Liverpool Banter Archive April 18 2016

18 Apr 2016 20:20:30
We have lost just once in our last 14 games. That was the game against Southampton. You could argue we lost the cup final as well but realistically that was a draw. Penalty shootouts are roulettes.

That run includes 2 games against City, 2 games against Utd, 2 games against Dortmund and 1 against Spurs.

Imagine if at the start of that run somebody had told you we'd only lose once during normal time in the next 14 games. You'd have laughed at them!

In that same 14 game period we have won 8, drawn 5 (inc cup final) and lost 1. We've also scored 30 goals and conceded just 13 (averages less than 1 conceded a game and more than 2 a game scored) . We've also kept 5 clean sheets in that time. Klopp is taking us places people, SMILE!

I'm going to keep posting positive stuff until the depressing posts are gone haha!

18 Apr 2016 20:47:39
Great post Adam we need more of the same, drown out the negativity. I really believe if we can keep hold of our best players and build on the squad we have, only buying real quality in areas where it's needed then the future looks very bright indeed.

18 Apr 2016 21:05:15
Agree 100%, I posted earlier that I think we've actually been very consistent since Feb, I'm not sure why everyone talks about this squad being inconsistent when reality is that was down rogers for the first few months, and then a change in coach.

Since we've seen Klopp establish himself, and a more stable first team selection (barring the odd exception like Bournemouth) we've played well for most of the last 3 months. Even Southampton was a major departure from Klopps 'usual' first team squad and formation.

18 Apr 2016 21:32:21
Interesting stats. Must admit, I have been trying to find stats this evening around form in 2016. Would imagine Leicester are top, but was curious to see if there was a marked improvement to give optimism for next season. it certainly feels like form has been more consistent since the turn of the year.

18 Apr 2016 21:58:10
Bobby this is the form in all competitions since our 6-0 win against Villa. I'd say we're right up there in terms of form.

18 Apr 2016 23:08:35
Why all the disagrees to the above posts, we're top score's in prem since New year, sarko top passer 88% completion, firminio strike assist stats great, even Milner top assists in prem or there abouts. Think where we were just a few months ago BK.

19 Apr 2016 00:44:23
In addition, do you know we are UNDEFEATED under Klopp in the Europa League? That's ELEVEN games plus one if you count BR's lifeless draw vs Sion at home. Even Rafa in all his European glory, was never undefeated in Europe at the semi finals stage. Also, our one true loss was at the Saints, a game we had no business even drawing. But the season is not over for us yet so we go out, play to win EVERY game and let the chips fall where they may.

19 Apr 2016 08:52:37
Markovicsnuts I learnt a long time ago to ignore the disagrees. People even click disagree on tributes to Hillsborough. Just forget it's even there mate :)

18 Apr 2016 15:53:55
I know Carra23 does his wonderful update on our on-loan players but just found this up-to-date summary on the internet so I thought I'd share it.

LFC Loanees in Action

Balotelli - AC Milan - Played 90 mins vs. Sampdoria
Alberto - Deportivo La Coruna - Played 90 mins vs. Las Palmas and 52 mins vs. Sevilla
Wisdom - Norwich - Played 89 mins vs. Sunderland
Grujic - Red Star Belgrade - Played 57 mins vs. Partizan
Canos - Brentford - Played 84 mins vs. Bristol City
Awoniyi - Frankfurt FSV - Played 90 mins vs. Paderborn
Allan - Sint Truidense - Played 90 mins vs. Lokoren
Yesil - Luzern - Unused substitute vs. Zurich
Jones - Blackpool - Left out of matchday squad
Fulton - Portsmouth - Left out of matchday squad

Injury News
Lazar Markovic Jordan Williams and Lawrence Vigouroux all missed playing due to injuries. It is unlikely the trio will feature again this season.

18 Apr 2016 16:55:15
I watched Canos at Brentford on Saturday, and thought I'd share my thoughts.

He's a tall lad, quite skilful but seems prone to positional mistakes and making the wrong choices. Looks like he likes getting stuck in though. The Brentford fans seem to like him too.

Talking to my dad, who watches the Bees regularly, and he reckons Canos has something but maybe needs another loan and would like to see him at Brentford next season too. Certainly not anywhere near first team material at Liverpool yet though.

