Liverpool Banter Archive December 10 2014

10 Dec 2014 22:52:25
Hello to all the EDS and fellow REDS

The football side of things apart, I believe things are not running smoothly at Anfield. Whether they are political, personal or both, I'm not sure but the whole dynamics of the team does not look right. I get the impression that BR has fallen out with a few players and that lead to disaster, which has been the season so far. Stevie G looked distraught last night. His relationship with BR reminds me of his relationship with Torres, before he left for Chelsea. Why is Lallana on the bench? He's been MOTM whenever he's played but he's left out, our £25M player, and Markovic, who actually was passionate about getting at Basle.
I just don't want my beloved club damaged beyond recognition. In my humble opinion BR has taken us as far as he could, he doesn't know his best 11, or he has fallen out with his players, which is a recipe for disaster. His transfer dealing have been terrible, costly and totally wrong. Will FSG give him more money to buy a goal scorer? Will he sign another RB or LB again? Our defence is a joke while we have Coates and Illori (both talented and with pace) on loan while Sakho does not get a regular outing (when fit). BR sacked Borrell, the man Rafa brought to Liverpool and who was resposible for our academy, the academy Guardiola called the 'best after Barca'.

Too many mistakes, too many wrong formations and too many wrong results. And it could get even worse over the holidays.
stop the rot now, the management team look bereft of ideas and the players detect this.
Bring back KK, he is at the club, and put Rafa in charge in the summer. He was the last manager we won anything significant with and despite his faults, he knows tactics, has a huge networks of contacts and star player will come to Liverpool with him in charge and he is part of our history.
I'm just too upset and sorry about the long post.
How I looked forwards to going to us playing Manchester last year and how I dread Sunday. Mind you, I won't be surprised if we went and won.

YNWA

{Ed002's Note - Things are already changing because outside of the football side it wasn't going well.}

I'm sorry but if you are concerned about club politics then bringing back Rafa is one of the worst things you can do. Coates has no pace whatsoever, which was one of the reasons Rodgers didn't fancy him. A little strange saying as our defence stayed deep anyway. Markovic needs a kick in the nuts for doing what he did. Yes there was little contact but the fact he looked over his shoulder twice and then proceed to fling back the arm is unforgivable considering the circumstances. Lallana does puzzle me. I haven't watch us a lot this year but when I do, he seems to put in a respectable shift. Ilori is baffling, what 10million for a player yet to make an appearance. I wasn't sure of the Borrell situation. Did he not want a promotion from the academy? Nonetheless a top footballing man with a proven track record for bringing through talent, mind you talent that won't ever see the first team. I just dislike this whole "bring Rafa back and everything will be rosy" view that fans always get when we are having a poor time of things.

Rafa's politics at the club was trying to hold the dodgy/lying owners to account.
I thank him for that.

{Ed001's Note - no it wasn't, he was trying to get himself more power, nothing to do with the ownership of the club.}

The OP is bang on apart from the "bring back Rafa" idea.

10 Dec 2014 22:35:22
Nice goal tonight from liverpool old boy San Jose.

Thats a few he's got this season i think. He is doing ok for himself. Good for him.

10 Dec 2014 20:20:21
Sorry Ed002, just want to clarify, you said: "It is likely Martin Odegaard will also join recently arrived Mink Peeters in the (Real Madrid) U19s." But also: "He is a child who has a number of options to consider - right now it is Liverpool."
So, he's had his fun at Melwood but is off to Madrid or still undecided?

Thanks a mil!

{Ed002's Note - He has looked at a number of option s - you knew that. The expectation remains he will move to Madrid.}

With the current manager in charge, with the current coaching set up and quality of players we have, can you think of one genuine quality player who would want to join us at this moment in time?

He should join Ajax who are known for there development of players and he will get regular football.

Yeah, the genuine quality League 2 & 3 players would.

10 Dec 2014 21:25:06
Im working 12 hour shifts cannot think who Borrell is at all anyone help me out whonis he again

{Ed001's Note - Rafa brought him in to overhaul the academy. He is the guy who set up the Barca academy and is now running Man City and their sister clubs' youth systems.}

Borrell is an excellent coach mate. The likes of Sterling, Suso, Flanagan and Wisdom probably owe a lot of their development as players to him. I was gutted when he was forced out.

10 Dec 2014 22:11:22
Borell knows the meaning of the word 'panache'

10 Dec 2014 22:21:14
Why did he leave Liverpool guys?

It's funny isn't it.
Where would we be if we had kept all of Rafa's coaches and just got rid of Rafa!!
Maybe Rafa as director of football??
Ed? Ed? wake up. ha ha

From what i read at the time, Inglethorpe was brought in by BR, who wanted his own touch on youth development

10 Dec 2014 20:39:36
How many people felt we were going to lose when they saw the team sheet?

10 Dec 2014 21:38:01
I had my post out here. ENRIQUE against XHAKA??

{Ed001's Note - the moment you see Enrique and Johnson in the team together it makes the heart sink it must be said.}

Two cheeks of the same arse.

Couple that with 4 centre mids in the same team with a static lump up front and no width and hey presto disaster. I mean Allen and Lucas bumping into each other twice in the first 15 mins. It was outrageous. If the owners knew anything about football they'd have sacked him purely for the incompetence in last nights management.

10 Dec 2014 23:57:45
Mignolet in goal, Johnson at RB with Skrtel next to him guarantees a bad day in my eyes

We needed to win the game YET BR leaves most of the attacking players who could provide a spark either on the bench (Lallana, Marko, Can, Coutinho, Moreno)) and plays Hendo on the left (WTF), plays Lucas and Allen as well as the God aweful Enrique (It has been at least 2 yrs since I saw him have a good game) and the useless GJ. He then takes off Enrique for Moreno who played a blinder. Then that sub was a waste because if he had played Moreno from the start, he would have had an extra sub to make. Is this guy effing insane or is just sabotaging th club to get his pay out? I was flabbergasted! BR has lost his mind and I know FSG are assessing their options BUT I just can`t take this anymore. Even a sunday league coach would know that in a must-win game, you put all the odds on your side by giving yourself the best chance of winning. BR put the players in a position to NOT win by playing a disgusting system that sent a message to Basel that, "We are scared crapless of you so we won`t even get at you tonite". Basel say, "Wow! these guys are clueless. Might as well play our normal game because obviously, we were awaiting a hail storm BUT it won`t happen so we play w/ no pressure". The players were confused and woeful thru out the game and we just let Basel walk all over us. BR needs to go quickly because right now, I am fed up!

10 Dec 2014 20:33:44
Question for Ed001, I hope you're well.

What is your opinion on Unai Emery becoming our manager once Brendan gets sacked? He has been successful with limited resources at Valencia and Sevilla, any chance of that happening?

