Liverpool Banter Archive February 13 2018

13 Feb 2018 21:26:54
Ed's, did Liverpool ever try and sign Christian Erikson at any stage in his career?

{Ed002's Note - Dortmund, AC Milan, Liverpool, Roma and Spurs were emain interested in Eriksen in 2013.}

14 Feb 2018 06:45:58
There was rumours he was holding out for a move to us but we never persued it. Not sure if that’s true or not.

14 Feb 2018 08:10:45
Ed002 said at the time that his agent was touting him to every top six club here and across Germany, Italy and Spain.

14 Feb 2018 08:12:41
I believe Danny Agger tried his best to convince him to join us.

14 Feb 2018 10:34:00
I think he would be class in our team. I think he is suited to our style of play.

Just off the bat, how much do you reckon we would have to pay to get him from spurs?

I'm thinking 60 mil, I know owner likes money. It will be hard for them to turn down 120mil+ for kane. I think it will be psg who sign him, not real. Yeah, how much to nab erikson?

14 Feb 2018 10:47:31
He would fit in, he could be the signing of the summer for us. Won't happen, he would work for us though.

14 Feb 2018 11:21:21
I would take Erikson over Kane every day of the week. Quality player, and pissibly the closest to Coutino’s skill set out there. Never going to happen though.

14 Feb 2018 11:51:31
I don't think he is anything like Coutinho. Coutinho was direct and wanted to work the space for a shot constantly. He was quicker, more skilful and far better at shooting and finishing. He also (pre-sulk) used to buzz around and put in a shift defensively. Eriksen has never lifted a finger to help out defensively which is why Spurs have to play two defensve midfielders.

Eriksen is more creative with his passin than Coutinho though. Some of his passes in behind or over the top are at a De Bruyne level. Coutinho was never that good at playing a pass in behind on a consistent basis. Eriksen is also miles better from set pieces. Corners, indirect free kicks, direct free kicks etc. You name it, he has it in his locker.

I can't see them as similar players at all though. It's a lazy comparison just because they both play creative roles on the left. Similar positions, but not similar players. Coutinho creates with direct running though which draws 3 or 4 players towards him and creates space for others. Eriksen can spot a runner out of the corner of his eye and bend a pass in behind straight to feet without them having to break stride. Totally different styles of creativity.

With Eriksen having a lack of pace and not a defensive bone in his body, i can't see how he suits either our front 3, or our fluid midfield with no dedicated DM. He looks good for Spurs because they have built a system that suits him. Even at his best though, Eriksen still isn't as good as Coutinho was whilst he was sulking!

He's a good player. Maybe a great player. I just don't see him fitting in Klopp's preferred 4-3-3. We need to sign the right players, not players just because they a good individuals. Eriksen will be valued higher than Lemar for a start. Lemar actually puts in a shift defensively to fit into our midfield, and has the pace to cover in our fluid front 3. He's a far better option based on what we need, and i really hope Eriksen is not targeted by us. Not unless Klopp is willing to change his tactics, or it will end in disaster. We'll be totally over run in midfield if he plays there, and Firmino will be limited in terms of passing options if Eriksen plays in Mane's position, as Eriksen has neither the pace nor the movement to make a run in behind a defender.

Players have to suit the system!

14 Feb 2018 11:57:11
Eriksen is a special player, genuinely talented and works hard, his final pass and shooting ability are amazing and he is able to find time and space on the ball.

14 Feb 2018 14:28:16
Spot on, MK. Dennis, all that may be true BUT Cou is the much better player as he has way more creativity than Eriksen and possesses all the qualities you say Eriksen has. I asked Ed01 in the summer if hypothetically, he could replace Cou. He said not a chance as he is inferior to him. Ed01 gave several convincing reasons. Maybe Ed01 can help us here.

{Ed001's Note - he is a decent player, very good player, but not on the same level as Coutinho. He goes missing far too often and can be absolutely anonymous against the best teams. When he is playing average, poorly managed teams like Ireland he shines, but he is not quite good enough for my liking. Personally I think Spurs need to upgrade on him if they are ever going to truly challenge for the title.}

14 Feb 2018 16:40:06
That danish hammering is still hurting ed, just letting you know. Though in truth it didn't hurt nearly as when O'Neil signed to stay on. As for eriksen, I think he's fantastic and would love him at pool over nearly any other player in the league. Followed him since he had an outstanding under 21's tournament a few years back.

{Ed001's Note - O'Neill is abysmal, no idea why they kept him. Eriksen is good against weaker teams who give him time and space, as soon as he is not allowed any he vanishes. He has not got pace to create space for himself and he doesn't have trickery to do it. He has got an excellent range of passing, but he can be shut out of games far too easily for my liking. If O'Neill wasn't tactically inept he would not have been able to do what he did. At Spurs he is lucky to have Kane's quality, Alli's movement and Dembele's brilliance to drag players away from him.}

14 Feb 2018 17:20:48
Because the fai is run by one man and he's more money than sense. It's no surprise he went with O'Neil again. As for pool, imagine eriksen doing his thing against the smaller teams for us ed. We struggle when we have the ball. Title right there.

14 Feb 2018 23:18:57
I agree with all of that to an extent, except him working hard, Mr Dennis. I've never even seen him make a tackle, let alone press, or track back. He reminds me of Fabregas in terms of style, but with the added bonus of being a set piece specialist, and creating from the left instead of a central position.

I've never seen him work hard, but i do agree he is very talented on the ball. His ability to find space and his vision means he can play the game at a walking pace. Does that sound like a "heavy metal" footballer to anyone though?

