Liverpool Banter Archive January 17 2015

17 Jan 2015 21:32:08
Not sure if anyone else has noticed but Lucas' shooting has improved so much! I'm beginning to notice more and more!

18 Jan 2015 04:19:58
He was once an attacking midfielder scoring goals for fun for Gremio! I don't think its improved more so his confidence is back and has been in some positions to shoot. Good on him for sticking it up the coach!!!

12 appearances in the prem 0 goals. great improvement. I get what you're saying, but what's the point in jus tgetting it on target if you're not putting it in the net every now and then, might as well give it to some1 who can put it int he net.

Scoring goals used to be part of his job. It no longer is so stop criticizing the boy for something he is no longer equiped to do.

I'm not criticising for what he's doing now. Try to at least udnerstand the post! I am saying that with his ''improved shooting'' and shots on goal, he still hasn't scored. Maybe since he can't score in that role when he's advanced, he's better off passing it.

My bad, Bob!

17 Jan 2015 21:04:39
I don't understand which game you guys were watching
Let's just clear things up from the start
I for one am absolutely happy we won and are getting in a nice little run right at the start of the year
But let's be honest fellas, we were actually lacklustre
Finishing was woeful at times, no wavelength and we let a team that is down in the dumps ( no offence ) take control of the game in the second half
BR should have thought about substitutions early on and bringing Enrique on was so frustrating for me to watch

Inspite of this we somehow managed a win, which will add to confidence and hopefully we'll win games with ease hereon

As Will McAvoy once said.

"Yes sir".

We got served last time we played them, got it right this time.

Well Tuesday will be a reality check. It is a one thing getting a clean sheet against a team that didn't score since God knows when (still very nice to have) and another to stop the Costas and Oscars and Hazards. Same with Borini and Lambert - they will need to work much harder to create chances for themsleves. I hope we get Lallana back - I would be happy for him to play a striker.

Two Strikers - Two goals: what's your problem?

A solid enough win but we still looked to lack the ruthless edge at times. Good goals but we missed a few other easier opportunities. In my opinion it was because Coutinho (and perhaps Sterling) were a little bit off, which you can't have with someone like Borini upfront. While a great poachers goal, he needs others to look like scoring around him for the attack to look really dangerous.

I still reiterate Coutinho looks a bit ordinary without great pacy runners like Sterling and Sturridge ahead of him to feed off his vision. He's not a natural scorer himself (unlike Llalana) so with Borini (more of a poacher) and then Lambert (hold-up player) ahead of him, I think the side looked a little depleted and he looked off the pace. Until Sturridge comes back (or Sterling plays upfront) I'd go for Llalana over Coutinho. We can't afford any non-scoring attackers with Borini and Lambert upfront.

Agree with the comments above that while Suso is a good player, with Sterling, Markowitc, Coutinho, Llalana and now Ibe, we would struggle to fit him into the side. Sad loss but the right decision in my view.

Nice to get another win, hopefully we put it together for Chelsea! YNWA

And if we beat them with Lambo and Borini were to score and we kept a clean sheet, your response to that occurence would be. ?

Not sure if addressed to me Redohio but "awesome"!

On a more serious note, I have nothing against Lambo or Borini (was actually happy with the selection this weekend since Llalana was injured), it's just that I think Coutinho shines with pacy forwards, not the poacher style Borini or hold-em up Lambert. I think Sterling/Markovitc/Llalana/Gerard/Ibe would all be better picks if one of these play in the forward line because they all look like potential strikers themselves.

Coutinho is a primarily an exceptional passer of the ball and has incredible vision, but his own movement and shooting let's him down. Look how many times Llalana has fed off Lambo's knock downs already vs. Coutinho. different style of game vs. a Sterling or Sturridge upfront where his passing skills create havoc.

Spot on Zimbo, I agree with your analysis. if Lallana is fit he has to play as he is our best finisher IMO. The only question is whether he should replace Cotinhou or one of the strikers. You are right that Coutinho's finish is not great and IMO he also get lost a bit against teams who are very strong physically. On the other hand I think our best games so far were with him, Streling and Lallana together. They don't only produce more but also keep the ball more in the opposition side which mean less pressure on our defence.

I was very happy to see Borini and Lambert score yesterday, I still think though that while they may be ok as substitutes - we need someone more clinical upfront in the starting line up.