Cheers

{Ed001's Note - opinion? I would want to know more about the issues he had while at Valencia, before I would suggest him. Chances? Very slight currently.}

10 Dec 2014 19:42:27
I like many others watched the game last night and from reading numerous posts all seem to be of the same voice. when i saw the teamsheet i thought this team smells of defeat, there was nothing in the team that said we are going at them from the off put the rubbishs up them and show them we will not be defeated. what happened after was just dumbfounding. number 1 moreno should have been on from the start so that meant a substitution was infact wasted. number 2 due to this wasted sub attacking players like llanana couldn't come on. number 3 having as sg put it a knackered striker with no one to take his place. due to all the cockups we then had to put a defender up as a striker. if we as fans can see it then i'm sure the owners will as well.

Booboo, you are right on the money. We are not managers BUT we know cluelessness and bad tactics when we see it. And many of us saw how BR screwed the team by playing a system built not to lose rather than to go for the win. PATHETIC!

10 Dec 2014 19:06:56
For me the time has come to get rid of

Mingolet, Johnson, Skrtle, Enrique, Henderson, Allen, Lucas, Lambert, Borini

10 Dec 2014 19:28:01
No way should Henderson go.
Just play him in his proper position and don't shackle him or give him the running of 2 players to do.

Lambert didn't cost too much and he is an option off of the bench for a change of style if needed. He should not be the main/only man all game every game.

Skrtel seems to be a common name amongst a lot of different defensive selections that does not work. The same goes for Johnson and Enrique.

10 Dec 2014 19:44:44
So another transition?

Lambert, Lucas and Allen can all be good useable squad members, Henderson will return to form when he's not changing position every week, as he did last season.id let mignolet, skrtel, Johnson, Enrique go from last nights team

Keep Henderson - he has a phenomanal engine and can run all day - just put him in his preferred position. Keep Lucas for another year. Put the rest on ebay with no reserve price.

Henderson just needs coaching and a kick up the backside under the proper manager to make him accept responsibility and stop hiding behind others.

Allen is a good squad player so no, just don't play him henderson gerrard and lucas at the same time, lambert there is an argument for as long as we get THE RIGHT replacement for him.

Lucas, are you mad? I've been eating my words the last few games, he's been great, again, we need him as every good team has a lucas leiva, eg chelsea with mikel or city with fernando or united with fletcher.

Agree on Mignolet, Johnson, Henderson, Lucas, and probably Enrique. Not sure about Lambert and Borini.

Hendo, Lambert, Allen can stay. BR must go, first and foremost then we can move on to the players.

10 Dec 2014 18:57:08
It is not all doom and gloom. We are still in the League and FA Cup plus the Europa league. Still in touch of fourth. We are where we are. Unless the owners make a change we have to stick with Rodgers.

10 Dec 2014 19:45:51
By next weekend we would be in touch of bottom 3
No chance of Europa league and FA cup.
Who cares league cup?

10 Dec 2014 18:47:22
I wouldn't be surprised if that's the game that makes SG decide to try his luck elsewhere for his swan song. frankly he deserves it - there's only so many times you can go to the well to drag the mediocrity along with you (pardon the mixing of metaphors)

He must be thinking enoughs enough

Wouldn't blame him if he did and best of luck too.

10 Dec 2014 20:01:17
Where would he go apart from the free kick another poor performance

MLS. Galaxy have a DP slot open and need a midfielder. Not seriously suggesting that will happen though.

Wouldn't be surprised to see Gerrard in the MLS, though I'd instantly become a fan of whatever club it is. I really don't see him playing in any other leagues as it would have to be a high caliber team, and I doubt there are any that would see him as an improvement (though Lampard has obv worked wonders at City).

10 Dec 2014 18:41:30
I know this is a pipe dream, but what about Benitez as Dof and Rodolfo Borrell or José Segura as head coach Ed1? I must admit the loss of Borrell and Segura was always baffling to me anyway.

{Ed001's Note - no, I love Rafa, but I don't want him back in any capacity, Borrell and Segura I would like to see return though.}

10 Dec 2014 19:46:53
We played 2 Dm yesterday and Rafa would play the same way whole year.

I can never understand the Liverpool fans wanting Rafa back to me he was awful with the only saving grace the champions league win

10 Dec 2014 20:12:14
Rafa conquered europe and qualified for the Champions League nearly every season with a fairly mediocre squad. The man is a tactical and coaching genius

{Ed001's Note - he is neither. He had very good coaches, but he was an overseer of the coaches, not the coach himself. As for tactics, he just employed a deep lying defence and packed ranks, nothing clever about it.}

Borrell as manager? That could be a stroke of genius.

{Ed001's Note - I wanted him at the time, it was a mistake not to go for him, it made little sense to go for an untested manager if it wasn't Borrell.}

It never crossed my mind. He was the man who made me love watching the academy. The football he got them playing was scintillating.

{Ed001's Note - I did suggest him at the time, especially as he put his name forward to do it, it seemed to make total sense to let him try. If we were going with a proven coach, who had won multiple trophies, then I could see the thinking in rejecting Borrell. As we went with another untried coach, well it was just idiocy to not give Borrell the chance.}

10 Dec 2014 21:56:31
An "overseer of the coaches" - you mean a manager effective at delegation, the hardest skill of management.

Would Borrell be an actual candidate, as in is he being considered?

Also why did he leave? Was he forced out when Rodgers came in?

{Ed002's Note - No.}

Why are Liverpool so bad at decision making?
Borrell would be great.
Surely he would take it if asked given the fact he could become a manager in his own right?.
Would you have fancied Martinez at Liverpool Ed?
I wanted Martinez above Rodgers personally.

{Ed002's Note - Martinez would have been a good option.}

10 Dec 2014 18:43:14
It's impossible to remain silent right now.

Last night was ridiculous. I'm not going to repeat what everyone else has either said or already knows went wrong.

I just wanted to vent how frustrating it is that we lack pace up front and Rodgers refuses to give chances to Ojo, Markovic or Borini. That is not what I find the most frustrating though. It is the fact that we have Ibe abd Origi out on loan.

Markovic finally gets a chance and then foolishly gets himself sent off (let's be honest, it was soft but it was a red card).

I am just so bored of watching us go forward and it's frustrating when we have Sturridge, Sterling, Markovic, Borini, Ojo, Ibe and Origi signed at the club. They are all relatively quick players who look to get in behind or run at people. I love Lambert and I genuinely thought Balotelli would be a good signing (albeit it unnecessary). You can't put them as lone strikers in a 4-2-3-1 though because they just don't make enough runs.

I spent all summer crying out for somebody like Lacazette or Lavezzi. I'd even have preferred just giving the chance to Ibe though.

