Liverpool Banter Archive January 11 2017

11 Jan 2017 21:58:30
What a difference, mane makes.
(That's a much better comment if you say it like the dinah Washington song, I thinks eds 2 will get it)

{Ed002's Note - I don't know who Dinah Washington is - but I was in Palm Springs for Dinah Shore weekend about 10 years ago. I also visit Washington at least once a year (to complete paperwork).}

11 Jan 2017 23:28:49
Well the line in the song is "what a difference a day makes"
I'm going to get loads of thumbs down, aren't I 😂

11 Jan 2017 22:07:48
Just want to add my take on our form recently. We've had 3 pretty bad results back to back and what makes it worse is the performance in those games especially from certain players but if you look at the context of the results we haven't lost much ground. The last round of PL fixtures was a bittersweet one as Chelsea finally lost but we couldn't capitalise and be 3 points behind, instead we gained one point, that is not lost ground. A draw against Plymouth is disappointing under any circumstances especially as it means an extra game in an already packed January but that game will be played by the youngsters and we will most likely win. We are still in the competition so again nothing lost there. In this game against the saints, I think it's the only game in which we received some sort of deficit as we are a goal behind, but it's a 2 legged match with the next match being at home under the lights with most of our important players due back, so again we are far from out of it and should still be favourites to get through. 3 points on Sunday and I'm sure all this is forgotten as we will have the Plymouth and Southampton games shortly after to correct these wrongs, and we have proven we're capable of doing it, we will though, I'm not so sure.

My concerns where always these run of fixtures in January and it seems to have halted our momentum big time. Beating united is always a big ask but in terms of form it doesn't look like it will happen. I think we go into the game exactly how we'd want to mentally as everyone's saying united will beat us so the pressure is on them to do that. I do prefer that rather than the pressure being on us as we don't do well under pressure, but I get the feeling it will mean little on Sunday. What these last three games have shown is that Henderson is arguably the most vital player to our team and our system. We shouldn't rely on one player that much, we're awful in midfield without him and I'm glad people are finally realising how important he is. One thing is clear, Can shouldn't be in the first team. I have said this since the summer but Fifa players where saying Henderson was the problem not Can lol. Now Can obvious insufficiencies in midfield are coming into fruition for all to see. He just lacks in vital areas of a midfielders game, and he certainly isn't good enough to cover Henderson. If we are to purchase anyone in January, it should be a midfielder, not just to cover Henderson but to improve the starting midfield. Can is only good when the rest of the team is playing well otherwise he doesn't know what he's doing. I'm not saying get rid of him, I'm saying he needs more time to learn his trade so he should be a squad player for now because he does well against certain opponents, but it's obvious he shouldn't be in the first 11. And I'm not trying to slate him, I'm just frustrated it's taking this long for people to realise this, we need to improve this midfield sooner rather than later otherwise we will have to settle for top 4 I feel.

11 Jan 2017 22:16:21
I agree with you on can, He's been a problem for us these last few games.

11 Jan 2017 22:22:18
". Moving the ball quickly. " is the most vital part of our system. A part which got Brendan sacked when he moved out. Liverpool move the ball quicker than light and when that stops we becomes extremely preductable.
Henderson is one of the vital part of this system but we still had all other senior players available today.

12 Jan 2017 03:49:02
Heartless, I agree with your post globally that but disagree with the assessment that we should not be drawing with Plymouth in a game we played predominantly with U19`s or U23`s at best. Plymouth may be a lower league team BUT they have seasoned professionals who are physically fitter, stronger and more experienced in the pro game than our kids so I wasn`t surprised that we didn't win cos of these reasons and of course, the whole of Plymouth as parked in front of their goal. We`ll see what happens in the replay and if the kids play again, of course I`ll back them to win BUT it won`t be easy.

12 Jan 2017 07:31:31
Just like to point out that can is a squad player. If every player is fit, like at the start of the season, he doesn't get picked. Injuries brought him into the team and have kept him there

12 Jan 2017 11:53:59
Hamilton, I see what you're saying and it wasn't much of a surprise to me either but that was the same sort of team that beat spurs second string side and Leeds full strength side which are both much tougher opposition. Add the fact that it was at home and realistically we should be winning that game. I expect the same sort of line up to play the rematch and we'll most likely get the win.

