Liverpool Banter Archive May 10 2017

10 May 2017 21:37:37
I've long feared that Arsenal were still in the race for 4th spot, even though I've been ridiculed by those I've said it to. Tonight's result heaps enormous pressure on us to beat West Ham as I fear Arsenal will beat Stoke. Don't think my heart can stand the next 11 days!

10 May 2017 21:43:55
Arenal would never have been in with a chance if we haven't screwed up in our last 3 home games. Its our own fault. Time for the players to step up to the plate this Sunday and do the Job.

10 May 2017 22:09:26
not sure if we can get all 3 points at West Ham, this is going to be so tight, this could even go down to the last few mins of the last game, goal difference might win it, for?

10 May 2017 22:09:33
After 36 games it's in our own hands.
Can't ask for much more from the lads.

10 May 2017 22:20:42
this back 3 is not helping us. we need goals. we need positive football. we can't rely on another can overhead kick. we need to start positive, nick a goal then switch to a back 3 when sturridge has ran out of steam. hopefully klopp can see arsenal as a real threat now. I think a draw and a win will get us top 4 but i also think stoke, everton, sunderland are just going to roll over for arsenal.

10 May 2017 22:25:19
Btw i am a huge supporter of the team but i just sont see us making top 4 now. Arsenal playing a hopless stoke, a relegated sunderland and an Everton gone on holidays the last few wks = 3 wins. And i don't see us beating WH which has them ahead of us in 4th. I pray for a stumble vs stoke as they will win their 2 remaining games. The way we have been playing since xmas doesn't instill me in confidence but i will be there to support them whatever happens. Its typical Arsenal time of the year. I hope i am a proved wrong but the draw vs Southampton has drained the last bit of my confidence in the team getting the job done.

10 May 2017 22:56:29
It's so sad to see fellow red men throwing in the towel - get a grip guys!
Let's stay positive and get behind our team in every way possible.

10 May 2017 23:54:38
If we don't make top 4 it's because we don't deserve to. I'd rather have our run in than either Man Utd or Arsenals.

I think we'll do it, just hope we play a more aggressive game than against Southampton and smash them both. Come on lads, let's prove to everyone we deserve this!

10 May 2017 23:55:43
Spot on, boys. Nowhere to hide nowy on BUT us now. WH is now a must win game cos NO other result will do if they beat Stoke which they prolly will. Time to rise and be counted.

11 May 2017 00:22:03
CK, I understand your fears and they are real. I will offer you some support and positivity in that in spite of all our issues, we still have our fate in our hands. It will be difficult for us fans, to disregard what Arsenal does at Stoke cos that is normal. My hope is that our players stay focused and motivated to go out there and finish the job. Stoke will not pose a threat to them IMO, so I would not rely on them.

Remember, we have won our last 3 games on the road without conceding a goal. That will only help the players' confidence. WH will try to do to us what they did to Spurs. Spurs tried to win the game in the first 10 mins and went gong ho and got frustrated and once they conceded, it was over. This is where we need to play smart and wait for our chance to pounce. Stay in the game and stay patient and the space will open. Remain hopeful and until we finally drop out of the top 4, we are still in it with all to play for, in control of our fate and that's all you can ask for. Can't say the same for Arsenal.

11 May 2017 11:12:46
Its a bit misleading to say it's all in our own hands, I think West Ham and Boro might have something to say about it. Also if it is in our hands, surely it has been all season?

11 May 2017 23:16:03
My Two, there's nothing misleading about what I said. I said it is in our hands provided we win our last two games which is a fact. Winning them will be difficult but definitely not impossible.

10 May 2017 21:03:51
Let's hope Saints do is a favour here.

We could end up with top 4 due to the Arsenal and Man U being poor more than our own success. Either way.

10 May 2017 21:33:42
well that ends that hope then.

10 May 2017 21:36:44
you might have jinxed it PR, just to add to the drama, the Gunners are now 2 goals up, its Gunner be tight, and down to the last game .

