Liverpool Banter Archive January 18 2016

18 Jan 2016 22:30:55
Ed001, benny baller and a special guest discuss last Sunday's liverpool v manchester united match.


Podcast 13

18 Jan 2016 20:53:26
Maybe the new contract to migs is just Klopp sorting the stability out for migs as his back up option as the next few transfer windows he intends on concentrating on getting some real talent in rather than having to find a new keeper as back up and still have to allow for that back up keeper to find his feet, hopefully by then migs would of found his own feet.

18 Jan 2016 21:19:34
It's not as a backup. Mignolet won't want to play backup and he's on pretty high wages for a backup I would imagine. It baffles me this one; more so than the Andy Carroll deal even.

18 Jan 2016 21:35:31
New contract is better for Liverpool in the long run.

18 Jan 2016 22:21:51
Not when he makes a critical error almost every game, he's a liability.

18 Jan 2016 22:31:53
I agree. New contract protects his value. If he appears valued by the club then suitors have to pay bigger price generally. How can a keeper that kept the most clean sheets last calander year come in for so much stick? Yes he makes mistakes but our midfield let opposition players waltz past them. Most players ball watch while defending dead ball situations. Nothing is said, if the rest of the team done their job then Mignolet wouldn't be left as scapegoat. He's not perfect, I've seen Camels with better footwork and his distribution is horrific at times but I strongly suspect that we would be a lot stronger with a more complete team in front of him.

19 Jan 2016 01:41:19
Natural, your clean sheet stat means nothing in the bigger scheme and having a better team around him won't change that much either. The guy isn't good enuff, end of. David James had the record for the most clean sheets in the PL that Cech just broke. Is James better than Cech? De Gea has an aweful team ahead of him yet he won them the game last night due to his ability and nothing more. When was the last time Mignolet kept us in a game? How many times has he cost us goals? Don't know why he was given a new contract but only time will tell but to say he would be better with a better team won't fix it because as a GK individually, he isn't good enuff.

18 Jan 2016 18:56:50
Hi Eds, I remember reading here not that long ago a comment you made about Sturridge.
I think what you said, in regards to his injuries, was not so much about the training, but with the poor resting. Players need to train properly but also mentally train. So when I read about some of our player's lack of confidence and our poor home form due to the weight of expectation, is mental fitness given any emphasis? Is Dr Steve Peters still working with us? Thanks.

{Ed001's Note - Dr Peters was on retainer, I am not aware of his contract being ended, though I personally would get rid of him and employ someone of use. Klopp always works on the mental side, hence his hugs etc.}

18 Jan 2016 17:54:26
Ed001, who's the better keeper, Mignolet or Westerveld?

I was a kid when Westerveld was playing so can't remember much

Ta.

{Ed001's Note - initially Westerveld was better, but he ended up as bad, though he could kick.}

18 Jan 2016 20:46:07
Westerveld was my hero because he replaced Calamity James. Sadly he got Corriganned. Same thing happened to Dudek. He was amazing in his first season, but then turned into a jittering mess with teflon on his gloves. He recovered a bit, but was never as good as his first season.

Actually who was the last goalie we didn't ruin? Brucie?

18 Jan 2016 21:21:19
I loved westervield but to be fair that's when I was getting into football big time. But the thing I remember most about him was him making a mistake while I was in a restaurant with my family on holiday. When my dad jumps out of his chair swears very loudly in front of 100 people apologies and drinks all round.

18 Jan 2016 21:48:30
I thought sander was terrible to be honest. I had high hopes for Kirkland when he came in. In my opinion Pepe has the best we have had in years but went off the boil.

18 Jan 2016 22:29:10
Hard to ruin quality surely? Hands down, Ray Clemence was the best I've seen in a Liverpool shirt. Reina at his best was also very good. I remember one day being right behind the Kop goal when some nob ran into the goal mouth behind Grobbelar, faced the crowd and started a little dance. We all laughed and Brucie turned around and spotted the guy. He then took the guys legs out from behind to loud cheers from the crowd and then security took him away. Couldn't imagine it today, the guy would probably sue for emotional damage.

18 Jan 2016 22:33:48
Worst mistake I saw Westerveld make was the own goal
Against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Still a better keeper than Mignolet though.

18 Jan 2016 22:29:37
Always the weak link at our club. There are 10+ goalkeepers In the prem alone that would jump at the chance to play for Liverpool. But we give Migs a new contract instead.

