Liverpool Banter Archive January 15 2014

15 Jan 2014 22:32:36
Amount of rubbish you hear on here. Anyone who claims to have inside information about transfers is deluded or a lier. Also guessing 20 names and then one luckily signs is not being right it's just the law of averages. I have no inside information to share but I do think we will sign salah for approx 10-12 million but that is a massive outlay for a player with a lot of improvements to make. However I am a fan of the lad and said over a year ago that this lad had talent and a lot of potential. A lb is needed but we may have to wait until summer. BUt with Southampton unsettled maybe a large bid for England future lb Shaw might be a good idea however unlikely.

We can't put in large bids we need to find cheap talent also cissokho is here till the end of the season and getting paid and flanno and enrique coming back spend only if we find a bargain.many teams do it

10 to 12mil is about what you pay for potential these days mate. Sturridge and Coutinho were not deemed world class or finished articles and media prices put them in that price range last January. If we want to improve the first team, around that price range is where we need to be starting.

So what?

So most inside information is fabricated or misinformation. It's silly season, just enjoy the show and don't expect any signings to happen.

15 Jan 2014 22:05:47
Eds.do you think will make any signings in january, also is martin Kelly 100% fit now as I whld like to see him replace the ineffective Johnson your thoughts whld be much appreciated.ynwa reddave

{Ed002's Note - Yes. Kelly is 95.4% fit.}

But only 68.3% match fit.

He is has a 95.4% chance of being in juried in the next three games.

I 100% agree with you. With only 68.3% match fitness, Martin Kelly has a 95.4% chance of being injured,

15 Jan 2014 21:59:15
What's going on with rakitic? Summer move? What left back are we most likely to sign? Do you have any idea of what our budget could be? Lots of sources say salah will be our only signing. Thanks

{Ed002's Note - Exciting times ahead then. Have you bothered reading the posts or using the search engine? Thought not.}

Flipping heck Eds002 your on the attack tonight sir judging on your last 2 reply's lol.

Love it. Love this site

15 Jan 2014 20:25:29
Hey Ed's, Neil Taylor hasn't been getting much game time lately. Are we at all/still interested in this lad?

15 Jan 2014 20:16:06
Hi Eds
Any Intrest in Zenit Left Back Domenico Criscito?

{Ed002's Note - Search engine.}

15 Jan 2014 20:45:58
Would Munian's value now be lower due to current form? If so could be worth a bid. Rodgers could get the best out of a player like him.

Would take a punt at 10-15 million if possible for that.

Things seem quiet on the Coentroa front as well. I'm surprised we haven't already tried for him. International left back who's not wanted at Real and needs gametime in World cup year.

A loan to buy option even seems plausible to me. I keep hearing of united interest but he hasn't signed as yet.

Wasn't Coentrao asked to stay until the Summer?

15 Jan 2014 19:56:41
Hellas Verona have confirmed that Napoli have submitted an official offer for Jorginho .

I read it was 7.5 with 2.5 in add ons based on certain criteria. Seems a fair price with me. Hopefully we will match it as he looks a decent player.

15 Jan 2014 19:05:31
Ed001, watch the youth FA cup at the moment. Are the youth teams trained to play in a similar manner to the main squad? If so would you say that the youth teams have improved since BR came in? Apologies is they're silly questions, but I've never look too much in to the youth squads. Except Rossiter anyone in tonights squad we should be watching for the future?

{Ed001's Note - the club are trying to get every level playing the same way. Changes will take ten years or so before you see a real difference.}

15 Jan 2014 18:48:05
I know this is going to sound very reactionary but, what do people think will be next for Nicola Cortese?

And I guess more importantly, is there any space for someone like him in the Liverpool set up?

I remember reading a very good article on the BBC about him just before Christmas, and everything I have heard about the way he works and his vision just screams "Liverpool" to me. His major vision was to build one club, from Academy to Boardroom, to develop young players in the Southampton way from the moment they velcro their first boot on.

I admit, I know absolutely nothing about the inner workings of the higher echelons of football clubs, but is there a spot that could be made for someone like him at Liverpool? Someone to work with BR and aid him in installing a vision for the club for the next 10/20/30 years? Or is he simply just someone who would not fit at Liverpool? Or want too much control?

Would love to hear the Ed's input on this, as I'm sure they have a much better knowledge on the inner workings of the club than most.

Cheers all

RedDawn YNWA

{Ed001's Note - I would jump at the chance to get him involved. In my opinion he is the best football chairman around.}

Would you consider there to be any more than about a 0.1% chance of it actually happening though Ed? haha

{Ed001's Note - I wouldn't have a clue, it does seem unlikely though.}

15 Jan 2014 17:59:52
M'Vila has been injured in a Rubin training session, out for a few weeks apparently. Should put any rumours about him joining Liverpool to bed.