10 May 2017 23:58:07
West Ham is now a must win game if we want to make top 4 because Stoke is going to snail it in just as the Saints did today as they just went through the motions. Time for our boys to step up going into this weekend, it is still in our hands and that should motivate us to finish the job. Fear of failure will not cut it because if you are afraid to fail, you will.

10 May 2017 20:47:47
Haven't been well last couple of days so not been on, now hear harry has left, tried to look over the posts to see what happened but not able to find anything, can someone advise what happened.

{Ed025's Note - im not sure welsh but hope your feeling better mate..

10 May 2017 21:36:37
He threw his toys out the pram.
Spat out his dummy.
And had a man period (manstration)
he's taking some time out to make his Kovacic poster sticky, see you soon Harry 😁.

11 May 2017 03:27:00
Cheers ed, still not brilliant hence the reply this early but not as bad as I was.

{Ed025's Note - good to hear mate..

11 May 2017 09:23:01
Or a DEMONSstration.

I know my missus has them monthly.

10 May 2017 19:27:51
Harry, sorry if you have left the site because of my post yesterday. I got a little carried away with my annoyance, but definitely not having your opinion here makes it a tad boring!

10 May 2017 20:12:41
If Harry has left because of that, it's not really your problem. There are some very divisive posters on this site, which helps to make it what it is. If they are not prepared to take criticism, tough tadders mate. I expect he'll be back. how could he resist with our penultimate game coming up.

10 May 2017 21:20:48
I like Harry but you never know which one you're going to get. If we win, he worships the team. If we lose, they're all terrible.

10 May 2017 17:32:55
I'm just going to say it and take the stick; I think Chamberlain would turn out to be a great signing.

10 May 2017 17:42:01
I with you mk who look good when he's playing for England I just think he's been badly manger you just have to look at half that team and they still look the same player as there where 5 years ago.

10 May 2017 17:43:37
For what position? Personally I don't see it, he's a pretty decent player but I genuinely don't see a position for him and I haven't seen much in his play in recent years to say he can go up another level.

10 May 2017 17:55:53
I agree we would be imagine the cut and thrust of him playing in the midfield 3 someone with pace/ power and technical ability with the vision and quality to play 1-2s through static defences rather than side ways side ways of can and Lucas and wij. He gets slated here for his attitude but so do lallana and mane and they've been our best players all season. Is there someone who wouldn't be a gamble available for less? That might want a move to lfc? Probably not. He also has the quality to be a left winger for us if coutinho goes/ gets injured/ rotated. Nessasary padding for the squad.

10 May 2017 18:13:06
Must admit I agree to only problem is do we need him if he does leave arsenal I beleive he will kick on and be a great player for someone. like someone said he is stunted there.

{Ed025's Note - he has gone stale at arsenal mike and he really needs to leave there to further his career, but im not sure hes good enough to walk into the liverpool side and would be a squad player imo mate..

10 May 2017 19:12:19
His injury record worries me to be honest. We have enough players who are regularly in the treatment room as it is.

10 May 2017 19:55:17
I've always said he's a good player. I don't think he's a £35m player, but then I didn't think Mane was either.

10 May 2017 21:19:43
I don't know which Ox my fellow posters are talking about cos the one they describe and fantasize about bears NO resemblance to the average and overrated headless chicken many of us are seeing in real life. As Ed said, he has gone stale at Arsenal just like his buddies Ramsey and Walcott esp., along with their outdated and dinosaur manager Arsene. he is NOT good enough, can't stay fit and would add NOTHING to the first 11. We need players who can do that right now and he is NOT one of them.

10 May 2017 21:39:39
the OX injured again, that might put off any transfer talks .

10 May 2017 21:47:08
N Red.

I like your posts BUT i was JUST wondering mate, ISIT possible for you TO POSSIBLY stop using CAPS LOCKS on all of your POSTS like this BECAUSE sometimes its really BLOODY annoying and it can, in fact, COME ACROSS as a little bit DICTATORIAL if you know what i'm saying? LIKE EVERYONE else is a complete IDIOT and you're the ONE WITH all the ANSWERS.

