worth a place in our squad, certainly not for £25m.

09 Jul 2017 12:30:57
How can you say he isn't as good as Gerrard when Gerrard has finished his career and Ox is just starting? You are judging a young Ox against the best Gerrard you can remember. Might as well judge Dom Solanke now against Ian Rush.

At 23/ 24 Steven Gerrard played 46 games, scoring 6 and assisting 1. Booked 2 times.

At 23/ 24 the Ox has just played 45 games, scored 6 and assisted 11. Booked 2 times.

So contrary to your blinkered belief, they are on a very similar level at the same age, except that Ox creates far more goals. Take those very basic stats with a pinch of salt. I don't see Ox getting to Gerrard's peak level personally, but to insinuate he is not even close and has no chance is just nonsense.

Let go of his Gerrard comments. You have no idea how he meant them. Perhaps he just wants to win European trophies, perhaps he wants to play behind the striker, or perhaps he just wants to play fir Liverpool! So stop twisting it to create a pointless argument. Who cares if he is the next Gerrard. The fact is, he is clearly at a similar level to Gerrard at the same age, and yes Gerrard's career sky rocketed and Ox's might not, but so what? He is already a decent player anyway. He created more goals than Keita last season, so draw your own conclusions from that.

09 Jul 2017 12:32:09
I don't rate Koulibaly. He is terrible on the ball and a just a stopper! I can't believe they value him at £50 mill. He is a carbon copy of Sakho! I have seen him plenty for Napoli! He was schooled for good playing high line!

09 Jul 2017 13:01:17
Maybe we need a stopper? Isn't it a bit ridiculous that we signed Matip because he can play ball, signed Lovren because he can play ball, signed Klavan because he can play ball, signed Gomez because he can play ball etc. Sakho was even pretty good on the ball. Maybe a big brute of a defender is what we need? Somebody who wants to first and foremost win the ball back, and play football after. All opinions, but I am sick of ball playing centre backs to be honest. What the hell happened to players like Vidic, Hyypia, Adams, Keown, Carragher, Terry, Carvalho, Stam etc. You know, players from the era when English teams won European trophies?

Or perhaps you think the likes of Mustafi, Stones, Vertonghen, Matip, Van Dijk etc are better because they can play?

I like the idea of having a guy who can play out from the back. Matip is quite capable. However I also think you need an all out defender next to them to compliment them. Van Dijk and Matip wouldn't work as well as Matip and Koulibaly in my opinion. Perhaps I'm wrong though.

09 Jul 2017 13:05:40
Koulibaly is an improvement on Lovren. He is a good player imo. We had a low bid rejected. I guess we might go back in.

09 Jul 2017 13:31:13
MK I can say that very easily, at the same age, Gerrard was an accomplished centre midfielder and had been a regular in that position for a couple of years competing week in week out, Oxlade has been a very average premier league winger and looked well out of his depth in centre midfield when played there, so it's impossible to compare their output in terms of goals and assists, given that Oxlade has played the majority of his time further up the pitch. What I can compare is their ability to function in the middle of the pitch, which isn't as tangible as goals and assists, Gerrard was alert to danger, could tackle, had a good range of passing, had awareness and vision as well as good long range shooting and dead ball skills, none of which Oxlade has. His Gerrard comments are out there and have to be considered, he sees himself as an all action centre midfielder, which the evidence shows that he isn't and never will be, because he lacks the intelligence and all round game and passing range to play there . The game against Bayern and the England game against France showed how out of his depth he is. If he wants to play for Liverpool, good for him, but I expect that everyone on this site wants to as well. However that's not a reason to sign him, enthusiasm will only take him so far, regrettably he doesn't have the talent to take him the rest of the way, his time at Arsenal has shown that.

As for your comments on defenders, Carvalho was very much a ball playing centre half and Hyypia and Vidic were certainly more than just lumpen header's of a ball as they could play the ball. Whereas we need some steel, Koulibaly simply isn't a footballer, and I think it would at least be good to have one of those.

09 Jul 2017 13:51:43
We do need a stopper, Koulibaly is the perfect fit.

09 Jul 2017 18:39:37
Teabag, I urge you to watch more than YouTube highlights. He's lumpen, has the turning circle of the QE2, is slow at accelerating to catch up with attacking players, he's rash in the challenge and he's terrible with the ball at his feet. He is good in the air and he's very physical and nothing more, but he's not a footballer, that's for sure.