18 Jan 2016 18:30:19
Hi eds question for you,

How does the scouting actually work,

I've read today we have been linked with vardy, now I know this is just paper talk but even Still I wouldn't want him, he has one good seasons and has recently gone of the boil, but if we look at our history of signings, balotelli (obviously wasn't going to be a success, let's be fair) aspas, Alberto, voronin, borini etc surely it was common sense these guys weren't going to cut the mustard we can't get it wrong all time, Suarez is are only recent success in the last 3 years and Torres before that, so how is it with we sign them.

I know we haven't got CL to get the likes of higuan or Sanchez but there are strikers out there playing with similars teams to us who have good strikers why aren't we going after them.

Thanks in advance,

Dev.

{Ed002's Note - Typically there are a number of people that a club retains or employs regarding the "scouting" of players including a permanent Chief Scout and a perhaps a Head of International Scouting who all will report in to the club via a Director of Football or whatever. There is also be a guy who co-ordinates all of the reports and ensures that they go to the correct person. Obviously no one at the first team level is going to see or be interested in any reports related to kids so there is a hierarchy that deals with young kids, potential academy players up to the first team squad. There are then scouts retained (sometimes on a permanent basis, sometimes on a part time basis and sometimes on an ad hoc basis) by clubs to cover specific countries and/or areas of the world - France, South America, Adriatic & Old Eastern Bloc, Iberia etc.. On top of that there will be freelance scouts (often ex-referees and amateur club staff who will stay within their particular area of expertise and region). Once a player has been looked at a couple of times and reports reviewed, then someone from further up this chain will take a look. Eventually a chief scout will take a look, or if it is a potential first team player, then perhaps a coach or a manager will take a look. Some clubs also have advisors which include, taking one EPL side as an example, ex-managers or highly respected people within the game.

Within the English game, particularly at lower-levels and with youngsters, scouts often include ex-managers and referees at that level. With younger kiddies clubs often restrict their search area by distance - Southampton has a fan shaped catchment area stretching out from Southampton and up to Swindon to the Northwest and the outer-reaches of the metropolis to the Northeast. Sunday league and youth games in this area will often see someone scouting on behalf of Southampton.}

18 Jan 2016 19:11:21
And so in your opinion, how do you reckon we have managed to get it wrong so many times,

Do you think some of it is down to us being unlucky i. e players not living up to there potential or poor scouting?

{Ed002's Note - Players are simply transient employees of the club, they come, they go. The youngsters coming through the system may get footballing careers. Very, very few with Liverpool, but others will find a home with another club. Some will sadly have to seek careers outside of the game. Liverpool have faired no worse than many other sides in scouting and recruiting players - policy would perhaps have made a difference.}

18 Jan 2016 19:34:48
Thanks ed,

Appreciate you taking the time out to reply. Hopefully JK will have better luck then those before him.

Dev.

{Ed002's Note - Caulker, endorsing a new contract for Mignolet, maybe Shane Long. Sure.}

18 Jan 2016 19:46:04
Great reply as always ED002.
Would like to add on that many scouts are at Sunday Youth team games as the ED said. A couple of years back Brentford had scouts at many youth games looking at 13 and 14 year olds especially at that time. Helping to run a youth team in the Surrey area you do come across scouts from Brighton. Brentford, Reading, Fulham etc and particularly AFC Wimbledon. Perfect example of this is that the AFC Wimbledon u18s has been put together during the last 2 years with 80% of players being picked up from Sunday league football.
Speaking to some of them i have noticed that they are not always looking at the most talented boy on the field as they may think he is to greedy etc. But they are looking for someone that is doing his/ her job and being a team player and someone they can work with.
Obviously this is not always the case but just a guide.
I think these are the rules on travel. U12s must live within an hours travelling of a club. 13 to 16 years are allowed 90 minutes travel.
So if you have a child playing tell them to always do your best as you never know who is watching.

18 Jan 2016 20:42:26
Youve got to be kidding me in regards too shane long ed. Caulker was a shocker and migs was a poor decision. What now for ward with migs new contract.

{Ed002's Note - I don't think Southampton will let him go unless Liverpool pay over the odds.}

18 Jan 2016 21:11:06
Do we actually have a scouting dept then. Would it not be cheaper too bring back yesil if we could. It truly astounds me the level of ineptness at this club.

18 Jan 2016 16:59:58
What is happening with Taiwo Awoniyi? Is he getting enough game time and developing well?

Love the site!

Thanks!

{Ed002's Note - It is not going well in the German second tier. He is not ready to play regularly at that level just yet. Liverpool will need to find somewhere else for him in the summer.}

18 Jan 2016 16:11:18
How many of the Utd starting line up would have made it into ours yesterday ?

I reckon De Gea, Rooney and Blind ( possibly )

To me that just highlights the biggest 2 issues we have right now.

