Liverpool Banter Archive September 15 2017

15 Sep 2017 23:06:12
Hi ed 01 02 and 25 would love your opinion on who is out der that would be attainable and suitable as a cb option. All we hear is vvd and there has to be some other options out der who would improve us an under the radar option maybe. I think we obvs need someone vocal who is dominant in the air
quick good in one on one and a leader.

{Ed002's Note - It has become very clear that folks are not interested about my opinion over such matters.}

16 Sep 2017 02:09:26
We need someone who is used to defending with 3 unchallenged players charging at him and 2 unmarked players running in the channels but they also have to be able to defend crosses when there is no fullback putting any pressure on the ball and a keeper who can't see above head height.

Must be loads of options.

16 Sep 2017 07:53:39
Good description Ron but you left out being able to cope with being ripped to shreds by the fans for being useless and a massive waste of money if he doesn't solve the entire problem immediately.

16 Sep 2017 10:18:35
Mr. Tickle.

16 Sep 2017 00:37:57
We missed a trick with the likes of Sule, Manolas imo. Probably that is what Ed002 is alluding to. Don't think Southampton will sell VVD to us any time soon so better to move on and look for attainable targets. Laporte, Manolas, Gibson, De Vrij, Koulibaly, Christensen etc. So many other options well withing our price range and may be willing to join us. Why Klopp's obsession over VVD? Don't get it at all.

16 Sep 2017 02:00:02
But we are ed002!

16 Sep 2017 07:49:24
Actually Ed002, many of us value your opinion as it's unbiased and not coloured by any loyalty to any other club.

16 Sep 2017 12:31:40
Lb7 I would love your opinion on who would be attainable to match the attributes you stated and have the pace and awareness to play with our high line. can’t think of anybody? Nobody can lol.

16 Sep 2017 12:36:19
Spot on, Ron and Detail, and the "defensive specialists" on here keep wondering why Klopp did not buy an alternative to VVD. It is clear that he could not find the CB that has all the qualities you both mentioned and then some. Maybe it is cos such a CB doesn't exist.

15 Sep 2017 19:44:05
Ed1 if your about mate, I remember you saying that Klopp isn't happy with either Matip or Lovren. Do you see this being rectified in Jan or next Summer. sorry if this has already been asked.

{Ed001's Note - clearly he is going to keep trying. How can I say if it will happen months in advance when it is impossible to tell, as even an agreed deal can fall through once it becomes public, as we saw last summer.}

15 Sep 2017 19:55:21
Gotta give Gomez a chance he'll the youth team cb's looked better than them 2.

15 Sep 2017 19:56:34
Why did he offer Lovren a new contract if he's not sure about him?

15 Sep 2017 20:14:15
Masterson has been looking good lately. Look at his goal the other night, so well taken for a cb.

15 Sep 2017 20:42:07
He was going to keep him as 3rd choice. That's the only way I see it.

15 Sep 2017 20:53:42
I know. I do feel though that the year when we got to the europa league final. He was devolping a decent partnership with sakho.

15 Sep 2017 21:35:21
We should seriously keep tabs on Toby Alderweireld's contract situation, he's the one I'd pull ou all the stops to sign IMO, if a situation became avaliable .

I reckon he'll sign a new contract but you never know.

16 Sep 2017 00:40:11
Drogie, we ain't getting Alderweireld mate. He will have at least 10 better offers from elsewhere if he chooses to leave Spurs. City will be on the phone to his agent the minute he decides he has had enough of Spurs. Big signing on fee, contract, trophies etc. There are clubs that will be safer bets in those respects than LFC.
Completely unattainable player for us imo.

16 Sep 2017 08:36:28
You're probably right mate but if he was to become avaliable we'd have to throw our hat into the mix.

