Liverpool Banter Archive February 15 2014

15 Feb 2014 23:44:44
Hi eds and reds, is Sturridge young enough to win young player of the season?

Cheers

{Ed002's Note - Yes.}

16 Feb 2014 01:40:37
Thanks Ed

Hazard will win that award hands down this year.

Maybe but sturridge, I believe is really not getting as much credit as I think he should start of the season he scoring the goals now he bk he smashing them in, if he had some fancy name or cum from Spain or brazil etc people would b going nuts about him, think his rep goes b4 him, I for one did not think he be this good for us by mile, I was like not sure about this one but that's why I'm just a fan!! But boy was I wrong

Hazard, maybe but sturridge is second top scoring and could break a Liverpool record today, also didn't even notice him playing last night.
if the two guys keep scoring and we finish in the top4 SAS should be favorites imo

16 Feb 2014 12:21:05
he is? what's the limit Ed02 if you don't mind me asking

{Ed002's Note - 23 at the start of the season.}

16 Feb 2014 17:04:08
thanks Ed02, appreciate it

15 Feb 2014 22:41:20
Gonna be a different challenge from last wk but got to go with same game plan attack they are vu erable and low on confidence c'mon the mighty reds

15 Feb 2014 20:07:32
Banter please Eds.

Evening Gents.

I'm sure this subject has been covered before. Liverpool have had some great managers in the past, what with the likes of Bill Shankly and Bob Paisley, but do you think Brendan Rodgers is following in their footsteps?

I'm sure he wasn't everybody's first choice to succeed Kenny Dalglish but, in your opinion, is he heading in the right direction?

Obviously, football has changed over the past 10/15 years or so, it's a much more "hire and fire" culture, but can BR obtain longevity and be as successful as previous Liverpool managers?

He definitely wasn't my first choice and I am still not convinced by him. I wanted Van Gaal.

Yes he is doing a fantastic job, but some of his signings have been shocking and very questionable and until he makes some quality signing/ starts to win things then in my opinion would still be in the shadow of managers like houllier or benitez.

if he wants to be spoken about in the same way as Shankly, Fagan, Dalglish and Paisely he must turn Liverpool into a huge force, like a Bayern Munich level team.

The best thing about him is that he makes the players believe in themselves. On coming to EPL Suarez had lost that goal scoring ability, he made him into a sort of poacher. Look at the difference in sturridge from his Chelsea days, he believes he will score given the opportunity. The change brought to Henderson, the lad was scared to try new things under kenny, couldn't pass it forward, look at the way he plays now. The pass to sturridge for villa goal tells you a lot.

He is doing things that take up a lot of courage. He loaned Carroll as he would not suit our play even though we were short on strikers. He's brought Flanno back from dead. I think gerrard is better suited to his new position which in time will become another master stroke. Sterling has been managed very well by him. He has never forced Allen back into the side, many managers would have played their newly signed player(Allen) instead of existing(Hendo).for him there are no favourites, train well and you will get your chance.

He has brought the belief back. Anfield is a fortress again. Players give 100% on the pitch. He is very soft spoken and never indulges in mind games( take note Jose).i wish he is here for the next 15 years.
YNWA BR

Evening DG.

Interesting question. I hope BR ends up filling the shoes of the greats that have gone before him, but as you say, football is far more fickle now (and that's fans as well as owners). Liverpool need him to be a success. I'm cautiously optimistic because I feel he embodies the top to bottom ethic that we need. If he's a success, I hope we would return to the days of promoting from within, and maintaining success.
The reason Fergie will never be a true legend, unlike Shankly and paisley, is he left nothing. Clubs like Liverpool and Barcelona have built a culture. Clubs like Chelsea and Real Madrid try to buy a culture. Clubs like Man united are soulless. Arsenal? Class fans, astute manager, but can they build something?.

Woah steady on there mate.
Have you been at the dry sherry tonight?

Shanks, I agree.

I thought he handled the Suarez/Arsenal situation brilliantly, unfortunately for us of course.

Btw Dagenham, did you know that Bob Paisley was a time-served Brickie?
He put up the old brick dug outs at Anfield. Remember them?
Those were the days eh.

