Liverpool Banter Archive December 12 2016

12 Dec 2016 22:47:49
The U23s won tonight against Arsenal 3-2. Harry Wilson grabbed a brace and was man of the match (yet again) and Ojo scored the other.
Who says we need to buy a winger in January when we have these two already in our ranks? Give them a chance I say.

13 Dec 2016 04:33:01
Ryan Kent look really decent during pre season as well.

13 Dec 2016 09:11:57
Yeah and he's playing well week in week out for Barnsley this season. The only thing that he's lacking though is adding goals to his game but that will come in time.

13 Dec 2016 10:51:29
Ojo is going to be special for us.

12 Dec 2016 19:43:15
I'm sick of people wanting to sign every player under the sun I'd rather the youngsters wer given a chance when possible . For example mane will miss 3 -4 games let ojo have 3-4 games and see how he does . If we have no centre forward play Woodburn for the odd game not go out splashing big money on average players to fill gaps we should only be signing players for the 1st team now I. e replacements.

12 Dec 2016 20:39:35
Me to we got 2 good wide players in the u23s . Ojo and Wilson. Wilson could be a big ster giving a chance. Nice left foot.

12 Dec 2016 22:09:59
It's the typical English mentality, I'm afraid. A team is going through a rough patch? Make signings without determining how he or they will fit in and suddenly, all the issues will disappear. No wonder Klopp doesn't understand such a short sighted concept.

12 Dec 2016 22:34:54
Thats the same Klopp that signed Caulker last January?

12 Dec 2016 23:15:10
As soon as we throw those youngsters in and lose, there will be more whiners than before. we over protect the youth to the point of them not developing. I know the U23 squad is a development squad, and a good way to grow, but as soon as you get an adult body, the adult game can only help you grow. It's a big leap, but invaluable experience for youngsters. Sterling comes to mind. A tiny, 17 year old with loads of ability. And he benefitted greatly.

12 Dec 2016 23:29:26
Irish rover . You telling me Klopp being in England 3 mouths would of watch caulker . No this was a signing Fsg and the clown BR wanted since he was hire from his Swansea days.

13 Dec 2016 00:26:13
Irish Rover - Caulker was signed on a loan deal. Hardly a big risk.

13 Dec 2016 01:32:37
Also Irish, Caulker was signed as cover because we were bleeding with injuries and could barely field a team. There, fixed it for you. You`re welcome.

13 Dec 2016 07:19:06
Cover? For what? The forwards? you're having a laugh Hamilton. It was a joke of a signing, loan or not.

13 Dec 2016 08:13:03
It was a crap signing but I can't think of a manager who hasn't signed some rubbish in the prem, we've agreed with pretty much every other signing so we can forgive him for Caulker.

13 Dec 2016 14:36:59
Sure Irish, everyone is a genius after the fact.

{Ed001's Note - but it was obvious at the time, as I said repeatedly, that it was a stupid signing and a huge mistake.}

13 Dec 2016 18:18:47
It's the only way to guarantee success - sign every player under the sum.

12 Dec 2016 18:48:36
Im the kind of person who likes to find the positive in anyway I can, So i'd like to express my view hoping some may agree with me.

Karius conceded both goels before half time of which he must of felt bad about his mistakes but still came out second half and kept a clean sheet even though west ham had chances to add to there tally.

west hams goals came from a world class free kick taker and ONE defensive error, its not like we was cut to ribbons at the back.

we created a lot of chances even showing a cleverness in our approach by letting the ball run past to turn and shoot instead of just blasting it first time but they had a decent day at the back and a lot of luck, Any other day we put 5 past them.

Just my opinion, thanks.

12 Dec 2016 18:59:30
Not having a go at Karius, but I think you are glossing over his performance in the second half. Maybe one reason he kept a clean sheet in that half was because West Ham only had one shot on target. We were no better with just two shots on target, the Origi goal and Henderson's shot from outside the box.

12 Dec 2016 19:23:21
We were much better in the second half, we picked up the tempo and West Ham had much less of the ball. If our final ball had been better we would have scored 2 or 3 more goals.
That's why Karius kept "a clean sheet" in the second half, he had very little to do.

12 Dec 2016 19:35:01
I agree with the OP that Karius has his positives. Great on the ball, good footwork, good passing ability and distribution and not bad in one on one situation as seen vs Bournmouth when he was exposed by his defence against Afobe and he made a point blank save, vs Sunderland against Pienaar and Whatmore, and vs Watford against Capoue. What a difference that Afobe save might have been for his confidence had we won the game. Also, You don`t get voted as the 2nd best GK by your peers in the "Home of Good GK`s" which is the Bundesliga by chance so there are facts to suggest that there is real potential good showing and support from the fans to break that barrier.

