Liverpool Banter Archive January 17 2018

17 Jan 2018 22:55:20
Man, we are being linked with everyone these days. Really hard to get any sort of idea who we are interested in for this window.

Interest in Lemar etc. Seems to be put aside for now.

Eds, is there anyone you could mention where Liverpool could make a serious January effort.

I get the feeling Liverpool feel they are being overpriced for players and will wait if out till the summer.

{Ed002's Note - Reat the posts.}

18 Jan 2018 05:58:01
Reat those posts.

18 Jan 2018 09:35:29
Everyone is overpriced in January unless there is a need to sell, we won't buy for the sake of it.

17 Jan 2018 19:57:36
Bobby Firmino! How long does he have left on his contract eds? And do you have info on this lifetime contract i've heard about? Thanks in advance, good work .

{Ed002's Note - 2020 and no.}

18 Jan 2018 06:46:22
I think he is referring to Iniesta's contract I guess Ed2 .

{Ed002's Note - The question wasbout Firmino}

18 Jan 2018 06:46:22
I think he is referring to Iniesta's contract I guess Ed2 .

17 Jan 2018 19:33:20
Hi Ed’s I have read that klopp does not fancy can as a player so why does he keep getting picked? Pretty sure he has been selected for all the big games we have had also can’t say we have been short off numbers as mane, coutinho, ox and few more I can mention have all been benched but Can seems to be a regular pick. I think it’s more than that possibly not happy at Keita and us chasing Goretzka could have a big part to play. Would love for him to stay an fight for his place.

{Ed002's Note - I don’t know.}

17 Jan 2018 19:49:19
Well Henderson's injured, Lallana has been injured, Milner's not really got the head for central midfield, Klopp doesn't appear to rate Grujic, Coutinho is no longer an employee of Liverpool FC, and Wijnaldum hides about 50% of the time.

So by and large, Klopp hasn't had many alternatives other than to use Can.

17 Jan 2018 20:06:33
Plus he’s the only real presence we have in a very technically able but physically weak midfield.

17 Jan 2018 22:15:27
I always had the feeling Cans main concern was he was competing against Hendo (and the team captain) in the deeper role, while Keita coming in and Coutinho dropping deeper meant he was at best fourth pick so was unlikely to play as much as he wanted. Given Coutinhos departure and Hendo’s injuries that’s all changed IMO.

I would be very happy indeed if Klopp just told Can he was the long term future at the base of midfield and would play consistently in rotation for either Hendo or Keita until Hendo moves on. As much as I love Hendo I think it’s a real challenge to see him being the long term solution with all his injuries and I feel in another year or so Can will be the better player and potential captain material too.

I think unlikely to happen, but that’s what I’d like to see. Can has proven he’s capable of becoming a beast at no.6 if he settles in there and learns to remain switched on defensively and to move the ball a bit quicker.

18 Jan 2018 06:49:17
If the other midfield options are an injury prone Henderson, ever disappearing Gini, headless chicken Number and an injured lallana, I don't think Klopp gas much choice but to field Can irrespective of whether he rates him or not.

17 Jan 2018 18:10:52
Hi Ed’s thanks for all the great work some of the responses lately have been phenomenal and I was just wondering if you have any idea ...

{Ed002's Note - Not a subject we are going to deal with. Sorry.}

18 Jan 2018 06:03:27
Is this a full in the caption competition to see if we could guess what Weston was about to ask? Ideas anyone?

17 Jan 2018 17:10:11
May I ask a question please, excuse my lack of knowledge on this matter.

How do work permits work? I'm thinking about Marko Grujic (Good luck to him at Cardiff by the way) .

He has barely played for us, how does he still have a work permit. Now he's gone to Cardiff I'm guessing this will stop the work permit from getting cancelled? Is this why we have sent him out on loan?

{Ed002's Note - Grujic does not qualify for a WP but one was issued to him under the "exemptions" clause that allows a club to make a special case for a player of "exceltional talent" who will be used on a regular basis - and this is what the panel told. It was of course not true but there we are.}

17 Jan 2018 17:57:13
Thank you very much Editor #2. Very interesting to know we lied to obtain a WP, might this make it harder for us in the future to obtain a WP for another player?

{Ed002's Note - Yes, otherwise Allan could have had one last summer.}

17 Jan 2018 18:36:16
Thanks again Editor, very much appreciated.

17 Jan 2018 18:39:26
We never learn to just do business properly :c Good luck to Grujic though!

17 Jan 2018 18:51:02
alistairLPFC, I know, it's quite concerning, it does nothing for our reputation apart from a negative impact.

17 Jan 2018 18:52:33
Allan! Totally forgot about him.

Does anyone have any idea how he's getting on?

17 Jan 2018 20:13:29
"Quit your jibber jabber" Mr. T and check his Wikipedia page. :)

17 Jan 2018 20:11:37
Such a shame that the underuse and misguided purchase of what we were lead to believe is an extremely talented player (and the little we have seen seems to support this) has resulted in the unavailability of another very talented player. Had high hopes for both players. Such a waste, not just for the club but also the players. We need to stop doing this.

17 Jan 2018 15:55:46
Something else i forgot to add to my earlier post, klopp is starting to add leaders to the team, ox and vvd are good examples and firmino is in the argument to be our captain too, hendo is still here and both lovren and couts raised there game with the armband.

Is this klopps ability to get players to stand up and be counted? instead of relying on 1 player to lead, of course lovrens game is flawed but he doesn't really go hiding he is there to take the critisism he gets.

{Ed025's Note - i dont see ox as a leader myself SH but i know what you mean..

17 Jan 2018 16:51:31
Not yet Ed25 but he seems sound and think he might get there in time, he certainly doesn’t hesitate to stick up for his team mates in interviews which is a good start! Seems a smart young lad, with a grounded attitude and self aware rather than up his own backside. far from the ‘headless chicken’ or ‘lacking intelligence’ some were accusing him of.