18 Jan 2016 16:26:25
I'd have Martial up front over Rooney. Schneiderlin also starts over Lucas I'm afraid.

18 Jan 2016 16:27:51
I would take De Gea and Martial. The rest? I`ll pass. Rooney like the rest, were pure pedestrians who just seemed to be holding out for a draw till we gied them the goal. Frankly, that team is aweful.

18 Jan 2016 16:37:11
De Gea.

None of the others impressed me tbh.

18 Jan 2016 17:49:59
Rooney 😂😂😂😂😂.

18 Jan 2016 18:26:03
Schneiderlin has been terrible since he joined United. Whether that's down to Van Gaal or not I don't know. Uniteds midfield gets played off the park every week though. He couldn't even get near Milner, Firmino or Lallana last night.

No way would I take him over Lucas who was the best player on the pitch yesterday. In fact, If you exclude Sakho Lucas was the best by far.

18 Jan 2016 19:33:02
Martial, Smalling, Schneiderlin and De Gea. I hope you're not taking Blind over Sakho lol.

19 Jan 2016 00:44:23
I thought kolo did a good job as well. He and sakho looked good together.

Kolo seems to get a foot in at the right time.

19 Jan 2016 01:56:37
Schneiderlein and Smalling? No way!

18 Jan 2016 14:51:19
Just so you know Eds, I'm not asking for any information or opinions from you, just recommending a player I've seen quite a bit of this year.

We can't score goals and therefore a lot of people think we should replace one or two of our strikers. A name that hasn't been mentioned is Leigh Griffiths of Celtic. Only 25 years old. Bagging 20+ goals a season up in Scotland (already got 24 in 31 games this year) is impressive regardless of the league. He has a sweet left foot, works very hard, attacks balls into the box, can run with the ball and create chances for others etc.

Just putting his name in the mix. Guys got serious talent and shouldn't be dismissed just because he hasn't had a break in a top league yet. After all, Dalglish came from the same club, Rush came from Chester and so on. It's been a while since we had a decent Scot in the side. Charlie Adam and Danny Wilson certainly didn't cut the mustard but I 'cannae' see Griffiths failing to score goals in any league ;)

18 Jan 2016 15:13:37
No ems a lot of people believe there should be changes in the forward line not strikers I. e milner and lallana Sturridge and ings are injured, firminho is doing his best playing with bang average players up fronT.

18 Jan 2016 15:13:43
Worth a look at him but can't imagine he'll have the quality we need. Is he better than Ings?
Back in the day the Scottish league was more competitive. Scotland used to be a good international team, Scottish teams would win European trophies.
These days they aren't competitive.

18 Jan 2016 15:19:57
As a Scot myself I can tell you about this guy. talent wise he is a real predator, he's got it all to be the sort of striker that would suit us. Personality wise he is a total disaster. He's one of these guys that's always in trouble of one sort of another and not the sort of Ballo laughable trouble either.

18 Jan 2016 15:27:51
Big Al I've seen plenty of people suggest we need a striker including some of the editors. I only see the need if we sell some myself though.

Ron the guy is a class above anyone else in Scotland. He's just broken the record for the fastest half century of goals in Celtic History. People seem to think that every league in the UK outside of the Prem is a massive step down in quality but a goalscorer is a goalscorer. Look at the likes of Vardy, Ighalo, Austin, Ings, Afobe etc who just keep on stepping up divisions and looking like they've always been there.

We need a fox in the box to replace Benteke and that's exactly what Griffiths is. It can probably wait until the summer and I'm not saying he'd be my first choice. But we could do a lot worse than him! I know I'll get hammered for this, but he reminds me of Robbie Fowler.

18 Jan 2016 15:34:02
About 160 goals in 310 career games. We aren't scoring enough goals and this guy has risen up through the leagues in Scotland as well as had a stint in the English football league and every time he steps up to a new division, he continues to score better than a goal every other game.

It's remarkable.

18 Jan 2016 15:36:50
I stop reading at " bagging goals in Scotland. "

18 Jan 2016 15:45:47
Leekuanyew, 3 years ago Jamie Vardy was bagging goals in pub football.

Such hipocrites. All crying for Ward to play because he did well at Aberdeen but Griffiths isn't even worth a mention because he plays in Scotland.

breaking rumour: Liverpool Rumours in Disarray after realising Aberdeen is in Scotland.