I will say that the errors last night didn`t look good and that the free kick from Payet was not world class because Karius got his hand to it and definitely should have had it. You could see the disbelief in his face after it went in.

12 Dec 2016 21:08:00
How could you possiblly call that world class free kick?

12 Dec 2016 21:49:53
If if if Ron.

12 Dec 2016 21:55:05
If he had saved that then the pressure was off him.
He got a hand to it but it didn't seem ti be a strong enough hand. Maybe its the one that was injured preseason.

With not saving that the pressure will increase next time out.

He needs better protection in front of him.
I wish Klopp would give Sahko another chance to see him partner Matip.
He looked really good for the U 23 tonight.

12 Dec 2016 22:16:29
Dermot, that was the hand he broke and he has admitted that he suffers stiffness in it at times, that may explain why he punches rather than catches. The feel for him because he can't seem to catch a break. However, he needs to man up and rise above it because this is top level footie where you make your own breaks through hardwork, determination and dedication, then the luck will come.

12 Dec 2016 23:01:20
He's always tended to punch/ flap at crosses, nothing to do with injury. He was the same in Germany.
The freekick was nothing to do with his hand and everything to do with standing too far away from the corner which was most under threat from a right footer. As a right footer, if you want to curl the ball so it is always moving away from the keeper, you will go for the left side of the goal as you look at it. That's simple physics. Much harder to swerve it the other way with the outside of the boot. It was obvious where Payet was going, everyone in the crowd around me all said it before it happened.

13 Dec 2016 00:11:39
Why is Karius getting blamed for the second goal, it was clearly Matips mistake! Since when did we all start expecting keepers to save one on ones?

13 Dec 2016 00:12:56
Hindsight is always 20/ 20, The wall was guarding Karius's right side, The wall failed in it's job, Karius should have been stronger wristed, end of, Payet is a worldy when he can be arsed.
Somebody else highlighted it, since the international break we've been a little flat, wether that's down to Couts absence I don't know, but we need to step up pretty quick CFC fixtures aren't that bad coming up,

13 Dec 2016 01:13:12
He's in a difficult transition period.
But his confidence has taken a huge knock.
I don't want to stereotype the lad but do you know the German confidence and business like swagger well its missing inhim at the mmoment and it must be hurting.
I don't think training with Manniger or Migs. Is going to bring him on anytime soon either.

13 Dec 2016 05:34:32
Midge, I don't know how you watched the game, but I was in the ground. Matip was wrong footed by Hendo's header, misjudged it and didn't have time to react. It was an "error" if you like.
Clyne, if he was a decent full back, would have been covering behind Matip.
However, Karius was most culpable. He had an absolute age to see the flight of the ball off Hendo's head and to see Matip struggling. He just stood there motionless. I immediately looked at the linesman as it seemed Karius had stopped after hearing the whistle. I was sat very close to Karius's goal and the lad froze. He had so much time to come for the ball it was unreal.
3 errors, Matip wrong footed by Hendo's header, Clyne not covering and Karius just freezing. Any decent player will tell you that you always expect the ball to come to you and anticipate danger.

13 Dec 2016 08:43:27
Ron I'm going to disagree with you a bit here mate, I was also at the game (although top row in upper centenary which boarders on obstructed view) so I watched the game again yesterday and first goal I do think karius was slightly to far in the corner, possibly could have had the wall blocking the other side of the goal? But I do hate keepers being beat at the side that they're standing at because they don't trust the wall, but for the most part I agree with you there.

The second goal though the more I watch it I'm not sure what karius could really do. Antonio was in control of the situation and he made the slightest of feints which slowed karius down, after that there's nothing he can do if he dives in probably flicked past him and a red card if there's contact or he stands ground and then looks silly as it just is poked past him for me it was a lose lose for him there.

13 Dec 2016 08:46:47
Ron

Henderson's mistimed headed is not an error. But Matip is the real culprit. The ball shouldn't have reached Karius in the first place. You cannot dump everything on Karius just because players ahead of him couldn't.

13 Dec 2016 11:23:51
Did I dump it all on Karius?
Did you read my post at all?
I said there were more people to blame - Matip, Clyne and Karius.
Please read my posts before you make incorrect assumptions in my name.

