Liverpool Banter Archive February 10 2018

10 Feb 2018 22:58:13
Hey Ed,
The breakaway league comment is starting to resemble Macca’s transfer post in January, some posters are close to melt down, you’re going to be busy mate lol .

11 Feb 2018 09:41:57
Why is that, ed02 has been telling us about this for about 5yrs now. Its not new news, apologies for the double word, i could not think of another way to say it, too early in the morning. Im rambling now so i will stop, or will I? Ok im done now. 😁.

10 Feb 2018 15:23:11
Q for Ed2
Regarding this breakaway european league, suppose Liverpool or spurs or whoever were euopean champions and considered the best team in europe (higly unlikely i know) the season before the breakaway. Would they be invited in and if not, in your opinion, would their exclusion not devalue the league? Thanks in advance.

{Ed002's Note - No and no.}

10 Feb 2018 16:15:53
Seems strange that a team with a record in Europe probably only 2nd to Madrid in Europe.2nd most successful in English history, a fanbase up there with the very biggest teams with one of the largest revenues wouldn't be invited.

10 Feb 2018 16:32:59
Big Emre it's all about now not history from 30 plus years ago. It really is simple if we had been a top Premier league team with a few championships we would have been invited.
On the breakaway I think it will loose all appeal after 10 years and teams will try and get back into their respective leagues.

{Ed002's Note - The respective leagues will have changed considerably by then.}

10 Feb 2018 18:05:17
ED002, correct me if I am wrong here, but will the pan breakaway only be made up of the clubs that are currently involved in the on going meetings in Monaco?

Will there be a second tier league? And if so what teams would make that league up?

Regards

Kemlyn.

{Ed002's Note - The plan remains it is those clubs. Subsequently their may be a second tleague but that is far off and some will be against it.}

10 Feb 2018 18:21:03
ED002,

For the teams left in the premier league, will there be an opportunity to get into the breakaway league through winning the league, champions league of another competition? And subsequently a team from the breakaway league loosing there place through relegation?

But, where would they be relegated to? They would have lost of there place in the league they came from I guess as it would be two different governing associations, no?

I guess I just answered my own question, but the breakaway league would soon become boring as every team would be safe from relegation as they have nowhere to be relegated too?

Could players be bought from the premier league by a team in the breakaway league

I am opening a can of worms in my own head here

Regards

Kemlyn.

{Ed002's Note - (1) No, that is not the plan. (2) There is no reason to think that transfer would be any different to now - this has already been discussed.}

10 Feb 2018 18:29:13
ED002

Sorry to be a pain, but do UEFA have representatives at the meetings in Monaco? Do they get invited?

They must have a bit of a sweat on with the prospect of it happening, as you would think it would de value the champions league and the UEFA cup eventually

Cheers.

{Ed002's Note - It remains the greatest fear of UEFA and all major national authorities that one day this will happen – which has resulted in a counter-proposal being drafted by UEFA. They don't attend the meetings as members but have on some occasions been represented where specific matters are being discussed, or where they wish to raise specific matters with the clubs.}

10 Feb 2018 18:36:00
Ed002, a or two question if I may and it’s hypothetical, but would the exclusion of Liverpool from the breakaway league hurt Liverpool considerably? The reason I say Liverpool is coz I support Liverpool, but spurs could be an example too. Basically clubs who complete in European completions most years.

And have the breakaway discussed further entries? Promotion demotion style or is it just going to be the X amount of clubs and that's it?

{Ed002's Note - If the proposal for a breakaway goes ahead, there is every likelihood that the big money from television, sponsorship etc. would go with a breakaway league. It would completely rupture the operations of UEFA and I would expect it would require national associations like the FA to restructure their leagues. Nobody wants this but it is the eventual consequence I would expect. Initially it could be that there is a single 16 team league with probably 3 EPL teams making the initial plunge. If I had to speculate, I would think (1) you might eventually see something like five or six EPL teams leave for two-tier pan European league - but it won't be based on the UEFA rankings and it is a long way off; (2) the Premier League would be disbanded as an organisation; (3) the FA would restructure in to two 20 team divisions with lower leagues regionalised as they were many years ago; (4) FIFA would ban all players from the breakaway teams from International football - perhaps rescinding that position to stop FIFA breaking up as well - they don't want further issues but the troubles are not going to go away. I could also see many teams lose their professional status. I would think we are probably 10 years away from any significant move at this time.

I hold a reasonably strong view in terms of the need to restructure football in Europe in any case. For me an eventual a breakaway pan-European league would force the restructuring of many of the national leagues, possibly resulting in a British league with perhaps only a couple of professional tiers and then regionalised amateur leagues below that. Financially I do not see that so many pro sides can be sustained within the sport which, like it or not, will see more and more money going in to the highest levels of the game. Governments will ensure that grassroots sport get funding but everything in the middle (Southern, Northern, Conference, Division 2, Scottish Divisions 1-3, League of Wales will not get the funding needed to continue on any sort of professional basis. For me, clubs should already recognise this and put their efforts in to getting there finances in order to see if they can make it to a British professional league that will need to flourish without perhaps six sides that have gone down the pan-European route - and have gone for good. Clubs like Accrington Stanley will need to carry on as amateurs or face extinction (yet again).