In my view one of the main problems we had all season was how wasteful we were in the last third, especially now that we produce so much more and get so much more to the box area of the opposition. Borini scored a good goal yesterday but wasted two golden opportunities and in the big games we will not have so many chances. We also need stirkers who can create goals from nothing (which Lambert kind of did yesterday but I do not see him do that consistently).

Obviously if and when Sturridge is back he is our man there but until then, at least some of the games, I would play with Lallana upfront.

One last comment - I think defensively we improved a lot, very happy with our back three, GK was good yesterday and two clean sheets is great. saying all that, decent strikers would have scored at least 2 yesterday from AV chances.

Agree Coutinho, Llalana, Sterling looks the best mix, hope they play vs Chelsea.

Agree w/ your post, Zimbo! I`d say that Coutinho, Lallana, Sterling, Studge and Marko could be scary.

17 Jan 2015 18:16:22
Hello Eds,
I've heard a lot of rumours recently about Martin Montoya of Barcelona wanting out, and us potentially being interested. I don't understand why Rodgers would feel the need to sign a right-back with our new formation. What are your thoughts on the player and the chances of him signing?

I was also wondering what the latest was with Higuain. I was told by someone he wouldn't leave until the summer but I don't know if that is true or not. Do you know what his current status is?

Thanks!

{Ed002's Note - I agree a RB is not a priority. I would not hold your breath about Higuain arriving in January.}

17 Jan 2015 17:07:41
Big shout out for the rock that is "Sakho"

He's the difference why we've turned the corner and the formation Brendan's playing suits Sakho's style.

Well done to Mingolet too.

Sakho is an absolute beast! Our best defender by a country mile. Skrtel also had a good game after a long time. Nice to see the team ticking slowly and steadily but i fear it may be a tad too late to make top4 this season. Europa League seems our best shot to play UCL next season

Helps having an effective defensive midfielder in Lucas.

I don't think it's too late for top four, we just have to keep the run going anything can happen. We won't win the league though that's for certain.

Tottenham nearly slipped up today and United were yet again woeful (surely at some point they'll actually start to drop points as a result of this), still mathematically possible, but it would require a real run, and I can't see that at all.

We've lost one match in months sturrdige back ibe in the bench we will make it

Awh here i'm going to say it neck on the line LFC to finish 3rd

I don't know Dezyboy, we did a lot more pressing yesterday from what I saw which is a good sign, but the defense is still a risk area, and we don't seem as clinical or as creative as we could be, hopefully we can start to pick up a lot more wins and the other teams around us begin to falter.

17 Jan 2015 15:54:32
For those of you who are unable to watch for whatever reasons.

Liverpool seem to be playing quite well, we're controlling the game but lacking a final ball. The only real negative so far from this game is how easily they're getting down our left hand side. Moreno seems to lose concentration quite frequently, quite worrying at times.

Villa came into the game a little bit more in the last 5 minutes but didn't really threaten.

Individuals:

Borini has tried hard and got his reward by getting a goal, he took it well and it was an excellent assist from Henderson. He looks a little frustrated at times though and does put his foot in where it's not really needed, but he's doing well so far.

Sakho from what I've seen has not put a foot wrong yet, he's been an absolute rock.

Coutinho is just Coutinho. He does things that surprise you all the time(especially on TV/Internet stream), however I do feel that he's contributing to how easily Villa are getting down our left hand side. He and Moreno are not the best defensively, but both are excellent going forward.

Moreno had a goal disallowed for offside(correct call, it was close).

Sterling has been reasonably quiet and perhaps should have scored. He opted to chip the keeper(and failed) instead of hitting it hard and low.

Apparently Skrtel is in talks over a new contract according to the commentator on my live stream.

If I've missed anything so far in the first half then feel free to say ^_^

Borini's visions needs a lot of work. He has played decently but has missed the chance to pass to team mates in golden positions numerous times and has also missed a number of other chances himself. Promising performance but I want to see better in future.

If Skrtel gets a new contract we are doomed - Can and Sakho have saved the defence. Would also note that Markovic, particularly tracking back, has been nothing short of superb. Lost count of the amount of interceptions he has made.

Seano, i'm not a Skrtel fan but today he was pretty good while dealing with Benteke. Got his head at 2 absolutely brilliant crosses which Benteke would have definitely scored from. Probably Skrtel's best performance this season. But still should not be first choice CB.