Brendon has been in the job two years and hasn't won anything yet. He hasn't even achieved a Top 4 finish YET. So to speak of him in terms of Shanks and Paisley is way too premature. He has, however, shown huge promise in playing exciting, attacking football while tactically getting the better of the likes of Man C and Arsenal. His man-management skills seem to be excellent too, getting the likes of Suarez and Sterling to concentrate on their football and creating what seems like a happy, united squad.
His transfers have been a bit hit and miss but Ilori, Alberto, Borini have all got future potential and the least effective have been the loanees not the signings (Sahin, Moses). The previous poster who suggested that Benitez and Houllier did better in the market obviously doesn't remember Diao, Diouff, Kronkamp, Dossena, etc, etc.
In summary, you could compare Rogers to a Rossiter or Texeira - still learning, full of potential, and with some experience under his belt but with expectations of big things in the future. The jury is still out for the minute.

Hi Juicer,

No mate, I did not know that.

Read in paper yesterday, the late and great Tom finney was a plumber.

He earned £14 per week even in his Preston hey-day and also use to do his plumbing job to supplement his income, amazing.

Hi Juicer,

No mate, I did not know that.

Read in paper yesterday, the late and great Tom finney was a plumber.

He earned £14 per week even in his Preston hey-day and also use to do his plumbing job to supplement his income, amazing.

It was said, Dagenham, that the difference between Shankly & Paisley was that Shanks had steel tips put in his shoes so that everyone knew he was approaching. Whilst Sir Bob was content walking around the corridors of Anfield in his slippers.
I suppose it would have to be Prada loafers or something now for Brendan.
As you say, different times.
There'll never be their likes again unfortunately.

Shanks you have it bang on.
Ruthless you're talking absolute nonsense.
I think the mans a genius.

I wasn't convinced when we appointed BR but credit to him, he has proved himself and justified JWH faith.

I'm glad that they gave him time and we will reap the rewards.

There's been an outbreak of old Skool chants at Liverpool in recent seasons, Daggenham. One of which name checks your old boss Bertie Mee.
That's over 40 years ago. Lol.
But I love that sense of continuity at Liverpool. It passes on the baton to the kids and new match goers.
And it would be great if Rodgers can get something started that really lasts.

Ermm, you what jack? how am I talking "absolute nonsense". he is doing a fantastic job with the side, but some of his signings have been shocking and in terms of trophies won, he is in the shadow of Houllier and Benitez who both won some big trophies. And to speak of him in the same light as Fagan, Daglish, Paisely and Shankly is stupid as they are legends, people who made the club into what it is, Rodgers has been here one and a half season and is doing well. let's see if he wins anything.

Juicer, you mentioned Bertie Mee,, now he was a legend, lol.

Hi all,

I think that BR has done a great job with a club that was in dire straits when he joined. In 18 months he has turned us from a team that was embarrassingly far away from CL football to a team that has an outside chance of winning the league ( I know it is very remote but we are in the mix). And he has done all of this with a very young squad. In my opinion, if he wins the league in his tenure then he gets legendary status purely on the basis that we haven't won it in over 20 years

15 Feb 2014 18:43:22
Hello Eds, aside from Rodgers comments about Henderson's contract, are there any others who are being lined up for new contracts either soon or at the end of the season? I'd imagine Rodgers will get a new one if we finish in the top 4.

{Ed002's Note - I really don't know.}

15 Feb 2014 18:19:53
Is it just me or is anyone else really coming onto cissokho, can't do much but he's solid!
I prefer defensive full backs so I'm loving Flanagan & cissokho.
What about you Eds?

I think a top team needs at least one good attacking full back that is what we lack atm since we singed glen he has got worse over the years cissokho has been good the past few games defensively so it is a must for us this summer

It's Cissokho's positioning that worries me. He goes forward but is really late coming back and toure has to cover for him coming into left fullback position.skrtel is left alone with huge space in centre and this leads to needless stretching of our defense.jose Enrique is really good tracking back and better at defending 1 v 1.
YNWA

{Ed001's Note - but Enrique doesn't track back, so how can he be good at it? Every defender he has ever played alongside will tell you how useless he is at getting back, oh and listening to instructions. I would much rather have Cissokho, at least he is learning and improving, while Enrique does neither.}

15 Feb 2014 18:06:30
My 3 teams for relegation this season are all influenced by personic Chairmen/Owners. I have nothing against the fans or the clubs, the fans deserve better.

1) Hull City - what kind of person thinks changing Hull City's
name will significantly improve the marketing of the club? This clown really deserves to go down.
2) Fulham - sacking 2 decent managers in Jol and Meulensteen after a handful of games. Another fool who buys a football club but has no idea how to run it.
3) Cardiff City - firstly he changes the home kit from blue to red ( so the bluebirds play in red) then he sacks a well respected scout and puts his son's mate in charge who can't get a work permit. Then he publically asks Mackay to resign or be sacked. Then he sacks him. Then he appoints his mate's (Fergie) blue-eyed boy Ole.

