Liverpool Banter Archive December 15 2014

15 Dec 2014 22:34:37
Everyone wonders why Borini is not being picked. The answer (to my mind) is very simple. During the last Transfer Window Rodgers tried to sell Borini to Sunderland for a very decent price. Borini thought that he had a good chance of success at Anfield and decide to stay. The only way that he will leave is to have NO chance of a game and I believe that Rodgers is not picking him so that he will realise that he has no future and any fee will go towards another striker. On the subject of strikers - Sterling is not in that category. Even his record in the U21 and U18 sides shows 11 goals in 44 appearences is not outstanding. Jerome Sinclair has scored 28 goals in 42 Academy appearences. I think that he should at least have a place on the bench. The likes of Rossiter should also be given that opportunity.

15 Dec 2014 22:57:09
If that's true, does Brendan think he's bigger than the club? In my mind, there were plenty of times Borini could have been used and he wasn't, especially after Brendan praised him after the Real match! He's fit, that we all know, as he's said so on his Twitter account!
We all know Borini is no Messi, but Brendan didn't think Hendo was good enough and now he's given him the vice captainship!

An upteenth case of BR taking his frustration out on a player and benching him all because he wanted to stay and prove he belongs. As nothing is ever his fault, he`ll prob blame the poor boy for our failings in a bid to mask his own.

If that were the case why did he play him earlier in the season if he was so annoyed? he got on the bench when we had all our strikers fit something has obviously happened behind the scenes recently as he had a decent game against Madrid then nothing since. if BR isn't playing him for his own arrogant reasons then I hope he does get sacked, BR bought him, agreed his 60k a week wages ( that's a guess). only one to blame is BR.

I sad it yesterday to Red Rum, and although I'd love these stats to be valid as they prove my point on Sterling, they're irrelevant. For example, did you know 5 of Sterlings 11 goals came in one game against Southend in a 9-0 cup win?

Stats at young ages are markers but cannot be used to predict players futures. Different players develop at different rates. Look at how many goals Neil Mellor, Adam Morgan, Michael Ngoo etc scored in the academy.

Good stats at a young age does not necessarily mean you will be the better player. You have to watch kids carefully and evaluate things like technique, how dedicated they are to training hard, how intelligent they are regarding the game and then you hace to ask yourself "are they really exceptionally talented or are they just more physically developed for tgeir age with regards to pace, power or height?"

15 Dec 2014 21:35:41
If indeed Brendan has 'lost' the dressing room then I think FSG are equally as culpable as the manager and the players for this mess. If there is unrest it should be up to the owners to clean up this sorry mess. They need to show some teeth and speed up this 'consultation' that the club is currently undertaking or appoint an interim manager on a 6 month contract. Stevie Wonder can see that were not any good, we don't play even mildly entertaining football. Where no where in the title race, out of the Champions league and we need to get out of a current malaise with a new man in charge. We don't need an expensive, time consuming audit to figure that out. Let's get someone in who can guide these prima-donas to play for the shirt again. I't sickens me to see my beloved club lose to a make shift raggedy injury ravaged Man Utd. I think one of the problems is Gerrard. It's obvious Rogers is petrified of Stevie G and the backlash he would recieve from Gerrards yobbish friends in Merseyside if he were to drop him. We have a ready made replacement in Emre Can and its a travesty he can't get a game. Do the honorable thing Brendan leave and let a proper man come in and guide this glorious red ship through troubled waters. I'm sorry ed's 001 and I know you will disagree but the only man for the job is Rafa. Whatever you may think of him Ed's 001 at least Rafa has the strength not to bow to player pressure? I know he played Gerrard and Carra all the time but they were good then do you think ed's 001 Rafa would have the character to drop Gerrard permanently and play others instead? Going back to my opening statement the buck stops with FSG and they are perpetuating this mess and they need to act fast. Rogers out and Gerrard out!!

{Ed001's Note - but that is not all that is needed. Plus I am not convinced Rafa would do that, as he knows Gerrard would be a nightmare to handle if he was on the sidelines watching instead of playing. For me the only thing to do with Gerrard is play him or let him leave on a free to the MLS. He could still be a star for the NY Red Bulls, but he is not able to carry us any more, and he doesn't offer enough in any role other than that.}

15 Dec 2014 21:46:51
Rafa? Are you real?
He lost yesterday and would be fired end of the season courtesy no CL and wasting hell of money.
With players like Higuain, calejion, metetens, insinghe, Pandev, Hamsik, they knocked out from CL and are in danger of not making it next season.

What's going on. Harry is fast becoming the voice of reason on here.

I still don't understand this whole gerrard has power tripe, is he some kind of a gangster, will his crew come down and duff up the manager. Why would the owners tolerate a player with more power than the manager. i'm just confused as to what gerrard can do if he is dropped. have a tantrum?

SG should have been fazed out gradually as Mou did w/ Raul at RM (believe me, Raul was more powerful than SG would ever be, IMO). That was not done and w/ BR needing to kiss his boots when he arrived, it has now become unbearable.

{Ed001's Note - you mean Casillas, not Raul surely?}

Did he waste money? Do the maths and please tell me how much money he wasted in Napoli.

{Ed001's Note - Rafa doesn't have the power to spend the money there.}

Also you are all banging that Rodgers spend 100+ mil disregarding that we sold Suarez for 70. As Neville said, one of the few bandits that talks sense, we are spending very little compared to the big boys. This is not the kind of money that gets you to the CL or winning the PL.

16 Dec 2014 08:19:21
Pirate

Utter BS. We have been high spenders in some time and currently 5th highest wage bill in the league.
What's your next excuse mate?

Ed, I totally forgot about Casillas you are right. The reason I mentioned Raul was that he made Anelka`s life a living hell when he was at RM and Aragones had to stand his ground and banish Raul from la Roja for them to start winning trophies because as you know if you wanna win, you need a team mentality and if Raul was there, La Roja don`t win Euro 2008. As for Pirate, you are talking nonsense. It doesn`t matter how we got the money. We spent 100m and that is a fact. Don`t care what a manc has to say, by the way

{Ed001's Note - yeah I know Raul was the same, but I was just thinking, though my memory could have been wrong, that he had left by then and it was Casillas who was still causing the problems.}

15 Dec 2014 20:53:38
When you buy so many new players and don't even offload the ones you have already but don't need, is it any surprise that the players who are not getting a game become disillusioned? They are not doing anything wrong but are getting dropped just for the sake of rotation to keep everyone happy, but it has the opposite effect.

We should have just bought 3 top class players in the positions we needed to strengthen in, and then sell before buying anyone else.

And ironically we still did not fill the positions millions of fans knew we needed in dm, gk and striker. All the other positions could have been filled by the academy.

15 Dec 2014 20:04:33
The rot started at Liverpool as most will see was when Alonso and Mascherano left the club. both still playing at top level and top clubs. Alonso would have been a good experienced signing last summer for his experience alone.
A suggestion. For the next premier league game drop Sterling and play Borini in the same role Sterling occupied against Man U. At least he would probably put those chances away that Sterling didnt. Sterling needs a rest anyway and better a rest now than burn out later in season.

Is this a joke. Borini finish those chances? Firstly he wouldn't even gain the yard to create the chances and secondly the lad couldn't hit a barn door. He'd be too busy darting towards the corner flag trying to look busy with his back to play. One of the worst centre forwards I've seen.

15 Dec 2014 21:31:06
Ozone

Was borini your first frnd in school? Lolzzz

15 Dec 2014 19:26:56
Mr edd 1 I believe you said a while ago that the owners had people monitor sights such as yours in relation to keeping abreast of fans thoughts and opinions.
I was wondering if anyone from the club had been in contact with yourself regarding your opinions. If not if they were to in the future would yourself or edd 2 be willing to offer any advice to them. Also if this were to happen what one main piece of advise would you like them to follow. Apologies if this is a stupid question but thought I would ask

{Ed001's Note - they do monitor the sites and not specifically in contact regarding my opinions no. Of course I would be happy to help the club in any way I could. My main piece of advice right now would have to be to get a new goalkeeping coach. He is the weakest link in a paper chain right now.}

Thanks Mr edd1 maybe someone of importance read your reply and take on board your reply.