Lambert is not the sort of player who sits on the shoulder of the last man or runs at people. Neither is Balotelli to some extent. There is nothing wrong with signing these players, but they need to play with pacey/intelligent goalscorers alongside them to maximise how effective they are (Jay Rodriguez and El Shawaray being prime examples). Markovic and Lallana (although it's not his best position) are the only wide men in our squad who can play that role and yet they rarely get a chance. Sterling is not good out wide even remotely. He cannot cross it and drifts inside narrowing our play. He is excellent picking up the ball from deep and running at the defence and looking for a flick around the corner to get in behind though, so play him in an attacking midfield. I cannot understand why Rodgers can't see these things. Balotelli and Lambert have been underwhelming to say the least and whilst I was optimistic about them they were never players I would've picked because I'm a sucker for flair; something a Lacazette or a Lavezzi would've brought. Even Ed002's choice, Pedro.

If Rodgers cannot utilise the squad he has assembled despite even the fans seeing how obviously things need to change, then he needs to go.

If we line up with Sterling and Coutinho as wingers, Johnson/Skrtel/Enrique on the pitch, Gerrard in holding midfield, two holding midfielders, or Balotelli/Lambert up front without proper support either side of them; I swear I'm going to cry.

I just hope FSG hurry up with this review because Rodgers desperately needs help or the sack. I think we can all agree with that.

10 Dec 2014 19:05:14
EMS
Lets hope it's the 2nd of your suggestions.
His regime is wiping away years of credibility, he's had his finger in every pie at the club, from academy to backroom staff being changed etc etc without any success or improvement. We are sliding further down the slippy slope.
This guy is a fraudulent dossier wielding good talker who is now being found out, say no more.

Thought it looked like an Adam post, but thought he had left for a while so no can't be.
Did not last long eh!

Good post buddy

Bored of watching us go forward? I think I'm yet to see us go forward this season. Just nobody seems to care apart from sterling.
Welcome back mate I knew you wouldn't be away long.

Lacazette is a good shout, would have been a good punt.

Good post and great to have you back ems

10 Dec 2014 19:49:09
Marco

You can't runaway from the site and page. If so I wouldn't be here. Am an addict and proud to be one.
I have learned so much from here. An encyclopedia of players, coaches, transfers and much more.

Hats off to you eds.

I just needed a day or two away MarcO. It wasn't really to do with this site, I think I just used this site to take out my frustration with everything. Apologies to the Eds for my whinging.

I've eaten a snickers now though. Turns out I'm a right diva when I'm hungry!

Welcome back, EMS! You are spot on! We are going nowhere fast and the most disgusting thind is that, teams don`t even have to break a sweat to beat us because they know we have a manager who will not mix things up nor try to trick them as we saw last night when BR played right into Basel`s hands and allowed them to run rings around us for fun to the point of nausea. One would think he was coaching against us instead of for us. He is no longer good enuff and I know FSG want to assess things first BUT I am fed up and someone needs to put this inept person out of his misery for the good of the club.

10 Dec 2014 18:08:56
My two points from last night are, not including the way the team played up to 80 mins are.
Why did he start four centre mids, which made hendo left mid? It seemed like a formation to avoid loss rather than win. How lallana didn't play is beyond me, especially considering he is great off the ball too, defo would have dropped either allen or hendo for lallana to start on the left.
And secondly, no matter how 'tired' Lambert was, was it really right to take him off. Yes he looked slow, but he can still challenge with his strength and awareness. I think sterling should have gone up top with him at half time, and played a kind of 4-2-2-2, with gerrard and lucas at the deep 2, then at least when we were pushing forward, we would have a striker on the pitch. Up until gerrard goal, i'm not even sure we fashioned an actual chance.

If your going to play a lump like Lambert up top it has to be in a 442. I was gob smacked when I saw the starting 11 last night. Yes in my opinion he should've kept Lambert on, threw Sterling up top with him, hooked Gerrard and Hendo and replaced them with Moreno and Markovic.

Good points, boys! Worse he plays Enrique who is so aweful it is sickening and leaves Moreno on the bench. Enrique has a terrible game (shocking, i now) and subs him w/ Moreno. Result? A wasted sub that could have been used to bring on Can or Lallana. Moral of the story? A completely clueless manager who has no idea what he is doing and one who is capable of being outcoached by a Sunday league coach/postman based on the shambles I saw last night.

10 Dec 2014 17:54:44
I don't think I've been as despondent since the end of Houllier's reign.
We've a load of players that are not good enough and I can't see us replacing them because of what we've already spent
A manager that is not up to it and I can't see us replacing him at this stage of the season.
It's painful to watch and, once again, we missed another opportunity to kick on, in the summer.
Oh well, I'll try and look forward to Christmas, then.

10 Dec 2014 17:33:18
I am convinced BR has lost the dressing room.I feel certain players have had a difference of opinion with BR and as a result of this they are unhappy and feel even after playing well they will not be regular starters.The team selected against Basel was absolutely awful and had no chance of winning with attack

10 Dec 2014 17:19:02
Roy, johnson set a new record last night by doing one of his stupid passes to the opposition literally 3 seconds after kick off, completely set the tone ironically.
======================
Seen it; cringed, shouted swore and the rest of it, but my point this is systematic of the whole team. Most of them were giving the ball away either by misplaced passes or loosing the ball too easily. Singling Johnson for abuse after every game is not the answer, there is something more fundamentally wrong with our setup. I don't believe all of our players can become so bad within few months. As ed001 posted the coaching and management are largely responsible for that.

Problem is though, Johnson is responsible for a lot of goals we concede because of his lacklustre play.

Yes and shortly after we got the Skrtle hoof, then we got the bumper car routine from Allen and Lucas. I agree, the writing was on the wall within the first 10 mins. In fact I'd go as far to say that you can virtually predict the outcome of any LFC game within the first 10 as we don't have any game changers and the coaching/ management haven't a clue.

You can predict the outcome of most games lately just by standing on the Kop during the pre-match kick in. The last exercise before going back into to changing room is a chance to boost confidence by scoring a few goals. In truth, that's the most dangerous time for spectators behind the goal because a good 75% - 80% of shots fly past the net and into the crowd. At that point your heart sinks and we've even taken to cheering the odd scoring shot.

Oh i completely agree roy, i just don't understand how number one, we literally revereted back to the same mistakes at the weekend after 3 bloody seconds, and number two, the mistake of picking johnson amongst others in the first place was repeated.

10 Dec 2014 16:53:09
A little banter discussion for tonight:
Would you accept a 3-0 loss to Man U on Saturday if it guaranteed Brendan was sacked?

10 Dec 2014 17:16:47
No.

1) I never ever want to see my team lose. Especially to Manchester United.

2) Rodgers is as good as gone anyway, imo. It's just a matter of when it's made official.