Or that's what they want you to think.

Smokescreen if I ever saw one!

15 Jan 2014 16:41:55
Getting sick of the excuses about no transfers coming in, world cup year, hard in January Bla bla

Its wasnt difficult 4 years ago before the WC.

You watch the other top teams, they won't struggle to make changes.

Truth of it is, our ambitions are too big for our budget, BR is given a shoe string budget and told to get top 4.

Ayre couldn't sell the worlds best vodka to the Russians.

I really do try to be optimistic but the problem is I've been optimistic for too long and now realize its all in vain.

{Ed001's Note - there were no FFP restrictions to worry about 4 years ago.}

No but for instance the Salah deal, we clearly didn't want to budge on our price for the sake of a few mil. So would that really make a difference to the FFP? No!

{Ed001's Note - of course it would. Every penny makes a difference.}

Rodgers has had plenty to spend. I would suggest you do a bit of research before you throw your toys out of the pram.

How do you figure BR is given a 'shoestring budget'? You act like the club is making money hand over fist and the owners are keeping it to themselves. Perhaps if we could actually turn a profit for once (or be anywhere near) we might actually see some players coming in.

Or we could go with your plan and heap another 100M in debt on the club- makes total sense to me.

You know under the new ownership and this lack of purchasing we have returned to top 4 instead of going bankrupt and playing in the bottom division. Perhaps a little less negativity towards our transfer policies? We are still very much in debt.

I agree with you 0ne100, but we are in this situation since fsg arrive they will spend more money once we make more money.
we need to get into the cl and more money will be available.
fgs have 1 goal in mind and that is get us into the elite of europe again keep us there and rebuild the ground.
they will can achieve this in time and if we are properly run we as a club are worth a fortune they will triple their investment that's how big we are properly run.
fsg have time we as supporters dont.
i have my own opinion on what is needed and our top priority should be a topclass left attackminded leftback.
in summer we will have funds for a few players more.

One100 mate, have you actually ever posted a positive account of your thoughts? You always seem to be so down.

Just chill out and wait and see. You worrying about it doesn't change anything other than your blood pressure.

And the most reactionary, over zealous, no concept of reality post of the day award is.

Where, s the money going to come from to satisfy you? Do you want us to go down the route of others and end up like Leeds, Portsmouth and others? Our expenses are higher than our income. Simple arithmetic tells you that it cannot go on like this. We need extra income from attendances and European money. We cannot buy like some other teams. Slowly we are getting there, it may be tough but such is life.

Stop crying will you. We are not even half way through the window. Negotiations take time. Or do we just sign anyone for silly money just to please impatient children like yourself?

Red Rum

Why would the club spend a lot of money if the right player isn't available for the right price? We already have a great squad, and we need to be sure that any players bought will be a good fit. I hate this mentality from some so called supporters that we need to spend loads of cash every transfer window. We were top of the league at Christmas with the squad that we already have - why the demand to spend vast amounts of money? And who exactly would any new acquisitions replace? Granted, Johnson has been off the boil of late, but we have Kelly and others to cover. We could even play Gerard there if needs be. We've got a good squad, the last thing we want to do is waste more money, especially if it is only to placate clueless people who just want to see a different player sat on the bench. Rant over, sorry, but it winds me up a treat.

How are our books shaping up this financial year ed?
The lure of CL is almost like a game of pontoon, whether to stick or twist.
And the longer you're out of it, the harder it becomes to get there.

{Ed001's Note - Ed002 would be the best person to ask, but it is looking like another loss.}

Great ''squad'' We have a good first 11 that's it!

One100, please let us know when you're up for nominated for the Darwin Award so that we can vote for you :-)

You assume Salah was only 'a few million', one100. I've heard differences in price anywhere from that to nearly 10M, depending on who is talking, and since I have no idea who is right nor do I have a few million laying around myself I can spare, I see no reason to gripe about it. It's also not a given that Salah would necessarily be any better than Sterling, to be honest. It's almost like you just like to complain for the sake of complaining.

THE IRISH ROVER, totally agree perhaps
the JOLLY ROGER needs to get more
out of BORINI, ASPAS, ALBERTO, ILORI
that's 34M not contributing to LFC, what
ever way you look at it, it could of been
better spent.

15 Jan 2014 22:41:14
Lad, here's reality. As of this post, I believe the situation as far as the Premier League goes is:

Cardiff have bought 2 players for £2m and £1m. What would you say if we were buying players like that?

Chelsea have completed a deal for a young player who I thought they'd actually signed in the summer.

Everton have spent £2.5m on a show pony who will be found out in this league in a big way. Every one of his 60 odd Ireland caps, as well as most of his CL appearances for Celtic, have been massively disappointing. But hey, he was brilliant in Scotland where only ever played one team that'd have even a sniff of surviving in the English Prem, so he's obviously the type of player we should be after, right?

