Liverpool Banter Archive October 11 2017

11 Oct 2017 21:16:07
I think Ward needs to be given his chance, Migs has been quite poor and I think Karius is weak mentally. Ward has played a full season last year and looks to be the most stable of our keepers, doing everything well.
Klopp is making a mistake continuing with Migs in PL and I hope he rectifies that sooner rather than later. A good consistent keeper might bring some confidence to the back four and that sure as hell isn't Migs.

11 Oct 2017 21:56:17
I love Klopp but I have to agree he is making a mistake putting Migs in ahead of Ward and Karius. Personally Id rotate the two, I think Karius lacks confidence, should he be given more of a chance and have more support he may well be a surprise to us all. Ward is still young, If I was in his shoes, should I not be given a chance this season, for the best of his career id be off, he deserves his chance.

11 Oct 2017 22:39:17
I've been saying it for weeks WARD should be given a run of games see how he gets on and don't forget he was on loan all season at Huddersfield and who's there manager klopps best friend David wagner surely he must of spoken on how ward preformed each week. its beyond me how mignolet still gets picked.

12 Oct 2017 01:44:17
Surely klopp picks the keeper who performs best in practice.

12 Oct 2017 07:30:48
What do you know that suggests Karius is "weak mentally"?

Maybe lacks confidence from the way klopp gives him the odd random game but that not the same.

For me klopp should have had the balls to stick with karius but the set up of the defence would leave ANY keeper exposed.

{Ed001's Note - when has Karius ever shown a lack of confidence even? If anything his problem is overconfidence, dallying on the ball because he thinks he is good enough to deal with onrushing attackers.}

12 Oct 2017 10:34:46
Karius' only weakness seems to be his shot stopping. So far, the defense looks more assured with him in goal and he is also quick off his line and dealing with crosses pretty well. He just needs a run of games to settle down but not sure the fans have the patience to tolerate more GK mistakes after the Migs' showings over the past 4 seasons.

12 Oct 2017 10:44:01
If you think Karius lacks confidence then you know nothing about him or Germans in general. Germans are always successful in football BECAUSE of their cast iron confidence in their abilities. Karius is very confident in his ability as he was successful in Germany and was a big reason Mainz got EL footie for the first time in their history due to his good performances in goal. GK position is like the QB position in the NFL. Self confidence is a BIG requirement. If you are not confident in your ability then pls, step aside and let someone else play the position.
That much we do know.

Many may see that as a turn off BUT to me, it is not cos at least Karius believes in himself. I'd take him over a GK like Migs who is terrified each time the ball comes in his box and scares the crap out of the defenders as his lack of self confidence is staggering. Karius is lacking in experience at the PL level which can only be gotten by getting more games and playing regularly. Same with Ward.

12 Oct 2017 12:36:23
I don't know why we did'nt consider putting Karius on loan to gain experience, he's only young and would have come back stronger. Ward is an able deputy. Mignolet's shot stopping has been better but it's the marshalling of defence and leadership weakness that's let's him down. He finished last season strong, Klopp assumed problem solved but I feel Migs has regressed again.
The PL season is only 7 games old, Just settle on a GK strategy, live with the outcomes, fix in January if required. simples.

{Ed002's Note - Buying a goalkeeper in January is incredibly difficult.}

12 Oct 2017 12:40:18
"Karius' only weakness seems to be his shot stopping".

Is that important for a keeper?

12 Oct 2017 14:07:32
Not comparing any of our other keepers to Migs, I said a Migs needs to be dropped immediately and sold at the end of the season if it was my choice. That leaves us with two options now, I personally think a Karius buckled under the pressure last season and looked as bad as Migs. Yes he is young and that’s probably a big part of it. Yes he has a poor defense in front of him but that’s what we are stuck with until next summer. I believe Ward is calmer and more suite, at the moment, to come into the team and provide a much better service than Karius would as I feel he will buckle again. It’s my opinion, please stop with the Migs comparisons, we all agree he’s very poor so question is who should go in and take his place.
I also disagree with swapping them in and out, pick a goal keeper and a set back 4 and let's see if we can get them to gel.