{Ed001's Note - I would think more of a problem is his issues with drunken misbehaviour and lack of real ability other than finishing, rather than where he plays. He is no Ian Rush or John Aldridge or Vardy for that matter. He is an average striker playing for a team light years ahead of the opposition and benefitting from it.}

18 Jan 2016 15:54:20
Amoo scores goals in Scotland ngoo scored goals in Scotland.

18 Jan 2016 16:07:52
I may have the wrong player here but didn't Griffiths struggle big style at wolves? might have been in the championship tho. not sure if he was there when they had a season in the prem?

{Ed001's Note - yes he was at Wolves but he was young.}

18 Jan 2016 16:10:47
Griffiths signed for Wolves in 2010 and left in 2013.

Most of his time was spent out on loan and in the one season he was actually at Wolves he scored 12 league goals in 26 appearances - in League 1.

So, rather than go to Scotland think we should look at:

Adam Armstrong Coventry City 16
Nicky Ajose Swindon Town 13
Billy Sharp Sheffield United 13
Leon Clarke Bury 12

all scored more and part-way through season.

18 Jan 2016 16:14:04
Griffiths has scored 3 goals in 2 games this season against Danny Ward. Might as well just keep Mignolet in goal if Ward gets beaten so frequently by average strikers ;)

Although I wasn't aware he had drinking problems to be honest. Be a shame to see another British talent go the same way as Gazza, Carroll etc.

{Ed001's Note - he is not a talent, and that is just another ridiculous stat. Griffiths plays for a team that has a budget roughly treble the rest of the SPFL teams can manage, which dominate almost every game. The question should be why he is not scoring amounts similar to the likes of Aubameyang or Messi if he is so good. Carroll was never particularly talented either, to use his name in the same sentence as Gazza is just obscene.}

18 Jan 2016 16:35:48
He is scoring more goals per minute than anyone in Europe to my knowledge Ed. A goal every 80 minutes.

To say he is not a talent is unfair.

I was winding you up about the 3 goals against Ward btw. Thought the " ;) " made it obvious!

I'm not saying he's my first choice signing. I only said the other day that we should go all out to sign a world class striker like Aubameyang, Lacazette etc.

But if the money isn't there to do so then Griffiths is a good option in my opinion. Or was before you just told me he's got an alcohol problem anyway. Knowing that now, I'd steer clear. Either way I am sticking by my statement that he is talented. So what if his only real skill is scoring goals? I don't see that as a bad thing. So much is asked of strikers these days that we forget what actually wins games; goals!

I can tell your opinion won't be swayed though so yet again, I'll agree to disagree with you Ed001. Hopefully one day every planet in the solar system will line up with both of our opinions and we can be best friends?

{Ed001's Note - I have watched him hundreds of times, he is simply not that talented, no matter what pointless stats or playing up front for a team many times better than the rest is telling you. He is like Pedro, making a living off the back of better quality team mates than any of his opponents, rather than being anything special himself. He is at his level there, but not good enough for the Prem, like Anthony Stokes, though not quite as much of a prick off the field, just.}

18 Jan 2016 16:39:25
Like I say, worth the scouts checking him out but we don't need any more trouble makers.

18 Jan 2016 16:48:26
I don't always agree with the things ems says but he generally just comes across as a reasonable poster on here.

The lad throws out a suggestion about a celtic player and everyone shoots it down. I know we lost yesterday and there's a touch of negativity around but seriously, it was just a suggestion about a player who could be affordable. The eds are brilliant here without a doubt but if there's one thing i take from what they tell us, its that the club is completely skint bar borrowing more. The comment seemed sensible to me.

{Ed001's Note - I have no problem with who the thumb plays for, it is his ability and off field troubles that make me suggest looking elsewhere. No point buying for the sake of it. Griffiths is a bit like Jerome Sinclair, he will score goals but you will be playing with ten men unless the ball is in the area. Oh and he is not that clinical either, he does get plenty of opportunities which go begging, it is just that there are always more when you play for a team that is a light year ahead of the opposition. We just don't need to buy for the sake of it. Just because a player is cheap does not mean we should go and get them. By the way, Celtic don't exactly let their players go cheap anyway so it seems a pointless discussion as a 'cheap option'.}

18 Jan 2016 16:48:29
EMS and his stats, again. Anyway, i want no one bought just for the sake of it. i know the situation seems desperate but buying someone just for the sake of it is just nonesense and as Klopp said in his interview, when you buy players at a position in this case striker, what happens to the ones already there? You can`t just dump them especially if they are good players as Studge, Origi and Ings are. I say, we buy no one, period. A loan? Maybe.

18 Jan 2016 17:00:16
Nicky ajose. Now that's funny, poster has obviously never seen him play.

18 Jan 2016 17:19:26
Cheers for the reply ed1

As with basically every time, you make your point precisely and well. My problem wasn't that the club is or isn't going out and buying some drunken striker because he could be a good cheap gamble. My issue was with the reaction of the posters which just seemed like jumping on any alternative idea with negativity.