Fulham have signed Dempsey on loan. A player we all were apparently delighted we failed to sign after his non-performances with Spurs last year.

Stoke have made their deal for Ireland permanent. I really want Stephen Ireland playing for Liverpool. oh no wait, I don't.

Sunderland have signed Marcos Alonso on loan.

West Ham have bought some bloke I've never heard of for £3.5m

The rest of the league, including most of the teams around us, haven't signed anybody. I can't think of any serious links other than "Arsenal will buy a striker!" Does that not suggest anything to you?

The Eds have called it right a few times here, there's no value in this window because of the upcoming World Cup. Players who are going to move are either not getting games (raising questions about their quality), or are overpriced. Or both. And we can't afford to be paying over the odds, nor would I want us to.

You lot carry on expecting so much with no significant budget.

Buy the club and run it by urselves then.

15 Jan 2014 14:31:21
Hi eds, Ben Smith of the BBC has recently reported that it will be unlikely for Liverpool to push through any transfers in this particular window. Instead, he went on to state that our main targets will be purchased during the summer. Would you go along with that?

Cheers.

{Ed001's Note - very much so.}

So our main targets for the summer what if we don't make CL who will we buy then???

So ed001 in your honest opinion you don't see anyone coming in this month then

{Ed001's Note - it is not looking likely that any first team players will come in, no. We could have done with some of our targets being kept out of their current teams!}

Thank you for your honesty ed. I think we've all been hoping that maybe we could at least make one signing, to help us stay in the Champions League race. But with it being a World Cup year, we have to understand that it makes it more difficult.

{Ed001's Note - the club won't give up, it is just more difficult than usual as there are still the same number of clubs looking to buy but less players available to move. It means the price rises for those few players. Otherwise we would already be welcoming a couple of players to the club, such as Salah. Maybe we will be able to negotiate a deal anyway, despite the difficulties, but it is best not to get your hopes up.}

Thanks ed just a quick question out of the players we have been linked with eg.salah, badu, fernando etc do you see them as players that would come straight in to the 1st team what I mean is do you see us dropping some of our regular 1st team to the bench

{Ed001's Note - it doesn't work like that these days, it is a squad game.}

Just finally on that note ed, wouldn't it be worth while to still pay a slightly higher price for a player such as Salah? If it meant cementing our place in the top 4. Because we would be recouping that money anyway. Not saying we should pay over the odds either.

{Ed001's Note - it really depends on how much higher.}

Its just excuses. You won't see anyone else struggling.

{Ed001's Note - like who? Man Utd are struggling. Clubs who don't have access to a sugar daddy will struggle to buy this January. At least at the top end of the market.}

Thanks for the honesty 01

Cheers

15 Jan 2014 13:38:26
Hi eds,
Regardless of if Liverpool have no chance of signing Pedro in your opinion. My question is would Barcelona be even willing to let him go and do you think the player would want to leave? I won't ask how much the fee would be to sign him, because "we get confused by talk of money", although I'd love for you to explain that theory, because I'm sure some of the posters are intelligent enough to understand if you explained it.
Cheers

{Ed001's Note - Barcelona are very willing to let him go.}

Does he want to leave? And what about my question on price. Basically can Liverpool afford him without selling Suarez or shall I give up on this deal

{Ed001's Note - he is only still there because he wants to be there.}

Eds am I right in thinking that Barca would only accept a purchase and not an I initial loan to buy?

Are we still genuinly interested though as I thought our priority winger was elsewere.

Thanks

{Ed001's Note - they will be happy to take any deal that involves them getting money in and wages off the wage bill. I don't know of any interest from us though.}

Surprised they are willing to let him go, is it because they can bring in youngsters from their B team? pedro might not be the fancy player (ala neymar) but he gets the job done.

would love to have him, but I can't see it happening.

{Ed001's Note - it is because they are only in existence due to the banks being too scared to recall their debts.}

Imagine a forward line of Suarez, Sturidge, Pedro & Coutinho with players like Sterling and Suso on the bench that will actually make a difference when brought on & could easily start without having an adverse effect on team performance.

15 Jan 2014 12:59:21
Hi eds, wanted this to be mainly for ed001 but it would also be great to see two replies to this from 001 and 002. My question simply is, what do you guys expect? And think is doable this window? and would successful? Or even who you wish to see at the club?

There's a lot of people on here linking us to whoever all the time just because their good on fifa means we have interest in them. It's getting annoying and ridiculous sometimes. Must be a pain in the ass for you guys all the time.