The game has changed significantly and will continue to do so. Football at the highest level is big business and attracts the sponsorship it does because the sponsors wish to tap in to the disposable income of the fans and ride the back of the advertising that flows naturally from the success some clubs achieve. Long gone are the days of the cloth-capped, hobnailed-booted, chimney sweep making his way, rattle in hand, to cheer on his team at Anfield on a Saturday afternoon. I have explained that there will be changes, probably within the next 10 to 12 years, which will force the restructuring of all of the leagues in Europe and likely do away with the likes of UEFA. You will have the opportunity to see the likes of Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Juventus and the other major European sides play in week-on-week regular competition at The Emirates, Stamford Bridge etc.. You will have the opportunity to visit Milan, Barcelona, Monaco, etc. every couple of weeks to watch your team play - if they make the cut. If you want to don your cloth cap, have a pint of wallop with your chums before going off to the local match, perhaps one of the sides from the suburbs will have survived so you can go and watch them?}

10 Feb 2018 18:37:55
ED2

Last question, is there a free pint of wallop in it for you?

All the best mate.

{Ed002's Note - I don't drink wallop at all Kemlyn.}

10 Feb 2018 18:49:10
Thanks for the info Ed002, always a pleasure.

{Ed002's Note - You are welcome.}

10 Feb 2018 18:49:51
Thanks Ed002 for you answer and I do remember seeing a lot of the points from you before, so thanks for putting it together. it was a good read.

{Ed002's Note - Glad it helped.}

10 Feb 2018 18:53:46
I think liverpool have a good chance of winning ucl. We can beat anyone. Not favourites of course but we are there.

10 Feb 2018 18:57:42
From what I read, liverpool would be asked. We are European football royalty.

I really hate the idea of it though and I hope and pray it doesn't happen. It would be another example of money ruining the game we love. Things like Leicester winning the Premier will be over and devalue the achievements of potential winners of the Premier league. Does it mean Liverpool will never play Everton again? Or only rarely in fa Cup etc.

10 Feb 2018 18:58:10
I am guessing the new league will have a top 4 places and it will need the likes of Us, Spurs and Arsenal to fight for that spot lol!

10 Feb 2018 20:01:48
This breakaway league could be what most fans are craving. Let the breakaway teams go. That leaves the league clubs with a limited pot of money and the 'good old days' where it's not all about money. Every team left wold be working to a budget, I'd imagine less big wages, less foreign players, more teams made up of home grown and local lads. It may not have the glitz and gL'Amour of the breakaway but domestically could be the best thing to happen. Just my opinion. Clean the slate and start again.

10 Feb 2018 20:58:36
A pan European football league sounds incredibly boring to be honest, no more derbys, no more giant killings, no new teams from lower leagues, no unexpected results, no rivalries, no fun, no atmosphere, Just dull, sterile football.

Imagine if United went and we didn’t, the United fans live to do us over, playing PSG every other week will just take the fun out of it for them, they would have nothing to look forward to, it’s like taking away Xmas, same goes if we went and Everton didn’t, I would miss derby day too much, sorry but give me Everton over Real Madrid any day of the week.
I imagine all the big teams fans would miss it as well after the initial honeymoon period, the big money will go initially but if the stands are empty after a few years and nobody’s watching on sky/ bt/ Amazon/ google anymore because it’s a total snore fest then the money and sponsorship will Soon dry up.
The moneymen in football are a bit naive thinking they can completely rip the soul out of football and expect the fans to lap it up and chuck money at them, we don’t live to watch PSG vs Madrid just because it’s PSG vs Madrid, we live to see the unexpected, games like the legendary LfC vs Newcastle game (4-4) smashing Norwich for 6, even getting turned over by Cyrstal palace, Gerrards slip, leisters title win as it’s these moments/ talking points that make football special and successful not Neymars latest haircut.

{Ed002's Note - They would play teams as often as they play Liverpool. You wildly underestimate how popular it will be. It is a natural progression away from what is bloated and unsustainable.}

10 Feb 2018 21:08:26
Ed002 alluding to a cap and rattle 😂😂

I’ve been following and going to the games, home and away for over 30 years, no cap, no rattle, just plenty of brilliant days out following my team. Pure football days out.

Football lost it’s “rattles and caps” when Murdoch got his greeds hands on the games.

Chelsea away used to be totally hostie, now it’s full of Sloaney blondes thinking they know everything about football! Believe me I know, because I still go to Chelsea away and have a few pints in the white horse on Parsons Green.

I’d rather see the rattes and fat caps than the soulless support of today.

{Ed002's Note - we lived very close to the ground when we first moved to England and we stay regularly in the Chelsea Harbour hotel still. I don’t recall the White Horse but there is a very good vintage guitar shop in Parsons Green. Try the Chelsea Prayer Room (you need to ask if there is space in there as it is above a restaurant called Goat. Else Barts is worth a visit. The Lots Raod pub on, not surprisingly, on Lots Road is pleasant enough, you can park nearby and it is about a 10 minute walk to the ground.}

10 Feb 2018 21:43:41
Wildly popular with who though? I’m not pretending I speak for the majority of football fans, but I would have thought the majority of football fans would hate it.