What Borini does wrong is completely different to what balotelli for example does wrong. He tries. He runs. And he can finish, as proven at Sunderland. The things he does wrong in my opinion is through trying too hard to score, he sometimes overlooks a pass, or is out of position because he is running around so much. However, it does help the team and offers encouragement when he shows passion and suits our style more than our available strikers.

It is fair to say that Can and Sakho has brought in some stability in the defence, which also has affected how Skrtel plays.

Glad to see Borini and Lambert get a goal each. They are both hard workers, and they both deserved to get a goal. They missed chances and should have made a pass instead of shooting, but that´s expected. Both of them wants to impress the manager so they can continue to play.

What worries me, is that the entire teams switches off for periods and let's the opposition control the game. We might get away with it against sides like Aston Villa, but against better teams we would probably have conceded a goal or two. It was not like we played bad, but I would exactly say we did great. I´m looking forward to see us playing great.

Never the less, it´s another deserved 3 points.

Hello all.

I don't mean to rock the boat - but I thought our back 3 looked pretty shaky today. Here are some of my thoughts on our defensive system - (and back-3's generally) which I have been pondering for some time.

Don't get me wrong. Skrtel certainly did well - and I cannot fault either Can or Sakho, who also did well. I do agree that the players performed admirably.

But despite this, even the most ardent fan would admit that we rode our luck and presented a host of chance to a side notorious for their lack of ability to create chances - and their lack of scoring goals. Were it not for a combination some last ditch defending, poor finishing and good saves - perhaps all would not seem as rosy defensively as the sense of accomplishment security that a clean-sheet can provide.

It is not the players I blame for this - I feel it is the system itself at fault.

It is my view that our system always has us concede space and territory in the midfield and attacking areas which invites pressure - and whilst the lads are to be commended for standing up to said pressure, Ideally it would be better to have more control of the ball and to dominate the possession better.

With 3 at the back we concede important ground in the midfield which I feel would be better utilised by using a back 4 with Skrtel and Lucas at CD, playing a midfield diamond consisting of Lucas at DM, Can alongside Hendo and an ACM ahead of them - which still allows for marauding wing-backs and comfortable building of possession at the back, but maximises our ability to control the midfield and offer us the opportunity to plug the gaps in our midfield which better sides will expose - with the DM player still able to slot ahead of the back 3 like a sweeper to resist a long ball game if necessary - but offering the extra technical versatility to control games against the better sides.

In our current system, however - we play Skrtel as the spare man. Our style currently is useful to prepare us against long-ball football, but against better sides I fear we will be exposed. My main concern defensively is how opened up we can become in wider areas when faced with quick passing transitions. Even Villa managed to cause us quite a few problems.

In contrast to back-3 systems used to deal with more direct styles of football - in most back successful 3 systems at the higher levels of football - the spare central defender will play as a sweeper, such as a Sammer-style player - who offers a defensive screen, but also has instant control-pass style, sticking to the basics - not over-elaborating and enabling enabling dominance of possession.

It is my view that a back 4 can offer great solidity to deal with opposition playing either a direct or technical style of play - so long as the team possesses a DM player who possesses excellent defensive qualities, reads the game superbly defensively, is positionally sound defensively and does not overcomplicate the play who drops back from DM to pick up the ball -
Lucas is perfect for such a role.

These are my thoughts on why I am not convinced by the current back-3 system. If the likes of Leicester, Villa and Wimbledon can cause us so much trouble, I fear that better sides may will not let us off so lightly - and will punish us severely.

I am still utterly unconvinced by BR. I do not expect him to have made the observations - which seem to me to be fairly obvious - and do much to explain our shoddy performances against poor opposition. Over the season, if he persists with 3 at the back, I expect his naivety to cost us dearly in the manner I have described.

If Rodgers switches to the system I have described - and does not play Gerrard at the crucial position of DM (as he is abysmal there) - then who knows? - maybe BR could convince me that he has the capacity to learn, and I could perhaps start to believe in him again. I wouldn't count on it.

We shall see.

I'm delighted with the win. But don't get too carried away, people.

:)

I really try to avoid getting "into it" with other LFC supporters but this is maybe the fifth post in two days I have seen from you Zinedine being critical of Rodgers and all but proclaiming your tactics "our only chance." If you style yourself gods gift to Liverpool, by all means present yourself and your "full-proof" tactics to the board.