His creativity from deep relies on Harry Kane and Dele Alli making runs into the box in central areas. Firmino won't do that on a regular basis though as it is not his natural game, and we don't have any midfielders with the ability to break into the box like Alli does. Spurs Basically play a 4-2-3-1 with Kane as the focal point, and Son and Alli making runs beyond him. Eriksen rarely ever goes beyond Kane. He receives the ball to feet and dictates the attack with his superb vision from deeper positions. Coutinho was always looking to run at the opposition, and he would exploit the space created by the panic his runs made, with his weighted passes and delicate flicks.

Take out the focal point, and Eriksen's vision is wasted. Firmino is a false 9, not a target man like Kane. Take out the holding midfield pair, and Eriksen wouldn't find it as easy to stand in space all game as he'd have to get stuck in and contribute. He isn't physically up to that though.

I'm not disputing him being a good player, i just cannot see where he fits into our team. We are lightening quick on the break, and he looks good at Spurs because they slow the game right down so Eriksen has time, and the opposition centre backs are stood still like a rabbit in headlights. Then usually Alli or Kane make a clever run in behind which he finds with a great pass. We'd have to Sign a dedicated destroyer to play the Wanyama/ Dier role so Eriksen could get away with being a passenger out of posession, we'd shackle Henderson/ Keita into a genuine holding role, and put Salah through the middle as the focal point with a player like Wijnaldum behind him who won't get in Eriksen's way creatively and will purely focus on breaking into the box fir a pass. Firmino looks for the ball to feet more often than not, rather than making a run into the box. I don't see where Firmino and Eriksen fit into the same team. They play best in polar opposite styles of football. Would Salah cope with being a focal point marked by two big centre backs, instead of being able to peel off the shoulder of a smaller full back like he does currently? Would Mane cope with being a target further up the pitch, instead of receiving the ball deeper and driving at the opposition? Could Firmino ditch his natural game and play as an attacking midfielder looking to get in behind at every opportunity? Maybe they all could. Maybe it would work wonders.

Why try and change what isn't broken though? Eriksen is not a heavy metal footballer, he is an orchestra. Equally as entertaining but it goes against what we are building. So for me, his abilities are a redundant point. If somebody can actually present a case of how he fits in to a high intensity, interchanging front 6 who all have to contribute equally from a defensive perspective, I'm all ears. Currently all I'm seeing are people pointing out his strengths though instead of explaining where he fits in. For me, I'd rather build a team around the strengths of Salah and Firmino, than throw the blue print in the bin to get a walking pace playmaker into the team. Just my opinion though. The sum total is more important than individual parts. I'd rather have Lallana for another season than Eriksen because he fits the way Klopp wants to play, even though individually he is not as good as Eriksen.

14 Feb 2018 23:07:57
Pretty much nailed it with your assessment MK, except giving credit to the man who makes both Erriksen and Alli tick every week. Dembele is the catalyst and why Errisken and Alli has the luxury to not track back. I have always said we should buy a central playmaker rather than a wide Juan Mata! Someone like Kovacic / Nainngolan / Thiago in the middle.

15 Feb 2018 03:11:13
Spot on baby, dembele is spurs best player, makes them tick much like gerrard did for us.

13 Feb 2018 21:49:12
{Ed's Note - Supersalah has posted a new article entitled, How i see the current Liverpool team

14 Feb 2018 06:51:16
Thanks and a Good read SS but I have to disagree with a lot of it. I don’t think Matip is up to the task here although I would have Lovren as backup. I’m not a big fan of Gini on current form and I certainly haven’t seen much evidence of Robertson’s crossing ability. I do agree with your comments on the front 3, Karius and Clyne though.

14 Feb 2018 08:04:59
I agreed with most of it.

I just don't know what people see in Clyne!

He can't tackle without conceding a free kick, he can't run with the ball, he can't cross, he is the weakest full back in the air that I've ever seen, his first touch is dreadful, and his passing is always a backwards pass to the right sided centre back. He has no reading of the game offensively or defensively.

He's an athlete. Quick, strong, immense stamina and he can kick a ball quite hard. I just don't see any actual footballing ability from him.

14 Feb 2018 08:43:52
Like yet another Robertson cross that, went along the ground across 6 yard box taking out whole Southampton back4 and gk? would have been the easiest of tap ins had anyone gambled rather than both players doing same thing and putting brakes on for cut back! There has been several occasions when this has happened. In my eyes as good as they are our front 3 at least 1 of them need to start gambling rather than looking for cut back all the time. Sterling has at least 7,8 goals this season from no more than 4yards out, tap ins at back post.

{Ed001's Note - several occasions? It has happened once and every other ball he put in went in row z ffs. Why do people keep defending Robbo just because he is enthusiastic? His crossing is hopelessly aimless 9 times out of 10 and needs working on. Hopefully he will improve but right now it is ducking awful. He clearly can cross the ball with a good shape, when he is not given time to think about things. The moment he has time to consider his options he goes to pieces. That has to be dealt with, not ignored or covered up by fans pretending he is brilliant.}

14 Feb 2018 09:10:20
I agree Ed, I thought it was just me mate.

{Ed001's Note - not just you mate. I love the lad's energy and enthusiasm, but he needs a lot of work yet. I hope Klopp will stick with him and not rotate him now, in case he is just trying too hard to impress. In which case he needs to settle in a bit. If it is more than that, well we won't find out until he settles in.}

14 Feb 2018 09:30:56
I feel that is exactly his problem Ed, he spent most of the first half of the season not even making match-day squads, so he is trying too hard when on the pitch to cement his spot in the team.

{Ed001's Note - it feels that way to me as well, just so long as Klopp sees it too and so doesn't feel he needs rotating then I think he will calm down a bit.}

14 Feb 2018 09:46:35
When he plays he's a bit like a kid who has suddenly been thrust into living his dream. Not that he plays like a kid, but he has that enthusiasm and gives an impression that he's in awe of everything.