11 May 2017 00:11:04
Fair enough, Smallsy.

11 May 2017 01:11:36
I was only semi joking anyway mate. People express their passion in different ways, it's hard to get your point across sometimes behind a keyboard.

I enjoy reading your opinions, as I do everyone else. No need to go AWOL just yet like Harry (p. s I hope you come back if you're reading this Harry, even if your posts do fry my brain 99.9% of time)

11 May 2017 11:02:50
Lol you say this about almost every single player we get linked to Adam! I whole-heartedly disagree in this case and think he represents a massive risk. Further more he has shown nothing for Arsenal this season to suggest he would be the sort of quality our team desperately needs.

11 May 2017 11:20:39
I think it's a risky one with his injuries. And I don't think he is an immediate starter. However if we could get him for around the 20m mark it could be good business. He has potential, ability and a great work ethic. He's actually been one of arsenals better players this season. He's extremely versatile. Can play wide or central or even wingback. I think Klopp could get the best out of him and take him up a level. Good squad player to have I think.

10 May 2017 16:27:39
The U23s played their final game of the season on Monday against Everton at Goodison and won 2-1. Absolutely cracking game.
We had a very strong side out with TAA, Woodburn, Grujic and Wilson all starting. Everton had won the league prior to this game and it was nice to put a dampener on what was meant to be a day of celebration for them.
Ojo scored the opener early on with the assist coming from Wilson. Someone asked about Ojo the other day and in my opinion he plays well most games but he doesn't stand out as one of the best. I think ed001 was bang on with what he said about him.
Trent AA scored the second goal early in the second half with a really well taken goal with the assist coming from Grujic who ran through the midfield after nut megging one of their players. Grujic is getting better and better since coming back from injury and he was excellent against Everton. I'd like to see him play more in the final two games of the season.
The stand out performers for me were Trent AA and Grujic. Honourable mentions to Wilson, Grabara and Gomez too.
I add that Grabara made some key saves to earn us the win so he pulled a big performance out the bag there.
That's the end of the season now lads for the U23s so no more football with the young lads for a little while. I'll try and do these match reports again next season if I can.
We finished third in premier league 2 altogether and I would say we had a very good performance. There were a few games where we were very much under strength due to injuries and some players getting time in the first team so with a little more luck we could have won the league.
We have a bright future I will say that!

10 May 2017 16:55:05
thanks for all your match day reports DaRedMan, appreciate it, it was nice of you to keep us all updated on the u23's, thanks pal.

10 May 2017 18:30:18
No problem kk7!

{Ed025's Note - the young lads done very well daredman, to finish third behind that glorious everton side means you over achieved and even though liverpool are miles behind everton in the youngster department it was a fine effort and the 3rd place trophy well deserved mate.. :)

10 May 2017 20:12:06
Thanks so much for the updates, I for one, am quite interested in the younger players, seeing who are improving and who are on the verge of breaking into the first team squad . Look forward to more of the same from you DaRedMan.

10 May 2017 20:52:23
Very clever ed, I expect your boys in the first team will be celebrating that seventh place and the fact that there's ONLY 4 places between you and us. ;)

{Ed025's Note - we are on the way up daredman, not only have we got a plethora of cash to spend this summer but we also have the best crop of youngsters chomping at the bit to become part of this revolution, new manager, new team and next a new state of the art stadium means the peoples club are on the march..be afraid..be very afraid mate.. :)

10 May 2017 21:22:13
The not so noisy neighbors are wittering in again;) jokes aside, the only way is up for Everton. The youth system is in great shape, I have been very impressed by them this season. Maybe you'll get out of the Europa group stages next year then.

{Ed025's Note - its CL or bust for us daredman, wait until you see the players we are signing next season mate you will be green with envy.. :)

10 May 2017 22:29:58
To move forward ed you need to keep your team together and hold onto your best players. Lukaku leaving will be a big loss and it'll heap pressure on his replacement to deliver. You need a keeper, centre back, winger, central midfielder perhaps and a top quality striker to replace lukaku.

{Ed025's Note - im afraid romelu will be going mate so a striker is the priority, your right about what we need and im sure steve walsh has things in hand..