My thoughts aren't worth much because i'm just not that knowledgeable about football apart loving our club. I think Liverpool fans will really need to wise up in the next couple of years if things don't take a drastic turn for the better on and off the field. We may need to adjust our expectations significantly about players to be bought and CL hopes very soon. I just hope the club's fans will stick and prove themselves as genuine fans when things get tougher.

Apologies for the essay!

{Ed001's Note - EMS made a mistake, he never picked the player because he was a wunderkind on fm or got high ranking on FIFA/PES. He never even found youtube highlights to show off those two seconds when he actually looked like he was top class. He just put a name out there and that was always going to lead to everyone jumping on him unless it was a huge name that everyone knows. Mind it doesn't help that his choice of players tends to be mostly average players that are barely fit to wear their current shirt, let alone ours.}

18 Jan 2016 17:54:17
Kyle Turner from Bromsgrove Sporting
The next Jamie Vardy.

18 Jan 2016 19:40:24
As a Scottish football follower, and a Liverpool fan, I wouldn't have Leigh Griffiths anywhere near the football club. Proper chip on his shoulder, borderline Premier League standard player (definitely not a top-half player), and, worst of all, he's prematurely bald, and you just can't trust that!

There's pretty much no senior players in Scotland that would be a worthwhile signing for Liverpool, and that makes me sad to say that.

18 Jan 2016 19:54:17
Would Austin had been worth a punt at the money being banded around. Seems like we've wasted far more money on players we never needed and maybe he would of been worth the gamble.

{Ed002's Note - Austin was not of interest to Liverpool at all and critically wanted to play in the south.}

18 Jan 2016 18:18:33
Fair enough ed01

It's safer to just go with the usual schtick and say Benteke and Mignolet are crap on here i guess!

Quick one for you ed, i've been trying to post regularly on the golf page lately, i saw you had some contributions on there previously. Drop by if you get a chance Ed.

{Ed001's Note - yeah I was just trying to get a convo going, I am not a golf fan, Ed025 is the one who loves it.}

18 Jan 2016 20:43:44
😂😂😂 he is shocking very very bad shout.

18 Jan 2016 13:49:29
Hi ed,

Can you please tell y players like jonjo, suso, tex not flourished with us.

They have lot of similarities. very skill full and can shoot with both feet. all three good in dead ball situation and they have good passing range. only deficency is pace.

They were never defensive midfielders.

So is it their defensive qualities or pace affecting the growth.

I am 100% sure that these players would have contributed more than any of the current crop.

It seems like players like lallana has changed his style under klopp, but largely in effective as attacking midfielder.

{Ed002's Note - Jonjonjo wanted regular playing time and moved on - the club did not push to keep him. Teixeira has been at the club for four years but regardless of his doing well on loan before his injury it seems Klipperty has no particular use for him in a squad which has several players in the same position. In the short term Suso did not have options at Liverpool and took the opportunity to move on when it came.}

18 Jan 2016 14:01:43
Thanks ed.

They all are young players could have made a very good unit, if given some more playing time.

{Ed002's Note - They are all decent players but Suso has lost his way a bit and Teixeira needs to find another club.}

18 Jan 2016 17:02:27
Shame about suso, i think we stiffled his development somewhat and then he made the right decision to move but moved to the wrong club and should of dropped down a level or two to somewhere he would have a chance to play more. Which i think if he is now doing on loan?

Whilst on young players, seen today sinclair will definately move, do you know what his options are Eds?

{Ed002's Note - An Espanyol offer of a pre-contract was rejected. Watford may through their hat in the ring.}

18 Jan 2016 13:38:17
{Ed's Note - We have posted a new article entitled, Schmeichel Dismissed Man Utd's Title Hopes, Weigl Rules Out Man City Move As Zabaleta Considers His Future And More

18 Jan 2016 11:19:00
Happy Birthday Joao Carlos Teixeira 23 today.

Give him a good cake.

18 Jan 2016 11:40:27
So at what age do we stop calling him a youth player?

Sad to say it but i think it would be best for the player and the club if he leaves in the summer. Shame because i really liked him and hoped he had a future with LFC.

18 Jan 2016 12:09:22
He's a man who hasn't quite cut the mustard with LFC get over it let's get some quality instead of bleating on about this bloke.

