Liverpool Banter Archive May 12 2015

12 May 2015 22:35:05
im made up stevie g has started scoring again, is legs might have gone but he still has it in the head ( not a pun ) its just his experience that put him in the positions to score, we have missed his important goals all season, i have said it before i think he has been getting played in the wrong position, look at lampard he still plays is his position and he scored a few goals, in the def-mid position he was not very good, he needed his legs and that's what has gone on him all he needed was to play as an attacking mid and he would have played more and with his experience scored more as it has shown in the last couple of games,

would anyone sell sturridge if they knew he was going to have the same season as he did this season, i would because he won't score goals from the treatment table, with the money from his sale and wages we could get a really good striker, i'm not saying sell hom but just throwing an idea out there to see what peoples thoughts are and if we could have some one in his place who is just as good if not better

we should put sterling up for sale and stop him showing our club the finger and making us look weak, just sell him, the great mangers of the past would not have put up with all this from him or any player, other managers like fergie and the special one would never put up with it,

13 May 2015 01:52:24
You wouldn't get jack shit for Sturridge after the season that he's had, so no don't sell him but to rely on him as a first choice striker would be stupidity. We have to buy a first choice striker and treat Sturridge as a bonus next season. Sterling should absolutely be gone. I know it's a different age but shanks and Paisley would march him out of the door and that's good enough for me

13 May 2015 14:35:56
A first choice striker is a MUST. Studge can`t be trusted to stay fit so In that case, you act as if he will NOT be available and go from there.

12 May 2015 22:52:02
i wanted us to sign milner but i can't believe some fans who say he is not good enough for us he is in the city side so why is he not good for us, a lot of fans go on about his wages and CL but i think milner does not need the money at thos stage, i think he is relistic to know he won't get the same wages as he is getting at a money bags club i think a lot of fans on here might be suprised what his wages are at arsena; they won't be a 120k a week like some have wrote, i love it when fans talk about a players wage being too much before we even sign them, if you want top players you have to pay top wages, you don't win anything with low wage players

12 May 2015 21:57:59
ED001, unfortunately the club and manager have both hung the lad out to dry and made it very difficult for him to progress as a player with the way he has been treated.}

Could you go into that ED . I have looked and searched but have found nothing.

Thanks

{Ed001's Note - they have gone public with information that should have been kept private in an attempt to force him to sign. Now he is getting abuse at every ground he plays at for being greedy, even though it is not the money that is the main issue. Rodgers has made a number of comments making out that Sterling is just being greedy and that the offer is fantastic etc. It is not how Liverpool operate, we deal with things inhouse and if a deal can't be done then we move them on with no fuss. Rodgers has turned us into a circus, and he is the chief clown.}

12 May 2015 22:24:49
the club has behaveing like a circus as far back as rafa,s last 2 seasons at the club,rodgers can't be accused of a lack of continuity

{Ed001's Note - good point.}

12 May 2015 22:44:12
Word up! word up ;)

12 May 2015 22:37:24
I think you all know where I stand on BR but all this talking through the media, maybe its a American tryst?

13 May 2015 00:01:57
This is the way BR has mismanaged players and their careers at LFC and Sterling might just leave not because of the issues which are not money related, but because of the way BR has stuck his mouth in a situation where he should just have deflected the question. This is clearly something he has no prob doing when trying to absorb himself of any blame for our issues but has no prob mismanaging players and their careers like Sahko, Lucas, Suso, Kelly, Borini and so on. Now, Sterling might leave due to his incompetence in the media and his inability to just shut up.

12 May 2015 22:42:28
ed001 your right in what our club used to do , but i think BR done the story because he felt that the kid was messing the club around , i think for what he has achieved and done for the club that the offer was too much , also if sturridge was not injured then the contract would not be an issue because he would not have been moved up front and now he thinks he is better than he is , the way i see him is he is not going to improve much , he needs to improve his decision making and his scoring but after all next season he will be made to go back on the wing or out wide , the way i see it this could be one of the reasons he won't sign , we will be getting new strikers in and if he goes back on the wing then he is out of the lime light , people can say he has not played well because of the contract situation but the way i see it i think he is just playing bad and he will have more games like he has then he will have good ones

{Ed001's Note - I am sorry but if he is messing the club about then you just get rid, you don't go public about contract issues as it reduces his value if you do have to sell. Rodgers and the club have made themselves look like a bunch of amateurs. When you are as ridiculously overpaid for being inept, as Rodgers is, then you are in no position to moan about anyone else's contract.}

13 May 2015 07:57:11
Thank you for your reply.

{Ed001's Note - you are very welcome mate.}

12 May 2015 21:13:40
Was anybody else totally screaming at the tv on Sunday,watching GJ put a shift in to obtain a nice new contract,hopefuly many miles away from LFC,nutmegs,a scoop pass, and tackles and effort! Had to get it off my chest ,still sething