Shame for the fans, but those owners really do deserve to go down and get out of our game.

{Ed013's Note - I agree with your bottom 2, but really can't see Hull going down. They have too much going forward and will pick up points. How about Norwich or West Brom? Can you imagine if Villa went down! One things for sure, its a brilliant season}

Anyone who plays hoof ball should be relegated or disbanded with immediate effect.

15 Feb 2014 20:30:57
i hope to see norwich pull away from relegation trouble chris hughton is a good bloke and his team play proper football and usually let us have the 3 points and boost r goal difference aswell.

I believe along with Cardiff and Fulham, Norwich must go. They offer nothing to the PL. they never go for it, too defensive, too scared to go for 3 pts. In a sort of way they are very unadventurous.Nor do they provide any comedy like sacking managers(twice a season sometimes).

15 Feb 2014 16:15:05
Just echoing the other posts Ed
Had the pleasure of meeting Sir Tom Finney a couple of times
A truly pleasant and humble fellow- a real gentleman in every sense of the word

If only some of today's young players could take just one leaf out of his character

15 Feb 2014 14:26:13
Just wondering eds, in light of Cavani's comments do you think it is likely that suarez will leave this summer even if we get champions league football?

{Ed002's Note - This has been done to death.}

15 Feb 2014 13:59:11
Just managed to get a ticket for tomorrows game. Get in! Not expecting the same as last week, but you never know.

15 Feb 2014 12:29:28
It's not his thumb, it's Liverpools thumb :-)

Brilliant, a true legend I never get tired of reading and hearing about.

15 Feb 2014 11:06:10
Henderson might be out for the game on Sunday after having wrist surgery.

15 Feb 2014 10:18:05
Hi to all the Eds and REDS

Tom Finney, R.I.P., as football fans we must all pay our respect to his memory. A true gentleman and legend.

Great to see Texiera (spelling) get his debut and in such a hot, boiling atmosphere. Texiera, Ibe, Wilson, Rossiter and Smith and. the future looks good. They will learn the BR way and do us credit.

I personally would wish us to field a team of youngsters and save the main boys for the league. The FA cup is great but the league must remain the priority. At the same time, to get top4 AND a Wembley appreance would make it a season and a half. can't make up my mind I know.
On question of Ozil, are there more fickle fans than Gooners? It's his first season in PL and he's come off the boil, so what? Give him time, show class and he will produce again. I live among them in London and fickle is their middle name. Not all of course but a huge majority.

wishing us all a good couple of months. YNWA

We have a fantastic opportunity to progress and win something so I certainly wouldn't want to see a team of youngsters. and it won't happen either, we've played strong sides throughout so far and we need to continue the momentum, its only a handful of extra games. not like we're overly worked! Liverpool football club is about winning trophies.

Richards, I meant to say thanks for your feedback recently on Suso.
A bit more objective than just posting stats.
Do you think he's ready to come back to Liverpool and realistically challenge for a first team place?

15 Feb 2014 09:05:11
Good to see texeira play.hope that he will be a hit and be like a new signing but sad to aspas and alberto not playing.

Alberto might will get a spot on the bench with Allen taking Henderson's place in the line up today. Hendo had surgery on his wrist, will probably be back next week.

15 Feb 2014 00:34:53
Banter please Eds.

Hi Gents,

Not Liverpool related but a general question.

I posted on Gooners page yesterday about the impact of Mesut Ozil, IE, hit or miss.

I'm asking you boys because you always give fair and unbiased answers and it would be nice to get the opinions of non-Arsenal supporters.

PS, you could reply here or skip to the Arsenal page and reply under the original post.

Thanks Gents.

{Ed001's Note - too early to judge mate, some players take longer than others to adjust. Suarez shows how they can get better and better the longer they are in the league.}

Ozil is a top class playmaker but has gone off the boil bigtime lately, not that you needed reminding DG!

He needs to knuckle down and get his head in check to consistently perform and get stuck in, put on half a stone of muscle and he will be fine.

He's a great player, players can go off the boil after a good start so maybe this time next season is the time to truly judge his input and performances when he has settled into his role and the club.

Mosit along with Thierry Henry are the two greatest Liverpool players never to play for Liverpool. They both had everything it takes to play for Liverpool. Liverpool did not have the means to sign either of them unfortunately.