{Ed001's Note - same here mate, personally I would rather Rodgers just fixed things and turned it around and there was no need to get rid. Failing that, I still don't want to see us lose, we shouldn't need to be losing to make a necessary change.}

I do think BR has run out of ideas and I see no signs of him saving anything from the season, but I also think its too late for another manager to turn the squad around and get us into 4th spot, so on balance I couldn't willingly go for a 0-3 loss, and especially not to the mancs. I just couldn't do that.
I would like to see him gone by xmas though, so the new guys have a few months to bed in before next season starts.

10 Dec 2014 17:49:12
This really takes me back. This question was asked last year before the Manutd-Liverpool match, and almost everybody said that "dont want the team to lose, but if it helos us getting rid of Moyes its not that bad". Your in almost a copied situation of ours last year. Hope you can come back, i for one hopes you can get back with BR as manager. I love my own team, but don't feel happy about your situation. Just don't come back before sunday though. :) all the best, from a norwegian United fan.

Who would want us to lose to that shower? Not me, I want it fixed but I don't believe that Brendan is the man for that. He got lucky last year because of two on fire strikers, that's all.

No thanks.
I wanted us to win when Hodgson was here.
I wanted him to turn it around.
I do want Rodgers to turn it around.
Just can't see it.

10 Dec 2014 18:26:57
Utd r good going forward it's a team that will turn them back will cause them problems we won't do that with Lambert up top I would like to see borini sterling countinho lalanna up top with sterling playing lw countinho no 10 borini cf lalanna rw can Henderson Gerrard midfield defence is anyone's guess because if the manager hasn't a clue and he is getting thousands of pounds a week then who am I to guess I know I wouldn't be picking the defence he started with last night especially in the full back area's.

I want the team to win regardless of opposition and would not want a coach to ever lose his job BUT BR continues to make things worse and he will get the sack at some point and it will all be his fault. As for Sun, I really don`t know.

10 Dec 2014 16:37:36
'Liverpool's current level is unacceptable. It is an insult to the club’s proud history, to the loyalty of the fans and to football in general.'

Quote of the day.

10 Dec 2014 15:46:18
Id love diego simeone to take over, could see him turning anfield into a fortress. I loved the way atletico played last season with so much intensity and passion. Would that be an option eds?

{Ed001's Note - highly unlikely, he will have his pick.}

Doesn't speak English either.

10 Dec 2014 18:04:15
Even if he spoke in Spanish it would make more sense to the players than Mr Rogers does.

10 Dec 2014 14:56:30
At the moment it just seems Rodgers is trying to be far too clever in his actions, when given the way we are playing his decisions and team selection should be simple. For some time Rodgers has clearly not fancied Enrique, quite often selecting Johnson over him, yet he picks him over Moreno in the biggest game of the season? Why pick such a negative line up in a must win game? Lucas, Allen, Henderson, and Lambert are all workers but have very little creativity. Why not include at LEAST one of Lallana or Coutinho. Why take our only striker off being 1 nil down. I like Lambert, he gives his all, but unfortunately he's just not upto the task. He is excellent at winning flick ons, but nothing else. The ludicrous decision to not name Borini on the bench meant Lambert had to play 90minutes. Every man and his dog can see we need pace and energy upfront and he goes into this game with a solitary front man with no pace. Again, it has been quite evident that Rodgers doesn't think Markovic is ready yet, and then he goes and brings him on over previously mentioned attacking players? What is he trying to prove, is he trying to outfox the opposition with stupid, non-sensical decisions? Brendans aftermatch clichés are wearing very very thin, and unfortunately it appears he is too stubborn to admit his failings and do something about them. I read an Ed's comment early that his heart wants Rodgers to stay but his head says he has to go, Couldn't agree with that more.

10 Dec 2014 16:28:30
The decisions have no rational basis, if you didn't know better you'd think he was trying to sabotage the club

I made the exact same comment on another thread, Essex. Seems he is coaching for the other team than for us and making the players up for failure.

10 Dec 2014 14:45:55
Man Utd must be licking their lips and sharpening their claws! don't stick it in to far lads!!

10 Dec 2014 18:17:33
Dont worry mate, we don't have any nails left. Poking with nail less fingers isn't thd best option. Better feeling about sunday than last season, but i think it will be a 2-1 or 2-2 type of game. League position, form etc etc dosnt do anything for this match. Best of luck, boys. May the better team win this :)

As long as nicky butt doesn't stick it in we'll be ok 😆

10 Dec 2014 13:14:51
I'm still trying to deduce the team sheet and subs bench from last night. Let alone the performance! WTF?? Ed'd 001 I know you say that FSG are not keen on a caretaker but we are going from one calamity to another. I think if JWH went to Kenny (or whoever) and asked him to fill in till the end of the season until the new set up is implemented would that be such a bad thing? Results would surely improve, Kenny or whoever would know it's only a short term gig and we would be rid of Brendan 'clueless' Rogers. Has De Boer been sounded out about the manager's job? Thing's are getting desperate we need a saviour. Thought's please ed's 001

{Ed001's Note - the problem is that any caretaker could come in and lead us to a string of victories and then the new guy is not going to be accepted by a large portion of the fans who will want the caretaker to become permanent. It is difficult enough to win over the fans anyway! As far as I am aware, no manager has been sounded out yet, but it is highly unlikely we will be appointing a manager anyway. I am told it is 99% sure we will go to FSG's original plan of DoF + Head Coach, with the DoF put in place first and choosing the Head Coach to fit in with the way he wants to play.}

Ed001 who would best suit de boer considering playing style ect as a director of football

{Ed001's Note - best would be Cruyff, but that isn't going to happen! To be honest I am not sure who else would be good, I haven't taken the time to look into which directors of football favour what style of play. I spent some time investigating their roles at various clubs, and every single one seems to have a completely different remit, so it is difficult to know which ones are actually setting the playing styles and which ones aren't. Without knowing that, then you can't really judge which ones would suit him.

I would say the best thing to do would be to find one that has come through a similar system and style of play, so that they should have similar ideology about the game. So maybe another ex-Ajax man to take the role?}

10 Dec 2014 15:15:20
Ed001 are you a fan of that plan? I think it's clear that both Kenny and Rodgers transfers have been shocking.

{Ed001's Note - if the right DoF is in place, and given the power rather than the coach, then yes, I think it is very workable. The reason it usually fails in English footie is simply due to the power battle between the two as it is traditional for the head coach to run things. If the DoF isn't the power, then you end up with a confused mess.}

Ok Cruyff doesn't want the DOF job but surely he won't say no to a few quid to give us some advice on who he would choose as a DOF and Head coach?? We are fast becoming the laughing stock of football and I honestly believe that Wimbledon will give us a fright in the FA Cup.