11 Feb 2018 06:43:54
To me it sounds too predictable if there are the same set of clubs doing the rounds. A p-Ing contest between billionaires to see how much money they can waste on agents. Can’t wait to pay for that 😴
I think the people pushing this idea are wildly over estimating how popular it would be. If it takes the billionaire owners away from the game then it’s probably a positive step.
Football in this country would survive and be just as popular. You get 25k fans plus going to some championship games these days. Do you think Newcastle fans will abandon their team fo go and watch Chelsea’s millionaire mercenaries play PSG millionaire mercenaries on Sky? 😄.

11 Feb 2018 07:06:24
One more thought on the breakaway. Common sense says the big sponsors and money follow at the start as it had world wide appeal. In short period of time with the leagues reorganised and regional areas the sponsors will be back and football big business again. The reasoning behind this is the Nfl (breakaway ) and then college football (UK leagues) . Both extremely successful and full houses and money in sponsorship. Suppose all the UK players will also be hoping to get 'drafted' to the big league also. I'm not worried in the slightest.

11 Feb 2018 09:11:38
I have to agree with others about it not sticking long term. I for one will not be watching, I will cancel my tv subscription and go and watch my local team play or even better will go and watch rugby which is a much more honest and friendly place.

I can see it working in the short term but after a while the teams which do less well in the breakaway league will loose there glamour, Man U fans will not want to see there team spanked week in week out and be at the bottom of the table. PSG will loose there appeal when they are not able to win the league. The league over time will be become uncompetitive, boring and predictable, the same couple of teams that come make more revenue will come out top every year and those teams which used to be at the top in there respective country and now just mid table in a rich boys league which will have no pull to attract new fans.

This will be bad for football, I know the current status is not as good at is could be and the money is causing an issue but we do have a competitive league where no one team dominates. The likes of Watford can stun us with wins over the top boys, we can see thrashing at the Emirates, of arsenal anyway.

{Ed002's Note - Piffa: You are missing the point that there is a need for a natural progression away from what we have now and conceptually it is not considerably different from the elagues across Europe aside from relegation/promotion - and realistically clubs like Watford, Swansea, Burnley et al do not go on to challenge seriously in the Premier League at all. Periodically things change - the Premier League didn't even exist until 1992 but I guess a lot of readers are young and don't recall the previous structure. UEFA didn't exist until the mid 1950s and the Champions League has regularly changed formats.

There are a lot of questions above in other posts that have not been answered. To try and pick off a few:
Supersalah: Liverpool are not part of this - and nobody cares about the ridiculous "European Royalty" claim.
Mikey: Fans of most European sides are far less insular that the Liverpool supporters who largely live in the past.
Ron: It will be no different than the Premier League where there are a limited number of clubs who can realistically win it - but the number, looking at the clubs, is not just three or four like the Premier League. From the overall group of "elite" clubs involved two have already declared they won't be involved with any Breakaway and another three are sat on the fence - leaving for now the 16 I spoke of.}

11 Feb 2018 10:02:45
I know formats have changed over the years. I am not arguing that change should not happen, but the same premise has happened over all those years. Club can go from the bottom to the top, obviously we do not see it as much, but from what I can tell that will never happen again. The elite will already be decided, not by fans or opinion and not by right but by the elite. Fixed in place to play only the elite week in week out. Obviously there are many questions unanswered but the way I see it, they will be under no jurisdiction of current associations, therefore making their own rules voted for by clubs which only have money in mind. These clubs will then be outside of normal jurisdiction, not able to play the FA Cup and other domestic competitions. I think people underestimate the power of and intelligence of people, football is sat precariously the edge of a cliff that could result in its downfall and at the heart of the problem is greed. This is a continued example of that.

My own opinion is that it may not happen outside the remit of FIFA and therefore it may continue to use some of the rules of our current system but this must include promotion/ relegation of some form, it cannot be a locked in elite of clubs on an invite only basis.

{Ed002's Note - I think you have missed a few things here. Firstly they will need a governing body and UEFA would obviously like to take that role. One way or the other that will be resolved, even if it is eventually outside of FIFA (as some are). The league will be formed in exactly the same was as the Premier League was formed - a decision by the clubs in the old First Division to "break away" (from what was then the Football League) and form their own league - so it is exactly the same. They will not be changing and Laws of the game. There will be no obligation for promotion/obligation and I have explained that may eventually changeed - and there is no FIFA ruling that mandates that needs to happen.}

11 Feb 2018 11:04:47
Brilliant thread and some very interesting points and opinions in this debate. Will be very interesting to see what happens in the long run. Will it be the revival of dad/ mum being able to afford to take the kids to the local derby or will we all be wishing we was part of the elite league watching the world class perform? I personally wouldn’t be able to afford the luxury of following my team around Europe so it’s local for me.

11 Feb 2018 11:33:15
Taffy

If it’s not televised globally then the clubs won’t survive. It’s the money that’s coming from the TV rights that’s pulling the strings. No body wants to see the games that’s not on TV mate! None of the top clubs would survive without the TV money!