13 Dec 2016 23:36:18
Wow i actually agree with shaun michaels lol, yea karius was not as culpable for the second goal much as the armchair pundits would like us to believe. However i agree with ron that with the ball in the middle of the goal karius starting position was way to much to the left. All this nonsense about weak wrists and not moving his feet fast enough are red herrings put out by people who have no clue about being a keeper and how bloody difficult it is to save a shot in the opposite side of the goal from a standing position, he actually did well to get anything on it albeit as a consequence of poor positioning. He will come good, mark my words, but this witch hunt needs to stop to allow the young man to sort his thoughts out and gain some form/ experience.

12 Dec 2016 18:18:44
Hello Eds and Posters. Hope you guys are doing great and are pumped and terrified due to the upcoming holiday season and the transfer window, respectively.
I just wanted to hear the thoughts of the Ed's and other posters, on the back and forth which is going on between the pundits and Liverpool staff (namely, Karius and Klopp) . Do you feel the pundits are pushing or are within their rights or do you think that Klopp's doing the right thing by being vocal and standing by Karius (by demeaning Neville) . Just interested to hear what you guys think, since I feel that the pundits are paid to give their opinions and the managers and players are paid to take that opinion and turn a deaf hear to it and move on. Also, I feel Kloppo and Karius are conveniently leaving Carragher out since they know that it won't go down well with the fans and only targeting Neville, which I think is slightly unprofessional.

{Ed001's Note - I just think it is a storm in a teacup that I really have no interest in. Carra and Neville are paid by Sly to get people to watch the show. A nice little childish spat gets everyone wanting to watch the next one just to see what the sell out and the moron have to say next. Personally I would just ignore them, they are paid to be dicks, they are better off ignored. It is the same crap Rodney Marsh used to do every season to keep themselves 'relevant'.}

12 Dec 2016 18:33:27
Ignore them and do the talking on the pitch and you could see the same pundits flirting with you.

12 Dec 2016 18:38:24
I agree, I think Klopp should not respond to pundits. He should just defend his players and ignore everyone else.

12 Dec 2016 18:39:33
Couldn't agree more. Both Klopp and Karius should have ignored it, not taken the bait. All pundits seem to do is state the obvious, then throw in a controversial comment to spice things up. Ex-Liverpool pundits do this as much as the others. I'm a little disappointed, but if it fires up Karius to turn things round, maybe it could benefit us long term?

12 Dec 2016 19:06:10
You say you are disappointed at former players commenting negatively on our players. Well that is their job, they would look stupid and get ridiculed if they gave favourable comments when asked, if that player had a poor game.

12 Dec 2016 19:21:56
I'd agree with the above in regards to those pundits. But I'd like to avoid painting all of them with the same brush. Dieter Hamman was a calm, skilful and non-controversial player who has continued in the same vein with his commentary and punditry. Maybe it's me, but I like analysis and commentary without the hysterics and the drama. Really happy he put the Neville clown brothers in their place.

12 Dec 2016 19:51:08
Ed is right on the whole and Klopp should not respond to pundits especially the Chuckle Brothers who are known failures and not fit to shine Klopp`s managerial shoes, really. Pundits regardless of club affiliation, are free to criticize and all that but they have to be objective and balanced. Good luck with that as far as Sky pundits are concerned.

If anything, this should serve as motivation to prove them wrong so in the end, nothing to see here. However, I do like Klopp`s dig at the Nevilles for being nothing but a pair of empty track suits while at Valencia. Now, that was worth a chuckle.

12 Dec 2016 16:22:40
Its been a while since I had a good post up so here goes,
We all know that through a season things can go wrong when you least expect it, we also all know that there are far more decent teams in the league than we've ever had, If anyone for one minute seriously thinks that Chelsea at this stage in the season are home and hosed then they're daft.

At the start of the season i'd have snapped your arm off for top 3 and in the mix, its ok, we've proved we can do it and i'm sure better things will come to us, but let's have a look at where we stand with the players we have (cue a million opinions)

Karius - Getting lots of stick, I myself have said I don't think he's up to it right now but worse than Migs? seriously? If that's what we think then we have short memories because he was awful for 2 seasons solid, now i'd like a keeper to first and foremost be a keeper, I don't care for sweeper keepers who can play football, my centre halves should be doing that job, I care about keeping the ball out and winning us points with good performances when needed, BOTH of what we have are not capable of this as things stand, solutions? regardless of wages Joe Hart would be my pick, people give him grief over some his errors for England etc but he's been top drawer for city in general, i'd also take Begovic or Forster over what we have now (Just my personal opinion)
I also don't take with the wait till he's had time thing, they're not all De Gea, its not the rule of thumb that they all come good after time, the lad Karius deserves our support, but so did Jones and so did Bogdan and they weren't up to it either.

