Liverpool Banter Archive January 16 2017

16 Jan 2017 22:41:21
Went down to Anfield from Glasgow for the first time last Sunday for the Plymouth game. I just wanted to say that even though the game itself wasn't the most exciting, the experience was amazing. Actually being in the crowd singing You'll Never Walk Alone brought a tear to my eye. I hope to return soon.

16 Jan 2017 23:27:13
Hairs on the back of your neck stand up buzz. DEADLY!

16 Jan 2017 18:18:08
Question for Ed's 002 if he/ she is about.
Lfc related in regards the race for the Prem title, is the Costa to China rumour just a storm in a tabloid teacup or is there any truth in it?

{Ed002's Note - This is the Liverpool page - try the Chelsea page.}

16 Jan 2017 19:11:03
Sorry Ed's me bad.
Been over there, lots of chat but no input from yourself, I don't believe any rumour till you or 001 say it's so

17 Jan 2017 08:51:28
Don't you listen to the sharkopods? I think we can rule out ed 02 being a woman

17 Jan 2017 15:42:44
Or an American woman!

18 Jan 2017 17:00:16
A cup of Costa .

16 Jan 2017 16:13:50
Hopefully an open minded post.
This year much like Leicester last year without Europe was a good chance to go pretty close in the league, we started really really well and whether its due to a dip in form or loss of players, or maybe even a stop in momentum at the international breaks we have dropped markedly in our position and advantage points wise and in our form.
Now I do know lots are trying to be positive and so they should BUT, when you watch Chelsea recently do they look like losing? I'm saying not so let's for a start forget any fantasy breakdown we think they might have, they have quality players everywhere and a very good manager too, Arsenal are doing what Arsenal do, flitting about the top four and not looking like winning it, but they do seem in general to be whooping the lower down sides, something that we seem to have forgotten how to do.
Man utd are hitting form at the right time and you wouldn't rule out top 4 now and City are the other team like us to have a dramatic dip at the wrong time.
Spurs I personally think now look very confident and are playing well enough to finish top 2.
So what gives? Whose been missed and whose gone missing?
I think Mignolet has stepped up 100% as in my eyes has Karius in the cup game, Milner I think had a lapse for a few games but is playing back into form a bit, Klavan will always be suited by some games more than others as will Lovren, I don't think with a few games Trent Alexander will prove at his tender years to be any less capable than Clyne and I personally think for leadership Matip has been a loss.
Couthino was a massive loss, a loss for the team and a loss personally for Firminho who looks blank without him, Henderson also no matter what anybodies opinion is always a big big loss now, Can I personally don't see ever being that great but that's my own personal view and Wiji I think has grown into the club and his role in the team and if he could score more would be worth a fortune,
Lucas is clearly off at some point, and for me none of the midfield kids look ready yet, not quite anyway.
Lallana is quality in my eyes and needs to be back in midfield and away from the wing where he is a massive waste.
Up front we clearly miss Mane, his pace and acceleration, Firminho is certainly no winger AND has gone off a touch, Sturridge the enigma just doesn't seem wanted by the gaffer and just isn't doing enough, Origi is marmite, I think there's a player in there but he's a young lad whose very hit and miss and the kids like the midfield don't seem quute ready and that includes Woodburn and Ojo.
Id personally like to see Wilson have a bash in the cups.
Its all personal opinion so im not stirring a shouting match here im just sharing opinions, For me we've gone off the boil, we've forgotten how to score and sometimes we seem to shoehorn players into positions instead of finding solutions to players needed.
I seriously think we need a real good striker or two and I really think we need a quality partner for Henderson, a winger would also not go amiss.
I firmly believe the back four with either Matip back in and/ or a top drawer centre half to partner him would see us ok at the back and the least of our worries in my book is a goalkeeper at this moment in time at least until the season is over anyway.
We seriously need to hit top gear again as the other sides are not just going to go away, they are playing well with the exception of City and to make sure we keep on course we need some swagger back.
Hopefully Klopp has a plan whether it be transfers or not but let's not just wear the rose tinted and assume all is well as no win in 4 games says it isn't at all and we are now in a massive dog fight for top four and whoever scraps best will also end up champions in my book.
We can still do it but we need to do it now as any more ground lost will just put us under immense pressure and im not sure we're up to that pressure just yet.
Keep cheering folks, YNWA

{Ed025's Note - good read that richie mate..

