Liverpool Banter Archive February 14 2015

 

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14 Feb 2015 21:30:21
Another great performance, great character from coming behind and great team spirit. Great to see players like Mignolet, Sakho, Can, Lallana, Henderson, Allen, Markovic, Moreno and Ballotelli all receiving positive comments from the times before when they were slated when they started playing for us. This is a young team growing all the time. This season was always going to be more difficult playing more games so more players were required but we are moving in the right direction and that is credit to BR, whether ed01 likes this or not I don't care. its a marathon not a sprint in a season so let's see where we are at the end of season before prematurely dismissing this team.

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You can give BR credit but only if you give him credit for our abysmal start as well. He's helped move us up the table but he's also the reason we are so far down it to begin with.

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14 Feb 2015 21:26:43
Good win, very happy for the boys. Hopefully the draw is kind to us and United and Arsenal draw each other in the quarters :)

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14 Feb 2015 21:41:44
Boro is on excellent run mate, And I don't see Arsenal easing pass them. They deserve to beat City last time.
I expect another close surprise there.

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14 Feb 2015 20:01:58
I do not rate Allen. Not quite as much as Mr Dennis but do think oh no when I see him on. But today he was great and controlled that midfield.

Great to see Mario smile and showed he is not disruptive in the dressing room.

Mignolet had another good game and made some good saves and punches. His kicking is still not very accurate but everything else was spot on.

Can not wait until we see Ibe, Sterling, Coutinho and Sturridge together.

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14 Feb 2015 22:23:07
Allen grew in confidence as the game went on. In the first half he was his usual self, he'd make a pass then run off as if he was scared to be in possession. He has done that a lot since he arrived at the club. However, in the second half you could see he became more comfortable on the ball and was happy to receive it. He is supposed to be a playmaker, and needs pass the ball and make him self instantly available for the return pass. I don't like to see him pass and run. If he can stick to his job role he will grow in confidence, and who knows how good he can be?

I was pleased with Balotelli. Rodgers has a thing with leaving players out until they appreciate their place in the team. He looks to have changed his attitude and now seems happier on the pitch. I didn't agree with us signing him, but I am happy to have him as long as he is willing to work hard and put the club first instead of himself.

Red Rum

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I wasn't convinced by Allen in the first half, seemed to be lacking any penetration or presence moving forwards. Every time he got the ball, went for a simple sideways or backwards pass so we struggled to create much from midfield. Hendo looked far more likely to break them down. In the second half he played a much better game though, and ball started moving quicker and pulling people out of position, but would still rather have seen Can moved to centre midfield as you always expect him to do something with the ball at his feet.

One other area I think we could improve though was the way the wing backs both struggled to provide much danger. Every time it went wide, it came straight back and neither Moreno or Markovic showed any intent to get around the outside or play the give and go. Llalana looked much more dangerous out wide when he got a run there and I think that could be a great option for him. We need to mix it up every now and again from wing back position and run at them or knock it in behind or we risk becoming a bit predictable.

Well done to Balo and Llalana who I think looked dangerous and committed in the second half, and Migs has had an outstanding few games and played a big part in the run we've had!

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Sometimes a simple sideways pass or backward pass is the right pass.
We have other players who pick the lock, we also need players of Allen's type.
He had a great game for me.
I still think he is playing for his future at the club though.
But he stepped up a level yesterday

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I'm no fan of Allens, seems to me our worst regular player and totally fails at the job he's supposed to do. Yesterday was a better game for Joe, but only half a game as mentioned by everyone. Even the second half display although good, as a team we were so in control and lived in their half no wonder Allen looked relaxed. The times Palace did break I never saw him chase anyone down and win back posession. Did I miss one time?

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14 Feb 2015 19:49:22
Mario made big difference second half

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14 Feb 2015 20:01:18
Agreed, Sturridge was marked out completely in the First half and bringing on another striker sorted that problem.
But I still couldn't get Y Markovic?

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I thought he was excellent tonight bar a few stray shots.what a diff a goal makes .saying that he isn't a good fit for the team and I'd still get rid at the end of the season.

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Mario can definitely do a job for us. He can replace Stevie's free kicks. And he seems to link up well with studge.

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Have to agree hopefully the penny has dropped I've always said needs a run and hopefully now can be a success.
also joe alen maybe he needs the same one thing here is when gerrard not in the team allen plays well

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Irish

Mate I am not sure how isn't he fit with the system?