{Ed025's Note - i agree with that SG, i have been pleasantly surprised by how well he has done as i was one of those doubters mate, i only hope theo is as good for us mate..

17 Jan 2018 16:58:26
Lovren raised his game with the captains armband? 😕. Bet mignolet would love a death threat, seems to blur people's vision.

17 Jan 2018 18:38:45
Was pleased to see Andy Robertson shouting orders at a few defenders on Sunday as well. Watching from the tele I can't tell if what he was shouting made any sense but am still a good sign IMO.

17 Jan 2018 18:45:12
Saying the death threat has anything to do with Lovren's performance is totally out of order! Except of course if we say the support he got from the fans in response is what has spurred him on.

17 Jan 2018 19:48:26
He’s saying the death threat has eased criticism from the fans and tongue in cheek saying Mignolet would want the same to happen to him.

17 Jan 2018 20:29:09
Another classless and disgraceful post from the perennial whiner.

17 Jan 2018 15:57:09
Never rated Can, and suspect the resurgence in his game is due to a need to either sign a new contract or get a good suitor, he lacks consistency. But with competition for playing time, i see him (and the whole team) improving. Moreno has improved with the coming of Robertson, Klaven is a better defender with the signing of VVD, however, we just have to pray Milner, Hendo and Lallana up their game with the coming of Ox (and Keita)

17 Jan 2018 16:10:13
Never rated Can? Have you not watched many games live?
He's been excellent in about 80% of matches since he came. Very underrated player, maybe you'd have to go to live matches to see this, but he works his socks off and is going to be a big loss if allowed to go.

Unless Klopp has a masterstroke up his sleeve to replace him, I'd give him a new contract in the morning.
Keita is not his replacement.

VVD and Klavan haven't even played together yet, so easy with the jumping the gun on that one - don't get me wrong, I defended Klavan on here last summer when everybody ripped him a new one for two errors in pre-season matches ("Mr. Dennis" being one of his harshest critics if I'm not mistaken, my apologies if wrong on that), but VVD needs time to settle too and is not responsible for Klavan or his individual performances mate.

17 Jan 2018 16:17:37
Can splits opinion for sure. On his day he can be great but he still ball watches and gets caught out too often. I can see why Klopp doesn't completely fancy him. Get rid move on is probably about right.

17 Jan 2018 16:32:05
When he went off against City our midfield fell apart.,

17 Jan 2018 17:57:04
I don't know where the talk of this Can resurgence has emerged from, he had one decent game against City, whereas for the last few games beforehand he's been lazy and lacking any enthusiasm on the pitch. Good player, but still has a long way to go.

17 Jan 2018 18:05:04
he has a great game 1 in 8 games. that's not good enough for Liverpool.

17 Jan 2018 18:16:36
If he's that bad, why is he picked in practically every match he is fit and even started when ill?
Why are the top team in Italy and one of the best in Europe trying to sign him?
Does he not get in the squad of the world champion International team regularly?
He must have "a long way to go" alright El Maestro, pull the other one man!
Luckily, you don't make decisions at the club.

17 Jan 2018 18:45:59
He's not that bad Kev. He's just not that good - or consistently good, anyway.

A) our options in midfield are limited at the moment
B) it's a slower game in Italy and teams are more compact than ours
C) the German team has changed since the World Cup and he doesn't have too much competition in that position.

17 Jan 2018 18:47:02
I rate Can pretty high tbf, has a complete game i think. He bags some goals, can pass, tackle. Still let's lapses in judgement get the better of him, but he's still quite young.

My favourite thing about him, maybe barring Gigi sometimes is no other of our cms really pick the ball up and drive. in terms of getting the ball forward he's the best we have in the centre. Hendo is very sideways and backwards and doesn't have the same legs as emre.

I think he's our best CM, though OX put in a shift last game, not a massive fan still but he was a beast so that said if can does go and Ox finds a similar consistency it might not be too bad letting him go. I just prefer CMs who try and drive a little, Hendo and Milner aren't quite as forward thinking. Not bashing them But with our front 3, you'd want the ball up there!

17 Jan 2018 19:20:33
Can's problem is he hasn't improved a whole lot since joining. He's still an inconsistent rough diamond who you think will become a proper player with a bit more experience and game intelligence. But we've been thinking that for three and a half years and over 150 appearances. He struggles to put in good performances on a consistent basis, he still doesn't seem quite suited to being the "pivot" or "no.6" or whatever you want to call it, and even when picked alongside Henderson and given more freedom to play his attacking qualities manifest infrequently.

I get he's only 24, but he still seems to be largely the same player that he was when he was 20. Makes me think he's liable to still be the same player at 28.

17 Jan 2018 19:23:10
He has no consistency, that’s why he splits opinion.
You can’t have such inconsistency in a title winning team, if he goes then good luck to him, if he stays he might not get as many games because of his inconsistency.
Personally, I think he’ll go. 🤝.

17 Jan 2018 19:23:12
Easy to forget can is only 23/ 24 will only get better and being a little inconsistent at that age am sure can be forgiven.

Other hand if he wants guarantees and is a little inconsistent I can understand lfc not giving into demands.

17 Jan 2018 19:52:09
Yeah of course he'll go because Liverpool fans don't appreciate him.
He's a top talent being linked to many top clubs but somehow he's not good enough in some eyes here.
Mystifying that!

Okay so let's say he's not good enough, who do we realistically replace him with? Don't say Keita or Goretzka as they're hardly proven and are even younger or more raw and inconsistent.
Fire away!

17 Jan 2018 19:57:16
I’m not sold on Can and I think people’s judgement are being blurred slightly after a great performance on Sunday.
In my eyes he has everything in his locker to be a top player, physically he is a beast, great engine, good in the air. I just feel he isn’t disciplined enough to be a holding midfielder and daudles on the ball too much when going forward.
I do hope we keep him as he is still only young and should improve but I won’t be crying myself to sleep if he goes, it will just be a little frustrating that he will go for nothing (although the money isn’t going in my pocket) .