You just need to look at Keita, now I'll be honest, I know naff all about him apart from that great goal he scored the other night. But there are a good few on here, including some Eds that think he will be immense for us. Premier League proven? No but by the sounds of it a crakimg player that wants to join us. The Ox turnded down money and Chelsea to join us, will Chelsea win more than us over the next few years? Probably.

You just never know fella, Klopp has something about him that players like and is a big draw.

Clutching at straws? I probably am.

16 Sep 2017 12:49:32
You never really know, Drogie cos We have the money and can definitely pay his wages, at least double the 60k he's currently on.

15 Sep 2017 19:24:56
There has been a lot of talk about keita coming next year does any of the eds know if he is really that good as I have seen a few comments saying he's really decent? Thanks.

{Ed001's Note - he certainly looks a bit special.}

15 Sep 2017 20:03:46
He is sensational bobby.

15 Sep 2017 20:04:24
And 48 mil is an absolute bargain for a player of his quality.

15 Sep 2017 20:15:02
I hope you've been watching Leipzig so far ed;)

{Ed001's Note - yes mate.}

15 Sep 2017 20:46:49
He is the real deal and will only get better. Think of him as a Kante with more attacking ability, goals and assists with pace and power. A true physical specimen.

15 Sep 2017 22:17:18
He is in my list 😎. above everyone. Best player! Pure quality and no excuses!

15 Sep 2017 22:59:02
You know he will do his ACL this year. Bound to happen.

15 Sep 2017 23:58:56
That's not funny Benny, you know our luck with injuries! I will blame you if anything bad happens like how I still blame Ken Augero for washing his underwear ( New visitors to the site may not get this )

16 Sep 2017 00:41:43
Damn fine player is Keita. Will run our midfield for years to come. Goals, work rate, pace, never say die attitude. The Naby has got everything in his locker.

15 Sep 2017 16:07:44
"For the first goal we made five mistakes before the last mistake, " This is what Klopp said. Can somebody please tell him that it is the mistakes by the DEFENDERS that end up costing us. It seems to me he absolves the defenders from all responsibility. So if four players make a mistake, say in midfield, does that mean the defender is ok to make a mistake from which we concede. This is worrying guys. Klopp has his head buried in the sand and will never blame the defenders for their mistakes.

15 Sep 2017 16:25:37
Bloody Ostrich, is Klopp.

15 Sep 2017 16:26:54
Of course he won't publicly rip his players, what purpose would that serve? Do you want them to lose motivation completely?
The fans give them enough stick publicly in any case so they're very much aware when they've made mistakes, so no need for Klopp to add to it.
Sometimes, if you make a clanger at work, isn't it nice that your boss comes to you and speaks to you directly about it. Lovren is supposed to be having a terrible time in his personal life at the moment - not going into it here. He has other things on his mind perhaps, he is human after all. I'm not making excuses for him, but everyone is different. Maybe he needs the arm around the shoulder, Klopp knows better than you and me.
If he can get him back to his form he had at Southampton, he'll be an asset.

{Ed001's Note - any manager that rips into his team publicly will quickly lose the dressing room.}

15 Sep 2017 16:32:30
I think we can all agree that Lovren is not at the standard any of us would like. That being said, I see that statement as trying to preserve what little confidence Dejan has left. Were you expecting "its all Lovren's fault, he's garbage"? If the manager publicly throws him under the bus he'll be less value than he is already. unfortunately we are going to need him the rest of the season.

15 Sep 2017 16:15:32
Urm he is right. How is that burying his head?! Smh.

15 Sep 2017 16:22:14
Perhaps klopp sees that the more the cbs get knocked the more confidence they lose and the worse they play, hence getting knocked even more etc. And klopp is deflecting that blame and looking after his players. Exactly what you want your manager to do.

15 Sep 2017 16:46:55
Well speaking from experience if you are having serious issues in your personal life and no matter how hard you try not to let it effect your work it can be extremely difficult. He is as you say only human after all folks.

