03 Sep 2016 09:53:43
Just touching base re the Klopp debate a few days ago specifically with my mate Waro. Yes I hear everything you say there Waro. A mate mentioned that there was in fact other "behind the scenes" issues with the Chilwell deal, which I doubt could be posted on here. With that in mind and given the owners transfer criteria, it looks as though there were few options for bringing in a left back.

Offensively we look good. I said to my mate in the summer after bringing in Mane, we replace Moreno and bring in a good DM in the mould of Gary Medel and we're in business. It hasn't happened and its left me feeling frustrated. As much as I like Klopp I still feel he has blind spots, but unless we're winning everything, I'll find flaws, that's just me. Although we won the game, I feel he got the starting 11 against Dortmund at home wrong and he didn't react to the Seville changes second half in the final. The 433 he opts for here and there is still vulnerable to the 'bus parking' counter brigade and I just hope he addresses this. If, in these 20-30 min spells when we're capable of smashing teams, he then changes and adapts to suit then I think he could take us to glory again. As things stand at this moment in time though, the jury's out for me on his defencive philosophy. Yes I like the look of the new keeper and the centre half from Augsburg but at a glance I'm not sure Matip will cut it, there's a problem with playing either Can or Hendo holding (Stewart's the only lad suited to the role) and the left back situations a shambles. Personally I would've liked to have seen Rossiter and Flanno named in the squad.

{Ed002's Note - Klopp has been digging himself a hole recently with his screwing around blocking Balotelli's move (there needed to be intervention to make it happen) and over another recent matter that involved him talking when he shouldn't have been - and that has caused great embarrassment to the club. No doubt he will soon become embroiled in a spat with Mino Raiola who is making it clear to anyone in the media who will listen that he sees Klopp as unprofessional.}

1.) 03 Sep 2016
03 Sep 2016 11:26:37
Isnt that unprofessional of Raiola?

{Ed002's Note - Mino don't see it that way, and neither do the club according to him.}

2.) 03 Sep 2016
03 Sep 2016 12:25:16
If new owners come in klopp won't last 2 mins.

3.) 03 Sep 2016
03 Sep 2016 12:32:22
What club ed.

{Ed002's Note - Liverpool.}

4.) 03 Sep 2016
03 Sep 2016 12:59:47
My O My. Seems the honeymoon is truly over for Mr. Klopp. I'd say he's finally arrived in the "hotseat" which is any EPL manager's position. But I trust him and he'll navigate his way through. In the end, it's the results on the field that really matter and count, and I hope those start coming up only roses.

5.) 03 Sep 2016
03 Sep 2016 13:15:47
Mattaldinho - You have any idea what severance pay would be like for "new owners" to pay on a 6 year contract? Good thing you don't manage the "new owners" money.

6.) 03 Sep 2016
03 Sep 2016 13:25:38
Ed002 - 2 questions if you don't mind. 1) If it's okay to discuss it in the public domain, why would Klopp attempt to block Balotelli's transfer if he clearly wanted him gone from LFC? 2) Why did LFC not try to loan Balotelli out (and collect a loan fee) for his final season with us? Is it because nobody was willing to pay his full wages on loan, and consequently us paying him any wages would have been higher than any loan fee received?

{Ed002's Note - (a) Klopp can be difficult and his man-management skills leave a lot to be desired. (b) And end up paying his wages? Klopp had already made it clear in the public domain that he needed to move on - they would have stood a chance if he kept quiet about it - it has been done to death).

7.) 03 Sep 2016
03 Sep 2016 13:35:45
There will likely be no new owners, only a new minority shareholder. Yes minority. This means they do not call the shots on ANYTHING at all, only contribute an opinion. The will not be big enough of a shareholder to command a majority of the board.

They will not be firing anyone unless FSG actually agrees.

8.) 03 Sep 2016
03 Sep 2016 13:40:29
Well it was the owner who thought balotelli was a 50mil mil player so they would.