17 Jan 2018 20:09:05
Not just the City game, I didn't even notice much difference in that match to what I usually see from him in fact.
Robertson was the man I noticed in that game - phenomenal!
Can wouldn't be in the team line up each week if only good against City.
He does a lot of unnoticed donkey work, he's a physical specimen and we badly need that physicality in our midfield.
He has a lot of required attributes in fact.
We'll regret it if he leaves and isn't replaced like for like.

17 Jan 2018 20:11:05
It's not easy to fully appreciate someone who only shows what he can do every so often. We all want him to be as good as we know he can be but he flatters to deceive and frustrates a lot of the time. As has been said, he has all the ingredients but forgets to turn the oven on a lot of the time.

As for a replacement. It depends on the shop you want to buy from and how expensive it is. I can't say I've seen enough of any players to go 'him', except Veratti maybe. That may be a pipe dream, however. Our scouting department should be able to find someone though. If, in all the world, Can is our best option for our budget, then something is wrong.

17 Jan 2018 20:22:51
You've made fair points Wellred but we'll have to agree to disagree on this.
Veratti is a fine player sure and even if he wanted the move, it'd frighten me - can you imagine him at 5 foot 5 defending set pieces, we'd get crucified all over again at them just after we kinda addressed it with Van Dijk?!
We'd have only 2 centre backs and a Keeper over 6 foot at that rate unless you play Gomez at right back.
For me, Can is a perfect type of midfield player for us right now.
Henderson would be moved on if up to me.

17 Jan 2018 20:31:09
Fair do's mate. It's all about opinions after all! You are right though. Some extra height would be good.

17 Jan 2018 20:38:05
Can is in the team every week because there isn't anyone better at the moment and I’m not sure top clubs would be interested if he wasn’t available for free.
I do think he could one day click and be a top player but for me he isn’t at the moment.

17 Jan 2018 21:50:39
Fair play Wellred, absolutely right mate - all about opinions, we're probably both wrong at the end of it all :)

Cobra, he simply wouldn't be available if his contract had time left on it - that should tell you everything you need to know. Klopp plays him and has done so for nearly 2 and a half years, so must rate him, otherwise he'd pick Milner over him wouldn't he and I'd prefer to go on Klopp's judgement?!
(He even moved him back into midfield from Center Back remember - Good old Brenda nearly killed his career with that move. )

Milner has only just turned 32, not like he a write off - Can is a better midfielder, he gets in the Germany squad, sometimes even into the team, not a single other central midfielder at LFC right now could do that and they're defending world champions mate.

18 Jan 2018 06:41:05
Can is still so young and can only get better. I can't believe he's played more games for Liverpool than Daniel Sturridge!

I'm hoping we can keep him.

17 Jan 2018 14:19:46
What now for ............

{Ed002's Note - I would like to avoid this subject Barry.}

17 Jan 2018 14:33:39
Sorry Ed.

{Ed002's Note - No need to be sorry but there has been a bundle of ill-informed posts.}

17 Jan 2018 14:38:38
Ok gotcha buddy.

17 Jan 2018 12:56:19
I watched the film Kenny today. The man is true gent and deserves the term King. A really good watch if you get the chance.
Cheers.

17 Jan 2018 13:43:42
I hope he gives his blessing to Elizabeth soon. She deserves a knighthood.

17 Jan 2018 12:06:07
Ed. just looking at possible feasible links to LFC for the Start of the new season as there are still areas I think we are weak. Any thoughts on targets.

Firmino / ?
Salah / Lallana
Mane / MARTINS

Can / Ox
Keita / Wijnaldum
GOERTZA / Henderson

Robertson / SESSEGNON
Van Djik / Gomez
DE VRIJ / Matip
? / Alexander-Arnold

ALLISON / Karius

£140m would go a long way to cover linked January moves for GK-RW-CM but any summer news. Who you think Klopp will chase to slot in to CB-RB-LB.

{Ed002's Note - At the asking price Martins would be a replacement for Salah or perhaps Mane - not a reserve. Goretzka will be moving to Bayern Munich. Sessegnon is not joining Liverpool. You can forget De Vrij and Alisson is possible depending what happens at another club.}

17 Jan 2018 13:05:36
I highly doubt Martins or any other winger could even score half of what Salah has been scoring for us! We can’t let this players wanting to carry on. We must keep Salah at any cost as well the other two and add players that will take the pressure of them and give them rest when required!

Goretzka is off to Bayern hence the new development in Can’s contract situation. Let’s be honest a replacement for Can would cost us close to £50 mill and the club would be stupid to splash when they could tie down Can for a new contract.
I don’t think Kieta is a replacement for Can. He is an additon and if anyone, it would be Hendo who will move to bench!

Left back wouldn’t be a priority but I think we might buy a new RB in the summer.
Can is looking excellent atm. He is a £50 mil player tomorrow. We won’t do another Suso here!

17 Jan 2018 13:12:23
Martins will cost a shed load of money for a back up so that is a non starter, Goreztka is off to Bayern and that is not news either. Sessegnon was a no go from jump too and if something can be done, Can needs to be kept.

17 Jan 2018 13:45:02
Gelson does look a bit special though. Would be amazing to rotate with the front 3 but i guess no chance.

17 Jan 2018 14:17:05
Martins should start ahead of Mane in my opinion. At least until Mane recovers his pace and agility from last season.

17 Jan 2018 16:32:47
Is the club that are in for Allison PSG Ed? By you saying dependent on another club I'm assuming their position/ spending power would make them the players preferred destination? I know you haven't sat down and had a coffee with him to ask like. or maybe you have. Flat White kind of man, Latte or?

