Liverpool Banter Archive January 10 2018

10 Jan 2018 22:47:09
Apologies Waro if you found my earlier post patronising or belittling. It was a genuine attempt at truce which i tried to make light heartedly. I have no issue with you personally. I just don't agree with your opinions.

I'll stay out of your way in future though if you're offended by my humour. I'm not here to have personal arguments.

10 Jan 2018 23:11:29
Not to stir the pot but if you are reading this Waro, you seem to accuse me and other posters of insulting and belittling, but all of your posts seem to include some reference to how all the genuine liverpool loving fans are blind, stupid sheep, simply because we don't moan about the owners every 5 seconds. Any 'belittling' response you receive in return is mostly just a response to your condescending tone.

Also, Adams post was clearly not an offensive attack. If you do not like banter, then don't visit the 'liverpool banter' page! Nobody wants an argument here mate.

11 Jan 2018 14:22:15
You clearly do AW, I don't single out anyone specific and insult them and then use a pack mentality to do it, I stand alone by what I say and actively imply I'm not looking for anyone to agree with me or for confirmation on what I'm saying, I defend myself and give my opinion and that's it, back in the day on this site I could be very insulting but it gets you nowhere so I try to keep it topic related unless I'm defending myself.

MK I've no problem with you at all but your posts do seem to incite others to join in and attack others now whether that's down to people hiding behind you and like the school bully has his hangers on in the background I don't know and if that's what it is then that's not your fault I suppose, but some of your posts of late do come across with a whiff of pontification, like your speaking at people rather than to people. But I'm quite happy from now on to side step each others posts, there's a thumbs up and thumbs down at the bottom we can just use them. I've sent a post in before reading this and if it's shown then it's not me immediately going against what I've said here it's just it may have appeared on the site before this post.

10 Jan 2018 21:42:11
Got some good news lads, there’s been some talk that pulisic is a Utd fan so wouldn’t sign for us, we’ll turns out De Bruyne was a liverpool fan as a kid, so quid pro quo he must be the secret signing we’re lining up. 👍👍.

10 Jan 2018 22:53:49
To be fair, he may want us but do we really want a player who's been discarded by two other EPL clubs?

😉😂😂.

10 Jan 2018 22:15:20
What a signing that would be if football was that simple, I’ll drive him to Anfield myself.

10 Jan 2018 22:47:42
Look at the search engine, eds have explained that Pulisic being United fan has nothing to do with his carreer.

10 Jan 2018 23:18:44
Thanks marto, I think the sarcasm might have passed you by though mate.

10 Jan 2018 23:21:13
Wasnt carra a everton fan.

10 Jan 2018 23:28:44
Big talk that WYred!

You’ll drive him from Manchester to Anfield 😂.

11 Jan 2018 01:28:46
I was the one who brought it up, I only suggested that he'd reject us if he had the choice between us or United, but as ed001 said its irrelevant to him.

10 Jan 2018 20:37:00
Hi Ed's, any chance we could go back In for Brandt, as his big concern about a move was playing second fiddle to coutinho?

Thanks.

{Ed002's Note - Certainly if Salah leaves.}

10 Jan 2018 21:20:12
I can actually see Salah being sold and then finally Klopp walking because of it all tbh.
I Seen a stat yesterday saying we've made more money from selling players since 2010 than any other club in the world. Need to start keeping our best players.

{Ed025's Note - you cant keep players who dont want to stay mate..

10 Jan 2018 21:24:24
Even if klopp was to switch salah to firmino position, firmino to coutinho’s position, and Brandt into salah’s position? That’s what I’d do haha!

10 Jan 2018 21:44:31
Sorry ed have I picked that up wrong are you saying salah doesn't want to stay or you talking players in general?

{Ed025's Note - players in general mate..

10 Jan 2018 22:41:45
He is teasing. Salah isn't likely to leave anytime soon.

10 Jan 2018 22:52:01
Cheers mate.

10 Jan 2018 21:16:26
You don't think he'd be a suitable Coutinho replacement then ed? Also ed I'd be interested to hear your opinion on who you think would be a good fit for Liverpool this window and who you think should be signed as a Coutinho replacement? We've heard ed001's opinions so it'd be good to hear yours mate.

{Ed002's Note - Brandt was first pick that eventually saw Salah arrive. He would not address the Coutinho position and his future is, quite frankly, going to be elsewhere. In terms of would would be the best fit to fill his tiny little boots, Insigne can play on the wing or behind a striker and is a decent player. Max Meyer has proven adept at pretty much all midfield positions, Krovinovic would be one for the future but Liverpool have been looking and he is well thought of. Nabil Fekir could step up.}

10 Jan 2018 20:38:32
What's up, fellow Ed's and Reds>

I was just watching the show THE DEBATE by Sky on youtube and Danny Murphy and Christian Purslow (former LFC director, I think) were on talking about Cou, his fee and how do LFC spend the money replacing him. Purslow made a few comments about how Amrerican owners (not just FSG) are untrusted by the English fans cos they have a type of "bottom line" mentality of trying to make as much profit as possible as a result, FSG may not allow Klopp to reinvest the Cou money into the team hence, feeding into the pathetic narrative that they are only after profits and Murphy was concurring with the same thing, saying Klopp may not be given the power to bring the players he wants in.

This is why is why NOBODY with a functioning brain should believe whatever they hear or read in the papers. IMO, these guys were out to cause confusion here, trying to turn the fans against the owners knowing fully well that some of the fans are already skeptic of them about this very issue, something the Ed's have said is patently false. Purslough said that LFC sold Cou cos the owners saw a way to make some serious profits and the fee was too hard to refuse. What a crock of complete horse manure!

Per the Ed's, FSG have ploughed back near ALL the funds from transfers back into the squad since they even hired KK. They have backed Klopp to the hilt since he arrived and NEVER refused him a player he REALLY wanted. If Klopp did not want a player, it was cos Klopp did not want or could not get said player and not cos FSG vetoed his request or funds were not available. They have given him all the power to pick his targets and have dropped some serious cash this season already as we all know.

After watching this show, my advice to my fellow posters on here is to simply ignore what you hear or watch in the media cos they have NO CLUE of what is going on at LFC and even the ex players talk some nonsense and should not be listened to either. I propose we thank our Ed's for the goods the provide us which allows many of us to know what is going on and not be sheep just bleating on and on about what is said by and in the media. THEY DON'T HAVE A CLUE. We love you, Ed's. Thanks for all you do.

10 Jan 2018 20:48:00
Amen brother amen.

10 Jan 2018 20:51:49
Ironically, am i right in saying Purslow is the absolute buffoon who pulled the plug on deals for Ronaldo, Alves, Silva and Villa because they were "too expensive"?

Yeah, well done Purslow. Just feeding the trolls. Murphy is an absolute muppet anyway, but you'd expect better from a former director, than to give the xenophobes ammunition. In fact its worse than that, they're giving them justification. I'd just like to apologise to any Americans reading this on behalf of everyone in England, and explicitly distance myself and 90% of English people from this race-fueled hatred and stereotyping.

10 Jan 2018 21:04:00
That not Rick Parry you're thinking of Mk.

10 Jan 2018 21:08:20
My advice:
read as much as you can, listen as much as you can and make your own mind up. Never listen to people who tell you what to think. 🤝.

10 Jan 2018 21:16:04
I will never put down financial responsibility by a club/ business. Sorry.

10 Jan 2018 21:18:45
MK, nationality based not race based. People here are the same race as the UK.

Christian Purslow I think is the guy who was the acting CEO and brokered the deal with FSG in H&Gs final days and first few months of FSG till they appointed Ian Ayre. Him and Ian Ayre were instrumental in the sale for FSG going through if I am not wrong. Christian Purslow didn't suggest FSG are holding money back, he said not to spread it thin between multiple players and sign a few top players.

Danny Murphy I agree is a muppet.

10 Jan 2018 21:25:08
Exactly Ron. I haven't made up my mind one way or the other about the owners. Ed001 said he doesn't trust them and that makes me worried.

I don't want to throw money away like we have in the past, but if you think a player is the real deal spend the £100m back Klopp because the player will probably be worth £150m in a few seasons.