Slowdog, whilst it's true injury was what brought him in, he was still being accommodated for at times and even when we had wiji lallana and hendo all available he was still getting in ahead for a while. I think we need a better option than can, and I don't mean a squad player better than can, I mean someone that improves the starting midfield and plays alongside hendo lallana/ wiji. It's a simple case of, we need a better player than Can or wiji (who I think has been pretty decent for the most part, just not as effective as I'd like him to be) . Plus wiji can play more than one role meaning we wouldn't even need a replacement for mane and wiji can play further forward when needed. It gives us more quality options in midfield and attack, not just attack.

12 Jan 2017 14:37:02
Kman92, the Spurs team had their own share of youth players like Vickers, Winks, Anomah and a few back up senior players like Trippier, and Nkoudou and Vincent Jansson. We had Studge, Mane, Lucas, Klavan, Moreno and Origi along with our kids. Compare these lineups to Plymouth`s who played their full first team vs a team dominated by teenagers with Moreno, Can and Lucas as senior players. In no way are both games nor team lineups related. The game being at home makes no difference either cos the fact that we played literally the academy team, leveled the playing field for Plymouth. I do think we will win the tie if we play the same lineup but with a one or two tweaks here and there.

11 Jan 2017
The real time live chat page is open for today's Liverpool match at the below link for you to talk to each other during the match
Liverpool Live Chat page

11 Jan 2017 14:47:10
Ed001 or carra, any insight on the young lad Sam Hart returning from his loan?

11 Jan 2017 23:28:16
6 offside goals in the last 4 games. Total rubbish. We've had Mkhitarians scorpion kick against Sunderland, Zlatan against West Ham, and Mata was about 2 inches off last nightS fail to mention the ones we've had ruled out for offside that were onside though haven't you? Or the ones disallowed like Zlatan against boro for no reason. Pathetic attempt to make out united are being favoured again. What about the the handball on the line today Southampton didn't get, when redmond hit the bar?

As for not having any United fans on early in the season, take a look at your own first. Where has Mighty reds, Bobby f and the rest dissapeared since we've had 9 consecutive wins? Laughable

12 Jan 2017 01:48:36
Did you post on the wrong one pal lol? Firstly if your read what I wrote it was what I heard on the radio and secondly it wasn't anything about how united were being favoured. I was saying that the 4th official should be able to use video replays to check if goals are offside or not as it wouldn't disrupt play regardless of which team it benefits.

Fully aware we've had some go are way and vice versa, but think it could be something that could be dealt with better. The example was that was Hulls first ever semi final in EFL cup and have an offside goal allowed.

Finally need to chill a bit mate, it's called banter. I visit all the team sites and TBH the only thing that puts me off posting on the united page is people seem to get very defensive and drastically misconstrue what you are trying to say. Remember posting earlier this year about Rooney and asked if united fans think they are better off without him and the reply was again quite aggressive and somehow turned to "oh the genius Klopp could make him better" or "Liverpool fans only posting cause they are top after 8 games" etc - not saying you don't get that here. l but don't see why people can't have a reasonable debate regardless of who you support

11 Jan 2017 13:15:46
Ed's any chance in a sahko + cash deal for van dijk being offered from Liverpool, one way of getting a good cb and also offloading a player being wasted in the U23's

{Ed002's Note - No and why would Liverpool want another CB?}

11 Jan 2017 13:47:53
Equally, why would Saints want to swap CBs? They do not need the cash.

11 Jan 2017 11:12:30
Make no mistake, tonight is a huge game!

After last years failings in 2 cup finals, Klopp and team will be desperate to get it right this time.

Fact of the matter is, as much as we all love JK, he hasn't won anything yet. Until that changes he cannot be called a successful appointment.

What better way to change that then getting to the final and smashing United at Wembley to win it!