{Ed002's Note - Yes, PSG do have an interest and poentially Real Madid may do if things don't go their way in the summer.}

17 Jan 2018 11:31:20
Ed002. If player X is on £100,000 a week at club Y with say 2 years left on his deal. Say they want him sold to club Z because he doesn't play and is costing them too much. But club Z only offer player X say £70,000 a week, does club Y pay the player the £30,000 downfall for the next two years?

I'm sort of thinking Mkhitryan being forced to take a wage cut if he does indeed move to arsenal for the swap.

{Ed002's Note - No, that would rarely happen. Henrikh Mkhitaryan would not need to take a drop in wages if he were to join Arsenal. If were to go to another interested side then perhaps, but MU would not be paying the difference.}

17 Jan 2018 12:11:16
I’ve often thought this aswell Benny but in a slightly different way or wording.
If a club want to sell player X cos a team is offering an amount that they’re happy with and he isn’t playing much, but the player doesn’t ask for a transfer or hand in a request, I know they get 5% of the transfer fee but does the remaining wage on their contract have to be paid by the club to them and is this something that the selling club would just add into his transfer fee to the buying club? Can Ed02 shed any light on that? Is it the same answer as to Benny question?

{Ed002's Note - No, the remaining wage does not get paid to them.}

17 Jan 2018 12:16:42
Thanks Ed, and thank god for that otherwise someone like Robbie Keane would have racked up some amount of money purely by being transferred every second season 😂.

17 Jan 2018 12:19:45
Ah that would explain why it's so hard to move on surplus players on big wages.
May I ask your opinion on what seems to be liverpools new stance on contracts, in that firmino is on a relatively "low" basic salary, with the reported ( maybe false ) 30/ 40k goal bonus. Do you personally like this strategy performance related benefits? Or am I miles away from the truth.
Thanks a lot.

{Ed002's Note - It is not a new stance it was simply an agreement reached with Firmino's agent when he joined. It is not a strategy Liverpool are following.}

17 Jan 2018 12:33:55
I don’t like th sound of that strategy myself, feel like surely it could make a player more Greedy and not set up simple goals for others as they will take the chance on themselves if it’s going to get them 30/ 40k! Thankfully firmino is one player who doesn’t suffer from this problem but I could see it causing problems with some other type of characters.

I know players get paid a lot but the amount isn’t relative when you put it like this, if they show up to work each day for training, meetings, gym work, bonding, matches, etc. they should get their wage, goals for a striker should just be a given like defending for a centre back should be a given.

Just my opinion anyway.

17 Jan 2018 16:32:46
Aquilani had a portion of his contract paid out when we moved him on.

17 Jan 2018 11:01:30
Mohamed Salah in 2017/ 2018 PL season so far

22 games played (76.5 minutes pr. game)
18 goals (1st) (a goal every 93 minutes)
7 assists (2nd) (Directly involved in 25 goals in 1683 minutes)
6 2nd assists (3rd) (The pass before the assist)
44 shots on target (1st) out of 71 shots (61.97 %)
35 chances created (1st) (11 big chances created)
55 dribbles completed (1st) (67.33 % sucssess rate)
81 duels won (41.26 %)
14 big chances missed (Ranked 3rd After Morata and Aguero)

Has he had the best start to any new signing i recent memory?

17 Jan 2018 11:10:50
Would you swap him for any player in the world? I wouldn't.

17 Jan 2018 11:16:36
Torres scored 24 league goals in his 1st season. If I'm not wrong, it still is the record for a foreign player in his debut season.

Barring any dips in form or long-term injury lay-offs, Salah is on course to breaking that record.

17 Jan 2018 11:25:18
MK, I'll go one better. I would not swap him for Lionel Messi. Why? The 25 year old Messi no longer exists (he's 31). The 25 year old Salah (who is not even in his prime yet) exists and plays for us. SALAH ALL DAY!

17 Jan 2018 11:26:01
No chance MK Scouser no chance, a very a very unique player.

17 Jan 2018 11:27:02
Neither would I MK. Not anybody.

17 Jan 2018 11:33:42
Big shout BRover, but i think any open minded person who took a step back and looked at the debate with perspective, would struggle to argue against you. Messi has been in decline for a couple of years now. I mean, when your starting point is 90 goals a calendar year, it takes a good 5 years of decline at least before you are no longer world class! However, Salah is on the rise. Could he potentially be one of the next great footballers of his generation? Be nice if the game shifted away from Spanish football being the be all and end all. Once upon a time, Liverpool were the super power. "Dare to Dream" 😂.

{Ed025's Note - they were a super power MK but that was many many moons ago, you need to walk before you can run and although liverpool are on the rise they are still nowhere near the big boys, it can happen of course but at the moment you are miles away mate..

17 Jan 2018 12:02:13
Look I love Salah as much as anyone, and I certainly wouldn’t swap him for anyone, but it’s also entirely possible everything is falling into place for him and he’s in a massive sweet spot of form which may dip at some point (a bit like Vardy’s has) .

If he can play at just 80-90% of what he’s doing now for the next couple of years, then we can start comparing him to Messi.

{Ed025's Note - your dead right SG..

17 Jan 2018 11:50:43
I meant just English football in general Ed025. I'd love it if Liverpool and Man City were the next Real/ Barca of Europe though. Just to see Mourinho's face if nothing else 😂

Like i say, it's just a dream right now. You're right in saying we're a long way off at this moment in time. Maybe not as far as some think though. We just sold Coutinho for £140m and then beat "the best team in football history" the same week, before we've even replaced our "best player", and with Keita and Van Dijk to cone into that team. If you are a Liverpool fan, i think you have every right to be excited for the future.

Just got to give Salah, Firmino and Mane a key to the City, their own personal entourage, and lots of beautiful women. Maybe import the entourage and the women from over seas though. The only reason Jesus wasn't born in England was because god couldn't find three wise men or virgin.