10 Dec 2014 16:07:53
Was DC really that bad? He has been rather vocal about his time at Liverpool, and I have a tendency to believe that a lot of the decisions taken have a derivation in pressures from ludicrous policies, which seemed to dictate that English talent was best, it has appeared to pay off with Henderson (recent form omitted), but it most certainly did not with Stewart Downing and Andy Carroll. I really would like to know exactly what Comolli did to get the sack?

{Ed001's Note - Comolli was useless, he has been a disaster everywhere he has been, but he talks the talk so people tend to view him differently. The guy is a joke, he should be laughed out of football by now. A kid with the latest copy of Football Manager could do a better job than him.}

I posted the exact same thing about DC months ago. Same w/ BR, they talk a good game and think because they wear glasses or speak well, they think they are smarter than everyone else. They are eventually found out to b hacks.

What's happened to Cortese Ed001? Do you think he would be interested in a return to English football?

Also, from what I have read about him he had a very clear vision as to how he wanted Southampton run, but of course was not really involved in the tactics side of it.

Do you think FSG would look to someone like that, or would they be looking for someone with a more football background?

Cheers in advance

{Ed001's Note - Cortese is at Milan, not a chance of getting him, that is his club. Either way he is not a DoF.}

10 Dec 2014 13:08:24
Sigh.

Ok, we're out, but no big surprise. Actually Basel are not a bad outfit, and beat Chelsea home and away last season. Truth hurts, but they are a better side than this BR concoction.

I have a couple of points to make.

Firstly, BR will learn from this, but I don't see him becoming a world class coach with us. The team looks like they have totally lost belief, whether it is with the manager, his tactics, or their own inability to put them into practice, it all ands at BR's door. Even his own body language suggests he knows his time his up, and given his own apparent confidence, is a tell-tale sign.

Secondly, I could understand him going for experience last night, but not the almost complete lack of pace (Sterling apart). We played slow forwards, with midfielders whose first thought is safety. It could have led to defensive stability (probably his main goal going into the tie), but simply invited them onto us, and they could really have killed off the game in that first 45 minutes.

Thirdly, the Skrtl decision. This is a manager who doesn't believe in a plan B, sells off the clubs biggest signing because he is a plan B (I didn't totally disagree with this), and as the exit door is looming decides that Skittles is our best option? Bizarre. What I found most frustrating was the one chance he got, when Sterling got clear in the box, he pointed where he wanted it and went front post and got a foot to it. It was an attacking instinct that our other forwards lack.

Fourthly, I am an LFC supporter for 50 years. I grew up on the Kop. We have a proud history, and our fans claim to be the best in the world. I think we can safely say we no longer carry that mantle. Last night, at times the Kop was silent, as Basel fans rocked the Annie Road end. Occasionally they will rise to the challenge, but as a rule our claim to crowd supremacy is a little hard to believe in any more.

Finally, as I am now of the opinion BR will be gone pretty soon, the thoughts turn to 'who next?'. If we can still pay big wages, then we can attract a top coaching talent. Money talks. The question is do FSG recognise who this person is in a sport that is alien to them? I think they have to seek advice from outside the clubs current advisors, as they may not be best placed to identify the best. Although it seems they don't want a caretaker, it seems the best option right now. If BR is no longer seen to be able to get us into the top 4, who is available as a caretaker? Kenny seems unlikely. Roy Keane anyone? Thought not. Souness? Seriously, it will take someone like a Pulis to get the most out of the current crop, a defensive organiser who is a good man manager. Should it happen, no doubt the new man will get the benefit of a fully fit Sturridge for the last 4 months.

I am with you on the fans last night.
Coming so close to winning the title has left a haze at Anfield among the supporters.
The atmosphere has not been the same since the Chelsea game last year in my opinion.
Confidence has taken a massive downturn among the supporters and also the players.
As Jethro said even the manager has lost a lot of his swagger.
It all comes back to recruitment.
I am sure even Rodgers would have spent that money differently now.
We did not need much, that is the frustration for me.
We needed to replace Suarez and add 2 quality additions.
If we had of spent 75 million on 3 players.
A defender, A midfielder and a forward to replace Suarez.
Use Ibe, Suso etc etc to fill in the gaps and promote hot prospects from the academy.
We would have been sorted.
Fear surrounds the players and that team sheet last night had fear written all over it.
2 holding players against Basel at home.
Basel deserved their win. no problem with that but why should we be scared of them playing at home.
Where was this brave new football?
We looked worse than a pub team.
I've stuck up for Allen and Lucas in the past but they were pants last night and simply got in each others way.
We know Lambert is not mobile so we play him up front on his own and stick the only player who could benefit from a knock down or 2 (Sterling) on the right wing miles from him.
Roll on United and Arsenal hey.

BR is solely responsible for the shambles we saw last night an have been seeing this year. as for Basel, I don`t give them that much creditcos if we had a manager who played a starting 11 with more of an attacking impetus, we would have given them much more hell than the relative sunshine they got last night. BR`s a coach who makes things easier for the opposition by playing off form players and leaves our attacking players on the bench along w/ playing a failed system that even a pub team coach/bartender can decode. All in all, it`s his fault and will get the sack in due course and when the owners see it fit, not if.

10 Dec 2014 12:21:11
With Rodgers on a new contract, will this prove too expensive to replace him, or is it, do you think performance related?
Who do you think mgr wise (with experience of building success) realistically would like want to come to LFC?
Do you think Steve Gerrard could be player coach with a DOF to guide him? (a bit like what Paisley did with Dalglish)

{Ed002's Note - Gerrard will not become a player coach. Rodgers is not too expensive to replace.}

"Rodgers is not too expensive to replace".

Music to all of our ears.

I would force a DoF on him and a defensive coach, his pride or ego would be too dented by this. He refused this originally so he would probably resign so may save sacking him?

10 Dec 2014 18:43:38
Will they take back his free Ferrari Ed002?

10 Dec 2014 11:38:32
Hi Eds,

I know FSG don't want to go down the caretaker route, but if things continue the way they do, then FSG may act. So I ask you, who do you think could come in a do a job, until a manager was hired ? I was thinking maybe a Roy Evans. Now I know he has been out of the game for sometime, but I am really struggling to think of anyone else.

{Ed002's Note - I have no way of answering this as it is beyond the plans.}

Phil thompson is young enough still and lead us to the treble while houllier was out with kidney stone surgery if i remember correctly, he'd be more than happy to help temporarily.

Klinsman? I dunno.
I can't see a caretaker coming in, I think our next manager will be a permanent one.

10 Dec 2014 13:13:48
There won't be new manager till summer and by then a lot can happen, Chelsea could sack Mourinho and he will develop un-resistible love for LFC and he would beg to manage us

I agree with Anonymous Woolyback, Phil Thompson is a good answer to the problem, i don't know why he has been thumbed down for suggesting Thommo, is it because he is not flavor of the month? anyone we get in will be expensive, fans have to realize this, Phil Thompson is red through to his toes! maybe some of the younger fans don't know how much he loves our club, and what a good manage he is, the won the treble as assistant manager with Houllier, remember?