16 Jan 2017 16:44:34
End of the day we can never blame anyone if we loose the title to Chelsea. Or we could credit ourself for finishing inside top 4. Whichever way you think is a success. Personally I believe we should be challenging quite easily with 3 of the top 4 sides changing managers and usual TRANSITION we should be right up there and theoretically we are third atm. But point wise we are 7 below Chelsea and 1 above City.
We need to start playing the way we started off the season and focus on each and every game from here on. We cannot drop anymore points.

Good one Richie.

16 Jan 2017 17:07:01
The cup games have distorted things a bit, we've taken 14 points from our last 6 league games scoring 12 goals and conceding 4. A point away to Utd can't really be considered a bad result which leaves Sunderland as the only bad day at the office. We're also getting key players back now.

Things aren't as bad as they seem.

16 Jan 2017 17:15:36
Everyone has had ups and downs, Chelsea's, MU's and cities the most dramatic, ourselves, spurs and arsenal have plodded along quite steadily.
Our u23 squad drew a cup game, we lost 1st leg in a cup game away, and drew 2 away league matches featuring 2 pens and a goal that shouldn't have stood to the form team in the Prem at the moment.
If this is a crisis god help us.
I'd have bitten your arm off to be ahead of MU, ARSE and MCFC tied for 2nd at this stage Of The season.

16 Jan 2017 17:55:49
That is a very good read Richie mate. We do need to step it up your right as I think the ones around us will. However Chelsea have Looked like loosing recently. ask Spurs. It just points out that they're not unbeatable. We haven't won in 4 (fair enough) yesterday was a good point in my eyes, Plymouth was our youngsters, Southampton is only half time. and yeah ok Sunderland was a bad day. so except go Southampton (which we can put right) we haven't lost either. let's be positive!

16 Jan 2017 18:02:00
Think it's down to our starting XI go missing we suffer which is more noticeable in our front 3 (coutinho, firmino, and mane) as don't really have a replacement. Mane is our wide pacey option that doesn't have an adequate replacement, nor do we have a replacement for firminos press and movement or coutinhos quality or creativity.

Added to that lallana is entirely different than any midfielder we have as with Henderson. Finally Matip seems to be the only one to organise and calm our defence.

May seem like I'm mentioning too many things but simply if we lose one of our 'best XI' we do struggle to find someone to replace them.

16 Jan 2017 18:03:39
" dramatic dip " in form i agree with everything you say Riche but that is an over exaggeration.

16 Jan 2017 17:50:48
Thanks ED025 and Harry, We all have differing opinions that's football but I sometimes think we need to be realistic too, Its easy to get blinded by your own team amongst supporters bias but we ARE in a good spot compared to last year and clearly Klopp has brought on some players and some have not got with the programme so to speak, He doesn't appear to be blind Mr Klopp so I figure he has a plan one way or another,
These home games coming up will give us a measure of where we stand for later in the season

{Ed025's Note - im a massive klopp fan richie and if anyone can bring back the glory days its him, how some can have a moan about him is beyond me mate..

16 Jan 2017 17:55:49
That is a very good read Richie mate. We do need to step it up your right as I think the ones around us will. However Chelsea have Looked like loosing recently. ask Spurs. It just points out that they're not unbeatable. We haven't won in 4 (fair enough) yesterday was a good point in my eyes, Plymouth was our youngsters, Southampton is only half time. and yeah ok Sunderland was a bad day. so except go Southampton (which we can put right) we haven't lost either. let's be positive!

16 Jan 2017 18:02:00
Think it's down to our starting XI go missing we suffer which is more noticeable in our front 3 (coutinho, firmino, and mane) as don't really have a replacement. Mane is our wide pacey option that doesn't have an adequate replacement, nor do we have a replacement for firminos press and movement or coutinhos quality or creativity.

Added to that lallana is entirely different than any midfielder we have as with Henderson. Finally Matip seems to be the only one to organise and calm our defence.