12 Oct 2017 18:22:53
Mignolet has got to be taken out of the team, imo. A good lad by all accounts, but he isn't good enough. We have this amazing knack for conceding from the first shot the opposition get, and whilst he's far from the sole reason for this, he does contribute to it quite a bit. His shot stopping isn't great, his positioning is hit and miss, he sells himself all the time on 1v1s and we're all well familiar with his lack of passing ability.

As for Karius vs. Ward, I don't really know because I didn't watch Ward at Huddersfield and he hasn't played much for us. I'd definitely think they're both better than Migs and have more scope to improve, though. Karius hasn't done himself much good with a poor error against Spartak, but it's one in three games vs. Migs who you wonder about on every other goal we concede. I also wonder if Karius had played more than half a dozen or so competitive matches this calendar year, would he have made the error. He reacted slowly, as if he need a split second to decide whether to dive for it from his standing position (which was a half step too far to his right, imo) or take a step first and then dive. That's the sort of thing that would be instinctive if he'd been playing regularly.

I definitely think we need to put one goalie in, be it Ward or Karius, and run with him both in the Prem and CL, and come the FA Cup 3rd round in Jan we can judge should the other one get a game. Other teams can use a different goalie in the Prem and CL because they have an established no. 1 of the quality they require and a capable no. 2. We don't have that luxury.

12 Oct 2017 19:22:26
Goal keeping position is like QB in NFL 🤦🏻‍♂.

13 Oct 2017 00:02:20
Is over confidence a mental weakness?

11 Oct 2017 18:33:08
{Ed's Note - we have posted a new article entitled, Legends of Football Number 1: Rene Higuita

11 Oct 2017 20:22:03
Ed001

How about a profile on Billy Liddell?

All I really know of him is that some regard him as being a genuine challenger to King Kenny as the greatest Liverpool player ever though of course Kenny was much more than just a brilliant player.

Would be great if we could be told more about Billy though I doubt many will now b around to have seen him live.

{Ed001's Note - that's a good idea. I will add him to the list of players to do. I will enjoy doing the research on that as all I know of him, other than being so good they called us Liddellpool when he played, is that kids that met him would get ignored unless they called him sir!}

12 Oct 2017 05:25:38
Ed 001 try and check out Phil Neale's anecdote ref billy and bob paisley ( bobs fave player) . Very funny!

{Ed001's Note - I will make sure to find that, I have put a note on the list to look that up.}

12 Oct 2017 07:39:03
Kids show no respect. We should all start ignoring them unless addressed "Sir".

Awesome 😀.

{Ed001's Note - he was actually seen as arrogant at the time, he was not well liked. However I do agree, that would be a great way to teach kids a bit more respect. I was never allowed to call an adult by their first name when I was a kid, it would have got me a belt if I did.}

12 Oct 2017 09:14:23
You have a lot on Ed001 mate I see these been popular as hell lol bet you've already got a decent list :) Can't wait for the rest, you make them interesting to read, roll on the next one.

Talking about respect - I also agree, these days kids think they can do what they want and have no respect for their elders, it was different back then and it's a shame them days are gone. I would never of dreamed of answering back an adult as a child, I'd of also got the belt if I did so I wouldn't dare lol which is good, it's discipline, something many kids now don't know about. How times change eh.

{Ed001's Note - cheers mate, if you do think of any drop them in, there might come a time when I do run out. Unlikely but you never know! Really glad people enjoy them, I love doing them.

Hopefully it will go full circle and people will rediscover respect.}

12 Oct 2017 09:19:06
Met Liddel outside ground at 65 cup winners cup final was very friendly and did not appear aloof only seen him play a few times but my grandad would reminisce about bursting ball in kop end think this was a myth but certainly a Liverpool great.

{Ed001's Note - that is good to know Tc77, seriously. I will see if I can find anything about the ball bursting which proves it either way when I do the piece on him.}

12 Oct 2017 10:03:21
To be honest Ed001 there's so many legends I could suggest but I won't give you a 20 player list, don't want to do your head in mate lol what get's me is the word legend is used far too often these days, luckily nobody's recommendations has been daft, we're talking about true legends here. Tommy made a great recommendation in Billy Liddell - I know bits of the man but not enough so it'll be a good read.