10 Dec 2014 11:13:03
Can anyone please explain one thing to me. because aabove all else this is the one thing that blew my mind

Half time we know what position we're in and so do Basel. Basel were obviously going to play much deeper and yet we change to a counter attacking side with a 5 ft 3 striker?

Realize after 10 minutes that there actually isn't that much space for these players and then start crossing balls in to the 5 ft strstriker who a lot of the time isn't even in the box?

Like what went through Rodgers head? Moreno coming on implies he wants to get it wide and cross and then you take off our best headerer of the ball?

This really baffled me tbh.And we don't put on the extra creative player coutinho or lalanna to help actually play the balls through for these plaquick players anyway.

Markovic looked very good for the 10 minutes though and what he did was completely stupid but still nenever ever a red card.

I seriously just pray now we win come Sunday and ghey it's still 4 or 5 games unbeaten which I suppose could have some optimism somewhere in there

10 Dec 2014 11:31:34
We packed our midfield, they ripped us through our flanks.
By the time we bought Moreno we lost a man.
If you need to press high up early, you need a mobile and energetic striker upfron who could run through all most a day.
Lambert??

I said the very same thing Shanek and to add insult to injury he throws Skrtle up top when he realises the wingers he's put on are putting crosses into the box. The mans been out of his depth from day one. Being optimistic about the circumstances, whilst Rodgers has wasted £millions, I believe a decent manager could get something out of this clutch of players.

Where's Bigbadben and the 'owners are a dream, they're not hedging/ Rodgers is a progressive young manager brigade'? Take the floor lads. It'll be interesting to hear your views.

This is the poster that has changed his opinion on Rodgers 3 times in 12 months! "He's crap, no i got it wrong! He's actually ok! No! He is crap" Seriously embarrasing! At least have an opinion and stick to it!

I don't get your post at all passion? Moreno came on at half time also?

Don't know what pressing has to do when you know you're going to have about 80% if the ball and trying to break through a wall of 11? Pressing would have been great at 0-0 but then why not start with the team that played second half? It's like Rodgers got the teams for each half backwards?

The whole set up was wrong. The tactics where wrong and the subs were wrong.

Wrong Rover, I didn't know then that he'd sort advice from elsewhere for the diamond. I feel conned.

10 Dec 2014 13:46:45
So it's ok for you to change your mind about Rodgers when new information comes to light, but if we use this season as 'new information' and criticise we are hypocrites?

I felt mugged off well Ozone.
Its why we should not read too much into the information that anyone gives us about Liverpool.
Over the years I have heard all sorts of rumours about Liverpool only for them to be debunked by either the Eds or from other sources which I consider to be reliable.
The bottom line is something is wrong at the club.
Last year felt like we were getting there and it also felt like as a club we were all pulling in the same direction and now this car crash of a season happens!
What has shocked me all season is the way we pass the ball and struggle to keep possession.
Lovren, Skertel, Mingolet and Enrique can't pass a footy.
The opponents whoever they are, simply let them have it. And why wouldn't you?
They keep giving it back to you without you having to work at all to win it back.
Our opponents are on easy street at the moment because we can't keep the ball.
We lost the ball within seconds of our own kick off!
The goal kicks from the keeper are the exact same tired routines that you see every weekend up and down the country at non pro level.
Either knock it into Lambert for him to flick it on or hold it up.
Or knock it to the side line for either full back to try and win a header.
We are Liverpool.
And that's how we are playing?
How much stick would Hodgson be getting if this was him at the helm and he was setting out tactics like last night?
When your keeper can't kick it why do we let him kick it? Throw it out then!!
You know your tactics are crap when even Andy Townsend works it out.
He suggested knocking it into Lambert earlier because it kept the ball in their half rather than our half.
That's because every time a team crosses the half way line our defense wets itself.
Shanek, I agree with you on the selection mate.
It was Bizarre.

{Ed001's Note - to me the fact that Rodgers listened and took advice last season would be a positive, if he had continued to do so. The fact that his arrogance is so high that he feels he knows better, well that shows he has learnt nothing.}

I agree Ed.
It also suggests that he has this specific way that he views the game (splitting centre halves etc), and that dogmatic approach does not work in any form of life.
Surely as a coach you evaluate what you have to get the best out of them.
That requires flexibility rather than being rigid in your views.
I especially do not understand it in a young manager as well.
But you are right he could turn it all around by brainstorming with outside knowledge and adapting a flexible approach. He is young enough.
My main gripe from last night and this season is the absence of youth in our team.
Part of the reason for last season's success was the introduction of Flanno at Left back and the rise of Sterling.
Part of the reason for Newcastle's recent success? Players like Dummet, Arrons and Ameobi have come to the fore.
All academy prospects.
The fans at Newcastle can see the impact that these youngsters are having and it has lifted the whole club.
Built on the back of academy prospects.
They are talking Champions League with these young lads.
Fair play to them and very clever by Pardew.
He knows that young lads will run through brick walls for you and in his situation he threw the dice and has come up trumps.
Sometimes you just have to shake it up bring in some young lads with desire and forge a way.
Can any of the first team really be annoyed if he picked the whole reserve team for the game at Old Trafford?

BR lacks the cojones to do the things you speak of.

10 Dec 2014 10:46:52
Just seen Basle's goal again. Just wondering how many of the goals we have conceded this season start from Johnson playing a hospital pass to nobody in particular?!?
Rodgers should be punished for playing him consistently. we don't deserve to go any further in the champs league anyway. if we had gone through. we'd only be making up the numbers.
Atrocious considering the investment made and time we've been under this new regime. Sucks even more to be a Liverpool fan right now.
Got a feeling its going to be even worse after this weekend.

10 Dec 2014 13:03:53
Stop with the Johnson thing its getting really boring . just a desperate nonesense comment to get Agree clicked on from morons .
Johnson was not as bad as many of the others last night, yes the goal started with his short pass but then you had 2 defensive mid-fielders ball watching and 2 center backs making themselves as small as possible when they needed to make themselves as big as possible.
If you watch the game again, keep an eye on how many times Lambert lost the ball, how many misplaced passes were done by Henderson, Allen,Lucas , Sterling who kept on running into nowhere and then loose the ball , even Gerrard.
Who would you put at right back, Manquillo who is even worse defensively and no where near as good going forward

Roy, johnson set a new record last night by doing one of his stupid passes to the opposition literally 3 seconds after kick off, completely set the tone ironically.