The back four - I like Matip, he looks quality but for me needs a partner, either that or give Klavan a proper run with him to forge a partnership as at least he is a centre half and Lucas is not.

Things on the Sakho front must be really way too far to consider him coming back in, though if it was me i'd personally have him back in asap with Matip, sometimes you just got to bite the bullet, i'm suggesting Klopp will not be biting any bullets but will send him away in January and get himself a new man.

Clyne is Clyne, for me he's just a good solid full back who has some good and some average games, Milner looked way way better before he got injured and all of a sudden he's forgotten how to cross the ball, but I quite like him if i'm honest as at least you'll get a real shift from him, the rest look poor to me apart from that Trent Alexander kid who looks
a real promising player and I really won't dwell on Lovren as for me he's just not up to it.

The Midfield - Massive Shame for me that Lallana got injured when he did, it was all working so well with him in his newish role, for me he's a bonus this season, Hendo is busy being Hendo, puts it all in, does it quietly, could score more but gets in good positions, still goes backwards too much for me but has seriously improved as a player and I personally think he's now top drawer.

Wijnaldum, I liked the signing unlike some but we just seem to work better without him sometimes, he gets in great positions but often fails to even pull the trigger, I think he'll be a top squad player, Can i'm totally unsure about but I realise he's still young, it concerns me his lack of pace and awareness at times but he gets in the Germany squad so people must see something in him and all the younger players who have had a go seem to be able to do a job when called upon.

Grujic, now what's going on there? I like him from what I've seen, we've had reports of his dad interfering due to the apparent promise of game time (which i'm sure Klopp would be least impressed with) he's done ok when he's played but probably needs more chances on the pitch, Is he worse than Wiji and Can? I don't think so yet often doesn't even make the bench after a half decent pre-season, strange.

The forwards - I like how we play up front, Couts is what he is, class, Mane I think has added to us bigtime, Firmino has done a far better job down the middle than out wide and I think if we are to persist with him up front then down the middle it has to be, I have my own thoughts on Danny and some of it stems from info from sporting agents last year regarding where his head is at so i'm always sceptical about his injuries now, when on it I think he's as good as anyone but we rarely see him either fit for longish spells or on the pitch long enough to get firing, off to West Ham? I wouldn't be surprised at all. Origi is getting goals but for me is still like Bambi on skates at times, but the promise to be top drawer is certainly there.

I still can't help but think if we had a top top striker who is a specialist in that role someone like Costa who can bully a defence and finish then we'd be much better off on the whole with the way the other lads going forward play, Mane will be a big loss when the African cup starts.
I'm happy, we've had some blips and we are still finding out what and who are going to suit Klopps system and i'm sure the man himself is still learning about the premiership, for me, a top keeper, a top hitman and still possibly a real gem of a holding midfielder would finish us off, but third in the league and 7 points clear of UTD? Yeah, i'm happy with that.
Merry Xmas folks, have a good un, YNWA.

12 Dec 2016 18:12:17
Nice to see your post Richie, and some points that I do agree with.

GK - In an ideal world, we would sell Migs and get Begovic. Begovic has proved at Chelsea that he is happy to wait his turn and not spit his dummy out at being second choice. I still believe that Karius can come good, so bringing in Hart, who would absolutely want to be No 1 would be to waste Karius's potential.

FB - TAA and Flano could be good options to push Clyne, I worry about our LB backup, but think it will likely be the summer before anyone comes in.

CB - I agree with you on Sakho, a shame his attitude does not seem to be right, I believe Ed001/ 2 said he had problems at PSG too, which is why they let him go, so it seems like it is a bona fide character flaw. If it weren't for that, I would agree that him and Matip could be our 1st choice going forward. Klavan and Lovren don't fill me with confidence. I would like Gomez to get a chance, but he's just a kid himself. Its a quandry as I'd like some stability right now, but by the same token, if we buy in a starter in their mid-twenties, that could be Gomez on the sidelines for years. Would love to hear from Square Tomato as to where Gomez's head is at - is he the sort of player to dig in and spend the next 2-3 seasons trying to force his way in (the old Liverpool way) or will he get frustrated and want to leave?

Midfield, I actually like Gini, and think, like Lallana, once he gets his first couple of goals, he'll get a hatful more.

