Liverpool Banter Archive October 16 2017

16 Oct 2017 22:49:33
I know fans are saying we are currently going through a bad patch this season but I think it goes back further than that. I may be wrong with my maths but I have just checked back and in 2017 we have played 27 league games. Won 12, drawn 10 and lost 5. That's not including the cup defeat to wolves and 2 league cup defeats to saints. So that makes it 8 losses in 30. This isn't me trying to be negative but the only stat that counts is a result and it's all here for everyone to see.

17 Oct 2017 05:45:49
Love how I have 4 thumbs down but not a single argument against the post. This is not me calling for Klopps head as I like the bloke, I believe we will again compete for 4th at best, we again will not come close to a title challenge, our defence and keeper will continue to leak goals and the midfield will always play safe. Our saving grace is our front 3 and Coutinho when they are on form. Fans say we will improve and I am merely suggesting that this up and down form of ours goeas beyond just our 13 games so far this season.

17 Oct 2017 05:50:41
Also I see how fans are quick to mention how after our 0-0 draw we are now only 2 points behind 4th place. But no one has mentioned how we are 2 points further away from Spurs and City. When did we as LFC fans start to settle for 2nd best (or in our case 4th best) .

{Ed001's Note - it is not about settling though is it? It is about giving it time to make steps forward, rather than expecting one huge leap forward immediately.

By the way, you say our form has been poor for a while, but we kept 5 clean sheets in our last six and won 4 of those. Not sure when 4 wins and a draw from six games became poor form?}

17 Oct 2017 06:16:19
We are currently sitting on 8th and by Sunday evening we could sit on 10th or 11th. I guess that also would be considered as positivity! We can't beat the ninnod coz they sit deep! We also can’t beat the biggies coz we waste our chances! Draws won’t be enough to secure 4th place and anything else is unacceptable!

{Ed001's Note - ninnod? Isn't that a Malayalam word? If so what does it mean?}

17 Oct 2017 06:22:01
Forgive me if I'm wrong but our last 6 games have included a draw with United, draw with Newcastle, draw with Spartak, draw with Seville, win to Leicester, loss to Leicester in the cup, think a draw with Burnley and a loss to man city.
Very few clean sheets in there and terrible form.

{Ed001's Note - I was referring to last season, as he was talking about how our form had lasted longer than this season. Apologies I should have pointed that out.}

17 Oct 2017 06:52:08
Ed001 I see what your saying mate and if we could maintain that form over 38 games then we would be challenging for titles, However on the 7th game we conceded 3 against Watford and have continued to dip in form this season. We do not seem to have fixed last season (s) problems. Out of our back 5 we have replaced the right back (due to injury? ) and have changed the problem at left back with the previous 2 seasons left back problem. Our midfield 3 although have goood and bad games seem to be first choice regardless and Firminho although a top player is not a top finisher. Yes we scored lots of goals last season in a number of games we also missed bundles of chances in every game which has rolled into this season. 100% agree with step forwards and giving it time but for me the only improvement we made in the summer was we added more pace in Salah to the front 3. And have ignored the major one of back 4 and keeper. Just my thoughts though Ed001. Interested to hear yours.

{Ed001's Note - how have we ignored the major one when we signed a left back, changed the right back and spent all summer chasing a centre back?? That is nonsense. We haven't solved the major one, clearly, but not because it was ignored, but because we couldn't get the right players.

The big issue is the keeper one though, I have no idea why Klopp keeps messing this about. Every man and his dog knows he wants rid of Mignolet. Every man and his dog knows Mignolet is nowhere near good enough. So drop him ffs!!!!

By the way, the arrival of Salah was extremely important as our record last season when Mane was out was appalling. That was the biggest issue of all that had to be addressed statistically speaking, which is what the club based its thinking on. Though you know what I think of stats being used on their own, I can understand why that was dealt with first.}

17 Oct 2017 06:32:05
OOopsss. My bad. Yea! I got many friends here as well! Typo error mate. It means “ To you “ I guess you see many in Dubai and Middle East! Don’t uou? I know a few words 😆😆😆!