18 Jan 2016 10:33:30
Hey everyone, so yesterday was hard to take and i'm sure we've all had a chance to reflect so here's my humble opinion for what its worth on the days events as a whole,
Firstly even though certain players could have done a sight more yesterday we still managed to mainly outplay UTD that alongside the fact we dd the same against Arsenal in the week, now we know that only gains us the one point which is not what we wanted at all but there are signs albeit small ones that things might be ok with one or tweaks,
We have to stop defending corners without a man on the posts, its so so obvious to other teams that that's how they can get at us, I know Klopp is new to the league but surely that is just basic team management, especially seeing as though we own the least commanding keeper in the country, which brings me on to him, Mignolet, I hear the good shot stopper thing but its a useless argument, take all the top division keepers, are they not all good shot stoppers? their all stealing a living if not,
Its the other things that make a keeper worth 10-20 points a season, running the backline, commanding the 6 yard box, never being afraid, sweeping behind the backline, good distribution, i'd argue Mignolet has hardly any of these so top shot stopper is by the by, now i'm hoping Klopp is being diplomatic knowing damn well that if he slates Migs in the papers then his confidence will be more shot and we deprive ourselves of the only really senior keeper at the club right now (considering Ward has only played the loan job at Aberdeen) He surely can not be convinced that Mignolet is anything other than unreliable, its too obvious to everyone, so therefore a keeper is paramount in the summer if we aren't doing business in January, and yes the header hit the bar yesterday and yes Rooney hammered it in but he laid down instead of standing up and it went above his head, not good and the culmination of poor efforts between the sticks must be seen as a massive shortcoming in our defensive plans going forward,
The back four, well I thought Toure and Sakho had good games especially considering they have had some time out, I personally think Moreno is going to shine for us under Klopp and there are definite improvements to his game albeit small, I just wish he had a better final ball (Like Smith) I think in time we'll see if he kicks on, Clyne is Clyne for me, He doesn't do flashy, He could probably take his man on more, I think if he had a proper experienced winger on his side instead of either the inexperienced Ibe or the slow as tractor Milner then we'd see more value in his wing play, for now solid will do, we clearly have a slightly rejuvenated Lovren to come back too and i'm convinced a commanding keeper will pull this lot into line, its surprising how much the back four need confidence from the man behind.
The midfield, well I thought Lucas had a good game in general and will continue to be a good squad rotation player with Klopp, Can is a mystery, he has all the tools but seems to suffer from either not looking or assuming he can muscle his way into ball retention, which invariably he doesn't, so frustrating but he's young and has time, definitely one for the future, Milner, well yesterday wasn't his worst game for us and that's all I can really say, he looks like he's running with steel attached to his legs, he can't tackle and his first touch is shocking, I wonder how much of him has spat the dummy after being guaranteed centre mid and Rodgers getting sacked, NOT good enough for us and certainly should not be our number 7, hard work does not create goals and goals are what we are lacking which leads me to Lallana, oh Lallana the man with a Cruyff turn and a boatload of tricks, is he not just like the frustrating kid in your school team who beats a man down the wing turns back and beats him again tries to nutmeg him and loses the ball everytime? he barely looks up, he barely scores but yet again he's another, he works hard, and yet again it means nothing in general, we don't gain much ground through him, he barely gets an assist and his goalscoring record is poor, he also by the way has no pace (see Milner, Can and Lucas) he SHOULD be a great player, but he's not, We know we have Couthino to come back but with no quality surrounding him and signs of dummy spitting in various games how long do we have him for? makes no difference if anyone thinks he's good enough for Barcelona et al or not, he will go if the offer comes end of. Allen by the way looks improved albeit slightly and could be a good squad player if he doesn't get sold for funding.
the forwards, Firmino is often a joy to watch in respect of the space he finds and the balls he plays but I seriously think he's suffering from no quality around him, I knew his finishing wasn't the most ruthless having seen him in the German league and for Brazil a few times but he does get in great positions regular as clockwork, he'll be fine moving forward, Ibe needs time, he's young let's not forget that, they don't all develop like Sterling has straight away, people mature at differing rates, he'll be massive for us in the future, Benteke will never make it here (see Carroll) and for some reason I think he finds it funny, his attitude smacks of someone saying do what you like i'm on a fortune here and I don't care, no pace, no desire, nothing, yet another very poor signing for the money paid,
We know we have an obvious improver in Origi who is also young and we also have the added bonus of the hardworking, good finisher Ings when he comes back, they might be bonuses for next season to be fair.
The kids, well Tex needs a chance somewhere, he's 22 now and not a youth player anymore so either use him instead of Milner or sell him and let the lad have a career, it just doesn't seem right to me, maybe he's a poor trainer who knows, Ward will get his chance then we can all put that argument to bed and the rest just are not ready, even Smith, he plays a great ball in but his defensive side is no better at all than Moreno and personally If he comes back the same Flanno would be a big bonus in this team with regards to defensive duties and some fire on the pitch,
Klopp, I like him, he needs time, this is a league like no other, its blood and guts and high tempo every game, everything from the pace to the weather has thrown his head out but between him and the staff he's brought here i'm sure it'll be worked out, one thing I do know is pace is what we are so so desperate for, that and a genuine 30 goals a year striker who is fit more often than not, Danny is so frustrating but I do wonder if Klopp has just said dya know what?, let's just get him supremely fit and stop rushing him back, then we'll see, I think that ones a 50/ 50 as to whether we ever see him the same again but heres hoping.
Also yesterday was the goals on Sunday coming out of Mr Rodgers who tried to speak eloquently but yet the lies were as obvious as they were the last time we heard him speak and if that wasn't scripted beforehand then I don't know anything, his delusion has not subsided and i'm sure Real Madrid will be on the phone soon enough, I think there is more to come from motormouth yet and don't be surprised to see a can of worms or 3 opened.
So my head says we need time, a new keeper, a commanding CB, a midfield general, a winger of true quality and striker and that's at the very least, my heart says we need yet another clear out we can not afford, i'm not even sure how the summer window will go yet alone this one as whose going to pay top dollar for any of this lot? All i do know is top to bottom we need to start moving on from the Rodgers nonsense and the mess he, s left behind and start building, again,
Transition anyone?
YNWA.