Strikers, I disagree on getting a specialist. We have Sturridge and Origi, alongside the current first choice front 3, plus Ojo in the wings, with Woodburn and Ejaria too. Yes they are kids, but they deserve a chance over the next couple of seasons, or why have an academy? I wonder if there is a system that works with our high press, but can incorporate 2 strikers, so Origi or Sturridge could play with Firminho in the middle?

More questions than answers, but I don't feel we are far away at all.

12 Dec 2016 18:38:01
Why would Begovic drop his wages to come to Liverpool to sit on the bench when he has already a place at Chelsea bench? He could drop down to any other club to be the first choice and probably that is the reason If he decides to move.

12 Dec 2016 19:02:27
I don't know Harry. But it would be nice to ask the question?

I mean why would anyone want to play for little old Liverpool when there's Chelsea in the offing?

And as his financial adviser (how else would you know he'd be taking a wage cut to move? ) I would imagine he would prefer if you didn't discuss his finances, its probably a breach of confidentiality?

If I were to hazard a guess, and I am certainly not anywhere near as 'ITK' as you, the chance to help nurture a younger keeper whilst still having a much better shout at No 1 than he does at Chelsea behind Courtois may, just may, help him to take such an otherwise bizarre and weird decision as to swap Stamford Bridge for Anfield.

After all, Begovic is not the sort of player who stayed at a mid-low table team for many years when there were plenty of offers to move elsewhere.

Oh wait.

12 Dec 2016 19:14:30
There is no doubt on his quality and ability Zeddius. Think we missed the trick last summer. He will have suitors with in the league. That is the downside of buying very young players, They will always takes time.

12 Dec 2016 19:26:20
I think the Begovic situation is clouded by his off-field arrangements and I don't think he'll live anywhere apart from London.

12 Dec 2016 19:28:59
Also, and you'll probably know this already Harry, but Begovic is on the same wage as Mignolet.

12 Dec 2016 19:43:16
Oh my bad Zeddi 😎. That means Migs is on a very high wage lol.

12 Dec 2016 19:57:41
#Owned. Top man, Zed!

12 Dec 2016 21:42:23
Oh well Hamilton is here. No one owns anyone mate. Think you need to take a chill pill.

12 Dec 2016 22:26:25
Begivic won't get any better by not playing. He chose to be a benchwarmer and that's his cross to bear. I'd take a young player with potential who spent the last three years playing regular top flight football over an experienced player who lacked the bottle to have a go at a higher level and chose to be a benchwarmer regardless of it being a big club or not.

12 Dec 2016 23:04:30
What about Danny Ward? Sell Migs and let Ward/ Karius compete for the starting place.

12 Dec 2016 23:57:04
Ron, my thoughts initially went to Ward as well, but I'm sure I read on here recently that he isn't impressing all that much at Huddersfield? I may have dreamt it!

However, it would be a risk to have 2 relatively inexperienced keepers battling it out for no 1, which is why I like begovic as an option. However, if he needs to stay in the south, then as you say, it's a non starter.

13 Dec 2016 01:29:10
It depends on what are the targets for this season.
If we are wanting to mount a serious challenge for the title then we need to upgrade by 1 experieced keeper similar to Van der sar.
If we are going for top 4 then i'd say the same as above.
If we are aiming cups and Europa league for next season then we are ok with Karius who will learn more from this season than ever before and will steadily improve in the next 12 months.

{Ed002's Note - The target is to win the league.}

13 Dec 2016 09:07:13
We have to be realistic that we don't have the financial clout or geographical advantages of many of our competitors so we have to try and develop our own sustainably and responsibly and with that there will always be ups and downs.

12 Dec 2016 12:28:22
Hi Eds great site as usual, Grobbelaar was on talksport this morning saying that Joe Hart was a done deal, not sure how true this is especially regarding his massive wages, is there any truth in this or is he just spouting nonsense.

{Ed002's Note - If it was a "done deal" then where is he? Klopp wanted Karius and got him - Liverpool did not have anything like the sort of money it would have taken to sign Hart.}

12 Dec 2016 13:26:35
I thought as much, thanks for the reply Ed 02.

12 Dec 2016 13:29:58
Remember how Phil Thompson said Sanchez was a done deal.

12 Dec 2016 14:05:15
I have a solution to the problem: Pundits know nothing and should never be listened to.

12 Dec 2016 17:03:45
No money to sign Hart, how is that when we have actually spent nothing in the last transfer window.

{Ed002's Note - Liverpool spent a lot of money in the last transfer window but had already spent way over the FFP allocation and have significant debts - as such they needed to constrain their spending. They will have further income now that the owners may decide to make available - I am sure that they will.}

12 Dec 2016 18:22:40
Hi.

I read that the club had actually a surplus this summer from transfers etc.