11 Feb 2018 11:38:34
I understand your points ed. And I agree that football needs to change to make it more competitive but I would be really sad to see the end of the league as we know it. No matter what aspect of life you look at, the rich get rich and the poor struggle to survive. Perhaps if every team in Europe was involved and was more regional the lower down the league it goes.

There has to be a way for the lesser clubs to progress and eventually break into that European league. It seems the gap between the top sides will only be widened making it more difficult for those not in the top European league to sign quality players. That said there won't be enough teams for all the quality talent out there to play for. I'm struggling to make sense of it.

11 Feb 2018 11:40:47
One of greatest team of all time - Nottingham Forest should be included.

11 Feb 2018 11:37:54
But that is my point. It’s outside of FIFA. Nothing like that has happened to a league this big. The Premier league is different in that it is still governed by the FA and overall FIFA which have a common standard of football.

{Ed002's Note - FIFA's primary role is to organise international competition. The Laws are the responsibility of a different body. Leagues are not associated with FIFA and a reorganised UEFA could certainly oversee a Pan European League.

I don't get your point, what "standards" of football do you see an issue with?

11 Feb 2018 14:24:51
The current standard or rules of football are set out by IFAB and inpretted by each football association thus making the sport consistent to all those who govern by it. The main people that hold the majority of the seats at that table are FIFA and the rest are made up by uk football Association. It’s been that way for a long time. If the new league is not governed by FIFA or the FA they do not have to abide by those rules. They could potentially change the game to suit a style or platform that they prefer, for example changing match lengths or ball size. I think u are incorrect about FIFA only being there to arrange international competitions.

This is all individual opinion, only time will tell if it does happen and if it is good or bad for the game. Personally I can’t see it being good for football but I am just one person with my own agenda and view. What I like about this site is it is a great platform for debate. Thank u for you time.

{Ed002's Note - They will abide by the rules of the game as they stand now and as are amended over time Piffmunda - it will not be like the 20-20 thing has done to cricket. That has already been agreed.

You seem to be clutching at some pretty extreme straws now.}

11 Feb 2018 18:58:05
Ed002, if you don’t mind.

How will Brexit affect the discussions?
All non-British/ Northern Irish players playing in Uk will need work permits, fans and players will need visas to travel to these places. British/ Northern Irish players will need work permits to transfer to these clubs.

{Ed002's Note - Brexit is of no relevance to the discussions. It is not actually clear what would happen with work permits but regardless it won't impact the players and differently to playing in the Premier League. There would certainly not be any overnight change but the eventual position would likely be a need for work permits and residence permits. In terms of existing EU citizens already working in the UK, there is no plan but I would think an amnesty would be the likely decision followed by a quota system of some type. The issue at the moment is those arriving in the lead up to the UK leaving - that is part of the discussions happening at the moment. A good question but no firm answer I am afraid.}

10 Feb 2018 14:41:36
Was just reading the discussion reference the breakaway league down the page. My question Ed02 is how worried will the owners of Liverpool, Spurs, Everton be in that they are investing vast amounts in their respective clubs only to potentially see a large amount of money wiped of the value of their club when teams and tv money break away.

{Ed002's Note - The owners of Liverpool and Spurs won't be worried as they will be gone by the ime it happens and I am not sure what makes you think the owners of Everton have invested "vast amounts".}

10 Feb 2018 15:48:57
I read into that that Fenway will look to sell after the next tv deal is struck. The question is who would buy LFC at the price Fenway will ask knowing that they’re not invited to join the inevitable breakaway. Institutional owners looking for an instant return maybe? We should be fearful of who the next owner will be from the sounds of it.

10 Feb 2018 16:44:07
Fly, what many people also don't understand about selling the club is that if for some reason, owners sell and Klopp is still in charge, the new owners may more than likely want their guy, their manager who may NOT be Klopp. What will that do to the fan base? I keep saying it to those who whine that FSG should go, be careful what you wish for.

10 Feb 2018 18:55:38
I can't believe Liverpool are not going to be invited into this breakaway league!

10 Feb 2018 14:10:50
One for ed2 if you’re about please.

You mentioned recently that Navas is a GK we’ve shown interest in. We already know about Allison, I wondered if there are anymore gk’s you know if we have an interest in?

Thanks in advance.

{Ed002's Note - as I have said before, circumstances may we’ll be that you put aside thoughts of Alisson. Interest from Liverpool and another side remains in Navas. I expect he will be the very clear target for Klipperty in the summer. I am not aware of any other GKs the club is showing interest in but I am sure that scouts will keep an eye on players as the season progresses.}

10 Feb 2018 14:35:33
Is he a free agent in the summer ed?

Hope they don’t try to use him in some swap deal for salah.

{Ed002's Note - No.}

10 Feb 2018 14:58:27
Nava's is a good keeper in my opinion.

I'm just not sure "good" is the level we need. He's certainly stable though. Not really got any weaknesses, and rarely makes mistakes. He just doesn't really have any stand out abilities as a keeper.