At the end of the summer we will all have the answers. Are we in it to win it, or are we Arsenal?

10 Jan 2018 21:20:36
MK, I think that was Rick Parry, mate. Also, I'm American and I forgive you tho I think you went a bit hard on the clown Purslow. I will tell you that there are other team or franchise owners in the U. S who only believe in profits and that is in any sport. FSG is NOT are not one of those. They took over the Boston Red Sox near two decades ago, a team that had not one the World Series of baseball for near a century. How many have they won since then? 3 or 4. They have the highest wage bill not just in baseball (a sport with no salary cap so spend as you want), BUT in world sports I think. Money is of NO issue to them and T. Henry and his crew individually, are multi billionaires that make a fake billionaire like Trump look like a pauper.

They may have made mistakes and all that in the past BUT they have done well since then and backed every manager they have had tho, they may not have trusted BR with his scatter gun transfer strategy hence the TC was created BUT they still gave him over 300m over his tenure so there's that. Our owners wanna win as their resume shows that and are ready to pay up if needed cos they believe in the manager we currently have. I just think these hacks in the media who claim to know about footie and LFC (they no as much a a gnat) do us a huge disservice by feeding the trolls and making up stories about our club and owners which are NOT true. DISGUSTING!

10 Jan 2018 21:50:57
BRover they love baseball they don't even like football. You can count on 1 hand the matches the owners attend per season. They have sold our 2 best players since they have been owners (most would say rightly so) but they can't sell anyone else Klopp wants to keep. So let's see who comes in the next 6 to 8 months.

10 Jan 2018 21:40:10
Cheers guys, i was unsure which is why i asked the question before launching into him about it! I tend not to follow what goes on in the board room that much, because i care more about the pitch! I knew it began with a P though 😂

My point still stands because Rick Parry wasn't American either! So it's not exclusively an Americanism to refuse to spend money! And i also still expect better from a former director.

I thought it was that Martin Broughton guy who brokered the deal, but i probably have that wrong too. As i say, i don't really pay much attention to who is running the club as long as I'm entertained at the weekend!

Either way, two so called professionals should not be going public to stoke fires that should never have been started! Even if you have a problem with FSG, it is down to them as individuals and their nationality shouldn't come in to it. I take this stuff very seriously because my partner (American/ Scottish) and therefore my son is of American descent.

Completely agree by the way, Ron! Wise words.

10 Jan 2018 21:58:49
Great insight into he Sox, BRover. I only took a small interest in Baseball after FSG bought the club. So i just assumed the Sox had always been one of the better teams alongside the NY sides. Sounds like FSG performed a minor miracle!

I agree that the owners have made some mistakes, but i just thimk anyone claiming that Americans are any more greedy than any other nationality should take a long hard look at English billionaire, Mike Ashley, who is absolutely destroying one of the top 10 clubs in English football with his greed. Nationality is irrelevant. People making stereotypes (racial, nationality, religious etc. Whatever it comes under) should be careful. Children and the poorly-educated will pick up on these statements and form an opinion based on ignorance and a lack of understanding. Whilst your statement may be harmless or even made in jest, you don't know what the children who learn from you will grow up to become, and the things they will do based on what you taught them. As an older generation, it is our responsibility to make sure the next generation are not as close minded as those from the past. Statements like those made by Murphy and Purslow, and their normalisation, are a massive part of the problem.

This is the same Murphy who recently said a scouser on crutches who celebrated a goal would lose his benefits, despite the fact he has a job and was recovering from an operation. He's out of order, with some of the rubbish he comes out with.

10 Jan 2018 22:46:25
Bet waro loved that show.

10 Jan 2018 22:02:11
Mark, i presume you mean Coutinho and Suarez? Who sanctioned the money to sign them, do you know? Hmmm, exactly.

10 Jan 2018 22:34:04
Great Post BRover, and I totally agree, I was watching the same Debate, I still can't believe there is still this hatred towards the owners, who I think have been immense since taking over from the 2 cowboys. They have delivered on the promises they have made when they first came in (apart more silverware, but that hasn't necessarily been down to the owners) . They have increased the stadium capacity to nearly 55000 seats, and plans to extend the anfield road end stand to make the stadium close to 60,000. Compare that to the cowboys who said there would be a spade in the ground within 90 days.

In terms of the transfers, have they got some wrong? ofcourse, the transfer committee was a bit of a disaster, but we did bring in some good players that are still with the club and important players, I would say Lallana would stand out the most as well as Can and Firmino. I think the owners have improved allot transfer wise since Klopps arrival, HE has final say and HE brings in the players HE wants. And his overall record has been very good. Salah, Mane, Wijnaldum, for example have been immense and have turned us into one of the most attractive teams in europe, and we have one of the best managers in Europe, who produce the type of football that Liverpool love.

The owners have just invested 75 million for VVD, making him the most expensive defender in history, that is a massive statement from the club, and as I said the other day, we have lost Couts, but we have grown to be in a position where we lose a very important player and it doesn't mean we will be crippled for the next few years like when we were when we lost Suarez for example. Klopp has waited to get the player he wanted in VVD, and it is too early to tell but I do feel he can be a mainstay in our defence for the next 10 years, he reminds me a bit of Sami Hyypia, and we have not had a central defender since he left the club who is big and strong and reliable. in the last 6 months we have smashed our own record transfers, first in Keita for 48 million, and now 75million for VVD, this is starting bring us closer to the likes of Man City, PSG, Barcelona etc. We need to make sure we spend wisely, is why I would be comfortable to not even spend the Couts money this window, because I want us to get the right player, rather than an expensive failure.
I trust in Klopp, I trust in our owners. I do believe we have for the first time in my life good depth in the squad, rather than a good starting 11 and because of that we have the chance to have sustained success, it may be slow to get there but will last longer because of it.

YNWA.

10 Jan 2018 22:49:32
Why do people seem to believe klopp has had coutinho ripped from his grasp? If klopp believed it was a good idea for coutinho to stay, he would of kept him. In fact he did, for 6 months, despite the club being offered an insane amount of money.

Klopp has tried to convince him to stay and has let him go on his judgement alone. Do people seriously believe the way to success is by keeping all the unhappy players for the duration of their contracts? To be fair, arsenal have tried that and look at their success. Oh wait.

10 Jan 2018 23:20:27
As an American I agree with brover. I could help but feel that they saw similarities in the red Sox and LFC. Both very historic clubs with limited recent success. As brover says they resurrected them and when against the evil empire Yankees full force. Yes they want to make money and surely their passion might not be football but you have to see the correlation and figure they want to match that success and bring LFC back to the stature it deserves.

10 Jan 2018 23:29:41
I'm bored of this type of nonsense now. All I'll leave you with, is be careful what you say around kids. In the 1930's their were a small minority of people who believed a certain group of people were more greedy than others, and it ended in the holocaust. No matter how small it may seem, never bring race, nationality, religion etc into the judgement of someone's character. Words can do a lot of lasting damage.

10 Jan 2018 18:24:45
Very sad news about Tommy Lawrence. Back in 65 I was a young goalkeeper with Liverpool . Met him a couple of times, a lovely man . Great goalkeeper and clubman . Best wishes to family.

10 Jan 2018 18:33:25
Don’t suppose you still fancy a game now?

10 Jan 2018 17:40:56
Apologies if been asked already - is Gomez fit?!

{Ed002's Note - Yes.}

10 Jan 2018 18:25:39
Ta Ed002.
Didn't see him in training pics is all!

10 Jan 2018 19:10:41
The photographer clearly had other targets, Laddie.

10 Jan 2018 20:15:46
Who,?
Grujic and Ings?! 🙄😄✌️
Most others seemed to be there mate!

10 Jan 2018 20:03:04
Moderately good looking, but fit? Nah, not to me ;)

10 Jan 2018 14:44:58
Ed is it correct to say LFC and certain employees have learn't their lessons and are not telling everyone who are the targets. They seem to be acting more professionally.

It seemed to me VVD signed quickly in the end. There didn't seem to be much discussion about it the day before. Also the PC sale was similar.