15 Sep 2017 16:57:37
Exactly Ed001.
Sometimes I wonder if posters on here have ever played a team sport or worked in a team environment. Must be great fun working/ playing with them if you make errors and get humiliated on a regular basis, I hear it's great for team spirit/ morale. Where do I sign up lol.

15 Sep 2017 17:03:08
Klopp is right. There were opportunities to stop the ball getting into the box. That does not absolve any defender from their duties, merely stating that other players also could have done better.

15 Sep 2017 17:08:57
The manager can't prevent an individual from screwing up a simple clearance, but he can look at the systemic issues which led to that and try to prevent them.

15 Sep 2017 17:10:14
He doesn't need to rip into them, but clearly whatever he's trying is not helping the defence improve concentration, forcing them to communicate better with each other or building team spirit (see Matip just throwing the young guys next to him to the wolves over and over) . I don't expect him to just throw them to the wolves but maybe it's time to let them feel a little of the public opinion of them? I don't know but something different needs to happen.

15 Sep 2017 17:27:30
Exactly BarryinLouth mate.
I feel for him a bit.
Nobody knows what goes on behind closed doors, either at Melwood or at home.
They're no different than you and I.
They just can usually kick a ball cleaner than us and get a bigger pay cheque.
I think some people think that because they play football professionally, they can abuse them all day every day.
If Lovren scores tomorrow (unlikely I know being a CB) or is man of the match, how many will come on here and give the guy props?
Little to none I reckon.

15 Sep 2017 17:28:41
We ripped Brendan for making similar quotes in public. Time changes 😎😎as well priorities!

{Ed001's Note - no we didn't. Rodgers got ripped for blaming the players constantly for every bad thing. Bit like he did midweek when Celtic got their arse handed to them, it was all down to the players and not Rodgers fault. It never is.}

15 Sep 2017 17:58:09
Ed01 - please give Brenda bashing a break.

Fans were overly critical of him when he was here and Klopp is getting there slowly.

Wonder if Klopp's profile has already taken a beating.

Any big club would be vary of considering him given his current status with us.

Hope he gets it correct sooner and leads us to atleast some title. We will take anything at this rate.

Cheers.

{Ed001's Note - I wasn't bashing him, not that it is anything to do with you. Brendan deserved the criticism because he takes all the credit and refuses to take the blame. I was merely pointing out that no one was criticising Brendan for defending his players as he never did that. But, if I did choose to bash him, then that is my choice and nothing to do with you.}

15 Sep 2017 18:16:26
More worryingly Klopp has said Mig is still his no1. This must mean he is back in goal for tomorrow. Burnely's chances of getting something have just improved.

15 Sep 2017 18:17:27
It's football. Every single team in the history of the sport has conceded goals. Ok man city wasn't great, far from it but if city had lost an important player to red card I think we would have turned them over. Apart from that we've been pretty good. Plenty of reason for optimism. We seven games two draws ONE loss and four wins. And we've played and we have played five games against teams that are near the top end of their respective leagues. Things are going okay. Our next two league games look very winnable and we will be back in the top four if we do win them (probably) chill peeps. I would hate to see what it's like here if we lose three, four games in a row. I think the team looks good. We have exciting new talent breaking into the first team. We have our record signing already firing on all cylinders. We have cout's coming back into the fold. It's all good atm. No need to worry.

15 Sep 2017 18:55:17
Suppered I was going to ask you what colour glasses you wear but I'm guessing they're red tinted 😉. Love your optimism mate but surely you can see the amount of criticism the keeper and defence get from all angles is normally justified.

15 Sep 2017 19:26:40
When will people realise that what a manager says in public or to the press is completely different to what he'll be saying behind closed doors.

Are we really that naive that we hang on every word and believe everything they say?

Klopp knows we need quality defenders, you'd have to be blind not to but he's not going publicly lambast the players and shatter their already fragile confidence. You can bet he's told them the way they are performing is not good enough behind closed doors though.