11 May 2017 11:05:30
To be fair though Ed it's harder than ever for youngsters to make the grade these days - how many of those in that U23 squad do you see actually making it? Especially with all this cash you's will be splashing? Not much incentive to give the young fellas a run out when you can sink a load of money into an already developed player eh. Not criticising but just seems to be the way football goes - the more money teams have the less you see youngsters breaking through, will your new found cash injection help or hinder those youngsters you've got?

{Ed025's Note - its bound to affect the youngsters future seano but to be fair to koeman he has given some of them a chance, its nice to see the likes of tom davies, calvert lewin, holgate and recently jonjoe kenny getting their chance, im a firm believer in giving these lads a chance and even if its league cup or europa league i love to see them getting a shot mate, after winning the U23 league i think we have as good a young crop as anybody but as you so rightly say they need to be given a chance and im very hopeful that everton are trying in that capacity..

10 May 2017 10:26:26
Hi Ed001, do you think the lack of experienced winners in the squad is what causes us to seemingly lose focus against the lesser teams? There are very few players in the squad who have actually won anything in their careers and I think that might have a lot to do with the way they fail to take responsibility to change a game or show some drive when things aren't going our way. It would be nice if we could get a couple of experienced heads in this summer imo especially with champions league potentially next season. Or is it simply a case of not having enough vocal leaders on the pitch?
Thanks.

{Ed001's Note - not so much experienced as just winners. It wouldn't matter if they didn't have experience, so long as they were winners. Milner has plenty of experience, but he is not a winner, he is a worker, but not a winner.}

10 May 2017 12:01:03
Ok see where you're coming from ed. Problem is I guess that all the 'winners' are already at top clubs aren't they. Would be nice if a couple of the lads coming through the academy now had that kind of mentality. Maybe something that Gerrard can help the youngsters in the u18s with, he did say something about it a couple of weeks ago I'm sure that the young lads are too soft etc.

{Ed001's Note - there are winners in the lower leagues as well, not all winners are at top clubs. Some top clubs also have a lack of them, both Manchester sides and Spurs spring to mind.}

10 May 2017 12:45:33
I think we just miss a leader on the pitch.

10 May 2017 13:48:30
We used to have so many winners. Gerrard, Kuyt, Carragher and Reina all stand out in my memory. The only winner we've had in the last 2 years now is Henderson. He is the only player I've seen come off the pitch after a defeat and look sincerely gutted.

It is part of the reason why local players are loved so much though. A player playing for the team he supports will become a winner even if he otherwise isn't. For me a winner is a player who plays as though he is a fan of his club. Someone who die for the cause. That is why we came so close in 13/ 14. We had Agger, Flanagan, Gerrard, Henderson and Suarez. They all wanted to win more than they cared about their pay cheque.

10 May 2017 14:51:17
You don't have to be a winner to be a leader. Look at Tom Brady, for example. He till this day, plays with a hunger and chip on his shoulder cos he was overlooked in high school and University as a perennial back up QB and he has NEVER let that go in spite of all his success. That is fuel for his fire and a main reason why he is still motivated to go out there and compete.

He was not born a winner BUT forged a steely resolve to be successful cos he felt slighted for being overlooked. Playing with a chip on your shoulder and always having something to prove, can make you a leader by example cos others can feed off that. Same for Carra who proved his doubters wrong cos many thought he would not make it at LFC YET he did. Those are what you need.

10 May 2017 03:52:07
How would Juventus winning the champions league affect the english teams qualification for the next few years.

10 May 2017 09:54:59
I think next year is when you see the shift in points between the 2 countries, also it would depend on how united do as well.

If Juventus win and united loose we will lose a spot I think after next season.

10 May 2017 10:47:35
Didn't they announce that starting from 2018/ 19 the top leagues will be guaranteed four places?

10 May 2017 12:10:35
Builder is correct. 4 places for the top 4 leagues from 201819.also straight into group stages I think.

10 May 2017 05:17:49
{Ed's Note - We have posted a new article entitled, Southampton v Arsenal Match Preview

10 May 2017 06:12:52
was going to say this is the liverpool page but then realised its the midweek game, except there's only one game in it.

would love to see arsenal finishing above united with us still in top four!