{Ed002's Note - I have explained what happened with VVD. THe PC sale was very high profile.}

10 Jan 2018 18:26:15
Lol, that PC sale came right of the blue. who could have known! ;p.

10 Jan 2018 18:36:28
What PC sale Swish?!
😣😣😂😂👍✌.

{Ed001's Note - are they Dell or HP PCs on sale?}

10 Jan 2018 21:34:09
People didn't read the post properly.

The day before VVD was signed no one (unlike in the summer) said he is signing this week even, he is coming tomorrow etc. There was no talk of even a bid having been made. Or he met this agent or he said she said.

Courts was similar the day before he went no one on any site anywhere said a bid of xyz has been made and he will be sold in the next few days. No one confirmed it until he was on the plane.

10 Jan 2018 01:17:25
Hi edds, I had a query about the way a clubs debt is handled when it is sold. Is the club's debt actually the owners debt and taken off the sale price when sold or kept at the club for the new owners or how does it work? Many thanks in advance if you have the time.

{Ed002's Note - The debt belongs to the club. The debt is either part of the sale (in which case the transaction is reduced by the amount of the debt), or cleared as part of the sale.}

10 Jan 2018 15:11:07
Good Morning from Canada!
IMO I think if it is Lemar whom we are targeting that we pay and get the deal done this window. Money talks and I believe Monaco will sell if the price is right.
Although cup tied, unable to contribute in this years CL I think he will be crucial in helping us secure a top 4 spot for CL next year.
My concerns with waiting until the summer are as follows and this is assuming he is our main target:
1. He's 22 and will be playing for France in the world cup. A successful world cup for him and France will undoubtedly raise his value and asking price. With the dept in the current France squad, I can see them being a fav to win.
2. Competition from the likes of Arsenal and possibly others will also drive the price up and while Arsenal are trying to decide if they can replace Sanchez with him, use the funds we have and just scoop him up under their nose.
3. Inflated transfer fees continue to reinvent the market. It is pretty wild that the shock price United paid for Pogba now seems almost a bargain, a short period later. Thus who is to say Lemar's price tag will be even higher come the summer.
4. If we do not secure a top 4 spot in the past it seems we have had trouble luring players to Liverpool without CL football, or at least consistent CL football year after year. That being said, if we don't secure a top 4 (or win the CL this year-which is a stretch), who is to say Lemar or other targets will even want to come and will chose a team elsewhere with regular CL opportunities.
Just some thoughts on the matter and I hope we just go for it and buy whom Klopp targets in this window and move forward.
Thats my rant lol.

Cheers

YNWA.

{Ed025's Note - nice rant though lock..

10 Jan 2018 15:56:02
If it's Lemar we're after then in total agreement with u mate get him in there now if it can be done, his stock is only going to increase esp with France and the world cup which I expect the french to do well in, if not have an outside chance of winning it so get it done FSG if it's who Klopp wants.

10 Jan 2018 15:58:12
Interesting rant mate.
He could actually have a stinker of a World Cup and see his price and confidence plummet.
I get your point but I’m not sure he’s worth the money they’re asking. I think there’s better value out there.

10 Jan 2018 16:27:21
Who in your opinion would you like to see come in ron?
My choice would be insigne but that is never going to happen.

10 Jan 2018 16:28:01
Thanks lads. 100% Ron, but honestly i highly doubt he's going to have a stinker. He's looked dynamite in qualifying with France and with that lineup accompanying him, others will make him look like a star! France is likely my favorite to win it this year, they could likely put in two teams. Time will tell but that doesn't just go for Lemar it also goes for whom ever our targets are.
Best example I can think of having his value shot up after a world cup was James Rodriguez. wonderful world cup, sort of fallen off of form compared to that tourney, albeit still a wonderful player.
I just think whoever the target is, I think it just needs to be done and move forward, give us our best chance to secure top 4. And if it is deemed that we want to wait until the summer and risk it, so be it, but if that plan fails, good luck luring quality to Europa League, same issue with the Suarez sale the year after. I surely hope history doesn't repeat itself.

10 Jan 2018 16:28:52
Thanks Ed25! Just my take on things anyway.

10 Jan 2018 17:06:53
Brandt and pulisic are cheaper, i suspect fekir is too but we are not in for him. I would go for brandt if he could be persuaded to move before the world cup. Otherwise wait for pulisic in the summer as top choice and again try and convince him and his parents its the right move for him.

10 Jan 2018 18:30:08
How is Pulisic cheaper if he does not want to move? You re just making this stuff up.

10 Jan 2018 19:20:47
Pulisic will NOT be cheap by any stretch esp. if he is not interested in moving. As for Lemar, no one knows what type of WC he will have so speculation is all we are left with.

10 Jan 2018 14:47:34
Hello Eds,

Given the rumours that Liverpool are looking at new goalkeepers (Allison has been mentioned), is there any news on which of the existing keepers will stay and/ or be sold?

It looks like Danny Ward is not in the plans so assuming he's one on the way out (same for Bogdan), would Liverpool look to retain Mignolet or Karius as the second keeper. I guess neither would consider being a third choice.

Thanks.

{Ed025's Note - thats a tough one xyz, neither migs or karius will want to be an understudy to the new keeper coming in and ward wants away, myself i would keep karius and ditch migs but im not sure how klopp sees it mate..

10 Jan 2018 15:54:00
Shame for Ward as he should have had more chances as none of the other 2 have been fantastic enough to not of been dropped, even in quiet games Karius seems over confident and in no rush to do anything, as for Migs.

10 Jan 2018 15:55:10
Might be a case of all 4 going and starting from scratch.

10 Jan 2018 16:07:47
I don't think karius signed on to play 2nd fiddle to anyone, should we sign a new keeper I expect both ward and karius to leave, we should not be in this mess regarding goalkeepers imo.

{Ed025's Note - for me the manager has a lot to answer for on that count KK..

10 Jan 2018 16:09:11
Arrizabalaga could be available for free! Surely worth a gamble or a cheeky low bid now?

10 Jan 2018 17:13:03
I agree and disagree ed, ultimately its down to the player to prove he is good enough to make himself no.1. Karius just has not done that for whatever reason. I do however lay squarely at klopps feet the debacle over the nevillegate bullying etc and dropping him too soon. But again he has every chance in training to prove he is demonstrably better than migs and he just has not done that. Maybe less day trips to berlin and new york and more time honing his skills, just a thought.

Ultimately if someone like allison comes in all three of them will leave and we will maybe see an older keeper come in as no.2 and a youth promotion.

10 Jan 2018 17:29:12
And LancasterRed gets the prize for the first mention (that I've seen anyway) of a "cheeky bid" in this transfer window!

10 Jan 2018 19:28:38
It's a coming, all you have to do is use your eyes and you will see that Karius is better than Migs by a mile potentially. He just needs a long run in the team to get experience at this level, one where many GK's like DDG, Reina, Bravo Barthez have struggled mightily.

Also, how is the player or GK supposed to prove himself when the manager is completely clueless on this issue and plays Karius once every month which does not allow him to get into any rhythm, consistency or understanding with his team mates and his back line?

Football is real life and NO player will get better if he does not get the opportunity play consistently and prove himself and prove us right or wrong. That is a known fact so why should the rules suddenly change for Karius or for any other player?

10 Jan 2018 21:07:20
Brover that is nonsense, klopp is no fool and karius im sure does not train in isolation. I don't personally see how karius is demonstrably better than migs they both have flaws in their game. Its down to karius to step it up in training and prove he is the better option long term.

Yes ideal world karius gets a long run but look what happened the last time he got a run and made a few mistakes. The media and the fickle fans got on his back and klopp felt he had to drop him. When he has been given a chance he has been slow and sloppy with the ball at his feet and made a few questionable decisions. So no he is not clearly better in all aspects than migs. Hence why klopp is unwilling maybe mistakenly to mess up continuity like he did last season.

A fresh start is what is required with a top class keeper if he is not going to give karius an extended run which is unlikely now isn't it.

10 Jan 2018 21:38:04
It's a coming, you not personally seeing that Karius is much better than Migs is your opinion, which is NOT fact. You said oit yourself, the fickle fans got on his back cos he made a mistake or two as a new player in a new and tougher league. Is that not the real problem? The fact that those losers could not bear with a young guy learning a new league so Klopp had to go against his own conviction (Ed01 said so, not me) to bench a guy he really did not wanna bench?