I'd support him though. He'd still be the best keeper we've had since Reina left. Bar hasn't been set very high though 😂.

10 Feb 2018 15:18:29
I take it Madrid have a replacement already lined up?

10 Feb 2018 15:46:01
Sorry MK, Navas is nothing like a good keeper. He’s a show pony like Casillas, ask yourself why Madrid are so desperate to replace him? He throws himself around at shots he should reasonably save and makes basic mistakes that cost goals, add to that he’s too easily beaten at his near post or anything over his head and he’s no better than Mignolet. We’ll not mention his inability to deal with crosses. The only thing he has is that he’s ok with the ball at his feet. If we signed him it would be repeating the same mistakes we always appear to do with keepers.

10 Feb 2018 16:01:16
It's Real Madrid to be fair Dennis. They replaced Ozil just because the fans got bored of him and wanted an expensive, shiny, new player.

I wouldn't pick Navas, but he's won League titles and Champions leagues in Real Madrid's net, across several seasons. So whilst he isn't world class, he's clearly not bad either.

Casillas gets a bad rap on here too, i think. I agree Casillas was hugely over rated and never world class, but he was still a good keeper in his prime.

Real Madrid replace anybody as and when they feel like it though, so that is not a fair barometer of his abilities. I do agree that we should be looking for better. If Klopp wants Navas, we should support him though.

10 Feb 2018 16:49:36
MK, I have watched Navas since his Levante days and right now, he is not who we need. He has regressed for a while now since he played at the WC where for me, he was the best GK, neck and neck with Neuer. Navas is poor on crosses, lacks the athleticism off his line like Karius does for example as RM do not play a high line, and does not command his box enough.

I do agree that RM fans wanted DDG from jump and Navas was never their guy even tho he helped them win a hatful of Cups in the past 3 seasons, a very good shot stopper has, good reflexes and. Not sold on him as he has regressed from the WC days, IMO.

10 Feb 2018 18:03:55
He is a really poor keeper who let's in soft goals. He hardly has anything to do at Madrid and yet still looks rotten when called upon. Madrid have been desperate to get shot of him for ages. We shouldn’t be the mug punters to take him.

{Ed002's Note - You keep posting the same thing over and over and you just don't seem to get it that he is a player that Klopp would like.}

10 Feb 2018 21:00:33
Fair point Ed. It’s just frustrating that it’s a crucial position that we keep getting wrong and it looks like we’re going to get it horribly wrong again if Klopp gets his way. If Keylor Navas is reading this, the weather here is horrible and the food awful. You should stay in Spain 😉.

11 Feb 2018 03:38:06
Dennis you said the same thing about the ox for weeks and weeks and were proved very wrong. Navas wouldn't be my first choice but he is miles ahead of migs. Understand madrid have a better squad than us but they would barely have got close to a trophy if navas was the same standard as migs. They are looking to replace him with arguably the worlds best goalkeeper not some average keeper. There are very few teams that wouldn't want to replace their keeper with DDG given the opportunity!

11 Feb 2018 09:57:41
Has he been proved wrong about ox? I'd love him to be top notch but still find he's inconsistent just like his arsenal days.

11 Feb 2018 13:59:54
Farmo, without directly quoting I think the word used was ‘woeful’ about the ox. He has been far from that.

10 Feb 2018 12:59:59
Arsenal win for me today please. 👍.

10 Feb 2018 13:18:40
A draw for me. Both teams have the ability to go on a good run.

10 Feb 2018 13:53:32
Doesn't matter either way to me. We're ahead of them both and neither team plays us again this season so they can only catch us if we slip up.

I'm more interested in our game against Saints. I think we will win big!

10 Feb 2018 14:29:57
arsenal are so poor. I don't blame wenger, the players are crap when push comes to shove. wilshere was the only one that looked up for it.

10 Feb 2018 14:44:49
Spurs win is the best result tbh, Arsenal will get thumped next week too so hopefully that's them out of the top 4 for a while.

10 Feb 2018 14:46:21
If the players are the problem, then I'm sorry but nobody but Wenger is to blame. He's been there what? 22 years? And all the while he has been the only man making decisions on the football side of things.

Every single player, every single coach, and probably every other member of staff below board level, is there because of Wenger. He's basically judge, jury and director of football!

{Ed002's Note - No, that has all changed.}

10 Feb 2018 14:58:21
Yeah a draw is the best result for us.

10 Feb 2018 15:00:38
Only very recently though Ed (November assuming you mean what i think you mean), and Arsenal have been a mess for years.

{Ed002's Note - Right, so what you said was incorrect. There has been a step change and that will continue. As for being a "mess", last season is the first finihing outside of the Champions League places for more than 20 years - so not that much of a mess.}

10 Feb 2018 15:15:15
This is a random one but how would people feel about kasper smicheal? Seems too good to stay at Leicester forever.

10 Feb 2018 15:47:06
Kasper Schmeichel is a very average keeper. We should be looking for a top class keeper. Not a mid table one.

10 Feb 2018 15:52:33
Ed you can keep something going with cellotape for a while but it doesn't mean it's not broken inside. Arsenal have been a mess for about 10 years.

Now the cellotape has come away look where they are.