17 Oct 2017 07:06:27
I love the way some have already written off the Spuds match! I for one think we're going to win a tight game against them.
Pre-Christmas is all about staying in touch with the leaders. We're a bit behind at the moment but City will slip up soon. We've played Arsenal, Man Utd and Man City already. We're on the brink of a good run IMO. 👍.

17 Oct 2017 07:37:16
Agree Ron people should not be writing the Spurs match off but again on the other hand people seem quick enough to write City off and the other teams saying they will slip up soon. There is no guarantee we will improve. In fact things could even get worse or stay the same where we are very much up and down, performance and result wise.

17 Oct 2017 07:35:15
Yes we did sign a left back in the summer mate but he cannot get into the match day squad let alone the team at the current moment. Agree Every man and his dog can see Mignolet needs to be dropped but with the exception of Klopp. We didn't get our centre back target and people always ask to name other centre backs who we could have signed. Well put it this way if I was paid 7 mill a year and I wasn't working 6-1800 every day for 5 days a week then I would certainly come up with more than 1 target. Salah is a terrific signing Ed and I think he will turn out to be a top player for us.

{Ed001's Note - he can't get into the team because he was the wrong signing, but that should warn people of the dangers of just signing for the sake of signing. You say you could come up with more than 1 target for centre back but there are not a lot out there. Every club is in the same situation of needing one, Man Utd spent fairly big on one who is in the same situation as Robertson, for instance. City failed to get one. Only Chelsea managed to sign one in Rudiger and again he can't get in their first choice team.

My worry is the recruitment overall, our scouts seem unable to find any players who are actually good defensively. I wonder if there is an over reliance on stats to identify a role that is particularly difficult to identify that way. If they are watching these players and still think VVD and Robertson were the right players to sign, despite neither being of much use at all defensively, then there is a serious problem there!}

17 Oct 2017 08:27:00
Ed, all your response have been spot on. If Robbo can't get into the team then that is not Klopp's fault if he can't beat out Moreno, is it? Also, the scouting is also a big problem esp. regarding CB's. People talk about there being at least one CB out there we could sign and Ed has alluded to how other big clubs who either wanted to sign stop gaps or did sign them and cannot get into their first 11's. This shows a chronic problem either in scouting or recruitment which may be infesting teams as a whole. Are they just using other criteria (pass accuracy, good on the ball, can pass out the back, can bring the ball out etc) to rate CB's now (which is pathetic) or are they simply not doing their jobs? A bit of both in my view.

As for the form, one man's critic is another man's optimism. There is nothing poor about losing 5 measly league games in 25 or 26 games. Nothing at all. Last season, Utd went on a 25 game unbeaten streak and 15 of them were draws. Where did that get them? Oh that's right, 6th in the PL and comfortably behind us who to Jayden, have been in poor form since late last season yet we finished ahead of them. Stats are meaningless. End of story.

17 Oct 2017 08:42:44
Bingo i don't care about Utd mate and how many draws they had. They have no reflection on our results or performances. But since you brought them into it Didn't Utd win 2 trophies and automatically qualify for CL group stage ( and something like 18 trophies in last 7 years compared to our 1) But I suppose finishing 4th trophyless is the new 1st for LFC.

17 Oct 2017 08:59:08
UTD are doing decent in CL and league this season and they have a realistic chance to win league cup and FA cup at a minimum. While we are dumped out form League cup. CL won’t be happening and with the rate we are drawing games League is becoming another “ Next year is our year “ FA Cup is the only realistic trophy we could aim for!

{Ed001's Note - so we are in the position United were in before they spent 200m to change it then? A season away from challenging?}

17 Oct 2017 09:06:48
Haha good reply Ed. Unfortunately mate we have been a season away from challenging for 25 of the last 27 years.