Btw, your top GK is a myth based on pixie dust cos NOBODY will sell their top GK to us (Allisson is NOT a top GK. Decent at best) so you are wasting your time hoping for one. Would you have sold Reina in his prime? Would Utd sell DDG to us? Did not think so BUT hey, you can always dream. I don't. I dream with my eyes open. Oh Allisson if he comes in, will be new to the PL and when he makes a mistake or two (which they all too), they will turn on him again and we'll be back to square one.

Karius could come good if everyone could get off his back support him like I did Ox who I did not want at LFC, and let him play and prove himself instead nitpicking on his "errors" which are NOT errors just cos he did not kick a ball fast enough for you. It seems the guy can't do a damn thing right with the way people slate him YET the kid does his best every time he plays, putting Migs to shame while it it.

10 Jan 2018 22:11:03
You do realise that your opinion is not a fact either, you belittle the manager saying he has no clue and try to denegrate my opinion with nonsense like pixie dust. Everybody has a price, coutinho is case in point as was vvd for southampton.

You have your opinion i have mine there is no right or wrong because neither of us has final say on this matter. Karius is an average keeper who could be competent with a run of games in my opinion but nothing more in my opinion. If we bring in a top class keeper which is a posibility and ed has confirmed as a fact, then karius may be off along with migs and ward who wants out. Allison is a better keeper than migs and karius btw decent or not.

10 Jan 2018 14:41:39
Dybala anyone?

then get savic as a cm

allison in goal

only joking but im allowed to dream right lol.

10 Jan 2018 14:33:44
Where is Macca when you want him most lol!

10 Jan 2018 14:54:43
Macca comes when you think he's gone forever.

Gets hailed with his news (rightfully so)

Get abused like mad (wrongfully so)

then disappears into the sunset until the yearning reaches fever pitched again.

My guess is we'll hear from him on 22/ 1/ 2018 at 12:33 AM.

10 Jan 2018 14:49:13
Rumour has it that Macca was actually Pipco and now that he’s bogged off to Spain there will be no more secret info coming out. Sorry.

10 Jan 2018 15:18:51
Davey, do you fancy yourself as a bit of a wizard? That was some Gandalf stuff.

"On the 22nd day as the sun reaches the highest point in the Sky, look to the banter page. For a Macca is never late, nor is he early. He arrives precisely when he means to"

10 Jan 2018 16:30:15
Macca is a mere whisper floating in the winds, that no man can summon such a power into this website.

10 Jan 2018 21:08:48
Yeah and if his info is not spot on he gets grief from posters, i don't blame him for not getting involved.

10 Jan 2018 11:37:40
Waro, come to the charity game and I'll give you a kiss and a cuddle. You seem really down mate and I'm not going to get at you anymore, I'll just agree to disagree. I think we'll win a trophy in the next 18 months, regardless of whether we sign another player in this window.

If I'm wrong, I'll change my avatar to myself in an "I love Waro" shirt so for you it's win-win 😂.

10 Jan 2018 13:32:34
Ron Keague already has my name on the back of his shirt, so why not get Waro's on the front of yours, Adam?

10 Jan 2018 14:56:58
think you will be right about winning something next season MK, I want top four, and a good run in both Cups this season, as I don't think we have enough to go any further, but next season, with 2 maybe 3 top players, we can def win something .

10 Jan 2018 17:23:50
There you go MK, trying to belittle what I say on these pages by posting patronising insults, something which I've touched upon in a post further down the pages. I'm not down at all kid, feel free to respond in any way you see fit MK, but always expect a response is all I would say to you. I give reasoning to why I feel these owners are not to be trusted and if it's what's on my mind at the time I will express it should the editors allow.

BRover your lies continue to grow, were I have said klopp isn't good enough he should go etc etc, see what you did there, deflect from the original point with lies to try to gather more posters for your merry band of FSG followers, have a pop no problem but keep it factual.

10 Jan 2018 19:40:43
What lies? I only told you the truth, one you can't handle. You are rooting for us to fail so you can gloat that the owners are crap. I would remind you that the owners don't play, don't decide who we buy or who we sell and don't tell Klopp what player to buy or get rid of BUT you understanding any of that would be like wishing upon a star.

Me, an FSG follower? You must think that everyone is nuts for conspiracy theories and making up movies up in their heads like you. NEWS FLASH: I could not be arsed about FSG, period PROVIDED they are doing the right things and backing the manager and making improvements at the club. Apart from that, I have NO opinion on them as I don't know the inner workings of the club. Your sorry comments, laced in emotional anger and irrational gusto, is getting old and tired. If you wanna wallow in self pity of "FSG is not doing what I want", that is your choice.

Like I said, if you don't like the owners nor the way they run things, put your money up, pay them off and buy the club OR continue to feel the rhetorical responses of those who disagree w/ your near decade old conspiracy theories. Your choice.

10 Jan 2018 22:41:34
Decade old conspiracy, what are you talking about, they haven't owned us that long, you said I'm on here criticising klopp, show me the posts, I didn't agree with his team selection for the derby and said so but in the same post said i love him and he's the right man for the job, but he got that team selection and substitutions horrible wrong and I hoped he'd learnt a lesson form it. I've supported Liverpool for 45 years followed them all over the world, witnessed fantastic times and some horrible horrendous times but never have I wanted my team to lose, so don't put words in my mouth. You'll never experience what I've experienced so don't question my loyalty to my team.

10 Jan 2018 13:07:55
Ed001, sorry if this is a stupid question, but what position do we want the Coutinho replacement to occupy? The different names credibly all play various positions.

You mentioned Goretzka before yet I thought Goretzka had nothing to do with Coutinho.

{Ed001's Note - we are not looking for an outright replacement, just some creativity for midfield.}

10 Jan 2018 13:28:48
Suso! Suso! Suso!

10 Jan 2018 13:33:22
Credibly linked*

So 'outright' meaning 'like-for-like'?

I'm a bit confused because I'm not sure how many new midfielders the club intends to have next season. If we get a replacement in this window then it's going to be two (including Keita), yet if we somehow manage to snare Keita early this month, then it'd seem to be just the one new midfielder.

10 Jan 2018 17:24:51
Where we will miss Coutinho is his creativity. He can also play on the wing, but we have recruited Salah to take that role in the first 11.

By "not like-for-like" I'm taking it to mean it could be someone who is equally creative, but in a different way. For example, Alonso was creative for us (and still could be?! Joke! ) but was not equally adept on the wing.

10 Jan 2018 19:44:21
Suso? Not for me.

10 Jan 2018 12:23:55
Ed001

I've just been reading an article about emre can and his talks have moved on quicker than thought and could indeed move this month.

Was nabby brought in with us knowing emre was leaving? And we the club be as soft as to let 2 leave this window knowing how difficult it is to get replacements in?

{Ed001's Note - Can was always likely to leave, Keita was bought to improve in the midfield.}

10 Jan 2018 12:31:58
Can can't move this move without a fee being involved he can only agree to move at the end of the season.

10 Jan 2018 13:03:05
Yes JC I'm aware a fee would be needed for it to be done this, I was just curious as to whether keita was seen as emre replacement as ed001 had mentioned it's been common knowledge he was looking to leave before we signed keita.

also ed001 wasn't it mentioned that brandt wanted reassurances of playing time when we inquired as he seen it limited with us having Phil playing there?

I haven't seen the lad much if I'm honest on what little time I have he's looked very good. But with Phil now gone would that be a likely or realistic option? Or has that shipped sailed now?

I just hope we have learned from past mistakes of transfer windows from ballzing up deals and wasting money on average squad fillers.

10 Jan 2018 14:41:29
If we where to get a transfer fee to allow it there would be some sense in trying to get Juve to pay the same value RBL would want for an early Keita transfer although he would be tied for UCL, also I would image the fee RBL would want would be much higher than that which Juve would pay for getting can early.

Brandt I would say would slot into a JK team nicely.

10 Jan 2018 19:14:24
I'm myself not optimistic we will make any significant signings since Phil has left. klopp has said time and time again he doesn't like the winter window as it doesn't reflect a true worth of the players value and added to the fact he has proven he will wait for his preferred selection rather than sign another just to sign someone (VVD) .