May seem like I'm mentioning too many things but simply if we lose one of our 'best XI' we do struggle to find someone to replace them.

16 Jan 2017 18:03:39
" dramatic dip " in form i agree with everything you say Riche but that is an over exaggeration.

16 Jan 2017 18:25:38
Great post richie. Agree with what you said. Be interested to know who youd like the boss to sign?

16 Jan 2017 18:20:46
I think you're panicking too much.
"we have dropped markedly in our position"
Last time I looked we were joint second behind Chelsea. Chelsea might not look like losing, but it only takes one game then a dip in confidence and they could drop 5 points in a few weeks.
We're just over half way through the season, if we're 7points behind with 4 games left then I'll be panicking. There's 51 points to play for and Chelsea have to come to Anfield where we are unbeaten for over a year.

Don't lose your nerve, keep believing 😎

16 Jan 2017 18:45:11
We've 17 games left and only seven of those are away - a tough game at City aside, we should keep applying the pressure to the top sides, turn Anfield into a fortress and see where we end up. keep the faith lads.

16 Jan 2017 18:20:46
I think you're panicking too much.
"we have dropped markedly in our position"
Last time I looked we were joint second behind Chelsea. Chelsea might not look like losing, but it only takes one game then a dip in confidence and they could drop 5 points in a few weeks.
We're just over half way through the season, if we're 7points behind with 4 games left then I'll be panicking. There's 51 points to play for and Chelsea have to come to Anfield where we are unbeaten for over a year.

Don't lose your nerve, keep believing 😎

16 Jan 2017 19:37:29
Great posts on this thread. I agree with you as a whole, Ritchie BUT the 4 games we haven`t won must each be put into context. Vs Utd, we gave a solid away performance and Klopp out-coached Mou for the upteenth time with his tactics and our overall team performance. Utd only equalized with an offside goal so that`s hard to take. The Plymouth game shouldn`t even count as we played mostly the U23 team. The Saints defeat was a poor one and even Klopp admitted to. The Sunderland game was unfortunate but it was a negative result.

We have been in a sticky patch yet with all that and the missing players we have, we are still joint 2nd and three points ahead of City with the easier run in as well as 10 of the 17 games coming at Anfield. We are still in a good position in the PL, still in the Cups and most importantly, we play Chelsea, Arsenal and Spurs at home, a chance to affect their points tally directly. We`ve taken their best shot on their patches and they still couldn`t beat us. We`ll see what happens then. All the teams will drop points BUT we have to make sure to drop less than everybody else, period.

We just need to stick together and fight like we did vs Utd where we were promised a hiding from all and sundry YET here we are, still alive and still standing. We`ll be fine and I have all confidence in Klopp.

16 Jan 2017 21:20:30
If this is our bad patch for the season i will take it. Get Matip back in, Hendo and Coutinho stay fit and we will be fine and dandy. Its all good😊

16 Jan 2017 21:45:35
Nice to see some rational posts on this thread and some genuine footy talk, someone asked who id like us to sign and that to be honest is the million dollar question.
In honesty I just don't know, I have this thing about Costa type serious goal scorers and i think we lack one, although to be fair id have loved Vardy in last years form up front for us, I think hed have been cracking with his pace.
Other than that just some real real quality on the ball for me in particular a proper midfield box to box man.
Thanks for the responses they're appreciated!

16 Jan 2017 21:49:37
If all of our sticky patches resulted in being joint second with 17 games to go (10 at home) we would've won the league a few times in the last few seasons.

Good review Richie 🙂

16 Jan 2017 22:09:33
You say we've had a dip? Before the dip we were 6 behind Chelsea and in 2nd spot. After the dip we are 7 behind Chelsea in joint 2nd.
We are 7 behind, we need to win our next 2-3 games and close the gap on Chelsea. then it's anyone's title for the taking.
Should we slip up in the next 3 games, then we will have to settle for top 4 which isn't bad at all.

17 Jan 2017 16:25:26
Spot on, Mag. And 2 of the next 3 are at home. Win your home games and you`ll be in great position for the title and if not, definitely top 4.