{Ed025's Note - love it MK, liverpool are certainly going in the right direction but they need to win something soon, losing players like couts and all the speculation about salah,s future means they are still seen as a stepping stone for some players at the moment, top players want titles and its imperative that liverpool get some silverware if thats to be reversed mate..

17 Jan 2018 12:28:09
Likewise agree 100% Ed. We need to win something either this season or at the latest next to crystallise the forward momentum and prove to players they can win top trophy’s with us.

Tottenham likewise are in an even more precarious position, they need to win something quick before all the hard work they put into building their squad is lost as they get picked off by the mega-money clubs.

{Ed025's Note - thats very true SG..

17 Jan 2018 12:37:37
Ed it seems to me to be all about the summer transfer window. We must get that right. I don't think we are very very close or miles away from being a top side. The 4 or so players we target in the summer must be of the required standard.

If we get it right and players who come in are of the standard of VVD, Salah, Keita of course we will be one of the very best sides in Europe. But winning trophies is what it is all about as Ed says. Salah won't want to stay to finish second.

17 Jan 2018 13:39:06
I agree with all the points raised here (even your, Mark lol) . Ed25 is correct. LFC is definitely on the rise, no question. Ed24 once told me that LFC was the 2nd best team and had n even better attack than City in the PL even tho the table does not show that. After the City game, he was and is dead on. We are on the cusp of being great right now with some luck with the right signings BUT we must walk before we can run. Now, we are currently walking briskly with a run well within range.

Now that must not stop us from doing our very best in trying to win a trophy this or the next season so as to validate that brisk walk cos in the end, this team NEEDS to be able to achieve a goal, a trophy together to stand them in good stead mentally, to go for more. Why? Cos at that point, they will know that they can defy the odds and win and that is vital to a team's mentality. Hopefully, the FA Cup is where it begins this season. However, let us remember that Salah and our other good players will not hang around either if we win an FA Cup and miss out on CL. We must be able to walk and chew gum at the same time.

17 Jan 2018 15:08:49
A better question is: Will Salah still be at the club by the time he reaches his prime? I would say no, unless the club starts challenging very soon! As we have seen over the years, it's hard to keep your best players when consistent success isn't determined.

17 Jan 2018 10:41:21
Another day and same old rumours. Can’t wait for the window to shut. Let’s face it we are not signing anyone. Klopp and FSG are happy with what we have especially after the Man City game.

17 Jan 2018 11:08:19
would it be such a bad thing not to sign anyone?

17 Jan 2018 11:26:52
Nope, JJ. It would suit me fine if that happened.

17 Jan 2018 11:33:59
We did sign soomeome, perhaps they should of signed VVD last day of window not first day so it would be remembered.

17 Jan 2018 12:13:00
They were happy before the city game, it was keita in early or nobody. Then leak a few rumours of interest in players to keep people looking the other way. Job done.

17 Jan 2018 12:55:35
We broke our transfer record and set a world record for a defender 2 weeks ago and some people have already forgotten it seems.

17 Jan 2018 10:02:59
one thing that impresses me about klopp that doesn't get mentioned is his ruthlessness, Sakho being a case in point he was a fan favourite and there was calls for him to be kept and played but klopp stuck to his guns and offloaded him, Emre can a fan fave but klopp is happy to let him leave.

he may not get everything right or be perfect but he has his own opinions and he sticks with them. there will never be another paisley but i think klopp is as good as anyone can get.

17 Jan 2018 10:34:26
Good point. He has his flaws as does anyone. But not 1 person or media now questions him selling sakho as unfortunately for him seems he's barely played since leaving for good money due to injury which is a shame. Klopp needs players who are committed and want to work hard for team or else system falls apart.

17 Jan 2018 11:04:24
Very good call about Sakho mate.

17 Jan 2018 11:34:35
Spot on, OP and the rest of the boys. Last season and this one, there were MANY fans on here (and other sites) who shamelessly turned on Klopp for getting shot of Sahko, ignoring his repeated disgusting conduct and saying Klopp was wrong to treat him that way. I was livid at the time and so were many.

I like Klopp, want players who are ready to fight for the cause and the shirt and if you think you are bigger than the club or the DR then, you are in for it. Also, players think that well if all else fails, it is the manager that will get the chop, not them. Again, grave mistake. News Flash: Klopp has been given ALL the power to make player personnel decisions so if any player thinks that way, you will be gone LONG before Klopp does.

Klopp did the same for Cou who after he did all he could to keep him, Cou kept intimating that he would sit out the rest of the season hence, creating rancor in the DR. Klopp acted and got shot of him (and rolling Barcelona for a sweet 142m of cash, in the process) . Oh and after all that, we thumped City. Klopp, Da Great!

17 Jan 2018 12:08:02
Sakho was awful. Played a handful of good games and somehow became a cult hero. Plus he is injury prone. Give me Klavan any day.

17 Jan 2018 13:08:42
Cant agree with this. Sometimes it's good to stick to your guns but he binned Sakho for his clowning around when our defense was an utter mess and at the time the decision badly hurt us, even if long term it's looked okay. However, he's kept Firmino as our star forward despite him being caught drink driving, Flannagan is in court pleading guilty to assulting his girlfriend is still training with the squad pending a club disciplinary - he clearly isn't even handed in his approach and to me, has allowed much worse than anything Sakho did go unpunished whilst sakho basically lost a year of his career whilst we played Lucas in defense. I don't mind someone being ruthless about behaviour of their players if they actually are, but frankly the inconsistence in how Klopp deals with his players is something that needs addressing not applauding.

17 Jan 2018 13:30:10
I think the difference there hjikle is while the behaviour of firmino and Flanagan on those occasions are completely undefendable they are issues which do concern the club but are personal to those players. sakho was clowning about with klopp and clowning about when he was already in trouble with klopp. He undermined him and klopp didn't stand for it. And damn right. if he let that sort of stupid behaviour go then maybe other players start fooling about too.