{Ed001's Note - I can't believe Achterberg is still there to be perfectly honest, it is probably the most obvious area of deficiency I have ever seen at a club.}

As I used to play in goal school team it is one area I do have an interest in. I believe that back as long as David James we have struggled in the keeper area.
People will prob mention pepe but I never rated him to be honest. Been many times over the last few seasons with various keepers when I wished I was playing.
Thanks for the reply's and all the hard work keep it up my friend

{Ed001's Note - David James was a bad investment, he was awful from the start, I remember watching his debut and wondering what on earth the club had seen in him that made them buy him. I still haven't figured it out. His attitude stunk, he is an arrogant *censored* and dragged the rest of the dressing room down with him.}

Remember the day we signed dudek and Kirkland on the same day!

Oh the optimism

Haha

Guaranga is this post for real?

Congratulations, you've just won EMS's crown for the brownest nose on here. Well done.

Lol brownest nose! #True #Cringe

Brown nose? Are you suggesting I buddy up to the editors?

{Ed001's Note - they must be talking about the apple you give me each day mate ;o)

Pink lady. Shined just the way you like it :D

{Ed001's Note - I do love a pink lady, reminds me of the missus as she has an obsession with pink. Pink and Hello Kitty. I am seeing a future of a home with pink walls and massive Hello Kitty murals stretching out before me.....}

Be thankful she doesn't have an obsession with horses. My car is muddier than your average quad bike and you just know, one day I'll end up paying for these bloody things!

{Ed001's Note - don't even suggest it as an option! I have always dreaded my daughter really getting into horses, they are wayyyyyyy out of my budget.}

I should've just got a dog.

15 Dec 2014 19:01:25
Anyone think Stevie g could pull the strings from centre back? He was practically playing there earlier in the season, he can still tackle and is good in the air and his distribution is second to none. Especially if we had a quick front line we could turn defence into attack very quickly. Hoping markovic gets the nod on Wednesday been impressed with him lately. Ynwa

We need to stop this :/ I know full well you don't honestly think Gerrard could play there. He barely has the defensive awareness to play holding midfield. This is purely down to the fact that Gerrard is one of if not the only world class player we have left. Everybody is looking for ways to prolong his career but the truth is, shoe horning him into roles he cannot play only damages Gerrard and the club.

I hate to quote a Disney movie but, let it go.

I don't, he hasn't got the tactical nouse, he makes zero tackles as a defensive midfielder, I doubt he'll make much more as a centre back and he isn't the best in the air. Personally I think gerrard is spent, should be an impact player.

This has been suggested before but his sense of position and reading of the game simply isn't good enough to play centre back in the EPL. He might get away with it in some leagues there's no way he would here. Stevie's best position is behind the strikers, for however much of 90 minutes he can. The constant current undermining of Lallana is criminal. I've taught outdoors for more than 35 years but I've never had a student who was as slow a learner than Rogers.

15 Dec 2014 19:38:16
He cannot tackle, track defenders, command his players or head the ball. Oh and he is not quick enough. Apart from that I think he would be excellent.

15 Dec 2014 20:00:31
Have you watched him try to pass the ball recently?

Centre forward.
That's where Rafa always said he'd finish his career when he was playing behind torres.

YES. YES. YES.

I would love to see him play the Libero/ Central defender in a 3 man defence. Hardly anyone plays 2 strikers against us, and our current combination doesn't seem to work.

5 man midfield with 2 wingbacks, 1 destroyer (Lucas/Can) 1 center and 1 behind the 2 strikers.

And I furthermore belive we got the players to do it within our current squad

{Ed001's Note - he can't read a game, awful idea.}

He should be rotating with lambert as a second striker for me.

SG cannot defend, PERIOD!

In recent weeks I've seen Gary Barry and at the weekend Carrick play there for there clubs with great success. I think he could do a job in with 2 other centre halves, would also allow someone more mobile to play in the centre mid where United and most teams have had to much space all season.

{Ed001's Note - both of those players can read the game defensively, Gerrard has never been able to do that. He doesn't anticipate and move in advance, he is always reacting and chasing. That is why he makes so many last ditch risky lunges that he should never have needed to make.}

15 Dec 2014 18:27:54
Youth Cup on soon, we really have exciting group of lads. Watched them last week. I think a lot of these lads are quality.

15 Dec 2014 19:46:13
Fully agree. If only we could see a few make the 1st team in the league cup, give the young lads a massive boost.

15 Dec 2014 17:54:07
Ed1 how do you see Wednesday's game? Regarding team selection Rodgers normally takes the cups seriously. We need to find some form going into Arsenal. Any players likely to be rested or too early to tell?

{Ed001's Note - I don't think he has too much choice but to take it seriously. They are top of the Championship and playing well. We need a win, Rodgers needs a win. I am not too sure who he can rotate anyway, as the dressing room is in tatters. Rodgers has to pick those he thinks will perform for him, such as Allen.}

Whats going on in the dressing room ed? Not good to hear stuff like that

Its difficult to read what team Rodgers will put out, his decision to play with no striker at Man U was baffling, also, and not many fans are talking about it, but he chose the same game to change keepers, the two major changes giving Man U team and fans a huge lift,
some games, when other team gets a corner, we have no striker near the half way line, as against Everton, then, when playing Sunderland, two weeks ago, he had three players near the half way line,
it was a game that I was at, my first this season, and it was very evident that some players are very lazy, plus he only plays his faves, how can you play without a striker, not win, do the same next game, not win, not have a striker on the subs bench, the list goes on and on, Taxi for Rodgers .

15 Dec 2014 19:51:36
I would be really interested to find out too ed if that's possible? Thanks

{Ed001's Note - there is a lot of unrest, players blaming each other and the manager has lost control of it. They haven't turned on him so much as each other, but he has lost the dressing room.}

Oh no not Allen, I think I'm going to be sick.

15 Dec 2014 19:54:46
That comment about the dressing room is very worrying? Any chance that you could explain a bit more Ed001?

Cheers

{Ed001's Note - just a lot of blame being flung about at each other. No one taking responsibility, which is when the captain should be standing up and sorting it out, but he is one of the ones in the middle of it all. This is not the first time it has happened either.}

15 Dec 2014 20:11:25
Are the owners aware of the dressing room strife Ed?

{Ed001's Note - I am sure they must be.}

Funny, but I seem to remember this was exactly the warning about what would happen if we did a "Tottenham" with a lot of new players or got Ballotelli in the squad.

And we did both

Oh no, we've out done Spurs with our abject failure and what's more taking into account Rodgers comments it compounds his failure. bigmouth strikes again.

15 Dec 2014 20:46:35
New players wouldn't be a problem if we were winning

I suspect it'll all be turned back on Mario has blamed everyone and he's the main person bringing unrest when in reality it is probably Steven Gerrard as it has been year in year out. Wouldn't be surprised if Sterling is one of the ones also, what has happened to the group we saw last year how things change

That is an atmosphere that BR has created because it is the manager that creates the atmosphere and should lead by example. Since BR has no sense of accountability nor responsibility, how do we expect the players to follow suit? As he is never at fault for anything, he will blame the unrest for the bad spell hence, it`s the players` fault.

15 Dec 2014 17:40:22
Hi Ed001

What are your thoughts on Rafa being a potential candidate to either be a DOF (although that role can mean many things) or head coach/manager?

Would you have him back at the club yourself?

{Ed001's Note - no, I wouldn't want him near the club in any capacity other than a visitor. Lovely fella, but he is far too busy messing around with things he doesn't need to be messing around in. He would rather play politics than manage the players. Far too reliant on having a good backroom staff around him as well, which is a problem for us as we don't have a good coaching staff at the club.}

Rafa is old news. Nothing to see there because we`ve seen that movie before.