16 Jan 2017 15:59:25
Fifas response to Rob Harris at AP

"We can confirm Liverpool contacted FIFA about the matter to which you refer. Our services answered by directing the club to the applicable provisions.
Restrictions on playing;
A player who has been called up by his association for one of its representative teams is, unless otherwise agreed by the relevant association, not entitled to play for the club with which he is registered during the period for which he has been released or should have been released pursuant to the provisions of this annexe, plus and additional period of 5 days. "

Any breaks of this rule would go to a Fifa disciplinary panel
Sounds to me 002, it's not Fifa or Liverpool being incompetent, but Cameroon? They're not saying he can play?

{Ed002's Note - You cannot derive this from what The AP was told Benny. The Secretary has to have informed the country and FIFA of the player's retirement from International football or injury to make him ineligible for selection. There is nothing here to say that has been done. These are simply the rules - no more. If they failed to do this then the player is ineligible for the amount of time that his country are in the tournament plus five days. If however they did do this and had not had an acknowledgement from his country, the Secretary should have chased the country's FA and informed FIFA that was happening - then the onus would be on the country. There is nothing in what The AP were told to draw any conclusions from.}

16 Jan 2017 16:16:41
I get that mate, and I'm sure you're tired of the questions on it. I just feel surely, we have had all season to make Cameroon aware, if we did leave it till it was too late and now we potentially have to wait till 10th of feb, someone at our club should lose their job. Such a massive cock up (if that is the case)
Thinking as i type, I don't think we have done it the right way. Else they'd have had no problems playing him against united if it was just Cameroon at fault.

16 Jan 2017 18:02:24
It's an absolute shambles, whatever has gone on to result in us having to pull a player from the match day squad is so so amateurish. You could not make this one up. It does increasingly sound like liverpools cock up, it would be nice if Cameroon would just accept that matip doesn't want to play for them and let him play for us though, regardless of whether they are obliged to or not. Much like liverpools behaviour over spearing at Bolton, just grow up and let him play

16 Jan 2017 19:43:32
If what the Ed said is true, then we have no one else to blame but ourselves. Cameroon are doing what is within their right rightly or wrongly so we should have done our homework to mitigate against them pulling a fast one which they did and now we and the player may be left to suffer for this shambles. Get it sorted, LFC!

16 Jan 2017 22:23:43
I think it's safe to say Matip will not pull a Cameroon jersey on again 😄

17 Jan 2017 00:11:46
Very very true Ron

16 Jan 2017 14:55:10
Hi eds

This situation with Matip, are we expecting a quick solution with him available to play for us in the next few days or is it likely to take weeks?

{Ed002's Note - I have no idea where the problem rests.}

16 Jan 2017 13:49:18
Anyone know if the u23 game is on TV tonight?

16 Jan 2017 13:56:37
Lfc tv

16 Jan 2017 14:09:32
It'll be on LFC TV.

16 Jan 2017 15:10:37
Cheers.

15 Jan 2017 23:23:01
Got through a difficult Christmas period. Still in both cups, joint 2nd on pts in the league with the other 3 of the top 4 to come to Anfield in the next month and a half.
I'm happy

16 Jan 2017 04:14:23
totally agree fitzy we have built ourselves a great platform to be in the race and that's all you want as a football supporter. Last nights game was 2am kickoff in Australia and i watched it with a handful of supporters from liverpool area thanks to them for a good night in a bar full of united supporters.

16 Jan 2017 09:56:20
Agree, some disappointing performances last few weeks but also some great wins vs City, Everton and a very credible draw away vs Utd.

Some key players coming back too just as we head into a critical patch of games against 3 of the other top 4 contenders. I think the key will be having Hendo and Matip back.