{Ed002's Note - The last 10 years they have won the FA Cup three times and have only once missed out on Champions League qualification. How does that compare to the likes of Spurs or Liverpool? Miles and miles better.}

10 Feb 2018 16:05:12
Spurs are looking ominously good in my opinion players back from injury too so they also have options on the bench.

10 Feb 2018 16:10:37
I've just realised my final line was a typo Ed. It should of read
"He's basically been judge, jury and director of football"
It was meant to be past tense, as to my knowledge, Arsenal brought in the guy from Barcelona in November which is why Barcelona wanted the Coutinho deal done that month.

That is exactly my point though Ed002. Arsenal have been happy with 4th place for over 10 years now. They've stood still for so long that they are now the 6th best team in the country, despite being the best about 12-14 years ago. Scraping CL qualification just papers over the cracks.

Would Klopp keep his job if he finished 4th ten seasons in a row? I'm not so sure. There has been no ambition at Arsenal in my opinion for too long. Maybe the new guy will change things. He's not been there long enough to put his stamp on things though so my point was that this team is all Wengers doing. Except maybe Mkhitaryan and Aubameyang i guess as they're the only changes to playing staff that habe been made since November.

{Ed002's Note - Arsenal have been trying to win the leagur in each of those 10 years and immediately prior to last season Arsenal were 2nd and 3rd in the league. The two you mention are far from the only changes to playing staff since November.

You perhaps should limit your thoughts to Liverpool MK as you have stuggled to be coherent in respect of both Arsenal and Chelsea in recent posts.}

10 Feb 2018 16:45:31
Sorry you feel that way Ed002. This site exists so that people can have an opinion on anything and everything football. You don't have to agree, and maybe some of my points are factually incorrect; you'll have to forgive the misinformation that is put out to us mere mortals to form an opinion on though. I don't have the luxury of inside knowledge which is why i come here to be educated.

Does that mean I'm not allowed to talk about it though? You're not doing my teachers pet reputation any good by the way 😂 people think we share a bed!

{Ed002's Note - If you post things that are factually incorrect - such as about the playing staff at Arsenal I will correct if I feel so inclined. You seem to have a penchant for saying this about otehr clubs that are simply wrong.}

10 Feb 2018 16:53:40
Spot on, MK. Does not matter what Spurs or Arsenal do or don't do. They can no longer affect our results and vice versa as we don't play them anymore. However, we have a chance to affect their results next week as we play at home and Spurs play at CP and Arsenal host City BUT before we even get to that, all hands must be on deck for the Saints game tmrw cos we can easily get unstuck over there as Arsenal and Spurs actually did this season.

10 Feb 2018 18:56:15
Our fans seems happy with top 4. Our manager has not won a trophy yet and looks like we are heading to another trophy less campaign. How are we so better than Arsenal? I'm worried that we'll lose tomorrow and we will slip to 5th place fighting again for top 4.

10 Feb 2018 19:20:23
Ed your comment about a step change brought me back to my uni days. Step and emergent change and all that jazz! Was going to ask about management strategies in football clubs a while ago but couldn’t string a coherent post together. Maybe when I sober up.

10 Feb 2018 19:38:17
Where did i say we are any better Harry? Although we are marginally because Rafa, Hodgson, Dalglish and Rodgers all got sacked for underperforming. In that time frame, Arsenal have stuck with the same old rubbish right up until 3 months ago when they finally made a change.

When Klopp has gone 14 years without a major trophy (PL or CL), and not been sacked, then maybe we will be as bad.

10 Feb 2018 19:40:44
Baby, if you are afraid to watch us play then for sure, you lack the bottle to watch and support your team cos supporting your team thru thick and thin, is not for the weak-hearted so I suggest you don't bother watching esp. if you are so sure we will lose.

And so what we did not win a trophy this season? What do you want us to do about it? Take our toys and go home? If we won a trophy and came 5th, would that be good for you? Arsenal did the same thing last season and where are they now? They kept their deluded manager and he is dragging them down even further down the tubes.

We are where we are and tho we all wanted a trophy, Top 4 is our priority now and you comparing us to Arsenal is complete horse manure. While we've been messing around with incompetence up and down the club, they have been winning leagues, Cups and making CL within the past 20 years. We were nowhere near them when Klopp arrived and now, we are leaving them in the dirt.

It is that type of baseless self entitlement attitude of denigrating other teams who have been more successful than us in the past, that has gotten us where we were which was NOWHERE until he arrived. If Klopp gets us top 4 this season, then we would have had a solid season even tho, there is more room for improvement and Klopp will be the first to tell you that. Nothing more, nothing less.

10 Feb 2018 22:43:35
MK, you doing that thing fans do when they confuse outcome with ambition. Its total dross to imply that arsenal only want to finish 4th each season. Just the same as its total dross when lfc fans make a connection between a failed transfer and a lack of ambition from our owners. Its the most inimaginative and lazy criticism. Especually when you include that arsenal haave been competing at the top table of europe for the past decade, have been winning domestic trophies in between, I can't see the argument here.