15 Dec 2014 16:30:05
I don't post here too much anymore but I would just like to voice an opinion since my pillow doesn't talk back. I'm Northern Irish so I have a certain bias towards Rodgers in that I am happy to see fellow countrymen do well in whatever they are doing. However it is well beyond that now and he is really just arsing everything up. One thing I can't understand is why he can't revert to a high workrate press game with two holding midfielders. Is it because he does not have enough knowledge in coaching and tactics or really just too much pride? If it's pride then he has no place being a manager. Part of management is at least knowing when you've made a mistake, nevermind knowing how to improve on it. I would love to see a game where we only play two central midfielders, for example Lucas and Henderson in the middle and Sterling and Markovic out wide, with Lallana behind Lambert. I keep seeing the teamsheet and knowing it just isn't balanced. I'm not a football manager, I don't have qualifications, but I can see it doesn't work. We make average sides look excellent! Why does he persist? I'm sure he knows he is gone so why wouldn't he even try to revert back to how we played last season? It looks like he is devoid of balls. I watch us play and I get so frustrated at how little flex he shows. It is pathetic how he is going down without even a whimper. Anyway, I would like to say I feel better after venting but honestly I still feel the same!

15 Dec 2014 16:41:19
I like this post,

15 Dec 2014 17:04:19
I agree. It's either pride or pressure that for to his head. He should have kept it simple most of the times. Play his best players.
Hey Eds, whatever happened to that psychiatrist? Think BR and the players need more of that kind of treatment ;)

He is in a very deep whole but like any clueless individual, he is still digging instead of doing the first thing when you reaize you are in a whole which is, STOP DIGGING. Then again, does he even know he is in a whole?

16 Dec 2014 10:35:05
When a liverpool manager takes r level of performance so low there is only 1 outcome that villa performance earlier in the season just reminded me of woys team getting beat by wolves at anfield and 2 shots at goal at home to Sunderland I just hope their is plans being put in place quick because we r going to be out of everything by Feb the way we're playing.

15 Dec 2014 16:12:24
Is it time for a change?

One thing I hate about football is the chopping and changing of managers and I have defended Rodgers time and time again hoping for him to come good, but I cannot defend him anymore.

Firstly, he has a very good group of players at his disposal. They aren't bad players at all, but what I cannot understand is his team selections. Match after match I am baffled by his starting line ups, and I can never figure out the logic in them. No Lucas in games where our defence is going to be under pressure, not playing Toure enough, not playing Can after a good performance, not playing Borini when we need a striker, not having the balls to drop Johnson etc, etc.

Secondly, his tactics are all wrong. Defensively we are awful. This centre back splitting is ridiculous and this passing from the back has been laughable to watch. The midfield isn't working hard enough both on and off the ball. They don't close players down quickly enough and they don't give the defence enough cover. Attacking wise we are creating chances but we just don't have the quality to make the chances count. I mean, why not give Borini a chance instead of overplaying Lambert then playing Sterling out of position?

Thirdly, I can't help but think that Rodgers just doesn't know how to cope with the increased fixtures at this level. It was always going to be a learning curve for him at a level he is new to and the biggest risk was relying on him to learn quickly. The loss of Suarez and Sturridge have been a major factor in our regression and the recruitment hasn't helped either. Even though we brought in some promising young players in the summer, we didn't bring in any real quality. We didn't bring in players to fit the style that brought us success last season. However, I still think we could have done better if Rodgers knew how to utilise the squad better to deal with the fixtures.

Where do we go from here?

Do we stick with Rodgers and continue going down the same road or do we opt for an experienced manager who knows how to deal with situations like this? Personally, I think we need a new manager to steady the ship and create stability. We need to bring in a manager who will get the best out of the players we have and get us back to winning ways.

In my opinion, and I know not many would agree but Rafa Benitez knows this level and has the experience needed to get us back on track. He did a good job at Chelsea a couple of years ago and helped them win the Europa cup and that is exactly what we need to do. He will steady the ship and he will know how to utilise the squad to accommodate the fixture list and he would jump at a chance to rejoin this club. Unfortunately, Rodgers hasn't learnt quickly enough and doesn't look like he is going to any time soon, so if we are going to save the season we need to make a change now.

Red Rum

15 Dec 2014 16:57:05
It is worth mentioning Rafa did well at Chelsea mate, good shout that.
Whether he would be a step backwards or not I can't say, but IF he did (pitchforks down guys I said if) then I would certainly expect some glorious Anfield nights again,

Plus, we do actually have some great defenders guys, they just don't seen to be able to perform under Rodgers, Rafa would make us tight and difficult to beat again,

Rafa could never be classed as a step back. He still manages very well in the modern game. In my opinion he is still one of the best managers. I would love him back. The style might be different but he would get results. He is a top bloke. Love him to bits!

NO he does not. He has been aweful at Napoli this season and is looking at a grim future this summer because w/ all the investment at Napoli and the good players they have (I would not mind a couple at Anfield), he has failed and the owner (DeLaurentis) is no joke and will demand explanations. He was good w/ Chelsea BUT he has been above average at best w/ Napoli where he did not even make the CL group stages eliminated by Bilbao) and might not make the CL this year. For the life of me, I cannot understand the love-in w/ Rafa because people seem to forget the chaos he put us through w/ his political antics and penchant for stoaking the fire w/ players and the owners (they were useless but still). He was a politician and I just couldn`t take it anymore along w/ his negative tactics kust like I`ve had up to mu eyelids w/ BR. He is history and should stay there for all our sakes.

15 Dec 2014 15:32:22
I think its a full gone conclusion Rodgers will be replaced when i don't know but the question is who would you want as our next manager/coach as there are various names being mentioned ranging from Klopp to Benitez but the one name that's coming up most is Frank De Boer of Ajax who for me might not be a bad choice.

I'm not really overly concerned about the next manager as I think most anyone would do a better job setting up our team at this point, but of pivotal concern to me is who is named the DoF (assuming that is the route taken). If we get that wrong, it could be a disaster, get it right and it could pay dividends for years.

The manager is only part of the solution as I have never really cared who the manager is (well not entirely). The framework has to be right because we have to become a well-run club where players can see a future because right now, it is a mess. That is what is more important

15 Dec 2014 14:52:37
"If Liverpool come now he would certainly think about it, " De Boer's brother Ronald said to Fox Sports.

Hint hint.
I wonder if the first steps have already been taken.

15 Dec 2014 16:39:55
"If Marisa Tomei wants to stay the night at mine I would certainly consider it" . Hoping it has the same kind of meaning

Knowing your luck Michael Thomas would turn up

BR is 75% sacked and the process has already began

15 Dec 2014 14:35:04
Not one of you on here criticised Brendans pre-season transfer signings - not one of you!

Now, you're all playing know it all as you realise your judgment was smothered.

Don't criticise the managers signings with the benefit of hindsight as they've simply let him down.

One easy and fair criticism is that far too many were.brought in you soon.

In part that's true, Balo however got more than a reasonable amount of scepticism and grumbling from many on here before he kicked a ball and has proven to be as over rated as many suspected.

I don't believe that we got bad players, I would suggest that with the exception of Mario I was happy with the players we got in the summer, however my gripe would be whether some of them were needed when we needed to top class striker first.
People criticising Lovren for example, yes he has been very poor for us but last season he was fantastic for saints. Our defenders are better than they look (they are all internationals) so that must mean BR has no clue how to coach the defence & set up the team. Players have a decent game but then are dropped, same non performers being picked with some not even given the chance.
So although our transfers maybe questionable I would say far more questions should be raised with the coaching, set up, tactics & selection of the team

15 Dec 2014 15:15:46
Everyone were jumping up and down when all those signings were made. I always held the opinion that we went overboard
Apart from Moreno, Can, Lambert and Lovren I thought all the other signings were unnecessary and thought we had disappointment in our path
Unfortunately only Can has impressed me till now
Maybe we should hit an all time low and then ascend slowly but steadily, for nothing is as easy as buying a couple of players and hope for the best.
My biggest frustration is that our youth setup and it's usage has gone for a toss.

I said I was happy, with lallana but iffy on what we paid and Lambert I thought was ok for a 3rd option(when we still had Suarez)

God knows I didn't want ballo.

I didn't see why we were in for Markovic. I think he was always one for the future, don't mind him being in the squad.

Origi is a completely different matter altogether that I won't get into.