We tried to score the perfect pass and move goal in tech first half with all our creative players involved and we were unsuccessful

Man UTD dominated English football with two wingers, Paul Scholes and two strikers upfront.

There is no system if you could cut back some crosses to the 6 yard box given one of Mario or Sturridge is inside.

They system BR actually played in the first half of the season has cost us the top 4 already.

Are you trying to say We should continue the system.

If it's about high pressing, Then like Ed01 said other day apart from Henderson I have hardly seen people pressing high.

Just my opinion mate.

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Mike, he's had a run of games and plenty of them for that matter.

I hear an argument that he requires a second striker alongside him, but he struggled on his own because he didn't run, he sulked and he was lazy.

Yes, there's a slight improvement, but Borini still offers much more, even if he isn't good enough in some people's eyes.

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I mean his mentality. Fine he had pressed the last few games but his attitude up to this has been shocking. I like him to be honest but I just don't see him tracking back and closing people down when we're at places like burnley, palace, etc and chasing a point.rodgers won't play two up front since Suarez has left, which I think he has shown he needs

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Best fans, Palace defended in numbers for many periods of the game.

Two goals is a moderate achievement considering the circumstances i.e Cup game, away with a brick wall in front of the players.

Palace couldn't get out of their own half!!

That indicates a strong pressing game to me.

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14 Feb 2015 21:40:40
Davey

Disagree mate. Just have a re-look, Palace sat deep and allowed us to play only to counter attack (Surprising though
We never pressed them or chased them.
They made us narrow and we never used our width, ( Moreno had no influence in the first half and so does Markovic )

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14 Feb 2015 19:42:07
Still can't stop laughing at Moreno's dance moves, one of the funniest things iv seen in ages.

Take a bow son, brilliant

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14 Feb 2015 20:47:27
He has been doing it all week in training i have been told, i agree its very funny.

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Theres a video on the lfc website of him trying it in training! Believe it or not, today was an improvement!
I love our young players, they seem to get on so well!

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Ricky Gervais has a rival.
So funny but it shows the team spirit as well.

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14 Feb 2015 19:35:45
Both come in for a lot of criticism, but good performances from Joe Allen and Mario Balotelli. Good result.

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14 Feb 2015 20:14:56
Totally agree there and Mignolet's starting to show why we bought him in the first place!

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Yes I must say Allen showed similar touch and composer as he did when he has been most impressive for us. He still makes the odd slack pass and late tackle here and there but after that performance I suddenly feel somewhat reassured that we can continue as we have in the absence of Lucas.

Balotelli suddenly looks a dependable figure like one of the senior players, no doubt because he has less pressure on him 1. with Sturridge back and 2. with the whole team playing with confidence. They aren't looking to just get the ball to the striker at all costs anymore the attacking play is more meaningful. Same can be said about Mignolet much better decision making, he still needs proper competition though.

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16 Feb 2015 15:49:26
Sorry but I take issue with you on Allen, he looked awful in the first half when we were being pressured, made no tackles, bottled making tackles that needed to be made and was easily knocked off of the ball. As for the second half, he played better but that's hardly saying much, if he plays in games against decent opposition, we will lose and concede soft goals, like the first half against palace and like we did against Spurs with Gerrard in that position.

There is only one player who can play in that position other than Lucas and that's Can, Allen shouldn't be a starter in any circumstance, as he isn't good enough.

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14 Feb 2015 19:34:19
Moreno needs to stop dancing.

It reminded me of me Granddad who still thinks he's got the moves.

His brain wanted to do it, but the arms and legs just didn't coordinate.

He'd be ripped on strictly!

Leave it to Sturridge, lad, leave it to Sturridge.

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It was funny, good to see, a bit of old fashioned team spirit!

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It would be interesting after Moreno scores.

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Agree Fencey.

The partnership requires a bit of work though.

Maybe Colin Pascoe could incorporate some dance sessions for team bonding.

Melwood would come alive!

Imagine a goal celebration with the full team finely tuned to dance to PSY Gangnam style Chorus?

Moreno can stand at the back though.

Nice

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Like that Icelandic team, check them mout on YouTube! The fishing one and the pregnancy one, are particularly clever!