Maybe I misunderstood but maybe its carried over from the previous windows.

{Ed001's Note - there was no surplus and has not been under Klopp or Brendan.}

12 Dec 2016 18:41:45
How would Brucie know?
Stab in the dark I think. Klopp will not sign Joe Hart.

12 Dec 2016 19:03:23
Now if Brucie asked you to bet on it, I would maybe take him at his word.

Too soon?

12 Dec 2016 20:53:08
We spent nothing in the last transfer window, in fact we made a £9 mill profit.

12 Dec 2016 20:56:42
Spent £62 mill and received £78 mill in the last transfer window.

12 Dec 2016 21:58:38
Hi Ed
Alan 50 above must have read the same news as me.

12 Dec 2016 23:06:04
the news never mentions the millions matip got as a signing on fee or that mane's price will rise because of clauses. the club has also fired rodgers and his team and had to pay him a lot of money because of their long contracts. they just improved the new main stand and that cost a lot of money. then you have the agent fees and there is millions in expenses there too. stop talking about profit and not using money. this is not fifa.

12 Dec 2016 23:06:36
VAT, agent fees, loyalty payments signing on fees.

Ed002 would say we shouldn't discuss money as we clearly don't know the full story.

12 Dec 2016 09:58:33
It's ashame how often Anfield falls silent during games. If I was there i'd be singing and roaring all game.

Has Anfield got quieter over the years? Do people think there's not enough fans getting behind the players?

12 Dec 2016 10:37:09
oh I'd be roaring like a prideful lion too I can assure you. As for your questions at the end there. absolutely fantastic questions, I hope you find some conclusive answers. I've got a few unanswered questions of my own still.

12 Dec 2016 10:37:09
oh I'd be roaring like a prideful lion too I can assure you. As for your questions at the end there. absolutely fantastic questions, I hope you find some conclusive answers. I've got a few unanswered questions of my own still.

12 Dec 2016 10:45:30
Yeah a mixture of people watching the games through their phones and season ticket holders who have been going the game since the times of the dinosaurs and struggle to stay awake have quietened up the place.
Whenever I go the loudest fans seem to be young fans who have managed to get tickets sat next to each other, so hard to get a single ticket, let alone a few next to each other though, people are probably more likely to sing and shout if they are with their mates.

12 Dec 2016 10:53:17
The Noise level is directly proportional to the performance Inal afraid these days.

12 Dec 2016 11:18:53
I think lack of success all these years is taken a toll on our fans. Especially in league.

12 Dec 2016 11:29:10
That's a terrible excuse.
Listen to the fans at Crystal Palace and Bournemouth, lord knows when they last won something but they still give it their all. Even when behind and all seems lost.
I agree with Mikey, too many complacent fans who have had a season ticket for 30 years, too many watching through a telephone screen and an inability for passionate fans to get tickets.

12 Dec 2016 11:55:45
It's happening to all the top clubs, they are rocking when the team is doing well and silent when the team is struggling. It's not just anfield I can assure you.

12 Dec 2016 13:42:18
I've noticed it the last few years, it doesn't matter what teams are playing but the away fans (the very few they are) are out singing the home fans. It's probably down to the fact that the travelling fans are the die hard fans, where as the most part of the home fans are just tourist there for the experience.

12 Dec 2016 15:59:30
To quote our great Irish font of knowledge.

` It's the prawn sandwich brigade'

Too much corporate tossers, who are out on a jolly, whose tickets cost is written of against tax by some smartarse accountant . Who is probably at the game as well.
And whose tax pays for them?
The working man who would love to be able to bring his boys to Anfield, that's who. And they would sbout the place down.
I can't afford to go but then pay sky a bucket load to keep in touch.
Sky then fuel the prawn sandwich brigade.
Something is wrong somewhere.

12 Dec 2016 14:44:54
Harry, your excuse makes no sense as Tristan just shut it down, royally. Our fans may have been traumatised by a relative lack of success BUT if you come to the ground, you came to cheer your team to victory and support them come hell or high water even though I agree that part of it depends on the showing of the team. This should however not be the norm at Anfield, a stadium famed worldwide for the ability of the supporters to literally score a goal. Also if that was the only yardstick, then you need to go support games at City or Arsenal as those stadiums are as quiet as a morgue. They call them The Emptyhad or The Library for a reason.