15 Sep 2017 20:10:09
They are our weakest positions jayden, yes. But what can we do about it now? Moaning and knocking them will only make the problem worse. Not saying they don't deserve criticism but they have had that. Move on and back our team I say. And karius has looked ok in games he has played. If we stick with him and stop this rotation I don't think gk will be an issue. I no longer feel light headed at set pieces with loris in the sticks.

15 Sep 2017 21:00:33
Lovely posts on here, guys. Harry, BR has not changed. He is still the coward that he is as nothing that goes wrong is ever his fault and everything that goes well is to his credit. Klopp does not do any of that. He is defending his players by deflecting which all managers d cos he needs them to perform for him. You hero Mou got himself sacked by trashing his own players at RM and Chelsea so clearly, Klopp is smarter than him on this front so leave Klopp alone on this one as we all know you can't stand the guy.

Now, I hope people realize why Klopp says what he says in the media and never slates the players cos their confidence is already low at the moment. What do you expect him to do when he knows he's going to need these same players to perform tmrw? Slash them and then kill their confidence completely? There's a reason fans are not managers and should never be allowed to manage as they have no clue why managers do and say what they do or say.

Klopp knows we need better CB's and is clearly working on VVD coming in while he already has Naby coming into midfield next summer. We are not the finished article yet so patience is needed. Our boys need us to cheer them to victory so let's put all the crap to the side and support our team and please to those going to Anfield tmrw, don't boo the boys cos that will definitely not help them.

15 Sep 2017 21:11:49
Superred I agree mate and I support all of the players at LFC but like you said they do deserve criticism when they underperform, especially when they are earning more in a week than most people do in 5 years, it's part and parcel of the game and it comes with the territory. The divide between players and fans these days is so far now I honestly don't think what any fan says is even a drop in the ocean to them. Christ most players will get booed by 40 thousand plus opposition fans most weeks and they take it with a pinch of salt. Cheering or moaning about your team is what makes us fans love the game so much and makes us so passionate. Whether we win and we are overhyping the players or lose and we're acting like it's the end of the world it doesn't make us people bad supporters it just makes us fans.

15 Sep 2017 22:22:12
Well said jayden. I totally understand. The truth is I am concerned with our cbs. I don't think they're as bad as some are making them out to be but they have been poor. I could actually see lovren's confidence falling away against seville and that, to me, is very worrying. We can't sign anyone new, there is nowhere to turn so we have to get the best out of what we have.

When lovren scored that header in europa league, he was buzzing and a firm fan's favourite and he played really well for quite a while after that. Confidence is MASSIVE for cbs. They have to make split second decisions and the wrong choice can mean the difference between 3 pts or 1. 1 pt or none.

I believe the more he is knocked the worse those decisions could be and that worries me. Yours was a very good post and I agree about the gap between players and fans but we as fans can help dejan, even in a small way, to make the right choices and help us win games. I was really proud of the kop singing "Bobby firmino" after he missed the penalty, liverpool fans are among the greatest in football imo and that showed, in part, why.

I'd like to see the same support shown to lovren and matip and even klavan as I LOVE liverpool football club and I think this group and our manager can achieve big things. If we were in a crisis I wouldn't necessarily feel this way but I don't think we are, in fact if you take away the city game I'd say we are having a really good season so far.

Even as it is I think there is still a massive chance we will win the league or at least improve on last seasons fourth place finish. Yes I may have rose tinted glasses a lot of the time but is that not part of being a fan too?

15 Sep 2017 23:20:24
Good post Superred.

15 Sep 2017 22:35:42
Personally I thought Can was fouled in the buildup to the first goal, the lad slid right through on him. I'm not defending our mistakes by the way but it doesn't help when you don't get decisions, anyone else think it was a clear foul on the follow through?