12 May 2015 22:25:31
I am with you mate - was shoked how well he played. Probably MOTM.

12 May 2015 22:43:32
last couple of games he's looked up for it. twonk

13 May 2015 00:02:43
Three years too late.

12 May 2015 20:32:29
Hi Eds, just wondered what your opinion on Teixeira is. He's injured at the moment but by all accounts he had a good loan spell at Brighton. Is he considered as someone who can make the grade or do you think he will leave? In my opinion players like him and Illori should be given a chance. The money wasted this season is a clear case for letting some more young talent progress. Even if it takes a few more seasons to break the top four consecutively. Unless it's a Stella signing finished article I really wouldn't spend the money. I Just wanted to know what you think/know from your sources.

{Ed001's Note - he was considered good enough, which is why Rodgers gave him a cameo appearance. For some reason he was then discarded, despite the cameo being excellent. The coaches all rate him, as do the coaching staff at Brighton.}

13 May 2015 00:08:55
As long as we don't have a manager who believes in players like Tex, Ojo, Kent and the others, we will not see them grace Anfield ever.

12 May 2015 18:39:41
Ed001 - would you feel that LFC should allow Sterling to leave this summer if Aubameyang (or Heung) was his replacement? I understand that LFC might be forced to selling him but the question is whether you feel the club would be ahead as a result of such transaction? Thanks

{Ed001's Note - if it was either of those players or any other top class player, then yes, the club would be ok. It would stop it looking like a lack of ambition if that is what happened. If we do the same as we did when Suarez went, and buy a stack of cheaper half-baked replacements, then no we would be making a huge mistake. We have to make a statement of intent, not as big a one as United made when they bought Di Maria, but something like that would be needed or we look like we have accepted midtable mediocrity.}

12 May 2015 21:59:02
but ed 01, who cares if everyone sees as 'midtable mediocrity'. isn't the only thing that matters is identifying the right players who will improve us as a team not careless 'marquee' buying. at the end of the day everyone starts off with zero points and it is up to the team assembled to get us to the top. you don't always have to spend big to win big.

{Ed001's Note - if you want to attract players with ambition to better themselves, and I don't just mean bloody tents, I mean players looking to compete at the highest level possible, then you have to show that the club matches their ambition. If you sell your better players and just bring in average replacements, pretty much like we did in the summer, then you make players think twice about joining you. They want to join a club that will allow them to progress. That has aims to move higher in the table, rather than being happy to sit where they are. Otherwise we just become a stepping stone and that is not a long term viable way to progress. Clubs that are stepping stones eventually drop down the table.}

12 May 2015 22:30:40
Ed001 is absolutely bang on here. We became a joke last summer

12 May 2015 23:51:43
Agree 100%, if we sell Sterling, then bizarrely our only marquee names (ie. someone who is recognisable to a broad range of global fans not specific to Liverpool) would probably be Balotelli, Coutinho and perhaps Sakho and 2 of those don't play regularly for us.

If we sell Sterling we absolutely need to bring in someone top class, not only to replace but to show we have ambition to remain a CL challenger club as we're already dropping far behind Chelsea, Man City, Man Utd in terms of recognised global players and that impact who else we can then attract as everyone wants to play and learn from the best.

13 May 2015 00:16:55
Which is a big reason we can't attract top or true up and coming players with high upside. If you are seen as a selling club, you are doomed to attract mediocrity. You have to show such players you are ready to compete and those players must see that ambition o they will move elsewhere. It's like an interview process but it is the club that is being interviewed and not the player. We need such players to let the club be in a better position to attract top players. With BR, we will not reach that level because he is unable to attract such players because he was a youth coach and will always be a youth coach who can't handle big players who will always disregard such a coach with no pedigree.

12 May 2015 22:30:30
Who would your statement player be ed001

{Ed001's Note - my statement would be to hold on to Sterling.}

13 May 2015 09:23:30
Fellas,

A few weeks back you were all saying we're not one of the big clubs who can spend the money so we need to find a way of winning the title similar to that of Dortmund and Athletico.

Now you're saying we need marquee, statement signings.

Which is it?

{Ed001's Note - we don't, we need to hold on to our good young players first and foremost. If we lose them, we will be forced to make a statement signing to prove we have ambition.}

12 May 2015 13:22:38
Hey eds 01 just want your opinion on this.
Last season our play used to be very direct with the sole objective being to move the ball quickly to the goal.
But this season I have hardly seen any of that.
Earlier I convinced myself thinking that it was the ineffectivness of our dear strikers. but against Chelsea when we brought on sinclair-a player willing to provide the running

{Ed001's Note - so what is it you want my opinion on? I am confused sorry.}

12 May 2015 20:36:31
Im pretty sure The system we played last year was not rogers idea.from what i remember one of the eds said that rogers had taken advise from marcelo belisa and that's the system we used last year!
The system we started with this season was rogers

Is that correct eds ? I could be wrong

{Ed001's Note - he did discuss it with Bielsa yes. The back 3 system we changed to was also not Rodgers' idea, he copied it from Basel after being unable to figure out how to cope with it when we faced it.}

12 May 2015 21:02:08
I think he is asking in your opinion whether you think whether the change in style of play from last season, is a result of new players and poor strikers or something else. I think it is Rodgers.