17 Jan 2018 14:32:27
Firmino had to beg for his court case date to be changed so he didn't miss a major fixture vs Chelsea. Even if we ignore the fact that these people are representatives of the club at all times, and make a huge amount of money out of their image rights which greatly reflect their personal life, his poor behavior almost making him miss one of the biggest matches of the season sounds like something to do with the club to me.

I'm not saying that dumping Sakho was wrong (although turning down offers for him to go that season was) . I'm saying that he's not ruthless in dealing with these situations - he picks and chooses who gets punished and who doesnt.

17 Jan 2018 14:52:20
Yes but sakho taking fat burners without telling the club and nearly getting banned and missing important games because if it is one thing and klopp probably was angry but he didn't push him out after that he then came late to meetings and then starting clowning around when klopp was in a filmed interview which is not only stupid and disrespectful at a time when he should have been keeping his head down but also undermining klopp a authority on a v public level.

17 Jan 2018 08:33:03
A general football post rather than a Liverpool one but I was pleased to see VAR used last night to positively effect the outcome of a game.

For those who aren't aware Iheanacho had a goal incorrectly ruled out for offside in Leicester's FA Cup replay against Fleetwood Town. The goal was awarded 67 seconds after the ball hit the back of the net.

That time still has to come down but it's early days and I have little doubt it will. I absolutely think getting these key decisions right is far more important than a short delay in the game.

17 Jan 2018 10:03:02
As long as they add the time on at the end of each half. In the Caribo Cup game there were 3 referrals totalling over 2 and a half minutes (I think) and 3 substitutions (supposedly 30 seconds each) plus goal and other stoppages. Nowhere near that time was added on at the end of the game. So, we are being short-changed for the exhorbitant amount of money we pay.

What next? Confectionery companies will be reducing the size of chocolate bars and still charging the same, hoping we don’t notice.

17 Jan 2018 10:12:29
Spot on, Putney. For years, I argued the very same thing BUT what the detractors of video would tell me disingenuously, was that the game would be slowed down BUT they had no problem with a player rolling on the ground, feigning injuries in a bid to waste time.

Also, they would say well, it all evens out over a season. Absolutely nonsense. If a goal is a goal, a penalty or and offside, all in my favor clearly then sorry, I want my goal, penalty and offside call NOW and I'll figure the rest out later in the season. I am for VAR as well and I hope it works cos clearly the refs need a BUNCH of help esp. with the dreadful decisions they are making in the moment.

17 Jan 2018 10:27:08
Would you rather waste 60 seconds to more consistently get the right decision, or waste a week of your life listening to radio and TV pundits banging on about how the decision was wrong.

I'm pleased about this. Maybe we can actually start to spend more time talking about the football, and less time talking about bad decisions!

How anyone can moan about something which makes the game fairer, is beyond me. 60 seconds? Try watching American football. You get 60 seconds of actual play every 90 minutes of real time. Not vice versa!

17 Jan 2018 10:45:23
I watch a lot of Rugby Union and the VAR is not the answer to all controversial questions. I think it can be a great aid to getting to the right decisions but slow motion often puts a different perspective on incidents, especially collisons, that does not necessarily help with a resolution. Deliberate knock ons, perhaps equivalent to hand ball, is a particularly trick area.

17 Jan 2018 10:46:44
I think there's going to be problems with it down the line. For me, linesmen will have to stop giving any offside decisions for it to work properly, because if the flag goes up and the referee blows the whistle the chance is then gone. If VAR proves that to be the wrong decision, the attacking team won't get that chance again.

Also, how often to defenders stop once they see the flag go up? It won't always be a true reflection of what would have happened in that sequence of play.

It will clearly work in a lot of circumstances, but I think there is going to be few fall outs over it.

17 Jan 2018 11:02:18
Liverducks, first of all the system is in its teething stages, it will only get better. Second of all there may be some downsides but whatever they end up being (and a lot of people who are against it are stretching their imaginations to poke holes in it) the net benefit to the game will be positive.

As MK says if we can get to a stage where we stop talking about decisions and focus on the play then that will be a brilliant thing.

17 Jan 2018 11:08:33
That is just tough luck for me, Liverducks. If you were so far from goal that play is stopped by the time you get a shot away, then for me that's just the luck of the draw. We don't want all controversy removed.

Equally, if any player stops when they see the flag, that's their problem. Even 5 year old kids are told "play to the whistle". Until the ref stops the game, every player should assume the ball is live.

You can't expect VAR to get pulled out for every decision, to the point where it is including offsides on the half way line!

It is there as a helpful tool that can be used on a few occasions each games to get things spot on. Goals, Red cards, and penalties is plenty enough for me.

Offsides, throw-ins, fouls etc. Should be left well alone unless they are directly linked to a goal, red card, or penalty!

17 Jan 2018 11:11:30
It’s come under major scrutiny in the A-league in Australia. Especially it’s use for yellow/ red cards as it’s pure conjecture. Also it’s not play on when the flags raised and let’s say the striker is one on one with the keeper, if you want to get the right call let the play finish and possible goal and then check the offside. They will happily call back an offside goal if the flags stay down but not for the flag raised. I just think it’s messy and you will know what I mean when it’s introduced to the premier league.

17 Jan 2018 15:50:17
I agree to a certain extent MK, and I'm not against VAR at all, can just see a few problems with it. I think initially it will be more of a tool to rule out goals rather than give them (although the opposite is true last night) .

{Ed025's Note - it takes too long for me ducks, if they can speed it up then yes but it spoils the game when we are hanging around for a decision mate..

17 Jan 2018 16:34:13
if time is a stumbling block dare I suggest stopping the clock alla American football every time the ball is dead, yet still punish time wasting (it ruins the flow of the game) .