{Ed001's Note - I know mate, I did very much have my tongue firmly in my cheek there!}

17 Oct 2017 09:34:12
BINGO
In simple terms, Klopp’s only fault is buying Robertson who he don’t rate one bit!

17 Oct 2017 09:52:22
Stop yelling, Harry. How do you know Klopp does not rate Robbo? Did he tell you that or did you make that up like all the other crap you made up like you saying Moreno was not sold to Napoli os Klopps likes him whereas that was not true?

17 Oct 2017 09:58:41
Jayden, you don't care about other teams YET you bring them up as well. What Utd won is of no significance to me cos like it or not, they were poor in the league and finished behind us comfortably after spending double what we spent in the TW. Fact. They did win two trophies, the same ones they slated us for winning under Houllier and even Mou called the trophies, second or third rate and would be embarrassed to win them YET here we are. I know, his hypocrisy should be ignored BUT it's still funny.

As for trophies, it depends. Would you take an FA Cup over a CL place? I would not esp. in our position cos CL footie is way important in our position cos we are rebuilding under Klopp. Ideally, I'll take both a Cup and a CL place BUT that may or may not happen. The PL is our bread and butter and we stick to that first while chasing other trophies like (maybe the CL) and the FA Cup. Arsenal won the FA Cup BUT believe me, Wenger would swap it for the CL any day.

17 Oct 2017 10:08:20
Read above Bingo. Ed01’s reply. 🤦🏼‍♂️🤦🏼‍♂️🤦🏼‍♂️🤦🏼‍♂️. How could you miss his replies mate 🤦🏼‍♂️🤦🏼‍♂️🤦🏼‍♂️.

17 Oct 2017 10:20:39
Bingo it was you who mentioned Utd mate. My initial post was my concerns for our up and down form in 2017. I agree the Fa and league cup hold less value these days than top 4. The Europa now has the carrot of CL qualification for the winners. If we were getting top 4 every season and not winning trophies then I would see your point. Unfortunately we have been doing neither.

17 Oct 2017 12:26:18
Fair enough, Jayden. I used United's unbeaten streak to make a bigger point on how unbeaten streaks can be a misnomer for how a team will do or not do. That part is valid, IMO.

As for your response, That is what Klopp is trying to change as he said so immediately after we smashed Boro and got a shot at CL footie. We need to establish ourselves first as a regular in the CL while at the same time, trying to win trophies cos you can always walk and chew gum at the same time.

We were nowhere near getting to a final under BR yet Klopp did that twice (including a European final) in the first 8 months. We may not have won and that is disappointing BUT That to me, gives hope that we can be in a position to win trophies.

N btw, not saying that you are saying this specifically BUT us not winning anything predates Klopp (Rafa won nothing in his final 4 seasons and BR won nothing in his whole 3 plus years here) so let us not act as if we stopped winning things as soon as he arrived as that is not true. We have also made top 4 only once since '09 before Klopp arrived so that is not his fault either. We are rebuilding right now and it will be a roller coaster ride with bumps in the road so to me, we have to stick with the team and hope they can come out of this sticky patch. Enjoyed the debate, Jayden. Keep them coming, my friend. YNWA!

17 Oct 2017 16:16:51
Bingo just to clarify mate I am not a Klopp out fan. I like the guy and hope he is the man that changes our success. Same to you always enjoy reading other people's opinions. YNWA.

17 Oct 2017 18:23:15
Jayden, I know you are not a Klopp out guy and I apologize if my last post suggested that as that was not my intention. I was just making a general point for those who I think, want to implicitly blame all our ills as a club for the past 27 years on Klopp's shoulders. I know you want Klopp to succeed. Majority of our fans do.

Like you, I am frustrated at the fact that our results have not been good enough even tho, we have done more than enough in some games to win them. Klopp is the best we could have hoped for when BR was fired cos we were in dire straits and we need to trust him and support him during his worst of times.

He is not perfect and will make mistakes BUT his heart is in the right place and since we don't have 300m to drop every summer on players, the way he built his BVB teams is what he is trying to do here. YNWA, my friend!