18 Jan 2016 11:14:51
Nice round up. We do need a clear out, we have too many players who lack quality and stifle opportunity for our youth.
Klopp for me needs a good pre-season with these players and I think he is using this season as a bit of a trial for the senior players to buy him time in the summer and get his business done early.
We have so many young players who are ready to be backup to the first team : Gomez, Smith, Grujic, Rossiter, Ibe, Ojo, Origi. Emre Can has just turned 22 last week, Teixeira is 23 today, Ilori is about to turn 23, Flanno has just turned 23.
We need to utilise these players and turn the quantity of squad players into quality.

18 Jan 2016 11:19:43
I think the main problem, and it's a big one is a lack of quality. We have players like Can or Firmino who can look like world beaters one game and look like amateurs the next, just not consistent enough. Others like Lallana, Mignolet, Milner, Allen and Lucas etc that just ain't good enough. We do have some quality youth coming through and the likes of Can and Ibe who are already maturing nicely so things aren't all bad. It's just going to take time to overhaul the squad. We're not in the position of an unlimited pot of gold to spend. Righting the wrongs of previous years transfers is going to take patience. No matter how frustrated we get. Remember Klopp hasn't really spent a penny yet for us to see.

18 Jan 2016 12:03:50
Everything was right yesterday, if you play one up top you expect the mid fielders to over lap and contribute. Yesterday was actually the best supporting and running from midfield I have seen in a while from us. Simply the midfielders who were supporting lacked composure and there shooting boots. Lallana doesn't own shooting boots, hendo didn't have them on and Can was foiled by the keeper. Sad times.

18 Jan 2016 12:09:44
14 weeks at the club with a squad which is not fit enough to what is required of his style of play. Individual mistakes costing us, never had a fully fit squad. Wrong players brought previously and a tricky transfer window to purchase but still miracles are expected.
Klopp has never walked into a club and been a instant success. He has always taken time, bringing in his own players. His own ideas.

18 Jan 2016 12:10:49
Harsh on Lucas IMO.

18 Jan 2016 12:35:53
Hi Richie,

I agree with some of what you say but I've got to defend Benteke and Milner. To suggest neither care is massively unfair, you have no idea what's going through their heads and to invent a negative reason for their poor play is unjustified. Comment on their performance to your hearts content, but don't invent things as an excuse to hate them.

18 Jan 2016 15:11:54
Hi Muscat,
I wasnt saying that as fact, I was saying that it appears that way sometimes, maybe it was lost in translation,
Benteke does not appear to be enjoying himself to me but that's only my opinion buddy, Milner just isn't good enough in the context of taking us to another level, very level headed honest pro I've no doubt whatsoever, but he's not what we need,
I did state at the top of my post that they were only humble opinions, I just tried to cover as much as possible in a reasonable way,
I don't think I was over harsh to be fair
take care man.

18 Jan 2016 15:11:54
Hi Muscat,
I wasnt saying that as fact, I was saying that it appears that way sometimes, maybe it was lost in translation,
Benteke does not appear to be enjoying himself to me but that's only my opinion buddy, Milner just isn't good enough in the context of taking us to another level, very level headed honest pro I've no doubt whatsoever, but he's not what we need,
I did state at the top of my post that they were only humble opinions, I just tried to cover as much as possible in a reasonable way,
I don't think I was over harsh to be fair
take care man.