{Ed001's Note - and what relevance is it what page this is? Is this your site?}

10 May 2017 09:08:36
Think he was just winding you up ed001. Lol.

{Ed001's Note - I don't know, it seems to be a common theme that people want to attack anything posted these days.}

10 May 2017 10:11:26
hah was just a joke ed001, thought you'd get it.

bt wouldn't disagree with what you said to mikey, so i understand.

{Ed001's Note - apologies mate. Must be my time of the month!}

10 May 2017 10:51:41
It is good to know you are still having the time of the month ed, I sometimes picture you like a wise old sage, similar to the druid from the Asterix and Obelix series.

{Ed001's Note - they based him on Ed025.}

10 May 2017 15:36:42
Yeah ed it's not an attack on what's posted it seems to be an ongoing joke that started a few months ago.

{Ed001's Note - ah ok, not noticed, I have noticed a lot of people saying similar things in a moany way and getting arsey about the links posting up.}

09 May 2017 23:24:29
Dont know if this has been asked ed01. What is your opinion on when Klopp decides to make substitutions? For me a lot of the time it feels as if it is left too late for the player coming on to make a difference. The Southampton game for instance. Why wait until the 70th minute to make subs when the players looked devoid of ideas from the moment the 2nd half kicked off.

{Ed001's Note - I just see a manager who doesn't feel like he has the options on the bench to make a difference, so he hangs on and waits. When he had quality on the bench, he made the change at half-time when things weren't working. So I am giving him the benefit of the doubt that he just doesn't feel those on the bench are fit/good/different enough to make a genuine difference other than to provide fresh legs towards the end.}

10 May 2017 07:36:44
Great reply Ed1.

{Ed001's Note - we will only know for sure when he does have a decent bench, rather than a bunch of kids that are, by their very nature, inconsistent and cover players. You never know for sure whether kids will come on and have a stormer, have a stinker, or try too hard to impress and do something silly such as Grujic's tackle. The cover players are purely there in case of injuries, so we have little to change a game, unfortunately.}

10 May 2017 09:31:47
IMO the first XI should be playing better rather than having to rely on a substitute to make something happen. We did nothing against Southampton until Lallana and Sturridge came on and, even after their introduction, our attacking play was minimal. The first team needs to be doing more - subs should really be used to give youngsters first team experience and perhaps replace tiring legs - I don't think their primary function should be to try and save the day, that rarely happens even with teams who do have good subs to use.

10 May 2017 09:56:01
I loved Grujic's tackle. It was a bit nasty which I think we miss sometimes. You have to let the opposition know you're there and yes perhaps he went too far but we have become too nice as a team lately.

10 May 2017 10:10:09
I don't think nastiness is the point though pipscreamer - I think it's more to do with drive, determination, heart. Grujic's tackle was poor, but he was making if because he was trying to make an impact, because he desperately wanted to affect the game. Other players need to do it - not be nasty - but really try to have an impact on a game rather than just coasting through and relying on others to step-up. That's what I've noticed in a lot of games this season - players shrinking and expecting others to come up with the goods - every player needs to step up and put in a shift, there are simply too many in our squad happy to waltz through games and take the easy option in every situation; in short they are not playing like winners.

10 May 2017 14:54:02
Spot on, Seano and Pip. You may not be a winner BUT you can be a leader through sheer will and desire cos you simply hate losing. Carra was a leader cos he hated losing, wanted to prove people wrong for doubting his ability and played like it all thru his career. That is what we need from the senior players.

I don't mind Grujic getting stuck in cos at least it shows that the kid cares and wants to make an impact and it shows he can't be bullied. Having said that, some of our players REALLY need to step up and become leaders on the pitch. Klopp cannot do everything even tho, many expect him to.

Players have to take responsibility on the pitch and let others know that shrinking will NOT be tolerated. They should be able to give as good as they get to the opposition to let them know that this will be no cake walk. We seem to do that vs our top 6 rivals BUT in some way, cannot replicate that in other games. That is my concern.