From my understanding, we invite pressure on ourselves purposely, as to utilize the pace of Cout, Sterling, and Lazar on the break. This worked fantastically last year with SaSaS, but two of our three S's are out, and one to never return.

So the question is, do we switch up our formation for a more defensively sound one, like some suggest, or ride this one out and bank on progress continuing and our players growing into their rolls. Personally I'm with the latter, as it provided some of the most breathtaking football I have seen last year.

Zinedine did mention, along with others, that we might be found out against the "bigger" teams (i.e Chelsea, Man City) but I like my teams to play their own game and let the opposition adjust.

Didn't intend to be an ass Zinedine, but it grows tiring watching what people say about our club (and yes Rodgers is still apart of our club) even after wins like today. Good tidings to everyone. YNWA

Hi, EMAN.

No problem at all with your comments m8. It's all good. :)

I certainly have more faith in my interpretation of the game than that of Rodgers - and I certainly have better judgement in a players' abilities.

You'll notice that our upturn in fortunes in recent weeks - whilst being far from perfect - is the result of Rodgers implementing changes that I have been railing about since the season began.

I spot things quickly - and I am not afraid to put them on the record.

I reckon Rodgers will stick to 3 at the back - and I am sure he will continue to make awful decisions as the season progresses.

I wish he wouldn't stick with 3 at the back, as it will be exposed in time in the manner which I have described - and we will end the season in 7th or so - don't let the recent easy run of fixtures fool you.

His playing 3 at the back now, after getting rid of almost all our CDs in the summer also shows his utter lack of forward planning on BR's part. A shambles in all honesty.

If Rodgers is to make the top4 this season it will be by applying the changes which I have recommended - as he has managed to do over the past few games (not perfectly, but enough to win with)

- so in all honesty - even if we do make the top 4, I will not be wrong.
It will just prove that I was right all along!

:)

17 Jan 2015 15:36:32
Fabio Borini. Yeah!! That's how a striker plays!!

That's what I'm talking about!

He has barely played 3 games as a central striker - yet some here still see themselves fit to judge him as a poor player.

I said when BennyC told us what the line-up would be that I was glad to see Borini as striker today as he is our best available option and was criticised by the usual know-nothings.

You can't write him off just because BR has sabotaged his career thus far.

He has done more in 2 games than Balotelli has with endless opportunities. And he battles like a trojan!!


I'm getting a little sick of being right. Don't bet against him getting another either.

:)

Btw.

Just to be clear - when I said of Borini that "he has barely played 3 games as a central striker" - I mean for Liverpool since Rodgers signed him - he was inexplicably shunted wide in the past.

Cheers.
:)

Lets be clear, Borini scored, but he's hardly set the game alight, been quite wasteful in possession and has had some terrible touches and dives.

Glad he got the goal, but his performance hasn't beens tellar

Credit to Borini for watching the play and getting in the box to finish and it was a good finish too.

Zindeine is spot on, although reckless at times, Borini will be an excellent squad player as his movement is excellent at times. He needed that goal.

I think he'll mature into a cracking player.

17 Jan 2015 17:10:20
Fabio Fantastico, Fabio Manifico,,, OLE OLE,,, OLE OLE

Good finish by Borini but he should have had a hat trick today with the number of chances and through balls aimed at him. Still lacks in composure and finishing, when pressured. He also needs to develop some understanding with Coutinho and Sterling.

Hi bobatron.

You know, I agree with you.

Borini isn't the type of player to set a game alight. He isn't flash - he tries to keep his play simple. His real strength is in his movement in the penalty area and he is the type to lie on a defenders shoulder to make runs behind and to get on the end of crosses.

He is more of a poacher than an all round complete centre-forward - and I agree that linking the play is not his strongest point.

But despite this, his great attitude means that he is prepared to battle in aerial duels and to drop back to hold the ball up, and to run the channels selflessly looking to win free-kicks and throw ins.

It is my view that Borini is at his best with a strike partner. But if we persist in playing one up top I still feel that he is the best option due to his work-rate and his willingness to drop deeper and due the 'dirty work', whilst still managing to stretch the opposition and provide an option for balls over the top.

Neither Balotelli or Lambert manage to do both things well imo - and I feel that neither provides the threat to play as a lone striker - particularly in terms of stretching the opposition.

How Rodgers ever thought these two could fulfil both aspects of the lone striker role is perplexing.