Lovren I really don't think ANY ONE! saw coming as being a poor player for us given what he'd done the previous season.

Personally I wanted Bertrand, I wasn't so sure about Moreno.

Manquillo, I never quite got as a loan. feel free to use the search function.

I also mentioned I was worried about the spending and that I didn't think we needed that many players. Then again I also thought Brendan was smart enough to play the strongest team not johnson, enrique, allen, etc. what an oversight that was.

I was most impressed with the signing of can though.(who I forgot to mention above) I still really like Can as player, he reminds me of me

I thought we were signing well, with the exception of Balotelli and Markovic. Still can't really get my head around either of them. Thought we could have done with a better keeper and a defensive midfielder instead. I thought Lallana was a great signing but he's just not playing any of the new signings really. That's on him and not the players. You can't expect them to get any consistency if they're in and out of the team and playing woeful tactics to boot. One thing I have noticed this season is the complete lack of movement on and off the ball. The main thing you do get with Lallana is work rate and I thought Rodgers would have appreciated that. I really just don't understand what is going on, either they are being told to stand still or he has lost them.

15 Dec 2014 15:29:06
Bandit makes an excellent point , I saw a great deal of Lovren at St Mary's last season , he is a superb defender , I know many Southampton fans who can't believe how poorly he is playing this season .

Over to you Brendan .

Rubbish! I and money others had plenty of concerns about the signings bought in AND the number of signings.

Your arrogance and hate towards anyone criticizing the manager makes you forget things.

Get real man, you are not even defending the manager or anyone else, just spouting hate towards others who have a different opinion to you.

I will admit freely that I thought Balotelli would be a good signing, and to be fair to him, he looked good right to start with when Sterling and Sturridge were playing with him. However, I would say the striker I begged for was Bony, who has more goals at this point than all of our strikers combined. Granted, Charlie Austin has 8 and I wouldn't take him.

What's really telling about our season is that we are now -3 on goal differential. Compared to breaking a record last season. yeah, its heart-wrenching.

Actually, I repeatedly said we needed to give players like Brad Smith, Tiago Ilori, Andre Wisdom, Jao Carlos Teixeira and Jordan Ibe a chance. Also Pelosi, Dunn and Suso to a lesser extent. I even suggested giving Coady a chance at one point.

Not everybody was happy with the summer busines mate. I didn't expect the new signings to under perform as badly as they have, but I repeatedly stressed we were signing too many players and repeatedly got shot down by people saying that the youth players weren't good enough.

Three things in my defence:

1) I lambasted the Balotelli signing from the get go

2) I expected us to play the same, high pressing high intensity football that brought us so much success last season.

3) I expected the manager to pick his best team, not the personnel he feels most comfortable playing (Skrtel, Johnson (maybe contract clause though), Allen) and I expected good performances to be rewarded with more time in the team i.e. Lallana.


To be honest I'm not sure how any of the signings can be accurately appraised when there is so much strife at management level and beyond.

15 Dec 2014 16:48:47
Tbh a lot of people were suspicious of the players bought and think a large number of posters want us to invest big in 3/4 quality players rather then gamble on 7.

In defence of people who supported our transfers:

A) genuinely think we still have some real quality players that aren't being managed well (lovren, sakho, moreno, gerrard, lallana, coutinho, sterling, lucas, can, and Lambert are all good players who are underperforming). Persoanlly thought lallana was our best player in the 1st half but was subbed off, but with that many players underperforming questions should be asked.

B) BR is paid very well and has not just a committee but a group of people he specifically employs and pays to scout talent. Plus another group of people who are paid very well to develop our own talent from the academy. In three seasons we have seen a lot of talented youngsters from our academy plus a small fortune spent on bringing in players so their is absolutely no excuse for what is being produced on that pitch.

Genuinely thought rodgers would do well but has been given time, resources and support for 3 years and we aren't any better for it

The players individually aren't bad players or even bad targets for us (except Balotelli who was an awful acquisition and as I recall pretty well rubbished on here).

Where they failed is they don't improve any of the areas we were weak in, except to some extent Moreno. I have no problem with Lallana, Markovic, Lovren, etc.- all decent players. The problem is we paid too much for most of them and they simply weren't what we needed.

{Ed001's Note - I would like to take issue with Davey's comments anyway! I criticised the signings, only Lovren and Moreno could I see the need for, oh and Lambert I understood. I still think those 3 would be fine if well managed, instead of mismanaged.}

Heaven knows why we seem to have completely abandoned 442 diamond that worked so well last year. Our strikers are so isolated and I'm sure all of them would play better with a strike partner. 433 didn't work when BR came and it shows no sign of working now

Ed001, are u sure we really needed Lovren especially for the ridiculous price of 20 million GBP? He is a LCB who has taken Sakho's place in the squad, when we should have been looking to sign a specialist RCB to replace Skrtel. We already had Sakho and Agger who was unjustly kicked out by clueless Brendan, so Lovren was not needed imo. Moreno and Can are the only players out of the 9 that we signed that we really needed, and maybe Lambert as plan B. A couple of pacy strikers like Remy and Lacazette with those 3 should have concluded out transfer business.

I think if they had scouted Lovren correctly they would of seen that it is Schniderlin that makes the Saints defence look good.
Check their recent results without him in the team.

You mean those games they lost against arsenal city and utd where the dominated arsenal till they played with 10 men, and just didn't take their chances vs southampton, if you actually watched those games, you'd know it was the forward line that let them down.

15 Dec 2014 12:49:58
Hi all,
I am a Man Utd fan posting on your page in peace!
I read this page daily as its one of the most active club pages and I admire some of your regular posters and always enjoy reading what Ed001 has to say
I for 1 respect LFC and the clubs great history and if I had my choice I would rather be competing with Lpool for the major honours every season rather than chelsea / Arsenal/ city as the games are the ones I look forward to most. If I had a choice of playing lpool in a champions league final I would choose them over a glamour tie v barca real madrid or Bayern
A couple of your regulars came to the United page yesterday in Big Al and Rob B which is great to see as they had been shoting their mouths off pre and early season about only 1 United player might get into the lpool team, and that Lallana was better than di maria and balo was better than a washed up RVP and that Rooney was finished oh and that Sterling was world class. so fair play for not burying their heads in the sand and coming to eat a little humble pie
My analysis is pretty much like ourselves last year your manager is not getting the best out of the players he has at his disposal our starting 11 yesterday were all at the disposal of Mr Moyes last year but he was failing to get anything like the best from those players, so I think the earlier you make the call to release Brenda the better as a different face and voice would get more from the lads in your squad
2) I think its time to call time on Steie G being the team captain and a regular starter, we had the same with scholes/ neville / fletcher etc. all are heros and all are 1 club men but there is a time to call it. OK scholes played a little longer as he never really was all over the pitch but there is a time when their presence becomes more of a hinderance than a positive.
3) The one thing I admire about Liverpool was the atmosphere especially on european football nights but watching young your final champions league game silence. I genuinely believe that if you created the atmosphere of the last 10 mins throughout the whole game Basle would have folded. I understand the players have to give you something to shout about but if they are struggling the onus is on the supporters to lift the team and its been a long time since I heard so little from an anfield
Genuinely not on here to gloat today fellas as I would rather Liverpool finished 2nd in everything every year (to us obviously).
We are not playing great this season but are improving and I think we will get better still if our injury woes ease up just a little.
In order to qualify for CL next year you will need to win the Europa cup i believe you need to change the manager to make that happen.
Klopp is in the relegation zone in Germany having spent less only than Bayern in the last 5 seasons he could be the answer he is a top manager going through a difficult period hope your owners are as good as most of you seem to believe
Cheers

Ken

15 Dec 2014 13:13:00
Nice post ken, and much appreciated with peace.

Disagree on the first point: no one is competing with chelsea and city and wouldn't for another 10 years, both would go along for quiet a long time into future.

Agree on Gerrard : should hang up his boots, not going to get his PL medal which he deserves it. Can't see it happening.

Disagree on Basel game: no shots on goal till 60 mts at home. We were poor and deserved to go down.

Like your case every new manager would need time to get things going, I am not sure do we have time and finances for it.