09 Jul 2017 09:17:02
New poster with some thoughts.

1st, with Ross Barkley and The Ox both in a similiar situations, do you think that perhaps Wenger is thinking about letting Ox come to us and replacing him with Barkley? Both similar players and both going to be worth about the same. Ronald Koeman seems to have confirmed that he'll let Barkley leave and perhaps Wenger would take advantage. if that happened, Who's getting the better end of that deal, us or arse? Who's better, the Ox or Barkley?

2nd, regarding the ongoing leftback debate. Do you think that perhaps Klopp is considering looking at the options already at the club rather than sign anyone? The only player that has really been linked is Robertson from Hull and as a cheap option you would thought that he would have been snapped up already if he really was 1st choice, makes me think that perhaps he'll give Flanagan the chance to impress? The flanagan of a couple yearrs ago would have been the perfect Klopp player! Or with TAA signing another contract, perhaps he can have a pop at LB? I was also really impressed with Gomez when he played there. Unless we can sign a very high-quality player, perhaps we'll try and use what we already have? I'd be chuffed if we managed to have Flanagan at LB and TAA RB and they both showed abit of quality.

Would be interested to hear some opinions on these.

09 Jul 2017 09:26:34
The Ox and Barkley are equally as poor as each other and I wouldn't want either of them in a position as crucial as centre midfield, neither of them have a brain cell to rub together between them and have done nothing to suggest that there is a top class footballer within them.

09 Jul 2017 10:07:03
I reckon if we can convince Ox to join and be happy with a bench role at the start at least he would be a good option. Option for CM in cup games and off the bench, and could also fill in as a good bench option for Salah and Mane on the wings. He's not world class no, but a better option than Woodburn, Ojo, Stewart in my opinion. Maybe Klopp will improve him abit also.

09 Jul 2017 10:10:22
I think the Ox and Barkley are pretty evenly matched. Both quite quick and strong, Both like to run at people, both have good delivery from wide areas, both can see a pass in behind etc. They are perfect for fast paced attacking football.

However they both need to score more goals to ever be top class. Barkley is also far too aggressive and needs to keep a lid on it or he'll start getting picked up on his reckless late tackles that have become a feature to his game. What he has that Ox doesn't though is a very good set piece delivery and a better injury record. That being said, the Ox has far more experience at the highest level of the game.

Neither player belong in a central role though. At best off the side of a midfield 3 they could work, or in a position just behind the forwards. They are both poor positionally though so cannot be trusted in a true midfield role.

They aren't as terrible as some people would have you believe though. They are good players still improving every season, who due to the British factor, are probably worth £25-30m in todays market. I think us and Arsenal would both be getting good deals. Sometimes, players can go a little stale at the same club and need a move to reinvigorate themselves and their game. There will always be the polarised opinions on here spanning from "world class" to "bang average". The truth is normally somewhere in the middle though mate.

09 Jul 2017 10:14:33
Thing is though George, rather delusionally, Oxlade actually thinks he's good enough to be a starting centre midfielder, did you not hear his Gerrard remark? Stick him in the middle in any games and you can expect to be beaten.

09 Jul 2017 10:41:30
I must have missed the Gerrard who played in midfield then? The Gerrard I saw from 2005-2012 (all of his prime years and undoubtedly the Gerrard Ox is referring to) played either on the right wing or behind the striker as an attacking midfielder. Yet the midfield role you are talking about seems to require defensive positioning?

When someone says they want to emulate Gerrard, they are not talking about the headless chicken kid or the past it deep lying playmaker shoehorned into the team. They are talking about the Gerrard who was arguably the best attacking midfielder in world football at his absolute peak. Chamberlain doesn't want to play a deep role. He just wants to play and I think a) you have read far too much into his comments about his boyhood hero and b) Brendan has done exactly what I said he would at the time, and tainted peoples memories of Steven Gerrard as a player. Forget the average defensive midfielder BR made him into. Gerrard was an attacking midfielder and a damn good one. That is the player that Ox wants to be. There is nothing wrong with ambition.

09 Jul 2017 10:59:49
Agree with MK. Oxlade could be a decent acquisition if played correctly. He doesn't think he is Steve Gerrard but that is the level he wants to reach. THrow in the fact that he would be happy to play for Liverpool. Bring him in, Jurgo.