{Ed001's Note - Rodgers reverted to his chosen and favoured style of play.}

13 May 2015 04:22:06
Hey sorry eds. actually I just pressed the send button by mistake.
But I then did send a new post which was complete but perhaps it got lost.
Sorry agaolin for my blooper

{Ed001's Note - no worries.}

12 May 2015 16:31:28
It's looking increasingly likely that Sterling is off. I'm absolutely fuming we haven't tied him Down already. Who's running this club?
So what if we get big money for him,, we'll waste it on terrible players anyway like we did last summer!!

12 May 2015 16:45:43
If we get a good sum and spend it on 2 quality players we will have done very well.

He can't beat a man, can't control it. Looses posession can't cross, and has a shot like a 5 year old girl. I can't wait to laugh at him on the bench of some "big" club hrs so desperate to join.

12 May 2015 16:47:50
He still has two years on his contract and won't sign a new one. What do you expect the club to do? If he doesn't want to be here then let him go. I wouldn't trust BR with the cash he raises but hopefully a new manager may actually use it to strengthen the team in places it actually needs strengthening.

12 May 2015 16:49:25
He's a culprit himself ! And he's no as good what's been made out . When you consider if we get 20 million for a guy who's final ball is utter tripe . , and Utd signed depay for 25 mil or whatever. And he can dribble shop cross . Superb set piece . The problem is he's English and he's hyped up beyond belief . If we get 20 mill and boosted the coffers so be it . He wants out anyway

12 May 2015 16:52:35
If we get a good sum and keep it away from Rodgers we'll be fine.

12 May 2015 18:16:56
After last summer,, I'm expecting Danny Ings, James Milner and Delph.

12 May 2015 18:19:23
hope your not forgeting qpr get 25 per cent of fee for sterling

12 May 2015 19:57:56
Would you want to tie-down a player who wants to leave?

If you were an employer, would you want an employee who didn't want to work for you?

Would you want a miserable get bringing down the squad as he's been restricted in his options to leave?

Do we want a 'bad egg' (couldn't resist) in the squad?

Not a criticism Dbol, but it makes sense to sell as there will be a tasty bidding war.

Who knows, it might be part of a number of reasons why the squad seemed so unsettled in the latter part of the season.

Good luck to the lad though, as Liverpool will be rewarded handsomely for our efforts in making him the player he is.

One thing I am convinced about is that he will not be the same player elsewhere, and I say that not in arrogance but after assessing his qualities.

12 May 2015 20:02:53
Be in the f.a cup if we signed Delph

12 May 2015 18:32:58
What does it say that an Evertonian remembers banal information about random LFC players' contract?

Obsessed much?

12 May 2015 19:47:50
Qpr get diddly my friend

{Ed001's Note - they get at least 5% under UEFA rules for coming through their academy.}

12 May 2015 22:13:18
How about we send Sterling to Real Madrid in exchange for Bale ? That would make even Davey Bootle happy :-)

BTW if there was a player swap, how would the 5% to QPR be calculated ?

{Ed001's Note - no idea but I very much doubt Bale would consider joining us anyway as we won't have Champions League football.}

12 May 2015 22:33:30
Thanks Ed :-)

yeah I realise it's dream land stuff with Bale. Was just wondering about the compensation rule. Also if a player runs down his contract to become a free agent and get a "huge" sign on fee.

But until August I can spend a bit of time in dream land, where we can just get who ever we want.

Heard Messi is tired of playing CL all the time, so I belive his signature as a "Marque signing" should be announced after the CL final :-)

12 May 2015 15:21:51
Hey Eds James Pearce and all those other journalist sound pretty sure that Rodger is getting one more year wonder where they get all those information from.

12 May 2015 15:55:08
At this point I'm not sure Henry and Werner know what they're going to do themselves. I think it could really go either way.

12 May 2015 16:02:01
If Rodgers is given another year then the owners are listening to muppets and I would really worry about the way the club is being wrong. The manager and transfer committee are a joke to the club and if M.Gordon advises the owners to stick with Rodgers then I would worry about every level within the club.

12 May 2015 16:47:55
Eds am I right in assuming the Echo is no longer a reliable site?

{Ed002's Note - I have no idea, I have never looked at it.}

12 May 2015 16:53:11
Fact:

As part of the ongoing review at LFC, Ed001 and Ed002 should have been approached for their expert advice and guidance with respect to moving the club forward, including all aspects of team management and coaching :-)

12 May 2015 16:59:24
If he gets one more year, then itheir prob and they had better get used to wasting money and BR`s media minefeilds.