But nevertheless nice to see a honest post mate.

15 Dec 2014 13:45:49
Hi Passion
City and Chelsea are not that far ahead mate. Look at their rsults closely especially in CL. They are doing just enough, take cesc and costa outta chelsea this year and they are typically mourhinio efficient and hard to breakdown,
Take aguero outta city and its much the same.
City 2 1 nils in last 2 against really poor opposition

You would be a lot better with sturridge so that is a mitagating factor.

The grass always look much greener over the fence when you are going through a tough time but they are not miles ahead not by a long way. There is much more improvement to come from arsenal United and lpool than there is to come from City or chelsea.
This season I expect them to see it through between but next season I expect us to get our trophy back :)

15 Dec 2014 14:11:26
ken let's be honest,take rooney and rvp out of utd and your left with a good pub team,anyways its a bit silly talking about "if you took such and such out of a team blah blah blah"if they are with a club they are the team

15 Dec 2014 16:01:23
I agree in part and yes all teams have injuries but if the injuries are to key personelle for sustained periods then its a mitagating circumstance. In your case studge. Chelsea have so far not had any sustained injuries to key star personelle and if they do their results will begin to disimprove slightly, they have been fortunate this season in that regard, you may see city slip a little without aguero no nore than without Messi and Neymar goals this year barca would be 5th from bottom. when Messi got injured last year they won nothing (they were not a bad side but were not a great one without him.

1/2 players make the difference between winning and losing at the top level. Barca this year have had the luxuary of naming them every week

Sorry Ken, but as a Chelsea fan I'd have to disagree with you. I don't think we're necessarily that far ahead of you but I don't think we'd fail if we lost Costa and Fabregas to injury.
The majority of last season we challenged for the title and that was without Fabregas and Costa. Both Remy and Drogba are better than the strikers we had last season, so if we were to lose Costa/Fab to injury I don't think we'd drop off.
Finally if you look at our injury record over the last 3 or 4 seasons, we've hardly ever sustained injuries to key players for long periods. So I wouldn't call us fortunate, it's clearly got something to do with either our medical department or the fitness program we have.

16 Dec 2014 02:18:48
The Word - Di Maria, Shaw, De Gea, Falcao, Carrick - good pub players?

Seriously, I know you're still hurting, but open your eyes, mate.

15 Dec 2014 12:39:56
Hi Eds, I think its quite likely that both BR and Gerrard will leave at the end of the season (BR maybe in January or even sooner). We have been linked with Benitiz, Klopp (having worse season than BR), De Boer and Simeone (am disregarding AVB). Because of the stadium and Fair Play Rules I'm guessing there will be little or no money available for transfers (other than from sales) but of all those managers only Benetiz will be out of contract, all the others will have to be bought out, I think. Now that we have drawn Besiktas and on paper have a shout at winning the Europa League and therefore qualifying for the CL, do you see any chance of Benitiz returning? Am sure FSG are looking at him as he'll be affordable, popular with many fans, will quickly sort out the defence defence and has impeccable European credentials. Cheers.

{Ed002's Note - I would not discount him.}

I think it will be De Boer. Klopp and Simeone will have better offers from elsewhere and the owners will simply not fancy Rafa after his power struggle with the previous owners and Rafa himself may refuse to work under a DOF.

15 Dec 2014 13:26:47
Ed002, what do you make of AVB? Interested to hear from a neutral, what he could bring if he came in.

{Ed002's Note - I am not totally a neutral as I have known him for years. At Chelsea he was not really ready - and he went as a result of an independent assessment of the coaching techniques that Chelsea regularly conduct. It was felt that the team was becoming predictable and a change was needed. At Spurs the pressure was on from the start as the club was rather rudderless. He then requested and got help from a technical director but it was all rather too late. I am not convinced he would necessarily be a strong enough character to take over at Liverpool.}

Thank you Ed. Maybe not totally neutral, but neutral enough for a reasoned assessment.

15 Dec 2014 12:21:41
Hi Eds,

What are the mechanics of going about approaching a new manager for the role and when does the manager being relieved of his duties find out?

Is this done months in advance if the targeted manager is currently employed or can this be done in days/ weeks?

I presume there would be several targets going from the dream to the more realistic but your knowledge here would be appreciated.

Cheers

{Ed002's Note - If the manager has a job then it is pretty much the same as for a player in that they would contact his agent (if he has one) to find out if there is interest and then, if there is interest, approach his club and ask to speak with him. Outgoing managers are rarely surprised.}

15 Dec 2014 11:56:31
If we miss out on the CL this season, I truly believe we will have to accept we are no longer a top club.

With the amount that CL prize money is set to increase by, the teams that qualify for next seasons competition will pull further ahead of the pack.

I really don't want us to be like Aston Villa, Everton, Nottingham Forest etc.

We can't keep expecting the team to challenge though when each year the expectations become more unrealistic. All we do is disappoint ourselves.

For me, this season and perhaps the next will define whether we are an elite club, or whether we have fibally slipped into mid table mediocrity.

No more of this 'We are Liverpool' rubbish. We are one of 96 league clubs in this country. That is it. I think it's time to stop livibg on past glories and feeling sorry for ourselves.

It's make or break.

15 Dec 2014 12:36:12
I like your posts mate, but before this season we'd been out of Europes top competition for 5 years.
We are already no longer a top European club,
And have not been since Rafas reign.

EMS, we have not been a top club for 5 years now. Even the most optimistic LFC fans knew that last season was a fluke when Suarez left and Sanchez rejected us. Players do not see LFC as the dream destination, which is an indicator to where the club stands right now. There is no continuity or drive in the club, and expectations have been a bare minimum when celebrating a 2nd place finish (which could have well been a 19th league title) is seen as a major success. Why would top players want to come to LFC? LFC's days as an elite club ended years ago but us LFC fans refused to accept that. Winning the Europa League now could not be more vital.

I meant just in England lads. I know we haven't been a top club anyway but we've still attracted big names like Sakho, Sahin, Suarez etc. What i was getting at is that if we don't claw our way back to the top in the next 6-18 months, we probably never will.

Our club has been managed badly throughout my lifetime. We have steadily declined and declined, barely challenged for the league, been semi-consistent qualifiers for Europe but done little else. As a club there are many things we seem to do badly that other clubs of allegedly similar stature do not. I think a prime example is the stadium - it is something that has been talked about since the 90's. Quick action could of had us either extend Anfield or built a new ground a decade ago. Instead construction on an extension has only just begun. We are so slow on the uptake. Arsenal, if you neglect their extortionate prices, have shown how to grow and develop all aspects of a club - we have shown how to diminish them.

15 Dec 2014 17:17:00
Disagree mate, I don't see the next year as anymore or any less important than the last,
And we are already not a top club in England mate,
We lost out on Sanchez in the summer, and probably countless other top players that we don't know about throughout the last few years.
We might have signed Suarez mate, but he was busy dragging his club through the dirt at the time, he was a pretty big gamble at the time, not any clubs would have paid the £20 million we did at that time, and it took him 18 months to really find his boots at the club.
Sahin and Sakho to a degree yeah, but that is still only 2 players in 3-5 years or so,
As much as it pains me, it would seem top players no longer see Liverpool as a top club and honestly it's hard to blame them.

15 Dec 2014 10:41:17
So what is actually wrong with our defending? Is it the individuals or is it the system? The following are the games we have played under BR's tenure so far and the goals conceded:

Season Matches Goals
2014-15 24 34
2013-14 43 54
2012-13 52 65

Quite clearly, the defending has been atrocious and seemingly, nothing has been done to effectively remedy the problem. The only thing I have seen is players being bought in and experimented with.

During this 2 and half years, the following players have been used as GKs and defenders by BR (or bought in to be used):
GK: Reina, Jones, Mignolet (3)
Full-backs: Flanagan, Johnson, Manquilo, Kelly, Cissokho, Downing, Enrique, Moreno, Wisdom (9)
CB: Skrtel, Agger, Toure, Carragher, Coates, Ilori, Sakho, Lovren (8)

So, a total of 3 GK and 17 defenders were used and yet he doesn't know who to pick. Maybe BR is just not astute enough as a manger when it comes to defending? The things that I have heard from him defy logic: Paraphrasing: 1. The mistakes we make are un-coachable 2. We just weren't good enough defensively 3. We conceded disappointing goals.