15 Sep 2017 22:59:22
Rodgers' ego and his blind self promotion is his undoing,

The reason he went to Celtic was that was the only way he could get near the champions league,

He is advertising himself to the top clubs in Europe, His criticism of his team and not him stinks of someone who thinks I'm here with these underdogs but imagine if I was at a better club.

16 Sep 2017 00:29:28
Sorry if I'm sounding heartless here but if players are not in the right frame of mind due to personal issues then it is the responsibility of the manager to put the team first and let the individual sit out the game . If I am to be totally honest Lovren has been dire since forever, a mistake waiting to happen . No time for sentiment unfortunately in this day and age . The only thing that keeps players performance levels high is the fear of being dropped due to competition for places in a squad . The fact that there isn't quality competition for Matip, Lovern and Klavan rests squarely on Klopps shoulders .

In spite of this I remain committed to supporting the manager and any player that gives 100% commitment and effort for the team . It's been too long since we have added to our trophy cabinet .

{Ed001's Note - if you were being fair, you would remember that you are talking crap about Lovren. He has never been dire all the time, that is the problem, he is inconsistent. One game he can be good, the next he will make silly errors. The Derby, for instance, he was excellent, maybe even the best player on the pitch, as he smothered Lukaku completely. So, to be fair, you would not just say he was 'dire since forever' as that is not in any way fair.}

16 Sep 2017 07:03:27
Fair enough Ed, I conceded that my response was a bit over the top . I just can't help feeling frustrated that I am rarely ever are ease with his defending and those outstanding games are too few and far between . I would love him to make me eat my words because ultimately all that matters is that the team win matches.

{Ed001's Note - the way we play, it is just never going to happen that you are ever at ease. Mind, even when we dominated it was usually as a result of late goals that we picked up the wins, so I doubt if LFC has ever been a club that you can be at ease watching.}

16 Sep 2017 08:19:54
By the way Ed01 I have massive respect for you mate, I can't thank you enough for giving me the forum to discuss these issues that with other reds from around the world who are united behind our beloved team . I suffer from clinical depression and believe it or not I find this forum therapeutic . God bless you mate for the good work you are doing . I don't expect you to post this, that is not the intention . I just wanted to tell you THANKS!

{Ed001's Note - wow thank you mate. I am glad it helps, though I am surprised it is therapeutic, most of the time I find it quite the opposite! I wasn't sure whether to post this or not, as you might have wanted it to remain private, but then I remembered something I was told about depression etc, that knowing there are other people in the same boat helps people to deal with it. So maybe someone will read it and feel better and know it is ok to talk about their problems. The biggest step is always to admit you need help after all.}

16 Sep 2017 08:49:00
No worries Ed.

{Ed001's Note - and thank you again mate. It is always good to know that our work here is appreciated. It is this kind of thing that keeps me getting up at 7am each morning during the winter, when the matches only finish at 2am and I have been busy editing for an hour or 2 afterwards before I could go to sleep. Knowing it actually matters to someone else makes waking up much much easier.}

16 Sep 2017 13:00:35
Piaray, my prayers are with you through your situation right now. My mum battled depression for over two years and nearly cost her her life. It was horrible and scary. Now, she is WAY better due to therapy, medicine and family help. I can relate.

I hope you continue to come on this site and post your opinions even if I don't agree with them. The fact that you are able to find some form of comfort and peace on this forum fills me with great joy. Keep your head up, mate and may the good Lord continue to keep you! Peace and Love, my brother!

15 Sep 2017 15:07:44
Ed001, On the subject of how we are in bad need of new defenders is there any in the academy that are very highly thought of?

When I see a youngster get a chance it feels almost like a new signing for me and I am excited to see them do well and I like to support them even when they fail sometimes as they are only young at the end of the day and will make mistakes but it will improve them as players i. e Trents mistake vs Hoffenheim or Gomez's red card vs Sevilla. But to see senior players like Lovren and Matip make these same type of errors it really drives me mental they should be in their prime.