12 May 2015 17:06:36
Ed002 already stated he would not be interested in the pay cut. Perhaps Ed044 or Ed045. (Ben and reet 2015)

12 May 2015 18:33:44
Pearce is fed information by Rodgers, like he has been since he got here.

12 May 2015 18:34:35
I am pretty sure that FSG already know what to do with BR; let's just hope that their decision is to give him the boot.

12 May 2015 19:03:59
A basic wage agreement between me and the club would be easy. They may have issues with my rider however.

13 May 2015 00:19:26
Power is right. The decision has already been made like it was with KK when the decision was made six months before the firing happened

12 May 2015 14:17:43
Just same info i heard today, Mark Wright has a house here in Malta and has been coming here for years.some guys are in contact with him about lfc.
Sterling will probably be sold for big money and the reason Sterling is upset is that he did not recieve the contract he wanted end of last season.
The club is looking to offload at least 6 players (manquilo, enrique, borini, balotelli, lambert, lucas and gerrard, toure, johnson will all leave.
Depay was very close but he did not want to wait until sterling situation was solved.
We are looking at spanish cb from bilboa and will try to bring in 2 strikers 2 midfielders and a right back.
Money is available but we need to offload players and Wright said that if Sterling leaves we be spending big this summer.
Malta

12 May 2015 16:19:39
Shouldn't Mark Wright be more worried with his TV career he's been a bit hit and miss after The Only Way is Essex

12 May 2015 17:05:02
Ex players have no idea what is going on and only give their opinions and present them as facts.

13 May 2015 00:59:44
He should be more concerned with giving Tina out if Coronation St a good seeing to.

12 May 2015 12:24:40
Something has been bugging me. Parts of this have been covered on here before but I would appreciate some other views or challenges.

Isn't the way we play pretty simple and easy to figure out? We play 3 forwards all quite centrally in shallow arrowhead formation. Coutinho, Sterling and recently Lallana. Aren't those 3 fundamentally the same player? One is faster than the others, one more skilful and one has a beard. But they are the same players trying to do the same thing - pull off cute little passes on the edge of the box and walk it into the net together.

It's like having 2 more Beardsleys instead of Digger and Aldo / Rushie. I loved Beardo by the way. Best second striker I can remember. But you can't have 3 second strikers!

When we do walk it into the net it looks awesome. But this is easy to defend. Their fullbacks tuck in meaning our attacker is either forced down the wing (where he can try from there to walk it into the net or (but this never happens) cross it to nobody over 5 foot zilch) OR the fullback forces the man inside into traffic (now our man is facing the fullback and the nearest centre back) and from there we try to shoot from distance (where, to be fair Coutinho has had a bit of joy) or we try to walk it into the net despite being outnumbered.

Forcing the other team to defend narrow does create a bit of space for full backs that bomb on. Johnson has found space a few times recently. So he overlaps and cuts it back to somebody that tries to walk it into the net gets a cross in to . nobody over 5 foot zilch.

We have got ENOUGH of these auxiliary type forwards. Why are we seemingly in the market every single time a "winger" becomes available?

Ok, Studge has been injured. But we'd still have played narrow and tried to walk it in.

Please please please can we get ourselves in the market for a proper goal poacher. One that can get his head on the end of crosses and can find that yard of space to tap it in when we do try to walk it in.

Am I wrong? Overr simplifying? Maybe I'm just like one of those grandads that years for the days of 5 forwards, backward headers and balls (footballs) taht could break your neck?

12 May 2015 12:42:04
You are not wrong. BR loves an attacking midfielder. He is buying more and more every window, and soon one will play at RB and be our back-up keeper.

12 May 2015 12:44:08
I'm no coach or expert and I'm sure my answer will highlight this. For me the three players you mention work as they are interchangeable, which causes confusion for the assigned defender. Who picks up who and suddenly the one you're marking isn't there cause they've made a run somewhere else, no need to go towards that other one cause my CB partners job is him etc.
Secondly the full backs tucking in to help as you suggest, isn't that when the attacking wing backs come into play either into space or drawing away this help? as well as this these 'creative' players should be expected to unlock and make intelligent runs as they are supposed to be clever at reading the game and the talent to provide.

Just my thoughts, could be completely off

12 May 2015 13:09:50
And one has a beard haha that's about all he has and he can't even grow that very well.

12 May 2015 13:10:26
Yeah - but it's not that confusing is it. 3 similar players doing the same thing. Nobody really goes man for man these days so a well organised zonal system shouldn't have too much bother in coping with them interchanging. And the proof is in the pudding - it doesn't seem to consistently cause problems. Not for the other team anyway.

Yes it creates space for the full backs. But getting to the byeline doesn't much help when you've 3 plastic strikers who aren't going to get their nut on anything or attack the space like a proper goalscorer would.