12 Dec 2016 18:01:56
I don't know Hamilton. But you started disagreeing with me and ended agreeing to some of the factors in between you brought Arsenal and City all basically having the same issues. Do you even read what you type mate?

I have been to some of the stadiums and they all are quite when your team is pretty much clueless on the pitch. Some boo while other throw whatever they have got.

The reason away fans are oursinging is largely down to the small numbers which always make a bigger and collective noise.

It's the same Anfield who carried liverpool against Dortmund.

12 Dec 2016 20:00:20
Let me help you, Harry. I can agree with a part of your opinion and disagree with other parts, something I clearly did. it`s not an either/ or situation or are you incapable of walking and chewing gum at the same time.

12 Dec 2016 23:09:08
It's multifactorial, there is not one reason.

11 Dec 2016 14:50:45
A full tape recording of Bob Paisley on 'This is your life' in 1977 has recently been uncovered. Very interesting watch for any Liverpool fan.

12 Dec 2016 04:22:50
Karius has looked real shakey and has conceded a few soft goals in the last couple of games - talk of putting Mignolet back in the team is just insanity though. Can fans remember Mignolet? Karius might not be saving shots he should but Mignolet did that plenty of times too - he also messed up numerous crosses and couldn't pass a ball to save his life - and has had 3+ years to show his skills. For better or worse Karius needs to play so he can either rediscover his form or so we can discover whether or not he is a viable goalkepper for us moving forward. It can be infuriating but the lad needs time - let's give it him.

As for the game itself a number of poor performances meant it was the team again, rather than the individual, who was at fault. Clyne was really bad, awful distribution and non-existent defensively. Lovren was poor and hesitant - not sure why he was subbed at half-time but if it wasn't due to injury I would still not be surprised. Wijinaldum lost the ball an infuriating amount of times and look labored and lost. Lallana, despite scoring, reverted to his old ways of way too many touches resulting in drastically slowed down play. Firmino was anonymous - doesn't look anywhere near as effective on the left as he does in the centre. Origi was decent in spells but didn't really do enough over the course of the game. Nobody really shone in this game and we haven't been able to say that many times this season - hope we can fight our way out of this slump - were on a poor run against teams we should be picking up more points from, hope it improves against Middlesbrough - not confident though, they were a bogey team for us last time they were in the prem!

{Ed001's Note - my worry is Milner, he was excellent before his injury, but he has looked awful since coming back. His crossing was terrible yesterday. They were as bad as our corners.}

12 Dec 2016 06:16:54
Got that spot on the team performances Seano. We should have shown our metal against west ham and hammered them. In fact we were poor collectively. Blaming everything on Karius makes no sense to me.
No surprises on Milner Ed01. He for me is a stop gap till we bring one solid left back.

{Ed001's Note - but he was excellent before his injury, and full backs are almost entirely wingers that have dropped back these days.}

12 Dec 2016 06:25:22
MIlner is a solid defender and he tracks back faster than anyone but I don't expect much from him going forward. Disappointed with Clyne - Mane yesterday.

12 Dec 2016 06:37:44
Milner was poor yesterday as was Clyne.

12 Dec 2016 08:47:59
I thought we started fine but we lost confidence and belief the longer it went on due to the team as a whole defending badly.
West ham even had a player in the middle of our wall at Payets free kick.
Surely a man should have stood behind him to cover. That was where Payet guided the ball through to score.

We had plenty of possession and Hendos shot from 25 yards took a world class save to stop him scoring.

But just when we needed Sturridge in the last half hour ti work a bit of magic, where was he? injured again.

We have to re build confidence ans turn these draws into wins as there is still a long way to go.
Every team will gave a wibble between now and end of May.

12 Dec 2016 09:11:01
Honestly, i have staunchly defended karius and i will continue to do so, but he is not making it easy. He didn't set the wall properly and his starting position was far too much to the left considering the free kick was right in the middle of the goal. That said the second goal was a mistake by matip and clyne doing his headless chicken routine again.

Middlesbrough are a decent side and if the team does not get their act together we will be embarrassed again. Firmino clearly is not working out wide, it makes sense to get him back in the middle and play origi wide right and mane wide left. That gives us pace to pin teams back on the wings and someone with skill to hold the ball up in the middle and bring our midfield runners into the game. I would drop clyne for arnold to give him a rest and bring in lucas alongside hendo to steady the ship and allow hendo to affect the game a bit more going forward knowing there will be someone to cover his position.