18 Apr 2016 19:20:46
Tall lad? Yu watch the right player?

18 Apr 2016 19:43:03
He's 5ft 9 I think?

18 Apr 2016 19:52:25
He's quite tall for a winger, not huge by any stretch.

19 Apr 2016 07:25:12
I don't think Canos will make it at LFC tbh. He's not good enough.

19 Apr 2016 08:28:13
You said that about Stewart. Really we need to see them being coached and surround by LFC players - all credit to Brentford but it's not the same.

19 Apr 2016 10:23:29
He's 5ft 10 - that's taller than your average winger and because he is Spanish, I wrongly assumed he'd be shorter. My mistake.

18 Apr 2016 13:58:07
Any chance of kolo being given some kind of role within coaching at the club? Apparently he's liked by everyone and has a wealth of knowledge, surely he could help some of the young defenders.

18 Apr 2016 14:09:56
I appreciate the sentiment, Kolo certainly been a model professional throughout his tenure at the club and by all accounts has played well whenever called upon. Having said that he has no coaching experience and I'd much rather Klopp bring in staff qualified for the role. Besides who's to say Toure would even want to coach right now? Perhaps he'd like to continue playing, even if it is elsewhere.

18 Apr 2016 16:56:15
He's definitely got it in him to keep playing in the Prem for at least another year or two, he's showing no signs of age whatsoever and i can barely think of a mistake he's made when called upon. Hopefully in the next few years he can start on his coaching badges if that's what he wants to do and if Klopp wants him back, try and get him to return to the club in some capacity.

18 Apr 2016 19:53:29
No sign of age whatsoever? I like the guy but he is struggling to play 90 minutes.

19 Apr 2016 07:27:25
Only people who are the very best coaches should get coaching jobs at LFC. Coaching is a very important job in football, you don't employ a bloke just because you like him, at our level he has to be there on merit.

19 Apr 2016 08:31:27
If we gave him a role in the back office it would need to be a club ambassador type role - similar to the type Chelsea have with some ex players or we used KK and I think Fowler for sometimes. Would keep him around and allow him to do his coaching badges with us whilst providing value that doesn't do a qualified quality coach out of a job. If he proves to be great at it then we'll see.

19 Apr 2016 15:52:13
Would be very wary of the practice of moving players straight into coaching at top clubs just because they were well liked. It is slightly different but there's a fair number of top rugby and lower level footie clubs that have made a real mess through doing that. Thing is you can't even argue about using them with the youngsters because if anything it is more important to get the right coaches with them.

18 Apr 2016 10:17:54
In an earlier post Ed1 mentioned Ward flapping a couple of crosses. It may be true, but having watched a bit of Ward for Aberdeen I'd attribute it more to rustiness and nerves. In a few more games I think he'd iron out the kinks.

He certainly shows promise, and I hope Liverpool keep him, but he needs games to keep improving so a good loan next season should be sought to continue his development.

What I like most is he seems relatively calm for a young keeper which is unusual as they are prone to flashes of rashness early in their career. All in all I'm glad he got a chance and hope he will get one or two more before the end of the season.

18 Apr 2016 11:57:43
I like when keepers stand their ground and stay up right for shots on goal. migs has this terrible habit of falling backwards, sometime. be good to see ward more. my initial feeling was that he doesn' have much presence in he box but not fair to judge after watching once.

18 Apr 2016 12:29:51
He did nothing wrong that Mings doesn't often do wrong for me, and quite a lot more right. Slightly less comfortable when it came to gathering shots but that will come with gametime, and to me he put real pressure on Mings.

18 Apr 2016 12:49:23
A loan to a top league club would do wonders for Ward. i suspect migs will likely be a starter next season. Such a loan for Ward would probably produce a "courtois" type.

18 Apr 2016 12:51:52
He looked decent for a young keeper on debut but question is how much scope to improve, hopefully a lot. What I liked is apart from the odd flap, he actually patrolled quite a wide area and didn't mind coming off his line.

Also by far the best part was once he had the ball in hand, his distribution actually looked like distribution, rather than kicking the ball as far away from goal as possible. His kicks almost invariably hit an area with a Liverpool player able to compete, and once he caught he was extremely quick to look for a way to get Liverpool on the front foot and exploit any potential lack of defensive structure.

18 Apr 2016 13:32:20
I had no problems with him, TBH.

18 Apr 2016 13:43:55
Noticed that as well Zimbo. Thought the direction and power of his kicks out was very good.

19 Apr 2016 08:33:07
always interesting, lots of disagrees and no-one speaking up!

18 Apr 2016 11:20:52
There are only 5 games left in the league and he will have to impress the boss in those. We are looking at a new keeper and I fully except 2 out of the three are moving. It's unfortunate but that's what the Boss thinks.