11 Jan 2017 12:06:30
Successful is such a subjective term Puzzled Red. In the traditional sense, quantified by cups, maybe so. but Klopp has successfully brought a brand of footie back to Anfield that has not been seen, in my humble, since Evans. He has been successful in instilling optimism, ran the transfers at what appears to be a profit, taken us to two cup finals and 2nd in the league all in a relatively short space of time.

Sometimes the destination isn't the true source of satisfaction, more the experience of the journey made to arrive there

11 Jan 2017 12:14:22
Van Gaal won a Trophy, yet he's regarded as failure at Man utd because of style of play. Klopp has been a success in that department at Anfield. We are not the finished article, but considering what Klopp has done in the way we are playing I would say so far he's doing a great job. We have been to 2 cup finals and are now competing at the top end of the Premiership, and considering the clubs financial muscle compared to our competitors for a title challenge we are definitely punching our weight.

11 Jan 2017 13:07:40
Surely the 2nd leg is more important then 😄

11 Jan 2017 13:10:44
Lol. Success measured by no of chance created! I love fine people and their exceptional talent to make excuses.

What is the use of playing attentive football and winning nothing? Guess what turn the page and ask Arsenal!

I don't care if we park the bus for the remaining 15 games if that will give me 45 points. Simply don't care how we play!

Lol LVG won an FA cup at the expense of CL places and league title! He couldn't get UTD to challenge for the league in 3 years and hence he was sacked!

11 Jan 2017 13:23:45
So apart from Conte for you, there is no successful manager in the pl?

11 Jan 2017 13:25:33
Regardless of the glaring successes that JK has had with us especially with the mess he inherited from the previous manager, he has been successful in making us more than competitive in a very short time. That must be commended.

However he himself, says that losing finals, is not cool and that he needs to start winning them again so Harry globally, is right here. If we make the final, we have to win it, period and even Klopp knows that. As for LVG, he deserved to be canned as they were just bloody awful under him and the FA Cup win, does not automatically change that fact.

11 Jan 2017 13:32:42
If you don't care if we park the bus and win the league by the type of anti-football Plymouth gave us on Saturday, you might well love Liverpool but you hate the sport. Football needs to be played and needs to be entertaining. I know several Chelsea fans and two United fans who both gave up going to games in their title wins made by boring 1-0 wins.

11 Jan 2017 14:17:54
Nobody said about winning nothing Harry lad, more a attention/ recognition to the progress and associated enjoyment with that, and rightly attributing that to Klopp building success.

Folk being all "stompy feet" and only interpreting success on the immediate (or lack of immediate) boil my p*ss Harry.

Liverpool are showing better tactical fluidity to defend (man city) but I'd rather spend the afternoon repeatedly punching my own john thomas than see Liverpool FC park the bus for half a season.

11 Jan 2017 14:26:42
If Liverpool are winning trophies but every game is dull defensive bus-parking, ill be changing sport. Ideally we win playing entertaining football but im not paying money and following a spectacle of dross.

11 Jan 2017 15:58:41
Liverpools team under Klopps high tempo pressing style has yet to complete a full season and there is still a chance that fatigue from heavy metal football will result in a cluster of injuries for the run in.

So far so good at the moment but if you handed me 2nd place now and no cup wins I would snap it up.

And with a bit of luck if we do get champagne league football we will need a bigger squad which makes the Sakhos situation stranger again.

11 Jan 2017 17:26:52
I agree with Harry! 😣😣

11 Jan 2017 20:07:40
Im hanging out for us to win the league but if we can only do it by playing boring crap footy then no thanks. Much as I would love us to finally win, if it means that my kids get turned off and stop watching then I think its not worth it. Im loving the style of footy we are playing now. Its why I started supporting LFC and I would hate to see them turn their backs on it. Just ask yourself this: how many Chelsea and ManU fans actually bothered to watch matches when their teams were playing "winning" footy.
In the wider view, Football is competing with a whole host of other "entertainment" - they can't afford to be complacent.

11 Jan 2017 06:08:07
Morning all.

Ed's. why is it that through all of the years we haven't had any youth centre backs come through and break into the 1st team. Yes I know Jamie Carragher did play there but he dropped back there from a centre midfield position and also over from full back initially.