11 Feb 2018 11:32:03
That is exactly what Ed02 said above. They have been competing all these years and their decline has been from only two years. Glad you admit we were absolute duds till Klopp took over.

10 Feb 2018 11:25:22
Hi ed 002 I know you have some good contacts when it comes to French football do you think Liverpool are looking at adrien rabiot.

{Ed002's Note - No, there is no interest.}

10 Feb 2018 14:57:08
I would be on cloud 9 if we sign him. Brilliant brilliant player.

10 Feb 2018 17:00:06
Would not mind Rabipot, as well.

10 Feb 2018 10:40:36
Morning Ed001.

Thought we really started to look jaded during the 2nd half against Spurs, thought they took advantage of this by stretching the play.

Do you you think Klopp will make changes against Saints, with Porto in mind on Wednesday?

With 12 games to go and CL games this will be a real test of how strong we are in the run in.

{Ed001's Note - I don't think we were jaded, we came out deeper, so it couldn't have been that. It was a tactical change that just led to us getting overrun and the player's were struggling to cope.}

10 Feb 2018 11:12:37
I always try and guess the starting line up using the Friday training photo's to help.

Total guess work but Ben Woodburn looked to be wearing the same coloured bib as all the players you'd expect to start (Firmino, Salah, Mane etc) .

10 Feb 2018 11:15:26
I saw it as such, as well Ed. It may not had been the best tactic and indeed, all tactics are gambles in the end, IMO. It did work by and large, IMO until as they created next to no clear chances (3 shots on target in 95 mins says it all) until their first goal happened and then the refs stepped in it.

10 Feb 2018 11:24:09
You may be right, MK.

10 Feb 2018 11:24:14
Interesting that mk, would possibly see him play in the midfield 3? I wouldn't be mad seeing him get a chance to be the creative force from there in this game, would be great opportunity for him!

10 Feb 2018 12:18:00
We are an extremely fit and mobile team and so are Spurs. I think we out ran spurs in the first half and then blew out of steam. Spurs were at sixes and sevens in the first half with our pressing. Second half the lads couldn't keep up the intensity which can be expected and this allowed Spurs to srretch us.

{Ed001's Note - but they didn't even try and press in the 2nd half, so it can't be about running out of steam immediately. It was a tactical change. It is not even difficult to see, the team set up differently, players deeper which makes it impossible to press.}

10 Feb 2018 12:20:20
Would love to see the lad get a chance, just hope fans don't turn on him for not being ready made from the get go.

10 Feb 2018 12:22:14
Lallana and Moreno also seemed to be in the hi-vis yellow bibs that Woodburn, Salah, Firmino and Mane were wearing.

100% guessing though lads. I would love to see Woodburn get a start though.

10 Feb 2018 12:41:41
Saw and thought the same thing MK!

Would be very surprised to see him though, he hasn't even made the bench in recent weeks.

Fingers crossed though.

11 Feb 2018 11:35:03
Agree completely that we just changed focus and tactics in 2nd half. My worry is that with the likes of Hendo, Can, Gini, Ox, and Milner, none of them are naturally defensive minded mids. I don't mean a CDM, just that their natural styles are dynamic box to box types ye. So when we try to play deep like we did vs spurs or in other cases when we try and contain a game, we are fighting against our own players natural instincts!

Case in point being the number of times we've seen Milner, Can and even Hendo fly up to press only to get turned so easily leaving our defence exposed. We just don't seem to have a CM who will sit Marshall his CM partnered and keep the ball in front of them. Our midfield is like turnstiles all game! Its not been a new thing too, we were like this under BR and definitely in Klopp's first 3/ 4 season in charge. I thought we had turned a lead around a 1/ 4 way thru this season where we seemed to play controlled but then we've reverted back to type.

My point is, and as mentioned by others, sorting out our midfield is as important to address this off-season. We've almost specialised in turning attacking mids into roles that require more specific defensive duties. Long term I think we will always battle this same problem until we recruit CMs who have a natural eye for the defensive side of the game. doesn't need to be CDM just someone who can apply the tactics of that deeper CM position.

Always wanted Ndidi, but don't know if we are interested in him. In any case I hope we address is it, I think it will really help Hendo, can (if he stays), Gini etc to play their natural games and hopefully improve their performances too.

10 Feb 2018 10:22:07
Question for Ed002,

When / if the breakaway league happens, what do you see happening to the football streaming rights? I expect the big broadcasters to pick up the breakaway for silly money but is this when you think companies like amazon to pick up the premier league or will clubs start streaming themselves?

At the moment Liverpool are not included in the English teams talking about this, so does this mean we will be batting it out with Watford to win the league or how could we get in to the breakaway league.

Thanks for your time.

Regards

Crooky.

{Ed002's Note - The likes of Amazon and Google will be looking at broadcast rights in the soon to be happening auction - but not as the major provider. When the eventual breakaway happens the big money goes with those clubs and the clubs have already decided that they will negotiate their television and media rights, rights of distribution via other streams etc.. . The Premier League will eventually need to be reorganised and will see a loss of revenue - but it will still get more than the other leagues. Right now there is zero chance of Liverpool being involved in the breakaway initially.}

10 Feb 2018 11:18:09
I hope we're not involved ever, to some extent. The break away league is turning it's back on the fans who go to the games. How can away fans be expected to go to Milan, then Madrid, then Munich potentially all in a single month and across a 6-9 month period?