19 Apr 2016 15:57:25
Considering the nature of the role to expect a keeper to not play for ages and then come in and perform is tough, even tougher with a youngster whose experience is limited. At 22 he has plenty of time to develop still but for a really top level keeper we'd need to see that happening next season.

Big question is what happens next season, sine the talk on here is certain a replacement for Bogdan is coming where would that leave Ward anyway? If he does go on loan he might want to be looking at Championship level if the plan is either show his worth to us or sell himself for a potential good career. That might not be so easy to arrange.

18 Apr 2016 08:34:44
For anyone still in doubt about whether or not Klopp is making waves, just look at our two games against Bournemouth this season. The first under Rodgers was played at Anfield. Bournemouth had a perfectly fair goal disallowed, whilst we stole the game with a Benteke goal that shouldn't have stood. We lined up with our best team against a Bournemouth side who hadn't found their feet in the Prem at that point and looked like certainties to be relegated.

Fast forward to yesterday. Just days after putting Dortmund out of Europe we travel to Bournemouth's stadium having made 10 changes and having 6 u23's on the pitch. Bournemouth by this point are solid at home and only 7 points behind us going into the game. Without even exerting ourselves we eased past them to win fairly and probably could've won by 6 goals if Sturridge had brought his shooting boots.

I am so pleased we can actually look forward to our games again now. Even when we lose we're at least going down with a fight. The passion wasn't there yesterday tbh, but the quality was. Roll on Wednesday night at Anfield. Make it special lads!

18 Apr 2016 09:38:15
Yeah but the big difference now is that Bournemouth are safe and have no need to break their backs.

18 Apr 2016 09:38:34
I said this yesterday, if Klopp can make 10 changes and it all look that easy without even getting out of 1st gear then we are going places.

18 Apr 2016 10:12:55
There were safe at that point it was only the 2 game of the year.

18 Apr 2016 13:03:59
They maybe safe from relegation but i am sure their players are playing for their future and even to impress klopp.

18 Apr 2016 13:27:32
It looked to me like we set up to kill any Tempo or momentum in the game. Bournemouth never got going because we didn't let them. Stewart was very slow with the ball in particular. It was so consistent though that it was definitely tactical. If you watch Bournemouth's best games, they come when it is open end to end stuff. We nullified that by being patient and slower than normal. It resulted in a very professional but seemingly passionless performance. We cannot play every game at 200mph.

We're on a great run right now. Why go looking for faults that aren't there just to be negative?

Bournemouth are a mega rich club with a lot of average players. If any of them weren't putting in 100% then they clearly have no idea how easily they could be replaced. They were playing for their places as much as our players were.

18 Apr 2016 13:43:04
Bournemouth`s first eleven got outplayed by an almost Liverpool third team so if you`re Bournmouth, you need to keep quiet and go hide under a rock. And if you`re LFC, you need to be excited at the depth we have and Klopp`s ability to actually coach a group of players into performing.

18 Apr 2016 16:39:27
Well said, MK Scouser.

I think this is what we'll see moving forward from Klopp -- because he demands so much from his teams in terms of pressing, pace, work rate, he'll need to heavily rely upon a substantial second team in order to rest his best XI.

There will always be a few first teamers sprinkled in with a youth squad to play weaker teams-- here Sturridge and Firmino, both game changers. The key will be to win those games the way our best XI compete with the best in Europe -- Dortmund.

Our weakness this year, in fact, has been against lower sides. We are tired, less fit, with a less cohesive squad, especially against teams that retreat into their box and don't play football.

But even against lower sides, with a second team, Klopp is getting results. That's going to be really importnat.

18 Apr 2016 06:47:16
Welbeck has amazing record for england.14 goals in 34matches. he scored 3 against San Marino;2against maldova.2 against Switzerland.2 against Sweden.1 against Scotland. also 2against Slovenia.1against Belgium in his first match. now Roy hodgson thinks he is ready to start for england. there must be a level of over rating
.

18 Apr 2016 08:30:46
IMO Vardy and Kane are the top two and should be treated as such. After that you have the likes of studge and welbeck who are just finding their feet again after lengthy injuries and finally you have Rooney, I don't believe he should start for England, he's not fit but more importantly hasn't been in form and hasn't really been all season.

Making him captain was probably the worst thing because it puts the manager in an awkward position now of almost feeling obliged to play him for that reason.

Just an outsiders two pennies anyway!