09 Jul 2017 11:19:01
Ox doesn't have the ability to replicate what Gerrard was at his peak, he simply lacks the intelligence. He can fulfil his dreams of being Gerrard elsewhere, we're Liverpool Football Club, not the 'make-a-wish' foundation. Oxlade lacks the final ball, long range shooting and the guile that Gerrard had. You cannot coach that into a player. I agree that Gerrard at his peak was the best attacking centre midfielder of his time, but Oxlade will never be that good. He's mediocrity personified at very best.

09 Jul 2017 11:39:15
Tell me MK, since you are all over OX. Why would Arsenal sell such a talented youngster? They around drive him to melwood at £30 mill!

09 Jul 2017 11:57:33
They don't want to sell him Harry. They have offered him a new contract but he is refusing to sign and wants to leave.

There really is no need to make things up, is there?

09 Jul 2017 12:15:18
Correction MK. They don't want to sell to another PL club. They haven't bust a gut to offer him a new contract and would be happy to sell him abroad. The fact that they would be happy for him to leave on a free transfer tells its own story.

09 Jul 2017 12:34:24
Correction MK.

They don't want him to offer any regular game time nor a place in heart of midfield hence he is stalling his contract. Offer both and he will sign for any club let alone Liverpool. He is not good enough to play in the middle, Wenger knows it You don't know and I hope Klopp knows it!

If went have learned anything from James Milner the. We will not sign another James Milner!

09 Jul 2017 18:46:09
He's no better than Andros Townsend, and no one would sensibly spend £25m on him.

09 Jul 2017 18:47:31
To be fair to Milner, he's played left back competently without fuss. The same cannot be said about Oxlade.

09 Jul 2017 08:30:16
Eds. Just a quick note to say thanks - I love this site - and have a great Sunday!

{Ed025's Note - cheers mate..you too..

09 Jul 2017 07:17:56
Good morning,
Read this morning that LfC has been offered the chance to sign James Rodrriguez. I love the player so much but I don't see where he fits into our formation.

What do u guys think.

09 Jul 2017 07:28:20
Not going to happen.

09 Jul 2017 07:33:01
Not going to happen.

09 Jul 2017 07:46:56
Not going to happen.

09 Jul 2017 07:54:15
I reckon he'll end up at Chelsea, thank god.

09 Jul 2017 08:48:03
Never seen the hype around him, he was bought after World Cup fever and was a very expensive mistake for RM to make! Looks the type of player who would be happy to pick up HUGE wages in China!

09 Jul 2017 09:34:36
Very true Welsh.

09 Jul 2017 09:12:30
He is a poor man's Hatem Ben Arfa who thinks he's Messi.

No thanks!

09 Jul 2017 09:12:30
He is a poor man's Hatem Ben Arfa who thinks he's Messi.

No thanks!

09 Jul 2017 11:23:37
I think he's headed to China as well. He'll demand as much as Messi out there and probably get it too.

09 Jul 2017 14:22:42
I had the same comparison in mind RedDawn.

09 Jul 2017 00:26:49
Ed002, i still want to be satisfy with fsg stand when it comes to lfc. You had mentioned that lfc is just an item in fsg investment portfolio. Means they have less or no time in vetting the people who they trusted to run the club in daily dealings? And don't you think it can be one of the reason lfc is in repetitive embarrassment and failure. And if i am right, it was mooted here that fsg will sell up at some point, when the everbright interest crop up, if that really the intention, how serious do they have on field success at lfc as it is apparent that lfc has grown as a brand with less debts in their 7yrs ownership?
To your opinion, what suggestion will make to stop this fiasco and to make lfc effective on and off the field?

{Ed002's Note - They are an investment business and LFC is an investment. They will make the efforts to see it is properly run and the value increases - it is good business to do that. Right now the GBP is worth zip so it is not a good time to sell - it is a good time to buy. There will always be interest or the option of institutional ownership through floatation in the Far East.}

09 Jul 2017 07:19:47
I believe the only way Liverpool will stop being made fools of is to appoint a proper and experienced Director of Football. Gerard Houllier?

That way only one person makes the footballing decisions from top to bottom.

At this point, probably even the cleaning lady is sitting in player negotiations. That is how badly the club is being run on the footballing front.

FSG have a very good financial brain and have grown Liverpool to become a financial powerhouse in a very short space of time but know bugger all about football so it is high time they bring somebody in who can lead the club instead of leaving leadership to more than one person.

Too many cooks have spoiled the broth.