Having said that, not being involved in it will be bad for the club's exposure and the global fanbase will likely fall.

I think this break away will ruin football to be honest. Might have to start getting into Rugby just in case 😂.

10 Feb 2018 11:43:53
MK, well if you move you will at least enjoy the sight of good referees much more often and always respect from players for the referees lol.

10 Feb 2018 11:59:43
Totally agree mk. Something has to change but I think a breakaway league is just too far a step.

10 Feb 2018 11:11:25
Ed2, if you don't mind the follow up question, I think you've mentioned a second tier of teams that could join the breakaway at a later date. Is Liverpool in that group?

{Ed002's Note - That group doesn't exist - what may subsequently happen is a second pan European division may be added but there is resistance from a number of sides to that already.}

10 Feb 2018 11:13:19
Forgive my ignorance, but why wouldn’t we be involved edd2.an what teams are involved 👍.

{Ed002's Note - Liverpool are not part of the on going discussions and they won't be included in them. I don't want to get in to explaining this in any detail.}

10 Feb 2018 11:30:48
I was thinking the same MK, I go to the home games and have CL on my season ticket. I don’t go to so many away games these days since I became a Dad, so traveling abroad would be totally out of the question lol.

Ed002, which English teams would be involved Ed002 and what’s the criteria to qualify?

{Ed002's Note - It is unimportant which sides are involved and there is no "qualification" - the sides involved in the regular discussions are the sides that will be involved.}

10 Feb 2018 14:08:58
Without sounding bolshy Ed2, it’s an important question for me as I wouldn’t mind knowing, if you don’t want to share the information then no problem. There must be a certain criteria / reason as to why a club is or isn’t involved.

{Ed002's Note - The vast majority of clubs aren’t involved.}

10 Feb 2018 14:31:56
Politician in your spare time ed002.

{Ed002's Note - Rodeo cowboy in my spare time.}

10 Feb 2018 17:32:02
The breakaway teams will simply become like the Harlem Globetrotters. It will be a farce with no away fans.

It will hopefully lead to the football bubble bursting and it getting back to being a game enhanced by money rather than corporations named after cities.

{Ed002's Note - Of course they won't. It is a natural progression and there will be no shortage of away fans.}

10 Feb 2018 06:38:30
{Ed's Note - Tris Burke has posted a new article entitled, Review Of The Day 10th February 2018

10 Feb 2018 09:21:20
Cheers Ed. I know we knew Pulisic was a Utd fan but I'd be gutted if they got him.

10 Feb 2018 09:54:33
I’d be gutted if we wasted time chasing a player who had absolutely zero interest in playing for us. Let him go to United and Mourinho can turn him into a full back.

10 Feb 2018 10:52:51
We've signed lots of players who have had no original interest in joining us Dennis mate. Pulisic would be worth chasing, I'm not saying we'll get him because I don't think we'll even attempt to. All I'm saying is, I'd love him at Liverpool, no matter what he'd improve Utd the lads something special. So if you want them to be a better team by all means say 'let him go to united'.

10 Feb 2018 11:18:23
If we can get Pulisic, go get him. The kid is the real deal, IMO. I do believe that Mou will turn him into a FB as Dennis said. Just look at Martial, Rashford and Lingard.

10 Feb 2018 12:40:07
When I say he has zero interest in joining us, he has stated very clearly that he is a United supporter and had scoffed at the idea of joining either us or City. He has said very clearly that the only club that he wants to join us United. Fine. He can become Jose’s new right back next season or warm their bench. Personally I’m not complaining convinced by his end product, he has a good first touch and looks comfortable on the ball, but the final pass is and shooting is lacking. And for £88m, I’d like an end product.

{Ed001's Note - when did he say that? Show me some quotes because I have never seen anything from him saying that.}

10 Feb 2018 14:50:03
I really hope Klopp move heaven and earth for Bailey and not Pulisic. Leon Bailey is the deal. As an overall pedigree he is better than both Mane and Salah!

10 Feb 2018 15:52:43
Mr. Dennis why all the hate towards Pulisic? Is it an American thing? This is the second thread which you disparage the kid. He is 19 and again the kid is for real. He never said anything about ManU, just in ESPN he said he is not looking at the Prem right now. It may change in the summer.
Matt in FL.

09 Feb 2018 22:04:34
Ed001 / Ed002

Can I ask a hypothetical question please?

If Liverpool won the league this year (hence the hypothesis) and Barcelona win la liga

Would Countinho receive winners medals from both footballing associates?

Regards

kemlynroad.

{Ed001's Note - the clubs choose who to give them to these days mate, but he would certainly qualify for one from us, he would need to play more games yet for them. In theory though, yes he would.}

10 Feb 2018 05:36:54
WOuld be very bittersweet to beat barcelona in the finals and offer him a medal 😎.

10 Feb 2018 14:48:43
What is more possible is we win the UCL and Barcelona win the La Liga. So Coutinho can get both medals.