9.) 03 Sep 2016
03 Sep 2016 13:46:37
Yes my mate who knows people who work at the club has said similar to be honest Ed002. Various things said but 'unprofessional' seems to be a theme in certain quarters of his management. However, could this be merely differences in perception. One mans view of ways to get the best out of resources may not be the same as another's. Regarding Ballotelli Ed002, he deserves everything he gets and if Klopps stance sends a signal to such upstarts then I welcome it. In essence I'd rather have a manager who manages rather than a manager who wants to be the players mates. My over ridding concern with Klopp just now is what I see as flaws in the squad and potentially his footballing philosophy, although I'm with Waro and Ed001 in terms of giving him at least 3 years during which time I hope he proves to the contrary. Yes I'd say Klavans an upgrade on Skrtle and the keeper an improvement on Mig but to stick with a car crash in Moreno and rely on a right winger to play left backs a big no no for me. This should've been addressed as if you take the pace out the team (Mane) we're into this fatal 433 (the most frustrating modern day academic system I've ever had the misfortune of observing) .

In no doubt Klopp has improved players, Lovren, Stewart, Origi and Can. Gruic for me looks quality, Manes class, the nucleus is there, it just frustrates me as there's always something missing. He's endeavoured to strengthen at centre half (not sure on Matip but time will tell) Klavan and Lovren look a decent partnership as long as Klavans not doubling up having to cover left back because of Morenos shortcomings but to over look left back with a car crash like Moreno to me's just criminal and will cost us dearly again this season.

10.) 03 Sep 2016
03 Sep 2016 13:50:35
Okay, thanks Ed002. Appreciated.

11.) 03 Sep 2016
03 Sep 2016 14:42:30
Ozone, I have been saying the same thing about our defense, the left back position has been a major weak spot for far too long, I do rate the young goalie, but it will take a season or two before he is highly rated, I do rate Matip, I like the way he brings the ball out when he can, I think Sturridge will shine in the home games, lots of chances, but not sure on his work rate which Klopp wants,
the fact that he didn't bring in a Left Back, will hit him hard, when/ if we miss out on top four, the fans will slowly turn on him, so much is expected this season, with a lot less games,
I still think we will finish 5th or 6th, too many teams have a better squad than us, take out Mane, and play like we did against Burnley, and let in goals from the full back area, and Klopp will be under so much pressure .

12.) 03 Sep 2016
03 Sep 2016 15:42:59
I don't know how you think Klavan and Lovern look like a decent partnership. They were part of the defence that conceded 5 goals in the first 2 games. Unless you are basing it on something else but certainly not their 2 games together?

13.) 03 Sep 2016
03 Sep 2016 16:18:33
I think when an uncapped journeyman like Alonso goes for 23m there's obviously a huge lack of talent at left back. Chilwell deal is odd and something is missing from our full understanding of it. If we'd of got Medal or similar instead of Wijuldum it would of been a hugely successful window but as it is it's a good window and much needed. Unrealistic to expect everything sorted in 2 windows but definitely moving forward.
Think both full backs and solid dm is all that's missing and possibly a replacement for the petulant swine that's DS.

14.) 03 Sep 2016
03 Sep 2016 14:11:05
Have all our previous successful managers been "professional"? Are other successful managers never "unprofessional"?

I'm sure I could think of a few dozens examples of when they haven't. If he's winning no-one will care, if he's losing it will be used as a stick to beat him with.
At the end of the day, he's an ex-footballer turned manager, what are we expecting from him? I'm not expecting him to be fully versed in business etiquette, there are plenty of pen-pushing paper-shufflers around to do that.

{Ed002's Note - It is unacceptable and it is not doing anyone any good at all. He is costing the club money and embarrassment.}

15.) 03 Sep 2016
03 Sep 2016 14:45:02
Ed002, Raiola calling Klopp a piece of s**t surely suggest that he has a problem with Balotelli going on a 'free'?

All I can say is thank heavens we are finally rid of Balotelli who did not give an arse about LFC while he was being payed healthy wages. Good riddance to him and now Rioala can also go wash his mouth out.

{Ed002's Note - No, Klopp caused the situation and cost the club money - this has been done to death over recent months.}

16.) 03 Sep 2016
03 Sep 2016 16:49:33
By DS you mean Daniel Sturridge? I'm starting to believe that maybe Ed002 is right and we are a terrible group of supporters.

17.) 03 Sep 2016
03 Sep 2016 17:45:25
Ed002, to be fair, Balotelli cost the club money even before Klopp arrived where we still had to pay towards his wages when he went on loan. AC Milan had enough of him too. If he had gone on loan LFC would have needed to pay a portion of his wages again. If I am not mistaken Balotelli still had two years left on his contract. It was a no win situation for LFC irrespective of whether Klopp spilled the beans or not.