Personally, I'd like to know more about Beckenbauer and Ferenc Puskas. Ok whilst we're here also Alfredo di Stefano. Sorry mate even one of them of your choice would be great :)

{Ed001's Note - good choices, di Stefano is particularly interesting from what I have read. Beckenbauer is one of my favourite ever players so I will defo cover him as well.}

12 Oct 2017 10:14:27
Yes, I find Di Stefano interesting too, I have read bits and bobs over the years and he certainly lived an interesting life so would be another good one.

Der Kaiser was simply unbelievable and also one of my favourites, he had it all, probably one of the most complete players of all time in my opinion.

{Ed001's Note - it is not just di Stefano's life that was interesting, if I remember correctly, it was also the manner of his arrival at Madrid.

Agree on Beckenbauer. Just an amazing player.}

12 Oct 2017 12:44:39
His arrival certainly makes interesting reading! Looking forward to it.

{Ed001's Note - I just hope it lives up to your expectations then stuie!}

12 Oct 2017 12:53:11
They aren't very high, don't worry Ed ;)

{Ed001's Note - I was going to tell you not to hold your breath waiting on the article, but if you do hold your breath until it is done it won't matter how high your expectations are! ;-)

11 Oct 2017 10:58:22
nice, write up. Really love your update.

11 Oct 2017 15:34:20
Thanks mate.

12 Oct 2017 07:15:52
yea thanks mate.

11 Oct 2017 10:27:07
Robert Stacey McLean once said "When I was in London in 2008, I spent a couple hours hanging out at a pub with a couple of blokes who were drinking away the afternoon in preparation for going to that evening's Arsenal game/ riot. Take away their Cockney accents, and these working-class guys might as well have been a couple of Bubbas gearing up for the Alabama-Auburn game. They were, in a phrase, British rednecks. And this is who soccer fans are, everywhere in the world except among the college-educated American elite. "

So to the one central attacking midfield player we are taking on the Intergalactic trip. My offering is Dele Alli who is seemingly still improving his game.

11 Oct 2017 10:46:37
Hes a good young player is Dele Alli and will only improve so I'm with you there ed002, I'll choose him because of his current and potential abilities. Imagine him in this team we're making, he'd be a perfect fit.

11 Oct 2017 11:10:55
I'll go with Isco. Still my top CAM this season.

11 Oct 2017 12:15:46
I'm going for David Silva.

He's a wonderful player, a wizard with his left foot. I had expected him to slow down as he hit his thirties but he's been as good as ever. His technique, dribbling and vision are unsurpassed in the Prem and I struggle to think of a team he would not walk into and improve. He's also combative, despite his size, and he's not afraid to take a card for a tactical foul for the team.

To be honest, I was close to picking Alli as well but Alli's composure worried me. He loses discipline at crucial times and I don't want my team one man down if we are losing. Alli provides a different dimension to the team by adding goals from midfield, but his tendency to lose his head made me overlook him unfortunately.

As a Liverpool fan, I'd also have liked to have chosen Coutinho, but I thought Silva would have been a better fit in this team. This is not to say Coutinho is not a good player. It is just that Silva is way more consistent and in a team with plenty of shooters, I'd like a more pass-first player in Silva who can glue this team together.

Apart from these three players that I considered seriously, the others I passed by because they just were not on the same level as Silva, Alli or even Coutinho. For example, Ozil disappears in big games and usually gets exhausted after 70 minutes, Isco only provides one bit of magic amongst a plethora of missed chances and loose passes, Asensio is still young and nowhere near the level of Silva, Gotze has injury problems and has dropped a few levels from where he used to be, Muller is a fantastic player but he has really looked like a donkey this season and the last one and I don't trust him to magically pick up his form etc.

11 Oct 2017 13:08:27
Thiago Alcantara.

11 Oct 2017 13:09:56
If we were talking long-term it would have to be Marco Asensio, he is going to be a world beater. As it is only for a cup I will go for De Bruyne.