10 Dec 2014 16:39:49
Actually statistically Manquillo is heaps better than Johnson defensively.

Not a stupid comment looking for people to agree with me at all. I couldn't give two s***s if people agree or not.
Point I was making is How Johnson continually find a himself in the starting line up week in week out when he is playing so far below the standard required it's bordering on criminal.
He really is as bad as I and a lot of other folk make out and your just trying to gain the high ground jumping to his defence. why would you? He is a main part of the reason the club your supporting are out of the champions league!
As for other players losing the ball. attacking players trying to create something from nothing or losing the ball in the oppositions third is not comparable with a defender losing the possession of the ball just outside his own box. End of story.
He does it every time he plays. always holds onto the ball too long, consistently turns into trouble, Enrique does the same to a lesser degree, its just dire.
Manquillio is young and is comparison to Johnson the much better option, Moreno is also the much better option for left back.
We have a decent enough squad, just a shame the coaches/manager are seemingly inept at getting the best out of them now they haven't got a certain Suarez to make them look like world beaters.

Allen and Lucas running into each other was like watching billy smarts circus clowns . Can any one explain that diving header Loveren did when he could of trapped the ball and passed it to a team mate while reading a news paper. skirtel is just a night mare rogers dropped him for months in his first season in charge then let's the best footballing centre half in the premier league Dagger go for 3 million pound and keep that use less excuse for a centre half Lambert is very deceptive he is slower than I thought and that clown in goal well do not know were to start with that berk except to say he would not get a game in a armature league and as for rogers well he can not have any complaints when he is sacked which should of been at the end of the game for me he is so wrapped up in his own world he can't see what he is doing wrong

Nomisyoung. There are rumours of a clause in his contract stating he has to play when fit.

10 Dec 2014 10:30:21
I am one who supported Rogers right true but I think his signings have cost him his job especially when he doesn't play any of them

And BR still mouths off about how is squad was "thin" and he simply had to buy them.

Brendan's arrogance and big mouth will cost him his job. He has a very good squad to work with, he just does not know how to coach them properly or pick the best team. Favoritism towards certain players has not helped his cause either. He seems more interested in proving detractors of his 'philosophy' wrong than admitting to his mistakes and using a system that actually suits the players.

10 Dec 2014 09:54:34
At least one positive thing coming out of this game.

From this season, Europa League champions are granted a Champions League spot next year.

And it is way more achievable, than winning CL. And possibly, even coming 4th in ELP.
So, if we can't finish in top4, we need to commit to Europa league.
Even if we finish 4th, we must make sure Tottenham does not win it. ;)

If anything the UEFA competition is harder, unknown teams, terrible refs, and our team will get knocked straight away anyway while we have roy hodgson reincarnated in charge, gone from the fastest playing team to the slowest in the league.

We won't win it with BR tho that's for sure.

Not being funny but the way we are playing I'd give current Europa League teams a better chance of winning it than us:
Inter
Napoli
Sevilla
Wolfsburg
Villarreal
Zenit
plus potentially:
Man City
Roma
Shalke

Theres better teams in europa, than were in your cl group

10 Dec 2014 10:58:43
realistic view, not going to help us and there are a lot of teams who could beat us that could end up in the europa league.

optimistic view, beating everton in the final to secure 4th would be the best thing to happen since Istanbul

Youse will be in unseeded pot

Robertostheman.
You know what's going to happen and so do I.
Quarter, Semi or the final.
It's bound to happen though.
You know it.
I know it.

10 Dec 2014 09:53:35
Question for ED001 and related to the position of the manager .

How much reliable info do you get to hear from inside Anfield? I understand that you do get to hear of inside information, but wondered if you COULD divulge more but afraid to because of implicating a source from within?

My own personal view is that everyone should get a fair crack of the whip.and in my opinion BR has probably already had that. To fill a bench without a recognised striker for the last few games is bizarre and his inability to adapt to games is startling. I still find it hard to believe that he won't employ a defensive coach; it's been his slow downfall since he took over the reins - the defence has been poor at best and I wonder what hold GJ has over him that he gets to play week in, week out (on both sides of defence) and keeps out better players (albeit only slightly better!).

Last nights starting 11 was surreal. When I saw the line-up I wondered what BR was smoking! Joe Allen was poor, Henderson on the left wing when we had Lallana, Markovic and Coutinho on the bench.

In the biggest game of the year so far, why on earth did Enrique start, why is Glen Johnson STILL being picked, why wasn't Borini on the bench, why was the back four changed yet again . I could go on and on but you get the general idea.

I guess it's also only fair that if I'm slating the manager I should also name my preferred replacement. I'd offer the job to Guus Hiddink if he could be persuaded to leave the Dutch national squad. Failing that it would be Jurgen Klopp for me. I was all for BR being offered the job at the time but his stubbornness, the clueless tactics, the inability to create his best 11 and sticking with them, the alienating of certain players and his constant picking of GJ has got the better of my original opinion. You gave it your best shot Brendan but sadly it's not good enough.

As much as I hate berating the team (and giving ammunition to Ed002 - who's comments I also admire), us 40+ remember the fun-filled, defensive strong, football flowing years gone by and miss them so and under this management there is little chance of getting that back.

I am an avid reader of this site and I'd like to take the opportunity to thank all the EDS for their marvellous work throughout the course of the year. Your work does not go unnoticed and I for one am appreciative for the hard work all you guys do to maintain the site and respond to the good, the bad and the ugly posts we see.

I pass on my seasons best wishes to you all and my fellow Redmen and wish you all a Merry Christmas, a Happy New Year and a fresh start for us all in 2015.

YNWA

SHOTHORSE

{Ed001's Note - it is difficult at the moment to say much, I am not sure what I can say without dropping someone in it. I can say that there is defo a move to search for a new set up, which would include a new head coach, because more than one person has told me that. When just one person says something, that is when I have to be careful that I am not dropping someone in it. I don't expect the club to act until it has all the pieces in place, they are not keen on going down the caretaker route.}

Thanks for the reply ED001 and I appreciate you have to be careful with your posts. Fingers crossed your sources are both reliable and correct. It's a shame but my own view is that things cannot stay as they are.

As an aside, do you have confidence in FSG's tenureship?

{Ed001's Note - I think they have done well in most regards, they just don't have the knowledge of football required to make the key decisions. They didn't get the right people to help them through the early days, hence the Comolli appointment. They are far too easily won over by spiel, hence the Rodgers appointment. Overall though, they want the best for the club and that is all you can ask.}

That's a "hear, hear" from me.

Thanks for your reply and continued informative post. As Brucie would say, "You're my favourite"! Haha

YNWA

Ed01 I don't suppose you've heard anything from inside as to why Lallana is rarely used? Baffles me as he seems to be one of our better players

{Ed001's Note - it does seem an odd one, considering Rodgers was the one desperate to bring him in, doesn't it? From what I am told, he just doesn't trust him to last the 90 minutes and doesn't see him as an impact sub. To a degree, I can understand what he means, Lallana struggles to last 90 minutes, but that is partially because he covers so much ground in the time he is on the pitch.