16 Jan 2017 11:50:10
Tbh, we are on 4 match winless streak

16 Jan 2017 12:04:05
All these positive post that your happy it's a joke. We have gone from 1st to 3rd and got steadily worse. Will you be saying it's ok when we go to 4tg then 5th

16 Jan 2017 12:48:08
The top 4 will change again before the season ends Dot. It's been tight at the top from day one and it's not like we were 10 points ahead sitting pretty in first then threw it away and are now third in a crisis. we were a couple of points ahead. we've played the tough Xmas period without our most creative player, best defender and our anchor, our rock and our captain in midfield. plus Mane for last 2 games. we are right in the mix and them players are now returning. First position isn't our god given right, we are joint second with an excellent Spurs side and both trailing a well oiled machine in Chelsea. Spurs play city the weekend so let's see what they're really made of, we have a tricky one against Swansea but we could be back in 2nd this time next week with a huge game against Chelsea round the corner. stay positive mate, things are not that bad

16 Jan 2017 13:14:10
We were 2 pts clear, now 7 behind that's a 9pt swing and actually it's more than that because Chelsea weren't 2nd.

We have actually been pretty poor from the moment we went top. People need to acccwpt this and stop papering over the cracks saying we are seccond, now their saying we are 3rd it's ok. We are dropping the table right before our eyes.

16 Jan 2017 13:43:49
Each game against our top 4 rivals in the run in will be like cup finals.

We can beat all of them.

It's the lesser teams who shut up shop and catch us on the counter attack or score from weak defending at set pieces that may trip us up.

The defence seems to be getting better the longer the season goes on so really we are in great shape compared to previous seasons

16 Jan 2017 14:04:40
Not to mention a few of young players getting a run out, that stood out for me but all in all its not a bad time to be a Liverpool fan.

16 Jan 2017 14:07:40
dot, u are one negative soul. chill a little. it's a long season and we are just half way. We have had a few injuries and our squad isn't as deep as others. Have some faith and patience my friend. ynwa

16 Jan 2017 14:23:58
If we even go into the Chelsea game with the gap the same a win there would leave it wide open still. If Costa goes to China or his form even dips (could have a bigger impact than him leaving) then Chelsea will struggle.
Say what you want about Saturday as an example against this but over a stretch of say 10 games no Costa or a dip in his form will make a big difference.
Also we still I'm sure have our record points total at this stage? And Chelsea I can't remember many teams having that many points at this stage so fair play to them.

16 Jan 2017 15:34:46
To be realistic, we try not be rose tinted glass. Brace ourselves for defeats at anfield but we keep marching on, no title is OK

16 Jan 2017 16:17:05
Chelsea are 7 points clear because they went on an unusual phenomenal winning run. That's not going to happen too often so yes, they will drop points and we need to make sure we pick up 3 against them!

16 Jan 2017 20:20:08
Regardless of all our issues currently, we are joint 2nd (3rd on Good) with yes 7 behind Chelsea (BUT who we play at Anfield) 3 head of City and 1 ahead of Arsenal and 5 ahead of the Mancs, in both Cups still until otherwise and have built a great platform to push on for the title of CL footie (first priority IMO) and we will be much better for the run in (easiest of all the top 6) with players coming back fitter and sharper.

Till then, we have to dig deep, fight and claw our way into getting the wins at home vs Swansea and Chelsea (saints and Plymouth as well) and we will be good to go. It ain`t over till it`s over and right now it definitely AIN`T over yet.

15 Jan 2017 22:10:51
A question for the eds.

Herrera' s cynical foul on Firmino today was only given a yellow, and I'm not saying it should have been a red, but haven't new rules been brought in regarding fouls with no intent to play the ball?
I remember Xhaka being sent off (Straight red), for tripping someone who ran past him on the halfway line earlier in the season.

Apologies if I am mistaken, or it has been covered before,

Cheers

{Ed002's Note - It is at the discretion of the referee.}

16 Jan 2017 02:01:59
I'd be more concerned about rooneys cowards challenge on Milner

16 Jan 2017 10:02:01
I hate to see that much cynicism on the pitch, we were clearly on a dangerous break and when it's as obvious an illegal attempt to stop an Attack like that I think it should be punished far more than a yellow which often gets given for just a mistimed or desperate tackle.

What really should have been a red though was Pogba on Henderson. that was outrageous.