18 Apr 2016 08:13:18
That's why stats are misleading.

18 Apr 2016 08:18:40
International goal scoring records count for nothing nowadays. Look at Wayne Rooney. He has what, 4/ 5 goals at major tournaments? Yet he's England's all time top scorer thanks to 45 goals against whipping boys in friendlies and qualifiers. I don't care how many times he has scored against San Marino, Estonia and Jamaica. I am of the opinion that when players international goal scoring records are talked about we should only consider goals at major tournaments such as the world cup, the Euros, the south American cup, the Asian cup, the Acon etc.

It's Reasons like this that I have no vested interest in international football. I'll watch it, but the only thing I really care about is that no Liverpool players get injured.

18 Apr 2016 09:14:20
Look at Peter Crouchs scoring record for England.

18 Apr 2016 09:56:36
England have an abundance of strikers who offer more than rooney, vardy, kane, sturridge, welbeck, hell even players like rashford and carroll have more of a shout at going than rooney on merit. But he's wayne rooney so of course he will, oh the bureacracy.

18 Apr 2016 10:23:20
We should be playing Kane, Vardy or Sturridge upfront. can you really see us winning with Rooney leading the line?

Of all of these, Sturridge is the most mercurial, Kane the most reliable all rounder and Vardy the most explosive.

I'd personally play Sturridge and Kane upfront (Sturridge plays best with a partner) as that has goals written all over it, and Sterling just behind them like he played for us in 2013/ 14.

18 Apr 2016 10:44:49
Zimbo I don't even see us getting to the quaters never mind winning it.

18 Apr 2016 11:21:37
Rooney wouldn't even get in the squad for me. Not fit or been in form when he has been. He's probably better as a number 10 but he doesn't get in ahead of Ali, Barkley or even sterling hence he doesn't go.

18 Apr 2016 11:43:41
Rooney shouldn't even be in the squad IMO. I know people say 'he good to have in the changing rooms' etc, but if that's the case, take him as a non squad member.

Roy does have a dilemma though. Kane and Sturridge is a scary partnership but how can you leave out Vardy?

Bottom line is this. If Wayne Rooney goes, we haven't taken our best squad with us.

18 Apr 2016 12:50:47
2015-2016 BPL comparison

Jamie Vardy has played 34 and scored 22
Harry Kane has played 33 and scored 22
Wayne Rooney has played 23 and scored 7
Daniel Sturridge has played 10 and scored 6
Danny Welbeck has played 7 and scored 3

I don't care about international football but think England should take Rooney due to his experience at international tournaments. I wouldn't start him over JV, HK or DS as these are out and out strikers and WR is a traditional number 10.

18 Apr 2016 12:58:58
I agree if he plays at all he should be no.10 instead of sterling. Jamesy your point taken but this was "absolutely no chance" vs" remote possibility" question lol.

I actually think if we select a talented young team, with the talent coming through we could surprise ourselves if they get used to each other through the pool phases, and would be really well place going into the next tournament. The problem is we always feel we have to play some so called legend coming to the end of their careers. for what exactly? 3-4 experienced heads is enough in a side and it's not exactly like Sturridge, Dier, Llalana, Kane, Cahill etc. are novices.

18 Apr 2016 13:23:55
Rooney is in and playing for england so that Hodgson has a ready scapegoat when england get dump out in group stage.

18 Apr 2016 13:46:05
Rooney hasn`t had a good international competition performance since EURO 2004.

18 Apr 2016 19:07:19
Absolutely right redohio he's been part of the problem not the solution, he is the emperors new clothes.

18 Apr 2016 20:15:02
Most overrated player in an England shirt ever, but I have no faith in Roy that he won't put Rooney in as an automatic starter.
Even if he plays no10, your still leaving someone more deserving out of the side.

18 Apr 2016 11:25:28
I just cannot see a reason to drop Vardy and Kane. Roy see Vardy as a winger which is a shame for the game while Danny would get the top spot Courtney of Liverpool FV the brand.

18 Apr 2016 03:30:47
I enjoyed watching Liverpool reserves beat Bournemouth yesterday. Hard to believe Klopp has brought the team to a place where we can make 10 changes and still win reasonably comfortably. The man knows what he is doing.

I thought Ojo did well. He's going to be better than Sterling if he keeps growing.


I was pleasantly surprised Ibe took the free kick that led to Sturridge's goal - it can only mean Klopp has been working on this. Cnd it was well delivered.

Sturridge is just class. His movement and how he creates chances for himself and the team.