And that's sort of got me on edge as come the summer arsenal and many more teams will be after some of if not all of the players we arem and it's by no means guaranteed we will finish in the champions league elect positions . If we don't make it into those positions it's going to be catastrophic for our club in terms of bridging the gap between us city, Chelsea utd and even spurs as we won't be able to attract are preferred targets and then our better players will have there heads turned and then we are back at the pipco situation again

The actions of the remaining time left in this window our bigger than ever imo.

Ed001 I was told a little earlier that real Madrid will come in with a massive offer late in this window to test Liverpools resolve in keeping salah . any weight to that or just typical rumblings for this time of year.

{Ed001's Note - why would they do it late in the window? Makes no sense when there is more chance of getting a deal done making an offer early.}

10 Jan 2018 20:29:13
I'd agreed with you . from your comments then do you think we would be open to negotiations regarding salah or would they be met with the he's not for sale stance?

{Ed001's Note - LFC do not want to sell Salah.}

10 Jan 2018 20:40:06
They didn't want to sell coutinho either 😂😉.

{Ed001's Note - Klopp wanted him gone though.}

10 Jan 2018 20:55:06
Yeah i know I'm just messing about pal. shame as he was a wonderful player and regardless of what lots are saying since his departure he will be very difficult to replace but LFC have done the impossible time and time again

Keegan kenny rush Fowler Owen Torres Suarez to name a few.

10 Jan 2018 12:02:30
RIP Tommy Lawrence YNWA.

10 Jan 2018 11:57:17
Hi all I think that fsg won't spend big we need 2 3 world class players especially striker creative midfielder the names we are linked with do not excite me hope we don't turn into arsenal and players start to exit seems that way to me football waits for no one hope we don't lose k loppers in the process

Anyone agree.

10 Jan 2018 12:27:19
Khera, they spent big on Keita and VVD and were desperate to keep Cou in addition to both players esp. in the summer so again, at what point will or did FSG not spend big?

10 Jan 2018 10:50:29
A name who used to get mentioned on here in the past, Thomas Muller, can the Ed’s share an opinion on how his career is going at the minute and whether he’s ever likely to leave Bayern?

{Ed001's Note - sorry I have no idea how his career is going now. He did come close to leaving under Ancelotti.}

10 Jan 2018 12:16:32
Thanks Ed, just seen he isn’t hitting very high number of goals for them at the minute and wondered if he ever fancied a move away from there for a change for him. Remember him looking unbelievable for a spell when he was really young and was just wondering if he ever progressed much more!

{Ed001's Note - he was out of favour for a while, I know that much. He was also one of the ones unhappy with the 'training' regime under Ancelotti and was heavily involved in sorting out the park training sessions all the players were taking part in off their own bat. Thinking about all I have heard from people regarding him, I think he will leave when Bayern want rid, as he has shown little inclination to leave of his own accord.}

10 Jan 2018 12:30:39
Ah thanks for the insight Ed!

10 Jan 2018 11:04:35
Does anyone think Yan Dhanda is capable in the Coutinho CM role?

10 Jan 2018 12:10:18
Dhanda doesn't want to stay at LFC and also no one in the academy is ready to play Championship football let alone replace Coutinho. (Woodburn and Arnold are 1st team players now)

10 Jan 2018 13:03:24
Why doesn’t Dhanda want to stay at Liverpool? Disappointed to hear that, as he seemed to be progressing well.

10 Jan 2018 13:16:43
What makes you say Dhanda doesn't want to stay?
He's only 19 but could play that role in a couple of years.

10 Jan 2018 11:20:05
It seems that there are 4 priority signings for the club either now or in the summer, with anything else being uncertain right now. Just thought I'd do a quick round-up on the rumours; some from the media, some from the Eds.

Goal keeper (to replace Mignolet as number 1)
- Main concern is that top keepers aren't available in January making out of form Trapp the only realistic option
- Recent rumours: Trapp, Allison, Patricio, Ruffier, Oblak, Casillas

Right back (allowing Gomez to partner Virgil in the centre)
- Main concern is that we've already made one change to the back 4 this window, and this would mean 3 changes to the back 4, mid season. Could cause confusion.
- Recent rumours: Pereira, Vrsaljko

Midfielder (to replace Can when he leaves)
- Main concern is the players Klopp really wants are not interested or unavailable
- Recent rumours: Meyer, Goretzka, Rafinha, Ceballos, Strootman, Rakitic

Forward (versatile enough to replace Coutinho)
- Main concern is that top teams don't sell their star player mid season so we would end up settling for a player like Lanzini or Draxler.
- Recent rumours: Malcom, Lanzini, Mahrez, Draxler, Lemar, Brandt, Laxalt, Suarez, Aubameyang, Luan, Marega

Uncertain signings might include:
- another forward from above if Sturridge, Origi and Ings leave
- another forward from above if Salah does the unthinkable
- another centre back if any of Lovren, Matip or Klavan are replaced (Rumours: Akanji, De Vrij)
- another keeper from above to allow Ward to leave permanently

Rumoured players leaving permanently or on loan: Ward, Mignolet, Clyne, Flanagan, Milner, Grujic, Can, Sturridge, Ings, Origi, Markovic, Kent, Woodburn, Brewster and (unlikely) Salah

Any other posters feel free to add anything you've seen or heard to this. This isn't an in the know post, just thought it might be handy to group all the rumours together for anyone interested in spending their evening on YouTube 😂.

10 Jan 2018 11:56:19
I would like to add Ceballos in the bunch of rumoured replacements for Coutinho. Also been rumours about Fekir and today about Gomez (Atalanta)

10 Jan 2018 12:02:33
Not sure if want a right back to be honest. I like the rotation between Gomez and Arnold. Gomez gaining experience at rb as did carragher b4 moving to cb. Arnold looks really good when plays. Both will make mistakes but they will learn.

Think gk is a must as with vvd commanding already if we added a confident goal keeper who actually communicated and organised his defence we'd be ok at the back. Going forward if the right cb comes up them all the better.

Can't wait for Keita to join us in midfield but would love another option with a bit of bite behind him. Think we need that in midfield, wouldn't bother me if we went after this in January over a direct replacement for coutinho.

We have 3 very good forwards, not sure about back up though, if we could get some one who is wanted like Lamar then awesome, but I'd rather wait till summer if needs be.

Wouldn't mind an out and out striker so firmino can drop but behind him. Think we could do well with two midfielders just behind firmino then 2 wingers and a striker. Love firmino his link up play is as important to us as are Salah goals. Just imagine a striker, mane, Salah with firmino just behind? Pace creativity being fed and backed up by firmino would be lethal.

Just my opinion

Lifelongred.

10 Jan 2018 12:04:23
I hope we avoid Rakitic, Rafinha, Mahrez, Lanzini, Aubameyang and Trapp. Maybe seeing if PSG would allow Draxler on loan for the rest of the season might be a tempo fix until we can address replacement properly.

10 Jan 2018 12:27:33
Joe Gomez will not be playing CB anytime soon, Klopp rates Matip and Lovren very highly.

Goretzka is going to Bayern or staying at Schalke, Meyer is nowhere near good enough, Rafinha Alcantara is always injured and not that good anyway, Strootman will not join us, FSG doesn't shill out 40 million £ for a 28 year old (he is 28 in 2 weeks time) Rakitic is too old and every time i see Barcelona or Croatia play he is no good anymore, he is done, and Real Madrid want 80 € for Ceballos which quite frankly is disgusting and outrageous, i hope they do come for Salah in the summer and we quote them 300 million £ or no deal. Or they would loan him to us ofcourse for 18 months for 20 million and buy him back for 30 million euros so basically they want us to develop Ceballos for them then they can make all the money once they sell him on.

No keeper will join in January. And if we sign the likes of Lanzini then why even bother any more, the guy isn't even decent for West Ham, worst rumor ever in my opinion. The point of my post is i think and hope none of these links are actually true and that the media knows nothing and are just guessing and that we have actually become processional in dealing for transfers and not letting everyone know who we are after etc.

10 Jan 2018 12:31:17
I would not mind Draxler tho I question his attitude, Dennis. I think Ed02 said we were interested BUT I may be wrong.