17 Oct 2017 19:14:25
Hopefully tonight is the night Bingo for Klopp to start our success. A win away from home in Europe could be the little confident boost we need.

16 Oct 2017 19:48:35
Didn't Napoli make an offer for Moreno in the summer? Why didn't we swap deal then.

16 Oct 2017 22:11:41
Coz Klopp likes Moreno Now! Isn’t that very difficult to swallow mate?

16 Oct 2017 22:05:36
We wanted 15m and hey offered 12m or so. A swap with Napoli's LB Ghoulam was also proposed but that went dead as well.

16 Oct 2017 17:34:14
Hi eds 1
I was wondering if there had been a review after 10 game and I'd missed it.
We are now 13 games in and I would love to here your views on how you think we are doing and where you think we will finish.
As always thanks.

{Ed001's Note - I haven't done anything like that at all. I will try and get the time to do a review of how we are getting on, but we might be a few more than 13 into the season!}

16 Oct 2017 18:46:33
I will do a quick review for you. 4/ 10 overall poor.

Defence that can't defend 3/ 10, although Moreno gets a 6/ 10.

Midfield 5/ 10 very limited and Gini has been shocking overall. He shouldn't get in the squad for away games.

Attack 4/ 10, Salah not bad 7/ 10 but needs far too many chances, Sturridge is done 1/ 10 and Firminho doesn't score enough, doesn't assist enough and he can't hold the ball up.

A change in formation is urgently needed, Mane when fit has to be centre forward.

16 Oct 2017 21:15:26
4/ 10 yet we're 2 points off 4th, come off it, your speaking rubbish mate.

16 Oct 2017 21:34:25
Why are we chasing 4th? We finished 4th last season and progress is to climb the ladder! We are sitting on 8th. Aren’t we? In fact we moved form 7th to 8th after outplaying UTD. We are not Arsenal!

16 Oct 2017 21:34:49
We are supposed to be trying to win the league not being happy to finsh 4th.

If we continue playing at the level we are now we will finish around 6th. I would say that's 4/ 10 or lower. You should set your sights a lot higher.

Who is the team deserves more than a 6/ 10? one or two maximum

5/ 10 or worse
Matip
Lovren
Karius
Klavan
Gini
Henderson
Sturridge
Ox.

16 Oct 2017 22:07:45
Harry I didn't say we are chasing 4th, of course we want to be higher, but in reality we won't be, not in my opinion. With this league it's a lot harder to do, you don;t seem to understand it mate do you.

We're 8 games in, we have 30 left a lot can change in that time, yet your already writing us off. All I see from you is posts slamming us down when we Haven't even done that bad, take Watford and Burnley out the mix, they won't be up there for long. Other 'top' teams will have bad periods and I fully believe we will have our good period, it happens every year to most teams, you can't be fantastic all season long, if you are then kudos but it's rare. Unless your in La Liga or Bundesliga, we're in the premier league, the most difficult league in the world.

Yes we are 8th, but I say it again, we're not far off top 4, top 4 will do me another season (and most people), what do you expect after such a transfer window? seriously? - I want improvements but that transfer window was a fail, we needed more, we didn't get it, it is what it is and we need to get on with it and support the team instead of slamming them constantly.

16 Oct 2017 22:41:38
I'm a critic but,
Henderson still strikes me as not 100% but if that's true fair play he's soldiering on
Gini hasn't been THAT bad, his work goes unappreciated,
Can has been excellent at times and awful at others I think he's trying that much to impress he slips up from time to time but he's trying.
Salah isn't a goal scorer, he's not a striker so why complain? Mignolet doesn't score enough! But JOKES aside salah has been excellent.
The key issues have been the goal keeper and then the silly defensive errors but in reality, we've missed mane and Coutinho for most of the season, clyne and lallana we've not always been great but we've done okay considering the circumstances.

16 Oct 2017 22:29:57
I'm sorry but I agree, we have won 3 out of 8 league games so far. Yes there is a long way to go and things could improve. But things could also stay the same or get worse. We can only judge on what we have seen so far and it's not been good enough.