14 Feb 2018 09:36:35
I'm of the opinion, though yes I completely agree I also admire the passion he's showing and we can clearly see he's trying but for me, he shouldn't of been signed, I said it before he was signed and I stick by that, he will always get my support of course just like any other player but we needed better in my opinion.

I think what we are seeing with Robbo is what we're going to get, I can't see him getting much better and that is concerning. I'm not saying he's terrible or anything, he's a decent player but he needs to step things up. I don't understand the love about him and Clyne recently, Clyne especially he IS terrible.

I hope Robbo can improve and prove me wrong, I just can't see it. But I do agree he should be kept on and given his chance, this season. I love Klopp but in regards to this it does concern me, the last thing Robbo needs is to be rotated.

{Ed001's Note - I was never a fan of signing Robbo but I do think there is potential to improve in him.}

14 Feb 2018 09:57:36
Ed001, what's your opinion on the right back situation?

Should Clyne be playing ahead of Gomez or Arnold? I think that is a huge kick in the teeth considering they are miles younger, Gomez offers the tactical option of a back 3, and Arnold is light years ahead offensively.

For me, Clyne should not even be on the bench.

{Ed001's Note - Clyne should never wear the shirt again. End of.}

14 Feb 2018 10:31:36
In no way am I saying he's brilliant. But feel Robertson has came in and done a good job. He's reasonably young works hard and clearly see he wants to learn and improve. And every fan I know says same thing our hearts are not in our mouth everytime ball goes down that side like is with moreno (who has improved alot)

14 Feb 2018 10:44:45
Ed001 I second, third and fourth that comment
completely had his time for me.
Clyne thank you for the effort and good luck at your next club.

{Ed025's Note - i would say...thanks for nothing you have sponged enough out of this club for very little in return..so piss off..

14 Feb 2018 10:52:03
Agreed, I'd say Clynes biggest issue is that he doesn't do the basics well - his natural (? ) athleticism just makes him look commanding whilst failing to do them.

14 Feb 2018 10:54:57
I don’t know what people see in Robertson. He can’t cross, can’t dribble, hasn’t beaten his man in decades, can’t pass and is all over in the air. He is single handedly the reason Mane has been dreadful on that left hand side. Has he ever hit the byline?
May be coz he is a scot and hence the overhype! Proper championship player!

14 Feb 2018 10:12:40
Jesus Ed001, get off the fence and tell us all how you really feel 😂.

{Ed001's Note - that was me sitting on the fence...}

14 Feb 2018 10:53:44
Seriously Ed, what did Clyne do? Or is the info too confidential? Sounds really bad.

{Ed001's Note - do you mean other than being utterly useless?}

14 Feb 2018 11:23:13
Because everyone over hypes Scottish players all the time 😂.

14 Feb 2018 14:49:50
Robertson's crosses are not a patch on Moreno's. His crossing is woeful at best, calamitous at worse. As Ed said, he gives good shape on them BUT what is the point if you can't hit anyone with them. Crossing for crossing sake is like losing possession to the opposition and on that front, Robbo needs to improve A LOT.

I love his desire and drive and self belief (that pressing show vs City will be legendary in 20 years) BUT those do not make you a technical and skillful player. You need to work hard on your craft and Robbo needs to work on his crossing and hopefully, Klopp can help him. And to those saying he has been brilliant or all that, you need to go watch the games with your eyes and minds opened and may be then, you will see what many of us are seeing instead of what you want to see.

14 Feb 2018 23:08:26
Baby Driver - so Robertson is the reason Mane is missing 1vs1's with the keeper? The reason he's been below his normal standard all season, despite Robertson has only been playing since Christmas? I know you think every player is better than every liverpool player (except ones that want to leave obviously), but blaming Robertson for Mane's form when Robertson was on the bench for most of Mane's issues is extreme even for you!

14 Feb 2018 22:34:36
Fair comments. I would not be sad if we sold Clyne but we would mm we'd go get a rb in. Robbo distribution had been poor in occasions but I see real potential for improvement.

14 Feb 2018 22:43:36
think we are being a bit hard on Robbo, he does have a good left peg, adds a lot of balance to our left side, yes he does need to work on his crossing, but he is young and not that long in the side,
I am looking forward to see him improve and cement his place,
next season, if we can bring in 2/ 3 class players, we will have a good go at winning the premiership .

14 Feb 2018 23:10:52
I didn't sat he's been brilliant. I said has taken out lbs to a new level. Let's be honest that wasn't difficult. I don't think since risse we have had a decent lb. That Spanish guy was OK I guess, forget his name. Milner did a job, moreno improved and was really good going forward. Very rash defensivly, going in for crunching, high tackles in the penalty box, in the last 5 minutes of a European cup games. Robbo's end product does need to improve, I guess my point is; I believe he can and will improve. In his 1st few games he did okay. The highlight of his play was his dangerous, whipped crosses. We see less of that recently and I think he has been told not to send in high crosses all the time, we don't really have much ariel threat. Firmino van head it but he is better with ball at feet.

13 Feb 2018 15:54:49
So how do people expect our back 5 to look next season?

Personally, I don't expect much to change at all!

I think its probably a good idea to keep Gomez at RB for now and I imagine we'll have the same LB options for atleast 1 more season.

VVD will take one CB spot obviously. If we were to buy another CB then you'd think we'd probably have to sell 2 of our current players and Liverpool do seem to struggle selling surplus players so I wouldn't be too surprised if things stay the same.

Re GKs, sure people will disagree but I'd personally like to keep faith with Karius and bring in an experienced GK as No2, someone with quality and experience to help Karius out abit (not another Manninger! ) . I think buying a 1st choice GK and dropping Karius will damage him abit and we'll be left with a shaky backup option.