10 Jan 2018 13:07:10
I like the Draxler on loan til end of season shout, Mr Dennis if he is available as the Eds say.
Would enable us to line up our top targets away from January madness.

I would love us to have Fekir who looks skilful, strong and has loads of end product and is firing now. Don’t know how easy he would be to get?
Seems arsenal have had interest.
Would prefer him to lemar, myself.

10 Jan 2018 09:28:37
The Echo reads "Liverpool are unlikely to make Lemar bid despite his lower fee". Or words to that affect. Also points at Arsenal being frint runners.

I don't know were or why they are saying he is available for lower fee around 61M but there you go.

Going on what Ed001 explained they want more than we are prepared to offer.

10 Jan 2018 09:41:59
I just hope we don’t end up wasting money on second rate players like Mahrez or Lanzini when a top class talent like Lemar is available (and wants to actually come here) .

10 Jan 2018 09:56:49
With you Dennis. We need to be adding quality if we ate to have any real chance of competing at the highest level!

10 Jan 2018 10:01:57
It may make us make a move simply because otherwise we may miss out on a player that we really want but would rather spend on in the summer.

I am not sure if any of the eds can confirm or not but did we actually make a bid for lemar last summer?

I feel like there is a bit of book balancing going on personally and the club would rather spend more during summer for one reason or another. We know we have be aware of FFP rules, maybe the timing of the deal at the moment could complicate things.

{Ed001's Note - we did not bid but that is nothing to do with any 'book balancing'. It is just that Klopp is not convinced he is worth splashing 90m on.}

10 Jan 2018 10:18:22
Fuming about this, this wat I hate about us we ain't thinking big we thinking balancing the books, go all out too get this guy for crying out loud!

10 Jan 2018 10:28:33
Damn those second rate players that have won more than our whole squad.
Premier League: 2015–16
Football League Championship: 2013–14
Individual
Algerian Footballer of the Year: 2015,2016
Premier League PFA Team of the Year: 2015–16
PFA Players' Player of the Year: 2015–16
PFA Fans' Player of the Year: 2016
Leicester City Player of the Year: 2015–16
BBC African Footballer of the Year: 2016
Facebook FA Premier League Player of the Year : 2016
El Heddaf Arab Footballer of the Year: 2016
Lion d'Or African Footballer of the Year: 2016
CAF African Footballer of the Year: 2016
CAF Team of the Year: 2016.

10 Jan 2018 10:31:02
I've given up on a Coutinho replacement for now. As long as we sign a goal keeper and/ or a midfielder to strengthen the spine of our team, replacing Coutinho can probably wait until the summer when players of his quality might actually be available.

At the end of the day, Coutinho was playing in the front 3 on the left, at the expense of Mane. So whilst it hurts our strength in depth temporarily, it doesn't actually damage the quality of our first choice attack at all because i still think Mane is better than Coutinho when he gets a run of games. If we can't get Lemar, then i say we just keep one of Woodburn or Kent to provide cover for the FA cup and in case of injuries, and improve the areas where our starting XI is weak, rather than focus on making sure we have 4 top class players for 3 forward positions. Go after Lemar or Brandt in June. For now i would focus on a midfielder, maybe getting Keita in early, and at least explore the option of a keeper (though i think that's about as likely as signing Lemar) .

Teams don't like selling their star players or their first choice goal keepers in January so replacing Coutinho or Mignolet might be a thing for the summer. However there are a lot of very good midfielders looking to move or available for various reasons. Ceballos (unsettled), Strootman (FFP concerns), Goretzka (contract rebel) . Obviously they all carry small risks such as experience of fitness concerns, but it's a risk we can probably afford to take.

10 Jan 2018 11:15:13
I submitted a bit of a rant on this myself earlier when I read the echo, but in hindsight I think it is probably more of a negotiating tactic to draw Arsenal out then we’ll match the agreed fee rather than be stitched up by Monaco as we have cash in the bank.

So, let’s all pretend to accept our Lemar position and move on I reckon!

10 Jan 2018 11:18:12
Strootman is a top player. Just hope we can keep him fit if we get him. Him and Kieta together would be an awesome CM pairing.

Goretzka is class but I feel he is BM bound and also doesn't offer us as much balance as strootman from a playing style point of view. Obviously if he did come I would be delighted.

Ceballos is young and talented. This would be a developer for me. Not sure he improves us right away but wouldn't disimprove us either. He is good now with great potential. Initial impact would not be that great I think considering Lallana and Chamberlain are on a similar level. Ceballos will pass them in time alright so I would be happy enough with his arrival.

Mahrez, he is extremely talented. I get the attitude thing but would that change somewhat when Klopp gets his hands on him. I dunno. I know there's a big focus on attitude which some people spill over into dissing his talent also. Talent wise I would have him all day long. He's pressing and takling in the premier league winning season was superb. I would be very happy with Mahrez if he signed.

Pulisic - really exciting player. Would improve us instantly and his potential is unbelievable. Probably my top pick and would be giddy if we somehow signed him.

Lemar - Another top pick. With him on the left and Mane on the right I wthink the natural width we would have would really really hurt teams. Inverted forwards is not always the way to go. Natural width is a dangerous dangerous weapon particularly with Salah and Firmino central. Would love it.

Allisson Becker - Mother of god. Please please please. Giddy is the the word I would use for this guy also. I'm not the best judge of goalkeepers to be honest. Ed001 has correctly burned me on keepers in the past but I do like the look of this guy. Ed001, interested in your thoughts on Alisson if you have the time.

Now for the nos:

Lanzini - Too inconsistent and I do think his ceiling is that high. Of course every player can improve but I'm not seeing a huge rate of improvement from him at all in the last few years. Even his good games are not all that great.

Gelson Martins - I hate headless chickens and I'm sorry but I get all the vibes from this guy. Fail to see what he would add now and I really don't see the potential either. Watched him a few times now and not once have I been impressed. Full of energy but decision making seems awful.

Just my thoughts on some of the players we've been linked with.

10 Jan 2018 11:22:42
Hailstones. Ed literally just said it's not about balancing the books. It's funny because the same people wanting us to spend 90mil on a player they barely know will be the same people bemoaning the club if he flops and it turns out a waste. Just trust that Klopp knows what he's doing, I'd like to give Lemar a try, but 90mil seems unrealistic.

10 Jan 2018 11:24:19
MK, Goretzka isn't a contract rebel. He has honoured his contract and is deciding whether to move on or resign. A contract rebel is someone who has a contract and wants out. rebelling against his contract, abit like coutinho this year.

10 Jan 2018 11:44:08
MK i, you are right. I would not hold my breathe on that mate as IMO, no team will sell you their GK mid season except of course you want LFC to sign a club's second choice GK which I'm sure you nor I don't want. As for Lemar, if Klopp does not think he is worth 90m, then I guess he's not worth it and we'll have to trust Klopp on that one. I remember hell being raised when we did not sign Chilwell at LB cos Klopp did not think he was worth the 10m being asked. Well, he was proven right as I have watched Chilwell a lot for LC since then and thank heavens, he did not come cos he's not better than the newly improved Moreno and the slow improving Robbo.

Keita coming in early won't happen as RBL's CEO has killed that noise and the Mahrez thing is all crap as we are thankfully not interested and frankly, he's would not start ahead of Mane and Salah and he is NOT a no. 10. I also like you, don't want second rate players like Lanzini or any other warm body to come in all in the name of hey, we got someone cos that is a panic buy that neither Klopp nor I believe in. That does not mean we will not try to get someone in this Jan, tho I think Goretzka is on his way to Bayern and not sure about Strootman (great player) but severely injury prone. We may have to dig deep this season and fight for each other to get what we want i. e top 4 and a trophy. I'm ready for the challenge. Are you?

10 Jan 2018 11:54:42
TIA, it's just a common phrase used for people who don't want to sign a renewal mate. It doesn't literally mean he's trying to start a revolution or anything 😉

I do agree Davey Sulls, that Strootman would really suit us. He can sit deeper, but breaks forward when he gets the chance and has a lot of quality. He's a very quick thinker. I mentioned him yesterday though and my only concern is with his injuries, and turning 28 in about 3 weeks, could he adapt to the fastest paced league in the world? I'm not against the signing by any means, but I'm just very wary of getting excited by it in case it goes down the pan and i end up disappointed 😂 in terms of ability, he's better than any midfielder we have at the club. If his operations are fully healed, sign him up!