It is not like LFC even remotely showed that they wanted to keep Balotelli and was clear he was not going to get game time at LFC irrespective of the manager. If LFC did want to sell Balotelli they would have taken a hit anyway.

{Ed002's Note - One year left on his contract and any chance of a sale went with what Klopp said - it cost the club money. Stop looking for excuses for Klopp - if this were Rodgers screwing up you would be all over him.}

18.) 03 Sep 2016
03 Sep 2016 18:48:47
I wouldn't make excuses for Klopp or anyone else and i am not sure what's even going on fully to be honest, but just a question: How much would it cost to keep Balo on books rather then sell on free?
Genuine question as it seems his wages over a period of time like he has had with us would cost (I imagine) similar to losing any fee we may have got on his transfer?

Again i do not pretend to know, just asking.

{Ed002's Note - The club wanted to sell the player - speaking out ended any chance of that. I made the clear when he took it in to the public domain and completeletely played in to the hands of Mino. Klopp cost the club money.}

19.) 03 Sep 2016
03 Sep 2016 18:51:39
i have to say though ...

{Ed002's Note - If you are going to be abusive you should begin the post, "Speaking from a position of ignorance ..." Gareth. The fault of all of this rests at the door of Klipperty, not the player and not his agent.}

20.) 03 Sep 2016
03 Sep 2016 19:29:56
Steady on ....

{Ed002's Note - You know nothing of the man at all. Selling a player brings income - Klopp lost that income for Liverpool.}

21.) 03 Sep 2016
03 Sep 2016 21:04:01
I have said it before that Klopp is not perfect and he will make mistakes like tapping players up, putting things like the Balo issue in public domaine or giving Sahko the business during a live presser. These things are what is seen as unprofessional even tho, many of us or even Klopp see it that way. Ed is right. He's in the hot seat now and needs to tread wisely when navigating these issues going forward. I also think that the LB situation was a complete disgrace and badly handled. I know it's not easy to just sign a player but if Alonso could get signed for twice the fee Chilwell would have cost, what stopped us from paying the 10m (pocket change, these days) for him? Only Klopp can answer that because it beggars belief really. All in all, the team looks good but issues remain however, other teams have their issues as well so I hope Klopp can adapt and figure things out this season. Keep the faith boys!

22.) 03 Sep 2016
03 Sep 2016 21:13:02
Clearly Klopp narrowed the options when going public on Balotelli and that reduced room for manoeuvre. With Balo's record, any club would have probably hardballed us, but by speaking his mind so openly it seems very clear that any chance of a sale went. As far as Mino Raiola goes I don't care what he thinks. but then again on reflection falling out with agents probably isn't a good strategy, is it?
Regarding his man management skills, I could imagine him being blunt, which could well put some noses out of joint. He does strike me as being honest and forthright: I can also see him being loyal. He was a committed but limited centre back, I can imagine him being very frustrated with Balotelli and also with Sakho: players with more talent than he had, but less application. BTW thanks ed002 for the insights.

23.) 03 Sep 2016
03 Sep 2016 21:16:36
Like I said Irish a Rover, as long as he's not doubling up covering for Moreno.

24.) 03 Sep 2016
03 Sep 2016 22:11:32
I am sure your right Ed02. I didn't suggest i did know him and i was merely asking a question which i fully understand you haven't time for, but clearly i do understand selling a player makes more money than giving one away, but that was not what i was asking. I do respect that and all your hard work though. thxs.

25.) 04 Sep 2016
04 Sep 2016 01:17:56
Im not convinced by the argument being put forward here Ed002 re Klopp losing the club money. This is on the belief that someone would buy Balotelli. I've seen no evidence suggesting clubs were queueing to buy. Balotelli has been an open wound for the club. The club don't want him, he's not trying to change that. Waiting 2 more years to resolve is too long - IMHO the right course of action has been taken i. e. meet the problem head on and close the wound.

{Ed002's Note - I have no idea what you are talking about 2 years. The club wanted to sell Balotelli and had instructed MR to find options - they gave him an asking price and a lower price they would accept. Then Klopp opened his mouth in the public domain - and I explained on that day he had played in to the hands of Balotelli and MR and that it would cost Liverpool any chance of a sale - he cost the club millions. You keep scratching around for excuses.}