Again, the issue we'll have is trying to sell our other 3 surplus GKs! But hopefully we can. I'm sure Ward, Migs, and Karius all believe they should be 1st choice and I expect the dynamic behind the scenes isn't very good.

Don't like asking the Eds questions too often but would be interested to hear what you expect to happen with our GKs and defence. Of course, if anyone wants to kick off and disagree or offer me some praise for a great post then you are also welcome to comment!

13 Feb 2018 16:45:59
My prediction is that we will sign Keylor Navas, and sell Mignolet and Ward. I think we may also sign a much older keeper for the role Manninger had last year.

I think Gomez and Trent will stay as right backs for now, with Clyne Randall and Flanagan leaving.

I think we will sell one of Matip or Lovren and sign a first team ready replacement. No idea who though. Total stab in the dark but perhaps we'll go back after Koulibaly, De Vrij, Howedes or Upamecano. All have been of previous interest reportedly.

At left back i think we will probably stick with Moreno and Robertson. I wouldn't be surprised if one of them left and wasn't replaced though, as we also have Gallacher (18/ 19) who will be knocking on the door next season.

Gk: Navas, Karius, (exp 3rd pick)
Rb: Gomez, Arnold
Rcb: De Vrij, Matip
Lcb: Virgil, Klavan
Lb: Robertson, Gallacher

Not what i expect, just a prediction based on current and previous interests.

13 Feb 2018 17:26:47
It's wonderful how everyone has just forgotten clyne.

13 Feb 2018 17:37:19
Maybe I'm being a bit stoopid, but the only good outcome I can see from us signing Navas is that he comes in and is our definitive second choice. I don't think he is good enough to warrant taking the No. 1 jersey and it would be (to quote Ed002) a kick in the teeth to Karius. Surely Klopp wouldn't again opt to have different Champions League and Premier League goalies?

Therefore, can you see Navas coming in and accepting his spot on the bench? If he does then I think it's a good move, but it seems unlikely to me.

13 Feb 2018 18:00:49
Navas is far and away better than anything we have, I don’t know what you’re talking about kloppo. Karius still has a lot to do to prove himself. Hopefully he’ll get the remainder of the season and all it’s games to prove that but navas is one of the best keepers in the world and has won so much with Madrid. He’ll go straight in if he was to come now, and it’s delusional to suggest otherwise.

13 Feb 2018 18:25:21
Why would you persist with Gomez at RB? He has been dreadful in that role so far. Offers nothing going forward and often we play like 3 at the back. We need a new RB in the summer and it’s essential for the style Klopp plays.

We need a new LB more than ever. He was beaten all over against saints and they kept attacking our flanks. I am not sure what game did you watch. Robbo might be a nice lad but he can’t cross, can’t dribble, can’t shoot and can’t defend. We have no width whatsoever with those two!

We will have a new GK for sure and it looks like Navas might be coming in.

Our weakes area bar GK is full backs!

13 Feb 2018 18:27:08
I'd like to see matip Clyne and mignolet to go. Gomez and Trent right back is good for now, they are both young, but maybe klopp sees Gomez as a CB next season. If so a right back may be purchased but would be a step back for Trent, unless we sign someone around 28-30. Id like Karius to do well and prove he can be our number one.

Left backs will stay as is in my opinion.

CB as I said matip out, can't stand him any more. Klavan would be good fourth choice, and if we sign one CB that will do me, but I'd like to see a settled middle three anyway. Kind of like Spurs, try and build a strong core and rotate your full backs.

13 Feb 2018 18:26:59
I didn't forget Clyne, i just can't see him getting back in the squad. Gomez and Arnold are better already and Clyne genuinely just isn't that good.

I am with Kman92 on Navas. People are acting as though he is a bad keeper. He won back to back Champions Leagues with Real Madrid!

He's no Buffon or DDG, but he is still a great keeper and better than Karius is currently. I do hope Karius takes the season by storm though and cements the No.1 role. I just can't see it. He is still young though and will be a good back up to Navas for a few seasons, by which time he might be good enough to take the shirt back. It's easy to forget that keepers play until they are 40, and Karius is about 24/ 25.

13 Feb 2018 19:07:38
Baby Driver, you're asking too much.
We have Robertson and have Moreno, so we'd need to sell one and one will drop to the bench which could cause some grumps.

You'll also need to sell Clyne and take game time away from TAA and Gomez.

And then also adding a new 1st choice GK will mean trying to sell our other keepers and hoping 1 will be happy watching from the bench.

I don't think it's realistic to expect so much change to the back in this window. Maybe one good experienced keeper to work with Karius and maybe an experienced CB. Got to be careful not to go to crazy!

13 Feb 2018 19:26:54
Kman, the point I was making wasn't about whether Navas was better than Karius (not sure we can judge Karius properly still), it was that I think it would be silly to bring Navas in to be our number 1. He may be better than Karius but I think we should aim for someone better if we are replacing Karius. It seems unlikely that we are going to replace Karius, therefore it seems silly to bring in Navas. He is not good enough to fairly depose Karius and perhaps too good to sit on the bench.

Maybe we're going to drive a dump truck full of money up to his house? He's not made of stone.

13 Feb 2018 19:38:08
Agreed George. Harry is advocating a new keeper, new centre back, 2 new full backs and I'll bet he wants a new DM too. You can't change 5 out of the back 6 in one window!

Gomez is just fine at right back. He has not been awful at all. He's been very good aside from about 3 occasions where he lost flight of a ball over his head. Down to the coaches to help him iron that one major weakness out. Might as well sack Klopp now if he can't improve a 20 year old with as much natural talent as Gomez.

I agree Robertson isn't fantastic, but whilst he looked bad against Saints, i remember people going nuts about him after he ruined Raheem Sterling in the City game. So nuts that i was one of the few voices of reason!