17 Oct 2017 04:49:11
With the squad we have, 4th is the highest we could ask for. It was obvious when the transfer window shut, and its obvious now.

17 Oct 2017 06:14:21
“. With this league it's a lot harder to do, you don;t seem to understand it mate do you. ”

Do you think this will change next year? The reason we are in the trouble is due poor transfer window again you were fast to criticize posters who pointed out during the window!
You still clean we had an excellent window while you also claim 4th is the best we could look for this season!

On another note, What is Wijnaldum’s work that goes unnoticed? I would love to hear from anyone! Don’t say he is here to break the oppositions play! That’s utter crap then! When you play with 3 CM’s and you being the attacking one, what exactly is his role other than creating assists / goals / chances! He is a ghost who goes missing for a minimum 19 away games!

He is replaced by Kieta next summer already! If that doesn’t say anything then nothing will!

17 Oct 2017 06:17:34
With this league it's a lot harder to do, you don;t seem to understand it mate do you.

When you know this league is hard you shouldn’t drop points against teams who are inferior to you!

17 Oct 2017 07:31:21
Got to agree, the teams that succeed in this league understand you have to nail the weak teams and that every point really matters, it isn't Spain where you can pretty much predict the top 3 every season, any of 6 clubs could be in the top 3. So not turning up against the lower teams isn't good enough to be a consistent ECL team. People keep banging on about we beat Arsenal or Chelsea or the other big teams. Yes but we then go and lose/ draw the next half dozen against the weaker sides, while the team we beat will pick up 15-18 points against those sides. That is why we struggle for EPL. Personally I'd give up those big wins for consistent wins against the other teams, even just lots of 1-0s.

16 Oct 2017 14:26:01
Who screamed at the tv when klopp took of couts and salah for ox and sturridge. why didn't he take of gini who has been poor.

16 Oct 2017 15:55:01
I thought Gini had a good game. Klopp would also have been slaughtered on here for being naive if he changed the midfield 3 and we lost. He instead chose to leave the back 4 well protected and hope that our dominance would pay dividends, it didn't on this occasion however I'm reasonably content with the draw, especially with a cleansheet.

16 Oct 2017 16:19:29
So Klopp keeps it more balanced and keeps clean sheet now he's to conservative! Klopp Has been slaughtered by media and a lot on here, to have more protection for cbks now media and some on here saying should have taken one of the players offering protection incase of counter attack off to put another attacking player on. can't win!

16 Oct 2017 16:29:41
Mourinho actually said in his interview that he was waiting for Klopp to do that which is when he would go for the win. Klopp did the right thing by bringing on fresh legs. The system was working. That’s the benefit of a strong bench in these key (match winning) positions. Side note- AOC looked lively.

16 Oct 2017 16:58:36
OP, you are right. You just broke t=your TV for no reason. Klopp simply can't win with some of you on here. Had he done that an Utd stole a goal like Mou had anticipated, you would be screaming on here that Klopp got schooled. Klopp does not fall for that and you are still mad. Make up your mind, bro.

Did you not see that all 3 of those players were knackered and dead on their feet at that moment when they were subbed off? Also, Klopp was smart enough to make sure that yes, we probe and try to score BUT keep the back 4 protected and secure the point at least, if you can't win.

16 Oct 2017 19:09:46
Good post there bingo. The boys who came off were shattered, they needed to be taken off.

16 Oct 2017 19:36:27
Klopp did the right thing. He got a draw at home and will get another draw at wembley and we will slowly climb the ladder towards CL. He will also get us a draw against Maribor! 33 draws means survival ha ha ha.

16 Oct 2017 19:42:53
Thing is we drew 0-0. No one schooled anyone both teams want to compete for the title. A draw suited Utd more away from home and a draw for us simply means we are now sat in 8th, with 3 wins in 8 league games and 1 win in the last 8. No matter how you try and dress it up it was a bad result for us. I don't care about what it was for Utd or how they play football they are of no concern to me.