12 May 2015 13:32:35
I agree. We need a Striker also. Look at Chelsea, City, Arsenal, Real, Bayern etc. They all have strikers who the support strikers or other forward players can look to put a ball in the box and expect them to be there

12 May 2015 13:45:18
FSG can see that buying young potential hasn´t payed off, so we go in the opposite direction, we buy old players with no potential. We sign up didi Hamann who will be giving an revolutionary new role, diagonally inverted Winger/sweeper, and his main responsibility will be throw-ins and tap-ins.

Sterling ofcourse, will have to adapt his game around Hamann, and will be forced to play as Box-to-box CB. His main task will be to help Hamann with cramps, but also being there for Brendan Rodgers to receive praise about his worldclass talent, being outstanding, having great vision, enourmous Character etc.

Last but not least our marquee signing will be the great baker of Lankasterchire in order to lure Yaya Toure. Yaya will ofcourse be in charge of birthday parties and have a part time role in Enriques instagram adventure.

Ofcourse during next season, Brendan will be forced to play all players in the attacking midfield role, including the baker, which means we will play a 0-10-0 formation. Unfortunately we only have 75% ball possesion, which means we are 4% short of having a 87% chance of not loosing.

12 May 2015 14:01:11
Yeah no point in them being interchangeable if they are more or less the same type of player. Only worth while changing them round if they are different, say we need more pace on the left and more trickery on the right then swapping players round to get the most of them makes sense.
Had to re register for some reason, so this is my new username (for all my fans)

Mikey1985

12 May 2015 17:10:18
BR loves AM`s and is stock-piling them in droves every window as someone said already, with no idea what do with them or prolly play them at wingback and let the fullbacks rot on the bench, sold or loaned out. the prob is not that the players are interchangeable or not. The prob is that there is not definite, tactical direction as to how we need to play. I am all for adapting and improvising BUT with BR, he does it TOO LATE and only after getting found out and criticized for it and costs us games. That is not a proactive manager. That is insanity. A good manager should know after 20 mins that something is not working and fix it. Not after 5 games and 4 losses.

12 May 2015 19:04:55
Redfuzz that's the funniest reply I've seen in a while

12 May 2015 22:00:00
Barca seem to do ok with three interchangeable forwards that confuse the defence.

I'm not suggesting OUR front three can do this or at this level, but my answer was more that the idea of these three same type players can work that way and it works in the way Barca do it cause of the quality.

None of Messi Neymar or Suarez are out and out strikers or wingers, they are clever talented attacking players all the 'same' and it works well for them. There is a huge gulf in class hence why it looks rubbish with our three

12 May 2015 12:08:28
Hi Guys,

So another year nearly up & I suppose its been underwhelming to say the least. Looking on to next season, my opinion is there are plenty of players with uncertain futures at the club. Be it on unconstructive loan spells, not agreeing to new deals or simply not getting played I am sure a assessment will be made come the summer and a fair outcome for club and players will be reached for those concerned. I am convinced some changes should be made, firstly to the manager in which I think we should make a firm attractive proposition to Klopp. The most likely outcome its rejection but i'd rather we were rejected then never trying at all & who knows, I guess stranger things have happened in the world. Some tinkering with the committee, i'm not sure all these voices and opinions are the way forward. I am more of a fan of a sporting analyst working side by side a manager and identifying the weaknesses in the team and analysing what kind of player the club then need acting necessary to work on finding a player that meets the criteria. Its all well and good saying names and being drawn into bidding wars and high profile back page news stories but I think we need to be smarter than that.

Ive had a little think of players we need, you can also assume the senior players I haven't mentioned are not part of my plans. The other younger players that haven't been mentioned you can assume will remain in the youth for this season coming. So if we are playing the role club manager, this how I see we could benefit and improve our team for next term.

Forwards - Sturridge Higuain Sinclair Sterling Origi Markovic Ibe

I am a huge fan of Higuain, whether he would join us or not is a different thing but a option that could be available for transfer this summer. Not just a goal scorer, he adds a wealth of experience at international level and would be a great player for the younger players to learn from. Possibly, dare I say it, the best option out there for Liverpool at present and I would make a monumental effort to bring him to Liverpool.

Midfielders - Coutinho Lallana Teixera Henderson Can Lucas Iturraspe Rossiter

Iturraspe has been a senior figure at Bilbao for some years, he has the bite, power and physical stature to get into most top Premier League teams. He is coming into the better years of his career, with a 40M euro buyout clause, it may be seen a stumbling block unless Bilbao were willing to negotiate a more acceptable offer. Who knows, but he is a player I very much admire and think he offers more on a whole than Allen who is just innefective.