For me, I would like to see him and Stevie share the spot behind the forward/s, in the centre of the pitch. Neither of them are really at their best when asked to play 90 minutes, as both need to then hold themselves back to make sure they don't tire. So have one start and just run himself into the ground and replace him with the other, who can then go hell for leather for the remaining minutes too.}

I agree to be honest, a full throttle 60 from Lallana or Gerrard with the other going all out for the remainder. Is better than asking either to try and play 90 when they're likely to run themselves in the ground too early.

And I do think Lallana can be the impact sub, he made a difference at Anfield vs Madrid and we won't play many tougher opponents than them!

10 Dec 2014 09:44:01
I will be very interested to see, If we do get a new manager, what he is able to do with the current crop of defenders we have at the club,
It's easy to forget but Skrtel was our player of the season a few years ago,
Lovren looked world class last season,
Sakho was ousted out by the Man City of France, and has a fair few caps,

I don't think he'll get anything out of Johnson unless he starts injecting him in the ass with cocaine 5 minutes before kick off,

Like Johnson, I don't think Enrique can be taught,

For young players, I don't personally feel Manquillo and Moreno have done all too badly,

I am confident a new manager would get top4 easily with this squad, as we clearly have the quality but Brendan is stifling the players' progress. Add a top notch CDM to compete with Lucas, a quality GK and a pacy striker like Lacazette to replace Balo and Borini, we will compete for the title. The problem is Brendan and is coaching staff, they are holding the club back.

10 Dec 2014 09:30:34
Massively disappointing last night, but if we had managed to scrape through all it would have meant was ONE more Champion's League match at Anfield. Because we certainly are not good enough at the moment to get past one of the big clubs.

10 Dec 2014 09:15:34
So, we have a dodgy defence. The best form of defence is attack. We have played crap all season apart from the spurs game so let's try something different. All of this passing the ball around for passing sake gets us nowhere. Let's go and attack teams throughout the game. What have we to lose? Take off the shackles and let the players play football. Brendan is complicating a simple game. Last night Markovich showed a glimpse of what he can do when he was given a chance. We know what Sterling can do. Lallana, again we know he is a good player when allowed to play his natural game. Give Borini a chance, he will try his best and give 100% every game. Coutinho, again we know what he can do. Moreno going forward again can help the team going forward. Attack is the only way that we are going to get anything out of this season but will our manager change his views on how the game should be played? No. Can it get any worse just carrying on as we are or can it get better by having a go at teams from the start. Stop being over cautious and be brave. Set the team up with our attacking players and let's go for it.

10 Dec 2014 08:40:45
Honestly I knew we were out as soon as I saw the team sheet. The performance was not a shock to me and I was not angry at the final whistle just resigned. At this stage I would give him his settlement package and put the youth team coach in as caretaker as I'm sure he could not do any worse atm. In all seriousness though what a bungling fool Brendan proved himself to be last night, a scared bumbling fool. Oh well, roll on united on the weekend. Hopefully we won't be completely embarrassed by them.

10 Dec 2014 08:30:35
Safari is I Rafas backwards. Strange, but no stranger than the line up and substitutions yesterday!

10 Dec 2014 08:09:05
Morning Ed's and fellow red's

Just had a conversation, with a woman whom I work with. She herself has admitted to having a very limited knowledge of football to say the least.

Well the conversation went like this, not more than ten minutes ago in a lift.

"Morning Danny. How did Liverpool get on last night?" She asked.

"We drew 1-1." I replied forlornly.

"So does that mean that we're out of the champions league then?" She inquired.

"Yes!" I replied tersely.

"Crap aren't we!" she replied as the lift doors opened on her floor, and off she went.

"Yes. Yes we are." I whispered to myself, unable to argue with her damning verdict of my beloved team.

She hot man?

10 Dec 2014 07:56:56
I bet half a dozen league one managers would have got us out of that group. Useless tactics no Borini on the bench no lallana the one player who can score goals. Rodgers said the ref was bad well he is worse. He should have got sacked after the palace game. The longer Rodgers is here the more damage he will do.

10 Dec 2014 07:40:53
So incredibly disappointed. Was that the worst liverpool 11 in history or what!?

No, but close to being the worst LFC manager in the history of LFC.

Worst 11 would have been the team that included Poulsen and Konchesky, but not far off it.

Did Roy Hodgson do any worse than rogers with a lot less money ?

10 Dec 2014 05:35:21
I would get rid of him NOW. I would rather take a chance on a caretaker manager for the remainder of this "written off" season. At least it would encourage change as it is quite obvious that Brendan is NOT going to change, there will be no bigger game this season that would require attacking football and his selection and substitutions were just bizarre. You blew it Brendan and you are now just embarrassing the club

10 Dec 2014 05:21:50
I think every liverpool fan and Eds here knew that we started with the worst possible liverpool lineup against Basel.
given that we required to win this game at all costs proves ed01's point that Brendan is totally arrogant and won't suck it up and do what is required. not starting with lallana, coutinho markovic moreno manquillo or even Can was shocker. and then he paired the tragic lovren and skrtel together !!

i now believe that Mr Brendan Rodgers has a personal vendetta against our beloved club, surely no one with half a football brain would pick up a mid field of gerrard lucas and allen along with the miserable pairing defensive pairing of lovren and skrtel in a must must win game. and then enrique ?? johnson??

As much as i hate to rant against our own players and managers, its time to give up on Brendan, and no its not because we have a bad run of games and this year isn't what it should have been, its purely because Brendan is pitch drunk in his philosphy and ideals and won't change.

10 Dec 2014 03:42:44
Although it is still early, I am hanging my sock, sending notes to Santa Claus that I would like De Boer for Christmas.

10 Dec 2014 01:12:38
Hello EDS and fellow REDS

Things just get better with every game. One of the most expensive benches in the EPL. Very disappointing because Basle are not a force and will get trounced in the knock-out stages.
I hope the rumours are just rumours because AGAIN we are going for players we do not need!!

BR MUST find his strongest 11 and stick to it.

Very disappointed. Only wins against the Mancs and Gooners will cover some of the cracks. which is very unlikely with BR not knowing who to play. a very sad joke. YNWA

09 Dec 2014 22:06:06
;( a question to the eds please why did Borini not play today instead of lambert?
I definitely think we need a goalkeeper and a striker!

{Ed002's Note - Liverpool have plenty of strikers.}

10 Dec 2014 07:23:15
Ed002 come on its about quality not quantity sell who needs to go and get one player in up top unless we have gave up for this season.

{Ed002's Note - You have a very naive view of the game.}

Skirtel is the latest striker, isn't he well he was last night