11 Oct 2017 13:15:51
Muller. Mr Reliable, Mr Versatile and an exceptionally able player. Assuming the forward 4 of an intergalatic XI would be fairly flowing, he'd be my one in the centre to make that work, fill in gaps seamlessly and provide limitless energy.

11 Oct 2017 13:40:12
I had a shortlist on this position of Alli, Asensio, Coutinho, Dybala, Isco and Silva. So tough to choose one.

Alli would be my wildcard - high potential there. Asensio, again potential, but above where Alli is in my opinion. Coutinho, I chose for CM. Dybala would've been my choice if I'd chosen differently in other areas - he's more of a second striker, and with the wingers, midfielders I've chosen I wouldn't need the extra goal threat, I'd need someone more creative and to sit in the hole. Silva is aging but is still quality and where some of these guys need to get to.

Looks like I'm going for Isco.

11 Oct 2017 13:47:09
David Silva for me too. The most consistent creative player in the premier league.

11 Oct 2017 18:42:20
David silva for me.

11 Oct 2017 20:30:28
Iniesta.

The best player in his position of his generation.

A truly wonderful footballer who could stand alongside Messi and Cruyff as one of the best players Barcelona ever had.

He would be my choice to mentor Pipco and get him to the next level. Suppose that’s Barca’s plan anyway!

11 Oct 2017 21:31:28
David Silva.

Mercurial-being of the heavens.

12 Oct 2017 10:26:56
Paulo Dybala is just another level, hardworking, brilliant technique, can spot a pass, shooting and set pieces amongst the best in the world, and he's still young. My absolute favourite player last couple seasons.

12 Oct 2017 11:29:48
Kevin De Bruyne all day long.

14 Oct 2017 14:01:30
David Silva is on the space ship as our attacking midfield player. Next up the striker - and a new post is coming.

11 Oct 2017 08:56:31
Hi fellas, not here to chat about the game on Saturday ( a bit to nervous for that! ) . I was just wondering if any of the Liverpool fans could explain what actually happened with Gabriel Heinze? How close was he to joining Liverpool, I was very young at the time and don't remember much about the situation! Was he close to a move? Perhaps ed001 could enlighten me?
Cheers
Caolán.

{Ed001's Note - I suppose it depends what you call close. Everything was agreed apart from any kind of deal with United. Heinze wanted the move and had handed in a written transfer request to make it happen. His agent had spoken to Liverpool and agreed a deal in principle. Everything was all ready and set except for getting Alex Ferguson to let him join Liverpool. That was never going to happen, so it was not really close in that sense. The board deferred to Fergie, though they would have been happy to take the deal if he had not said no. Basically it was all down to Ferguson's say-so.}

11 Oct 2017 09:57:40
Cheers ed, I've heard various things such as he was going to go on strike? What did you think of him as a player?

{Ed001's Note - he did go on strike for a while, but it had no effect on Ferguson. If anything it just made him more determined to block the move.

Heinze was a very good defender, he was exactly what Liverpool needed at the time as well. From the point of view of Man Utd, Ferguson did the right thing really.}

11 Oct 2017 12:16:06
Frankly, any of our former LFC managers would have done the exact same thing Fergie did.

11 Oct 2017 17:24:39
I agree Bingo. Still hate him for doing it though. Saying that I would hate him anyway so my post is pretty pointless 😂.

11 Oct 2017 23:25:29
It still baffles me why Liverpool tried to sign him or why Heinze thought this move had any chance whatsoever.
He was a good player and exactly what Liverpool needed but the whole world could see Ferguson would never sell anyone to us, not even a virus lol.

11 Oct 2017 21:39:39
Cheers for the insight ed!

{Ed001's Note - welcome mate.}

11 Oct 2017 05:13:03
Hi lads, just wondering how I’d go about getting tickets to the Liverpool v West Brom match. I’m flying in from Aus to hopefully watch a game. Any help would be amazing. Cheers.

11 Oct 2017 07:10:15
Good luck SydRed. I regularly fly home to Liverpool from Oz and can only get to a game if a family member or friend is willing to give up their seat for the day.

11 Oct 2017 22:56:30
I have tickets for sale. I can't make the game unfortunatly due to work. If there's a way for the eds to pass my email onto you I can help you out 🖒.