Lambert lacks the pace to stretch teams, whilst Balotelli has the pace, but lacks the desire or intelligence to do so. Not a criticism, as both players do have uses - it is simply not their style.

If either are to have a future at the club, I'd prefer to see Lambert or Balotelli play alongside a striker who stretches the opposition, such as Borini - I feel this will be potentially the only way we will ever see either of them at their best.

Keep giving Borini a run in the side and I'm sure his link-up play and his touch will improve further. He is still only 23, bound to be a little rusty given his lack of chances and has lots of scope for improvement.

It's his movement and finishing that are his real strengths however - he's a poacher with a work-rate that is not usually associated with poachers - and like with Lucas - I hope BR's poor treatment of him doesn't force him out.

With our limited options, if I were manager, I would see Borini as a crucial player for the rest of the season.

:)

Indian Buzzer hopefully those short comings are due to a lack of game time. Certainly sounds like something that should improve if he gets a run. Which he won't with Sturridge back soon

Borini had a long run in the Sunderland team and although did reasonably well he didn't pull any trees up did he? sorry for me he misses too many, that = not good enough, maybe he will prove me wrong, i hope he does, but i wouldn't put my house on him.

17 Jan 2015 14:34:34
Happy to see Ibe and Williams on the bench, feel a bit for Balotelli though. Right decision to leave Gerrard out as we need to plan for the future.

Balotelli is ill and Stevie is injured. Probably nothing to do with 'planning for the future'

17 Jan 2015 11:30:36
Hi Ed's.

Just a small rumour regarding Sterling. I have heard that he had been holding out contract talk's with the owner's to get clarification of Brendan's Job in the future before committing after the appalling start to the season.
Also thumbs up for Jordon Ibe coming back :)

We discussed this rumor here about a week ago.

17 Jan 2015 10:40:07
I find it an absolute travesty that we're prepared to pay the money in wages we do to a lot of our overpaid and un-needed signings, yet we allow a lad like Suso who always looked like he had something special to go out the door for next to nothing without hardly kicking a ball in anger, In many teams in the premier league he'd have been having a run out a lot sooner than he did and would have had the chance to make himself a permanent fixture but we decide we'd rather be playing the likes of Joe Allen etc on a regular basis instead who bring nothing to the table besides running around a lot,
I seriously think there is something wrong within our club when it comes to the running of the transfer committee and the running of our youth system not to mention the running of our first team and management,
It needs a change from top to bottom in my eyes, end of.

17 Jan 2015 11:11:44
Oh and by the way, he's gone to AC Milan its on the BBC site

17 Jan 2015 16:26:44
That's a load of Horst Hrubesch mate. Just because Suso was doing a Pele when he was 15 doesn't mean a thing. He never had the pace, didn't develop physically, to be able to replicate that in the first team.

It's the correct decision to let him go.
Brad Smith & Ibe, could have left them on loan. But there was a strong case to have them in the squad anyway. But, say Enrique is sold, Moreno & Smith as left backs is sound. Both very quick. Ibe ; no problem at all, the lad is class.

There's one or two others near as well.
I haven't seen much of Origi (World Cup apart) but he looked promising in what I did. If Ed002 says he's not ready, I don't know.
But it should make you stop and think - if Origi, with first team and international experience, is not Premiership-ready, how would kids straight from the Academy be ?

There's a case for criticism on some of Rodgers' buys, inhibiting places for the youngsters, yes. But he's been under pressure this year with the poor league form, so has played strong teams in the cups. Kenny did the same and there wasn't all this whining.

Hey ho, we've got a semi against Chelsea to look forward to. Europa to go for, FA Cup. And I think we'll pick up this second half of the season. Sturridge, Sterling, Balo, Ibe - that's looking better already.
Give us a break, the club's not about to fall down.

What you say Juicer doesn't equate to reality. You only criticise Suso's speed yet fail to take into account all of his other qualities - it is also incorrect to say that he is "straight from the academy" when he had a year long loan over in Spain and had been on the periphery of our squad for seasons. If the lad never gets a chance how are we supposed to know whether or not he is good enough. From the limited amount of game time I saw I think he clearly was but we'll never know now and Milan get a quality, young player on the cheap. However you look at it it's a poor way to run the club. But yeah great we got rid of a player who didn't achieve loads by the age of 21, good for us.

p.s. The club is on the precipice man, if we don't make the CL this season we will be either financially restricted or ambition restricted to who we can sign. Whilst Rodgers remains youngsters will be misused. Sorry but this season is critical - the club is breaching FFP rules, is still losing money and, after a massive transfer outlay, is still miles away from where it should be. You obviously are not bothered but for me the alarm bells are ringing.