I have heard many good things about the young Irish lad Masterson? Do you know how highly rated he is and if he is close to getting a chance? What about Juanma, is he any close to breaking through? I heard on here he was very highly rated at one point.

{Ed001's Note - I think this was discussed the other day, though I can't for the life of me remember who we discussed then. Masterson is highly rated, Juanma too, but really Gomez is the one the club has the highest hope for of defenders. With defenders developing slower, it is much tougher for them to break through, I mean Lloyd Jones is still there but I really do not hold out much hope of him breaking through sadly. At one time he looked almost certain.}

15 Sep 2017 15:36:55
Sorry Ed must have missed out on that post, cheers anyway. I agree I hope Gomez gets some games at centre back to show what he can do and doesn't end up like Wisdom who I thought had it all to go to play us. Also hope to see a fellow Irishman in Masterson come through.

{Ed001's Note - I would love to see a central defender come through the academy. It is a real good sign that the team is willing to place trust in youth products from it, as it is the hardest area of the field to develop. Experience is so important, very few centre backs establish themselves as first choice prior to the age of 25.}

15 Sep 2017 15:48:07
Exactly ed. I think joe gomez Is extremely promising. He is part of the reason klopp didn't feel the need to buy a cb for the sake of it but we have to be patient with him. I knew the moment gomes didn't have a great game fans would start looking at ghe academy.

I think the fact gomes is getting in a top pl team at his tender age tells us he is going to be huge.

15 Sep 2017 17:19:31
Who's that 16yr old who's about 6 foot 10?

15 Sep 2017 18:20:57
Ed, does Clyne's injury issues make it hard for Gomez to start at CB, knowing he's competing with Trent at RB, plus still young himself and getting over those serious injuries he's had?

{Ed001's Note - yes mate, because the club want him at RB.}

15 Sep 2017 19:16:54
Is that not how Carragher first learnt his trade in the first team and he turned into a good solid centre half!

15 Sep 2017 20:11:13
Very good point jon.

15 Sep 2017 20:17:22
Jonpow, did you used to sing and write for a fantastic indie band called "Cast"? If so you're an absolute legend dude! Loved walkway, one of my favourite ever tunes! I saw you live at the Eastney cellars a couple of years back in portsmouth. My mate Ben opened for you (this is my pint, there are many like it but this one is mine) you signed my liverpool shirt after the gig. Still got it, it's one of my prized possessions! Don't know if this is the correct platform but do you reckon you'll get back with the band when the inevitable 90s revival happens? If it's not you I'm sorry, check out "Alright"

15 Sep 2017 22:17:20
Isn't Juanma a bit short to be a centre back? 1.77m?

Anyway that young giant I was on about - Emeka Obi 👍.

15 Sep 2017 22:59:14
Jonpow. got to be jon power! Jonny jonny give us a wave!

16 Sep 2017 01:24:20
Similar height to Puyol I believe Ron.

15 Sep 2017 13:53:43
Ah looks like Mignolet is back in goal for the weekend, rather bemused with the rotation!

"he will play 85-87% of the games this season"

Got to feel for Ward!

15 Sep 2017 14:04:45
Got to feel for Karius. Not sure how would he ever going to make it to the top!

15 Sep 2017 15:10:41
Very good point wcd. I thought karius looked quite steady at set pieces on Wednesday.

15 Sep 2017 16:59:20
My conspiracy theory on this is I suspect Migs will play PL, Karius CL and then if Karius plays well Klopp will step up to starting Karius in the PL. I think this is just a way for Klopp To allow Karius to prove himself without too much pressure on his shoulders, and to try protect him from the savaging he got last time.

If all goes well, Migs might leave and then Ward to take no.2.why else keep Ward back to be third choice? He would have done well with another season at Huddersfield so I'm hoping Klopp has something like the above in mind.

15 Sep 2017 18:19:50
I agree SGRED. I reckon migs was going to be sold this summer just gone but his late form saved him.