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15 Feb 2015 05:19:52
For those that don't know, Moreno was doing the Sturridge dance during training whilst jogging with Ibe and Sakho laughing, Sturridge turned around and caught wind of this and Moreno did it again and it caused more laughs, so they (Sturridge and Moreno) decided to do it together the next time Sturridge scored.

The Thursday or Friday training video is on YouTube to check out. Great bit of banter

Video title : "Alberto Moreno attempts to recreate Daniel Sturridge's celebration dance"

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14 Feb 2015 19:23:41
There is nothing more Emre Can could do on a football pitch.
What a player.

Passion over anything.

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I'm getting the childlike optimism over the lad.

Very early, I know, but he's simply brilliant to watch at times.

He moves well for a big lad too.

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A rolls royce of a player. For a big unit he has a knack a glideing past players at ease.

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He's going to shine when given a run in midfield.
Is anybody still worried Gerrard is going?

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14 Feb 2015 21:44:18
Yes Mikey ( Smiles )
Gerrard would never be replaced, You could only players to the team.
And under BR I can't see Can moving into Midfield ( Sad part )

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14 Feb 2015 19:10:52
I just love watching the development of Henderson, the balls he perfectly kicks into the 18 are magical!

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Unfortunately the balls he regularly kicks straight to the opposition are not so magical.

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14 Feb 2015 17:54:20
Hi eds, I don't know if you have thought about it, or how difficult it would be, but what about a live chat page during games?
Would stop all the repetitive posts about Allen playing poorly and so on.

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{Ed001's Note - the intention is to add a live chat feed on the pages in the future.}

Harry scousser = john motson

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14 Feb 2015 20:03:59
Adam, Change in every every second.

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14 Feb 2015 17:35:22
Stoke City cannot handle pacy attacks and cannot wait for the final game of the season when they hopefully come up against our front 3 of Sturridge, Sterling & Ibe.

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14 Feb 2015 16:06:23
If lfc will not go for a good player such Lacazette, I will expect to go for a wrong option player like Borini.

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{Ed002's Note - It is not as simple as that.}

15 Feb 2015 00:57:32
Who's to say Lazazette would be the hit we all seem to think he would be? I remember when probably at the time, regarded as one of the best strikers in the world, Andriy Shevchenko moved to Chelsea and just never found his feet.

Transfer fee and reputation doesn't always guarantee success.

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14 Feb 2015 13:17:25
Well thoughts on rest ofthe season rregarding ibe. Mainly what do we do in weeks like this. iknow he ccan'tplay today but say any week we have 2 premier league games and a eEuropaleague game when do you play him?

All 3 might be too much too soon for a young lad.

Europa league possibly good experience of European football with less pressure than cl a good stepping stone (obviously we needto get back Iin cl)

finally premier league to most the most important competition this season andgetting that top 4 so do we keep him for this or a mix of the lot ttaking it game by game. obviously injuries suspensions form couldforce anything to happen but Iina ideal world what do you think is best for him and lLiverpool? ?

Ed 01 if you'reaaroundwwouldn'tmind your oopinion seeing as you alwayshave a sstrong opinion one or the other it seems when regarding youth ;)

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{Ed001's Note - I would start him in at least one of the games, probably two. Defo play him in the Europa, the Prem I would decide after having a look at the opposition team and seeing how vulnerable they are to his pace and skill.}

Ed how do you think we'll approach the Europa? We've all seen teams struggle with Thursday-Weekend game combos. Do you reckon we'll play the majority of our so called starting 11 in the Europa games?

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{Ed001's Note - I would expect the players to be assessed on a game by game basis to see how they are fitness wise. That is the usual thing, with Sterling and Lucas out and Sturridge needing games to get match fit, there are not a lot of changes we can really make.}

14 Feb 2015 10:31:53
Hi eds what do you think of Sinclair do you think he has what he takes to make it? Can you see us doing what we did with Ibe this year with him next

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{Ed001's Note - potentially excellent player, but he needs some time out on loan at a fairly high level.}

14 Feb 2015 13:12:31
Thanks eds yeh me2 I thinking a top 8 championship club would be perfect

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Derby???

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Derby is a good call, McClaren is a decent coach and they seem to have a good set up.