Robbo is also still a young player adapting to a new club. Let's not forget he only broke into the team at the start of December when Moreno got injured. Far too early to go replacing him. Our coaches need to do their jobs and coach the players they asked for, first and foremost! Navas and a solid right sided centre back will sort a lot of our problems in my opinion.

13 Feb 2018 19:46:51
We need a first choice keeper and another first choice centre back. I think we are sorted at right back but a left back would be nice although probably not a priority.

13 Feb 2018 20:47:08
George
I am sorry but if you want to challenge the title then changes has to be made and keep the sentiments and emotions in the back pocket. We struggle to beat teams that park the bus mainly coz we have no width thanks to our current fullbacks! I am one hundred percent sure, Klopp would buy two full backs in the summer and I don’t know who goes to the bench and who moves out!

Moreno is a very very poor footballer and Robertson is championship level at his very best. Gomez is a CB while TAA is atleast an year or two from starting place!
It doesn’t matter how many you add every other places but if you have no width then you don’t break the bus! Simple! Klopp will want to improve from where we are currently and two obvious weak links are full backs!

13 Feb 2018 20:50:05
I think Navas is better than Karius, but I won't go for him. If we're going to replace Karius, it should be with someone on Alisson, DDG, Never level.
Karius'ceiling might be higher than Navas. We won't know until he plays consistently.
A right back and a centre back to come in. Clyne, Klavan and one of Matip/ Lovren to leave IMO. If we sign a left back, I expect Moreno to leave, but I believe we'll focus on right and centre.

13 Feb 2018 21:29:37
Clyne will be sold.

13 Feb 2018 22:33:00
MK which of our defenders have the coaches improved, that’s my concern. Lovren and Matip as poor as ever. Moreno 3 to 4 years here and got a handful of good games out of him. Clyde just ok, never improved at the club. TAA and Gomez though both still young seems to make the same mistakes constantly.
Maybe it’s better defensive coaches we need before we splash 100million plus on new defenders? Just a thought.

13 Feb 2018 23:08:34
Can't believe people don't rate clyne he is very reliable an done a good job shame he going to leave.

13 Feb 2018 23:31:46
Sorry but there is no way that Navas is better than Karius, he’s as bad as Claudio Bravo, it’s almost as if you guys don’t actually watch these players! There is a reason that Madrid are desperate to get shot of him and it’s becayse he costs them too many matches either with an absolute howler or because he just lacks the physical attributes and the ability when it matters, personally I think it would spending money very badly, we’d be better off sticking with Karius and Ward then bringing in a third more experienced keeper than wasting good money on Navas.

13 Feb 2018 23:39:24
Is there genuine interest In Keylor Navas? I hadn’t seen anything relating to him before this prediction Adam.

14 Feb 2018 00:18:03
I like Robinson, some of the comments i think a bit harsh, every player has a bad games. He was able to keep sterling in his pocket, and city and sterling have been having a top season. If he can find that form week in week out he's far greater than championship level if you ask me. He just needs to be able to take his level up to that and stay as consistent as possible.

I think he's doing a decent job so far, having to wait until he gets his chance.

I don't think we should sell clyne just from an experience point of view, TAA is learning and doing a good job all in all so far, you can't expect the finished article and I think if he has a poor game or needs to be taken out of the spotlight a bit seeing as so many fans seem so quick to start ripping on their own teams players after one bad game. Even with the criticism you should still want your own players to do well. So having the option of putting clyne in would be nice still. Not saying he is the best defender but it gives us an option, as I'd rather have gomez as a CB along side VVD, He would learn a lot and i think he's mroe suited to CB than RB.

14 Feb 2018 00:49:08
I think LB is in decent shape, Robbo has done reasonably well defensively, and while he can improve going forward, he’s shown in his first game he’s capable of getting in behind and putting in a good delivery. I think he’s a solid long term prospect and we need someone like that at LB. Moreno is a more than capable challenger.

LCB I think we’re fine with VVD and Klavan as backup

RCB I would like to see Gomez and Lovren challenging each other next year and Matip move on. If Lovren keeps making errors in the second half of the season then we may need to replace him too for a first team quality RB, but I think hopefully next to VVD and with his head right he’s a capable defender, and Gomez is a more than capable deputy as he grows into the long term solution.

RB, TAA is a great young player but we need a new first choice that can play if Gomez is transitioned to RCB. I’d ideally like to see someone able to play both sides.

Goal Keeper is tough. I think it’ll depend on Karius but I’m guessing Ward and Migs move on an Karius gets to compete with the new incoming. Personally I hope it’s Allison, as another debateable first teamer just destabilizes Karius without solving the problem. If Karius performs this year I’d be fine with it being Ward as backup but I suspect he’ll want to move after this season. We then need a ‘mature’ backup at no.3 who is fine to sit on the bench and pass on his wisdom. I would it to be Reina.

14 Feb 2018 10:32:08
I seem to be the only one who likes clyne. He is solid, not flash like walker, taa or even moreno, but steady. Like Hendo and gini, they do the basics well and he knows when to attack that right flank. He is our only true rb, taa and gomez are both being played out of position.

I think we have 5 decent cbs, I kinda like the rotation. Klopp picks the cbs he thinks are best suited to opposition. Matip can be poor, but don't forget, he has so been brilliant. We forget that. Klavan was Playing out of his skin before Xmas. We saw why klopp liked him. Just took a while to settle I think.