12 Dec 2016 10:14:12
Agreed ed1 the Milner situation is worrying me too. I just hope it's nothing and he gets back to his best. I think he will but it's needed now more then ever.

12 Dec 2016 03:28:03
So ed001, what's your thoughts on where we are at right now? I wish everyone would relax a little, we're still well within the top 4 and within touching distance of Chelsea while they're on their hot streak, which won't last forever.

People bang on about the defence being terrible but West Ham didn't actually enjoy many good opportunities, one of them courtesy of a lucky deflection in the preceding pass that led to the goal.

We need to cop it on the chin and bear with Karius. Many of his mistakes are easily fixable. It's not like he's making these mistakes as an experienced goalkeeper.

{Ed001's Note - we are in a much better position than almost all of us expected this season. We are still in a title fight, a couple of poor results change nothing and were always going to happen at some point.}

12 Dec 2016 06:50:31
A couple of days ago you were talking about how new research has found that injuries can manipulate the way the brain makes muscle-movement decisions, or something like that.

Do you think that's got anything to do with Karius' broken hand and his current stuff-ups? It's clearly a confidence issue. You don't get rated by your peers as the Bundesliga's second best GK if you're a bumbling fool.

12 Dec 2016 11:50:15
Nick, is Karius getting the right training at Melwood, a fool could see that he was set up all wrong for that free kick, if we really want top four, we need to get our act together .

12 Dec 2016 12:27:57
I'm not suggesting that a broken hand is the sole reason. Of course training is also a factor, if he were coached properly then he wouldn't have gone about setting it up like that.

12 Dec 2016 15:29:59
great pints made here regarding Karius and where we are as a club at the moment by posters and the Ed. The GK coach to me, is where the issue is because THREE GK`s under him now have or are struggling and they all can`t be bad (even tho, Migs was serviceable at best, at Sunderland) .

Karius confessed in an interview before Sunday that he still has periodic stiffness in his hand (not an excuse) which is still affecting him and his confidence. This may explain why he punches for now instead of catching. I feel for him because he`s in a no win situation BUT he has to dig deep and overcome this period just like we have to dig deep as a club to support him, the other players and the manager through this trying period.

As Ed said, NOBODY ever thought we would be where we are today so let`s be happy with that and use it as a platform to fight for what we want as success has never come easy.

12 Dec 2016 18:50:34
I can't blame Achterberg for Karius.
If you look at his Bundesliga performances he rarely caught the ball as his default. He prefers to try and flap/ punch/ parry it. That's why I was not enthusiastic about his signing and always said he has a lot of improving to do.

{Ed001's Note - I have to say, I have not seen any modern keeper catch the ball much. They all seem to default to flapping it away, which is something I really do not understand. In this modern era of powder puff tackles etc, keepers get ridiculous amounts of protection, they would almost certainly get a free kick every time they dropped the ball under pressure, so why not try? It really gets my goat the amount of times you see a ball floated over I would back myself to catch and the keeper flaps at it aimlessly, rather than taking that tiny risk that he might get a knock trying to catch it.}

12 Dec 2016 19:36:07
I think it's the way they are taught abroad ed. They are taught to punch the ball, which may be the best idea in other leagues. In the premier league where there are proportionately more balls flying into the box and more players waiting for a rebound/ poor clearance ; the best tactic is to catch it.
I feel if Karius doesn't change this behaviour, he will struggle to succeed. IIRC Reina used to punch it in his first season then he adapted and became very good in the air. The kid has time, but will need a good coach to help him adapt.

{Ed001's Note - I don't feel it is the best idea in any league. If you can catch it, then you should. It is taking possession for your team, that should be the aim of every keeper.

Maybe it is time to see what Xavi Valero is doing now then?}

12 Dec 2016 20:12:00
my point exactly, Ron. therefore, the GK coach needs to be looked at then if we are ever going to get this position fixed long term. Ed has alluded to this already on numerous occasions.

{Ed001's Note - I have been saying it since Valero went. We never brought in a top class replacement for possibly the most important coaching position of all.}

13 Dec 2016 00:11:15
The question I have is why did we sign a keeper who is not really suited to the premier league? A keeper who prefers to punch and flap rather than catch?

Bit of a blindspot for Klopp the keeper position. I've thought that ever since his ridiculous flattery of Mignolet last season and the awarding of a 5yr contract. The signing of Karius reinforced my initial theory.