Maybe if he stopped deflecting the blame and get into sorting the issue, we wouldn't be where we are now. The fact of the matter is, the defensive issues have been inherent since BR took over and he has to take responsibility for it. If he sticks by his favorites who keep letting him down, he will be paying the price.

15 Dec 2014 10:55:51
For this one reason I would demand resignation from BR, 3 years running and no improvement in defense.
But he did tried each and every possible pairs and none of them clicked.

Look at the way we are set up, two centre halfs in the full back positions with a midfielder in between, both full backs pushed up to the half way line and a huge gap between the defensive centre midfielder and the other centre midfielder(s), we literally invite teams to have a go at us, then you have the issue of constant passing between the centre backs and the keepers, only to then have the ball lost by either full back.
We also appear to have no shape when defending, people just jog around hoping someone else will cover them, its really not good enough, I honestly didn't know what formation we were playing at the weekend and neither did the players from what I could see, football is a simple game, why over complicate it?
The man at fault for this is BR and his team and they need to go and go soon.

15 Dec 2014 11:49:08
Mr. Dennis

That's exactly how City plays. Korolov and Zabaletta push very high and create tons of scoring opportunities. That also allows the little genius Silva and Navas to dictate the game.

Nothing wrong if you have quality players for the position.
But they have two monsters in the middle to cut an oppositions play, Fernandinho and Fernando.

Everton were quiet successful with the similar set up whole last year. Baines and Coleman pressing high up, Barry sitting in the middle and McCarthy and Barkley playing through the middle.

City has a well-drilled defence which do NOT play that aweful "splitting CB`s" crap. It`s not about players. It`s about that AND the system of the team as a whole which makes them potent up top and impregnable in defence.

15 Dec 2014 09:53:29
Eds is it likely there is a plan in place for January?

Putting together snippets of what has been said. We are discussing a new contract with Raheem, Sakho seems disillusioned, Lucas is of interest to clubs, as is Balotelli for a cut price.
You've previously mentioned FSG bringing in an independent review as to the way the club is being run how to fix it, eg bringing in a DOF and changing manager and reviewing the transfer committee, there's also been mentioned a reluctance to bring in a temp manager.

I personally seems to me that everything is up in the air. Why are we selling players on the current managers behest when he's likely not going to be there in the summer. Would we not just be better writing this season off, and waiting till a new manager comes in before we make and market moves?

On the outside looking in, it just doesn't seem like we have a plan at the moment, and that some wrong moves could be made in January.

{Ed002's Note - It is true that Sterling and his representatives don't want to agree the contract at this time. Kirikou has been injured but was effectively replaced by Lovren in the summer (done to death). Lucas may well move to Italy in January. Balotelli is not available for a cut-price - in fact quite the opposite.

I have mentioned FSG having the entire business independently reviewed and reworked where necessary. This is already in hand and we have seen significant changes in certain areas already. I have not been presumptive about the results - it is the posters who have gone over the top in respect of a DoF and a new manager. I have given my view and will stick by it.

There is clearly a plan and the owners are working at it - as I have explained over and over.}

Ideally, I would like something to happen pronto, before we make any mistakes with our youth. for example suso, It might just be hope but I'd a new manager may convince him to sign a new contract in Jan(dreaming) I just don't want to see what happened to kelly happen to other younger players.

Btw i asked at the time but never saw a reply, why was march 6th mentioned with question marks around it when talking about BR's future, or were you just messing with us?

{Ed002's Note - It would be reasonable to forget about Suso. He will be looking to agree a move in January so that he can get his career back on track next summer.}

15 Dec 2014 13:26:03
Hey Ed002, is Sterling stalling on the contract because the club's offer was too low or is he waiting to see if any champions league club comes in for him? If its the latter, the boy is just a mercenary the club can do without. Ibe is more than good enough to replace him.

{Ed002's Note - I understand it is rather more complex than that.}

15 Dec 2014 15:36:28
Can you explain ed, what's the changes that has been made already?

{Ed002's Note - I have previously explained and don't want to get in to it again as it will likely lead to further unwarranted abuse of employees of the business.}

15 Dec 2014 09:31:24
Do people think the likes of Suarez and Carragher who have both come out in defence of Rodgers recently, are saying this simply to try and take some pressure off him and give him some support, or do you think both players genuinely believe he is the man for the job?

I think the former,

{Ed002's Note - Carragher is giving an opinion on behalf of Sky. I don't know what Suarez has said but it will be to get the attention away from him - the Spanish press have turned on him. He is right now what Torres to Chelsea was.}

The Spanish pres have indeed turned on Suarez. No goals in 7 league games so far. Barcelona must be thinking why they paid so much money for a luxury signing who was never going to fit into their tika taka style of play. The deal turned out badly for all parties. Barcelona are poorer of 70 million GBP without any improvement, Suarez is no longer an integral part of a football team and is struggling badly, and LFC lost their only world class player. Shame Suarez did not see the bigger picture, because if he had stayed Brendan may have persisted with the diamond formation and LFC could have challenged for the title than for a top10 finish.

15 Dec 2014 10:50:36
How many assists does he have?

15 Dec 2014 11:20:00
Indian

He knew well what would be his role at barca and he has been good. Close to 10 assists being played out right and subbed in most games.
He would just need titles which he deserves at barca.
I hadn't seen anyone succeeding at barca apart from Messi. They had players from Henry to David villa all victims of Messimania.

But this has nothing to do with what we did with the 70 odd millions we received on the sale.

Did we do anything better? Absolutely not.

Essexred, a striker is judged by the number of goals he scored, not how many assists he gets. From being top dog and best player at LFC to being Messi and Neymar's sidekick is a change i would not be personally keen on. Suarez clearly looks frustrated if u watch Barcelona play, stuck out on the right wing for the whole game and his movement which made him so lethal in the premier league is now non existent. He will be sold in the next 2-3 seasons and be another Ibrahimovic who never found his form at Barca.

15 Dec 2014 11:40:37
Indian

Does it mean Ibra and villa were poor? They had nothing in their credit at barca. We sold him and that should be the end of that episode. What did we do with the money we received?
Did we buy another Suarez? No, are we doing better than last year? No.
That sums up.

15 Dec 2014 12:05:21
Leaving aside whether he's happy, he's clearly adding to their team by supplying Neymar and Messi. If he was playing centre forward he'd be scoring goals. He fed Sturridge many times last season by drifting into channels out wide so it's clearly a role he can play effectively. Anyhoo he's gone

Harry, where did i say Ibra and Villa are poor players? All i am trying to explain is that Ibra, Villa and Suarez have not improved Barca's team as everyone thought. They were all luxury buys and it is a well known fact that Messi did not want wither Ibra or Villa at the club and hence they were both moved on. I would not be surprised if the same happens to Suarez. Have Barca really improved by signing Suarez? I think not and certainly not for the fee they paid for him.
And our poor from cannot be attributed only to Suarez's departure as u keep emphasizing all the time. The players we brought in are all quality but Brendan has held them back for reasons unknown. If the coaching improves, so will the results which is not going to happen under Brendan.

15 Dec 2014 12:44:06
Indian

I am sorry but I haven't said all down to Suarez departure but certainly not replacing is the first main reason and that would remain.
When you sell a world class striker the first thing a kindergarden boy would buy another world class rather messing around whole Europe and finding Balletolli on the deadline day.
I hope you agree to it.
Buying similar players is another reason.

He has given us quiet a lot of memories to cherish and gave us a healthy profit to improve. We didn't do anything.

A new manager which people are jumping down here reminds me the time we signed 9 players. all blind optimism and expectations.

The club is under massive debt and would continue.

Harry, at this point of time any manager would be an upgrade on Brendan. He is the sole reason why the team is struggling, the players imo are good enough to get the club into the top4 and the potential in young players like Markovic, Sterling, Ibe, Coutinho, Can etc could make us a force to be reckoned with in a couple of years. All we need is the right man in charge. We did not buy too badly this summer, we just put our faith in the wrong man to take us forward.