13 Feb 2018 21:23:02
VVD and Lovren. The 100 mil defensive partnership!

14 Feb 2018 10:35:44
I agree, I think Joe Gomez is much much better at CB. Plays there for England but not Liverpool. Remember he was one of 25 players to be nominated for the golden boy competition. Dom Solanke was nominated. Joe wasn't nominated for his attacking flair (which is what you need at rb) he was nominated for his defensive qualities. Klopp is clever though and is protecting the kid. If he had a poor game at cb then maybe another poor game people might start to get on his back about it, demand that he be dropped, top flight career over, off to west brom. That's a bit dramatic, but you get my meaning.

The thing with having taa at right back is he is still quite thin, he'd need to bulk up a little bit. I just know he is going to be top class.

14 Feb 2018 10:36:11
Either trent makes the rb position his own (which I don't thing he wants to. His future is further up the field) or Clyne comes back and has gone up a notch. Clyne is OK but not the most exciting Player. I think we might buy a rb in the summer. Let's see how Karius does for the rest of the season before we start calling for navas. If Karius flunks I would be very happy to sign navas though.

14 Feb 2018 12:27:24
Move Gomez to CB, sell Clyne and buy another RB to compete with TAA.
Sell matip.
Sell Moreno and buy a new LB to compete with Robbo.
Give Karius till the end of the season. if he hasn’t done the business sign Alisson.

On top of that if we can bring in a DM and another forward that would be a brilliant summer for me.

5 new signings max.

14 Feb 2018 14:52:09
Navas is a flapper and poor on crosses. If we are going to bring in a keeper to take Karius' spot, it better be one that is much better than him, not one who is marginally better nor one who is inferior to him at crosses.

13 Feb 2018 15:59:13
{Ed's Note - Park3lung has posted a new article entitled, Jose Mourinho is not getting the best out of the Manchester United team

13 Feb 2018 16:49:17
Is anyone seriously still surprised that it is all falling apart at a club after 18 months of Mourinho? 🤔 this is what he does. He spends, he wins, he causes problems, he leaves. The cycle normally takes 36 months but he's obviously doubled his efficiency.

13 Feb 2018 17:49:40
I didn't read the article but I would say that Mourinho has in fact overachieved at Man u. Two trophies and currently still second in the prem despite a lack of quality throughout their squad. Having Superman in goals us also helpful.

13 Feb 2018 18:43:06
Yes MK, lose away to Newcastle and its all falling apart, second in the league, still in the FA Cup and CL Last 16, the horror😮😮.

13 Feb 2018 19:45:21
Isn't this a Liverpool page. For £500m spent it's laughable how far behind City, Utd are.

13 Feb 2018 19:52:57
Scholes have you watched your side lately mate? You we're actually Inna title race 10 games ago, and you were so far head of third place that people were saying the two Manchester clubs would dominate for years.

Fast forward to today and you've been knocked out the cup by lower league opposition, dropped so far behind City that the title race is over, and are now only 4 points ahead of 5th. You are 4th or 5th in the form table over the last 10 games.

Spurs and Liverpool will over take you, but i think you'll just edge out Chelsea and Arsenal who are in a bigger mess.

Jose is talking rubbish already and slagging off his players. If you can't see that the United train has derailed, you are hiding from the truth. You have capitulated and every 10 minutes your fans are posting on here about how the whole squad is average. It looks like a club in turmoil from the outside. Your league position which is 100% owed to your good start, is fooling nobody. Spurs beat you without breaking into a sweat and they had to dive 3 times to scrape a point off of us. Newcastle didn't just beat you. They out plates you, and significantly.

13 Feb 2018 20:45:43
Enjoy being second Scholes! Honestly dude, savour it. Cos we are breathing down you neck. We are coming, salah and mane, storming through your shoddy defence. Can't wait for old trafford, Jose will probably just stall the game as per usual but I can see salah just slipping past Jones and leaving ddg no chance.

13 Feb 2018 23:34:51
Looking forward to it Salah, reckon we'll have you at Old Trafford🤝.

14 Feb 2018 03:53:02
Rather do the bold talking once we overtake manU in the table. for now we're a spectular to watch yet flawed football club that for all its attacking splendour and supposed positivity has been out performed by manU so far. bring on old trafford, would love for Klopp to finally get that win over there! (He not won there yet aye? )

14 Feb 2018 10:31:54
Good post MK.

13 Feb 2018 12:12:44
I'd love Liverpool to step forward now with a coaching opportunity for Ryan mason. 26 and retired poor lad. He will be great to work with the kids, maybe alongside Stevie. Maybe make them value the position there in!

13 Feb 2018 12:29:21
It would be a nice gesture, but can he coach? Does he even want to? He may just turn to punditry at a young age like Jenas did. He'll have no shortage of options either way. He'll probably end up as an ambassador for Spurs or Hull initially.

13 Feb 2018 12:40:37
Don't get me wrong, i feel bad for the guy. It must have been absolutely terrifying what happened and by all accounts he has worked very hard to try and get back to playing, so kudos to him.

However, we can't lose sight of the fact that this guy was earning every week what some people would struggle to earn in a year. He has been incredibly privileged to do what he did, he played a sport where there is always the chance of a serious, career ending or even life threatening injury, and he got rewarded handsomely for doing so.

I really do hope he has no long lasting problems as a result of the injuries as no one deserves that, but let's not hold him up as some disadvantaged "poor lad", when he has had a career (even at only 26) that millions of young kids would kill for.

All the best in the future to Ryan Mason in whatever he chooses to do. If anything this serves to show how dangerous the sport can be through no fault of anyone.

13 Feb 2018 12:43:11
Can anyone coach? got to learn. And a lot of the time if not all the time the very best coaches are people who didn't make it as players due to the fire they have to make it in the game. Ryan is very very young in terms of starting coaching. He s been under poch who is a brilliant coach. Think it would be brilliant myself.

13 Feb 2018 13:00:09
Coaching is a skill in it's own right. I've played for a manager who never kicked a ball in anger, who was a fantastic coach. I've also played for a manager who had trials with Man United before he suffered a career ending ankle break, who literally didn't have a clue about anything to do with the technical side of football.