Honestly I just want to see what you guys think. I'm not mentioning any names here purely to be optimistic and not bias. You guys are the ones who basically know there stuff. So my trust is in you.
Cheers

{Ed001's Note - I really don't expect a lot to happen, January is difficult at the best of times, but this year there is a World Cup coming up, most players with hopes of going will not want to move. It leaves you with an extremely limited pot of potential targets. There will be those with hopes of going but no hope of getting in their current team. Those who are not near a place in their national side. Finally, those whose country failed to get there.}

Doesnt seem like we should do business unless we get a good one, i'd rather we postpone transfers in till the summer if that can mean we get quality. I believe we have enough tools to make it to top 4 providing players staying fit.

Hmm fair enough then, it all makes sense about the World Cup, just a pity that it stops us from developing into a stronger team. With that said. The team is strong enough to continue winning, although a winger is a problem as it has been for a while. And we need Enrique back too(although I'm not his biggest fan) so it's the same positions were looking that were also struggling.

In which case then, we do wait til the summer and get top 4. This being the piroity. What would the targets be there and would you reckon they change from what they are now?

Salah, Bertrand, Montoya, rakitic, etc.

Thanks

{Ed001's Note - I think we will end up missing out on Rakitic to be honest.}

Agreed there. Probably will stay if they continue good form. Or move to psg. Becoming a great player.
Salah probably will wait til the summer.
Personally I would love Montoya. But I'm not keeping my hopes up for anything now. Simply so I don't disappoint myself. We all need faith in the team and BR. I just really wanted to know what you thought we would do or get. Or want.

As we get all the questions of this guy or that. And there always stupid possibilities for us at this current time.

Thanks

Sl09

15 Jan 2014 12:32:02
could fernando reges be the bite we're missing in midfield in your opinion ed001?

{Ed001's Note - certainly seems to be.}

Ive never seen him play, only seen clips on youtube. seems to be strong, but as we know youtubes never the way to judge a player.

15 Jan 2014 11:53:46
Can ed's or fellow posters answer/speculate on this question: If Mignolet doesn't perform to the required standard this season is there a possibility of Reina returning and reclaiming his number one spot or will he more than likely move on?

p.s would like to add that I am not saying Mignolet isn't good enough or that he needs selling or anything ridiculous - just curious about how the dynamics might work if our current number 1 doesn't perform so well and our previous number 1 returns from loan - this is no criticism of any player.

Reina is gone mig is our new number1 for many years

If its not mignolet then itll be someone else, reina's never going to be back. he'll move on in the summer

15 Jan 2014 11:05:11
Must admit, I don't quite understand us looking at Emmanuel Badu? Wasn't the emphasis for this window on only bringing in players who would improve the first 11? Would he really be an improvement on our current midfield options? If i'm not mistaken, he's not a regular for Udinese. If there's not genuine quality available this window, there's no point buying for the sake of it - I'd rather see us wait until the summer.

15 Jan 2014 12:13:59
Coutinho didn't get into inters team.

We need a CM now, if Lucas or Gerrard got injured again we have NO one at all to put in the midfield because guess what even though I really like Joe Allen, he is injury prone as well.
We certainly need a back-up DM, and he is actually queit good this Badu, but I have only watched him for Ghana, and Moses looks like Messi for Nigeria so its very hard to tell. But he is just 21 and we need a midfielder, he would be cheap and might be a gamble worth taking. Look at Assaidi, his price has doubled since the £ 2 million we paid for him, and I am pretty sure it will at least tripple before the end of the season.

Coutinho wasn't a regular for Inter, in fact he was shipped out a few times. Sturridge wasn't a regular for Chelsea, Toure wasn't a regular for City.

Just saying don't be so hung up on if he's a regular or not. I think Badu is about to turn 23 and he already has 45 caps for his National team so he can't be that bad.

15 Jan 2014 09:20:48
OK. I am so glad Mr Pelllegrini has come out and predicted the quadruple target for his team. I said before and will say again that this is the kiss of death, you will see.

And, Mr's Henry and Werner to be present at Villa game only indicates GOOD! If they were going to cull the budget Mr Henry would not come all the way to do so, a phone call would suffice. I think they're here to sanction whatever BR wants to establish top4.

Looking good guys and girls. looking good.

P.S. I can't help but to remember even more the 96 whenever we play in the FA cup. Never will be forgotten, always in our hearts.

YNWA

15 Jan 2014 03:17:09
Afternoon Eds,

I am just wondering if you have heard anything about Nathaniel Clyne already agreed to sign for Liverpool in the summer?

If you have no information on an agreed deal, do you know which clubs are interested in him?

Cheers,
George.

{Ed002's Note - Twitter is this?}

No it is not. From a friend that has a couple of contacts at Arsenal, Southampton. Again, I am not taking his word as truth.
Just looking for confirmation.

Cheers,
George.

{Ed002's Note - He is teasing you.}

14 Jan 2014 22:38:51
Siem De Jong - heard a rumour eds. Any truth?