16 Jan 2017 11:05:09
Pogba so blatantly grabbing and throwing Hendo to the ground in the box really annoyed me. And instead they get a free-kick in a dangerous position!? >: (

Any chance of retrospective punishment for sth like that eds? Since the ref obviously didn't see it. Totally not ok imo.
Thanks

{Ed002's Note - Of course not.}

16 Jan 2017 12:43:12
So Pogba, Herrera and Rooney should have been sent off 😂😂. Why don't we make it a zero contact game then? Rooney was mistimed not intentional and you see them week in week out. Herrera took one for the team on the half way line, not when your through on goal with just thenkeeper to beat. You see that week in week out. Are you telling me that's now a red card offence? Jesus Christ

16 Jan 2017 13:05:41
My gripe with Herrera is that he made that many niggly fouls before that incident he should have already been on a yellow by then.

As for Rooney his tackle was infinitely worse than Lovrens and yet there wasn't even a booking awarded. On the subject of Lovren I don't like the way United players reacted (again) . It's a Jose trait in his teams that i don't like one bit.

To balance the above out, I personally think firminio could have maybe should have gone for the push back. It was entirely brainless.

16 Jan 2017 13:47:42
Can Pogba be done retrospectively for his rugby tackle on Hendersons.
I thought referees were meant to clamp down on that once the ball was in play

16 Jan 2017 14:04:51
It was poor refereeing but it's not red for Pogba on Hendo. there were plenty of united players back fr Firmino's break, so not a red, but Herrera as usual embarrassed himself with the play acting grabbing his face. (the FA need to look at incidents like that) Rivaldo was given retrospective action in the world cup years ago for the same silly stunt. I hate the play acting grabbing faces, it's pathetic.
Rooneys was a late challenge, yellow at best.

16 Jan 2017 14:10:28
Stand united. take your united tinted glasses off. You were lucky to escape with a point at home. First good team you have played in your unbeaten run. and you came up short. We will have to give u a cup for going unbeaten and moving from 6th to 6th! Great going!

16 Jan 2017 14:30:07
Rodney's and millers was 50 50 imo they both went in missed the ball Rodney's foot was higher. Progba was just stupid and a red. Herriara was just embarrassing and should not be allowed in the game and the play acting was bad but on rules frimino should have walked

16 Jan 2017 20:34:48
Spot on, lfcdiamond. Don`t care for the fouls on either side as the ref dealt with those correctly on the pitch. Stand, Utd have scored 5 offside goals int he last 4-6 games and only an (you guessed it) offside goal got you back in the game so stop mouthing off cos we fielded an under strength team (including an 18 yr old RB who held his own vs Martial), took your best shot (playing stoneage football with Sam Allerdyce tactics) and still couldn`t make a dent in our 5 point lead on you.

Your team is the most expensive team in PL history but all you could muster was an offside goal? Klopp still owns Mou in head to head as well and is undefeated at OT. Must be frustrating to know that prior to your run, you were 6th and even till now, you are still 6th.

16 Jan 2017 21:37:24
Firstly, my post was regarding the so called red card incidents. If any of you think they were reds your embarrassing yourself. Secondly, and Hamilton, especially for you, you constantly talk crap, we beat Spurs, are they not a good team now? We beat Sunderland, did you manage that? And we play stone age football do we? You haven't watched the last two months worth of games then no? If changing tactic mid game to get a result is a bad thing then more fool you. You think football canning be played one way and one way only? Well had br had the initiative to change his style once you would have a title now. Instead 23 years and counting. As for awarding cups, your the only big English club without it. Must be had to take. Klopps lost his last 5 cup finals. Hardly the messiah is he. Can't wait to see it all come crumbling down

16 Jan 2017 22:28:42
Stand - the rules are quite clear, if you go into a tackle with studs raised - as Rooney did on Milner - that is dangerous play and a straight red card. 50-50 doesn't come into it, it was dangerous play, there is no argument. A handball in the box denying a goalscoring opportunity is also a red card - Suarez at World Cup- but Pogba didn't even get booked.

17 Jan 2017 14:09:12
Ron, but no mention of your defender denying Southampton with his arm on the goal line when redmond hit the bar the other nightV its double standards at its very best

17 Jan 2017 18:34:44
Again. imaginary hand balls viewed via united coloured glasses. Obsessed with Liverpool. u sure u really support united stand? On the liverpool page an awful lot! Lol something u want to tell us? Come on. it's ok.