All of these years and I can't remember a centre back coming through?

Just wondering if you could shed some light on it?

Cheers

{Ed001's Note - because it is the position that takes the most time and effort to develop. Teams always give up on the youth players before they are mature enough to make that position their own.}

11 Jan 2017 07:07:24
And to be fair, it'd have to be a fairly exceptional youth talent for a "top club" to stick with them and compete for honours ye?

{Ed001's Note - even then they don't very often. It is usually purely because of a lack of funds that young players get developed.}

11 Jan 2017 07:32:31
Patience and money. Top clubs have no patience as they constantly challenge for the title and would want to field the best possible readymade team every year. Hence they overlook youngsters and buy proven players.
Clubs such as Southampton and Everton bring their youngsters as they have no money in the first place and are ok with any place in the top half of the table.

Everton has bought a lot of youngsters through which will stop once they start to splash the cash!

{Ed001's Note - a lot? Everton have done no such thing. They bought Stones, Holgate, Coleman etc, the only ones they have brought through were Rodwell and Barkley in recent years, unless I am missing something?}

11 Jan 2017 07:41:46
Davies ed?

{Ed001's Note - how has he come through? He is just a kid and has no more come through than say Woodburn. Far too early to judge, which is the exact same problem that stops so many kids from making it. Suso, for instance, was judged and released far too early, Ilori is another. They might never have made it, but we gave them no chance of ever doing so. I hope Klopp will be different, but it will be a long time before we know for sure that he is.}

11 Jan 2017 08:18:18
Will Everton show patience with him is a different argument. I just gave you a name who made an appearance recently. The old Everton would have certainly brought him better but not anymore as they are splashing cash in search of European football.

{Ed001's Note - seriously? You do not even understand your own points! You said they brought through lots, then you can not even name any! Instead you mention a lad who has made 'an appearance recently', which is not bringing them through at all, otherwise Liverpool have a huge list of players such as Adam Morgan. Please Harry stop and think, then you might realise you are just making no sense here at all. You just need to accept you were wrong about Everton, and that it was a big gripe of their fans under Moyes, that he did not bring through youth.}

11 Jan 2017 08:42:54
I have laid the reason Y top clubs overlook youngsters for proven players and clubs such as Everton and Southampton ( They are examples who finishes just anywhere inside top 10 ) depend on their academy more than anyone.

{Ed001's Note - why are you arguing the point on this? Saints yes, but they are an exception. Everton have certainly not done this, so why do you keep on about it? Give it up. This is done, you were wrong, end of. There is nothing more to be gained with this. Topic closed. There is a reason why you can't come up with more examples - they do not exist. The Premier League clubs as a whole buy rather than develop talent. Southampton are the notable exception. Even the likes of Bournemouth and Burnley have no real youth development to point to, let alone Everton.}

11 Jan 2017 09:02:04
Fair enough Ed1. Not Everton!

11 Jan 2017 09:10:50
Ed is it fair to say Spurs are quite good at it? In recent years I can think of Kane, Mason, Carroll, Carter-Vickers, Winks etc.

I don't know how many of them were signed from other academies though.

11 Jan 2017 11:16:39
Every post you argue a different point to the last, and Ed001 might have just taken up smoking after trying to deal with that ha

11 Jan 2017 12:32:32
MK Scouser - of that lot, only Kane can be said to have come through (and even that was only because he got given some throw-away games in the Europa League and made himself impossible to drop, the summer before they were trying to sell him! ) . Mason never established himself as a real option and eventually left while it is far too early to tell for the rest of them. Ponch is a good manager for it though

11 Jan 2017 13:33:04
As Ed said, only the Saints can be commended for bringing through youth players from their academy setup as they are part of the fist team squad, not just an appearance here and there and disappear from circulation. hopefully, Klopp can do that with us cos we have some talented players as well. Will they all make it? No. But they should be given every chance and not given up on for no reason. BTW, nice discussion btw Harry and Ed as usual. That was a hoot.