Playing at a good level doesn't make Mason a worthy coach. Besides, if we're handing out coaching contracts to players who had to retire early and have no coaching experience, Daniel Agger Is at the top of my list anyway!

I like Mason. He seems like a good, honest bloke. If he fancies a coaching career, I'm not against us offering him a trial run in the younger age groups. He needs to do his badges first though, regardless.

13 Feb 2018 14:14:02
OP, why should we be the ones to step forward for Mason? Spurs is his boyhood club and he's their product. They should be the ones to approach him first and not us, IMO. As MK said, have we offered Dagger or Xabi a coaching role yet? If not then why are we bothering to do that for a non LFC retiree? It's up to Spurs to do what is right and approach him first. If any young retiree should get a coaching role, it should be one of ours who has contributed to the growth of LFC first and foremost. Btw, you can't just do such a thing for publicity purposes as that makes no sense or whatever else. There are a whole lot of things to consider first.

13 Feb 2018 14:27:46
Because it's show we still have a heart and will help our fellow man when there down.

He is also someone who had his career ended before it started. Our young players having that around them will be worthy of him being there alone.

He is on only 26 and could come in and work within our academy, working with our already fantasticly stacked coaching department.

And your taking a chance that hey maybe he could be a very good coach. If he doesn't what have you lost?

The bitterness of why should we is appalling. The lads career has just ended and as a football community together every club should out there hand out for him. The same as they should be made by law to find every dropped academy player a Job. Footballers are becoming canon fodder and it would be nice for Liverpool to start a small change to that.

13 Feb 2018 15:07:16
Footballers are not becoming cannon fodder. They are grossly overpaid footballers with luxuries you and i could only dream of, so let's keep it real. While i agree with your sentiment the club can't be handing out coaching jobs because a certain footballer has retired very early. I would guess that Spurs or Hull will look after him as MK had already stated.

13 Feb 2018 17:00:18
Ryan mason has “earned” more money than you’ll see in your lifetime and will no doubt get a payout from his injury ending his career. He doesn’t need our sympathy or a nice gesture handed to him on a plate. He might need a challenge, he might need a rest, he might need some time with the family or he might need a carer but he doesn’t need a token gesture from a club he has no affiliation with. Maybe spurs of hull will be on the phone to offer him a role with their u18s as you suggest and waste a role on the coaching team. Imagine you’re a coach at lfc perhaps of the u16s and you’ve worked your arse of for a promotion and some rich bloke whose not even qualified gets the job because he’s ill?

13 Feb 2018 17:22:08
My football career was also cut short, can I get a coaching job at Liverpool?

13 Feb 2018 17:28:46
Footballers who offer nothing to the current side our 110% cannon fodder. They will just bin off an 18 year old without a worry of if he has anything to do for the rest of his life. Wether he is set up.

Your only ever interested in money. I suppose your on the side of why should they have any mental health problems there rich.

Mason is 26 and his job and career has just ended. Forget what else he can do or what money he has, he can't play football anymore and its a sad day when a player can retire after a full career at 35, let alone 26 and also not played since he was 25.

The point isn't about money or handouts. It's about being there for another human being who could now turn to other stuff like drink or drugs, begin suffering with depression and saying there is always a door open for you here.

It doesn't matter where he played or where his loyalty lie, it's about him knowing there are opportunities to continue doing part of what he loves.

He could well reject the opportunity but I'm more interested in Liverpool as a club and city starting to show some more compassion and that ranges from a little email to masons agent about coming and coaching our kids to helping Liverpool communities.

What a true joke some fans our. You don't deserve to support this club.

13 Feb 2018 18:17:54
The only people who should be coaches at LFC are people who are great at coaching. If our kids of current players want a chat with an experienced ex-pro, they have Gerrard and countless other ex players on speed dial. What's happened to Mason is horrible but let's face it - there are countless players whose injuries cancelled their career, almost all of them being much worse off than Mason who had half a career as a top level pro earning a weekly wage what many would hope to earn in a year, he doesn't need charity to get him through this difficult time. If he wants to immediately jump into coaching, there are hundreds of thousands of grassroots projects that need someone with real experience and who isn't desperately in need of payment to work - he can jump into one of them (pending DBS check) with pleasure. If he wants to coach at the top level, go get your coaching badges and prove you're decent at it.

13 Feb 2018 18:19:18
Nailed it BR. Keeping all the respect and dignity for the lad why on earth should we offer him a role?

13 Feb 2018 18:22:11
Sadly brover is right.

13 Feb 2018 18:28:38
Sure he's a nice guy. not sure that warrants a job.

13 Feb 2018 19:33:18
I don’t understand. Has he applied for a job at LFC?
Is it possible that he might not want to coach?

I think we need to let the lad decide his own destiny without forcing him to coach our players 😄
He has plenty of opportunities and will be fianancially secure for life. He might want to work with charity, go back into education or become a road sweeper, at the end of the day it’s his choice not ours 🤝.

13 Feb 2018 08:37:59
Is anyone else absolutely buzzing for us playing Champions League (proper) again tomorrow for the first time since about 2008/ 09?

I know we've been in the group stages a couple if times since then (once under Rafa and once under Dalglish) but the group stages just are not the same no matter what anyone says! Games against Lyon, Ludogorets, Basel, Maribor, Spartak etc. The only really big European opposition we've had this decade have been Real Madrid and Rodgers deliberately threw the game!

Tomorrow night, we are back baby! A proper slugging fest over two legs! The biggest club in Portugal and former Champions league winners, Porto! I absolutely cannot wait for this. I'm like a kid before Christmas! Like a dog before a walk! Like a girl before Valentines day!