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I think Derby wil be a mid table premiership team by next season though imo

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14 Feb 2015 10:21:32
Here's sonething pretty unbelievable. If Balotelli gets a goal today he will have scored in the Premier league, FA Cup, League Cup and Champions League for us.

Who was the last player to do that in a single season? Not that it's impressive having a single goal in each competition haha, just wondering how long ago it was someone last managed this.

I have a suspicion it is either Gerrard, Torres, Kuyt or Benayoun from pre 2010.

I think Gerrard might've done it already this season by the way so I'm talking, last player to do it not including this season. It's at least 2011 because we haven't been in the CL!

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The really unbeliveale fact would be that he scored only 1 goal in each competition given that he was fit to play most season.

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14 Feb 2015 12:51:52
Thought you weren't one to sugar coat? ;)
Balotelli has been awful prior to the Spurs game.

Red Rum

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14 Feb 2015 10:18:01
What's the general opinion of Mignolet at the moment? He's improved a hell of a lot recently, and I was wondering whether people would still want to buy a new keeper in the summer if he kept this up until the end of the season?

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Brad Jones is a fine backup keeper.

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Definitely. He is a great shot stopper and he has gotten a lot better at punching the ball and shouting at his defence. He still doesn't claim the ball enough for me though. If a cross hangs in the air anywhere in the area he should be claiming it. His distribution is still poor as well.

I think he has shown that he has the capacity to improve though and we should sign a keeper to compete with him, rather than to outright replace him. I'd like Matt Ryan.

We should learn from our mistake with Pepe Reina. Never let your keeper get comfortable in the thought that he will play no matter how bad the other keepers are.

Hats off to Rodgers because Mingolet's improvements are as a direct result of a) the kick up the bottom he got when he was dropped for Jones and b) Rodgers finally being less stubborn and telling him to just kick it rather than try and play one-two with the defence.

Rodgers gets some stick on here (and rightly so!) so he should get the credit when he makes a good call.

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{Ed001's Note - why would you want Ryan? From what I have seen he is good on the ball but not good at the goalkeeping side of the game. Flashy as hell, but not good at doing the basics right.}

A GK has to be priority for the summer irrespective of Mignolet's performances for the rest of the season. Every team needs 2 competitive GKs to challenge on all fronts and Jones i'm afraid simply is not good enough. Someone like Ryan or Neto who would not cost too much would be ideal to challenge Migs.

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14 Feb 2015 10:45:48
I've forgot his name but just bring up the other keeper we have in academy.

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14 Feb 2015 11:37:19
I've seen all his recent games for Oz Ed001 and he lloks really good. Commands his entire area, great at stopping one on one chances and brilliant reflexes. Like you say, he is renowned for his fancy ball skills and excellent distribution but he does the goalkeeping stuff really well for a young keeper I think. His shot stopping is the main area he needs to improve but he certainly isn't bad. Surely he is better competition for the improved Mingolet than Jones was?

I'd much prefer a keeper like Ter Stegen, Trapp, Cech etc but Ed002 has rubbished our chances of them. Ryan just seems a good alternative.

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{Ed001's Note - he was awful in the Asian Cup, are you sure you watched it? He was making easy saves look spectacular and continually pushed the ball back into dangerous areas. I was really disappointed with him.}

14 Feb 2015 12:52:44
I would say Reina startet every match, not because we had bad back up/ competition, but because he was prob the best GK in the league.

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We have good competition in every department bar the goalkeeper.
I think Mignolet responds to challenges so it could make him even better.

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{Ed002's Note - Sergio Romero is available but probably not an option. Ochoa is available and certainly an option. Fiorentina's Neto is surprisingly perhaps available to sign a pre-contract as his move to Juventus has hit a wall for now - he has been hanging around bars in Rome all week waiting for someone to come and sell their club to him.}

Mignolet's showing he's a decent keeper when he's not brutally exposed the way he was before, that would have been tough for any keeper, but it looks like he's come out the other side of that, he's been on really good form since coming back in. Though that's in no small part to the defence having Lucas to shield them.

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Ha Ed really throwing out the hook line and sinker there looking for a nibble.

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14 Feb 2015 09:05:03
{Ed001's Note - We have posted a new article entitled, Does giant killing weaken the allure of the FA Cup

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14 Feb 2015 06:28:26
What's everyone's opinion Brendan's midweek trip to Rome? Left after the Tottenham game Tuesday with his girl and was spotted taking photos outside the Vatican on Thursday. No Lazio or Roma match so the scouting rumours are wide of the mark. Parma played at home but that's a good 4 hours from Rome. To me, it looks like he has taken his girlfriend on a pre-valentines holiday.