Defense - Moreno Smith Sakho Lovren Howedes Illori Darmian McLaughlin

Howedes has made himself a important part of the German National Squad and is a leader from the back. Aerially very strong and exceptional positional sense I believe he would be the perfect partner for Lovren or Sakho at centre back. I think Skrtel is a good old bruiser but he makes the job for his partner at Centre back really difficult most of the time and lacks general quality on the ball and off it for the way we play. I believe since Carra and Hyypia left we never replaced that voice and command at the back in my opinion Howedes fits the bill in every aspect. Darmian is someone I've only watched the last 14 months or so but looks a real player. We have some up short over the years with Johnson being our number 1 right back and although Johnson has the ability to go forward but not back, Damian has the ability to do both and I think would be a great and again, obtainable purchase.

Goalkeeper - Cech Mignolet

It's a no brainer, the best benched keeper in the world and still one of the best around, with copious amounts of premier league experience he would be the obvious choice. Whether or not he would join is another thing with many Champions League clubs interested we would likely find it difficult.


Like I say its all opinion based but would love you views and possible amendments.


Cheers

12 May 2015 12:50:48
Good suggestions, but Smith and McLaughlin will leave this summer. Smith was called back from him loan as he didn't agree a new contract at LFC and he has not been involved with the U21s after that. McLaughlin has had many injuries and they have been playing him as a winger to accommodate Randall at RB, who also is incidentally out of contract in the summer. McLaughlin's chance came and went when Rodgers's decided to loan out Wisdom, then loan in Manquilio, and then play Emre Can at RB.

I don't see Cech as a possibility. Mignolet will not agree to being a back-up as he made that very clear when Rodgers said he wanted both Mignolet and Reina at LFC.Ituraspe is a good player, but no interest, and even if there was interest, we need Lucas or Allen to leave for that to happen, and I don't think both will leave with Gerrard already on his way.

12 May 2015 13:23:49
Can't see any of those additions to be honest. Got to face reality here, no CL football, no world class players that others dream of playing with, wage structure around performance bonuses (when others might pay straight) and a no name manager with a cv full of failure.

We are not in a position like Chelsea, Utd or City and even Arsenal. We're 5th. Those players, Higuain, Benzema, Cech etc don't have to play outside CL yet, don't have to accept bonus related wage packets yet.

Sounds negative for negatives sake, but it's not. I'm at total peace where we are. We are a massive club in terms of history and name, grateful for that and those memories. Also glad every season feels like a blank sheet and total expectation to compete with some great players. I look at other big names with big history (not a patch on ours) Blackpool, Leeds, Rangers and Newcastle and am really glad we aren't in that position.

Our squad, youth and a couple of quality editions, but realistic ones we could snatch top 4 next season. Also if we use the squad and play youth and fringe in the Europa. A fresh quality starting 11 each prem game. Then next summer buy the type of player you mention like Howdes etc that's when we push on and have the pull, imo.

12 May 2015 13:25:19
@The real AG. I think two of the best things that could possibly happen in the summer would be signing Cech and Mignolet not agreeing to be backup.

The third best thing that could happen would be Mignolet replacing De Gea at that other lot.

12 May 2015 17:24:39
The best est thing to happen to us should be to start with a new manager and new ideas, IMO because everything else can be easily tweaked to get us going because we ahve a good squad with a solid academy. All we need is a head man who knows what he is doing at all times instead of half tthe time.

12 May 2015 11:57:25
Just a couple of things I want to say firstly I would do everything possible to keep Sterling he is a player of immense potential, he needs to improve on aspects of his game but he is young and do you really think with we could replace him with a player of the same ability I would doubt it. He has been so poorly advised he needs to change his agent even if he leaves his agent had made him suffer abuse from his own fans. He has made so many mistakes he could probably write a book on how not to manage a client. Sterling needs to sign a new deal or leave. I would love him to stay but I'm a realist if nothing is signed he will go and I would not expect these crazy figures going around like 50 million that's just people being silly. The club I am sure will sell him and do what's right making Rodgers look even more stupid telling the fans he will stay.I just hope we don't waste any more money on players who I have hardly ever seen play for the club. I am talking about all the players on loan around the world who were signed and never really given the opportunity.I also hope we don't sign players who will stop the development of a promising youngster in that position.

12 May 2015 13:32:48
I have a feeling that he is seen as having "potential" as he is very young and very stupid. Perhaps naive would be a better word but I'm going to stick with stupid.

His best years may already be behind him.

Perhaps he will get a big money move to Real Madrid, play a few games, get offloaded to Newcastle be a big-name-no-game sub at United and finish off his career at Stoke. That's what happens to money grabbing little upstarts that leave us too soon.

The only difference between him and Owen is that Owen was more calculating than stupid, and was properly a world star for a short time at least. And Owen got to watch us with the CL on TV the year he left in search of silverware. That won't happen with Sterling.