16 Oct 2017 21:02:24
The were the opposition Jayden, how they play impacts the game. 2 points off 4th. 1 win isn't good enough but take in the full picture mate.

16 Oct 2017 21:23:37
Andy I understand what you're saying mate but the full picture to me is the other 4 league games we dropped points in previously and the fact we have 1 win in last 8 games. A draw against Utd is not a bad result normally. But due to previous results then it was a must win. Any home game under these current circumstances is a must win regardless of the opposition. They parked the bus and came not to play. We hardly beat their door down trying to win it.

16 Oct 2017 22:19:03
Jayden, this early in the season, it was more of a must-not-lose than a must win and that is how it played out, based on our form going into it. A loss would have been a disaster and we all know that so enough with the "this is a must win game as we were at home" stuff cos that did not apply here cos we are in a sticky patch and confidence is low.

We probed and tried to create chances and we did even tho, we all knew they would not be a lot. We did not take them and that is still a concern. Either way, there are 30 games left and had we won, NOTHING would have been won nor decided to why chase a game all gung-ho and then get scored on off a counter? When Klopp does this type of calculating, they say he should have gone for it more. When he goes for it and we get sucker-punched, you say he should have been more pragmatic. You people need to make up your minds cos the guy can't win.

Also, NOTHING has been decided yet and we are on point from 4th and 4 points from Spurs in 3rd who we play next week and we have a near spotless record against them (unbeaten in the PL since 2012). The one win in 8 thing is of no relevance to me at this point cos at the same time, we have lost just 2 games in 13 this season and Klopp has lost 4 of his last 26 league games. See how I could use stats to paint a rosy picture? We take the point and mocve on to Maribor tmrw. YNWA!

16 Oct 2017 23:05:58
Bingo you're using last seasons stats to fight an argument. And even going back as far as 2012 to predict a result against Spurs 🤦🏻‍♂. That my friend is called clutching at straws.

17 Oct 2017 06:20:58
Last season counts nothing, Next season also counts nothing. What matters is now! People need to stop comparing ourself to last season! It’s pointless and baseless.

{Ed001's Note - but its not, that is how you see whether progress is being made or not.}

17 Oct 2017 08:42:08
Harry, you mean like you keep comparing Klopp's team to Rafa's team of near a decade ago? Nonsense. The past only counts for you when it suits you but when it does not, it should not count nor matter. You've exposed yourself again to the kind of response that your contradictory comments invite but I guess you'll just going to whine about it. How can you measure progress if you don't look at the recent past? Oh, that does not count when it is Klopp but when it is Rafa, you are able to compare even his Valencia days to Klopp's current days at LFC.

Jayden, how can you know where you are or where you are going if you don't refer to the recent past to gather information and learn the lessons therein? The fact is that Spurs is yet to beat us under Poch cos we are a matchup nightmare for his side. Fact. We are the only team that they cannot bully nor overpower and history as recent as last 2 seasons (5 games vs Spurs and 2 wins, 2 draws and NO losses) proves that. Does that mean we will win on Sun? No. Does it mean we have a good chance of winning? Yes as our boys are NOT scared of them.

17 Oct 2017 08:42:28
Thank you, Ed01 for that great response by the way.

17 Oct 2017 10:41:35
Not me. Couts was shot and Salah just couldn't find the net. Ox should've been starting over Wijnaldum and then we can play Coutinho deeper IMO.

17 Oct 2017 13:33:35
The only thing wrong with the subs was the timing, they were needed 10 minutes before.

16 Oct 2017 13:33:19
Would like to get peoples views. I know we had a very very low offer for kabouily rejected by napoli. Was wondering if giving the choice between him and vvd who people would go for. I think both are head and shoulders above what we have right now. So thumbs up for kabouily or thumbs down for vvd.

16 Oct 2017 13:46:18
VVD isn't above what we have, not in my opinion he's not. Give us Koulibaly anyday, but I don't see either happening.