Is that really professional, considering we have big game on Saturday? If he gets results I don't really care about his personal life, he is in a good moment but essentially hasn't got any accolades apart from Champions League qualification (followed by swift exit). There is something really unlikeable about his personality, smile and tan. As my mate Nick would say "That Brendan loves himself"

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As you say, if we win today no one will care, if we don't, this will be one of many excuses. Pascoe said he went 'in a club matter' by the way. Maybe the clube needs some photos of BR near the vatican for its dealings with future Italian prospects.
I personally couldn't care less.

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I'm surprised this doesn't have the comment you should try the conspiracys page! Seriously though this just seems to be i can't moan because we're not losing atm so I'll find something else & the day crystal palace is a 'big game' for us without it being a cup final is the day we've lost it

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{Ed001's Note - rubbish, every game should be a big game to us. Every time Liverpool play it should be the biggest game of that day. If it is not, then you have lost it.}

Owners in town also - is he dodging them ?

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Are you suggesting he should be strapped to his desk at all times?
Maybe a ball gag as well for press conferences.
Maybe You can guess what I'm up to this valentines ;)

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If every game was a big game they'd just be a normal game wouldn't they so that makes no sense. For them it's a big game for us it's a little team away from home I garantee none of our players were looking for the day we go to selhurst in the fixture list where's plenty of their players are Liverpool fans. The reason our fans will be quiet as mice is because it's a nothing game the reason theirs will be extra loud is because it's liverpool. Ideally you treat every game mentally the same but it's impossible

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{Ed001's Note - sorry but I look forward to us playing in any game, doesn't matter who we play or what is at stake. Arrogance like you are displaying is why we have fallen so far, we have stopped treating every game the same, which Paisley would never have allowed.}

So do I but even you have to admit it's not the same as playing a big team eg Chelsea at anfield there's no glam i'm CP away I really get your point that it should be exactly the same but it never is which is why the little teams can beat the big ones they over achieve becasie they're hyped to play Liverpool we under achieve because half our squad hadn't heard of crystal palace till they signed for us!

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{Ed001's Note - and that is why we have gone from being champions more often than not to being also rans. We have forgotten what made us great. We became arrogant.}

A large percentage of post wanted Brendan to go he goes and everyone wants him back !!!

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14 Feb 2015 14:23:12
On that note ed, would you play the same team or change them for cup competitions or games against for 'weaker' teams? Like to see a lot of youth or fringe players in the early round of competitions.

Added to that if we do end up in the Europa league at the end of the season genuinely would be fine playing a second XI in the majority of the group games (normally 2 of the group teams are strong and others less so). Or would you do similar to would athletico/chelsea go for?

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{Ed001's Note - impossible to say, that would depend on the fitness coaches assessment of the players and if they are in need of a break. As much as possible I would prefer to see a settled side, but players like Lallana do need a rest from time to time due to the distance they cover and the way they get kicked all over the park.}

14 Feb 2015 00:44:28
EDs, the Rodgers to Italy trip. Aside from tan topping, is this anything to do with club partnerships? Feeder clubs? Similar to Man Utd and Anderlecht? Chelsea and Vitesse?

Would Rodgers be checking of facilities and set up, if LFC were to send players for long loans?

Just guessing, cause it's unlikely we have £25m to spend on one player

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{Ed001's Note - why would he be dealing with that?}

Having a feeder club in Italy makes little sense too, how many top premier league players come from Italy? And surely Italian clubs would be first choice for these players, teams like vitesse are from, I hate to say it, 'lesser leagues'

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To answer ED, I only guessed as an option. If this was regarding a feeder club, almost all in place awaiting green light, why wouldn't the manager check the feeders academy or coaching facilities? Rodgers is have his style throughout each level at LFC, so would make sense to check what's in place for our products.

To answer fency, not many Italian players have made it in the prem, but players from Serie A have and many are quality just not always Italian. Yes Vitese are lower level, maybe we're trying to have a better level?

As said just guess work if scouting has been ruled out

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{Ed002's Note - Rodgers is there to deal with the first team - and that is it.}

 
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