17 Jan 2015 05:29:17
Following on from the issue of red issue shutting down citing they no longer liked what the game had become among other factors.

There is an interesting article in the echo about Liverpool players from Liverpool which should hopefully be linked below. It bases around the identity of LFC with Gerrard leaving and Carragher gone and Kelly, which scousers will fill the void.
Do teams lose their identity once they go a season without a single local lad playing?
This of course leads onto other issues, I.E would you find supporting Liverool hard if not a single Brit was playing. Should Liverpool invest more in finding local youth, are you happy with the current crop?(I think Liverpool prides itself on trying to find local talent from history) But with the globalisation of football, should the club ditch scouting locally for talents across the globe more?

I'm sure there will be lots of opinions on this with lots of different questions arising. Hopefully it will spark a good debate about LFC's future.

Personally I'd hate Liverpool not to have a local lad in the team, for me it would lose the identity of its actual name. I think though with flanno, Rossitter and others LFC's future of local talent is in good hands.

Any way, feel free to check out the link if it's been posted and discuss of course as always eds comments welcome on a matter I think's pretty interesting

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/analysis-liverpool-fc-danger-losing-8432699

Good point mate and it's an important one I highlighted myself a couple of days back.

I've been slated and criticised on here on numerous occasions over the years for venting my frustration at the very same issue, but I suspect it's always come across as bitter and it's never what I intended.

I hope people understand now that myself (like many others around me) cannot watch our game and our club being swallowed up by a glory-hunting supporter with more interest in taking photo's and laughing at games while not paying any real intention.

I still, and will always emphasize that the people not associated with Merseyside will never quite understand the feeling that runs throughout the City, but that doesn't make them any less a fan, it just doesn't give them that edge on the emotional aspect of the game that is important to the core of Liverpool Football Club keeping it's true identity and concreting it's integrity.

That aside, people do pay their hard earned money and people should feel fit to do what they want at a stadia. If people want to take photo's, wear two toned scarves, talk about Eastenders, laugh after defeat, leave early, request that people refrain from swearing, clap half heartedly, mime the songs, then so be it.

For me, I don't want that and I personally do not want to be involved in the transitional period of a football fan as I would sooner wipe my hands with football (including LFC). In saying that, the new breed of fan would not want the likes of myself next to them, and who would blame them? After all, the game is changing, and if people like myself do not wish to adapt, as unfortunate and sickening as it is, then it's just tough on me.

I couldn't give the smallest care in the world where someone comes from I'm sure there's an ism for that. When the best players are local ones that's when I want those when the best players are from further afield that's when I'll want those

I am a season ticket holder and I have place of birth Liverpool on my Certificate, but I don't have a fascination with local identity on the playing staff. If Rossiter a Liverpool lad and Kent a Manchester lad break into the 1st team, having both been through the academy set up. I will cheer them equally and they I am sure will be giving it 100 % to try and succeed.
Emlyn Hughes was from Barrow Kenny, Glasgow. Rush, flint. Big Sami from Porvoo. Suarez Salto. You've got to admit everyone gave no less effort than Carra Smith or Thompson despite their birthplace.

Not one of Harry's, agree with your post 100%. A player doesn't need to from the area to have a passion for the club, and certainly the search for quality requires a broader search for players. Hopefully if Rossiter for example has the quality his promise would suggest he has that he will get the opportunity to prove it

17 Jan 2015 11:57:41
Tbh but in the middle, mean not to concerned where a player is born more concerned with them coming through our academy.

But dunno something about them being a local lad adds that something special. Love Stevie and think the fact he is scouse as always made his link with the club a bit more great (media always seemed to love it).

And tbf is great when there's a scouser captaining England

The problem is the pool of talent on merseyside is a) the small population (incomparison to other locations i.e Birmingham, Manchester, London) meaning the talent pool is smaller and b) we share that smaller talent pool with Everton. I'm happy to see a scouser make it but it has to be on ability not heritage - ultimately I want the best players possible at the club, where they are from, in the era of globalisation, is irrelevant.