With Ramsey out he's no one to play with, plus its easy to look good at ''Real''.Jury's out but there's a reason ''Real'' shipped him!

{Ed001's Note - they didn't, he asked to leave.}

He asked to leave, my understanding was that the bale deal cuddent happen unless either he or di maria moved, and madrid saw di maria as the better option to stay, he started off the season well so all this longer to adjust just dosnt make sense.

i would agree a lot of his form at the start was due to playing along side ramsay at the start of the season

Oezil's a great player who's perhaps hit a bit of a rough patch. I honestly don't know that he's been awful or anything for you, but compared to how he started he's not quite been at the same level. I'd say give him some time and support and you'll be glad you did long term. A faster striker leading the line probably wouldn't hurt either (and no you can't have Sturridge) ;-)

I think he's a bit of a luxury player tbh. He's world class no doubt about that. But there's no steal about him, no determination to get stuck in when it's not going Arsenals way, that's fine in Spain but not here. He'll soon clock on and add that to his game like Coutinho has for us. He'll be great for Arsenal but I truly believe Ramsey's better

Dg,

Ozil is a fantastic player that many of the Real Madrid dressing room were vocally gutted about losing (which I think speaks volumes). 42mil is a big weight on any players shoulders and I think he needs to be given time to adjust to the pace of our game. He will come good I think

He was brilliant in his first 6 weeks - that was a long time ago though.

He has undoubted quality mate he's just going through a bad patch! I just think the pace and power of the premier league is taking it's toll.

He'll come back stronger next season.

Struggling a little at the moment, but class class class. Dag Maybe your question would be would we like him at Liverpool. Or any other pl team for that matter. He'll be fine.

Thank's Gents and thanks Ed001.

Top class player, will be a hit.

It's his first season and he started with a bang showing just how good he is. But he's used to playing in Germany and Spain.
The premier league is the most intense league in the world and demands a different level of endurance and stamina. Ozil will not have that yet, but he will next season. He's young enough and good enough.
If I were a goooooner, I would not be worried about him.

You boys are top boys. All good honest answers.

thank you

He started well and has lost form, like every player does at some point (suarez hasn't scored in 3)* but MOTD highlighted one worrying thing about him, something that the Rooney's and Suarez's always do, regardless of form. He lacks the desire to drop back and defend, against Liverpool the other week he went in his own half about 3 times in the whole match, whilst your lot conceded 5. If he starts dropping back and putting a defensive shift in when its needed he will be a much better player for you. He also needs to add a few pounds, like Coutinho.
*sarcasm, I know not scoring in 3 games isn't a major loss of form.

Technicaly one of the best midfielders in the league. I do have question marks about his mentality though. seems to hide in big games and can't mix it. allthough i'd love him in our team I don't like players that ask to leave clubs. its a sign they don't have the bottle to dig in and cement a place in the starting 11

DG, always a pleasure.

I had some plumbing problems recently, but couldn't get a plumber for love nor money. But her indoors was nagging me so I called in an expensive electrician who was available.

Now I have a beautiful candelabra in the living room but still need to wear my wellies in the kitchen! Should I complain to Trading Standards about my electrician?

Coyler

Hes playing in the hardest league in the world mate so of course his form will drop.
you got to love the papers though with their pure bull-crap. when he signed for you guys the papers wet themselves and now his form has dropped his a flop.
this is why I haven't bought any type of paper in 3years, The purest of shyte you'llever read.

I think that he doesn't fancy the physical stuff, like when he went shoulder to shoulder, fell over expecting a free kick and play carried on for us to score, he is clearly a good player, but I just think his head is still in Madrid.

To me, it looks as if things are going well he is a player you want in your team, but when it isn't going well he goes missing.

That's why I think Suarez is such a great player, because he doesn't go missing and keeps trying.

By the way DG what do you make of the mouthy ones comments re Wenger? From a neutral point of view, I think Wenger rattled his cage.

No doubt he's a skilled player with a great touch and vision on the ball. The only knocks on him is his defensive work and that he seems to go quiet in big games. Even watching him play for RM, I thought he was outshine when it was really needed for him to step it up. The Premier League has a very high intensity and I think it'll take a little more time for him to settle.

He's a top class player, let's hope he doesn't hurt us on Sunday.

Thanks Gents,

Mark E Smith, I agree I think wenger has rattled Mourinho's cage a little bit.
I respect Jose but Jeez, he just sticks his nose in everybody's business and has something to say about everybody.

Ozil needs an enforcer behind him. actually arsenal need Patrick Vieira and they will be amazing :)