Danny Ward really impressed me. Not perfect of course. But his agility and distribution was really good. I remember towards the end of the 1st half, he came out, caught a cross, then immediately sent it out to Sturridge who was open near the half way line. Almost like Reina. Defo not Migs' Forte. Hope he gets more game time.

Anyway, well done, Liverpool reserves. :)

18 Apr 2016 06:04:52
Good post but can we all please make a pact to stop labelling youngsters coming through as "the next sterling"?

18 Apr 2016 07:12:53
Yeah i have to agree with sterling being the benchmark. In all accounts both ibe and ojo should do better as sterling has shown he's a tad overrated and we did well getting the money we did for him.

18 Apr 2016 08:14:42
Anyone else not want a next sterling?

18 Apr 2016 07:44:07
He didn't say "the next Sterling" he said better than Sterling. best to read first.

18 Apr 2016 13:59:55
Spot on, OP. Klopp is not just a great motivator. He is a evaluator of talent and more importantly, a MASTER tactician. To be able to make TEN changes and beat a Bournmouth first eleven without breaking a sweat says it all. Also in the BVB game, many talked about the motivation and emotion in Klopp`s approach and that defo was critical. What many did not comment on is how tactically, he hammered his pupil Tuchel, and let him know who the teacher still is. In the 2nd half, he brought on Studge and Allen and we switched to a 4-4-2 diamond with Allen on the left, Milner on the right and Couts behind Studge and Origi. BVB`s defence crumbled and this is where the game was won, tactically. Tuchel in both games, got tactically schooled and he showed is inability to adapt to events not going his way and his post match comments showed he was a beaten man who did not know what had hit him. Glenn Hoddle on MOTD that night, observed the same thing, tactically. I am so happy he`s here and is already reaching legend status. if he wins the EL and or we get top 4 in spite of our issues this year, he WILL be a legend after just 9 months in charge.

17 Apr 2016 22:50:06
Ed001 do you mind providing us with one of your almost requisite post match reports?

As for myself I thoroughly enjoy games like these were we get to see our younger players. It's also very refreshing to see these players go out with a plan and a purpose as opposed to a team just being thrown together because you want to rest a few key players which is a complaint I have about a lot of managers.

I can't really fault anyone except for an uncharacteristically weak challenge Lucas for the goal, but I'm sure Ward was very happy to have the experience of Lucas and Toure in front of him all game.

I was particularly pleased for Ibe given some of the negative press he's had from our own boys recently and I think Klopp brought him back in to the team at the right time.

Finally I'd like to say how great it is to see Sturridge with a bit more of a spring in his step, his back heel was genuis and real demonstration of the quality his brings to the team, that extra edge. He arguably should of had at least one more if not more but he had a great game for me.

{Ed001's Note - I don't know what to say about that game, it felt very much like a pre-season friendly, with no real fire to it, until the closing stages. With little to really play for from Bournemouth, I could understand them struggling to motivate themselves, but every one of our players should have been giving their all to try and force their way in to the line up for the Derby and Villareal matches. I have to say, despite the win, I was a little disappointed, it was just a stroll in the park.

Ward showed a real improvement over Mignolet in distribution, but he flaps at crosses into the box, didn't handle the pressure well. Did little to put pressure on Migs, as he should have done, but it was good to see him get a game.

The rest of the team pretty much strolled through the game, with Bournemouth not really turning up, there was little from us either. I can't stress enough how disappointed I was with our lack of urgency, as they were clearly there for the taking and we could have racked up a big win if the players had been up for it. Still, a win is a win, but those players all need a kick up the arse and a reminder that they have their futures to play for.}

18 Apr 2016 10:26:54
It was the one thing I was a bit dissapointed with - when we were 2-0 up we lazily passed it around like it was job done. we all know that's never the case in the PL and we almost paid a price.

18 Apr 2016 18:25:09
Ed, though I agree that we could have attacked more, I somehow feel they resorted to 'safe' game, since most of them were young and don't play together very often than they should.
Ojo, Allen and Sturridge though, tried to make things happen with a bit of urgency.

18 Apr 2016 19:30:36
Cant fault you there, Ed. the fact that it looked like a friendly jumped out at me after about 15-20 minutes and indeed, we should have put 5 past them but a win`s a win.

{Ed001's Note - it just seemed a shame, it shouldn't be about doing enough, it should be about doing your best. Especially when you are fringe players getting a rare start. You should be fired up, desperate to prove you are ready to get more starts.}