12 May 2015 17:33:21
he is being led on by his incompetent and divisive entourage and a greedy agent who will ruin him at the rate he is allowing him to screw with his career

12 May 2015 11:09:20
Ok, just an idea.

What if, when the club gets some cash together, that we use said funds on turning Studge into the bionic man. Failing that, maybe he could be injected with some of that concoction they gave to Captain America(he is over there after all)

Would definitely solve our striker issues and there might be some change left over for Danny Ings too.

Any of this viable eds.?

12 May 2015 12:38:38
Sounds like a plan, or they could use the stuff they pumped into wolverines body lol

12 May 2015 12:41:49
If that is medically possible then I would leave Studge as he is and make Rushie bionic.

12 May 2015 16:38:39
They tried it with the Brazilian 'hulk' but it went horribly wrong mate

12 May 2015 17:44:54
He became The Incredible Chunk

12 May 2015 10:23:48
Hello to all EDS and fellow REDS

Thank you for all the great work EDs

The crazy season is nearly here and this, hopefully, will be my last post until next season.
Fellow REDS, please don't despair about Sterling or any other player who seemingly wants to leave. Let's get a good price for Raheem, if he goes, and this time bring in what is needed. Kovacic and Ings would be a step in the right direction, IMO. Others will follow I am sure.
Personally I would like Yesil to be given a chance. Our youngsters will step up to the mark. We have some exceptional youngsters in the academy, great for Europa league (I know)who will only prove their worth if they are given a chance.

Have a great summer dear EDS and fellow REDS

YNWA

12 May 2015 10:44:45
Completely agree mate. Though I hope it's not August until your next post. Always enjoy hearing your viewpoints even if I don't always agree. Stick around for the transfer banter ;)

12 May 2015 08:39:53
So Sterling is selling his house and Thompson is saying that he expects him to leave in the Summer now that we are not in CL.

Seems that's that then.

12 May 2015 09:01:42
I wouldn't believe anything that comes out the mouth of the very Arsenal biased John Cross of the Mirror.

But we all have known for a while that there is a good chance of him leaving this summer, and frankly, I wouldn't mind that, mostly in hope that we would spend the money wisely.

12 May 2015 09:10:10
Get over sterling . In my view he's not as good as made out . He's final ball is atrocious . Get top dollar for him . I'd leave him out last 2 games . If he don't want to be there give a lad a chance . Use the oppertunity to give ojo a run out or someone else .

12 May 2015 09:26:53
No big loss imo. Sterling cannot shoot or pass the ball if his performances in the last 8-10 games are anything to go by. Very inconsistent and wanting too much too soon indicates a troubled attitude which will no doubt haunt the club's reputation if the player is forced to stay against his will. Anything more than 30 million GBP would be a good deal for LFC and Ibe imo is a much better and matured player with his feet firmly on the ground.
The problem with Sterling is that he got too much too soon. The media made him out to be some extraordinary talent capable of winning the Balon D Or and this clearly got into his head. Sterling may well turn out to be a good player but world class??? Not a chance imo.

12 May 2015 09:36:43
5ive spot on pal

Over hyped which i've always said so if someone is stupid to pay 50mil for him then let them have him.

{Ed002's Note - Or maybe he will invoke the Webster Ruling in which case he will get the wages he wants elsewhere and Liverpool would be lucky to get £15-£20M?}

12 May 2015 09:43:51
Regardless edd whatever he does . 20 million is good business . It's pulling clubs trousers down imo. If obv gives the wrong message as a club but what can you do.

12 May 2015 10:02:38
If that happens then ed I hope to god it doesn't end as a straight swap between Walcott and sterling

12 May 2015 10:02:50
He could just be selling his house?

{Ed002's Note - The house is of no relevance.}

12 May 2015 10:53:23
Sour grapes on here.

Are you confident 20 million would be spent wisely ?

The report talks of house hunting in London.

That might be relevant.

Sterling has been restless for some months. Rightly or wrongly he probably views Liverpool as consistently in 5th, 6th or 7th.

{Ed002's Note - I own an apartment in Monaco but will not be playing for them next season. House hunting is of no consequence to anyone (except for some reason to Liverpool fans).}

12 May 2015 11:30:24
Might be selling his house as he's going to sign his 120k contract and is upgrading to a house with a pool : ) in Rainhill

12 May 2015 11:31:18
Sorry ed too ask but you mentioned kishnas been looked at recently And mentioned you couldn't see where he would fit in. Would you expect if sterling leaves for us too move for him?

{Ed002's Note - No, it made little sense to me - and the critical thing is, Kishna is very left-sided.}

12 May 2015 11:57:07
If he wants out sell him no hard feelings kind wish him all the best . No point in holding an unhappy lad

12 May 2015 12:55:25
Leaving aside the fact we can't defend for toffee even at academy level, Ojo last night looked the real deal. I hope Sterling stays but if he doesn't I think Ibe and certainly Ojo will be better players in the long run .