I think your assessment on all of those players was fair, actually. I only disagree slightly on Mahrez.

10 Jan 2018 12:07:20
That would make him a revolutionist not a rebel, MK. Choose your words wisely 😉.

10 Jan 2018 12:26:42
Smart a**. I like you 😂.

10 Jan 2018 13:31:44
Adam, I read a bit about Strootman yesterday - not based on watching him. However, I believe his injury problems were more when he was consistently playing the box-to-box role a while back. Since he's settled into more of a no 6 role in recent times, his injury issues seem to have gone away.

10 Jan 2018 09:22:13
Aubameyang? Paper talk or real interest?

10 Jan 2018 09:41:38
Apparently him and Klopp don't get on.

My personal view is that signing a player in his late 20's who is nigh on 100% reliant on pace is a risk that is no longer worth it for us. Before Salah signed, I'd have taken him; in fact when it was mentioned in the summer i even advocated the signing of Aubameyang. We have a lightening fast goal scorer now though, and Firmino has added goals to his game this season. So i don't think Auba is needed anymore.

I'd rather prioritise a keeper. Then after that another midfielder and a right back (so Gomez can play central with Van Dijk) . As far as strikers go, I'm happy with Salah, Firmino, Mane and Solanke.

10 Jan 2018 09:47:48
Can’t see it.

Only as a loan deal. He has too much baggage for anyone to take him on permanently.

10 Jan 2018 09:56:52
Yeah my personal preference would be a good keeper and another good Cb. Bring a bit more balance to the team. If we can concede less goals we won't miss coutinho as much.

10 Jan 2018 10:27:58
Agree the current front 3 are great. Play really well together - especially when they choose the unselfish option in the box. However, if Sturridge, Origi and Ings go is the squad resilient enough to cover a medium/ long term absence of Mane, Firmino or Salah? Need to bear this in mind. Solanke is OK to give someone a rest but not sure if he could cover for an extended run.

Goalkeeper is a must for me - as is a creative mid to replace Couts.

Nice to have: new CB to play with VvD, new striker.

10 Jan 2018 11:52:10
If Klopp who created Auba as a CF, does not want him here, that should tell you all you need to know esp. since he and Klopp don't get along and we can see why. The guy is a complete arse, gets suspended and fined at will at BVB and is an unrepentant bell. Sorry, I'll pass.

10 Jan 2018 08:32:49
Ed001, it just occurred to me that isn't it a little concerning that if we sign a midfielder this window, it will potentially be a 5th-6th choice?

{Ed001's Note - nope, there are a lot of decent midfielders around so that should not be an issue.}

10 Jan 2018 08:48:47
By decent I hope you mean really good!

10 Jan 2018 12:13:16
Are any available and do they fit with what Klopp wants to do? That IMO, is the main question.

09 Jan 2018 23:57:30
Reports of tonight that Real Madrid want Salah. Bravo Ed002. It was hard to stomach, reading it.
My question is, would the owners sell so soon given that we just sold Coutinho?
Going by Twitter (And can I say that LFC Fans on there are epitome of trash. Because I wished Coutinho well I got so much racial abuse it was scary and I use to get so annoyed with Ed02 because how they spoke about us. but I apologise. You probably see more than I do. so seriously. thank you)
anyway. I think LFC fans would riot.


Also I'd like to pass on my condolences.

{Ed002's Note - I very much doubt they will sell anytime soon.}

10 Jan 2018 08:46:37
Not much we can do if Salah does a Coutinho. Salah seems like a decent man but we thought the same about Coutinho who moved heaven and earth to get the hell out of our club.

10 Jan 2018 12:18:00
IB, difference is Cou gave us 5 seasons and made him the player he is today with 142m (barca got rolled, IMO) to boot. Salah just got here and Real can want whoever the like, he will be here for the next couple of seasons or longer depending on how well we do and when we do sell, we will roll them up again like we did Barca. Having said that, RM really want Hazard and besides, FSG won't be selling like Ed said, anytime soon.

10 Jan 2018 08:49:53
Ed002, from even 18 months ago you knew very well how Coutinho felt about a Barcelona move. Do you know how Salah feels about this?

{Ed002's Note - As I explained many weeks ago, Salah had his agent approach Real Madrid as he was concerned he would miss out on an opportunity to move there if they putchased the two wide players they want.}

10 Jan 2018 07:49:26
Ed001. Reading in between your lines. does that mean the new incoming (if any) is likely an African player?

{Ed001's Note - eh?}

10 Jan 2018 08:21:52
People are always Ghana see things that aren't there Ed. Especially the older folk who are getting a bit se-Nile.

10 Jan 2018 10:34:15
Really good strikers coming out of Seen-a-goal at the moment ;)

10 Jan 2018 12:20:17
From Nambia (Trump's newly created African country)?

10 Jan 2018 07:15:57
While there have been calls for a big name replacement for couts, I would be happy to sign which ever player klopp think will compliment our team. We already have match winners in firmino, salah and mane, even a fully fit sturridge. Want i want is a player who will compliment those players by giving them not only good service but room to do there thing, We don't need another match winner we need someone behind them who the winners can trust to protect them and provide for them.

10 Jan 2018 06:43:40
Hi Fellow Reds,

I wouldn't be so worried about coutinho leaving, stats show we have a better winning record when he's not playing and bar the horrible man city display, we played ridiculously well with Firmino, Mane and most importantly Salah. Now that we have a defensive rock in VVD, we should be fine. Personally, I would love to see a midfield of Can, Gini/ Lallana and Ox, or if we sign lemar we can be a little bit more adventurous in the midfield. Fear not and trust in Klopp, I'm excited to see what the rest of the season brings.

10 Jan 2018 08:42:00
You need to look at the teams we payed in the matches we won without him before using stats like that to make yourself fell better about him leaving.

10 Jan 2018 08:43:30
Stats can be very misleading. Take Coutinho out of that midfield and look at the options we have. Lallana and Hendo injury prone, Gini is average and goes missing for large periods, OX still learning the midfield trade, Can's head is already elsewhere, Grujic can't get a game while Miner is a headless chicken. Chamberlain and Lallana are the only players worth keeping from there. The rest won't be missed one bit. We don't just need adventurous in midfield, we need real quality which separates the great teams from the decent ones.

10 Jan 2018 08:58:36
Klavy Bobby Mo - it's true that can happen with stats but this season he missed watford away, Arsenal at home, City away, huddersfield at home, west ham away and burnley away. Hardly sitting him for the easy wins!

10 Jan 2018 04:25:10
No one has won anything with a defense that's a liability. Liverpool has had some of the best attacking players ( Suarez, Coutinho, now Salah, Mane etc) but never good defenders or goal keepers. We have won nothing from I don't know how many years now. We drop too many points due to defensive issues.

Everytime we come close our defense let's us down. BR didn't fix and Klopp is now starting to realise this after 3 years. What a waste of time😞

Still Klopp is adamant in his ways but we will continue to loose players.

{Ed001's Note - are you being serious? Barca and Real Madrid have had a weak defence for as long as I can remember. Man City are top of the league with a defence that is shambolic and relies on the opposition never being able to get at it due to teams sitting deep and pragmatic fouls at key moments. Man Utd's final title was won with Smalling and Jones at the heart of the defence. I could go through many more but there is no point, you are simply wrong.}

10 Jan 2018 04:54:56
Ed look at the past couple of seasons, how many wins have turned to draws and losses due to defensive errors. We could have won the Europa final and the league when Suarez was there.

Last season we scraped to get top 4 with the season littered with mistakes. This season before Coutinho left, I believe that we had the best attackers after City but look at our League position. I mean look at the Arsenal match we were winning and then almost lost.

Take a step back and look at the last 10 years, we have paid the price for never strengthening our Defense.

Klopp continues to play with fire by starting Mignolet! We will be remembered as a team that played some of the most entertaining football but never win anything.

PS. I am sorry if this is a very negative or whiny post. Had to get this off my chest.