16 Oct 2017 14:10:56
Koulibaly Coz He plays exactly like ours and what Klopp wants his CB’s to play. HIGH LINE AND HIGH ATTACKING! And most importantly he is a very good defender. I like VVD and he has potential but I don’t know what will happen to him if he play in our set up without a STOPPER infront of him!

16 Oct 2017 14:12:10
You like your capitals don't you harry mate lol.

16 Oct 2017 14:13:01
Not above what we have? Even if your not a fan of VVD, nobody in the entire world can argue he's not better than the absolute garbage we've got at CB.

16 Oct 2017 17:04:07
Fowler, your "absolute garbage" comment is a bit harsh and OTT, IMO. Our Cb''s are not great BUT they are not garbage either. Steady with the hyperbole there, mate.

As for Koulibaly or VVD, either one would work for me as either would be a step in the right direction.

16 Oct 2017 19:38:16
But according to you in the post below VVD is not good, ain’t it Bingo mate? Please avoid replying me with a 4 para post!

16 Oct 2017 22:23:16
No I did not, Harry. I said he has flaws in his game and that is concerning. Potentially, he could be great and if he buckles down and fixes his concentration issues cos right now, he seems to have downed tools at Saints.

As for the replies, don't read the replies. It's that simple.

17 Oct 2017 04:51:14
Koulibaly or Manolas for me. Yes they are playing in a slower league but they are both getting a brilliant education on the technical side of defending not to say the dark arts of defending. wouldn't be bullied, concentrate well and are fast.

17 Oct 2017 10:42:38
I feel like he's always yelling at us Corleone haha.

16 Oct 2017 11:58:21
Ed just throwing that Nfl collegiate system article back at you for your new list, also what about some other players, Figo, Raul, The man who really sparked a change in football in my eyes was Ronaldinho,

{Ed001's Note - Ronaldinho was already on there, but I have added the other two. The collegiate system article is top of my list, but the research is taking a while as I don't know anything about the system used, so have to read up on it first. I am just knocking out the odd article quickly inbetween reading up on it.}

16 Oct 2017 12:40:50
Thanks a bunch ed, I'm sure everyone agrees with me when I say we hugely appreciate the articles you write and the time you take for each of them.

{Ed001's Note - cheers mate. Sorry this one is taking particularly long though!}

16 Oct 2017 13:06:42
Definitely agree Welsh mate - he does a top job at writing them.

16 Oct 2017 19:49:56
No need to apologise mate you keep cracking on, having said that let me throw another one into the mix, a review of the Brazil 1970 World Cup squad?

{Ed001's Note - good idea that one, my favourite non-Liverpool team of all time is that. I have added it to the list.}

16 Oct 2017 22:38:48
That was some team, Welsh and Ed. The ironic thing is that many in Brazil still believe that Pele was not its best player, Not even close.

{Ed001's Note - he was never my favourite from it, but he was the main striker and they always get the plaudits.}

16 Oct 2017 09:40:11
Hi Ed. Thanks for your reviews. Was reading the one on VVD. I can understand your concerns, and was watching him yesterday. Do you think all being said his strengths elsewhere would make it worthwhile taking a chance on him, or would his poor tracking back expose us even more than we are now and make it a more detrimental signing? Cheers in advance.

{Ed001's Note - I have always been of the opinion that he is a player we should steer well clear of.}

16 Oct 2017 10:10:46
Klopp like him and nothing else matters. For thee money we will need to throw in, I would have personally signed Koulibaly.

16 Oct 2017 10:43:42
With you there, Ed. Never really been convinced with VVD as he quite erratic BUT if Klopp wants him, what can one do?

Harry as for Koulibaly, he is a good shout BUT who says he would come or if Napoli is willing to sell? This is a guy Chelsea could not even get, rejecting Conte point blank. Even if we met his release clause or whatever and wanted to come to us, who says that Napoli's owner Lorenzo DeLaurentis, a true headcase in negotiations, would sell? Your hero Rafa knows all about him. You simply cannot get any of his players hence why, clubs don't even bother trying. PSG got Cavani cos Cavani forced his move even after his crazy release clause was met. Maybe Ed01 can shed some light on the fact that we did bid for Khoulibaly and tho a low bid, we did not follow it up. Ed01, can you help with this? Cheers.