17 Jan 2018 08:25:01
Can anybody explain to me Emre Can? I am a fan but I just can’t understand his season at all. I’ve never known a player who is so hot and cold in matches but I’m not sure that’s down to his ability. If I’m being honest I always think he’s up for the fight with energy and work rate yet some matches it just doesn’t work for him while others it does and spectacularly at that. Is it down to klopps tactics or his chosen partner in the middle? Or is it just down to opposition? I’m usually able to figure these things out but with his future still in doubt I find myself thinking one week “ah, best of luck to the lad in Italy, the game will suit him better” to “our midfield is screwed if he leaves in January”. Help!

17 Jan 2018 08:46:32
Um this topic spins my head aswell, He's so inconsistant but when he's good he's very good and fits in that midfield 3 perfectly. Fans seem to change their mind week in week out in terms of wanting him at the club.

17 Jan 2018 08:49:38
For me, he is a great midfielder. He is aggressive, his passing range is under rated, he has excellent close control, and when he is playing with passion he can be unplayable. He is still a little bit raw at times though admittedly.

My problem all season has been that I've not seen the passion in his performances. He celebrates like a supporter, but his actual work rate was non existent. I can't get over what he did against Arsenal, when Ozil ran past him and Can not only saw him do it and didn't even make a slight move to follow him, but he then threw his arms about after Ozil scored as if it was someone else's fault! I was absolutely enraged by that.

However, against City, he played with that same passion that we saw at the back end of last season when he helped us to battle our way across the finish line to qualify for the Champions League (thinking of his performances against Everton, Burnley and Watford in particular) . If he can maintain that motivation, then great. But it is worrying that he's only managed to motivate himself once in the last couple of months, against the best team in the league. Those are the games it's easy to be up for. We'll see against Swansea if his attitude has changed, or if he just wanted to put himself in the shop window.

I am a huge fan of Can ability wise, and his application was exemplary on Sunday. I only hope that he maintains that level until he signs for Juventus in the summer, which i still think will happen to be honest.

We won't miss him though. Keita is twice the player from what I've seen, Ox looks a genuine top class midfield option now, and I'm sure we'll sign another first team quality midfielder. The likes of Gini, Hendo and Lallana are also top quality players when fit and in form.

17 Jan 2018 09:11:06
Regardless of his form He is still the best CM at the club. He is excellent on the ball. Isn’t he? Juts like most of the germans he has a very good touch. He can pick a pass and he is really good at it. I have not seen a single player in the league that could knock off the ball from his feet. He is a monster.
Can’s best feature is when he drives forward with the ball. It’s a pleasure to the eyes! Give him to Man city and He will play ahead of Fernandinho all day of the week. Give him to UTD and he will play ahead of Matic! Give him to Chelsea and He is certain to play ahead of Drinkwater or Bakoyako. Give him to spurs and he starts ahead of both Dier and Wanyama. His only issue for me is he is lazy at times and doesn’t track back enough. He believes there is someone behind him to check his back.
Can is one of those stopper who could carry and drive with the ball really well. Isn’t that what you are looking in Nzonzi or Savic?
I have no idea how and why Klopp doesn’t see him in his future plans!

17 Jan 2018 09:12:17
He is relatively young and, whilst he does have some games were he seems imperious, he has others where he looks lackadaisical and uninterested. I think, like a number of players in our team, he has issues with motivation against lesser opposition. The players put in the shifts of their life against the Cities, the Arsenal's, etc etc but it's those tight, niggling games against the hard to beat, so-called lesser sides where we do struggle. I would of liked us to keep Can as I think the consistency will come and, when it does, he'll be a good asset. However, him leaving is not the end of the world, there are players of equal or better ability out there who we will be able to sign and long term, it suits us better to look for a player who wants to join rather than trying to convince a player looking for the exit to stay. A good, but far from irreplaceable, player.

17 Jan 2018 10:17:26
Spot on, BD and MK. Can is like any other CM or player learning the game as he is just 23. He is immensely talented BUT still rough around the edges and inconsistent. That is normal, IMO. But the best thing for him now is that in spite of his rough edges, he is still a beast and is part of the vaunted German setup and has the might Juve on moving heaven and earth to sign him. These teams are not run by mugs. These guys know what they are doing which is why they win most of the time.

I just think that he needs to know where he stands in terms of playing time and chances really, as Ed01 has said numerous times. IMO, I would keep him if I had to pick cos he grew up here footie wise, we built him and we are not finished with him yet. We'll see.

17 Jan 2018 10:21:16
Always rated Can. Sometimes he does slow down our play by taking some extra touches. IMO he is destined to be a very top midfielder. That's just my opinion. But Klopp has shown sound judgement regarding players and transfers till now except for the GK position. If Can goes I think we will miss him since Henderson is unreliable ATM with his injuries. Whatever Can chooses I wish him the best. I think he has shown tremendous commitment even in the last few months. I know others have different opinion about him.

17 Jan 2018 12:12:04
One point to make is that he has played a lot of games not 100% fit either from what Klopp has said whether this has impacted some performances I don't know. Against City he was ill but did well. Anyway i think we will regret losing him if we do.

17 Jan 2018 12:49:24
He has talent but is so inconsistent and has so many flaws. He only plays well when he plays like a bull in a china shop and while effective, that is the limit of his talent. He can't really dictate the pace of the game. He often dribbles himself into dead ends. He isn't really a goalscorer, but again, he has made good runs in the past, he just doesn't do it enough. He has the size to be imposing defensively, and sometimes does, but often does not, does not use his head, and let's runners coast past him. When he plays well he plays very well but it is not enough, none of his flaws have been improved upon, he goes missing for large chunks of the season then sticks in a few good peformances to make us keep the faith. He has been too inconsisten for too long, a jack of all trades but master of none, i can see why the club are willing to let him go.