15 Sep 2017 18:21:15
But surely If Karius makes a mistake in the CL and we go out then that is just the same or worse. Karius gets 6 CL games that we have to get points from to progress but gets protected from 38 premier league games where all teams will drop points 🤔.

16 Sep 2017 13:05:44
To me, Klopp has handled this poorly. Karius is clearly his guy and who he wants as he would never have signed him if he did not believe in him. Migs is old news so he should do the right thing: Bin Migs and get Karius into the fray and allow him to grow and I don't care about him making mistakes as how else is he going to learn? We all want Gomez, Woodburn, Ward and TAA to get games YET we don't want them to make mistakes? There is no way on earth that won't happen so we need to support them in their bad days IF we want them to improve, Karius included.

15 Sep 2017 06:00:26
Morning Eds and Reds.

Over the past few years we have suffered the same problem, an inconsistent defence. No matter how good our team has been, and I even go back to the great team of the 80’s. In my opinion I think that we have had at least one defensive position filled by a player that has had to be carried by those around him, whether it be Grobbelaar protected by some world class central defenders (Hansen et al) or a dodgy full back like Stig Inge Bjornebye all the way through to todays unacceptable bunch. But the one consistent position that hasn’t been filled with a world class player, again in my opinion, since the days of Clemence has been the goalkeeper.

Now don’t get too upset with me here but I am going to compare our beloved team with the dark side at the other end of the East Lancs. I have had this discussion with Utd fans before but I believe the most important signing they made which turned them from a very good team into the dominant force of English football for two decades was Peter Schmeichel. For years Utd produced teams with some great attacking flair, sprinkled with the odd great player such as Muhren and Thijssen but they never quite made it to the top because of their poor defence summed up by Gary Bailey. But once they signed Scmeichel their fortunes changed. They suddenly had a world class gk who not only kept the ball out but he organised his defence, Pallister and Bruce and several changes. Most Utd fans look to Cantona as the catalyst but I disagree because as I said their attacking flair had never been in doubt just their ability to defend.

Does that ring any bells for us? Of course it does, we need a keeper who can kick sh** out of the central defenders to make sure they concentrate for the full 90, can organise a back 4 to defend as a unit making sure that they play for each other and then we need him to do his own job with security and confidence and be that world class keeper we are sadly lacking. I honestly believe that even with the centre backs we have now a man of Scmeichels stature behind them would make them look a thousand times better, he would organise them and make sure they were better as a unit and give them the one thing they lack more than anything at the moment, confidence.

That’s the answer to our problems but the finer detail of who that miracle worker could be is beyond me at the moment because I just don’t see a player good enough out there with the exception of De Gea who wouldn’t cross the East Lancs to join us unfortunately.

Just my opinion and open to discussion. Thanks for your time.
Istanbul.

15 Sep 2017 06:20:15
Grobs was class mate
Up the pool.

15 Sep 2017 06:33:04
Spot on Istanbul, but I do still think Lovren and Klavan are not good enough.

15 Sep 2017 09:15:16
I said this ages ago! We need a keeper who throttles players when they balls up! I've never heard one player when I'm in anfield screaming at players! As I said when I played ball when u didn't clear your lines you'd turn around and see your big cb or keeper steaming towards u! LFC don't have that! They've hendo who's a nice guy 👍🏼.

15 Sep 2017 09:18:30
Grobs was a great keeper who bailed Hansen out plenty of times. Hansen made his fair share of errors.

15 Sep 2017 09:25:30
OP, I like your spirit and you make some very good points. However, football has changed massively from even 5 years ago and those rules in the era you speak of, no longer apply unfortunately. We would all like to think footie is an exact science and in some cases, it is. In most cases, it is not.