{Ed002's Note - I have explained about the offer for KK already - try the search engine.}

16 Oct 2017 10:51:30
Klopp may want him Bingo mate but he must have a second or even a third option, or I would hope so? because I really can't see us getting VVD. I think we're wasting our time even trying personally. Especially with interest from the likes of Barcelona and Juve.

16 Oct 2017 11:07:40
Well every player has a price Bingo! £70 mill or upwards is a magnificent deal for any club let alone Napoli. That is why we need CL at a minimum level for even start a negotiations. If you are willing to meet Southampton’s asking price which could be potentially above £60 mill then we have a decent chance to open up a negotiations for KK.

16 Oct 2017 12:56:29
Harry, Drawing Southamptom into this is a red herring as they are nothing like Napoli, not as big as Napoli, don't have the same ambitions as Napoli and don't have a head case for an owner. That is the reality and those are the facts, like it or not.

You are correct in general about price and fee and negotiations BUT Naploli's owner is as I said, a head case and they don't need to sell any of their best players cos they have tonnes of cash money and also, they are neck and neck with Juve to win the Serie A. Would you sell if you were him? There is a reason you can't get any of Napoli's players so teams most of the time don't even bother. You can propose to pay the release fee and the guy could still not sell. That is the reality and it is nothing new to anyone who follows Italian football.

16 Oct 2017 13:37:53
Spot on Bingo.

16 Oct 2017 06:05:43
to ed0xx: what's your take on the "Klopp eases Liverpool’s pressing game in the search for solidity" theory? Has it been visible? Is it true?

{Ed001's Note - it is hardly a news story is it. Klopp did this last season, as I have been saying repeatedly. We were in such poor form he had to do something and so he did. Look at the final few games of the season, it was much less invigorating and exciting, but we kept clean sheets and won games.}

16 Oct 2017 06:18:20
Lol to Ed0XX, whose the new Ed 😄😄.

16 Oct 2017 10:20:08
cheers Ed001. Thanks.

{Ed001's Note - welcome.}

16 Oct 2017 10:46:09
Spot on, Ed. Even this season, we don't press like before anymore as it was becoming too much of a burden on the players. Now, we press in moments where it is effective and don't press when it is not. I think Klopp is indeed learning from this and adapting his tactics to suit the rigors of the PL.

16 Oct 2017 10:52:15
Agree Ed and I made this point back end of last season - the way we shifted to a more conservative game plan when we starting leaking results in Jan was a clear indication klopp can adapt and I don’t understand people that think we have no plan B

I for one was very happy with the Man Utd game - not because of the draw but for the balance we showed in the game. Only one side ever really had a good chance of winning and if we can do that more often, over the course of a season we’ll be in good shape

Klopp will hopefully never lose his swashbuckling touch but to be able to control that game at times too is critical to challenging against the best.

16 Oct 2017 13:05:11
Spot on, SG. Mou tried to bait Klopp into playing more expansive way and chase the game from the off cos he did the same thing with BR in that fateful game vs Chelsea and they stole a goal and the rest is history. Klopp did not take the bait and made sure that we probe and probe BUT we definitely keep our defensive shape and should not lose this game as that would be a disaster. Mou is only peeved that Klopp did not make the mistake and take the bait and is lashing out. Typical deflection from the Moaner in Chief.

Klopp has shown that we can play swashbuckling footie and still stay defensively sound BUT we need to do that more consistently, I agree. Klopp is right. Jose Pulis' tactics would NOT be welcome at LFC and Mou is just Allardyce with money i. e a bus parker who has the ability to buy the high class players who can park buses in a more effective way. That is his choice BUT he should stop moaning when the real Tony Pulis does this to him this season at OT.

16 Oct 2017 04:30:09
{Ed's Note - we have posted a new article entitled, Premier League Match Preview Monday 16th October 2017