15 Dec 2014 13:26:37
Thanks for the reply Ed002, I didn't actually think that Carragher thought that,
Suarez just said he thinks Rodgers will lead liverpool to top 4 again next season, nothing really interesting.

15 Dec 2014 08:00:00
How much longer we need to see Rodgers destroy our season even further is anyone's guess. I think he will be gone once we start the new year.

Bring on Markovic to play at LWB? Rodgers is so arrogant he will make sure he goes down with this sinking ship. That is what we are at the moment. His stubbornness to stick with Johnson, Skrtel and Lovren is bordering on insanity now. The man is delusional and his team selections are easy for the opposing manager to figure out.

Brad Jones has proven two things yesterday, he ain't near as good as Mignolet and our defence is an accident waiting to happen. Playing Johnson as a CB? Skrtel cannot spell communication nor does he concentrate on what is going on around him and Lovren may as well not even be on the pitch. Play Skrtel and Lovren and it is a given that we will concede goals. Rodgers picking his buddies as usual. Sick of it.

3 wins in 13 matches. Unacceptable!

We will just have to bare with FSG for now until they have found the suitable solution. Hopefully it comes sooner rather than later.

I personally thought Jones was miles better than Mingolet. He came out and plucked the ball out of the sky a few times taking pressure off the defence. He also made a few good saves.

What could he do for there goals? The first Rooney was gifted a free, unpressured shot from 12 yards. The second was offside by miles and Mata was completely left by the defence. The third he could barely see through the wall of yellow that had been sucked into the middle of the box so was sold by a fake shot. If the dedence had actually closed down the player on the edge of the area and marked the other players instead of all going to the ball, he wouldn't have been beaten so easily.

I think Jones is average. But he did virtually nothing wrong yesterday. His distribution was also far superior to Mingolets.

Agreed Max. People should also cast their minds back to when De Gae first landed at Utd. I remember him flapping at set pieces etc., but I also remember him demonstrating his natural ability for shot stopping. Anyone similar spring to mind? Mignolet isn't a bad keeper, the squad isn't bad (granted we haven't got the 1 or 2 world class elements most title challenging teams have, that's down to the owners). The current problems we're having rest solely with
Rodgers and his inadequate coaching staff. Bring back Borrell and a bring in a DOF on his hymn sheet.

Brad Jones was not as good as mignolet yesterday and was caught guessing where Rooney was shooting, and caught in no mans land for RVP's goal.(I seriously have no idea what he's doing for the 3rd)

15 Dec 2014 08:51:00
Some here believes a new manager would come with instant success. He would need an year to get settle in, he would bring up his shopping list of players, most of the current would be shown the door. More debts. More wages, No CL.
I can see another transition looming.

Ozone Mignolet is a poor keeper his decision making is very poor, his distribution is bad, his coming for crosses is none existent, his command of his area would be laughable if it was some other teams keeper, yes he stops shots but I was under the illusion that is why LFC pay him a lot of money to do As for comparing him with ma u keeper well let's start by saying the lad was going to be a top keeper and has been given top coaching our keeper has a coach with no disrespect is from the lower divisions of the football league no international experience so I really can't see an improvement in his performance in the near future and I believe this is the case with the out field players . let's be honest Ozone he has looked shaky from day one it would of been picked up in his first match against stoke but for him saving a penalty But I would like to say that he is not the whole reason of our demise I think our two centre backs need a good looking at and our full backs but I would replace our keeper as soon as possible and start a rebuilding of the back five

{Ed002's Note - The back five have been rebuilt in the past 16 months with Mignolet, Lovren, Sako, Toure, Manquillo, Ilori and Moreno arriving in addition to the youngsters coming up and the kid from Spurs whose name escapes me.}

EMS I have to disagree about Jones, he was at fault for the first and the third goals as he committed when he didn't need to and they were poor errors of judgment.

15 Dec 2014 09:34:27
Migs himself knew that he wouldn't be dropped on his worst form for Jones ( no disrespect jones)

Who believes that a new manager would come with instant success Passion?

The change needs to be made. We have a decent squad. If we had a proper backup striker and 2 adept CB's playing for us right now then we would not be in the mess we are.

Rodgers will be Rodgers. His CB pairing for the next EPL match will be you guessed it, Skrtel and Lovren.

Obviously Sakho did something to hurt Rodgers ego as well as Emre Can and Borini.

Rodgers should have never been allowed to have the privilege of spending the amount of money he has. He is not going to get this opportunity anytime soon again. Taxi.

I'm afraid the 'sacred cow' needs to be sacrificed. It's time for Gerard to go, or at least out of the starting 11. He lacks pace and has not been the same player since his error against Chelsea last season. Sunday as an example Rooney should have been his but wasn't there. He's never there, the rest of the team are being pulled apart trying to cover for him. It's not all his fault but Lucas would have been all over Rooney. Maybe Gerard and Johnston could go together.

{Ed002's Note - Johnson will be going at the end of this season. Whilst Gerrard will have options to do the same, I suspect a one year extension and him being used slightly less is the more likely solution. Houllier is keen to take him to the MLS but that would not be until March 2016 due to the timing of the seasons.}

I will have to respectfully disagree. We defended so poorly as a unit yesterday that I thought Jones did well only to concede 2 legitimate goals. Keepers are just easy targets and Jones actually made no individual errors yesterday.

I'd be the first to point the finger if he'd actually played badly; but quite simply he was hung out to dry by a shocking defence and midfield.

15 Dec 2014 09:51:34
Certainy was not a fault for the first. Rooney had all the time in the world to shoot as Coutihno failed to stick with him.

15 Dec 2014 10:07:34
Max 1981

I am not sure, but after reading some posters about the desperation of a new manager it seems we are just a managerial change away from the title.
I am pretty sure we would go down into the transition mode again. But that would be just enough for some excuse.
UTD bought a new manager 4 months back and they are playing poorer than under Moyes.

Passion

When have UTD ever played the most attractive football?

Van Gaal at the moment has injuries coming out of his ears but they are on a winning streak and in 3rd 8 points behind Chelsea. What UTD do have is a winning mentality. You do not have to play outstanding football to win but if you have a winning mentality then you do not have to play well to get the results.

There is a very dark cloud hanging over our team at the moment. 3 wins in 13. That is relegation material. Not saying we will get relegated but we have been struggling to score all season, conceding goals for fun and things just seem to be getting worse.

FSG must be fuming but unfortunately for them the next managerial change they make has to be spot on so they may take their time before sacking Rodgers and most likely only end of the season will it be taxi for Rodgers.

Coutinho may have failed to pick up his man, but where was Gerrard? Allen, Moreno and Lallana were all very close to Valencia, but they all left it up to each other to deal with it, not being decisive and Valencia easily got by Allen and delivered the cross.

If you have 3 players marking a guy, you would rather they deal with the situation and the team in the middle switched off, like they usually do .

IMO, it is Allen, Moreno and Gerrard who are as equal to blame as Coutinho for that goal. But you won't hear Carragher criticizing Gerrard ever.

15 Dec 2014 11:04:30
Max

What UTD, Arsenal and City have are match winners in their teams. We simply don't have one. Apart from chelsea( who is the most complete team atm) rest are relying on individual brilliance.
We lost it in the summer. Add 1-2 world class players to our team and like every manager BR would walk away with a guaranteed second place finish. Don't you think we would have looked a lot better given we had a world class striker with us.
Bloody yes. goals win you matches and get you 3 points.

Regarding goals conceding. I agree with your views.

With regard to Jones positionally he was rubbish for 2 of the goals he stood so he had no chance to see the ball, IF he had moved a yard to the side he would have had a better chance

15 Dec 2014 13:26:26
Ed002;

Mingolet abd Vigouroux are the two keepers Rodgers has signed.
Manquillo is the only right back so far.
Toure, Ilori, Sakho, Lovren are the centre backs signed.
Moreno and K.Stewart are the left backs.

Stewart and Vigouroux are the kids from spurs. That is 9 players Rodgers has signed for defence. 10 if you include the Cissokho loan.