18 Jan 2016 06:51:20
Ed001/ 002,

I'm curious as to the obligations of the buying club in a loan to buy scenario as Balotelli has with AC MIlan. I think one of you mentioned that there was already an agreed fee for him attached to the loan to buy deal. I am not really sure on what obligations MIlan has in the way of sticking to the deal and buying him for the agreed amount. I assume they don't have to go through with buying him, but if they do the fee is already set in stone and its just a matter of signing off on the permanent deal. Thanks in advance.

{Ed002's Note - It depends whether it is a loan to buy or a loan with an option to buy. In the case of Balotelli the fee is fixed for Milan if the decide to buy.}

18 Jan 2016 09:07:08
Hi Eds

I was wondering if you could do a summary of how you think Klopp has done so far? Do you see enough to suggest that with time and clearing out the dead wood and to make a few signings and develop s few of the youngsters he can have us challenging at the top end of the table?

{Ed001's Note - far too early to make a judgement, but it does look better under Klopp. He needs time though, the club was left in a complete mess.}

18 Jan 2016 10:50:40
Agree, the style of play and chances we create has clearly improved, but we have 2-3 key gaps to fill. If he can show the ability to recruit wisely in the summer we'll be well ahead of where we were.

18 Jan 2016 10:32:35
Thanks ed I completely agree. I have seen enough to suggest that if the club and us fans give him time he can start to turn us around and push us back up the league.

Do you get any idea how he sees the job now he is here. Was he fully aware the size of the task he had taken on?

{Ed001's Note - he knew what he was getting himself into, he just needs time to get used to English football.}

18 Jan 2016 12:13:06
He definitely has had no time to train the players because they have so many games.
How do you develop when you have only 3 days between games. I doubt we'll see any significant changes until next season at the earliest.

18 Jan 2016 12:39:48
I'm still not entirely sure what our style of play is yet?

Ok, we press more. I can see us pressing using certain triggers, but with the ball, I don't know what our style is yet? Some half decent interchanges in and around the box, Hendo seems to be the runner, ala Lampard into the box. I don't know. Does anyone? This is not a critical post by the way, I just don't quite see what we're aiming for yet. I didn't watch Dortmund enough to see whether we're heading down that route.

Cheers.

18 Jan 2016 04:23:02
Worst Pool strikers in PL era?

1. Ronnie Rosenthal
2. Andriy Voronin
3. Mario Balotelli
4. Iago Aspas


Any others? :)

{Ed001's Note - not sure Aspas was that bad, he was just lightweight. If he had been given time, instead of written off by the fans after just a few games, he might have done well. At least he made an effort.}

18 Jan 2016 04:33:19
Ronnie Rosenthal scored a hatrick in his full debut match. People remember him that awful miss but wasn't that bad at all and hardly played at all.

{Ed001's Note - I seem to remember he had a purple patch when everything went well, but it all fell apart for him after the patch ended and he never found his goalscoring touch again.}

18 Jan 2016 05:54:31
Jovanovic for me. At least we remember Rosenthal's miss, Aspas's corner, Voronin's hair and Balotelli's arrival. Does anyone have any kind of memory of Jovanovic?

{Ed001's Note - I seem to remember him along with the word 'lumbering', which says a lot.}

18 Jan 2016 07:28:14
Surely N'gog needs to be on there? Made Babel look more potent in front of goal. Although he did lack the talent to hit a free kick on goal out for a throw-in.

But Ed001, honestly, would you prefer N'gog or Benteke in front of goal at this moment if you had a choice?

{Ed001's Note - in front of goal Benteke, anywhere else on the pitch Ngog.}

18 Jan 2016 09:06:21
Paul Stewart, terrible sourness signing.

18 Jan 2016 07:42:09
My memory of Jovanovic was that hilarious attempt at a head vs Arsenal at Anfield. He was trying to clear the ball and just fell over, it was great!

18 Jan 2016 10:38:17
Very very harsh on Rozenthal.
Sean Dundee?
Andy Carroll
Robbie Keane.

18 Jan 2016 10:56:16
Sean Dundee was no goalscoring machine.

18 Jan 2016 12:41:42
Remember jovanovic, against Arsenal, knocked over alex song, and rattles a shot against the bar from 30 yards, would have been amazing haha!

18 Jan 2016 11:17:36
On the subject of Tributes to former players/ legends.

Aly Cissokho at Liverpool
https://vimeo.com/92846254