COME ON LIVERPOOL!

(heads up lads, it is actually Valentines day tomorrow for anyone caught up in the CL hype like myself. Don't forget a card and some chocolate. Let a mate know; save a life this February)

13 Feb 2018 09:11:26
love it! Wednesday nights. must admit a bit nervous too. i think though 'mosadberto salmamino' will tame the dragao.

13 Feb 2018 09:13:55
Once under Rodgers, not Dalglish*.

13 Feb 2018 09:23:30
brilliant lol save a life this February, sadly for me my missus worked out my plan and now has us fully booked in for a meal in town.

13 Feb 2018 09:24:07
Should add as well that i meant in the CL only in terms of big European opposition.

Dortmund, Atletico Madrid, Napoli and Man United in the Europa league were all pretty Special too, but it just feels different in the top competition. More special!

13 Feb 2018 09:38:36
My thoughts and prayers are with you Johncrow 😭.

13 Feb 2018 10:06:43
cheers mate
I only have myself to blame I started coughing and shivering to late to escape.

13 Feb 2018 10:41:57
cheer for me aswell guys, i also have a table booked. the exact same time as the game.
im going to cheer in my mind while im resting my eyes on my gorgeus girl.

we will win by the way, 0-3.

13 Feb 2018 10:47:16
When you say resting your eyes on your gorgeous girl, you mean the TV behind her head in the pub-diner you chose for it's "historic feel and romantic atmosphere", right?

13 Feb 2018 11:26:27
the singles vehemently disagree with your post MK.

13 Feb 2018 11:35:33
Seems like all the single vehemently disagree with you post MK.

13 Feb 2018 11:46:37
I cannot believe some of you guys are missing the game for a meal out. Get your £20 meal deal from Tesco, give her the Champagne and send her up to bed to wait for you once the game is over!

13 Feb 2018 12:06:49
I find not letting mates know is a great laugh come Thursday.

I'm so pumped for this and so glad it's a beatable opponent as well - can't shake the feeling that if we had drawn someone like PSG we'd have been out like a light, but with the confidence of survive a knockout round we'll have a reasonable (if slim) chance against anyone! First things first though, Karius and VVD have to start paying attention 10 minutes before the game and only start switching off 10 minutes after the final whistle. If they do, they'll drag everyone else along with them at the back and our front lads will do the damage.

13 Feb 2018 12:02:14
Sorry MK, that won't be possible. its some fine ass Michelin-guide place, doubt they'll show the game :'/.

13 Feb 2018 12:11:08
Luckily for me, my Mrs is more of a pancake day fan, than she is a Valentines day fan. So I've postponed date night to Saturday. Result 👍🏻.

13 Feb 2018 13:44:54
My mrs is working in London tomorrow and had to give me the 'I'm sorry I'm unavailable for valentines day' speech. let's just say I enjoyed the grovelling and didn't mention that we are playing 😉 A very rare win win situation!

13 Feb 2018 18:11:56
"Like a girl before Valentines Day". Gross. 🤢.

13 Feb 2018 18:23:37
1 day of the year I'm not gutted to be single. I can watch all the poor casanovas heading out for dinner when all they wanna do is get stuck into ucl. I share mks sentiments, I am buzzing for the game. Someone suggested Southampton was the bigger and more important game, that just sounds silly now.

Porto are no pushover, I don't know much about them atm but they are always there or there abouts. Portugal are the Kings of Europe too. I fancy a 2 0, 2 1 to us on the first leg, mane will score a screamer and his confidence will come flooding back, right in time to steer lfc to a ucl title.

13 Feb 2018 02:24:11
Honestly speaking I can't believe utd are second with how they play. and Sanchez what a miss. it's even worse than Sterling's. sterling didn't have time this guy had so much. ed01.Ur opinion.

{Ed001's Note - on what?}

13 Feb 2018 08:46:32
what we shouldn't believe is Liverpool are still third after playing so good most of the matches and scoring for fun. what Manchester clubs do shouldn't be our concern. what is my concern is despite united playing so bad as claimed by many, Liverpool are still behind them.
Are we winning at Old Stafford come march? are we equipped to annihilate there parked bus?
despite playing well for most of the season, we still are third and that inconsistency in defense concerns me. Not least bothered about how united are doing.

13 Feb 2018 09:22:19
Could be because the mancs had DDG saving them at least 10 points upto now while we had Butterfingers Migs costing us points. Swap the two Gks around and we would be closer to City while Utd would be slogging it out with Arsenal for 5th place.

13 Feb 2018 09:57:29
Livebird, what has your opinion on Utd have to do with Sterling having time or not or where, exactly?

13 Feb 2018 12:05:32
Sanchez will be the reason they will stay inside top 4.

13 Feb 2018 12:07:52
Well, if Chelsea have returned to form just in time and we take care of our business this weekend, we won't be third anymore!

13 Feb 2018 13:51:54
Hjikle. it's the fa cup this weekend so we won't be taking care of any business on the pitch 😩.

13 Feb 2018 18:15:21
I am sorry Indian, take out Bobby and Salah and we will be closer to Everton than City. All this “ take out him” is pure nonsense. Our midfield is bang average and our defense give us heart attack week in week out!
We are looking at a possible of 6 incomings in the summer window which shows we aren’t even close to 50% of a complete team! Except city all others are relying heavily on one or two! That’s a fact!

13 Feb 2018 18:21:16
Well that just depressed me TIA19. Next weekend / time we play then!

13 Feb 2018 18:24:39
Utd won't park the bus at Old Trafford. There would be riots. It will be a draw if Jose bottles it or we will tear them apart if they try to play football.

14 Feb 2018 08:13:49
He parked the bus at Old Trafford last time out. No reason he won’t do it again as he’s too scared to lose.