12 May 2015 18:03:21
What I`m most impressed with in this thread is the fact that Ed02 has a house in Monaco.

{Ed002's Note - It is an apartment not a house.}

12 May 2015 21:57:02
Pay the lad and keep our best talents. I suspect he would stay if rodgers goes, however not sure the owners will drop the axe. Rather keep sterling than brendan tbh.

12 May 2015 08:15:01
Hi eds, just wondering is it true that liverpool pulled out from signing depay due to sturridge's injury - Thanks

{Ed002's Note - No.}

12 May 2015 09:11:50
@Nick, that makes absolutely no sense. None.

12 May 2015 10:25:55
2 very strong crutches would be better support to Sturridge.

12 May 2015 11:17:23
60% of the time, it works every time. That makes no sense Nick.

12 May 2015 18:04:49
Head-scratching post, tbh.

12 May 2015 07:06:28
Banter only, with all the talk re a new manager what do you think of a back to the "bootroom" scenario. Toshack as manager (good enough for Real Madrid, albeit 1 season) Keegan assistant Manager. (ex England) Steve Clark (if willing) coach and Roy Evans advisory role of sorts. Could be the sun/age has got to me but plenty of experience there and passion plenty. Thoughts

{Ed001's Note - that would be a disaster!! Toshack's time has gone. Keegan couldn't handle the pressure. Steve Clark is happy managing. Evans deserves better.}

12 May 2015 09:12:17
How about a Spice Boys management team. God as manager. J Redknapp (although Harry would be a great one with his dodgy knee) as physio. Babb as defensive coach.

What do you think?

11 May 2015 22:38:31
Apologies if this had already been mentioned. Givin Emre Can's performances at right CB this season albeit he is a CM. can you see him being pushed into CM next season and would this open up the possibility of a new CB being sought after. A lot of what ifs I know but I feel with Stevie leaving and the possible arrival of a new CM coming in to fill the void I think Emre would be best suited to stay playing CB to gain more game time as he is still very young. What are you thoughts and cheers for any reply.

12 May 2015 00:27:49
Skrtel, Sakho, Ilori, Lovren, Wisdom, Paez, Jones, Toure all still at the club (Toure may leave). I'd like to see Ilori given a shot, I'd start Sakho and Lovren together. I think Skrtel (and Rodgers) are the common denominators in our poor defense rather than Skrtel being the one consistent defender I think he puts other defenders under pressure with his positioning.

He's good at the rough stuff but not the clever stuff. Sakho/Lovren as the first choice pairing, Ilori and Skrtel to come in and cover. Ilori is so quick for a CD we could play a higher line if he was in the team. He won't get a shot under Rodgers though.

12 May 2015 09:13:41
look out for ed002's comments regarding the amounts of CBs we have that need to be managed before we even think about getting one.

12 May 2015 09:28:41
Have you not noticed that teams are targeting Can as he's not a defender? He looks great bringing the ball out of defence but his defending isn't great. He struggles with players running at him, for a big fella he is often beaten in the air and his positioning and marking are not up to scratch.

I cannot wait to see him in midfield next season. If he plays a half dozen games next season in defence as cover, absolutely fine. If he plays another 30 games in defence next season then I would consider that to be diabolical mis-management of both the player and the squad.

Lmred has listed our options at centre back. There are loads there. Coates is likely to be gone but he wasn't included, others will go too but that's fine as you see we have plenty!

12 May 2015 13:01:49
I do realise we have plenty of options regarding CB. But only Sakho Skrtel Lovren are in for a shout as first team quality at the moment. With Toure capable of making many mistakes when playing I suspect he could be allowed to leave possibly Coates too. As regards Ilori Wisdom lloyd Jones there is some young talent there and I hope they are giving some good game time this year. I did notice players targeting Can many times, hazard at the Bridge in the Cup game as an example showed his weakness against fast skilful players but I do feel he has done a great job considering his age and the fact it's not his natural position. I'm just pointing out that hopefully he is givin game time for his progression much like Carra's early years where he played a vast amount of different positions as I feel he can be a very important player for Liverpool for many years. After all the players BR brought in last year, for me, he has been the standout purchase.

12 May 2015 15:48:22
@Chardy, I agree with you that he has been our stand out purchase from last summer and I too want him to get plenty of game time. Midfield though for me and defence should only be on the rare occasion for cover.

Toure has been offered another contract but still may go but either way as you even say we have 3 clear first team centre backs at the moment. For me the younger players, who you say you want to get good game time, should definitely be allowed to be covering the rest of centre back positions.

If we go sign another then when could they possibly get this game time?

Even if Toure goes as well we have Wisdom and Ilori both returning and it's time we use the players we have rather than sign someone else to be backup.

12 May 2015 18:12:17
he is a CM. Play him there or sell him.

13 May 2015 09:30:22
@redohio, sell him? That would be even more nuts than playing him RB.