{Ed001's Note - I never said it hasn't cost us have I? I was simply pointing out that your bald statement was wrong. Flat out wrong. You can win everything with a crap defence and many, many teams have done so.}

10 Jan 2018 05:32:44
If you think the past 3 years have been a waste of time then you clearly don’t enjoy watching football. Do you remember the last season of drudgery under Rodgers? Klopp’s team plays some of the best football I’ve seen a Liverpool team play, admittedly some of our defending has been questionable but we have just spent £75 million on a new defender. Perhaps you’d be happier if we sacked Klopp and appointed someone like Pulis, I’m sure he’d fix the defence and make you happy.

10 Jan 2018 06:03:36
As Ed has demonstrated, it seems that in modern football, a good midfield is far more important than a good backline. A good midfield will prevent the opposition getting at the back four. We couldn't get away with a crappy back four (and goalkeeper) in 13/ 14 because the midfield did not sufficiently protect them, the task was primarily handed to Gerrard and he didn't have the legs to properly do it.

{Ed001's Note - spot on SG, the midfield is the most important position in all eras, but it has become even more important in recent years.}

10 Jan 2018 06:05:57
So is it simply not possible for a team to be defensively and attackingly sound at once?

{Ed001's Note - it is possible to have balance, yes. Difficult though, as it is very difficult to attack with enough numbers to keep a solid defence or defend with enough numbers to have a strong attack as well.}

10 Jan 2018 06:13:17
Smeg you are misunderstanding me. I love the we play and Klopp but I equally hate the way our defense has repeatedly cost us.

If Klopp is here for 7-8 years then cool, take your time and build the team but if this is like a 4-5 years deal then he needs to be ruthless.

Every other season we loose our good players or we come close to winning something. I am not saying it's a waste of time but this is a vicious cycle.

It is hubris to not see what we have been doing wrong for well part of a decade now.

10 Jan 2018 05:46:57
Bottom line is that we really need to win something this year. Obviously the FA cup is our best bet and Klopp knows that.

I just hope we can wrap up fourth place sooner rather than later aswell to concentrate on the cups.

10 Jan 2018 06:40:29
I will add that it's more important for some teams to have strong back fours than it is for other teams. It is important for Liverpool because they attack with a lot of numbers, and leaving error-prone defenders at the back like Lovren is a recipe for disaster. It is not as important for City because they play a more possession-based game, and because they are now so good at it, oppositions rarely get a chance to pressure their back line.

At the moment I am pretty confused about why people are rating Ederson so highly, he has not had that much to do.

{Ed001's Note - it is more that City's midfield is more adept at fouling the opposition and getting away with it, so breaking up play when they lose the ball and allowing numbers to get back. That is why their defence rarely gets exposed, not because they have possession.}

10 Jan 2018 06:58:10
To be honest Ed I haven't watched many City games this season as I know they'll win anyway, so I'll take your word, I just assumed with Guardiola there they'd be really good at the possession game.

{Ed001's Note - they are, but it is the cynical fouls that is giving them an edge, more so than the possession. They overcommit like Liverpool but are much better at stopping the break, unlike when we were caught for Everton's equaliser. If that had been City, Lallana would have cut down Bolasie and killed the break right there and then. When it is us, Lallana does nothing and the break ends up in a goal as the only player who attempts a foul is Matip and he is so weak he ends up getting thrown to the ground instead.}

10 Jan 2018 07:25:51
Why the obsession with winning cups this season?
We need to consistently qualify for the CL to improve our squad.
This should be a long term project, it takes 3 to 4 years to build a great squad, maybe longer - have patience mate.

10 Jan 2018 07:27:09
It is something you need to be really good at because otherwise, you will get a red card every second or third game.

They do seem to have more physical players in their midfield, I agree. Keita has a lot of venom and he will potentially help us 'improve' our fouling, as cynical as that sounds.

10 Jan 2018 07:41:54
Because ultimately we play to win, OIrish. That being said, I hate the "trophy is a trophy" rhetoric when it's used to argue, for example, that finishing 6th and winning the Europa League is better than finishing 4th and winning nothing. Any rational person would say that in most years 4th place is harder to achieve than the Europa League.

We also need to win the FA Cup because it builds a winning culture. It will help the players believe in themselves when they are in future title fights.

10 Jan 2018 07:57:44
Winning the champions league is our best bet. It’s the only tournament the lads won’t treat lightly from here on in and any team in the world with Firmino Salah and mane in form can beat anyone else. As a side note, it’s also the only tournament without mignolet. #Believe.

10 Jan 2018 08:04:41
SG, I understand where you're coming from of course, but in my eyes, realistically, we have to aim for CL places for a couple of seasons in a row at least to get in the right quality to take us to the top of the league, which is the ultimate win, is it not?

There's no perfect way to do it obviously, just have to look at Leicester's win - but if we start pressuring human beings to win cups as well as expecting them to move up the league with limited resources in comparison to Untied, City, Chelsea etc, we'll never hit the ultimate goal of winning that evasive league title.
Aas a fan of nearly 35 years, I feel genuinely, we're very close, just need to keep patient.

10 Jan 2018 08:17:16
Kev I think that aiming for an FA Cup win and a CL place is very achievable this season. While its significance has declined, IMO the FA Cup is still one of the top trophies.

10 Jan 2018 09:13:43
Ed1 we could do with some timely / professional / cynical fouls sometimes. Lallana on bolasie springs to mind.

{Ed001's Note - exactly.}

10 Jan 2018 11:01:09
SG, It's not that I think it's not achievable, I just think it's not realistic.
I hope you're right and I'm wrong, believe me.
I would just prefer us to have a couple of seasons in a row like last season and then we'll be able to get more quality in.
Salah for example would never have given up Roma for us if we weren't in the CL in my opinion.
If you aim too high, you can fall harder, but then again if you aim too low, you hit the trees :)
I think next season (if we get CL this season), we will see a huge improvement in our league form again once we get that quality in the summer i. e. Mignolet's replacement (this has to be the top target or second behind a top CM) and a top CM, plus a backup Striker if Solanke doesn't reach his potential.

09 Jan 2018 23:59:00
i pressed send to quickly and didn't even get to proof read. so apologises for any spelling or it not coming off well.

But I'd like to pass on my condolences to Ed001. I'm genuienly sorry for you loss. It wasn't a good start to the year. but sending good vibes and positivity your way.

{Ed001's Note - cheers WwW, in some ways it was good, as he had been suffering for a while, so I am looking on it as he has finally got away from the pain. He has been fighting one form or another of cancer for about 6 years now, finally he can rest.}

10 Jan 2018 10:13:33
Bloody horrible disease the big C, may that man RIP.

10 Jan 2018 00:30:57
Again not a rumour but I could definitely see lorenzo insigne being a good replacement for couthino. Alto I do see a lot of people saying that the Napoli president is harder to negotiate a transfer with than it is to make sense of a Donald trump tweet.

10 Jan 2018 02:02:17
Agreed, really hope we make an offer the Napoli president can't refuse for him, as unlikely as it may be for a deal to be done.

10 Jan 2018 02:11:08
Covfefe.

10 Jan 2018 10:11:03
Aurelio De Laurentiis would want over what we received for couthino he would see what we received and would want more no doubt that's if insigne would even want the move would love it if it happened but not many players who played in Serie A have lit up the premier league pogba looks half the player he was at juve.

10 Jan 2018 10:38:55
"we make an offer the Napoli president can't refuse"

So a horses head? Didn't realise we had any Cosa Nostra links - is it through Aquilani?

Maybe some good did come out of that transfer after all!

10 Jan 2018 00:19:32
Real Madrid have received an £84m offer for Gareth Bale from an unnamed club, according to reports in Spain.


surely can't be us?
any ideas?

{Ed007's Note - It's St Mirren.}

10 Jan 2018 00:24:38
full of money that scottish league.

{Ed007's Note - It's wasting the game up here mate - we've got full time players and everything now. Sheer madness!}

10 Jan 2018 01:36:50
Ed's (ED007/ 33, 1/ 2, etc) you make crazy season bearable with humor! : )

{Ed007's Note - People take all this transfer window stuff far too serious, it's more fun if you lighten up. :-D