17 Jan 2018 06:58:21
Hi Eds,

What's the plan for TAA next season once a RB is bought in the summer? Is he facing a stint on the bench down the midfield/ right back pecking order?

{Ed001's Note - the same as this season, rotation option.}

17 Jan 2018 07:46:16
Will it be rotation with Gomez ed or with Clyne? I’d prefer Gomez and TAA if Gomez isn’t given a shot at CB.

{Ed001's Note - I think you missed the original question mate. He was saying when a new RB comes in. I very much doubt Clyne will play for Liverpool again, it would be a big shock if he is at the club next season. Klopp has had issues with him for a long time. Gomez will be a rotation option for CB/RB and TAA for RB/CM I believe.}

17 Jan 2018 08:07:58
Ed001, have we actually looked at any right backs recently? There was a rumour about Ricardo Pereira a year ago, and talk of Sime Vrsaljko in November.

Aside from that, I've seen nothing. I personally think there is a real lack of quality options around. The only good right back in the Premier League in my opinion is Azpilicueta, and he plays centre back! I'd happily throw the Cheque book at Chelsea for him though, if we were in a fantasy world. Unbelievable player.

{Ed001's Note - we have looked at a few mate, but nothing too serious as there were other positions that were more vital in previous windows. This summer is when it moves up the priority list.}

17 Jan 2018 08:57:39
An option for CM ed. that's interesting mate. Tbh I didn't even consider him an option there.

{Ed001's Note - his long term future was always seen as being in midfield.}

17 Jan 2018 09:41:18
There are a few good RB's around MK, think you're being a little harsh! Bellerin, Walker, Trippier, Davies, Clyne and Valencia are all not perfect but definitely better than just 'competent' RB's.

{Ed001's Note - I do not rate Trippier at all, Clyne is dreadful and who is Davies? If you mean Ben Davies of Spurs, he is a left back mate and he is exceedingly average on his best days.}

17 Jan 2018 10:00:59
Cheers Ed. Have to say i was massively impressed with that Bailey Wright, Bristol City captain. He was fantastic against Man City in the first leg.

I'd be surprised if a few clubs didn't take a look to be honest. Though i suspect it's more likely to be a team such as Bournemouth, West Ham or Burnley who would show an interest, if he was to move to the top flight.

It's a shame we no longer have the courage to sign players directly from the lower divisions or Scotland. Just off the top of my head in recent years, we've spent big money of Robertson, Clyne, Van Dijk, Lallana, Ings, Mane etc. All players we could've signed for a drop in the ocean if we'd properly scouted the so called lesser leagues in Europe. If Ian Rush was playing today, Southampton would sign him for £2m, and then we'd pay £80m two years later!

{Ed001's Note - it is the way it is these days, none of the big clubs really pick up unproven talent.}

17 Jan 2018 10:20:22
MK, I disagree. I would not want any of those players at LFC. Walker is a good thlete, not a good footballer. Bellerin can't defend vs a chair, Clyne is poor and Trippier is just ok BUT not an upgrade on Gomez or TAA.

17 Jan 2018 10:56:47
Wasn't me BRover. Out of all of those players hijkle listed, Trippier is the only one i think is decent. The rest are average.

Walker, Clyne and Bellerin are sprinters, not footballers. Davies is an average left back, and Valencia has done an amicable job, but he is awful at stopping crosses into the box. Like the rest of United's defence, he is totally reliant on the brilliance of De Gea to bail him out, so his constant errors are not highlighted.

The best right back in the league this season has been Stephen Ward at Burnley. Azpilicueta is the best overall, but he is playing centre back.

Ultimately, your first job is to defend and none of the right backs hijkle listed can actually do that. Walker is probably still on the Anfield pitch trying to track Mane's run. Trippier and Valencia at least consistently offer a good end product offensively, but that's about it. They are liabilities defensively. Clyne, Bellerin and Walker all just smash the ball into the box as hard as they can and hope to get lucky. Ridiculously over rated players.

{Ed001's Note - Ward is a left back.}

17 Jan 2018 10:59:06
Is that because Clyne is an arse, ed001?

{Ed001's Note - something like that yes.}

17 Jan 2018 11:20:54
You are right Ed, he is! I stand corrected. He's been brilliant though. Never would've thought a player at his age could improve so much. Same goes for Phil Bardsley (the player I've mixed him up with) who has been brilliant when called upon, despite looking absolutely atrocious for the last decade! I'm not sure Lowton deserves to be picked ahead of him on this seasons form. Dyche deserves huge plaudits for the things he is getting out of some players. Bardsley, Tarkowski, Ward, Hendrick, Brady, Gudmunsson, Barnes and Wood are all bang average players, playing out of their skins under Dyche. The only players they have who are actually good are Pope, Mee and Cork. Those 3 would all fit right in at Liverpool by the way! Defour is good if he gets back to his best though.

17 Jan 2018 04:48:01
{Ed's Note - we have posted a new article entitled, Daily News Round Up

17 Jan 2018 09:01:34
Interesting news there, thank you Editor #1.

Happy retirement Ronaldinho, what a player he was, he could've been even better if he'd of been a little more professional about things though but still an absolute cracking player in his time.

{Ed001's Note - cheers Spooked, thought I would do a daily round up rather than weekly as it got such good feedback.}

17 Jan 2018 00:31:11
Same time last year, we were placed 4th in the league table with 46 points with 3 defeats and 7 draws; we had lost the away semi final tie against Southampton and by the end of Jan 2017 we would bow out in the 4th round of FA cup against Wolves.

Although we are already out of league cup, we have played more competitive games in CL, topped the group with record number of goals and have scored more goals in the PL too after 23 games. We all fans felt there was considerable progress but the best part is that even statistics is backing this up.

17 Jan 2018 07:46:44
Interesting and we peaked before Xmas last year too let’s hope we can build on this current momentum really go for the FA cup, be great to win something, finish top 4 and see what happens in the Champions League.