The fact that Johnson? Skrtel and Enrique still start any games is testament to how useless Rodgers is at picking defenders or utilising those the committee buys for him.

{Ed002's Note - It is simply testament to him not picking those players, but I have explained over and over since Rodgers arrived that the players were, in many cases, over priced and, in many case, not great choices. But it does not mean that the club can switch out the entire team each season. Liverpool need to settle and tweak.}

15 Dec 2014 03:32:37
I can't bear to type its name any more so i'll just call it him and he.
Raheem Sterling is NOT a striker.
Why did he bring on Markovich for Moreno and not change the system? Jo allen should have been subbed at half time for Can, but that's him playing his love child, so to be expected i guess.
After not willing to pay one cent over our valuation of players the last couple of years, (and losing out on some good players along the way) how on earth did we manage to play overs on every single transfer this summer?
The only good sign iv seen in the last 2 games, is Markovich is looking a lot less restrained, and is now showing glimpses of what he can do.

Brendan is a dead man walking mate. He knows John Henry is going to fire his backside sooner rather than later so he is simply playing the players and system that he trusts rather than what actually works. Just shows how deluded and clueless he is. We lost 3-0 but he still thinks we should have won the game. Whose fault is it that we did not replace a player like Suarez? Whose fault is it that quality defenders like Lovren and Sakho have turned into donkeys when they play for LFC specifically? Why did Lucas not play after 4 very good performances from him in the past couple of weeks? Why has Can been benched for a whole month after playing well?
There are too many wrong decisions being made by Brendan with absolutely no logic or commonsense involved. He has stunted the growth and improvement of each and every player in the squad and refuses to take the blame for it. LFC deserve better than this below par manager, and its time FSG acted before things get worse (if that's even possible).

15 Dec 2014 06:07:15
If Marko doesn't start the next game, then I hang up.

FSG is already on the case and his backside is already on the barbecue grill ready to b roasted

15 Dec 2014 00:51:04
Right I'm holding my hands up, last season I thought we'd found a manager to win us the title, we came close but we did h**k it up at the end but I never in my wildest dreams think we would be so poor this season with Rodgers making me very very confused with A. Team selections and B. Nutty statements in interviews.
I would just like everyone else to be honest and to not jump on bandwagons and say " I knew this would happen or I knew Rodgers was sh*te, when they actually praised Rodgers and/or the team, I would look in the archives but I've got a life. Does anyone know of any posters talking sh*te about what they posted last season?
One thing I do remember is a few praising Ian Ayre on getting our transfer business done early, and now slating the signings.

I am confused, is Ian Ayre responsible for choosing the players as well as signing them? If so then a serious jig is needed because if we do have a transfer committee that chooses players, then surely it should consist of former players/ managers (don't have to have represented Liverpool) and top scouts. I thought Rodgers would be the man to win us a title. I did fear that he would change from last seasons tactics with the sale of Suarez and knew it would go pear shaped from there. I wasn't happy about the lack of football the youth players were seeing, or the signings that were being made but I loved him as a coach. I would give him til the end of the season but would understand if he was ousted before then. If he refuses to work under a DOF then he has to go. I am actually excited to see what can be achieved with our current crop of players if they are used in the system of last season. Would anyone be interested in the Chilean National team manager Sampaoli? He was one of Bielsa's proteges and could have us playing a good style of football. If Rodgers is ousted I just want to see someone who will have us playing good, high energy attacking play. Apart from the obvious names like Klopp, Bielsa and De Boer, can anyone make suggestions on the next manager?

{Ed002's Note - I think you are rather confused about the transfer committee.}

Ayre's job, or part of it anyway, is to sign players recommended by the committee. Near as I can tell, he did that job well, so while the signings aren't at all what we needed, I'm not sure I see why they are his fault either.

I know ed I really am.
I agree with you RDL, if Ayre's job is to merely sign the players, then I can't see why he has any blame whatsoever? I think everyone is confused as to what his job actually entails. Perhaps Ed001 may know more.

{Ed001's Note - Ayre runs the other side of the club, not the football side, he doesn't pick the players, he does try and secure the deals for the ones chosen though.}

15 Dec 2014 00:33:54
Sterling is overrated, the lad has no end product, he can dribble all day he get past a couple of defenders but if he doesn't score or create for someone else to score he is not the finished article, i know the lad busts a gut for us and can probably win us free kicks, or fall over and the attack breaks down, maybe with another season or two he will improve to eradicate his failings, but do we have the time? or should we sell him?

No we should probably build a team around him and our other good young players like hendo and Sturridge.

15 Dec 2014 06:09:52
Mikey

Hendo has been awful from past 4 months and building a team around an injured Sturridge is a joke.

To jackthelad Sterling is the best young footballer in the country and one of the two top players we have at LFC and one of them is reaching his twilight of his career . If he was playing with let's say Chelsea or city or united or even Arsenal you would see how good he is mate and you and every red would be saying I wish he played for us !! No jack he is the future of LFC and will become a massive star I hope for LFC for years to come . I think your just frustrated about his not scoring against man u jack give the kid a chance he is a top young player that can become a star

{Ed002's Note - I will predict now that if Liverpool fail to qualify for the Champions League in the next 18 months he will be looking for a way out.}

With respect albedered he hasn't done it all season really, if he was as good as you say we would be scoring a lot more, i know he's a good player and he has had some great chances to score and has failed, he could have laid the ball back and there were players waiting to roll it into the empty net, but the thought did not enter his head! that's my point, as for building a team around him Mikey 1985 he's no Suarez, I like Sterling, i would like to keep him because he is a good player, but for me he is not the finished article.

MIKEY 1985, we should be building a team around top class players, we could start by buying some first! not a youngster who can score with only the keeper to beat!

Personally I think Sterling is suffering from the same problem Suarez had in his first season, he is the only player doing anything and is running himself into the ground in doing so, so when it comes to finishing something off, be it scoring or picking the right pass he's absolutely spent.

He isn't and never will be a striker and isn't going to bury every chance he gets, but the boy proved last season, especially in the second half of the season, that he can score and does have composure to pick the right pass. The difference from last season is he had Sturridge and Suarez up top with him, this season everyone's behind him.

Let's not forget he is a 20 year old boy who is still learning and developing as a player. At the moment the weight of the club is on his shoulders because nobody else is stepping up to be counted. It says a lot about how poorly we have strengthened this Summer when we are reliant on a 20 year old who is still developing!

15 Dec 2014 13:25:52
Ed002 you may very well be correct in your statement but could you really blame the lad he could become a top top player and I am sorry to say may not be at LFC but that is down to the owners to sort out and the club to show that they can attract the right personnel to the club to run the football side so we get into champions league and keep the likes of Sterling, Suso, Tixera, Ibe, Wisdon Ect. they are the future of LFC

{Ed002's Note - He has lost a couple of years, time to move on.}

15 Dec 2014 13:26:15
Ed002, correct mate, you could tweak it to 12 months. I can't see him staying with us more than an year.

Yesterday showed that Sterling is far from the the finished article. An attacking player who cannot finish and whose decision making is poor.
He should have hit the ball first time when he was round De Gea and also shot in the first half from a tight angle when a team mate was available in the six yard box.

Sterling is not a striker, he's an excellent young player though and we should build a team round him as he's the future of our club if we keep him.
Hendo has been poor for 4 months I agree, he's also been really badly mismanaged and played out of position.
We all know what he can do though when played properly, so that's get in a manager that will do that and make him the engine of the midfield.
Sturridge is world class when fit, we should have at least 3 decent strikers though so he's not badly missed when missing.
Why not build a team around that? Play them properly and add players that will compliment them rather than hinder them and they will shine.

Stop blaming the players, especially a 20 yr old boy as well as an international player/CM for the managers insane ditherings. He plays Sterling as a striker while clearly he is not hence, because he is not a natural striker, he panicks and shows why he is not a striker. Then plays Hendo, a CM on the left against Basel (WTF) then plays him at RWB (WTF x 2) v Utd. The last time I checked, the manager picks the team hence, I suggest those criticizing these boys should aim their ire at the shambolic manager who put them in a position to fail miserably.