GK's don't do the "organization" of the defence thing anymore as only Buffon IMO, still does it as he is literally a coach on the pitch and a great one at that. Systems have killed the art of GK's being able to be forceful and organize things now due to coaches who are too insecure to accept outside input and want to be control freaks so even if the system is not working, they just replace the players BUT keep the system (in this case, defensive) in place.

I agree that we need a GK who can be forceful, vocal and get in people's faces BUT he has to be empowered to do that. Will Klopp do that with Migs or Karius or ward? I can't answer that. Now what I will say that Karius in the Seville game, showed glimpses that he could be that commanding figure at the back as he looked very sure of himself in what ever he did even tho, he was NEVER really tested. Could he be the guy? We will have to see cos he is still young and needs more games to show if he can do that.

15 Sep 2017 09:27:30
Between 2007-2010 Reina was easily world class. Top 3 keepers in the world in my opinion.

He would still walk into most teams in Europe even now in his mid 30's.

It is such a shame he made his position untenable, but what a drop down in quality to replace him with Mignolet ☹.

15 Sep 2017 10:34:52
Spot on, MK. I loved Reina too BUT his conduct and attitude near the end there was disgraceful. BR should never have signed Migs and Klopp should have binned him way back when. The both get the blame for the Migs issues.

15 Sep 2017 13:15:32
The back pass rule would have had a huge impact on Hansen, Grobblar/ Clemency.
A huge part of our European game was to play the ball along the back four and keeper to draw the opposition forward, then Hansen would get the ball, drop the shoulder and break forward with the ball splitting the opposition midfield,
Absolute class.

But with the back pass rule it has changed the whole system where the modern goalkeeper is to act nearly as a sweeper to allow the centre halfs to push up to play the high line.

Mark Lawrenson is one of the old school who would have been stool class in the modern game,

{Ed001's Note - I disagree, Grobs, Clemence and Lawrence all played a sweeper keeper role. What changed for us was quality of players, not the back pass rule. We had already lost our place at the summit of the game before the rule was introduced in 1992.}

15 Sep 2017 15:32:52
I agree with Istanbul about the importance of a gk. That is why I can't understand this constant rotation. Karius should be given the chance.

{Ed001's Note - rotating goalkeepers is always a mistake. It is not a position you can do that in. Klopp clearly prefers Karius, he has made that plain, so stand by your choice and get rid of Migs for heaven's sake! He is just not good enough.}

15 Sep 2017 15:59:41
You're right ed. There must be a reason why teams, all through the history of football, have never rotated that position. I guess there must be some other than us but it is extremely rare. Shouldve sold migs when karius came in. That way the temptation is gone.

{Ed001's Note - spot on mate. The few teams that have tried it tend to suffer because of it. A keeper is the organiser, the players in front of him need to understand him.}

15 Sep 2017 16:07:11
EDDS001,
Fully agree, by swapping MINGO and KARIUS it shows a weakness by the manager, he is getting paid an awful lot of money to make decisions and the goalkeeping one he is failing big time. by the way who's turn is it this week.

{Ed002's Note - Bogdan is near fit and has been registered by Liverpool for the Premier League.}

15 Sep 2017 17:12:48
Hi Ed,

Since the back pass rule started the keeper now has play the ball with his feet more often as he can no longer pick it up.

The option to take time out of the game by playing it back and forth to the keeper is now gone,

The keeper now has to be more able to play the ball with his feet while being closed down,

I don't remember Lawrence playing but I know Clemence and Grobb were top class, they were trained for the rules back then,

The skill set that was required for back then compared to now has changed.

No doubt they could have adapted.

I mentioned Mark Lawrenson as left sided centre half, with pace and the ability to fill in at left back, His skill set would still suit today.

{Ed001's Note - so would Hansen's, he was twice the player Lawro ever was. As for the keepers, all 3 would have been fine, the back pass rule only made a slight change, as we can see with the likes of Pep emphasising possession, they just make sure that the keeper can also pass the ball. Grobs, in particular, was very good on the ball.}